I, Herrscher Slayer

Forget it. There were plenty of ways to become mature; he wasn't about to make a move on a salted fish. Besides, her chest wasn't even that big. At the very least, it had to be on Mei's level.

Having made up his mind, Shen Gonglin jumped off the bed. Only immature girls like Kiana would obediently go to sleep at night. For a mature adult like him, the day was only just beginning at this hour. Didn't people call it nightlife? Shen Gonglin was going out to enjoy an adult's nightlife now. Idiots like Kiana could just sleep properly.

Having slept too much earlier, Shen Gonglin had nothing to do after waking up. He put on his shoes and headed out, remembering to lock the door behind him. Kiana seemed fairly capable in a fight, but that didn't change the fact that she was dumb. If he came back to find that she had been screwed because he forgot to lock the door, that would be bad. After all, he had brought her out here, so he had to take responsibility for her.

Whether it was Shen Gonglin or Kiana, both of them seemed to think that they were the leader of this mission.

"Hello... Huh, are you still planning to go out so late? Is it really okay not to have your older sister accompany you? The security around here is very good, but it can still be a little dangerous to go out alone at night."

Shen Gonglin had just stepped out of the elevator and was about to leave the hotel when the room attendant's concerned reminder darkened his face. What did she mean, his older sister accompanying him? Since when had that idiot Kiana become his older sister? Why had she said nothing when the person before him left, but said something like this when it was his turn? Did he really look that unreliable?

"Heh, then how about you come with me?"

Walking up to the counter, Shen Gonglin stood on tiptoe and propped his elbows against it, leaning close to the young attendant. To her, his deep violet eyes seemed to shimmer with some kind of light. Looking into them made her feel as though even her reactions were slowing down. What did this child mean by that?

"Hmph. If that idiot girl wakes up and asks, tell her I went out to do what adults do. Seriously, everyone keeps underestimating me. I'm leaving."

Shen Gonglin tugged at the corner of his mouth and turned to leave. What a joke. Did the mighty Shen Gonglin need someone to accompany him when he went out at night?

"Sure, once I get off work... Huh? Hey, where did he go?"

Her reaction had been more than a beat too slow. Shen Gonglin had already been gone for quite a while before the young attendant snapped back to her senses. Looking at the empty counter before her, she felt a wave of regret. What a perfect plan! How had she failed to seize it? That child must have gathered all his courage to make such an invitation. He was so cute.

Bracing both hands on the counter, the young woman let out a creep-like laugh. She had decided—she was working the night shift today, so she would see when he came back.

Though he had come out to enjoy nightlife, what exactly was nightlife supposed to be?

Walking alone down the street, Shen Gonglin wandered around like a street loafer. Most shops had already closed because it was nighttime. As he walked, he spotted a neon sign, and his eyes immediately lit up.

Right, when it came to nightlife, wasn't a bar the first thing that came to mind? Shen Gonglin perked up at once. He was quite interested in the taste of alcohol too, and now that he had the chance, he naturally had to go have a proper taste.

A Chance Encounter

So this was what a bar was like. He had learned something new—it actually seemed pretty nice.

Shen Gonglin strolled into the bar. The dim surroundings alone felt novel to him. He had never been to a place like this before, and probably had not gone to one even before losing his memories, so everything here made him curious. This bar was likely rather high-class. There was no deafening music, nor was it as noisy as Shen Gonglin had imagined when he entered. Overall, it could even be called fairly quiet.

Not every bar was like a nightclub.

"Welcome... Huh? Little guy, you're underage, aren't you? Did you come with your family?"

The moment Shen Gonglin walked in, the young female bartender at the counter noticed him. She greeted him out of habit, but when she got a clear look at his face, she could not help doubting it. One look at that face told her he was not old enough. Had he come in just out of curiosity? Or had his family brought him here? He just did not seem to fit this place.

"Mm, I came with someone I know... This smells so good. Can I have a sip?"

Naturally, Shen Gonglin could not admit that he had come alone. Otherwise, she probably would not even let him enter. He had that much sense. Just as he was about to walk farther in, a fragrant scent of alcohol drew him back. He immediately spotted the glass in front of the bartender; the aroma was coming from it. Drawn in by the scent, Shen Gonglin leaned over the counter. Something inside him seemed to stir restlessly. Could it be that he had actually been a heavy drinker before losing his memory?

"So you came with someone... Then it's fine. You want a drink? If you do, call me big sis."

