Chapter 13: The Registration Center!

"I can't remember the last time I've been on a car ride."

"You need to get out of the house more, Eryn."

Eryn, Azusa, and the monstergirls were going to the monstergirl registration center. Azusa knew someone who'd be able to help Eryn go through the registration process, so she offered to drive them (out of the goodness of her heart, of course. Definitely no ulterior motives.)

"I remember when you used to give me rides on your mom's motorcycle." Azusa smiled, adjusting the rear-view mirror so they could see the monstergirls. "Good days."

"I don't think it was that long ago." He crossed his leg over the other. "So, is this your way of repaying me for the rides or something?"

"I owe you a lot, Eryn." She replied, adjusting the air cooler next. "Consider this the first of my many deeds to you."

"You don't have to…" he smiled wryly.

"See, you're too kind." She pouted. "You don't even want me to repay you for all you've done."

"I don't think it's a really big deal…"

"It's a big deal to me."

"Mhmm…" he sighed. It really isn't. "Well, I appreciate it."

"Eryn, Eryn." Lofie stretched her arms out towards him, but the belt kept her strapped in place.

"What is it, Lofie?" Eryn looked over his shoulder.

"I want to hold your hand."

"Oh, sure." Eryn drew his arm back towards her. I wonder if she's feeling anxious. Two little hands grabbed his own, squeezing them. She let out a soft giggle, being able to hold onto him.

"No fair!" Melty puffed her cheeks out. "I want to hold his hand, too!"

"M-Me too…" Iris twiddled with her fingers. She found it difficult to voice her needs as her sisters did.

Of course, they would too. Eryn already guessed this was coming. Unfortunately, there's not much I can do... it's dangerous to have their belts removed.

"Fufufu…" Azusa gave a devilish smirk. "I know just the thing, my dear monstergirls! If it is Eryn's attention you want, it is Eryn's attention you shall get!"

"What's that supposed to mean?" he raised an eyebrow, confused. She better not be thinking what I'm thinking right now…

"Observe."

Azusa pressed some buttons on the touchscreen. Sounds of machinery could be heard, and Eryn's chair was abruptly turned around in place, so he was facing the monstergirls now.

"H-Huh?!" he flinched in his seat. Did the chair just…

"The wonders of technology." She winked. "This is not your average car."

"Eryn, Eryn!" Lofie tried to leap into his lap, but the belt was still locking her in place.

"As long as you're watching over them, you can remove their belts," Azusa said, giving a thumbs up.

"If you say so…" Eryn carefully removed each of the monstergirls' belts, and Lofie immediately jumped onto his lap.

PLOMP!

"Woah, easy there." He chuckled softly.

"Eryn..." Lofie snuggled into his chest, taking in his comforting scent.

"Don't hog all of Eryn's lap to yourself!" Melty pouted, squeezing into his lap beside Lofie.

"Oh, dear…" Eryn wrapped an arm around the two monstergirls, to which Melty let out a satisfied sigh. What am I going to do with you two…

"U-Uhm…" Iris shifted herself on the seat till she was directly facing him. She awkwardly rubbed her elbow with her hand.

"Mhmm…" Eryn drew his free hand to her head and began stroking her between the ears. "Do you like this?"

"O-Oh…" Iris nodded, leaning her head into his hand. Her tail curled to the side in satisfaction.

She's still not used to voicing out her needs to me like her sisters… Eryn smiled at the thought. Over time, I hope she'll warm up more to me.

"Eryn," Azusa called out.

"Yeah?"

"Give me head pats."

"Why do I need to give you head pats?!" and my hands are kinda full!

"Because I, too, am jealous of the attention you're giving them!"

"Keep your eyes on the road!"

Their usual bickering continued along the way.

Sometime later…

…

..

.

"And here we are!"

"Wow, is this the place?"

Eryn looked through the car window. He could see a white building that towered over them. Its entrance looked rather futuristic. A logo resembling a face with cat ears could be seen. I suppose that signifies the monstergirl society?

"I'll drop you all here," Azusa said.

"You're not coming?"

"I'll park the car first." She replied. "Someone's waiting for you on the inside."

"Oh?" Someone's waiting for us?

"You'll know when you enter."

Eryn stepped out of the car with the monstergirls, and Azusa drove the car to the parking area.

"Where are we, Eryn?" Iris asked, holding on to his hand.

"This is the monstergirl registration center." His eyes shifted up, following the entire length of the building. That is a massive building! It looks like a tower!

"It looks scary…" Hiding behind his legs, Melty clutched the fabric of his jeans.

"I think I've seen this place before," Lofie said, holding on to his other hand.

"Oh?" Eryn raised his brow at her. "Have you been here before, Lofie?"

"I have seen this before, Eryn." Lofie nodded. "But… I have never gone inside."

That is interesting to hear. Eryn instinctively squeezed her small hand in his grip. Did her previous owners bring her here before? Did they plan on registering her under their ownership?

