In the end, Gengar mustered up her courage again and successfully progressed the story of Resident Evil 7 to the part with the mother-in-law—Marguerite.
However, once she had burrowed into Hayashi's arms, Gengar refused to leave—in her words, she felt so safe there!
Eevee, furious that her prime sleeping spot had been stolen, desperately clawed at Gengar, but Normal-type moves had no effect on the Ghost-type Gengar. After a futile struggle, Eevee pitifully curled up on Hayashi's shoulder and fell asleep.
Grrrr—
Damn you, Gengar! You stole my spot, didn't you?
This grudge… I, Eevee, will remember it!
Later, as it grew too late, even though the game had only just reached Marguerite, Hayashi firmly demanded Gengar save and forced the yawning Hisako and Erina to go to bed.
He himself returned to the room Gengar had prepared for him, flopped onto the bed, stretched his arms and legs with a satisfied groan, and then completely melted into the mattress.
"Ugh, do I have some weird curse on me or something? To run into this kind of mess right at the start of my journey—"
Hayashi muttered, then wriggled like a worm onto his pillow. After whispering goodnight to Eevee, who was already waiting beside him, he peacefully closed his eyes.
As Hayashi's breathing gradually steadied, a pair of crimson eyes suddenly lit up from the floor.
Ghehehe—
Gengar's figure silently emerged from the shadows, her hands covering her mouth as she let out a muffled ghehehe chuckle. Then, with a mischievous grin, she raised her right hand—clutching a marker.
Ghehehe— Gengar flashed a wicked smile worthy of Jashin-chan.
...
...
The next morning.
"..."
Still half-asleep, Hayashi jolted fully awake the moment he saw his reflection in the mirror.
What the hell!?
His left cheek was now adorned with a chibi Gengar doodle—and the most infuriating part was that this chibi Gengar was pulling down one eyelid, sticking out its tongue, and making a mocking face at him!?
"GAN! GAR!"
With Hayashi's furious roar, Gengar burst out of his shadow, clutching her stomach and howling with laughter (ghehehe!), rolling on the floor and kicking her legs.
She—she—she was gonna die laughing!
"You're dead!" Hayashi snarled, lunging at Gengar and wildly scratching at her pudgy body—her belly, armpits, even the soles of her feet!
Ghehehehe—
Gengar immediately convulsed with laughter, weakly slapping the floor in surrender.
Okay, okay! I give! Let me go!
"Begging for mercy? Too late!"
Hayashi flashed a merciless grin, cracking his knuckles. "Prepare to face the ultimate technique I perfected on my college roommate!"
Shaolin Full-Body Tickle!
Eighteen Tickles to Subdue Men!
Hyahyahyahya—!
As Hayashi continued his assault, Gengar laughed so hard that tears nearly streamed down its face, its stubby arms slapping the floor in an attempt to awaken what little conscience Hayashi might have left.
But grown men have no conscience!
"Gee-hee!"
Finally, unable to endure Hayashi's torment any longer, Gengar scrambled away in a flustered manner, transforming into a shadow that slipped into the darkness of the room, leaving behind frightened cries of "Gee-hee gee-hee!"
Hayashi, you're absolutely inhuman!
"Little rascal!"
Panting heavily, Hayashi stood up and grumbled his way to the sink, grabbing soap to scrub off the doodles Gengar had drawn on his face the previous night—fortunately, the marker Gengar had used seemed to be specifically for pranks, as the doodles washed off after just two rounds of scrubbing.
"If this hadn't come off, I swear Gengar would've had hell to pay—"
After drying his face with a towel, Hayashi checked himself in the mirror, nodding in satisfaction once he confirmed all traces of the doodles were gone. He then gathered his things and left the room.
"Erina dear—"
Before he even reached the bottom of the stairs, Hayashi's voice echoed through the hallway.
"What's for breakfast today~~"
Hisako popped her head out from the kitchen and called back, "Today we have crab roe buns and century egg with lean pork congee!"
Hayashi's eyes lit up at the mention, and he quickened his pace to the dining room, rubbing his hands together excitedly. "Ooooh! Just hearing about it makes my mouth water!"
"Eve eve!"
The Eevee perched on his shoulder skillfully leaped onto the dining table, wagging its fluffy tail as it gazed expectantly toward the kitchen.
Food time, food time~ Eevee~ wants food now~
The little Eevee swayed its head side to side, humming an off-key tune, while the nearby Pikachu joined in with cheerful "Pika pika!" chirps.