Hearing Shen Gonglin say that, the bartender relaxed. As long as he had not run off to fool around alone, it was fine. Seeing how interested he was in the glass before her, she smiled. She had not expected to meet such a handsome boy while working the night shift. Even if they did not know each other, there was no harm in teasing him a little.

Besides, what was in front of her was not real liquor. She could not drink while on duty; it was merely sparkling wine with a tiny bit of alcohol in it.

"Big sis."

Why did all these people like making him call them big sis? Earlier, calling someone big sis had gotten him food, and now calling someone big sis got him alcohol. Shen Gonglin felt that he could live quite well just by relying on this trick. This guy had never had much concept of dignity anyway. It was only one "big sis"; he did not care at all.

"Good boy. You can have one sip. Once you finish, go find the person who brought you here. Don't wander around, okay? Some people get really bad-tempered when they drink too much."

The bartender handed Shen Gonglin her glass, feeling a little pleased. After he finished drinking, she quietly reminded him. This really was not a suitable place for someone underage. It would be best for him to stay with whoever had brought him here. If she did not have work to do, she really would have liked to play with him for a while.

"Okay."

Shen Gonglin gulped down the sparkling wine before him, gave a small burp, and set the glass back on the counter. The sweet flavor suited his taste perfectly. Sure enough, he really was a mature adult. After downing that whole glass, he felt nothing except for a slight numbness in his tongue. Having gained a clear understanding of his alcohol tolerance, Shen Gonglin relaxed even more. He had thought he might be a one-glass lightweight. Good thing he was not.

"Hey, little guy, that's the exit. Didn't you say someone brought you here? They should be inside, right?"

Seeing Shen Gonglin's slightly unsteady steps, the bartender hurriedly reached out and grabbed him. No way—could someone really get drunk from this kind of sparkling wine? It had far less alcohol than beer, about as much as kvass. There was no way he could not handle that. It had to be something else.

"Oh... Looks like I went the wrong way. Thanks... This way, right?"

Shen Gonglin shook his head. His mind was still relatively clear, but why were his feet a little out of control? It had to be because of the lighting in here. He could clearly see the steps beneath him, so why could he not step onto them?

After struggling for a while, Shen Gonglin finally made it up the steps. He gave the bartender a broad smile, then staggered inside. Watching him sway from side to side, she could not help worrying. She glanced at the counter. Probably no one else would come by right now. She simply could not rest easy unless she got him safely to the person who had brought him here.

"Um, wait a moment. I'll take you over there. Where was the person who brought you?"

Leaving her work at the counter, the bartender hurried after Shen Gonglin. She supported his arm and walked in with him. This child really was drunk. If she had known his alcohol tolerance was this low, she would not have let him drink.

"I'm such an incurable idiot! How could I have said something like that... I regret it so much..."

In a booth at the bar, a beautiful red-haired woman sat alone in a corner. She lay sprawled across the table, muttering to herself. The several bottles before her proved just how much she had drunk, but such medium-strength alcohol was hardly worth mentioning to her. No matter how much she drank, it would not make her lose the ability to act. What Himeko wanted was this hazy, slightly tipsy feeling.

After all, if one was happy while sober, who would want to get drunk?

She poured another mouthful of alcohol down her throat. Himeko was in a terrible mood right now. Just thinking about what had happened earlier left her tangled up inside. How had she failed to hold herself back and said something so perverted? He surely thought she was some very strange woman now. Heaven knew this was the first time Himeko had ever said such a thing to a boy. She regretted it so much, felt so awful. Why had she been such an idiot? She had even run away without asking for his contact information. She would probably never see him again...

After swallowing the drink, Himeko let out a long sigh. Once she had calmed down at the end, she had gone back, only to find Shen Gonglin was no longer where he had been before. Unwilling to give up, Himeko had searched around for a long time but could not find him. Disappointed, she could only enter some random bar to drown her sorrows. Yet trying to drink away her worries only made them worse. The more she drank, the sadder she felt. Missing out on that boy felt like it would become a lifetime regret.

Should she use her rank and authority to investigate the nearby surveillance footage? It really was necessary, right? This was a matter that could affect her whole life. It was okay to be a little willful, wasn't it? Anyone facing her situation would definitely make the same choice, right?

Just Like Love

No sooner thought than done. Himeko stood as she spoke. If she did not use her authority at a time like this, it had no meaning at all. That boy had captured her attention so completely; if he simply disappeared into the crowd like that, she would definitely regret it. She was absolutely certain of that. Fate was far too unreliable. If she relied solely on fate, who knew when she would resolve this matter? She still had to fight for it herself. Fate had already let her meet him; the rest depended on her own efforts.

