ALL NOVEL chapter 96
96: Empty Desert ~ Hole ~
I am well aware that things get busy before a wedding.
Therefore, when Anna-san invited us, as a couple with our child, to meet amidst this busy time, it was also a gesture of gratitude towards her for making time to meet us.
It was at a very expensive-looking café where neither I nor Milim had ever been, and we nervously reunited with Anna-san at a table at the back of the shop.
Anna-san was not accompanied by her husband.
It seemed like she was still busy, and she could only spare about an hour to talk to us.
“Ah, it’s Sara-chan! I’ve seen plenty of photos, but this is the first time meeting in person, right? Nice to meet you.”
She, who was already in her thirties, seemed to have further polished her beauty in the few years we hadn’t met.
Perhaps her job as a pianist, which often requires being seen by people, had something to do with it, as she seemed to always take care of her appearance.
Even for this event where she didn’t need to put in so much effort to “meet us”, she had meticulously groomed her hair and face. Only her somewhat old-fashioned glasses reminded me of her beauty in a friendly way.
After playing with Sara at the table for a while, Anna-san reluctantly let go of Sara’s small hand and turned towards us with a gentle smile.
“Wow, that was sudden, huh? I wanted to contact you earlier, but things were hectic. I’m sorry.”
Every time I meet Anna-san, her way of speaking, or rather, her expression and overall demeanor, seems to become softer.
Maybe it was because of her job, which involves interacting with others frequently, or perhaps it was the upcoming happiness of marriage.
Although the man who would become Anna-san’s husband was not here…
Just by looking at her face, it was natural to understand that her marriage was something she desired and was also desired by those around her.
I couldn’t help but say,
“You look happy.”
Anna-san seemed momentarily surprised and then smiled.
“You too.”
That’s right, and I also smiled.
“Yeah, it’s good. It’s good that you two are getting married. Especially Milim-chan…”
Something about Milim?
“…Ah. If it’s like this, Rex-kun won’t back down until he asks ‘what’s going on’, right?”
My imagination is incredible.
But I feel like it’s not wrong.
I had a feeling that I had a trauma about “stuttering”.
For some reason, there was a mysterious sense of anxiety in my heart that if I failed to pursue what I hesitated to say, I would never be able to hear the words I was about to say at that time.
“Milim-chan, you know, Rex-kun helped me with a lot of things. That’s why I’ve liked him since a long time ago.”
…Did I do something?
I’m scared.
I have no memory… What did I do to Milim? Why don’t I have any memory of “doing something”?
Could it be… someone has interfered with my memories?
Or perhaps, without me realizing it, my consciousness has been taken over by something?
Anna-san muttered, “Ah, you’re silent again, thinking about something I can’t understand,” and then she said,
“You know, back then, being a beastman was rare… Everyone, including me, was like that with Milim-chan.”
…Could it be bullying?
“No. They were extremely fond of her… including me. But it seems like she found it annoying.”
I looked at Milim.
She closed her eyes and nodded deeply.
“So, when Rex-kun was by her side, people wouldn’t approach her, right?”
Wait, wait, wait.
Why don’t people approach when I’m by her side?
“Because it’s hard to explain, I’ll compose a piece on that theme next time.”
Seriously? I can only explain why people don’t approach me when I’m by her side through melody, not language?
What’s going on with communication that is higher than language?
“Well, you know… everyone wants to touch things like ears and tails. But she didn’t like that. So when she stuck close to Rex-kun, people wouldn’t approach her, and she felt safe.”
That may be so, but I’m pretty sure I touched Milim’s ears and tail too.
“Rex-kun only touched the holes.”
Holes?
“The tail hole.”
…Ah~
Those memories are coming back to me.
Playing with holes is totally an erotic word…
I felt down.
“By the way, did you open Sara-chan’s tail hole yourself?”
Well, yes.
“Then… I hope no one touches it. The hole. It’ll stretch, you know.”
Maybe Anna-san is completely unaware that she’s saying dirty jokes, but because I already associate “holes” with something erotic, Anna-san has become someone who constantly throws dirty jokes at me.
No, is she really throwing them? Maybe she’s just wearing a gentle smile that seems to accept everything.
Just by thinking that someone who accepts everything is talking about holes, I felt like I was back in my middle school days.
We continue to talk about everything from our childhood to the present.
And as the topic shifts to the past few years when we didn’t meet, and we talk a little about the future, Anna-san’s time limit arrives.
“Oh, I should be heading back soon. Actually, things are really hectic, and I haven’t finished my costume fitting yet.”
That’s a pretty tight schedule.
I almost commented on the schedule, but then I realize that I have something to say to Anna-san, who is about to leave with the receipt in hand.
Anna-san, thank you for everything.
“Oh, yeah.”
And congratulations on your marriage.
“…Yeah.”
Anna-san smiles and walks away.
I watch her long blonde hair sway as she leaves, still holding Sarah in my arms.