Candlelight, Rabbits, and a Banquet · Chapter 3
Club Deep Field
Claire
...
No one's here. Let's move out.
Scarlet
Whew! Haa... Well, that was surely suffocating...
To make the great Dragon Scarlet crawl like a sewer rat!
That gravedigger brat, when I catch her, I will unleash the Dragon's wrath!
Claire
Scarlet, shh!
Scarlet
Mmph.
After passing through a narrow passage that felt endless, we arrived at a vast space that was hard to believe existed underground.
In the center of a garden decorated with plants taller than a person stood a large fountain spraying water.
And beyond that wide space was...
Scarlet
...This is a casino?
Oh, Claire, what's that? It looks fun...
Ah, ow! Why'd you step on my foot?!
Claire
We're not here to have a good time! Don't forget our objective.
And you haven't already forgotten what Luna taught you, have you?
Cute gestures!
Scarlet
B-bunny bunny...
Claire
...Good.
Emily said she'd be waiting in front of the fountain.
Let's head over there and wait for her.
We waited in front of the fountain for quite some time, but Emily did not come.
Standing there awkwardly, I could feel suspicious eyes on us from all around.
...What should we do?
Claire
Emily... Don't tell me...
...She forgot that we were supposed to meet again?
Scarlet
Honestly, it wouldn't be strange if she completely forgot and is waiting back at Candle Square.
Claire
...I can feel more eyes on us.
*Sigh...* There's no other way.
For now, it'd be best if we move on our own and try to find Bell.
If we stay here, we'll eventually draw too much attention.
Under Claire's command, we decided to move deeper inside past the casino floor.
Claire
(Scarlet, stop looking around so much!)
(Captain, you need to stand straighter and look confident.)
F-for some reason, I feel kind of small in here...
Claire
(Keep a relaxed smile and walk smoothly!)
...L-like this?
Scarlet
Hahaha! Captain, you look ridiculous!
Claire
*Sigh...* Maybe we should've left Scarlet behind.
They wouldn't keep someone they kidnapped in a place like this.
They're likely deeper inside. Let's move that way.
Following Claire's advice, I tried to maintain a natural expression and pace, but it wasn't easy.
It felt like I was touring a city for the first time as I inched my way deeper inside.
???
Hey, you there!
Claire
Eek?!
Scarlet
Huh?!
???
When are you going to bring me the martini I ordered?
Turning my head, I saw a middle-aged man in an expensive suit speaking to us.
Middle-Aged Man
I ordered over ten minutes ago. What's takin' so long?
Why're the two of you hangin' around that guy instead?
You, redhead, go check on my order.
Scarlet
What?!
Claire
(Scarlet! Bunny girl, bunny girl!)
(Don't get angry!)
Scarlet
...Grr!
Middle-Aged Man
...What did you say?
Scarlet
B-b-b-bunny...
Bunny bunny, what seems to be the problem? Hehe...
Middle-Aged Man
Good grief, for someone working here, you sure are slow.
My martini! It's been over ten minutes.
Go check right now!
Scarlet
M-martini? What's a martini? I haven't the faintest...
Claire
S-sorry, but we have orders to escort this gentleman here.
Middle-Aged Man
What?
The man scans me up and down.
Middle-Aged Man
Who are you to have two bunny girls exclusively attending you?
I don't recognize you. Are you some high-ranking NOA official?
This is bad. They're definitely suspicious of us.
If we hesitate, he'll just keep pushing and make things worse.
Scarlet
(Wh-what do we do, Captain?)
(This guy seems oddly persistent!)
Claire
(...I'll handle it, and if needed, I'll knock him out.)
(...No, I'll talk.)
Claire
(Captain?)
In this club, bunny girls handle guest requests and orders.
If that man keeps making demands, Claire and Scarlet will have a hard time refusing.
(...Let's go on the offensive instead.)
(Help me if things go south.)
I had Claire and Scarlet step back and stood in front of the man.
Middle-Aged Man
Are you really that important? Huh?
...Of course.
I am someone... who knows Alicia personally... We've even had meals together...
Anyway, we go way back like that!
I've never actually eaten with her... but the connection is real.
Even though I wasn't lying, my voice trembled slightly.
...Will this work?
He might fire back with something like [Oh really? Alicia's my mom.]
But this is strictly a members only club.
Being here as a guest means the club recognizes you as part of NOA's elite.
Even if he won't fully believe me, he can't simply ignore me either. That was my calculation.
Middle-Aged Man
...
Y-you eat with Alicia...?
Th-that means... you must be quite an important person.
...Fortunately, it worked.
Middle-Aged Man
B-but still, young man...
I am terribly thirsty.
I mean no disrespect...
But could not at least one of them help me?
...He seems quite desperate for that martini.
But I can't send even one of them away.
If we get separated here, there's no way to guarantee we can regroup.
...We have to see this through.
Sorry, but that will be difficult.
Middle-Aged Man
Wh-why?!
After taking a step back—
I pulled Claire and Scarlet into my arms on both sides.
Claire
Hng?!
Scarlet
Eek?!
These two are not affiliated with the club...
They are my personal bunny girls!
A heavy silence fills the air.
The middle-aged man stood there, jaw dropped, staring at us without a word.
...As soon as I did it, a wave of regret rushed over me.
Did I go too far? Personal bunny girls? Is that even a thing?
Does he think I'm talking nonsense?
Claire and Scarlet remained stiff in my arms, forcing awkward smiles.
Middle-Aged Man
Ama...
Amazing... young man...
Incredible...
It worked!
If you're satisfied, then we'll be on our way...
The man sank deep into his chair as if his soul had drained out of him.
He stared blankly into the air, his eyes unfocused.
As I turned around quickly to avoid any further trouble, I heard him mutter behind me.
Middle-Aged Man
I...
I had dreams too...
Good heavens... That guy has achieved his dream...
Let's just go...
Story and illustrations © Studio B-Side. An unofficial reading archive — for questions or requests, see the About page.