Chapter 21 – If Only…
Chapter 3, Part 5
Novel Title: 融愛~Melt Down~ (Melted Love ~Melt Down~)
Author：風結子 沙野 (Fuyuko Sano)
Illustrator：雅良 水名瀬 (Masara Minase)
Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)
Protagonists: 葉越海理 (Yougoshi Kairi -MC), 葉越翼久 (Yougoshi Tasuku -ML)
*Please read at Novels Space.space, the original site of translation. TQ*
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‘Blossom’, the host club where Tasuku has been working since he was 18, may be involved in the illegal drug trade as an organisation. Kairi’s expression hardens.
――Could the strangeness between Tasuku and I also be because of drugs…?
“Yougoshi, are you alright? If you’re not feeling well, you should have a good rest.”
***
Kairi opened the front door with a rough hand.
He rushed in. But the place was pitch black. There was no light leaking in from the living room down the hallway. Turning on the lights, Kairi checked the 10-tatami mats sized living room, the 8-tatami mats sized bedroom, the 6-tatami mats sized room with the exercise equipment. He then went back to the hallway and the bathroom. But there was no sign of Tasuku anywhere.
Determined to question him about the drug issue no matter what, he returned home, only to be left empty-handed. With a troubled expression, he sat down on the sofa. He took out his cell phone and called Tasuku’s number. But it seemed to be turned off. If he had gone to work at the host club, his phone should be on. Where could he have gone?
“Why does this have to happen today of all days?”
Irritated, Kairi stood up from the sofa and headed to the room with the exercise equipment. The bedroom and living room are places Kairi uses daily, so it’s hard to imagine Tasuku would hide anything there. If Tasuku is hiding drugs, it would most likely be in this 6-tatami mats sized room.
A large iron training machine is placed in the centre of the room, and iron dumbbells are scattered on the floor. The shelves and cabinets along the walls are storing things that are not used regularly.
First, Kairi opened the cabinet that Tasuku uses exclusively.
It’s filled with a mess of old magazines, unopened brand-name wrapping paper, and what seem to be gifts from customers. He went through it all. But he didn’t find anything resembling drugs.
He also rummaged through Tasuku’s suits and coats – many of them are from the Italian brand Belvedo. From there, I found some medications. But they were only stomach and sleep aids. It’s strange that his usually good-sleeping brother has a stash of sleep aids. But at least there’s nothing illegal.
The shelves didn’t have anything particularly suspicious either, and Kairi even found some nostalgic items like old photo albums and the model tank they bought and assembled together when they were in elementary school.
Just because there were no drugs in the house doesn’t mean Tasuku wasn’t involved in drug dealing. But at least the possibility of him being a heavy user seemed low. Kairi hoped that was the case.
In any case, when Tasuku comes back, Kairi will have to question him firmly.
After searching for drugs for about an hour with his eyes peeled, Kairi’s throat has become dry.
He went into the kitchen separated by the counter, taking a bottle of Filette mineral water from the fridge. He filled a tall glass almost to the brim and gulped it down. As he took a deep breath, a gentle aroma reached his nose.
Looking around, there’s a pot sitting on the stove.
Lifting the lid, it’s full of a creamy stew.
The milky-white, viscous soup envelops the green broccoli, orange carrots, and potatoes that have melted into a soft yellow.
Tasuku had made this and left it for Kairi.
On the counter was a long bag from the station-front bakery, with a white surface and blue stripes. Inside were French bread loaves with a crispy crust.
Creamy stew and French bread.
This has always been a ‘feast’ for Tasuku and Kairi.
As two brothers, the priority was definitely quantity over refined taste. But within that, the combination of creamy stew and French bread had a slightly special, more adult-like indulgent image.
――Ah, we tried stew roux from all different brands. And Sakuraba Foods’ was the most delicious.
Kairi had completely forgotten that the real reason he unhesitatingly chose Sakuraba Foods during his job hunt was probably because of the creamy stew.
To make such a delicious roux and make it accessible to them – Sakuraba Foods must be an amazing company.
But the money used to buy that roux was earned through Tasuku selling his body…
The self he is now, working at Sakuraba Foods after graduating, was made by Tasuku.
Don’t be late for school, study hard, don’t smoke, don’t drink, don’t dress sloppily – until Tasuku turned 20, he persistently drilled those lessons into him. Tasuku would sulk, but at least outwardly he complied in front of him.
――He was just going along with my role-playing as an elder brother.
Kairi warmed up the creamy stew, served it in a white bowl, and sliced the French bread onto a plate. Sitting alone at the dining table, he murmured “Itadakimasu” and dipped his spoon into the velvety stew.
As he put it in his mouth, the familiar, comforting flavour spread. Biting into the braised poultry, the fibres crumble gently, and the savoury essence of the meat mixes with the richness of the stew in his mouth.
――If only I could turn back the clock.
To nine years ago, before Tasuku had to sell his body. Or even fourteen years ago, before Tasuku was injected with drugs by the neighbour girl.
Then he could truly protect and raise his brother without him being tainted.
Without indulging in the convenient dream that their mother cared for them, he would face reality head-on and guide Tasuku down a bright path untouched by prostitution or drugs.
Preserving the bond of brotherhood, unsullied.
Dwelling on the things that couldn’t be is akin to a sense of loss.
The things he couldn’t obtain because of his own mistakes. They vanish like phantoms, leaving behind only the unacceptable things that have come to pass.
――Everything was a series of mistakes.
Kairi tore off pieces of the French bread and soak them thoroughly in the stew, popping them into his mouth.
The mellow flavour is tinged with a prickly, saline taste.
“……”
Unnoticed, hot tears have started to trickle down his cheeks.
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*Translator’s Note: Ah. This chapter really breaks my heart. Tasuku has been using sleeping meds to fall asleep due to his past trauma and Kairi has no idea. -K
*GLOSSARY:
- Onii-san / Onii-chan / Nii-san / Nii-chan / Aniki = (Big/Elder) Brother
☝🏻I’ll be using these throughout my translation.
Next update: 2025.01.16
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