Page 49 of The Jorogumo

"What? How? You have legs!" I winced at how high my voice was, glancing around the store as if I didn't already know it was empty.

Haruto snickered at my reaction, then walked around the counter to stand before me, giving me the full view. "Yes, I do. Thanks to you."

I blinked, confused for a moment before realization struck. "You have enough power."

Haruto nodded happily. "I knew last night, but I wanted to surprise you."

"You surprised me, all right," I said with a shake of my head, making his grin widen.

"I imagine this will also make it easier to navigate," Haruto said, and I winced at the truth of that statement. Despite all the development, the world could still be full of pitfalls for wheelchair users.

"Yeah. I'm glad you can move around more comfortably now. Though I still prefer your true form."

For some reason, he just felt more like him with his spider legs and webs. This human form, while stunning to look at, felt more like a costume.

Haruto smiled, then pulled me closer for a kiss, and I was happy to know he was still just as strong in this form, though he was my height now.

"Do you need help closing up?"

I nodded, and the two of us worked in companionable silence, shutting everything down, making sure there was nothing hiding in the shelves. I'd started doing that after a cat had snuck in to nap on one of the higher shelves. I'd come back to a pile of torn-up comics with cat shit hidden underneath, and an irate cat. Not a good day.

Once everything was cleared, I locked up, and Haruto offered me his arm like the gentleman he was.

Grinning, I took it, happily leaning against him. Despite his slim figure, I knew I could without worrying about making him lose his balance.

"So, where are we going?" I asked as we walked down the street in the opposite direction from the Sanctuary.

"I thought we could go to a club? I've never been to one." Haruto sounded somewhat hesitant, like he wasn't sure if I would enjoy it or not. I thought he needed to worry about himself more, since out of the two of us, he was the one less likely to enjoy himself in a loud, crowded room.

"A club sounds fun. There are a few good ones pretty close."

"Yeah?"

"Yep." I glanced over at him, tilting my head curiously. "Can you get drunk?"

"Why, do you want to get me drunk?" he teased, and I smacked his arm with a laugh.

"No, I was just curious."

"I can, but it would take a lot of alcohol. That's why we don't really have it at the Sanctuary. Well, except for the headmaster's personal stash."

"Oh?"

He hummed softly, shooting me a grin. "Mages, sorcerers, warlocks, any kind of magic wielders, really. Their physiology is pretty similar to a human's. They can use their magic to sober up quickly, but otherwise alcohol affects them the same way it would affect a human."

I nodded in understanding, kinda comforted that even magic had its rules.

"So, no getting drunk for you," I concluded, and he chuckled.

"Yes. But I won't mind if you do. Actually, I'm curious to see what you're like under the influence. TV shows seem to imply people go through a whole personality change."

"Please, please don't base your assumptions about humans on TV."

Haruto snickered at whatever look I was sporting, and I smiled, rolling my eyes.

"And for your information, I'm perfectly well-behaved when I get drunk."

It'd been a while since I truly got drunk, so I wasn't sure if that was still true or not, but I was game to down a few drinks, because I knew Haruto would be there with me, and that he'd get me home safe.

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