"...It's truly terrifying."
Looking at the female cosplayer surrounded by countless males, the the timid girl only had to imagine herself in that situation to feel difficulty breathing and tremble.
Terrifying.
It's truly terrifying.
If there were two choices before her, one to possess a cosplayer and be photographed by countless strange men, and the other to possess Marin and be taken advantage of by Amamiya Natsuki, she would rather choose the latter than be a cosplayer.
"Hold my arm." Amamiya Natsuki whispered, "Shoko is so cute, be careful someone might grab you to be a cosplayer."
The the timid girl's black hair trembled, and she quickly hugged Amamiya Natsuki's arm tightly.
Hey, hey, you believe whatever I say. How afraid are you of showing yourself in front of people!
Amamiya Natsuki wasn't socially anxious and couldn't understand that kind of pain, but seeing that the the timid girl was clearly scared, his voice couldn't help but soften, and he said softly:
"We'll just walk around simply, and then go inside the exhibition center."
"Mm-hmm."
Komi nodded continuously, expressing agreement.
In the large open space outside the exhibition center, besides the queuing crowd, there were also various cosplayers, mostly popular anime characters from last year or this year. Occasionally, a Hinata or Robin would pop out, which would be considered a renaissance.
The weather was hot.
The scorching sun was like fire.
But it couldn't stop people's enthusiasm.
Especially those popular cosplayers, who were basically surrounded by an impenetrable crowd. Almost all the photographers were male, and others couldn't even squeeze in.
Amamiya Natsuki took Shoko for a spin, but there were so many people that he completely lost interest in taking photos and collecting stamps, so he led Shoko into the Convention Center.
"There are still so many people."
Amamiya Natsuki looked around, and the huge Convention Center was packed with people, a scene comparable to the sea during a summer festival. People were moving everywhere, and some booths even had dozens or hundreds of people queuing up.
"Let's skip the lines with too many people," Amamiya Natsuki whispered into Shoko's ear, "We'll find a less crowded booth and see what they're selling."
Just by speaking into her ear, the the timid girl's pretty face flushed crimson again, and she quickly nodded in agreement.
Amamiya Natsuki led Shoko towards a less crowded corner, scanning the area, and then arrived at an unattended booth.
"H-hello, both of you..."
The girl sitting behind the booth gathered her courage and spoke softly, looking a little shy.
This little girl wore black-rimmed glasses, had two braided pigtails, and was dressed in ordinary clothes, appearing somewhat plain. She reminded Amamiya Natsuki of Pansy, a player he encountered in a dungeon. When he challenged the Shadow Dungeon with Kaguya, he met a similar passerby player, so he smiled and nodded, saying:
"Hello, can we take a look at your work first?"
Seeing Amamiya Natsuki's smile, the Glasses Girl's small face quickly turned red, and she hurriedly lowered her head, her voice soft and weak:
"O-of course, please feel free to browse!"
Fortunately, Amamiya Natsuki had changed his title; if it had been his previous Prime Minister title, he might have turned the other person into a fangirl.
"Thank you."
Amamiya Natsuki thanked her politely, took the work, and then looked subtly at Shoko.
On the cover of the book, there was a black-haired girl with a mole at the corner of her eye, with an excellent figure, wearing a cute swimsuit. She was kneeling on the ground in a duck-sitting pose, one hand covering her chest, the other propped on the ground, looking teary-eyed and wronged, as if she had suffered some grievance.
It must be said that the character on the book's cover bore a striking resemblance to the the timid girl in expression.
"Eh? Eh?"
Komi's eyes widened, but her attention fell on the numbers in the corner, and her pretty face quickly flushed red:
"E-eighteen..."
The girl sitting behind the booth was clearly only a high school student, so why was her work R-18?
Amamiya Natsuki explained softly:
"Because the law stipulates that minors cannot purchase R-18 items, but there is no law prohibiting drawing R-18 works. As long as there is love, even junior high students can draw R-18."
"Ugh..."
Komi couldn't help but glare at him.
Junior high students shouldn't be drawing that kind of thing!
"Let's take a look at the content first."
Amamiya Natsuki opened the book to preview it.
The the timid girl was too embarrassed to look, only staring down at her toes.