However, just as Himeko stood up, she discovered that she seemed to believe in fate again. If this was not fate, then what could it be? To run into him even in a place like this—this truly was a match made in heaven!

Her wine-red gaze settled on that golden-haired figure, and Himeko was overjoyed. She called out without thinking, only then realizing that she did not even know his name. Never mind that. She had to stop him. At the very least, she had to let him know that she was not some weird older woman.

"Hey, you... It's me. You're here too..."

Driven by the alcohol, Himeko hurried forward and called out to Shen Gonglin. Only then did she have time to notice the person beside him. Wasn't that this bar's bartender? Why was she following him? What exactly was going on?

"Huh? Ma'am, do you know him?"

Hearing someone call out to Shen Gonglin, the bartender was delighted. She had finally found someone who knew him. Holding Shen Gonglin's hand, she turned toward Himeko and finally felt relieved. Thank goodness. She had thought she might have to take him to the police.

Because she was worried about Shen Gonglin, the bartender had temporarily left her work to come inside with him and find someone. Perhaps because of that glass of sparkling wine, the child had been dazed ever since coming in and could not even walk steadily. No matter what she asked, he could not answer. Luckily, someone had come to pick him up. Now she could return to work.

"Uh... We do know each other, but actually, we're also..."

Did she count as knowing Shen Gonglin? Probably. After all, she had fed him, and he had called her big sis. But if she said they knew each other, she did not even know his name. Himeko had no idea how to explain their relationship. Could she say it was love at first sight?

"That's wonderful. He came with you, right? Please keep a close eye on him. He drank a glass just now, and he doesn't seem to be doing too well. I still have work, so I'll leave him with you."

Once she knew Himeko knew Shen Gonglin, the bartender relaxed. She bowed to Himeko, then turned and ran off. She really could not leave the bar unattended. There had not been a good opportunity today; otherwise, she would have liked to have a proper chat with him.

"Huh? Why did she leave... Who did you come with?"

The bartender left immediately, leaving Himeko staring blankly at Shen Gonglin. Could fate really come this quickly? He had just been delivered right in front of her. What was she supposed to do now? Himeko carefully examined Shen Gonglin. His originally fair, tender face was lightly flushed, though his eyes remained clear. So he liked drinking too. Why did that make them seem more and more compatible?

"...I-I came alone. I just wanted to see what a bar was like."

The alcohol in the sparkling wine was not enough to make Shen Gonglin lose consciousness outright. He was only reacting a little slowly, and his feet were somewhat disobedient. Looking up at Himeko, whom he remembered, Shen Gonglin gave her a huge smile. Great, he had run into someone he knew. Great.

"I see... Then do you want to sit over there with me? Looking at you, if you don't sober up properly, you'll probably feel even worse later."

Himeko pointed toward her booth, then pulled Shen Gonglin over without waiting for his response. As a seasoned drinking expert, she naturally understood his state. She did not know what he had drunk, but it was probably fairly strong; otherwise, he would not have become like this after one glass. It seemed he was not the obedient good child she had imagined. But... being a little bad suited Himeko's taste even better.

If they both liked drinking, that could not be better.

"Mm... What kind of alcohol is this you're drinking? It smells really good."

Still dizzy, Shen Gonglin was led to Himeko's booth. The moment he sat down, he caught the scent of alcohol. Following the smell, he discovered the half-full glass on the table. This aroma was far stronger than the sparkling wine he had just drunk. Just smelling it made Shen Gonglin feel like he was about to get drunk. It had to taste amazing.

"This? I mixed it myself. It isn't actually that strong, either. Want to try some?"

Himeko pushed the glass toward Shen Gonglin. In the dim surroundings, she was not afraid he would notice the blush on her face. She had just used that glass; if he drank from it now, it would be an indirect kiss. The same thing had happened when they ate hamburgers that afternoon. Himeko had liked how it felt, and she wanted to try it again.

After pushing her glass to Shen Gonglin, Himeko poured herself another one. Drinking alone was drinking away one's sorrows, but when two people drank together, they drank for the atmosphere. Himeko felt her mood rising as well. As for underage drinking... just one glass would be fine, right?

"Then, cheers... Huh? What's wrong?"

