Chapter 43 – A Calm Night (Part 1)
Side Story, Part 1
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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Inside a long, horizontal aquarium, a one-metre-long silver arowana swims slowly and smoothly. The tank is embedded in the wall and surrounded by a wooden frame, giving it the appearance of a moving painting.
This establishment has two faces: a café during the day and a bar at night. During the day, it offers a calm atmosphere with a Gothic-style interior. At night, blue lights are turned on to create an enigmatic and mysterious space.
As spring sunlight pours through the retro-style stained glass windows, Yougoshi Tasuku stood behind the counter, carefully drip-brewing coffee.
Since quitting his job as a host two years ago, he’s tried various kinds of work. Working in construction under the scorching sun or doing security work didn’t bother him at all. He had only one priority when choosing a job: being able to finish by 6 p.m.
No matter how much others might look at him with disapproval, Tasuku always ended his workday on time. If a job didn’t allow him to stick to this schedule, he would quit without hesitation.
And so, every night, he would spend time at home with his older brother.
Though there were days when his brother had to work late due to his job, he made an effort to come home as early as possible.
The older brother’s private life belonged entirely to Tasuku. Meanwhile, Tasuku’s private life was completely dedicated to Kairi.
The manager, Enomoto, emerged from the backroom. With his neatly styled hair, black cross tie, kamar vest, and sommelier apron, he looked exceptionally refined—though Tasuku was dressed in the same attire. It seemed almost unbelievable that he had once been a host.
“Hey, Tasuku,” Enomoto said.
Even now, the manager seemed to find it a bit awkward to call him ‘Tasuku’. They had always addressed each other by their stage names from their days as hosts.
Both of them had worked at the same host club, with Enomoto as the senior. However, his time as a host was merely to save money for his dream of running a café slash bar. Once he had saved enough, he quit without hesitation.
The café slash bar they now run has an unusual concept centred around exotic creatures. In addition to this main branch, which features the arowana, they also operate other branches, such as a café slash bar with birds of prey. And they are still in the midst of expanding their business.
It wasn’t just about coming up with an idea on a whim; Enomoto would study the biology of the creatures used as the café’s concept until he reached a level where one might be inclined to call him ‘Professor’.
Tasuku started working here when Enomoto contacted him after a long time, asking for help because he was short-staffed. Initially, Tasuku planned to work for a short period. But since he was always allowed to leave by 6 p.m. and found Enomoto’s work ethic interesting, he’s continued working here for the past six months.
The manager pressed his palms together firmly in front of his chest, speaking in a low voice so that the customers wouldn’t hear.
“Please, I’m begging you.”
“Haa?” Tasuku replied.
“Hey, at least hear me out before you say ‘haa’?’”
“What’s it about?”
“Could you help out at the bar tomorrow night, just for one day?”
Helping at the bar basically meant working a shift after 6 p.m. Tasuku gave an immediate answer.
“No way.”
“I’m seriously in trouble here. Last night, the bartender collapsed while working. I called an ambulance and went with him. But he needed emergency surgery for an intestinal obstruction. He has to stay rested for a while. I plan to manage with the other bartender and myself. But tomorrow, of all days, we have a reservation for a large party.”
“…”
“I can trust you with both the drinks and serving the customers. So please, I’m begging you—”
“Absolutely no way.”
Tasuku refused without a second thought and proceeded to deliver the freshly brewed coffee to a customer. Even as he smiled politely at the customer, his insides churned with anger.
Anyone who tried to take away his precious time with Kairi was an enemy to be eliminated, no matter who they were.
The hostility must have shown on his face because, although the manager looked troubled, he didn’t press further.
When his shift ended at 6 p.m., as usual, there was a message from his brother on his smartphone. Even trivial, everyday content made him smile. After buying groceries for dinner, Tasuku returned home. And a little later, Kairi also came back.
The two of them stood side by side as they prepared dinner. Tonight, it was Japanese cuisine. The fragrant aroma of grilled fish mixed with the scent of simmering chicken and vegetables stimulated Tasuku’s salivary glands.
Kairi looked at Tasuku.
He was just in the middle of grating a large daikon radish. Gripping the thick, white vegetable, he moved his hands back and forth quickly with a ‘shush shush’ sound.
Tasuku swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing noticeably.
The thin wall between appetite and desire melted away, becoming one.
As Tasuku turned off the grill, Kairi looked at Tasuku with a puzzled expression.
“Isn’t it still not cooked enough?”
Relaxing the corners of his lips sensually, he reached out his hand.
“It’s better if it’s a little burnt.”
It had been 11 hours since they had been able to be this close. It was inevitable that his desires would flare up while cooking dinner. That’s why he had accidentally burnt the food so many times. Being able to turn off the grill was significant progress.
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*Translator’s Note: 11 hours and he just couldn’t take it anymore hahahaha! -K
*GLOSSARY:
- Onii-san / Onii-chan / Nii-san / Nii-chan / Aniki = (Big/Elder) Brother
☝🏻I’ll be using these throughout my translation.
Next update: 2025.02.07