Atelier Tanaka

Book 5: Chapter 5 (3)

Hangover

The next day I woke up with a terrible headache and a severely parched mouth.

When I opened my eyes, the blinding light caused my head to spin and I had difficulties getting up. My body felt so exhausted that I wasnt even sure if Id be able to without the dizziness. I was taking quick, shallow breaths as if I had been stranded in the desert for days. I desperately need some water.

Theres no mistaking this feeling. Im hungover.

This is the first time Ive experienced this in a long while.

.

I used my recovery magic to quickly relieve me of these symptoms.

My god tier heal capable of curing any injury or ailment, also an excellent cure for hangovers. The great discomfort and agonizing pain in my head was gone in an instant.

haa~

Recovery magic is the best.

If I didnt have it, Id probably be restricted to my bed for most of the day. I wouldnt be in any condition to ride on a carriage for most of the day. When I thought about how much Id have to suffer through the day, I was incredibly thankful for my healing.

Now that my body had recovered, I lifted my body off the bed causing the sheets to slide down.

Thats when I suddenly noticed something.

.

A woman is sleeping next to me.

More importantly, she is naked.

Her beautiful long blonde hair brilliantly reflected the sunlight filtering in through the windows. She was cradling the comforter between her chest and arms but I was still able to see the sizeable fruit she was hiding.

Big. Very big. Vulgarly big.

She looked to be in her mid-twenties. Her face was top-class and couldve even put the top stars of Hollywood to shame. Her features were also distinctly western. A strange desire came over me to smoke a cigarette as I waited for her to wake up.

.

The biggest question on my mind is why is she naked?

Someone walking in on this scene would have only one thought in mind, and that makes me think Ive hit a home run. However, the most important parts involved in a scene like this are lost to me. I dont remember anything after I started drinking in the shop last night

What should I do?

How am I supposed to feel about this?

Should I wake her up?

.

No, Im certain that if I wake her up, it will lead to a terrible misunderstanding for me. Shell either accuse me of something or, best case scenario, shell charge me. Ill be paying for something I cant remember the feeling of and also have no memories of for future use.

Should I just leave before she wakes up? I feel like Id be doing her a favour. Im ugly enough as it is, but when Ive just woken up, Im at least 50% more ugly.

I shouldnt have wasted so much time thinking about this.

Aisha? Are you up yet? Its time for breakfast.

A!?

I heard a knock on the door followed by a mans voice.

I didnt recognize his voice either.

Aisha? Are you still sleeping? Im coming in, okay?

.

The door was opened before I could react.

A middle-aged man around the same age as me entered. He was on the heavier side, but the extra weight actually suited him. He couldnt be called handsome but he wasnt unattractive either. He looked like a kind older man that you could go to for advice.

However, this calming atmosphere only lasted for a moment.

Within only a few seconds of entering, the aura surrounding him had changed and a look of astonishment covered his face.

Wha.

.

I believe this is game over.

Theres no way out of this.

I decided it would be best to be up front with the man.

Ah, how rude of me not to introduce myself. My name is Tanaka and you are?

Eh? W-What? Why the hell are you in my wifes room?

Ah, right, about that. Youve got a lovely home and I thank you for providing me with accommodations for the night.

.

To make this worse, shes married.

What am I going to do?

This changes everything.

nn~, whats going on? Is it morning already?

The commotion in the room was enough to wake up my lovely bedmate. She lifted herself from the mattress and turned to face us. Naturally the fruits she had been hiding until now were exposed for all to see.

.

.

A strong desire was born in my heart at that moment. One that couldnt be satisfied by simply sucking or rubbing.

Even though shes married.

Shes married to another man.

They may even have a child.

Aisha!

Dear.

What is the meaning of this!?

Eh? Ah, it-its not what you think! He forced himself on me!

He did what!?

The married woman seemed to be caught off guard and looking for what to say before finally blurting out the final words.

Is she serious?

Did I really do that?

I raped a married woman after getting drunk and ruined my first experience that I had protected for so many years. I feel like I cant even go on living.

I-Is this true!? U-Umm, you called yourself Tanaka-san, correct!?

thats right, but I honestly dont remember anything.

What!? You force yourself onto another mans wife and your excuse is you dont remember!? Do you expect anyone to believe such a ridiculous story!?

Im sorry. All I can do is apologize.

Y-You think an apology will do anything for this situation!?

This isnt good. My heart is pounding.

This is what it feels like to be caught cheating.

I wonder if this is how Allen felt when he entered that dining room with his arm wrapped around Ester-chans moms waist.. Even so, he still attended the dinner with her entire family there. And he did a good job of protecting the maids when Ester-chan shot her fireball.

I will pay for whatever compensation you think appropriate.

The payment for someone cheating can be quite expensive.

It depends on the perpetrators income, but in modern Japan, the cost could be in the millions. A friend of mine from junior high told me he cheated with a married woman in his mid-twenties and hes still paying tens of thousands to her husband every month.

I never thought Id be in the same position.

As a lifelong virgin, I thought being transported to another world would be more likely.

Please, whatever you want.

.

Tell me what it is and Ill do it.

The older man looked down on me with a challenging gaze.

The only thing I could think to do was to obediently lower my head.

Id like to check one thing.

What is it?

Were you involved in a fight in the town last night?

I do remember that.

I got in an altercation with a macho adventurer last night that ended without any real violence. I remember that clearly. The only thing that really happened was that young ikemen got a broken nose.

Im not sure if Id call it a fight, but I was involved in a small altercation last night. If you know about it, were you also there?

We are in need of someone possessing that level of skill.

.

My wife and I are in a difficult position currently.

what does that mean?

The anger covering the mans face slowly faded and he became more serious as he continued.

If you can help us with this matter, Ill forget whatever happened between you and my wife. Yes, we are married, but I can look at this as a failure on my part as well. I wasnt doing enough to satisfy my wife.

.

However, Im still a merchant with a reputation to protect. I have a mind for business and if Im going to become a cuckold I may as well profit in other ways. I dont think Id be able to live with myself if I did. Therefore, I ask that you do a favour for me.

Her husband is stronger than I imagined.

Maybe thats why he was able to get such a young and beautiful wife.

But this compromise removes some of the guilt I feel.

Ill do it.

I dont have any other choice but to accept.

After I agreed, the husband began explaining their situation to me.

But I couldnt stop thinking about it.

This lifelong virgin just lost his virginity.

And the only thing I could feel was an indescribable emptiness in my heart.

***