She was just about to raise her glass when Shen Gonglin reached out and pressed down on Himeko's wrist. At the touch of their skin, Himeko's heart jolted fiercely. Almost instinctively, she wanted to pull her hand away, but her powerful will kept the Valkyrie from moving. Forcing down the flutter in her heart, she wondered what Shen Gonglin meant. Was he telling her not to drink any more? Did that mean... he was worried about her?

This was probably what they called love. Himeko looked into Shen Gonglin's eyes. Even under the dim lighting, she could still clearly see those deep violet eyes. Looking into them made her body feel soft and weak. If he would not let her drink anymore, then perhaps she would not drink.

Himeko. Well-behaved. Himeko. Obedient.

"What are you doing? You're raising fish with that little? Fill it up, fill it up. We're not going home until we're drunk tonight."

Who could have known that Shen Gonglin's next action would leave Himeko dumbfounded? He picked up the bottle and filled her glass to the brim. What was the point of drinking half a glass? If they were going to drink, they had to drink a full one!

Looking at the glass before her, Himeko was speechless. She had thought Shen Gonglin pressing down her glass was love, but this guy had actually filled it up for her. All the fluttering in her heart from before...

Could it have been an illusion?

Take Him Back

"Come on, drink!"

Shen Gonglin had no idea what Himeko was thinking. After filling her glass, he filled his own to the brim as well. A real man had to drain it in one gulp. Kiana still said he was immature—if he was not mature, could he do something like this? Shen Gonglin raised his glass toward Himeko, and Himeko blankly raised hers as well. Forget it. She should just drink to her heart's content first.

If Shen Gonglin were truly mature, he would not have done something like this either.

Her bright red lips touched the rim of the glass as Himeko savored the liquor. Things were a little different from what she had imagined, but she was still very happy to reunite with Shen Gonglin here. Drinking together would make it easier for them to grow closer, right? Next, she needed to properly learn more about him. He was clearly a little guy, yet he drank so boldly. Even she did not dare down this drink in one go like he did. His alcohol tolerance was pretty good.

Gulp, gulp. The brown liquor rushed down his throat. The moment it entered his mouth, Shen Gonglin realized something was wrong. This drink tasted completely different from the one the bartender had given him earlier. But he had already raised his glass; putting it down now would prove he was immature, wouldn't it? No matter how hard it was, he had to grit his teeth and push through. Wasn't that what men were supposed to do? Besides, the taste was not completely unbearable. It was just that his head felt... a little dizzy.

His brain could no longer control his limbs—or rather, Shen Gonglin could no longer sense his own brain. The alcohol flooding down his throat seemed to spread rapidly through his entire body. His head spun, and he could not make sense of anything. Who was he? Where was this? What was he supposed to do again?

It was confirmed: Shen Gonglin had absolutely no alcohol tolerance!

"About this afternoon, it was actually a misunderstanding. I only wanted to tease you at the time. Since we've met again, let's get acquainted properly. My name is Murata Himeko. I'm a teacher at a certain school. It's a pleasure to meet you!"

After one glass, Himeko seemed to have gained a little courage. She set down her glass and extended her fair hand to Shen Gonglin. But was shaking hands right after meeting a bit too formal? This was not a workplace introduction. Yet if she did not shake hands, how should she greet him? With her hand extended, Himeko felt utterly conflicted. What was going on? Why was she being so awkward? This was nothing like her usual self.

"Hehe, Ta Himeko... N-nice to meet you."

Shen Gonglin's thoughts had completely disconnected. At this point, all he had left besides instinct was foolish laughter. He could not distinguish what Himeko was saying at all. Shen Gonglin was like an outdated, broken recorder; what was this woman across from him saying? Why could he not understand any of it? He only wanted to laugh.

"Not Ta Himeko, Himeko... Or you can call me Wuliangta, but if possible, it would be better to call me Himeko or big sis. As for calling me darling before, that was only a joke... Huh? Hey, hey?"

Himeko corrected Shen Gonglin's mistake, but before she could finish, his actions interrupted her. Shen Gonglin leaned forward and rested his chin in her palm. His head felt so heavy. This was the perfect place to rest it for a while. His mind was a blur; what exactly was he doing again?

Forget it. It was not important at all.

Th-this, this was him flirting with her, right? Why had he suddenly done this? Did young people nowadays like playing this way? What was she supposed to do now? Should she scratch Shen Gonglin under the chin like she was teasing a cat? He really looked like a cat right now. She wanted to pet him so badly... No, calm down. She absolutely could not embarrass herself again!

