Meshitaki Onna ni Yakuza no Ai wa Omosugiru

21. For some reason I feel a dangerous presence

「Nee-chan’s name is?」

　Uーn, is it just my imagination or do I feel a slight intimidation from his gentle smile?

　If I casually gave out an alias, I’d probably be found out naa.

　If he investigated later on, or not even, I feel like he would sense it instinctually, this man.

「It’s Shindo Nanao.」

「Nanao is it? What a cute name」

　――Suddenly on a first name basis, you’re way too familiar, onii-san.

　Though I, the chicken, can’t say anything.

「You said you were a kitchenmaid. So you’re good at cooking」

「No no, it’s really just some boring cooking. It’s just to the point of boiling rice and making miso soup.」

　Smoothly replying, I retreated a step.

「I’m terribly sorry, but in truth, I have business after this. ……I apologize for barging in without consideration on this occasion.」

「……Business?」

　Can you please stop making your voice so low!

「Yes, some work has come in.」

　I gradually retreated backwards.

　Stop it, Kawata-san. Don’t shake your head with a paper white face!　I’m starting to feel scared because of that!

「Today is your day off, isn’t it」

「It is, but I’m busy with various things, you see」

「That company, quit it. I’ll introduce you to a nice one. It’s fine even if you don’t want to work anymore either.」

　It’s not fine!!

「No no, it’s a job I chose myself after all」

　A deep furrow engraved itself in between the man’s eyebrows.

「Nanao, will you come here to cook food again?」

「Nononono!!!　I wouldn’t dare!!!!　A woman as plain, old, flat chested, dumb, and natto-like as me shouldn’t intrude on you anymore!!!!」

　Stop it you four, stop shaking your pale faces anymore than that.

　It makes me feel like I’ve been put into a super critical situation!

「……Nanao, will you come to cook food here again?」

　The same question from before was repeated in two tones lower than from before.

　……Huh, this feels like a threat…… It’s not, right?

「N, noo, won’t I be intruding?」

　A dangerous smile was carved on the man’s face.

　That moment, I was assaulted by an illusion like all the pores on my body were being opened up.

　Though I was shivering, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the man.

　With a presence as if he were right about to attack, the man stood up.

　It gave me the premonition of a crafty and merciless attack.

「This might be the last time I ask meekly…………Nanao, will you come to cook food here again?」

「Yes!!!　I-if the circumstances permits, then gladly!!!!」

　Hearing that reply, the man smiled in satisfaction.

　Grinning widely, it was a smile without a shred of cuteness though.

「Ahー, I see I see. That’s good, I was thinking that immediate confinement was unromantic.」

　…………Yes?

「Then, can dine in at that time as well?」

「Hahaha, I don’t believe anything will suit your tastes, really really……」

「Ren」

「Ha, ha ha……」

「Nanao. It’s Ren」

　Huhー, this is strange, I feel like I can hear an auditory hallucination.

「……As I thought, though it may be inelegant, I should capture you early」

「I don’t know if it’ll suit Re-Re-Re-Ren-san’s tastes though!　I-If, there’s a chance, if there’s an opportunity, then by all means please join us!!!　Yes, if, there’s any chance, though I don’t believe there will be, but if by some mistake, if there’s an opportunity!!!!」

　Eei, if you want to call me a chicken then do it!!!!