第６２２堀：獣人美人刑事純情派 学生誘拐事件 狐 (Part2)
"Ah, yes!"
The clerk finally seemed to snap back to her senses after Kaya called out to her, and she scrambled to her feet.
"I'm glad you're unhurt. Now, what should we do with these two? The tables, chairs, and plates are a total mess. Is this considered a crime in this town?"
"E-Eh? O-Of course it is! You two, if you don't want to be handed over to the guards, you'd better pay for the damages right now!" The clerk’s face turned bright red with anger as she surveyed the wreckage of her shop.
"It’s his fault!"
"No! He’s the one who started it!"
Realizing the gravity of what they’d done, the two men began shoving the responsibility onto each other. However, since Kaya was still holding both of them by the arms, they looked utterly pathetic as they squirmed.
""Anyway, you! Let go of us!""
"If I let go, you'll just run away, won't you?"
"Like hell we will! Don't get cocky just because you're a woman!"
"Ah, you—!?"
One of the men stopped trying to pull away and instead swung a heavy fist at Kaya. The other man, perhaps thinking that was going too far, let out a startled cry, but it was too late.
*Kaya’s going to get hit!*
I squeezed my eyes shut, but the sound of an impact never came, nor did Kaya cry out in pain.
Wondering what happened, I opened my eyes to see that Kaya had released the man's arm at some point and was now casually catching his fist in her open palm.
"...If you want to hit me, you'll need to train at least as hard as Deryu. Now, if you aren't going to run, just pay up. The clerk said she won't make a scene if you settle the bill."
"I-I get it. I'll pay. Here, look, it's money. You, clerk! Take what you need."
The man whose arm was still being held seemed to have finally grasped the gap in their strength—or perhaps he just really hated the idea of being hauled off by the guards. He hurriedly handed over his wallet. The clerk took out the necessary amount and showed it to him.
"...Ugh. Considering the table and the dishes, I guess that's fair. *Sigh.* There, I've paid. Now let me go."
"Very well."
Kaya released the man who had paid without any fuss. That left the one who had tried to punch her.
"And what about you? Will you pay? Be handed over? Or...?"
"What right do you have to say any of that to me!?"
"I am merely a concerned citizen passing through. Your little spat was a nuisance to everyone. For that matter, what right do you have to go on a rampage and destroy property in a shop? Do you think you're above the law?"
"S-Shut up! I won't take this from a mere woman!"
The man drew a knife with his free hand and lunged at Kaya...
"Eek!?"
The clerk’s terrified scream echoed through the area, followed by a heavy silence. I think everyone there expected to see Kaya covered in blood.
But...
"...I have two hands, you know."
Kaya spoke calmly. She had reached out and caught the very tip of the knife blade between two fingers, stopping it dead in its tracks.
"Wha—!?"
The man was speechless. It was only natural; no one expects someone to catch a knife blade with their fingertips. Kaya looked him straight in the eye.
"Now then, I'm starting to get a bit irritated by people pointing knives at me. What's it going to be? Will you pay, be handed over to the guards, or get a thrashing from me?"
She leveled a piercing, razor-sharp glare at him. Finally breaking under the pressure, the man let go of the knife, pulled out his wallet, and shoved it toward the clerk.
"...Dammit. Here."
"E-Er... yes. I'll take this much. Please, take your fights outside from now on."
"Tch. Fine. Hey, lady, let go."
"As you wish."
Once she confirmed the payment was made, Kaya let him go. I stayed on guard, though. The man had pulled a knife and tried to stab her, after all. But he didn't attack again.
"...I let the blood rush to my head. I shouldn't have pulled a knife. I'm sorry for everything. Sorry to you too, miss."
He actually bowed his head to Kaya and the clerk.
*Huh? That’s unexpected.* Usually, people like this refuse to admit they’re wrong until the bitter end...
"Yes. We look forward to your next visit," the clerk replied.
"Yeah. I like this place. I'll be back."
The clerk’s professional closing words seemed to take the edge off the man. As he turned to leave, Kaya called out to him.
"If you're going to try and intimidate someone, you should put a bit more killing intent into it."
"Hah. You're one terrifying lady. Sorry for the trouble. Next time we meet, let me buy you a drink."
"I wouldn't mind a quiet chat then."
"Right. Well, see ya."
With that, the man finally disappeared into the city crowds.
"U-Um! Thank you so much!"
The clerk Kaya had helped bowed deeply in gratitude.
"...Don't mention it. More importantly, does this shop serve tea?"
"Y-Yes! We can do just tea."
"Then, in exchange for my help, would you mind chatting with us for a bit? We just arrived in town and could use some information."
"Oh, yes! Leave it to me! Please, your seats are right this way!"
And so, we were led into the shop, but...
"Um... wasn't I supposed to be the one showing you around...?"
"Gathering information from multiple perspectives is a fundamental rule. Besides, Solo, I need you to listen to what she says and judge whether it's right or wrong based on what you know. You need to ensure the accuracy of the intel. It's a heavy responsibility."
"Wha—!?"
She just casually dumped a massive burden on me...
"Kaya-san is as sharp as ever," I muttered.
"I don't think I'm quite on Deryu's level."
"...If Master Deryu were in that situation, she probably would have sent both of them flying into the horizon."
Apparently, Deryu-san was even more boisterous than Kaya. I’ll have to be careful the next time I talk to her.
Kaya was the former vice-leader of the police force, so she certainly had the skills to handle trouble. And I definitely wasn't going to mention that she seemed even more dangerous than Riel, who had gone off to deal with the "underground" side of things.