"Let's look together," Amamiya Natsuki whispered into Shoko's ear, "That girl clearly needs encouragement. If you look down and don't look, it gives the impression that you're not interested at all, and she might hide in the restroom and cry."
"R-really?"
Komi weakly raised her head.
Amamiya Natsuki said seriously:
"Absolutely true."
"Hmm..."
The the timid girl had no choice but to blush and look at the book in Amamiya Natsuki's hand, watching together.
It was super embarrassing to look at a book with a boy, but she couldn't bear to hurt others more.
Fortunately, the content at the beginning was still decent, which made Shoko secretly sigh in relief.
The male and female protagonists were childhood sweethearts who went to the sea together during the summer vacation. They returned to the inn to rest at night, and the girl accidentally drank alcohol, then drunkenly acted spoiled towards the boy.
"...Finished."
Amamiya Natsuki closed the book expressionlessly.
Shoko, however, had a crimson face and quickly averted her gaze. The beginning content was all good, but after getting drunk, she couldn't control herself and did something that made her heart pound and face blush.
"Um... is there anything that needs improvement?"
The Glasses Girl behind the booth clasped her hands in front of her chest, looking on expectantly.
There were too many things that needed improvement.
A pure-love book is fine, but the content at the beginning is too long. Who reads a book and cares about useless plot?
"Shoko, you tell her."
Amamiya Natsuki handed the speaking rights to the the timid girl.
"Um... the art style is very cute," Komi bravely said, blushing, "The story is also very heartwarming. Keep it up, I look forward to seeing more of your works."
"Thank you, both of you!"
The girl, receiving affirmation, expressed her gratitude.
Amamiya Natsuki held up two fingers and said, "We'll buy two."
"...Please wait!"
A moment later.
Amamiya Natsuki held two packaged books and, with Shoko, bid farewell and left: "When we get back, we'll each have one."
The the timid girl nodded gently, not refusing, but after returning home, she would have to store them carefully and not put them on the bookshelf.
The two continued to stroll.
For the next period of time, Shoko perfectly demonstrated what it meant to be 'a fool with money, come quickly.' As long as someone enthusiastically recommended something to her, she basically couldn't refuse them and would obediently go to the booth to look at the work. After looking at something, she would, of course, feel too awkward to just leave, and would often pay for a copy.
Until the the timid girl accidentally saw a book that shattered her worldview...'Sunflower Blooms at Night + Azalea's Fading Moment,' a work that made the Pure Love God spit blood.
Plop.
Komi's eyes widened, dumbfounded, and the book in her hand fell to the ground.
"H-how could this be..."
As a pure love warrior, even though she only glanced at the Azalea content, the the timid girl still felt completely unwell.
"Let's go, let's go!"
Komi bit her lip, shaking her head repeatedly, urging Amamiya Natsuki to leave.
"Let's go," Amamiya Natsuki said softly, holding Shoko's hand, "We'll go to the restroom."
"..."
The restroom was also packed.
Girls take much longer in the restroom, so Amamiya Natsuki stood outside patiently waiting. Shoko hadn't come out yet, but a Senpai did.
"Natsuki-kun~" Seeing Amamiya Natsuki at the entrance, Koyasu Tsubame's eyes lit up, and she walked over with light steps, "I just saw Shoko-chan, why did she look a bit dazed?"
Amamiya Natsuki whispered:
"Because Shoko just read a book."
"Eh?" The Senpai blinked, curious, "What's it called?"
Amamiya Natsuki said:
"It's the Azalea book."
"I haven't heard of it." The Senpai shook her head, her eyes curious, "Is there anything special about that book?"
"Senpai, don't be curious," Amamiya Natsuki complained, "You wouldn't be able to handle it either."
"That's not necessarily true." Tsubame raised her chin and put her hands on her hips, saying, "I'm not as sensitive as Shoko-chan."
Amamiya Natsuki raised an eyebrow and said:
"The booth is not far. I'll go buy it and see the Senpai's tolerance."
Tsubame was completely unafraid: "Natsuki-kun, go ahead, I'll wait for you."
"..."
A moment later.
