[Ch.19] Pan, not Panzram

Ryu ran down the hall after leaving Panzram, thrilled to know he would be staying. He quickly found the Madame and shouted out, "Can you draw up a bath?"

She jumped in fright only to turn to him with a frown, "Why should I prepare a bath? Don't you usually use that Tamashii energy of yours to fill up the bath?"

He shook his head, "I can't do that. My guest really dislikes Tamashii users."

She chuckled, "Then he will fit in nicely with the girls."

Those who worked in the brothel were only regular people who didn't have any Tamashii energy. The building also forbade users to use their Tamashii energies in order to protect the women from encountering problems. The only one who was an exception to this was of course, Ryu.

That was because he used his chaos energy to protect everyone which was why the workers didn't really mind it. Instead, they grew rather comfortable with it. If a man were to come in with Tamashii energy and use it, then he would suddenly collapse and become unconscious. Ryu would then punish the man in a way that made every other visitor never dare to break a rule at the Hime brothel.

A wide smile spread across the Madame's face, "Seeing that you're this excited, should I assume that it means he will be staying with us for a while?"

Ryu looked at her sheepishly, "If that's alright."

"Hmm… I'm not sure… We don't have much space." She said with a playful expression.

Ryu fell for her trap immediately, "He can stay in my room! I can borrow an extra futon and pay for his meals. It won't impact life here at all!"

She pretended to think for a moment, "Hmm… Alright. He can stay. But have him work as another bodyguard for the girls. I only have you now. I need another man for protection, and he seems strong and reliable."

Ryu frowned, "What happened to that other guy?"

She sighed, "He's off in jail for stealing."

Ryu chuckled, "You really know how to pick them, don't you."

She nudged him playfully, "I picked you, didn't I?"

He gave her a dashing smile, "That's true."

The Madame felt as if she got younger seeing that handsome grin. "What is the newcomer's name?"

"His name is Pan-" He quickly stopped himself.

What was he doing trying to reveal Panzram's name?! Panzram is an escaped prisoner! Everyone is probably looking for him, so if he revealed Panzram's real name, it would definitely put the Madame in a bad position.

She raised an eyebrow, "Pan?"

He nodded quickly, "Yes. He's a co-"

"A what?"

Ryu gagged and held his chest. He felt as if his mouth was filled with sand and was preventing him from breathing. He choked out with tears filling his eyes, "A-A cousin-"

She grabbed at Ryu in a panic, "Are you sick!?"

Ryu shook his head as he held his mouth. He felt nauseous just trying to lie.

Since he couldn't tell a lie, he could only be ambiguous.

Ryu forced a smile, "He's a cousin."

Technically, Panzram was a cousin. Just not to Ryu.

Luckily, the Madame assumed he meant his cousin. She frowned, "You two are cousins? But what you two were just doing isn't acceptable for family members."

"AAH!" He shouted in embarrassment and pouted, "Madame. You misunderstood. It was nothing scandalous. Pan is just like that."

She nodded in disbelief, "Sure. Whatever you say. I will prepare the bath, you go take your cousin some food while he waits."

Ryu sighed, "Thank you, Madame."

The Madame gave Ryu tea and food for him to take back while they waited for the bath to be prepared. He walked back to the room with a skip in his step. He put it on the table and served Panzram without any sense of shame.

Panzram eyed the food carefully and leaned away from Ryu.

Ryu smiled, "It's not poisoned or anything."

This only made Panzram's eyes narrow.

Ryu sighed and put some food into his mouth and swallowed. He smiled and stuck out his tongue to show he had swallowed, "See? Still alive."

Panzram stared at his mouth with an unreadable scowl.

Seeing Panzram hesitate, Ryu smiled at him coyly, "Should I feed it to you?"

"No." Panzram answered coldly. He started to eat the food afraid Ryu might just feed him. Ryu never took his eyes off of Panzram and looked at him as if he was some kind of idol. Panzram put down the chopsticks and glared at him, "What."

"Nothing."

Panzram had the sudden urge to punch Ryu but turned back to his food instead. He hadn't eaten for several days so he was naturally starving. However, he didn't want to seem like he was weak, so he had refused food at first.

He was also worried that the workers here would poison his food.

When Ryu had brought him it, and even ate it, he felt oddly relieved. Even after Ryu ate a bite to reassure him, he was still surprised at himself for actually eating the meal. He only ever ate what he himself prepared… Other than what he received in prison.

And yet, this flamboyant man somehow managed to make him feel relaxed.

But why did he feel so relaxed around Ryu? It wasn't like he trusted him. In fact, there was definitely more distrust and hate he felt towards him when he heard Ryu was part of the Taira clan. Most of that hate stemmed from Ryu not being just any member, but the direct descendent of the current head of the family.

Panzram considered Ryu his natural enemy. Yet here he was, eating with Ryu instead of killing him or even dominating him. He questioned why he was doing this. Perhaps Ryu had used his Tamashii energy? Could chaos users even influence one's feelings to such an extent?

He had no idea.

The Madame knocked on the door then opened it, peeking in to make sure it was safe. She bowed respectfully, "Young master Pan, your bath is prepared. Little Ryu can show you the way."

Panzram raised an eyebrow at this address. Why does everyone keep calling him young master? And when did his name become Pan?

When she shut the door, Ryu looked at Panzram with a guilty expression. "I… I told her your name was Pan…"

"Why."

"If someone was looking for you, they would most likely know your name… So it works out..."

"But why Pan? Isn't that too similar to Panzram?"

Ryu gave a flirtatious grin in response.

Panzram frowned at the sight of his grin, "Could you not think of something better?"

Ryu pouted in dejection, "T-To tell the truth… I was about to call you Panzram and then stopped midway..."

Panzram scowled hatefully.

Ryu whined pitifully, "I-I really can't lie!!! I can't!"

Panzram sighed in irritation and stood up, "Just show me to the bath."