Erase

Act 13: The Taste

-24/7 Convenience Store 8:21 PM-

In hopes of finding a cure for the aphrodisiac that she accidentally drank, Mayuka decided to go buy packs of black licorice, said by Shino to be a reliable anaphrodisiac, in the nearest 24/7 convenience store, despite her initial hesitation.

Inside the convenience store, Mayuka searched for the "American goods" aisle and found the black licorice that she was looking for.

"Ugh... I really hate these things..." Said Mayuka. "But, there's no other choice."

She took three packs before going to the cashier, where the counter was monopolized by a fat customer who bought a huge stash of junk food.

While waiting in line, Mayuka observed some of the employees as they do their jobs. However, among them was a face that she didn't expect to see.

"ISSEI?!? What the fuck is he doing here?!" Mayuka thought. "I better leave before he sees me!"

However, fate wasn't in her favor, as Iseei saw Mayuka and slowly approached her as she was waiting in line. When Issei tapped her shoulder, her hairs suddenly raised.

"Is anything wrong?" Said Issei.

"Oh...! Uh, nothing, Issei!" Mayuka replied.

"Are you sure? You looked a little... shaky back there." Said Issei.

"It's nothing, really. Just kinda feeling chilly because of the... air conditioning. Yeah..." Mayuka replied.

"Hmm, should I give the manager a ring to turn down the air conditioning?" Said Issei.

"Uhh, no that won't really be necessary, thank you!" Mayuka replied, flustered. "By the way, I never expected to see you here."

"I work part-time here." Said Issei. "Gotta earn some cash too, y'know."

"I see then." Mayuka replied.

Behind them, the last customer had just finished, meaning it was Mayuka's turn.

"Welp, the line's moved, I better get going now." Said Mayuka. "See ya soon, Issei!"

"Okay, then. See ya tomorrow at school!" Issei replied.

Issei then returns to his job, leaving Mayuka alone with her thoughts.

"I really need to go home and stuff my face with these before it's too late..." Mayuka thought.

-Streets 8:36 PM-

Mayuka was walking across the streets, staring all the licorice she had bought along the way, grimacing at the mere sight of it. He decides to take a pack and open it up, and eventually grabbed a strip.

"Here goes nothing..." Said Mayuka.

As she was just about to take a bite, Mayuka receives a phone call from an unknown number. She then answers the call to see who it was.

"Hello?" Said Mayuka.

"Hey, Mayu. It's me, Yuichi." Yuichi replied.

"Oh, hey Yuichi." Said Mayuka.

"I heard you've been pursuing Issei Hayami recently." Yuichi replied. "Shino told me a while ago."

"Not exactly..." Said Mayuka. "It was more like... Iseei pursuing me..."

"Really? How?" Yuichi replied.

"Well, he... snuck an aphrodisiac on my drink." Said Mayuka. "Since then, I've been feeling... this strange... attraction when around him."