"W-what is this!" Tsubame bit her lip, completely distraught, "I can't look anymore, it's truly awful!"
"I told you not to be curious," Amamiya Natsuki said, "A bet is a bet, Senpai, you have to keep your word."
"Eh?" Tsubame was stunned, "Did I promise anything just now?"
Amamiya Natsuki said in a melancholic tone:
"So, Senpai, you really forgot, didn't you?"
"Hmm..." Tsubame pursed her lips and pressed her fingers to her brow, "I've thought about it carefully, and I didn't promise anything just now. Natsuki-kun, don't try to trick me."
"It's a previous promise," Amamiya Natsuki complained, "In the 'Summer Time Rendering' dungeon, when we were climbing the cliff together, Senpai, you promised that after we got out, you would let me kiss you, but you still haven't fulfilled that promise."
Koyasu Tsubame's pretty face flushed, and she averted her gaze, saying:
"It's normal not to remember something from so long ago, right?"
Amamiya Natsuki held the Senpai's soft hand and said seriously:
"A Senpai who goes back on her word must be punished."
Tsubame was not Shoko; in fact, she was quite bold and passionate. Once she recognized someone, she would actually take the initiative. At this moment, she stood on her tiptoes, leaned close to Amamiya Natsuki's ear, and exhaled like orchids, saying:
"That's right, I went back on my word. How do you want to punish me, Natsuki-kun?"
Amamiya Natsuki's expression became serious, and he said:
"Senpai, come to my house tonight, and we'll discuss the punishment method properly."
"I'm sorry, I refuse." Tsubame's pretty face was slightly red, and she raised her hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, "Speaking of which, why did Kaguya-san suddenly go home?"
Amamiya Natsuki said:
"Shinomiya Un'yo called her back. The purpose is still unclear for now."
"After all, it's the place where she grew up, so she must have some feelings..." Tsubame said softly, "By the way, after Kaguya went back, was Shimizu-nee disappointed?"
Amamiya Natsuki: "..."
"Eh?" Koyasu Tsubame tilted her head and looked over, "Natsuki-kun, why aren't you speaking?"
Because I forgot Mrs. Shimizu.
There had been so many things these past two days that I had kept her in the shadow and hadn't let her out.
Amamiya Natsuki silently summoned her in his mind.
The shadow beneath his feet wriggled, and Mrs. Shimizu appeared out of thin air.
"How awful, Natsuki-kun, you're too awful!" Mrs. Shimizu's tone was super resentful, "Why did you only remember me now!"
Amamiya Natsuki: "...I am terribly sorry."
The anime convention was already super crowded, and adding Mrs. Shimizu now was no problem at all.
After waiting for a while longer, Shoko finally came out of the restroom. Amamiya Natsuki, with the Senpai and Shoko, plus the guardian spirit Mrs. Shimizu, continued to stroll around.
There was nothing more to say about what happened next.
Among them, except for Marin, who was enthusiastic and fiery, the others actually didn't have much enthusiasm. After eating lunch together, they found a restaurant to rest.
In the blink of an eye, it was evening. Kitagawa Marin returned with large bags of spoils, and then the few of them said goodbye at the train station and went home, agreeing to meet again tomorrow.
"Goodbye, Senpai."
"Goodbye, Shoko-chan."
Kitagawa Marin waved goodbye to each of them, then looked at Amamiya Natsuki, her pretty face slightly red, and said softly:
"Natsuki, you should go home too."
"Hmm?" Amamiya Natsuki was surprised, "Why are you sending me home already?"
'I didn't sleep a wink last night, I'm exhausted,' Marin said, cheeks faintly flushed as she waved him off. 'I'm sleeping in today.'
Amamiya Natsuki was speechless.
'I'm pretty sure I'm the one who should be tired here.'
'I'm tired too, okay?' Marin waved. 'Go on, shoo. Young people need self-control—health comes first.'
Hey, you're the last person who should be saying that! Who was it that lost all control last night?
'See you tomorrow, Natsuki.'
Marin hopped onto the tram and vanished in a puff of smoke.
Amamiya Natsuki turned and started walking home.
He hadn't gone far when a girl with long, straight black hair leapt from a corner, hands behind her back, and planted herself in front of him, eyes sparkling.
