Chapter 9

Napolia didn’t have many people Gavin’s age. Because of that, Gavin was a rare young man, sometimes treated as a child.

But it wasn’t that there had never been anyone his age in the village. Gavin had about a dozen childhood friends, but they all moved to the port city as soon as they became adults. They said life was too short to stay in a small village.

Of course, they sometimes came back to visit their parents—usually for a week at most.

That’s why Gavin couldn’t help but be interested in a peer, especially a total stranger.

Her name was Amber Serentano. She was a girl from the capital.

“She’s my granddaughter who’ll be staying with me for a while. She’s an academy graduate, here for a break.”

When Merin, the neighbor grandmother, introduced her, Gavin thought Amber would leave soon, like all the others. Maybe three days, maybe a week. He could bet a fresh mackerel on it.

Amber didn’t seem to like the village—her face was always dark, her smile never reached her eyes, and her voice was oddly quiet. She seemed forced to be there, and looked ready to jump on a train at any moment.

Gavin had heard that girls from the capital were snobby and stuck-up, but Amber Serentano was worse than he’d expected.

‘She should just go back to the capital.’

Maybe she was from an important family. Gavin clicked his tongue inwardly. He had no intention of treating her like royalty, so he was curt with her. She’d leave soon anyway.

But for some reason… Amber didn’t leave after three days, or a week, or even a month.

When Gavin realized this, he was a little pleased.

She was the girl he’d seen the longest since he’d grown up.

Maybe she’d stay in the village.

That was enough to turn his interest into affection. Maybe he’d liked her since the moment he clicked his tongue at the capital girl.

‘I hope she stays.’

Gavin wanted to get close to Amber. Like a male animal courting a female, he found himself talking to her and being kind, hoping she’d notice and change her mind, believing she’d recognize him someday.

Today, he thought his efforts were finally paying off. At least Gavin thought so.

“Hi, Gavin.”

“What’s up?”

Amber, who usually visited the store once every five days, showed up two days in a row for the first time. She looked more lively than usual… very different from her usual lifeless self.

‘Is she interested in me?’

Gavin, who’d never been close to a girl his age, misunderstood. He asked boldly, thanks to that.

“Did you come to see me?”

“I need a favor.”

Her usual expression and voice made it hard to tell if she was embarrassed and making up an excuse, or if she really needed something. Not wanting to seem desperate, Gavin put on a neutral face and asked,

“Did you hear the news about fresh octopus arriving this morning?”

“Gavin, do you have any clothes you don’t wear?”

Before he could adjust to the abrupt topic, Amber continued.

“Old ones are fine, but they should be a bit big. Like the ones you or your father wear.”

“Why the sudden need for clothes?”

It was random. She hadn’t even looked at the shelves, just came straight over… That was definitely an excuse! And it was the first time she’d ever asked for anything. Gavin decided she’d probably just made up a reason to come.

Amber paused briefly, then replied,

“I need some fabric… It’s better to reuse old cloth.”

“I probably have some.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Wait a minute.”

Gavin decided to go along with her. He cheerfully ran up the stairs, and so didn’t see Amber sigh in relief as soon as he disappeared.

“Haa…”

Amber rubbed her neck in embarrassment. Asking for men’s clothes… She worried her excuse was too flimsy, but Gavin didn’t seem to care. When he returned, he brought clothes that looked much nicer than she’d expected.

“Will these do? I brought pants too, just in case. Want them?”

“Yes, please!”

Amber checked the clothes, ignoring Gavin’s proud expression. The ankles were thick and the sleeves short, but they didn’t seem too small for George.

She was glad she’d asked Gavin. He was shorter than George, but ate well and had a sturdy build.

“I helped, right? I should get a good reward.”

“Thanks. Really.”

“No problem. If you need more, let me know. I might have more, but not right now.”

“Thanks…”

“So, about my reward.”

“Hm?”

Amber looked at him with wide eyes. Gavin smiled.

“How about dinner as payment? Invite me to your house.”

“Oh, invite…”

Dinner wasn’t a big deal, she could do that. But… with an unexpected housemate—a living d*ldo—Amber hesitated.

It was hard to refuse after accepting his help. Plus, Gavin had been asking for an invitation for a while, so he probably wouldn’t back off… Amber had no choice.

