City of Witches Chapter 345

Closing time.

“Thanks for all your hard work, Brother Siwoo!”

“We’re really grateful!”

“Yeah, you guys worked hard too.”

Today marked the end of Siwoo’s long stint as a promotional host for the bar.

To celebrate with a modest party, Siwoo had a round of drinks with the Rose Glass members, then spent some one-on-one time with Takasho.

“Siwoo, my brother in spirit and flesh! You’ve worked hard all this time!”

“So, did you manage to secure some regulars?”

“Of course! At this rate, not only will we turn a profit soon, but we could even open a second branch. Though I don’t plan to go that far. You know what they say—greed can burst your stomach.”

It seemed the power of word-of-mouth among Witches was formidable.

With Periwinkle’s help in improving the service and Siwoo drawing massive attention upfront, they said the next three months of reservations were already fully booked.

Even now, without that male witch around.

Takasho stood up from his seat and extended a handshake to Siwoo with a smile.

As soon as their hands met, he wrapped an arm around Siwoo’s shoulder, hugged him, and patted his back.

“I don’t know how many times I’ve said this, but it’s all thanks to you. So…”

Takasho unfastened the watch from his wrist with a click-clack and handed it to Siwoo.

There was no need to mention the brand—it was clearly a luxurious symbol of success at a glance.

“Ah, no need. Keep it. Why would you give me something like this?”

“It’s nothing compared to how much you’ve helped me, but please take it.”

“I said no.”

“Take it! My friend!”

Takasho practically forced the watch onto Siwoo’s wrist, almost tossing it over.

He gripped Siwoo’s shoulders again, flashing a bright, toothy grin.

“If you ever run into any trouble in the future, let me know. I’ll help you no matter what, even if it costs me my life.”

“Yeah, I appreciate the sentiment. Let’s just finish our drinks.”

It felt oddly awkward, as if they were filming a scene from a youth movie.

Anyway, this was a weight off his shoulders.

“Ah, Witch Periwinkle told me about a new liquor supplier. Looks like I’ll be heading to the Mortal Realm soon.”

“What? The Mortal Realm? They’re letting you go?”

Gehenna was a city for Witches.

To preserve its unique atmosphere and the sense of stability for conservative Witches, exchanges with the Mortal Realm were strictly limited.

For instance, smugglers who supplied goods between the Mortal Realm and Gehenna were absolutely forbidden from leaving Border Town for the same reason.

But a trip to the Mortal Realm?

“I even got a temporary pass issued by Countess Adonai. Since it’s a direct supply contract with the smugglers from the Adonai Trading Company, I figured it’d be easier on my mind if I went myself. It’s to Europe, so I won’t be able to visit my hometown, but I guess that’s the life of a successful businessman.”

“Take care of yourself and come back safely. Don’t try to escape or anything.”

“If I ran away, what would happen to the bar?”

-Knock knock

As they were laughing and drinking idly, the door opened with a knock.

It was Paul, who they’d grown quite familiar with by now.

“Brother Takasho, a Witch has come to see you.”

“At this hour? Where is she?”

“Right here.”

Before Paul could say anything more, flowing green hair scattered into view.

A superb proportion that made her seem tall despite not being particularly so.

A cold impression like a stray cat, intensified by chilling mint-colored eyes.

It was Sharon Evergreen, whose mead was almost too large to hold with one hand.

Sharon, dressed in a pretty dress, pressed her chest lightly and bowed her head to Takasho in greeting.

“Hello, I’ve heard a lot about you from Siwoo. I’m Sharon Evergreen.”

“Sharon, what brings you here?”

“They said you’re his closest friend, so I was curious. Last time I came, I didn’t get to see your face.”

Meanwhile, Takasho, who had frozen in surprise, quickly composed himself and warmly welcomed Sharon.

He stood up and bowed respectfully, accepting her greeting.