'Master, are you coming home to rest tonight?'
Natsuki looked at Sayu and put on a stern face.
'You were spying on us.'
'I was not spying.' Sayu lifted her chin. 'As your pet, it's my job to keep an eye on you every second. Let's go; I'll wash your back.'
Natsuki said offhandedly, 'You're not going back to your apartment?'
'An apartment is just a place to sleep.' Sayu hugged his arm, voice sweet and happy. 'Wherever you are is home.'
They walked back together.
Once home, Natsuki didn't rest; he clipped the leash on little Wang and got ready for the evening walk—skip it and the silly dog would whine forever.
'Want to come along?' he asked Sayu.
'I'll pass.' She shook her head. 'You go, Master; I'll stay and cook.'
'Suit yourself.'
Natsuki nodded, took the dog, and headed to the park. Mid-walk he got a message from Chika reminding him to keep an eye out for Wang's dream girl.
They circled the park several times, but the mystery dog never showed.
Evening fell; Natsuki headed home with the dog in tow.
The moment he stepped inside he found Sayu kneeling in the genkan, wearing a panda apron that bared her snowy neck and round shoulders, hands folded neatly over her lap, the perfect picture of a gentle Yamato nadeshiko.
'Welcome home, Master.' She looked up, voice like honey. 'Dinner's ready and the bath is drawn. Would you like to eat first, bathe first… or eat me first?'
Natsuki: "…"
No wonder you stayed home—this was the whole plan!
"Put the dog in his crate first.' Natsuki handed her the leash. "I'm going to wash my face."
"Leave it to me."
Sayu stood, took the leash, and turned to cage the dog.
As she turned, Natsuki's gaze suddenly locked on her back.
So white.
Her skin gleamed almost blindingly under the lights.
Apart from the apron strings, her back was bare… Natsuki's mouth twitched. 'You're wearing only the apron?
"I picked up a manga at the con today." She caged the dog and lifted the apron hem to show him. "It said coming home like this melts all a master's fatigue."
Don't confuse a doujin with reality. After a hard day, seeing you like this isn't going to make me any less tired!
Natsuki sat at the table.
"Food first, bath after."
Sayu hummed agreement, slid in beside him, lifted a bite of food with chopsticks onto a small plate, and held it to his lips.
"Master, please enjoy."
Natsuki ate it in one bite.
"Tastes good."
"Hmph." Sayu gave a smug little hum. "Living alone, I practiced cooking every day—just for this moment."
Well, thanks for the effort.
"What would you like next?" she asked eagerly. "I'll cook."
"No need, I'll feed myself, you're too slow."
"Fine…"
Sayu rested her chin on her hands, elbows on the table, eyes shining expectantly.
Natsuki blinked.
"What are you doing?"
"A pet wants praise and hand-fed treats," she said matter-of-factly.
Natsuki sighed.
"You're not supposed to ask for your own reward."
"Pets who ask get candy," she retorted. "Otherwise you'd never notice me."
Silently, Natsuki picked up a piece of thick omelet and held it to her lips.
"Ahh~"
Sayu snapped it up, eyes curving into crescents. 'Food tastes better when Master feeds me.'
Natsuki's mouth twitched again.
"When you lived alone in that apartment, did you watch some weird stuff?"
I used to know nothing—how come you're getting better and better at this!
"Ehe~"
Sayu shut one eye and didn't answer; she let Amamiya Natsuki feed her two more bites, then sat up straight.
Amamiya Natsuki thought Sayu would eat quietly, but after a moment she suddenly gave a soft cry:
"Oops, rice fell on the floor."
Sayu set down her bowl and chopsticks and went to pick up the scattered grains.
One second passed.
Two seconds passed.
Several seconds went by and Amamiya Natsuki still didn't see Sayu sit back up. Curious, he looked and discovered Sayu had vanished.
"Where'd you go?"
"Right here."
Sayu lifted the tablecloth, poked out her pretty face, blinked innocently and said, "How strange—while I was picking up the rice it disappeared… oh, looks like it's on Master's pants."
Amamiya Natsuki: "…"
Sit properly when you eat—are you trying to stop people from finishing their meal!