Chapter 18 The Disappointing Hero Pretends to Sleep
"By the way, I have some good sake. I already opened it and drank a little bit."
Takashi moved to the kitchen and poured some sake while turning his back to me.
He didn't want to show me the label of the sake, huh? That was a bit unnatural angle.
He came back with two cups of sake.
"This is Japanese sake. It's really good."
"Oh, thanks."
I secretly [appraised] the sake I received.
Among the ingredients like carbohydrates and sodium, I detected "diphenhydramine".
In other words, it had sleeping pills in it.
Huh, he thought it through, huh?
Well, I have [Status Abnormality Resistance], so unless I stop the skill or run out of magic, drinking this won't affect me.
I took a sip and... hmm, very chemical.
It would be unnatural not to react to this.
"Doesn't this sake taste bitter?"
"Yep, it's true. It has a strange bitterness, and that's what lingers."
Lingers, huh?
Clearly an unnatural taste. Make it a more complex cocktail with mixed flavors, come on, idiot!
"Oh, I see. I don't drink much sake, so... is this how it is?"
As it is, I drinks the unpleasant sake.
After about five minutes, is it almost time?
"Ah, Japanese sake really hits me... Sorry, can I lie down for a bit?"
"You're still weak as ever. Fine, I'll lay out a futon for you."
While complaining, Takashi headed towards the Japanese-style room, looking somewhat pleased.
"Come on, Tadayuki, lie down."
"Yeah, sorry... Can I change into something more comfortable, like a shirt and pants?"
"Huh? Well, can't be helped, I guess."
Hmph, that's more convenient.
I go to the Japanese-style room and gets into bed in a T-shirt and trunks.
After a while, I begin to feign sleep.
"Zzzz..."
"Tadayuki, Tadayuki?"
"Zzzz..."
"It seems like he's asleep."
With a relieved expression, Takashi murmured.
"Yeah, but he might not sleep well."
"It's okay. I put sleeping pills in the sake earlier."
"Eh... Is that okay?"
"It'll be fine. Now, let's undress. Kanae, I'll lift Tadayuki's legs, so take off his pants, okay?"
In response to Takashi's words, Kanae didn't reply for a while... then whispered with a hint of hesitation.
"Hey... maybe we shouldn't do this?"
"Huh? Why?"
"I don't know, but... I feel bad for Tadayuki, you know?"
Heh heh heh, I sensed the possibility of such words coming.
However, this is just my speculation, not malicious intent. Throughout the day, Kanae's evaluation of me has significantly improved. That's why, unconsciously, she's trying to avoid actions that might make me dislike her.
Well, it's a bit late for that now. And Takashi's next move is easy to predict.
"So, what are we going to do? Are we going to ruin the child?"
"...Because, I can't marry Taka-chan, you know?"
"What's that? Is it because Tadayuki lost a bit of weight, well, became reasonably good-looking, and his situation improved, you're just going to act like our relationship never happened and smoothly switch over?"
Hmm, it's a logical argument, like a salesman. But Takashi, a man's jealousy is unattractive, you know?
"No, it's not like that."
"...Kanae, even I found it difficult that I couldn't marry you. You understand, right? Because you started dating Tadayuki, considering our friendship and societal expectations, I reluctantly married Misa too."
"I get that, but..."
"Please. The last time, I went along with you having an abortion, but it was tough for me too."
"Then why can you casually say something like 'this time, too, we'll get rid of it'? I tried to keep it as normal as possible, but I was hurt."
"No, I'm not okay with it at all. But, you know, I don't have the right to say 'please give birth,' after that, I mean, come on."
"It's not about the right or anything like that."
"Fine, I'll say it. Kanae, have my child. Sorry, Tadayuki, but for the two of us and for the child in her belly, this is the best, isn't it?"
What do you mean 'this is the best'!
Isn't it okay to just end this already?
Basically, sacrificing me for the happiness of you two and that kid.
Am I a sacrifice for you guys?
Well, but I guess this development was within expectations.
Until now, Takashi somewhat feels that Kanae, who had been making a fool of me, is gradually changing. Humans tend to become more attached when they feel the possibility of losing something they think is theirs.
That's why Kanae wants proof that she's my woman.
She wants to prioritize herself more than me.
How foolish.
If I were calm, I'd understand, but really, for a married person, having a child as a result of an affair is a bundle of risks.
So, ideally, if Kanae were to say she would have an abortion, that should be the best for Takashi.
That's why he must have come up with some compromise, like suggesting that this child could be Tadayuki's as a sort of compromise.
But now, it's turned the other way around. Because Takashi "wants it." He revels in the superiority of "raising my child with Tadayuki," finding a way to look down on me.
