After Capturing and Confining a Beautiful Yandere Stalker Girl, I Somehow Started a Sweet Life With Her - 38

Chapter 38: Growing as a Pet Owner (?)

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After that, we thoroughly enjoyed the luxurious Chinese cuisine that was served to us. From sweet and sour pork, shrimp in chili sauce, twice-cooked pork, stir-fried beef with green peppers, shark fin soup and many more. Each dish was served in just the right amount and we were able to savor everything perfectly. It was truly an amazing experience. I was really grateful to Miyako-san. I was really happy I could enjoy these delicious foods. 

“And so, Monoda-kun? Now that we’ve finished lunch, make sure to hold the leash properly and lead Neiko. Understood?”

Yeah. My happiness would’ve been perfect if it weren’t for this…

“A-kun, I’ll be fine. Even though we’re going to walk in the bustling Chinatown with lots of people around, I will do my best so everyone can see that I’m A-kun’s pet.”

“Neiko-san, you really don’t need to try your best at that. You definitely don’t need to make it obvious to the people around us that you’re anything but human, okay? If they find out, we might get questioned by the authorities. Please, just stay close to me like you did at the aquarium. I hope if we can avoid drawing too much attention to ourselves, we can go through this without suffering any serious consequences…”

I said quietly as I moved closer to Neiko-san. I made sure to lower the hand holding the leash and tried to make the leash blend with my clothes. At least the color of the leash didn’t stand out. I also prayed that Neiko-san’s collar would be mistaken for a normal choker.

“Oh my~ You two are so close. A lovey dovey couple like you is definitely going to stand out in the crowd!~”

This person, she’s really….

As if mocking my best efforts, Miyako-san grinned at me. I really wished she’d cut me some slack. True enough, just like what Miyako-san had told us, a few people actually glanced at us as they passed by. 

“Enough. Let’s just walk. I don’t care anymore. I already expected something like this to happen the moment we left the house this morning.”

Right. Stop underestimating my resolve. I’m not going to yield that easily. 

“Heee~ I see. So you’re not going to deny that you two are a lovey dovey couple, huh? Monoda-kun?”

“…! Tha-That’s…!”

If Neiko-san weren’t here, I would’ve immediately denied it. Technically speaking, we weren’t dating… Yet. However, I couldn’t deny it outright now. Considering what might happen tonight, I didn’t want to say anything that would create unnecessary distance between us two. 

“Well, I mean, I guess we might appear like that to the people around us, so… Umm… I-I just thought… Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to just go along with the flow… Or something.”

It was a very lame excuse. I was aware of that. I was practically dying from embarrassment before I even finished speaking. I couldn’t even bear to look at Neiko-san in the face, who was practically glued to me. In the silence, I imagined she was probably making a face that would make me feel ashamed even more, but I couldn’t be sure since I just kept my gaze glued to the ground. 

“Reaaaally~? Is that so? Reaaaaallyyyyy~?”

Miyako-san said, looking incredibly amused. However, I also knew I couldn’t just stay like this. I’d end up getting teased even more by Miyako-san, which would make me feel even more embarrassed. So, I took a deep breath and looked straight at Neiko-san. I was about to start walking, but…

“…”

When I looked at Neiko-san, what was reflected in my vision was the sight of a girl with her face and ears completely red. She just stood there, seemingly in a daze. I didn’t know why, but when I saw Neiko-san like that, my foot stopped dead in its track. I was frozen still, lost in thought. My face was so hot that  I could visually see steam coming up from my head. Unable to watch us like this, Miyako-san grabbed both our hands and by the time we realized it, we were already walking again with Miyako-san pulling us both.

• • • • 〇●〇●〇●

My flushed face and the mysterious tension drifting between me and Neiko-san lasted for quite some time after that. Of course, Miyako-san didn’t lead us around the entire time, but we couldn’t speak like usual. We just walked in the awkward silence. Being with Neikko-san and not knowing what to talk about… This was our first time feeling this way. 

“Well then. Neiko? Go ahead and get your drink. I will stay in our room here with Monoda-kun.”

“O-Okay…”

“Ah, but what if I accidentally steal Monoda-kun’s virginity while you’re away? Ufufufu~”

“~~!!!”

After leaving Chinatown, we finally arrived at our next destination, the karaoke. I couldn’t make eye contact with Neiko-san, so I just kept my gaze glued to the ground and remained silent. Neiko-san, who was being teased by Miyako-san, was also the same. Under normal circumstances, she would’ve come to hug me possessively, but instead of that, she was hesitating. She looked like she wanted to say something, but she couldn’t. She ended up bolting out of the room.

After Neiko-san left the room, Miyako-san let out a sigh, seemingly exasperated. Of course, that sigh was not just directed at Neiko-san, but also at me, the one left behind in the room. I was aware of that. 

“You two are really pure, huh? I wonder if you two are going to be alright at this rate…”

“…Wha-What do you mean by that?”

“I mean, isn’t it obvious? I’m talking about your future. Monoda-kun, you’re going to be with Neiko, right? Do you think you can handle everything? And by everything I mean EVERYTHING.”