“Hello, I’ve heard a lot about you too. This guy Siwoo brags so much about how pretty his girlfriend is that I was a bit jealous. Wow, seeing you in person makes me want to just kill him.”

“Girlfriend?”

Sharon’s ears perked up at the word “girlfriend.”

She smiled, seemingly pleased, and naturally took a seat.

“If you weren’t in the middle of a weird conversation, can I join?”

“Oh dear, that’s awkward. We were right in the middle of a weird conversation.”

“Heh, what were you talking about?”

“Siwoo was asking for advice on where would be good for a wedding venue and how many kids would be ideal.”

“Huh? Really?”

And so, with Takasho leading the way, a natural three-person drinking session was formed.

“So, this guy Siwoo went and caught a stag.”

“Siwoo, really?”

“Yeah, that’s right. But do we have to keep talking about this?”

“Hey, can’t you see Witch Evergreen is enjoying it?”

Unwanted revelations of the past.

Sharon, thoroughly engrossed in Takasho’s lively storytelling, wore a delighted expression and snuggled right up against Siwoo.

“That’s when I knew. ‘Ah, this guy is really crazy.’ Usually, even if something doesn’t sit right, if the situation seems off, people back down, right?

This friend doesn’t have that. If he thinks it’s wrong, he charges head-on without hesitation. He’s got spirit. A man among men.”

While Siwoo appreciated Takasho’s goodwill in trying to boost his dignity, the flow of conversation since earlier was making his face burn.

“Could you stop around there? I thought you were grateful for my help…”

“Why~ I’m having fun. I wanted to hear what Takasho had to say too.”

“Miss Evergreen, there’s no need to call me ‘Mr. Takasho.’ Please speak casually. Just Takasho is fine.”

“Shall I? Then you can speak casually to me too. If you’re Siwoo’s friend, you’re my friend too.”

“How could I possibly do that? Here, have another drink.”

As the conversation flowed in a warm and cheerful manner, two or three hours had already slipped by unnoticed.

The office table, which had only held drinks before, was now scattered with snacks like cookies and ramen.

“Anyway, it was an honor not only to hear your stories but to share drinks with you, Sharon.”

“I also only heard about you from Siwoo, but meeting you in person was even better. And hearing all sorts of old stories.”

“There’s a lot of lies mixed in, so take it with a grain of salt.”

If Takasho’s embellishments had materialized, he’d probably have turned into a gold-plated Buddha statue by now.

While Siwoo was grateful for his friend’s intention to uphold his dignity in front of his girlfriend, it was a bit over the top.

“Anyway, I had a great time today too. I’m sorry for taking up so much of your time, so shall we get going soon?”

“Yeah! Let’s hang out together again next time.”

“Yes! See you next time!”

After saying goodbye to Takasho, Siwoo and Sharon headed out side by side toward Malcut Gallery.

The night air felt damp, as if it had rained throughout the night.

With the turn of the calendar, the chill made it clear that winter had truly arrived.Sharon walked alongside Siwoo, matching his pace with her arm linked in his.

The soft cushion wedged between them brought a considerable sense of happiness.

"It's been a while. Taking a walk with Siwoo."

"Yeah, it feels like we used to do this almost every day."

"You've been busy, Siwoo. Can't be helped."

"Sorry. I'll make more time from now on."

Come to think of it, it truly had been a long time since they spent time alone like this.

After starting work at the host bar, free time became scarce, and even after returning to Gehenna, they were mostly with the Twins.

Suddenly, he looked at Sharon's profile.

The straight bridge of her nose and her thin-lined lips.

With a fairy-like appearance straight out of a dream, she gazed ahead, lost in thought.

As he sneakily wrapped an arm around her waist, she giggled as if tickled and looked up to meet his eyes.

"Siwoo."

"Yeah?"

"You... did it with Odil and Odette, right?"

He genuinely felt his legs go weak.

Of course, he had planned to tell her himself soon.

Just as he had told the Twins he would never draw a line or distance himself from them, he intended to confess the current state of affairs to Sharon as well.

