'Ah, is it about time for her to come...?'
The late-night convenience store always attracted strange customers. But for me, aspiring to be a comic artist, it provided great material for stories, so working there was quite convenient. Of course, there were times when dealing with troublesome customers was difficult, but amidst all that, there was one person who healed my heart...
'She's here! The goddess!'
The entrance melody, which I heard more often than my parents' voices, made my heart race. I had to speak to her, but my nervous 'Welcome' came out all wrong. The goddess didn't even crack a smile, nor did she raise an eyebrow, as she made her usual rounds through the store, looking at the products. Her lack of reaction only heightened my embarrassment.
'Today, for sure... I'll talk to the goddess! Hang in there, me!'
The goddess put a rice ball, salad, and tea into her basket and headed to the register. I was in the middle of stocking shelves but hurried to the counter to serve her. Before she placed her basket on the counter, I grabbed two packs of cigarettes, number 13, and prepared them. The goddess silently took out her wallet from her bag. As I scanned the barcodes, I spoke in a trembling voice.
'Th-thank you for coming in so late every day!'
The goddess didn't reply. I cautiously shifted my gaze from the products to her face. She looked at me with a puzzled expression. Seeing the goddess's face directly for the first time, my heart felt like it was going to explode. I mentally posted my thoughts on social media.
'Wow! She's so beautiful! It's not just her face; her beauty is beyond words! Ahh!'
'...Are you tired? Are you okay?'
'Huh?!'
'You suddenly shouted...'
'Ah! I-I'm sorry!'
Apparently, I had started speaking out loud. I was so embarrassed I wanted to disappear from this world.
'Here, if you'd like.'
'Huh?'
What the goddess took out from her bag was a business card. It had the name and phone number of an escort service, and...
'I work there under the name 'Dahlia.' If you ever feel tired and want to be healed, call me.'
'...You really called me.'
'Uh, yes...'
In my small one-room apartment, the presence of the goddess felt out of place. Only around her did everything seem to sparkle and shine.
It was my first time with an escort, but the staff on the phone was very polite and helped me call the goddess. For the next 60 minutes, I could do as I pleased with the goddess I admired...
'Um, could you please take off your clothes and lie down on the bed?'
The goddess undressed and sat on the bed in her natural state.
'...So, what should I do next?'
'Uh, please pose as I say.'
'...And then?'
'I-I'd like to sketch you.'
I took out my sketchbook and pencil and sat on a well-worn chair. The goddess posed in various ways as I sketched furiously in my sketchbook. For 15 minutes, the only sound was the pencil moving across the paper, except for my requests to change poses. When I turned the page to continue, the goddess spoke.
'Hey.'
'Wha?! Y-yes?!'
Startled, I replied in a high-pitched voice. When I looked up, the goddess, who should have been on the bed, was standing right in front of me. Her smooth, curvaceous body was close by. Her porcelain-like skin and ample bosom captivated my gaze.
'Is it okay just to draw?'
'Huh?! Uh, well...'
'You paid a lot of money, and you're not doing anything?'
'But...'
'It's a waste.'
The goddess crouched down and unzipped my pants. She gently touched my hardened self and asked,
'...Can I lick it?'
'No, that's...'
'But it looks so painful.'
As she stroked me gently from bottom to top, a strange sound escaped my lips.
'I haven't even showered...'
'It's fine for a quickie.'
Without my consent, she removed my pants and underwear. I didn't resist. In fact, I lifted my hips to make it easier for her, which showed my anticipation. I felt ashamed of myself.
'Wow, such a strong smell. It's dizzying.'
'I'm sorry, I'll take a shower...'
'No, it's fine like this.'
The goddess took me in her mouth, teasing me with her tongue. The goddess, whom I could only see over the counter, was now naked in my home, not holding a cigarette but me, making obscene sounds. The surreal feeling made me climax quickly.
'Ah, I'm going to... I'm sorry!'
'Mmm, it's okay, release it in my mouth.'
'Ahh!'
The goddess swallowed everything I released into her mouth without spilling a drop.
'Mmm, it's thick.'
'I'm sorry, I'll pay extra...'
'No, it's fine. I did it on my own.'
'But it's an option, right?'
'I said it's fine. Come here.'
She pulled me onto the bed, caressing me lovingly.
'Can I ride you like this?'
'Huh?'
'You still seem energetic, right?'
'Ah!'
Once again, without my consent, she lowered herself onto me, inserting me to the base. She moved slowly up and down, rubbing against her pleasure spots, her face melting with ecstasy. Her excitement was contagious, and despite having just climaxed, I felt it building again. I couldn't let it end yet. I tried to hold back while enjoying the sensation.
'You can touch me more, you know.'
'Huh?!'
'I like being touched... Please touch me?'
She guided my right hand to a swollen, red protrusion near our connection. When I stimulated it with my thumb, she let out louder moans, losing herself in pleasure.
'Ah, call my name.'
'Huh?! D-Dahlia!'
'No, my real name is Tori.'
'T-Tori! I'm sorry, I'm going to... again!'
'Yes, release it, just like this!'
As she tightened around me, I released everything inside her. The intense sensation lingered, and we kissed repeatedly, savoring the afterglow. Then the goddess spoke to me.
'Why did you want to sketch me? Some people have asked to take photos, but I've never been a model for a drawing before.'
'I-I aspire to be a comic artist... My editor said I wasn't drawing attractive female characters, so...'
'I see... That's amazing, aspiring to be a comic artist.'
'But it's not going well...'
'What kind of comics do you draw? Can I see?'
I took out my tablet and showed her a one-shot comic I had drawn before.
'Wow... It's interesting. But your female characters could use some work. You should draw me in your comics. Actually, I...'
The goddess began to tell me why she became an escort. She got hooked on a host she was introduced to by a friend, and when she ran out of money to spend on him, she was introduced to this job. Her favorite host retired and became a kept man for another wealthy client, and she couldn't find another job, so she couldn't leave the business. Honestly, it was a 'common' story. But it was her life, and as she recalled the past with a distant look, it tugged at my heart.
'Do you think I can contribute to your comic artist career?'
'Yes, but... Is it really okay to draw you?'
'I said it's fine. Oh, it's a call from the store.'
It was a call to inform her that her time was almost up. The goddess got dressed and, before leaving, kissed me and said, 'See you, comic artist.'
From the next day, the goddess stopped coming to the convenience store. Her photo was gone from the store's website. She said 'see you,' but now I had no way to meet her.
I turned the story the goddess shared with me into a comic. I felt hesitant to draw it exactly as it was, so I added some embellishments. When I posted the rough comic on social media, it resonated with some people, who praised it for capturing the dark side of modern society with realism, and it went viral. Fortunately, a publisher reached out to me, and I was able to publish it as a one-shot. The one-shot was well-received, and soon I secured a serialization, allowing me to quit my convenience store job and make a living solely from comics.
Where did the goddess go? I want to thank her. Maybe she returned to the heavens. But the goddess... no, Tori, exists in this world. Surely, she's reading my comics somewhere. As I recalled her touch from that day, I continued working on my new manuscript.
Fin.
