(M) Chapter 44 – A Calm Night (Part 2)
Side Story, Part 2
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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Grabbing Kairi’s right wrist, the daikon radish rolled into the sink. He pulled that hand under his apron. As Kairi’s fingers touched the hardness straining against his jeans, the older brother made a reproachful expression.
“Tasuku, I told you to stop doing that kind of thing while I’m cooking.”
“Come on, grab mine too and fap it.”
***
***
The clock had already passed 5 p.m. Even though his brother would be home in an hour or two, why did he himself have to go to work?
Sulking until the last minute, Tasuku reluctantly got ready and left the apartment, not wanting to truly anger Kairi.
The private party was to celebrate the birthday of the female CEO of a lingerie company. The guests were mostly women – some in polished corporate attire, others with a more hostess-like air.
There were many alcohol enthusiasts, ordering a variety of cocktails. Tasuku used the skills he had honed as a host, fulfilling requests while coyly entertaining the women who tried to catch his eye. One in particular, a woman in her 40s who tried too hard with her suit and makeup, drew his gaze.
Each time she came to the counter to place an order, Tasuku found himself captivated. She seemed to interpret this as a sign of interest. After the party ended, she approached Tasuku, saying she’d like to chat a bit. With a pleasant smile, he directed her to a cafe on the second floor of the neighbouring building.
“Hey, don’t go bringing out your host habits,” Enomoto chuckled wryly, watching the woman’s retreating back.
Tasuku responded with a cool expression. “It’s not like that. She just reminded me of someone I know, so I wanted to check it out.”
“Hmm?”
It was the ‘someone’ he had last seen 11 years ago, when Tasuku was in middle school. The face in his memory was hazy. But the features and careless demeanour were certainly similar. She was the type of woman who couldn’t live without a man.
It was his mother, who had abandoned them.
As Tasuku went to enter the cafe after finishing the cleanup, he hesitated at the door. What did he even hope to gain from seeing her now? He felt no love or longing for ‘that woman’. Still unsure of his purpose, he stepped inside.
Amidst the jungle of tall potted plants, he spotted the woman sitting by the window, cigarette in hand and posture relaxed.
――Just as I thought, the resemblance was there.
Rationally, he knew that such a chance reunion between an estranged mother and child was highly unlikely. But that rational thought was wavering.
With each step towards the woman, he was sinking deeper into the realm of the extraordinary.
“Oh, you actually came,” she purred in a seductive voice and expression, just as she used to direct at men.
“Hehe, I’ve had a little too much to drink. So, what’s your name? What do they call you?”
Suppressing his nausea, Tasuku gave a false name. He then asked for hers in return. It was not the name Yougoshi Touko.
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*Translator’s Note: Well, I guess we all needed closure, especially from being abandoned like that. -K
*GLOSSARY:
- Onii-san / Onii-chan / Nii-san / Nii-chan / Aniki = (Big/Elder) Brother
☝🏻I’ll be using these throughout my translation.
Next update: 2025.02.08