Himeko's thoughts were a mess, and she nearly followed her instincts and reached out to pet Shen Gonglin. She did not actually like cats, but seeing Shen Gonglin resting his chin in her palm, Himeko's heart began racing as she immediately thought of those creatures. His palm-sized little face already felt fun just held in her hand. She wanted to rub his face, scratch his chin, and then pat his head.

Himeko's thoughts were in turmoil, but Shen Gonglin truly could not hold on any longer. With no tolerance for alcohol whatsoever, his consciousness finally faded away. His head tilted and he fell over. Only then did Himeko react. If she let him fall like that, the broken glass would definitely ruin his face. The Valkyrie swiftly caught Shen Gonglin and pulled him over. What was going on?

Hadn't he been fine just a moment ago?

"Hey, hey, what's wrong? Are you... Hey, don't tell me you're drunk?"

Thinking Shen Gonglin was feeling unwell, Himeko supported his shoulders and let him lean against her chest. Shen Gonglin merely looked up at her once before falling completely silent, his whole body going limp in Himeko's embrace. With his head resting between two soft mounds, Shen Gonglin instinctively found the most comfortable place to sleep even while unconscious. That could be considered one of his special talents.

Shen Gonglin's state could not have been more obvious. He was definitely drunk. Was this a joke? Seeing how boldly he had drunk earlier, Himeko had thought he could hold his liquor. Who knew he would collapse after a single glass? He had fallen asleep now, but what was she supposed to do? Not only had she failed to learn his name, things had ended up like this. What now? She did not know him at all—what was she supposed to do with him?

"Hey, wake up. Where do you live? I'll take you home."

The warm breath against her chest sent a shiver through Himeko. Only then did she realize where Shen Gonglin had been lying. She hurriedly lifted his head. Seriously, this was a place she normally could not bear to touch too hard even while bathing, yet Shen Gonglin had taken advantage of it. Before passing out, he should at least have told her his name and where he lived. He was obviously giving her a difficult problem. Did she have to take him back to her hotel?

For some reason, that thought suddenly sprang into Himeko's mind, and it only grew stronger. Yes, that seemed like the only option left. They could not stay in the bar forever, and he clearly could not offer any other suggestion in his current state. The hotel she had booked was spacious and had a comfortable bed. Going back to her place to rest seemed like the best choice.

"Hey, you're drunk. I can only take you back to where I'm staying for now. If you object, say so... Okay, looks like you don't object. Then let's go."

Supporting Shen Gonglin, she placed his arm over her shoulder. Himeko wrapped an arm around his waist and led him toward the exit. She had asked him, after all. He was the one who had not objected.

Having successfully fooled herself, Shen Gonglin was in no condition to have an opinion. He could not even walk. His head spun, and the alcohol had made him completely pass out. Himeko held his waist with one hand and supported his arm with the other as she led him out. Even this short corridor drew plenty of looks. Such things were common sights in bars, except the roles seemed reversed this time. Usually, wasn't it a man supporting an unconscious woman, then either taking her home or bringing her to a hotel? A pair like Himeko and Shen Gonglin was truly rare.

"Please come again... Huh? What happened?"

The bartender was playing on her phone at the bar counter. Catching sight of someone approaching from the corner of her eye, she greeted them out of habit, only then realizing who it was. She had just brought Shen Gonglin inside, after all, and he had left a deep impression on her. It had not even been that long, so why was he leaving already? And how had he ended up like this? He had been fine just now.

"This guy got drunk, so I'm taking him back."

Himeko looked up and smiled at the bartender. The bartender nodded and said nothing. She could indeed smell alcohol on Shen Gonglin. He had become dazed from the sparkling wine earlier, so he had probably drunk quite a bit of other alcohol to end up like this. She knew he had no alcohol tolerance.

"Alright. Please be careful on the way."

Because of Shen Gonglin, the bartender treated Himeko very well. Since he was drunk, there was nothing to be done. She had originally wondered whether she might get another chance to invite him for a drink, but now it seemed destined not to happen. Since Himeko knew him, she had nothing to worry about. Without suspecting a thing, the bartender waved to Himeko, hoping she might meet him again someday.

Once they left the bar, the night breeze cleared Himeko's head considerably. She had drunk quite a lot too, and was a little tipsy, but thanks to her remarkable alcohol tolerance, she had not yet lost her judgment. The hotel should be in this direction, right? Let her think. After taking him back, she would shower first. After all, waking up the next day smelling of alcohol would feel awful. Then she would find a way to wake Shen Gonglin up, and afterward they could have a great ti—no, wrong thought. Afterward, she had to figure out his situation!