Chapter 6[แก้ไข]
Part 1[แก้ไข]
As the night slipped into the small hours, the stars twinkled in the Heavens beside a full moon that was late by a night which shone upon the world of Little Garden with its soft glow.
The street lamps illuminated the roads and pathways with its slight but sufficient light but there seemed to be no one out and about tonight for no presences could be detected in the vicinity. Walking along the path, Izayoi who maintained his fast stroll gazed up upon the skies while muttering to himself:
“It’s such a beautiful night with stars dotting the Heavens and yet there’s no one else out for a stroll. If this were to be found in my world, such a location would have required an entrance fee already.”
The city that Izayoi used to stay in before coming to Little Garden is a 24-hour city that never sleeps.
The bright glare of neon lights, the vehicles that sped along the roads and their resultant cacophony that never seemed to tire out from their long journeys. The sounds of laughter and entertainment centers that opened till the wee hours of the morning, the buzz and throng of people on the streets that made up the era where many devious temptations were abound. For Izayoi who had lived in that sort of generation, to be able to look up at a star filled sky in a place where humans lived was quite a refreshing experience for him. On the contrary, for Kudou Asuka who had arrived from the era not long after the World War, the question that had arose in her heart from the sight of the star filled skies was of a different reason.
“It’s normal for the full moon to be that bright and distinct in the skies but why is it that the stars are not affected by it? Isn’t that strange?”
“It’s because Little Garden’s veil has been designed to make the stars more easily visible.”
“Is that so? But how does it bring any good to them?”
She could understand the reason behind the veil being designed to allow the supposedly nocturnal Vampires to be unharmed by the Sun’s rays. However, for the stars were made to be more distinct was an action that she did not understand for she saw no good reasons to back it. Kuro Usagi who had originally taken the lead with her hurried and anxious small jog had then slowed down her steps to try explaining the phenomenon.
“Oh, that’s because……”
“Oi Oi, Ojou-sama, isn’t your question a little too cold and unfeeling by looking only at the benefits? Can’t you understand the crafter’s soul that has the ‘Desire to make the stars look more beautiful at night’ kind of thought?”
“Ara, that sure sounds quite amazing and thoughtful while being romantic at the same time.”
“……That…That’s also right.”
Kuro Usagi deliberately left it as that without denying it outright. Since the both of them had already accepted that sort of answer that they had come up with, she was willing to leave it at that for now. After all the true explanation would take some time and they were just a few steps away from reaching the shop.
And standing at the doorway of [Thousand Eyes] to welcome the trio was the usual expressionless female shop assistant.
“Your arrival has been long awaited. The shop manager and Laius-sama are waiting for you inside.”[1]
“You mean to say that you have already known that we would be coming? Having done that sort of rude thing to us and you still have the cheek to say ‘Your arrival has been long awaited’?”
“……I do not know the details of the situation, please enter to ask Laius-sama directly.”
Hearing that sort of reply caused Kuro Usagi to almost erupt in rage again but her common sense triumphed as she understood that it wouldn’t change matters even if she took it out verbally on the shop assistant.
Kuro Usagi and the others then entered the shop to pass through the courtyard that led to other buildings in the grounds of the shop.
Laius who was inside a room that was used to receive the trio had immediately cheered in an exaggerated fashion upon seeing Kuro Usagi:
“Woah! It’s a rabbit! Wow! It’s my first time seeing one! Although I had already heard of the rumors, but I didn’t expect that the East side would really have a rabbit! The miniskirt and garter belt sure looks pretty erotic! I say~why not come over to my Community?! I will provide you three meals, a collar and loving tender care every night for you!”
Laius didn’t even bother about hiding his true nature. He eyed Kuro Usagi up and down hungrily as his eyes lapped up every small detail in an obscene manner that brought him great joy.
Disgusted by his actions, Kuro Usagi had quickly moved her hands to cover her legs and Asuka had also stepped forth, seemingly to act as a screen that blocked Kuro Usagi from view.
“And this is……obviously a villain before us. I will state it clearly from the start that these sexy thighs are something that belong to us.”
“That’s right, that’s right! Kuro Usagi’s legs belong…EH?! NO, that’s not right, Asuka-san!”
Hearing that sudden and nonsensical declaration of ownership, Kuro Usagi had panicked while doing a tsukomi[2].
Izayoi watched them before giving a disapproving sigh:
“That’s right, Ojou-sama, these beautiful thighs already belong to me.”
“That’s right, that’s right! These beau…….Ah mo, enough, please shut up!”
“Okay, then you guys name a price……”
“Shiroyasha-sama! KURO. USAGI. IS. NOT. FOR. SALE! Ah~really now. We have come to this place to talk about serious matters, please have some reserve on jokes. Kuro Usagi is almost going to lose her temper!”
“Baka, I’m deliberately trying to make you angry.”
*Pak!* The paper fan drew a sharp trajectory in the air as Kuro Usagi seemed to be easily irritable today.
As for the original focus that was on Laius, he was now completely left out and ignored.
Gaping at the sight as the four of them finally ended their banter, he then abruptly burst into laughter.
“Ahahahahaha! Huh? Is that so? You guys of the [No Name] are a group of actors that form a Community? If that’s the case, come over to [Perseus] together! To tell the truth, I really like to spend generous amounts of money on food, drink and entertainment! I promise to take care of you guys for life you know? Needless to say, those delicious thighs will have to obediently spread its doorway on my bed every night too.”
“Rejected. Kuro Usagi has no intention of letting guys who do not understand the meaning of etiquette and manners to see her body.”
Kuro Usagi said it with disgust and disdain in her voice but Izayoi who sat next to her made a dig at her:
“Huh? I had always thought that the reason for your dressing is for the desire to be seen?”
“That’s…That’s not it! This is something that Shiroyasha-sama asked Kuro Usagi to wear when Kuro Usagi served the role as Judge for her hosted Games. She had promised Kuro Usagi to pay triple the amount if I could be in this attire at any time and place. So Kuro Usagi had reluctantly…”
“Oh? Reluctantly being forced to wear that sort of clothing is it…….? Oi, Shiroyasha.”
“What, lad?”[3]