Well, you could say he's feeling pressured. Pressured by my appearance, the apparent fact that I seem to be earning well, and Kanae's changing attitude.
...Well, it's all just my speculation, but it's probably not far off.
As I analyze the situation, Takashi unexpectedly utters a surprising statement.
"Hey, Kanae... let's do it here."
"Huh?"
"No, I just wanted to try it, you know, in front of a sleeping boyfriend... something like that."
I can understand that sentiment! But if it starts here, I doubt I have the confidence to restrain myself. Well, he probably wants to embrace Kanae, let things happen, and make it all ambiguous.
"No, I don't want that..."
Kanae, try to resist, okay?
It's not an exaggeration, your lives are at stake, you know?
"Eh? I can't trust your no, you know?"
"Hey, Takashi, no... seriously, stop it!!"
Kanae refused with a fairly loud voice.
Takashi, you can't force her, okay?
I'll wake up, you know.
Takashi looked panicked, but still persisted in a low voice.
"Fine, fine! ... Then, how about the bedroom?"
At Takashi's suggestion, Kanae thought for a bit and then answered in a low voice.
"Well, if that's the case..."
Are you kidding me?
You're going to do it anyway, huh?
Well, I guess that's possible, I thought, so I set up a video camera in the bedroom too.
Well, I'll take a nap while they're working hard.
Hmm, I hope I get some good footage...
* * *
It's been about an hour since the two of them went upstairs. I woke up to the creaking sound of the stairs.
Activated [Rabbit Ears].
It seems like they're taking a shower in the bathroom.
Last night was quite the enjoyment, huh? Oh, it's tonight. After a while, the two of them returned to the Japanese-style room where I was pretending to sleep.
"Well, let's get undressed."
"Yeah..."
After removing the futon, they start taking off my clothes. Oh my.
When they strip me naked in the futon, Kanae enters beside me.
"Well, see you in the morning. Do well."
"Yeah."
Takashi leaves the Japanese-style room. Naturally, I kept pretending to be asleep... But then Kanae starts patting my body.
Oh no, it tickles. Stop it.
"Tadayuki's body is amazing... It's like my dad in his younger days."
Ah, so that's it. Kanae's liking for athletes must be influenced by her dad. That was unexpected.
After a while, Kanae, who stopped patting, holds my hand and murmurs softly.
"I'm sorry, Tadayuki..."
Hmm, I should be the one apologizing, Kanae. I got messed up, seeing too many scoundrels in another world.
Still, I became more irritated by apologies spoken with a consciousness like wanting to alleviate my guilt. Well, for a while, you could pretended as a tragic heroine. I'll show you a proper tragedy.
* * *
It's about 6 in the morning. I got up and stretched my arms.
"Yawn... huh, Kanae!?"
I intentionally raised my voice in surprise. Kanae seemed to have woken up with that, hiding her chest with the futon, she faced me and got up.
"Tadayuki... good morning. It's a bit embarrassing, the first time at Takashi's house, right?"
"Huh? Huh?"
"Do you not remember a bit? After that, Takashi also got drunk, but I was worried about the sleeping Tadayuki, so I came to see. Tadayuki grabbed my arm forcefully..."
"Seriously... ah, sorry..."
"Well, I was a bit happy, though. Too bad you don't remember."
As we were talking, the sliding door of the Japanese-style room opened. Takashi looked at us and raised his voice.
"Hey, what's with that getup, guys! C'mon, not in someone else's place!"
"Oh, hey, Takashi! I'm not wearing clothes! Close it!"
"Oops, my bad, my bad! But seeing you naked doesn't excite me or anything!"
"What did you say!"
"Whoa, scary! Just hurry up and put your clothes on, both of you!"
With a command-like tone, Takashi closed the sliding door on us. Man, knowing everything makes their acting so obvious...
"Ugh... it's our first morning together and there's no mood at all, huh? Tadayuki, let's put some clothes on and head back?"
"Yeah, you're right... but before that..."
I held Kanae close, whispering into her ear.
"Sorry, messed up the order a bit, but I'll take responsibility properly."
Upon my words, Kanae also wrapped her arms around my back.
"...Yeah."
"Kanae... I love you."
"Yeah, I feel the same..."
Man, it's been building up steadily, huh? But you know, I didn't really expect it, but I kinda figured like 1% of it.
When I handed Takashi the business card.
I was hoping that he would confess the truth to me out of guilt, and apologize, like in a typical scenario.
Then I might not forgive him, but at least I would go easy on him, you know.
Well, that never happened.
So I could going all out.
Just a little more, just a little more...!
Hang in there, me!
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