Original Sin (MewGulf AU)

🌞Chapter 13🌻

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Turning around to see what Bright was looking at, Gulf's eyes fell on something completely unexpected. He had never suspected for even a moment that Mew went to bars, but there he was, with Kotaro Ichikura, another mystery writer. In the purposely dim lightning, Mew's face was obscured by shadows. It only served to highlight the beauty of his features.

Gulf inclined his head slightly and Mew walked over to them, smiling. "What a surprise to see you here."

"I didn't expect to see you in a place like this, Sir." Gulf put on his business mask to conceal his internal upheaval. He smiled and nodded to Ichikura as well. "It's nice to see you again, Mister Ichikura."

"Gulf! What are you doing here? I heard you blew off Mew's invitation." Ichikura gave a short laugh.

Gulf watched, terror beginning to swell within him. Ichikura was one of the authors Gulf worked with and one of Mew's very few friends. Ichikura was a part-time author who lived in the countryside. He was always busy.  Gulf had always wanted to meet him, but they had never had a chance to sit down and have a leisurely chat.

Gulf and Mew had been talking about Ichikura recently, so maybe Mew had arranged that night's dinner to allow the two to meet. It would be typically thoughtful of him. If only Mew had told him that in the first place, Gulf wouldn't have been so quick to reject the invitation.

"Is this a friend of yours?" Mew asked imperiously, pretending to be completely unaware of the chaos inside Gulf.

"This is Bright Vachirawit, who'll be writing something for my company."

"Hm? Bright? Oh you wrote Appearance, didn't you?" Ichikura seemed to know who Bright was.

Bright's face brightened. "You know who I am?"

"My friends and I have been talking about you. Are the two of you talking business?"

"No, we've wrapped that part up," Gulf said.

Ichikura looked thrilled. "Would you like to join us, then? We were just going to get a quick drink on our way home, so we won't bother you for long."

"Really?"

Seeing the intense glow in Bright's eyes at the prospect of sitting with such revered authors, Gulf couldn't refuse. He considered excusing himself and leaving, but Mew cut in instantly. "You too, Mister Gulf."

He could no longer escape.

They explained to the staff and then moved to a four person table. Gulf was sitting across from Mew. It terrified him to think about what could happen, but the conversation was even more peaceful than he could have expected.

Bright's friendly, sociable personality seemed to mesh well with Ichikura's. The two talked happily of the mystery novels they'd read and movies they'd seen recently. Mew and Gulf found themselves outside their conversation.

Bright had admitted to being a fan of Mew's, so Gulf had expected him to try harder to talk to Mew, but he was probably still too shy to say anything to an author he worshipped. The reticence of the young man struck Gulf as endearing.

Suddenly, Gulf felt something strike him lightly in the shin. Looking up in shock, his eyes met Mew's. Gulf had no time to wonder what was going on before Mew spoke slowly. "I think I'm going to head home, Ichikura. How about you?"

"Oh. Well, since we're here, I think I'll stay and talk to Bright a bit longer. I don't get a lot of opportunities to talk to young people."

Bright was looking at Gulf with a complex expression. But when Mew kicked his shin again, Gulf stood up quickly.