I was rescued by Karubene when I was being chased by everyone in the bathhouse.
Now, what should I do? I could hear voices calling me from far away outside. Karubene sat down heavily inside the small hut and drank sake, despite me telling her it was no good at all.
“Drinking again? If you’re so lazy, you’ll never get a boyfriend. Why don’t you try to be a little more ladylike? At least close your legs.”
Karubene then took her mouth off the bottle and frowned.
“Stop it, I’m not the type to be a girl, am I?”
“That’s not true. Why don’t you try dressing up a little more? Wasn’t there a guy who liked you before?”
Although Karubene really hated it. Her face wasn’t bad at all; I thought she’d shine if she polished it.
“It’s a waste. You were born cute, after all. What’s wrong? Have some confidence in yourself.”
I found Karubene, who was unusually quiet, amusing and nudged her with my elbow. But she didn’t respond with her usual lightheartedness. I assumed she’d jokingly tell me to shut up.
“…Then, what makes someone a girl? Huh? Can you answer that, brother?”
“Well, skirts and pink, maybe? W-when you say that, I feel like I don’t know.”
I had never really thought about it before. But I still felt like it was better to tidy myself up a little.
“I don’t know either. For the time being, I’m just living as a woman because I was born with a woman’s body; I’ve never thought about it.”
“Then, if you suddenly became a man tomorrow, would you be okay with it?”
“Hmm, I probably would be okay.”
Is that how it is? I would absolutely hate it. I wouldn’t know what to do if I suddenly became a woman. It would be like becoming a different person, and besides, if my inner self is male, I can’t love men.
“I was told sometimes. When I drank sake and slept on the straw, they said, ‘Girls don’t do things like that.’ Why? Even the old man next door did that. I’m a Satyr, it’s natural to drink and sleep, right?”
Even if you say that, I’m human… But weren’t the companions of the Satyrs the ones who warned me?
“Besides, that pretty boy is just teasing me. Who do you think would wear lipstick for you?”
She had said earlier that she didn’t know, but if that’s the case, then she is neither male nor female? Then what is she?
“Then, Karubene, what do you think you are?”
“I am me. Since I was born, I’ve just been me.”
Just me all along, that doesn’t feel like an answer. But well, that’s Karubene.
After she finished talking, she put away the sake bottle and stood up.
“More importantly, you wouldn’t want someone like me as a girlfriend, would you?”
“Yeah… that’s right. She’s different.”
“Hahaha, it’s fine. Don’t worry about me.”
“Even if not as a girlfriend, you could still be family.”
This time, she scrunched her eyebrows and looked at me.
“Huh? F-family? That’s too sudden. We should start with friends first.”
“No, it’s more like siblings with you than romance. We’ve shed blood together, even if it’s not our own blood, right? And didn’t you say before that humans and Satyrs get along well?”
“Heh, that’s right. Both of us who love freedom. Alright, brother, let’s go ask for help from older sister.”
It would take more time to fully understand her thoughts. I might never understand them in my entire life. Still, she’s my precious comrade in arms, and already like family.
We confirmed there were no signs of people outside and headed for the back entrance of the inn.
“I’ll open the window to your room, brother, so wait here for me.”
Saying that, Karubene entered through the back entrance. I hope no one finds out. And isn’t it too dangerous to be alone in this deserted place? Please, Karubene, hurry.
A moment later, the window of the room upstairs opened. At the same time, she was thrown out of the window. Philiana’s face peeked out.
“Gyaaaa!”
“How outrageous! That’s why I can’t trust Satyrs. Such a licentious race. I must protect Hiro-san’s chastity!”
Philiana slammed the window shut and returned inside. I was surprised by being suddenly thrown out, but even more so that she would badmouth another race like this. Is this also because of magic?
“Karubene, hey, pull yourself together.”
“Ugh, ugh. I won’t forgive that busty woman. Damn it, you remember this!”
Karubene stood up, brushing off the dirt. I never expected her to be intercepted. The plan to return to the room had failed.
“In that case, we’ll just have to go directly to older sister’s room.”
“Then do you know where she is?”
“No, that’s…”
“Fufufu, I found you. Hiroaki-san.”
Ah, damn it, that voice. I turned around and there stood Pauline.