La la la, Eevee (Pikachu) wants yummy food~
"Gee-hee—"
At that moment, Gengar emerged from Hayashi's shadow, landing gracefully like a gymnast with its arms raised high, flashing Hayashi a toothy grin.
Not mad anymore, right?
"Hmph, if Gengar shares one of her crab roe buns with me later, maybe I won't be mad—"
Hayashi winked playfully at Gengar.
"Gee-hee?!"
Gengar looked at Hayashi in shock—oh no, this guy has no conscience, actually trying to take my delicious food!
"Not willing?" Hayashi crossed his arms, mimicking Kirino's signature pose, and glanced sideways at Gengar.
Gengar nodded with exaggerated sorrow.
Hayashi couldn't help but tease, "Is that nod agreeing to give me one, or agreeing with the idea of not sharing?"
"Gee-hee?!"
You can interpret it that way too?!
"Gee-hee!"
Fine, take it! You're so mean, worse than a Ghost-type Pokémon!
Hayashi immediately wore a smug expression—this is me being mean? You haven't seen me at my worst! Heh heh!
Meanwhile, Eevee calmly rested on her front paws. She was well-behaved and adorable—Hayashi would never take her food, right? Serves the purple troublemaker right for being so mischievous, nya~
After waiting for about ten minutes, Erina and Hisako each pushed a small dining cart out from the kitchen. Upon seeing Hayashi lazily sitting by the dining table, playing with the little Eevee, Erina immediately said in exasperation, "You really act like a lord! Just sitting there waiting for us to serve you, huh?"
"Hmm? Not a bad idea, actually?"
Hayashi stroked his chin and said, "If Erina-chan sweetly says to me, 'Hayashi, open wide, aaah—,' the food would definitely taste even better!"
"Keep dreaming!"
Erina's face flushed red as she glared at Hayashi. How could this guy spout such shameless nonsense? And feeding him with an "aaah—"? Even Hisako hasn't gotten that treatment!
Speaking of Hisako—where is she?
#Checking Hisako's status#
Oh, Hisako is fantasizing about Erina feeding her. Never mind, then.
Soon, crab roe buns and lean meat porridge were placed in front of everyone. The tantalizing aroma was like an itch to the heart, utterly irresistible.
"Good heavens—" Hayashi smacked his lips and muttered, "Why does it feel like Erina-chan's cooking keeps getting better and better?"
"Even if you flatter me like that, you won't get any special treatment." Erina let out a light, amused hum, then casually picked up a bun and placed it in Hayashi's bowl. Sipping her porridge, she added, "I accidentally made too much. I don't want to overeat and gain weight, so you can have this."
"Got it—"
Hayashi drew out his reply, then cheerfully stuffed the bun Erina had given him into his mouth. As the burst of flavor spread across his tongue, he couldn't help but squint his eyes in delight. "Mmm, this bun tastes even better than the others. How come?"
"!"
Erina shot him a glare. "Can't you just eat without talking?"
"Alright, alright—"
Hayashi innocently mimed zipping his lips shut, then shifted his gaze from the easily flustered Erina to Gengar.
Gengar, prepare to pay the price!
"G-Gee!?"
Gengar shuddered, then stared longingly at the last bun on her plate, giving Hayashi a pitiful look. "Gee gee!"
She—she already gave you one bun, can't you leave mine alone—?
"Nope, nope, absolutely not—"
Hayashi shook his head with a mischievous grin. Under Gengar's heartbroken gaze, he plucked the bun from her plate with his chopsticks and dangled it in front of her. "Heheh, you promised this to me. No take-backsies—"
"Gee—"
Tears welled up in Gengar's eyes as she nodded reluctantly, only to watch in surprise as Hayashi brought the bun right up to her face… Huh? Her face?
"Here, Gengar, open wide, aaah—"
Hayashi wiggled the chopsticks playfully. "Let me try my hand at feeding you too."
"G-Gee…"
Tears instantly streamed down Gengar's face as she choked down the crab roe bun Hayashi fed her, then let out a muffled "Gee gee" to express that it was the most delicious thing she'd ever eaten.
He's so kind—I could cry!
...
...
Joyful moments are always fleeting.
"Whew—"
After packing his luggage and shouldering it once more, Hayashi stood at the entrance of the Western-style house. He reached out and patted Gengar's belly, who was standing by the door, saying, "Alright, it's time for us to go! Maybe we'll meet again someday."
Gengar flusteredly replied, "Guh, guh-geh!"
I—I still want to play cards with you! Can't you stay for a few more rounds?
I—I'll really share my breakfast with you tomorrow! Can't you stay a few more days?
I—I haven't finished that game yet! Can't you wait until I'm done before leaving?
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