Jiro sat at the dining table in Tae’s apartment and watched her lithe body move around the kitchen. Yes, that was definitely a tail sticking out above the waistband of her pants. And now that he looked carefully, there were two fluffy triangular things poking out of her white corn hair: they looked like ears. No doubt about it, Tae was a kaiju.

Tae reached up and pulled a dusty glass out of a cupboard above the sink. There was no A/C and her slim body, covered in scars, glistened with a sheen of sweat. If Tae was anything like Sheena, it was only a matter of time before she and tried to tear off Jiro’s clothes. Jiro kicked himself under the table. What a mess I’ve gotten myself into.

He needed to get this map and get out. Tae was the only clue he had to the Captain of the Hinomaru. But he was sure of it. She wouldn’t draw him any map. She would try to seduce him. Maybe tie him up, slip off his shorts, and suck out his bodily fluids. He could die from the sneeze attack.

Tae came over to the table and set down a dusty glass and a pitcher of barley tea. Then she handed Jiro a wet towel. “Can you help me wipe my back? I’m all sweaty.”

Jiro took the towel. Would he sneeze if he did this? Should he even be doing this at all? His allergies seemed to be weaker when it came to kaiju, but he would also be playing right into this woman’s game.

“What are you waiting for?”

He grabbed the towel and, careful not to touch Tae with his bare hands, gave her a quick wipe down from shoulder to tail.

When the towel grazed her tail, Tae let out a moan. “Oh, that hits the spot.” She turned to him. She leaned forward. He could feel the heat coming off her bare skin. “Want me to do you? You look pretty sweaty yourself.”

Jiro sat down and looked away. “N-no, I’m okay.”

Tae shrugged, poured some tea into the glass. “Go on, drink up.”

“Um … Where’s your glass?”

“I only have the one. We can share it.”

Tae sat down across him and watched Jiro drink. It was nice and cold from the fridge. Tae just sat there watching him, a sly smile on her face. Yes, Jiro thought, her eyes were red. Almost glowing, like hot coals.

“W-where’s your husband?” Jiro asked, to end the silence. He took another gulp of tea and set the glass back down. “Out working?”

“Yup. He’s a fisherman. He’s away eleven months of the year.” She’s lying, Jiro thought. It’s a cover-up for her activities. Tae leaned over to grab the glass, giving Jiro a flash of her cleavage. Even her breasts were covered in little scars.

“That must be rough. Not having your husband around.”

“Rough? No, it’s so boring … Out here in the countryside. Just work, work, work …” As Tae spoke, she ran her tongue up the lip of the glass, where Jiro put his lips. “And without a man in the home …” She slowly slid her down the lip of the glass and lapped up a bit of Jiro’s saliva. “It gets lonely sometimes.”

“Oh, sure …” Jiro shifted in his chair. He could feel little Jiro reacting. This style of seduction was different from Sheena’s more direct attacks. What was it that Kaori had said? That some kaiju used charm instead of force?

“Sometimes a woman just needs a man to hold her … To pleasure her …”

Jiro cleared his throat. “So, about that map?”

Something like irritation flashed in Tae’s eyes. “I’m sorry it’s so hot in here,” she continued, ignoring Jiro’s comment. She glanced at a room off to one side. “Why don’t you change into some of my husband’s clothes. You’ll find some in the bedroom.”

“No it’s okay. I’m kind of in a hurry and …”

She gave him a look. “That’s not very polite. To refuse hospitality. I’ll draw you your map, don’t worry. So go pick out some clothes.”

The sheets were bunched up on Tae’s bed, like someone had just been tumbling on it moments before. The whole room swelled of sweat and lust.

Jiro looked in the closet. The drawers were full of men’s clothing. He rifled through the clothes, looking for something his size. He paused. Wait. Something is wrong. The shirts were different styles. And all different sizes. He opened one of the drawers. It was filled with men’s underwear: briefs, trunks, tights, even a t-bag. Either Tae’s husband was a shapeshifting kaiju, or each piece of underwear belonged to a different man …

He heard Tae tap on the door. Jiro slid the drawer shut.

“Find something to fit you?”

“Y-yea …” He grabbed a shirt at random and held it up … A gaudy Hawaiian button down three sizes too big. Jiro thought about the burly man at the tofu shop. It would fit just right on him …

Tae took a step forward. Now he was pinned between Tae and the closet. Tae leaned forward so her face almost touch Jiro’s next. She took a quick sniff of Jiro. Then she sniffed again. And wrinkled her nose.

“You’re all sweaty,” Tae said. She ran a finger up his chest and flicked Jiro’s nipple through the fabric. “Why don’t you take a shower before you change? You’ll ruin the shirt smelling like that. I’ll fix you up something to eat. You’ll need the … energy.”

“What about you?” asked Jiro. “What will you eat?”

“Oh …” Tae licked her lips. “I think I’ll manage.”

Tae’s shower was mercifully cool. As the water ran down his shoulder and back, Jiro could feel his mind clearing. This was a really bad situation. There was a chance that Tae did not even know where Ken lived. Maybe Ken did not even exist that all. Tae had probably lied to him just to get Jiro in her door. And even if she did know where Ken lived, the chance seemed small that she would willing tell Jiro without something in return.

Jiro lifted his face up and let the water run over his face. “The only way this could get worse,” he said to himself, “is if that kaiju walks in right now, while I am naked in the shower.”

And, of course, that is exactly what happened. There was a click of the door opening. Jiro barely had time to cover his privates before Tae reached over and swept aside the shower curtain. He was naked in the shower … with a kaiju.