“Do you have any recommendations for alcohol?” Anya asked, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips.

“Anya?” Lirina blinked in surprise.

“Oh, Miss Hayur, would you like to try draft beer?” Ivak smiled.

“Well, since you say so, I’ll have some,” Anya nodded.

“And what about you, Hayur? Have you decided?” Ivak asked Lirina.

Lirina’s expression twisted in hesitation. “Um… I… I don’t drink alcohol…”

“Then… a cola?” Ivak suggested.

Not being able to think clearly, Lirina could only nod.

“Then one more cola, please,” Ivak told Yuka.

“Two bottles of signature sake, one bottle of sweet plum wine, one draft beer, one cola, and two servings of appetizer,” Yuka confirmed. “Is that all for now?”

“Yes,” Ivak nodded.

“Understood, I’ll bring them right away,” Yuka said, leaving.

“Anya… how can you drink alcohol?” As soon as Yuka left, Lirina shot Anya a conflicted glare.

“…Because I’m not a good girl,” Anya said with a grin.

“Ah…?”

~~~~~~~~

One hour later.

“Wow, this is good.” Anya chewed on a grilled chicken skewer, praising it. “But… I still think Lirina’s cooking tastes better.”

“Anya… don’t say that in someone else’s shop…”

“Cheers, Mr. Ivak!”

“Oh, surprisingly, Reese can hold her liquor. Looks like maybe we can drink together sometimes in the future,” Ivak said.

“Hehe!”

At the counter, a few more waiters had arrived, giving Yuka a short break.

“Yuka, what did Mr. Ivak ask?” Kozue quickly leaned over when Yuka approached the counter.

“Nothing much. He just asked about Miss Kasa last night and when she could see Tanuki-sama,” Yuka replied, taking the green tea Kozue handed her.

“Really? He didn’t trouble you, right?” Kozue’s worry showed.

“Really. Don’t worry. Tanuki-sama is formidable. Even if Mr. Ivak is different from before, he wouldn’t do anything wrong because of Tanuki,” Yuka reassured her.

“Ah… um…” Kozue covered her head. “So Miss Kasa…”

“She gave Kozue a hard time yesterday. Isn’t it normal for Tanuki-sama to teach her a lesson?” Yuka waved.

“Actually… I didn’t think Miss Kasa went too far…” Kozue murmured. “Maybe Tanuki-sama is a bit…”

“So…” Yuka chuckled. “Kozue, we are cats, and Miss Kasa is a crow, a bird.”

“Mm,” Kozue nodded.

“Cats like to play with their prey… so you can think of Tanuki-sama as… finding an excuse, but actually just wanting to play. That’s it,” Yuka explained softly.

“Ah…”

Half an hour later.

“I’m going to call Tanuki-sama now,” Yuka announced at their table. “Mr. Ivak can come down.”

“Okay.” Ivak stood. “You all keep eating; I’ll be right back.”

“Okay.” Everyone nodded.

Ivak followed Yuka to the back curtain of the shop.

“Please wait a moment. I’ll ask first,” Yuka said.

“Mm,” Ivak nodded. Yuka pulled the curtain aside and entered.

======

The tavern was built with two floors. The first floor was mostly the business area, separated by a door from the living quarters of Rakya and her companions. Behind the curtain was their kitchen and dining area, and the second floor was for living space.

Yuka went upstairs to Rakya’s door.

“Yuka, don’t say anything unnecessary, meow,” Rakya’s voice called from inside before Yuka could speak. “I know they’re here, meow.”

“Yes,” Yuka replied. “Tanuki-sama, Mr. Ivak is downstairs. Shall I let him up?”

“Sure. But you go in first.”

Yuka opened the sliding door, bowed slightly as she entered, and froze at what she saw.

—Kasa sat cross-legged by the large open window, a ragdoll cat comfortably nestled on her lap. One hand stroked the cat, the other held a smoking pipe, occasionally bringing it near the cat’s mouth.

“Tanuki-sama…” Yuka furrowed her brows, then couldn’t help laughing. This was part of her and Kozue’s occasional routine, but judging from Kasa’s expression, she’d been keeping it up for a long time.

The ragdoll cat—Rakya looked up. “Clean up the room, meow, clothes on the floor and such. Then find me something to wear from the closet, meow… why did you stop, meow?”

“Ugh…” Kasa wailed, quickly petting Rakya’s chin. The cat purred in satisfaction.

“Yes,” Yuka said, stifling her laughter, and began tidying various costumes on the floor: cosplay outfits, revealing clothes, catgirl outfits, bunny girl outfits… the list went on.

Yuka stored the clothes in the wardrobe, then opened another one, pulling out a black kimono with white patterns.

“All done You can stop now, meow,” Rakya said, stretching and stepping down from Kasa’s lap. Her blue-gray shimmer faded as she returned to human form.

“Come help me put on this kimono. It’s so troublesome, meow,” Rakya said, wagging her fluffy tail.

Blushing, Yuka knelt to help her dress, careful not to look at her youthful, fair-skinned body.

“Mm, meow,” Rakya patted Yuka’s head. “Go call that Ivak fellow.”

“Yes.” Yuka stood. “Also, what would Tanuki-sama like to eat? I’ll arrange it.”

“Fried squid noodles, and add a bottle of shōchū. Make it a little spicy, meow,” Rakya said.

“Yes.” Yuka left.

Rakya picked up the pipe from Kasa, taking a puff. “Anything to say?”

“…Please don’t leak those photos.” Kasa nestled in place.

“Mm, meow,” Rakya smiled, twitching her ears. “Do you mean the ones with cosplay idols, or the bunny girl ones in… suggestive poses, meow?”

“Both…” Kasa’s cheeks burned.

“Don’t worry, meow. I just want to keep them as a memory, meow.” Rakya tapped the pipe in the ashtray, then opened a drawer, grabbing some tobacco and filling the pipe.

“Miss Tanuki?” Ivak’s voice came from outside.

“Come in, meow, Ivak.” The sliding door opened, and Ivak entered.

“…Good evening, Miss Tanuki,” Ivak nodded to Rakya.

“And you too.” Rakya slowly exhaled smoke. “You came tonight to help with the shop, meow. There’s a little angel and a little succubus scent.”

“Yes, it’s Lirina Hayur and Anya Harts,” Ivak said, lighting a cigarette.

“Meow. Anyone is fine, meow. All guests are welcome, meow. But let’s meet for a while. It’s been a while since I saw Lirina, meow.”

“Why not take this chance?” Ivak smiled.

“Today was already fun enough, meow,” Rakya said. “Little crow, you can go, meow. Did you come specially to check if I wouldn’t let him in, meow?”

“No, just confirming Miss Kasa’s safety,” Ivak said, looking at Kasa. “Looks like… she’s fine.”

“…Fine my foot.” Kasa stood, glaring at Ivak, full of resentment.

“Well…” Ivak forced a smile. “Apologies, Miss Kasa. I’ll treat you to a meal next time as an apology.”

“…grumble.” Kasa muttered a spell, returning to her original form.

“Going, meow? It’s rude not to say goodbye, meow, little crow.” Rakya smiled.

“Tanuki-sama… G-goodbye!” Kasa turned her head, struggling to speak, then flapped her wings and flew out the window.