Chapter 23

That night, I set out drinks and snacks on the living room table.

We'd already finished dinner. Since it was Yuu's first time drinking, I thought it'd be better not to drink on an empty stomach.

Alcohol hits harder when you're hungry.
I wanted to avoid alcohol poisoning - it just seemed like the right thing to do.

For some reason, Yuu looked slightly dissatisfied... Maybe she had some ideal drinking scenario in mind?

"All set," I called out to her after finishing preparations.

"Yeah, can't wait!"

The dissatisfied expression from earlier was gone, replaced by what looked like excitement.

Seeing her face like that reminded me of my first time drinking.
I'd had mine with my parents, but I'm sure I made the exact same expression.

"The Chuhai is fine for you, right?"

"Mmhm!"

I'd prepared several types of alcohol, but this was definitely the most beginner-friendly.
Sweet and easy to drink - practically like juice.

We sat across from each other at the table.

"Cheers then."

"Cheers!"

Our glasses clinked.

"Whoa, this is sweet! Like juice!"

"That's what Chuhai is like," I said as Yuu started gulping hers down.

Watching her drink so fast made me wonder if that was okay - but then I reconsidered.
Chuhai is weak. She'd probably be fine drinking it quickly.
Without giving it much thought, I took a sip of my beer.

...I wouldn't realize my mistake until twenty minutes later.

My biggest failure was this: while I knew alcohol tolerance varied by person, I'd never actually experienced it firsthand.

My family and I all have strong tolerances - we almost never get hangovers.
And since I'd always been alone, I'd never drank with anyone outside my family.

The result? I'd never once drank with someone who couldn't handle their liquor.

Twenty minutes later.

Yuu was in... an unusual state.

"Uh, Yuu?"

"Kehe... kehehe... KEHEHEHEHEHE!"

Definitely not normal.
Her eyes, which should have been looking at me, were completely unfocused.

This was bad. I needed to stop her from drinking any more.

"Yuu, let's call it a night early, okay?"

I reached for her glass, trying to take it away.

"Noooo!"

She moved the glass just out of reach with surprising agility.

"Yuu, I'm serious, let's stop now."

"No!"

She turned her face away sharply. Adorable, but impossible to reason with.

"Yuu, please?"

"...Muuu."

As I slowly circled the table to take the glass directly, Yuu noticed and visibly sulked.

"...Then gimme something."

"Something?"

"Yeah! Wishes need... need payment!"

Payment? That's fine. I'd get her almost anything she wanted.

"Sure. What do you want?"

"Hmm... oh! I wanted to ask Shin questions!"

Questions?
She could ask me anything anytime.

"What questions?"

"Mmm... forgot! Kehehehehe!"

...What do I do?
She's completely drunk.

"...Then is there anything else you want?"

"Want?"

At this point, anything. I needed to get that glass away from her before things got worse. I kept slowly approaching as I spoke.

"............Then praise me."

"...What?"

I froze mid-step.
Surely I'd misheard.

"...Wanted praise. Wanted you to acknowledge me."

...That was it.

"I tried so hard, but no one acknowledged me. Everyone treated me like a monster.
...That's why—I just wanted someone to praise me."

That’s what she said.

...Was she talking about the other world?

This was the first time Yuu had ever spoken about that world. Normally, whenever the topic came up, she would always try to steer the conversation away.

So I had assumed it probably wasn’t a pleasant memory. But maybe... it was even worse than I thought.

The way she said she wanted to be praised—Yuu looked so fragile, like she might disappear at any moment.

"...You did your best, Yuu."

Before I knew it, the words had left my mouth.

I didn’t know what kind of world it was, or what Yuu had gone through there.

But I felt like I had to say it.

Maybe I was just saying it to make her feel better.

But I know Yuu is a kind person.

Even if I don’t know anything about that other world, I know her.

And because of that, I’m certain—there’s no way she didn’t try her hardest.

"Yuu, you’re amazing. You really did your best."

I looked her straight in the eyes as I said it.

"...Really?"

"Really."

"...I see. ...Kufufufu."

With a soft giggle, Yuu stood up from her chair, took my hand, and led me over to the sofa.

After guiding me to sit down, she gently laid her head on my lap.

Now I was giving Yuu a lap pillow.

"Yuu?"

"Pet my head."

I asked, surprised, and that’s the reply I got.

"Pet my head... and praise me."

"Ah... okay."

With a request like that, there’s no way I could refuse.

Carefully, I reached out my hand and began to gently stroke her hair.

It was smooth and soft to the touch—comforting.

"Kufufu..."

"Like this?"

"...Yeah."

I kept petting her, slowly and gently.

Making sure not to be too rough—deliberate, soothing strokes.

"How’s that?"

"It feels nice."

I’m glad.

"From now on, do this every day."

"Eh—um, I’m not sure about that..."

We kept talking like that while I continued to pet her.

Before I realized it, Yuu had drifted off to sleep.

I closed the door to Yuu’s room as quietly as I could.

I had tucked her into bed.

She was sleeping peacefully, so I figured she’d be fine.

"...I should’ve been more careful."

About the alcohol.

She drank like I would, and that’s what happened.

I’m glad it didn’t turn into a bigger problem, but I’ll have to be more cautious going forward.

"...Still, it wasn’t all bad."

This whole incident let me learn something about Yuu.

That other world of hers probably wasn’t a good place.

If people were calling her a monster... then yeah, it must’ve been awful.

...What can I do for Yuu?

I figured it was time to seriously think about that.