“I’ll do that soon.”

* * *

“It’s small.”

As expected, George looked like he was wearing his little brother’s clothes. The thick ankles and short sleeves were ridiculous. But he couldn’t go around n*ked, so Amber spoke firmly, ignoring his discomfort.

“You still have to wear it. You never know when someone might come by.”

“I’m just staying home.”

“You never know. You might have to go out.”

“D*ldos are indoor items.”

“…Someone might come by.”

Before he could take it off, Amber buttoned up one more button. George frowned and slyly undid the one she’d just fastened.

“I can’t breathe.”

“You can’t go around with it open like that.”

“What choice do I have? You saw how big it is, and you’re still doing this?”

She should have argued, but his confident attitude bewitched her. She just thought, ‘His chest really is big,’ even though she hadn’t said anything about it!

…Fine, if it’s a physical issue, she’d let it go.

This time, Amber had to compromise.

“…Then let’s settle on two buttons.”

Right. In the capital, maybe not, but in a seaside village, plenty of men went around with their shirts open. A few more undone buttons weren’t a big deal. Considering George was technically an object, just getting him dressed was good enough.

Amber finished the compromise. There were other things to discuss, too.

“Hey, neither of us knows when you’ll turn back into a d*ldo, right?”

George agreed, “Right.”

“So I think we should at least agree on a story.”

“With tongue?”

“George!”

“What?”

He shamelessly teased her as she blushed.

“You know that’s not what I meant…”

“Weren’t you talking about kissing?”

He clearly understood, but pretended not to. Only when Amber scowled did he back off.

“I don’t know. I’m a d*ldo. Go easy on me.”

“I mean, so no one gets the wrong idea. If rumors spread, it’ll be awkward for grandmother. We should at least agree on what to say.”

“You should’ve said so earlier.”

He blinked innocently, which was so annoying… Amber glared, seeking his input.

“What should we say?”

“Who knows.”

“We don’t look enough alike to say you’re my brother.”

“Say my genes are especially superior.”

“Saying you’re a stranger would be even more suspicious…”

“That has its own advantages.”

“…Ah! Cousin! How about cousin? Say my dad sent a distant relative to look after me.”

“Mmm.”

With all sorts of family relationships being suggested, Amber saw George’s lackluster reaction and wondered if she needed to explain the concept of cousins first.

Just then, George nodded easily, as if he understood without needing an explanation.

“Cousin is fine. I like it.”

…Did he really understand?

“Anyway, from now on, I’ll introduce you as my cousin. Uh, I just want to ask, I’m not suspicious, just…”

“You’re asking if I’m staying like this because I could turn back into a d*ldo?”

“Uh? Oh…”

Amber, caught off guard, didn’t deny it and looked up at him, blinking. George wore a wounded expression, as if she’d hit a sore spot.

“Do you wish I couldn’t do anything?”

“What? No…?”

“Then we couldn’t eat together, or talk like this. Is that what you want?”

“No, it’s not that. Not at all.”

Amber waved her hands, flustered by how extreme things had gotten. Being troubled and disliking someone were different. She liked sharing warmth and conversation with him. It made her feel less lonely.

“It’s absolutely not that I dislike it… It’s just, in a village like this, rumors spread quickly. I don’t care since I’m just living at Grandmother’s house, but… I don’t want Grandmother to hear strange things.”

Watching his face, Amber added,

“If people start saying her granddaughter is secretly living with a strange man…”

“Just ignore it.”

Of course. Being an object at heart, George didn’t seem to understand. Amber quietly shook her head.

“You can’t ignore it forever. Eventually, you have to fit in… That’s how people are, George.”

She hadn’t meant to be serious, but the mood shifted. Thanks to her serious attitude, George nodded quickly. Whether he understood or not, he nodded.

“Did you get what I meant?”

“Yeah.”

“Really?”

“I’ll keep my clothes on, my cousin Amber.”

George gave an answer even more reassuring than saying he understood. When he asked if it was okay not to decide anything else, Amber said she’d think about it. Of course, it was just words. She figured George would probably never meet anyone.

That mostly superficial agreement seemed to wrap things up—until she realized later she’d let her guard down.