As he pondered that, a bigger question entered his mind: have none of the girls ever been registered under ownership? Judging from Iris and Melty's expressions, this was their first time coming here, and Lofie has never entered the building. They had owners, but were never registered to them…? He found it odd none of their previous owners would even bring them here. The registration center is such a monumental place, or so I've heard…

"Let's head inside, everyone." Eryn walked to the entrance, guiding the monstergirls. Melty moved to Iris's side and held her hand.

Upon detecting them, the entrance doors slid open, and a faint red light scanned them. Eryn guessed it was scanning them for contraband.

After entering inside, they were greeted with a white and modern interior. On the right, there was the reception, which was separated by a glass door, while on the left, there were several round tables and sofas. Light green curtains draped over the glass walls. Flower-patterned carpets covered the floors. Must be the guest area…

Various monstergirls and humans filled the guest area. Interesting… a monstergirl that caught his attention among the crowd was another hinezumi. Compared to Melty, she looked like an adult monstergirl. Much taller and more developed proportions. I wonder if that's how Melty will grow up to be.

Eryn turned his gaze to the reception. A big sign written in red letters caught his attention.

MONSTERGIRLS ACCOMPANIED BY HUMANS OR WHO ARE BELOW A YEAR OLD SHOULD WAIT IN THE GUEST AREA.

Below a year old…? Eryn stroked his chin in deep thought. I have no idea how old these monstergirls are. According to Aiden and Amber, they were apparently adult monstergirls, which he still had a hard time wrapping his head around. How do monstergirls age? Is it the same as humans? He supposed it would be different. Considering the three monstergirls look and act like children, it makes sense for them to age differently.

Anyhow, I can't bring the monstergirls with me…

"Iris, can you bring Melty and Lofie to the guest area?" Eryn pointed to an empty sofa in the guest area.

"Oh, okay!" Iris nodded, grabbing onto Lofie's hand. "Where will you go, Eryn?"

"I'll head to the reception." He motioned to the receptionist. "I'll be with you soon."

"Why can't we come with Eryn?" Lofie asked with upturned eyes, tugging on his finger.

"It seems you're not allowed to come with me." He motioned to the sign on the glass.

"Oh…" Lofie and Melty's ears draped downward.

"I won't take too long." He gave a warm smile as he patted their heads.

"Come on, let's wait there!" Iris dragged her sisters' hands along so they wouldn't bother him. At times like this, Iris did look like the eldest sister. Which she is.

And so, Eryn went to the reception while the monstergirls went to the guest area. The monstergirls found an empty sofa and sat on it. They each looked around the area and noticed the many different monstergirls currently chattering away.

Iris noticed a woman in a black suit staring in their direction through her black glasses. Iris tilted her head left and right, wondering whether she was looking at them. She stood out from the crowd.

The woman adjusted her shades and began walking. Iris kept her eyes on her… and in fact, she was coming straight to them.

Perhaps the oddest fact was the scent radiating from the woman. It smelt familiar… as if they'd met before. However, Iris had no recollection of meeting this woman before. This was her first time.

As she got closer, Lofie and Melty's gaze snapped to the woman because of the familiar scent. Strangely, it was a scent that made them feel safe and comfortable…

Much like Eryn's scent.

This left Iris confused. Should she be wary of the stranger approaching them? Why does she remind them of Eryn? Should she grab her sisters and run to him?

"Grrrr…" Lofie's ears and tails straightened up, wary of the familiar scent coming from an unfamiliar person. Her senses were on high alert.

The woman stopped in front of them and crouched to their level. She gave a warm smile, one that contrasted with her cold appearance, one that also reminded them of Eryn's own smile.

Iris spread her arms apart, shielding her sisters. Her arms trembled with fear, but Eryn entrusted her to watch over her sisters, and she'd see it through the end.

"I'm sorry to hear what you all have been through."

All their ears twitched. Was the woman speaking to them?

"But you're with a good owner now. He'll take care of you and love you well." The woman stretched her hand to Iris's head…

"Grrr…!" Lofie hissed, baring her fangs and –

"Hey, how can I help you?" Eryn stood in between the monstergirls and the woman. He did this more for the woman's sake rather than the monstergirls because Lofie was just going to bite her!

"Mhmm…" The woman folded her arms, still having a smile on her face. Her eyes scanned him from top to bottom.

I feel like her gaze is drilling into my skull… Eryn took a deep breath to regain his composure. Does she work here? He guessed she was an important person, judging by her suit. Does she need something with the monstergirls?

"It's been a while," the woman took off her glasses, meeting their similarly blue eyes together. "… Eryn."

His body froze. The instant he made eye contact with her, he finally registered her voice and long black hair flowing down her back. Before he could even register her and these familiar feelings in his mind, her name had already left his lips.

"... Riana."