CHAPTER 247: CHAPTER 247 - FANDOM INDOCTRINATION BEGINS...

The neon signs and colorful displays of [Mystic Merch: Games & Anime] caught my eye again as I passed by. I’d seen the place three blocks away from where I’d left the café... and was told that they apparently sold merchandise related to the character on my phone.

But there was a smell around there at the time that I did not want to subject the kids to, so I’d walked them across the city before making them call their parents. Making sure it *really* was fine to leave them at the library where they insisted was okay.

Honestly, I’d rather go back to talking to either of the suspicious mothers or dealing with Victoria trying to ’tear into me’ again than who I’m risking running into by coming back. But I felt like I needed somewhere completely different from the sophisticated world of fashion studios and high-end boutiques that I’ve spent the first part of my day in.

I guess I could have just went into a grocery store instead, if I wanted something so different.

While I do have some food at home, it never hurts to bring more back. Already, I’d stopped at a bench and ate the leftovers. It seemed senseless to continue carrying them around while I felt like I still had room in my stomach.

An electronic musical set of tones played as I pushed through the door. Almost immediately I was assaulted by the scent of plastic wrapped goods, cardboard, energy drinks, and of course that dreaded sharp chemical cleaner.

Shelves lined the walls, packed with what looked like books, figurines, and plenty of items I couldn’t begin to identify. The place was altogether bright, chaotic, and - hopefully - utterly removed from werewolf politics.

Well, she’s still here, isn’t she.

"Hey, it’s Citra!"

I was hoping that the faded scent outside meant she had left, but I guess she’s just been inside all this time. Ellie Rushwater waved enthusiastically at me from behind a display of what appeared to be plush creatures and deformed looking... people with enormous eyes.

She was dressed far more casually than she had been at the casino. Faded jeans and an oversized hoodie that prominently featured some sort of cartoon character. She looked completely in her element... I think.

I don’t really understand all of it, so she could be an outlier here for all I know. Though others here don’t seemed bothered by her outburst. They just looked at me then back to what they were doing.

My wolf notes that it’s not what *all* of them did, but if I worried about every set of appreciative stares from behind and beside me... I’d never get through my day!

"What brings you to my favorite hideout?"

She all but bounced over with that same high energy I remembered her gaining while talking about imaginary characters and settings. Without any of the initial professional layer of behavior over top.

Very friendly. It’s almost nice. Though while she does not smell unpleasant, I’m still loath to feel the need to use that scent neutralizer on myself again. So I held up my hand to keep her at a bit of distance.

"Just needed somewhere... different. Wasn’t sure that you were still here."

Managing a small smile for her, the woman’s eyes lit up like what I said was far different. Like I’d said I’d come in just to find her - or like the Goddess had just thrown her a toy.

"Oh, this is perfect then! You have to let me show you around. Consider it cultural indoctrination."

"...Don’t you mean education?"

"Nope!"

Ellie’s eyes were filled with the fanatical enthusiasm of someone who’d found a new victim for their cultic religion. I was honestly frightened. But before I could protest, she was already bounding deeper into the store.

The way she weaved between displays was with the confidence of someone who knew every aisle by heart - and expected everyone else to just move. I frowned and nodded at one large man who dropped his book as she flung herself by him.

Why am I following her? Why indeed.... her magnetic personality, I guess. That or I’ve been hypnotized by all the bright colors.

"Okay, first stop - the mainstream section!"

She gestured grandly at a wall display featuring colorfully titled spines arranged in perfect rows.

"This is where all the good starter manga lives. See, you’ve got your Shōnen over here - action, fighting, very ’I must become stronger’ energy. And over here is your Shōjo, which isn’t always all romance, but..."

She continued chattering as she led me through what felt like a guided tour of a very alien culture. Her hands moved constantly, pointing and poking at goods as she explained the differences in so much more detail than I ever would have requested.

The difference between manga and manhwa, the significance of volume numbers considering the serial format it is ’first’ published in, and why for her certain series were-

"Absolutely. Essential. Reading. [Ogre Strength Fairy: Redux With You] is a graphic novel based on some author’s supposedly seminal work... one of my peers says. The art is great and the pacing is *so* much better in panel form!"

She’s like... an overly enthusiastic tour guide who forgot that not everyone shares her passions. Hm. I wonder what this Girl’s Love tag in this section means?

Before I could study more of the works, she pulled down another volume from that shelf and all but shoved it in my face. It shook with the vibration of her excitement... and I could recognize at least one character on the cover right away.

"And THIS.... is Cry-Guard! Remember I mentioned it at the casino?"

"Yes, I remember. But Ellie, you’re doing that thing where you are breathing too hard again and it is really freaking me out."

She laughed, not at all embarrassed - still taking a moment to deep inhale and exhale a final time. Tucking the book under her arm, she smiled at me.

"Sorry! I do get excited. But seriously, you’d love this one. Here, let me get you volume one!"

"I could buy it myself, you know."

No, I’m not sure I want to. I’m afraid it is what corrupted her to act like this and am tempted to swear off all forms of this media. Even if... some of these young women kissing or holding hands is really... intriguing...

Vrika whines at me only once. It knows it is a lost cause. But I guess it finds reading and seeing images of other girls flirting less objectionable than me flirting with other girls than the Alpha it is infatuated with.

"Consider it a welcome gift. To the wonderful world of entertainment choices that most others will not understand!"

As we moved deeper into the store, I noticed Ellie had a habit of touching everything in it - straightening the displays, picking up figurines she hadn’t seen to examine them... and brushing against my arm when she wanted to point something out.

It was entirely unconscious, the way some people were naturally tactile in their interactions. But it was starting to irk my wolf. Which is the main reason why I didn’t stop it.

Nothing calculated about it, just her natural way of engaging with the world. Don’t be such a prude and think she is flirting. I can almost assure you that this woman has no significant interest... in fact-

"Are you seeing someone, Ellie?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah."

The spirit raged inside me, because I purposely put a little flirty lilt on my voice when I asked. But if you don’t even do that much - and sometimes even if you do - some women are just far too dense to take the hint!