Chapter 20

Zahar is the owner of a small tavern called "Black Thrush" in the capital city.

He has short black hair and black eyes, and is a stern-looking forty-year-old with a beard. He has a slightly menacing appearance and is very popular with women.

Recently, a certain woman has started coming to Zahar's tavern. The first time, she drank two strong drinks and left quickly. The second time, she enjoyed her drink alone in a calm atmosphere. On her third visit tonight, she is changing the type of drink with each glass. It seems she likes the place, which makes him happy.

However, a young man has been persistently bothering her since a while ago. The man is a first-time customer. Zahar didn't want his business or the woman's relaxation to be disturbed by such a man.

"Sir, it seems the customer over there is having trouble."

He spoke politely, but the young man ignored him and didn't back down. He kept trying to invite the woman. Just as Zahar was thinking about throwing him out, the woman placed the money on the table, stood up, and left the tavern. The young man also quickly paid for his drink and left.

(This is dangerous.)

Thinking this, Zahar hurried out of the tavern. Right or left? As he looked around the night street to find the two, the young man ran back from the right, apparently having lost sight of the woman.

The man noticed Zahar and walked away with a guilty look.

(The customer seems to be fine,) he sighed in relief and was about to return to the tavern when he stopped. A cat hissed from behind him.

"Is it a cat fight?"

Even though it wasn't mating season, he heard the hiss again: "Shh! Hoo!"

"You're quite angry."

The hissing sound came from above. Looking up, he saw the woman customer on the eaves of the house next to the tavern, crouching low on her hands and knees to avoid being seen. Only her eyes were looking at him.

A white cat was arching its back, bristling its fur, and puffing up its tail like a brush, hissing at the woman. She seemed to be trying to calm the cat.

"Ah."

When their eyes met, the woman stood up, held down the hem of her skirt, and lightly jumped down in front of Zahar with a soft thud. She smiled shyly, putting her index finger to her lips, and then turned and left.

Zahar watched her go, dumbfounded. The cat on the eaves seemed satisfied and disappeared along the roof. It seemed the woman had blocked the cat's patrol route.

"Hehe."

He laughed softly and returned to the tavern. The woman's movements were as soft as if a cat had turned into a human. Her embarrassed face when she was caught was like a child caught in mischief, and it was cute.

Back in the tavern, he thought.

He didn't know who the young man was, but if he was a local thug, there were ways to deal with him. He couldn't let him continue to bother his customers.

The next afternoon, Zahar went to a tavern deep in the back alleys, a place where decent people wouldn't go.

He weaved through the men drinking from noon and headed to the farthest seat. The man sitting there was the boss of the local troublemakers.

"Hey, Zahar. It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"Hector, do you have a young guy with wavy brown hair and light blue eyes? He has a mole on the right side of his neck."

The man called Hector, smoking a cigarette, thought for a moment.

"He might be there, or he might not. What about him?"

"He was bothering one of my regular customers last night. If he keeps causing trouble for my business, I thought about taking care of him, but if he's one of your guys, I thought it would be better to talk to you first."

Hector signaled to one of the men in the tavern, and a glass of amber-colored liquor was placed in front of Zahar.

"Is this regular customer a woman?"

"A regular customer is a regular customer. It doesn't matter if they're a man or a woman."

"Hmm. I see. Don't worry. I won't let anyone interfere with honest business. We're friends, after all."

Zahar picked up the glass and drank it in one gulp while standing.

"Thanks. It's a hassle to clean up trash. See you."

"Come by sometimes."

"I've washed my hands of that life. I've paid my dues."

Zahar left the tavern, placing the money for the drink on the table. Many men followed him with their eyes until he left the door, but he pretended not to notice, though he was prepared in case they attacked.

But it seemed that wasn't necessary.

"That customer might not come back."

Not because of the young man, but because he saw her in that situation.

Even though they hadn't spoken, it was a bit disappointing to think she might not come back.

However, a while later, Zahar saw the woman in the shopping district. She was walking leisurely with a girl, carrying a bag of vegetables over her shoulder.

"Customer?"

He couldn't help but call out, and the woman looked at him and immediately recognized him.

"Mr. Owner. Hello. Are you shopping?"

"Something like that. Are you shopping too?"

"Yes, I am."

"Customer, please come to the tavern again."

The woman seemed hesitant to answer, so he pointed down the street.

"If you have time, how about some sweets there? I'll treat you."

He suggested, and the woman spoke to the girl.

"Nona, is it okay?"

"Sure, it's fine."

"Then I'll take you up on your offer."

"Call me Zahar."

As he introduced himself, the woman, walking diagonally behind him, said,

"Then call me Vicki."

The place he led them to was a cozy pastry shop where you could also eat inside. It was a place Zahar often went to because he liked sweets.

"Everything here is delicious."

He said, handing her the menu.

The woman ordered tea and cookies, the girl ordered apple pie and fruit water, and Zahar ordered a chestnut cake soaked in syrup and tea.

"These cookies are so crispy. They're delicious."

"Vicki, the apple pie is delicious too?"

"Isn't it? Want to try mine?"

"Sure!... Wow, it's delicious!"

The girl, named Nona, tasted Zahar's cake while Vicki watched with a smile. They didn't look like mother and daughter or sisters, but Zahar didn't pry into people's affairs.

The three of them focused on eating for a while.

"By the way, I don't think that man will come back."

Zahar told her.

"Why not?"

"I checked with the man who runs this area, and it turns out he was one of his underlings. I told him that if he keeps causing trouble for my business, I'll have to take action."

"Wouldn't he retaliate?"

"The man and I are old acquaintances."

"I'm sorry for the trouble."

"It's no trouble at all. Will you come back?"

"Yes, but I can only stay for a short time."

"That's fine."

The woman finished her tea and looked straight at Zahar.

"Aren't you going to ask me anything?"

"Do you want me to?"

He changed his tone to a more casual one.

"No."

"Then I won't. I'm the tavern owner, and you're an important customer. That's enough. But..."

Zahar's mouth started to twitch, and he couldn't hold back his laughter. The woman, remembering the scene, blushed.

"I've never seen anyone get scolded by a cat like that. Blocking its patrol route and getting hissed at... Haha."

The woman also started laughing. In the shop, they held their stomachs and stifled their laughter, wiping away tears. When the girl asked, "What's going on?" they remembered the scene and laughed even harder. They repeated deep breaths, struggling to control their laughter.

"It's been so long since I laughed so much," the woman said, holding her aching abs, and they parted ways for the day.

After that, the woman named Vicki started coming to the tavern again. About once a week, she would stay for a short time, drink two or three glasses, and leave quickly.

The young man never showed his face again. It seemed Hector had taken his request seriously.