NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 5: 5 - Rest in Peace, Young Man!
Read ahead of the available translations: [patreon.com/IbringupontheeTL]
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"Seriously, Buki-senpai, was the whole intimidation act really necessary?"
Sebas shoveled takoyaki into his mouth while side-eyeing the mountain of muscle before him. The roses he'd arrived with now sat in a vase beside the counter, their romantic flair utterly wasted in this dive bar atmosphere.
"Intimidation?" Buki paused mid-glass-polishing, genuinely perplexed. "When did I—?"
"Never mind! My bad!" Sebas waved his chopsticks dismissively, suddenly feeling guilty for mentally casting this surprisingly decent guy as some NTR villain just because of his blond hair and terrifying physique.
Note to self: Not all jacked blondes are girlfriend-stealing antagonists. Probably.
He was about to stuff another fried shrimp in his mouth when—
"Oi, Sebas." Buki leaned across the counter, suddenly serious. "As a freshman, what are your university life goals?"
Sebas chewed slowly. "...Get the diploma?"
"THAT'S THE WEAKEST AMBITION I'VE EVER HEARD!"
Glasses rattled as Buki slammed the counter, sending soy sauce bottles tumbling. Before Sebas could react, he found himself hoisted into the air by his armpits (his lack of shirt denying Buki a proper collar grab).
"GYAAAAH! WHAT TRIGGERED YOU THIS TIME?!"
"Such wasted potential!" Buki shook him like a malfunctioning vending machine. "Then answer this—which club will you join?!"
Sebas' legs bicycled helplessly. "The... sleep-everyday-and-go-home-early club?"
Buki's eye developed a dangerous twitch. He lifted Sebas higher until they were nose-to-nose.
"LISTEN WELL, KOUHAI! I'M THE VICE-CAPTAIN OF PEEK A BOO DIVING CLUB!" Spittle flew as he suddenly switched to a disturbingly serene tone:
"...Do you like... scuba diving?"
Sebas' soul left his body. This is the least subtle recruitment since cults invented free yoga classes.
In truth, his only "goal" was surviving Angel's ridiculous mission. But as Buki's grip tightened ominously:
"That... Peek a Boo place sounds... super educational?" Sebas squeaked. "Maybe I'll... visit during club fair week...?"
To Sebas' surprise, Buki's murderous expression instantly softened at his half-hearted interest in the club.
"Peek a Boo Diving Club," Buki corrected with sudden gentleness, carefully setting Sebas back on his feet like a fragile doll. "Don't get the name wrong next time~" He even gave a playful scolding pat on the shoulder.
"Hahaha..." Sebas forced a laugh while screaming internally: This guy's unhinged! One night here, then I'm OUT.
"Oh crap, last train's coming!" Buki suddenly checked his watch. "Sorry for keeping you, Sebas! Employee dorm's behind that door—make yourself at home!"
"Huh?" Sebas barely contained his relief. Perfect! I'll bolt at dawn.
As Buki slipped on his shoes by the entrance, he turned back with an afterthought:
"Ah! Almost forgot—left a specially brewed oolong tea on the counter. Mind finishing it for me? Thanks!"
"Yeah, sure," Sebas agreed hastily.
The moment the door clicked shut, Sebas collapsed against the counter.
"Who leaves a stranger alone in their bar?!"
He wandered behind the counter and stared at the suspiciously pristine "oolong tea."
"Since when does oolong need 'brewing'?"
The amber liquid glistened invitingly. His throat felt parched.
"Well... he DID say to 'handle it'..."
Grabbing the glass, he retreated to the dorm—a cramped but tidy space with just a bed, nightstand, and clothing rack.
"Not bad for free lodging."
After dutifully cleaning the room (minimal repayment for crashing here), he flopped onto the bed, exhaustion hitting him like a truck.
Today had been... a lot.
Tomorrow's a new day.
His eyelids grew heavy. As a final act, he grabbed the "tea" from the nightstand and—
*GLUG.*
"Ahhh, refre—*GAHHHK—!*"
Fire exploded down his throat. His vision whited out.
The last thing he registered was the empty glass slipping from his fingers as his body hit the mattress—
—and the distant, triumphant echo of Buki's voice from somewhere beyond consciousness:
"WELCOME TO PEEK A BOO!!"
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