Beyond the window, Akemi's fans had turned blue in the face and were screaming in a grand chorus.
Everyone was clawing at their faces, as if a mass hysteria had broken out.
"No… it's a lie, it's a lie, it's a lie! It's a liiiiieeeeeeeeeee!!"
"Akemi-sama giving a 'Lucky Kiss' to a guy like that…!"
"There was a rumor she kissed that garbage in the forest before, but I thought it was fake…!"
"St-stop! Get away from Akemi-sama!!"
Akemi was holding me in a firm embrace, so even if I wanted to pull away, I couldn't.
No, normally I should have been able to break free if I tried…
But the sensation was so sweet and intoxicating that I couldn't muster any strength.
It felt like my power was being sucked away—no, like a new power was being poured into me.
My cheek was being licked all over, but I had no idea what kind of expression either she or I was making right now.
Glancing sideways at the mirror on the wall, I saw Akemi with an entranced look, sucking on my cheek.
She looked like a queen spider greedily devouring her prey wrapped in silk.
I let it happen for a while, but eventually Akemi's classmates burst into the workshop and managed to pull us apart.
"Nn… I lost control of myself for a moment."
Akemi straightened her disheveled hair and uniform while pretending nothing had happened.
My cheek was covered in kiss marks. I borrowed a handkerchief and somehow wiped them off.
"W-well, I should get going now."
"Nn, wait a second. I have a favor to ask."
I answered with a bit of caution, "What is it?"
"Nfufu, you don't have to be so on guard. I want you to gather some materials needed for alchemy.
Of course, I'll reward you properly."
The "Whispering Voice Potion" Akemi had given me had been very helpful.
Since I might need her help again in the future, I didn't mind cooperating.
"What do you need?"
"Nn, let's see… Right now I want black sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, night-blooming flower petals, rotten fallen leaves, dark moss, burn-weed roots, griffon bird gizzards, goblin claws, and Leopin's claws."
"Got it. I'll collect them while exploring the forest… Wait, what did you say at the end?"
Akemi didn't change her expression at all and played dumb with "What was it again?"
"No, you definitely said Leopin's claws!? You want my claws!?"
"Ahaha, I thought if I slipped it in during the confusion, you might give them to me…"
"Are my claws on the same level as goblin claws!? What were you planning to use them for!?"
Akemi put a finger to her lips and winked seductively while saying "It's a seeecret."
Dealing with her always threw me off balance.
"Oh well," I thought, and simply said "See you later" as I tried to leave the shop.
I didn't notice that behind my back, Akemi was sticking out her tongue like a mischievous little devil…
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆
Since there didn't seem to be much else to do in the residential district in the afternoon, I decided to head back home.
On the way, my body began to glow.
--------------------------------------------------
Leopin
Job: Potter
LV: 14 → 15
HP: 2010
MP: 2010
Status
Vitality: 201
Stamina: 201
Toughness: 201
Spirit: 201
Resistance: 201
Agility: 201
Focus: 201
Strength: 201
Magic Power: 201
Divine Power: 201
Intelligence: 201
Culture: 201
Five Senses: 201
Sixth Sense: 201
Charm: 1
Luck: 5
Dexterity: 500 → 600
Jobs Available for Change
Production
Woodcutter
Appraiser
Celestial Carpenter Seres Carpenter
Stonemason
Leatherworker
Woodworker
Mana Farmer
Potter
NEW! Pastry Chef
Exploration
Ranger
Treasure Hunter
Combat
Axe Battler
Ninja
Martial Artist
Trapper
Tamer
--------------------------------------------------
"P… Pastry Chef, huh~"
When I checked the new job, I couldn't help but groan.
In pioneering, a pastry chef is a rather distant occupation.
After all, during the early stages of development, securing enough food to fill stomachs takes priority over luxury items.
It's the kind of job whose demand only increases in the later stages of pioneering, when life has more room for comfort.
"At least if it had been a cook…"
Muttering complaints, I returned home.
Mark was waiting for me as if he had been eagerly anticipating my return.
"Kuoon! Kuoon! Kuoon!"
Mark held out the pot that probably contained honey.
"What's this? Did you gather more again? Are you sharing some with me?"
"Kuoon!"
--------------------------------------------------
Honey
Quantity: 1000
Quality Level: 6 (Material Level 6)
Honey collected from a beehive.
Extremely sweet and can be used for food or medicine.
--------------------------------------------------
Inside the pot was a golden, sticky liquid.
I dipped my finger in and licked it…
A sweetness so intense it made my teeth ache spread through my mouth.
"Ah… so sweet~! I haven't eaten anything sweet in so long, it really hits hard!
Thanks, Mark!"
As I stroked Mark's belly while he lay on his back, Tom, who had been sulking nearby, suddenly stood up.
He turned away with a "Hmph" and disappeared into the forest.
A short while later, he returned with a bundle of grass and flowers in his mouth.
It was a plant with small flowers and pod-like fruits.
He dropped it at my feet with a proud look.
--------------------------------------------------
Black Sesame
Quantity: 30
Quality Level: 2 (Material Level 2)
Wild black sesame.
The seeds can be used for food or oil.
--------------------------------------------------
"Oh!? Black sesame! Where did you find this!? Akemi just asked me for some!"
Tom immediately lay down and wriggled around as if saying "Pet me."
I had started worrying about what to feed my pets after getting them, but…
"To think you'd bring me food…! You're amazing, both of you!"
"Kuoon!" "Pyaa!"