“….”

“Neiko too. She’s usually so affectionate with you, making all kinds of loving remarks to you, but when push comes to shove like this, she’s getting all fidgety instead. Ah~ How troublesome~”

“…”

“Monoda-kun,why don’t you show her your true self for a bit? When she returns, just say something like ,’Oi, what are you getting scared of, you filthy mutt? Come here.’ that will surely get your pet all excited. I’m sure she will immediately start assuming the submissive pose if you do.”

Miyako-san sighed deeply. On one hand, I couldn’t help but to think Miyako-san was really unhinged but on the other hand, I could feel the tension leaving my body a bit. 

By the time I realized it, I was already chuckling.

“I’m sorry. I know I don’t have the right to make a retort right now, but please let me do it to get back to my usual mood. Stop treating you like someone’s pet. Good grief.”

“Geez~ You’re a pervert too. Asking to be allowed to retort as you please~ What a dangerous boy. Fine. Go ahead. Enjoy yourself with me. I allow you that much.”

Engine at maximum output. Full speed ahead. 

“Can you please stop phrasing it in a weird way?! People are going to jump to the wrong conclusions if you do! Please, just stop it… No, for real. Please stop.”

After being allowed to make a retort as I pleased, I could finally feel I was returning to my usual self. The tension had left my body.

“But you know… It’s fine to be like that, right? Monoda-kun?”

“….You mean I should just be myself, right?”

I asked and Miyako-san smiled and nodded. It seemed my response was correct. 

“That’s right. For better or worse, Neiko is completely dependent on you.”

“Dependent…?”

“Yes. Dependent. Monoda-kun, if you become overly conscious like you’re doing right now, she’s going to get affected by it too. As you can see, her thoughts and actions are completely dependent on you, Monoda-kun. This situation is the result of that.”

“…Isn’t that a pretty big problem?”

But it seemed I was wrong. Miyako-san shook her head. 

“Now’s not the time to think if that’s wrong or right. Besides… Monoda-kun, not all dependent relationships are bad, you know?”

“…Huh? Really?”

“Really. You see… No matter how someone depends on another, if the other person can accept it without any issue and just goes along with it like normal, then the dependency is not a problem in their relationship, right?”

“Ummm… Don’t you think that argument is a bit forcing it…?”

I couldn’t stop myself from smiling awkwardly. Miyako-san seemed to know I’d say that. She gave me a small smile and said. 

“Sure. It might be forcing it a bit, but you see… Neiko’s father and I have the relationship of an owner and a pet. We’ve been together all this time just fine. We’re both dependent on each other, so to say.”

….Well, I guess she has a point there.

“I’m sure for the outsiders, our relationship looks very problematic, but well… Neiko is growing up without any issue and now she’s introducing a boy to me. We’ve been living our life without any major problem and if anything, I’d say this is the best life I could hope for.”

“…I see.”

I had a few things I wanted to retort, but well… I guess Miyako-san was right. Truth to be told, I didn’t feel awkward meeting with Miyako-san. Being with Neiko-san didn’t feel stifling either. I didn’t really mind how dependent Neiko-san was and I could see a future of codependency where I would be depending on her in return. Honestly speaking? I didn’t see any problem with this kind of relationship going forward. 

“In short, even though this kind of relationship might be considered as something bad by the society, but it doesn’t mean you have to deny your own nature.”

“…”

“What’s important is whether you and Neiko fit together like puzzle pieces. That’s the most important thing. Do you understand that, Monoda-kun?”

I nodded. She sounded oddly convincing. 

“Once you realize you two are the perfect match for each other, the rest is simple. You don’t need to hesitate or get scared. Just take the lead. I mean, you literally took the lead just a moment ago, didn’t you? The lead.”

I looked over at the collar and leash that were sitting right there on the touch. Neiko-san had taken them off before she went to get her drinks. 

…That’s right. It’s really that simple. 

Somehow, I felt so refreshed. 

“I will say it again, no matter how many times you need me to. Do your best as Neiko’s owner, okay?”

“Please just use my name…”

I said. Grabbing the collar and leash, I walked to Neiko-san, who had just returned to the room. Of course, she was confused. Without saying anything, I pushed her to the wall. She readily left herself being pushed while still holding her drink.

…Not bad.

As if to release all the pent-up frustration, I brought my face closer to Neiko-san’s and said. 

“Neiko-san, why did you take off your collar and left me behind?”

“Fueh-?!”

“Were you… Trying to run away from me?”

“Ueee?! A-A-A-A-A-A-kun…?!”

“What a bad girl. I won’t let you get away, so get on all fours right now. I will put your collar back on.”

“Hyauuu…”

“Hyau? Was that your answer?”

“Kya-Kyauunn…♡♡♡”

“Yeah. Good. That expression is the best.”

I felt like something inside me had awakened, but I didn’t have the intention to try to understand what it was. I just watched Neiko-san, who had returned to her usual self right in front of me. On the periphery of my vision, I could see Miyako-san giving me a thumbs-up.

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T/N: NGL, I’m actually convinced too. I think Miyako has a point there.