Atelier Tanaka

Book 5: Chapter 5 (7)

Hangover

Having lost the only real lead on the girls location, we returned to town.

The goal was to get the bandits to release the kidnapped girl and that goal was accomplished. My involvement in this matter should be over. However, the girl was released to me the night before so now Im more involved than ever.

I turned into a complete fool when I drank too much last night and took her to some place that I cant remember. And if I cant remember anything, I have to find someone that recognizes me and might have information.

We decided our next course of action would be to wander through town in the hopes of finding someone that I met last night.

Tanaka-san, do you really not remember anything?

Im sorry. Theres just a gap in my memory.

Richard looked embarrassed on my behalf.

This made me feel even more uncomfortable.

The cuckold couple walked alongside him. They must have overheard our conversation through the carriage windows when we spoke to the bandits. The constant suspicious stares they gave me physically hurt. The constant stares from everyone made me feel like I was surrounded.

You continue to be an interesting person to know.

This isnt funny, Richard-san.

You dont think so?

I dont.

What am I supposed to do now?

My stomach has been hurting the entire ride back.

As we walked through the streets, Id continually stop people and ask if they recognized my ugly face. It was a pathetic scene all around. It made me feel like a failed comedian.

I wanted to get this over with quickly, but something felt off.

Im sorry, miss, I just need to ask you something.

This uncomfortable feeling had been residing in me for sometime, and it had now reached a point where I could no longer contain it.

I turned my attention to the woman I woke up with this morning.

W-What do you want?

Im sorry if this may make you feel uncomfortable, but where did we meet yesterday? This would give us a place to start to help find your daughter.

If what the bandits told me is true, I was invited to their hideout after meeting a member in the town. I woke up in this town, so that tells me I shouldve returned here with the girl from the bandits hideout. Sometime between returning with her and meeting the wife I lost track of her.

Going to the place I met the wife should give us a hint about her whereabouts.

Eh? Ah, eh.

If its hard to remember exactly where it was you can just give us a general idea.

Ah, no, i-its umm, w-well.

Ever since my title of Baron was revealed to the cuckold couple, both of them have been acting strange. The wife more noticeably so. Shes completely stiff as she walks and doesnt seem to have much interest in conversations related to her daughter. Her husband still seems worried about the girl and has offered suggestions as weve walked.

Or, maybe, we didnt meet in town.

I was getting ready to ask the wife a follow up question when a voice suddenly called out to me.

O-Oi, its you!

It was the unrefined voice of a brutish man.

It sounded familiar and, naturally, drew the attention of everyone in our group. There, a few metres away from us, I saw someone I recognized that was slowly walking toward us.

It was the man that started the fight at the bar last night.

Youre.

Aah, what a coincidence running into you here!

Hes smiling for some reason.

Why is he so happy to see me?

And a friendly greeting.

Eh? Ah, it is, isnt it? What a strange coincidence.

Ah, sorry, am I intruding on some noble business?

The man noticed Richard beside me and quickly changed his attitude. All of the negative emotions he displayed last night were gone. 

Can one night really make such a difference?

No need to worry, were both friends.

Richard was the first to respond.

I guess it doesnt matter if he knows about the relationship between Richard and I, but I am worried that it may make him distrust me. I quickly turned to him and tried to make him focus on our conversation.

Youre certainly in a good mood. Any particular reason?

Of course I am and its all thanks to you, Tanaka!

Thanks to me?

First off, Im sorry about yesterday.

He quickly bowed to me.

Seriously?

He must be referring to what happened between us at the bar.

Im interested to hear more about your country full of men that have only had sex with prostitutes.

Come again?

Whats this guy suddenly saying?

Is he trying to make this situation worse? I can feel the painful gaze of Edita Sensei on me. Ever since we first left the inn, Ive felt that Edita Senseis trust and respect for me has been zero.

Thanks to our little talk Im feeling better about myself. I dont think Ill be picking many fights in any bars any more. Ill also be more patient when fighting in parties. Its a strange feeling honestly, like Ive been possessed by something and now theres a sudden weight lifted off my shoulders.

.

Hes not giving me a lot of information other than I told him something about a certain country I come from. Hes also revealed some of his personal demons that I helped him get over.

Umm, sorry, but last night did I.

Im glad that we were able to talk. Thank you.

N-No, thats not it.

I want you to know that Id do the same for you. If you have any problems or something you need to talk about. I doubt an adventurer as strong as you would ever need help from someone like me, but still, if youre ever in trouble, Ill be there.

He spoke without listening and gave me a bright smile.

Why would hearing about a country full of men who have only had sex with prostitutes make him feel at peace with himself? I couldnt find the answer until I looked inside myself and realized I was the answer.

Could this macho guy be a.

.

No, asking wouldnt help anything.

Those four words would hurt more than any physical attack.

Thank you.

Ill just silently nod.

More important than that, he seems to know something about what happened to me last night. After both of us left the bar, we met again and had a friendly conversation.

Excuse me, theres just one thing I need to ask you.

Ah? Whats that?

Where we met yesterday.

Aah, you want to know the name of that place? Its called the Succubus Nest.

Succubus Nest?

Theres no other place like it in town.

I see.

Our first clue: Succubus Nest.

Im worried about the lewd name. Ive tried and failed on several occasions to visit a brothel since arriving in this world. Its always been a fight between my vow to lose my virginity to a virgin and my desires as a man.

Does this mean that Ive reached a point where the latter finally won?

Still, I wonder what this is. This mysterious feeling inside me that leaves me feeling lonely.

If theres something youd like to know about that place, Im sure that woman could answer all of them.

Eh?

The man turned his eyes to the wife standing beside her husband.

She met his gaze and took a step back.

Her breasts jiggled in response.

Honestly, I had some fun with that woman yesterday. I never expected us to be eskimo brothers. Both her top and bottom holes are top-class, right? Ill be back at the shop tonight, Im looking forward to your service.

eh?

I wasnt expecting that.

It left me at a loss for words.

Then, as if he was trying to be considerate,

Oh, sorry, I didnt mean to take up so much of a nobles time. Im sorry if Ive caused you too much trouble. If we get the chance, Id love to share a drink with you again. Be sure to say hi if you see me.

He gave Richard a bow before running off.

His figure quickly disappeared into the crowd of people. His steps were light and carefree, the angry man I met last night all but gone.

He was only here for a few moments, but he left utter devastation in his wake. The wife was shaking while everyone else was left confused.

Umm, excuse me, but does your wife really work at the Succubus Nest?

.

There was no answer.

She was trembling worse than Ive ever seen even Sophia-chan shake.

It was making me feel sorry for her.

I have a suggestion that may help. Why dont we all have dinner together? With a full stomach theres a chance you may remember something. What do you all say? This isnt the kind of conversation we should be having on the streets anyway.

Richard offered a great suggestion.

There are too many people in this place for an uncomfortable conversation. Hes completely right.

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