But having to confess so abruptly like this was incredibly awkward.

There's clearly a difference in nuance between speaking first and being interrogated.

His steps had unconsciously come to a halt.

Sharon's eyes, which had been staring intently up at him, were visibly wavering.

"Yeah, sorry. I wasn't trying to hide it. I was going to tell you soon..."

"No, no! I wasn't trying to scold you. I just wanted to confirm if it was really true."

Sharon averted her gaze.

Well, he could guess how trashy he must seem.

Laying hands on an Apprentice Witch is a taboo among taboos.

Taking both twin sisters to bed is also a taboo.

Keeping it a secret and sleeping with another woman is a taboo as well.

Having achieved a taboo triple axel, there was definitely a part of him that found it difficult to broach the subject first.

But...

"Sharon, can you listen to me for a moment?"

"Can I speak first?"

What is this strange atmosphere?

Despite a cool tension flowing between them, Sharon's reaction was oddly calm.

But was that calmness born of disillusionment, skepticism, or contempt—a feeling of being turned off—or was it something else?

It was hard to grasp properly.

"You're really important to me, Siwoo. The most important person in my life. Even more important than Magic or anything like that. I can say that for sure."

Sharon met his gaze squarely again, her eyes that had been averted now fixed on his.

"It hurts and makes me jealous that you share a bed with others. That you show the expressions you only showed me to someone else."

"...Sharon."

Sharon's lips drew closer.

Pulling on Siwoo's collar, she pressed her lips against his.

When she pulled her face away, Sharon was wearing a flower-like smile.

"But I want you to be happy, Siwoo. I don't want you to feel awkward or hold back because of me."

"I was trying to sort things out properly too. But..."

"Hey~ no need to talk about it. I told you, right? I don't want you to feel awkward around me. Ah, I really hate this serious atmosphere. I tried to follow a drama's lead, but I can't handle it."

Sharon waved her hands as if it were all a joke, unlinking her arm and walking ahead.

"Huh?"

For some reason, he had firmly grabbed her wrist.

Sharon turned around, looking startled.

"Me too."

"Wh-what too?"

"Sorry for not telling you first. You're a really important person to me too."

Sharon, who had been staring blankly at Siwoo, broke into a wide smile.

He thought if one could possess everything in the world, they might make an expression like that.

"Yeah! I knew that."

Late at night.

There were no passersby to speak of.

All the shops lining the street were closed, and only the two of them remained in the gallery that had been bustling during the day.

Holding Sharon's slender wrist, their lips drew close once more.

A little more lingering and deep.

And on the tip of Sharon's tongue, tasted for the first time in a while, was a bittersweet scotch flavor.

Sharon, not refusing either, tightly held onto Siwoo's waist.

When the kiss ended, Sharon looked up at Siwoo with heated eyes, feeling something pressing insistently against her lower abdomen.

They were two people who had already shared numerous experiences together.

Just by looking into each other's eyes, they could tell what the other was thinking.

"Really? Here? What if someone sees?"

"I can't wait until we get to the lodging... Over in that alley... wouldn't no one come?"

Siwoo had coordinate teleportation.

Sharon knew that too.

Yet, making such a suggestion meant...

"Well, I heard relationships with a bit of thrill... can strengthen bonds. If you don't want to, Siwoo, I won't force it..."

So, could he have refused?

It is said that a sorrowful cat's cry was heard in the alley of the Malcut Gallery that night.

Author's Note (Author's Afterword)

Thank you for the support notices!

• Thank you for the 390 coin support from GyeourenTacoyaki!

First, Sharon has appeared!

• Thank you for the 200 coin support from Ebebebe_623!

Erotic novels must have their own unique charm, right? Haha, thank you!

• Thank you for the 50 coins from Riini!

I would be truly grateful if you continue to look after us going forward!

• Thank you for the support, Byeolmyeong-nim!

You're giving almost enough per chapter, wow...