Sizzle sizzle sizzle.
Waves of heat radiated outward, carried by the wind toward Hayato. The smell of burnt flesh intensified one last time before beginning to fade. He quickly retreated, putting distance between himself and the dying creature.
"Sensei, it's done."
Hayato smiled and made a reassuring gesture, signaling that he'd successfully eliminated the threat. His hand formed a thumbs-up.
Relief washed over Tachibana's face as she smiled back, the tension finally leaving her body.
In that moment, her heart finally settled. The fear that had been coiled tight in her chest loosened all at once, leaving her almost lightheaded.
"We're... finally safe."
Without Hayato, Tachibana knew she never would've escaped that monster. The thought of being burned into charred remains filled her with visceral horror. As a woman, she couldn't accept the idea of becoming something so grotesque and hideous. The image alone made her stomach turn.
"Thank you so much, Hayato-kun."
"Don't worry about it. Consider the unagi don you bought me earlier."
"That's completely different. Treating you to dinner and you saving my life tonight are two separate things."
Tachibana thought about how to properly thank him. A meal wasn't enough. Not even close.
Meanwhile, Hayato heard the mechanical notification from the Death Game, cold and impersonal in his mind.
[Possessed abnormal entity confirmed eliminated.]
[Reality standard mission complete.]
[Reward 1: 750 game points. (Blessing 'Point Split' effect +50% bonus)]
[Reward 2: 100 experience points]
You may now use experience to increase your game character level, gaining higher permissions and unlocking additional game functions.
[Reward 3: White quality item x1]
The notification ended. Hayato dismissed it for now and focused on checking Tachibana's condition.
"Sensei, why don't we go to my apartment and take care of your injuries first?"
Even through her stockings, he could tell the soles of her feet were scraped raw and bleeding. Dark stains had spread through the fabric.
"Well..."
"Or I can take you to the nearest hospital to treat the wounds, then buy you some shoes."
That actually helped Tachibana decide.
"Let's go to your place."
She was worried about being seen by more people if Hayato had to carry her to a hospital. Too embarrassing. How would she explain her condition? The torn stockings? The lack of shoes?
"Alright."
"But are we really out of that strange looping space?"
Tachibana looked around but couldn't detect any obvious environmental changes. Everything looked the same.
"We'll know after walking a bit."
Hayato once again carried Tachibana on his back, feeling the comfortable softness of her body against him as he walked forward step by step. His hands supported her legs, careful not to jostle her injured feet.
Soon enough, the sound of honking cars drifted from the distance. Occasional headlights swept across distant intersections. Occasionally, a cat's meow pierced the night, followed by the rustle of something moving through the bushes.
Tachibana understood. They were truly safe now. Back in the real world.
Thank goodness.
They'd escaped death.
She let out a huge sigh of relief, the breath shaky and long.
Several minutes later, Hayato arrived back at his apartment with Tachibana still on his back.
CLICK.
After entering, he set her down on the edge of the bed and began searching the apartment for medical supplies. Drawers opened and closed, cabinets checked.
"Sensei, I don't think I have iodine or cotton swabs here. I'll run to the nearby convenience store and pick some up. I'll get you slippers too while I'm at it. What size?"
"36."
"Got it. Let me change real quick."
His clothes were covered in black soot marks across the chest and sleeves. He looked like he'd been rolling in ash.
Hayato pulled off his outer layer and tossed it on the floor, grabbed a windbreaker from the closet, and headed out.
CLICK.
With the door closing, the small apartment fell into silence. The kind of quiet that felt almost too loud.
Tachibana looked around curiously, taking in her surroundings with fresh eyes.
"A high school boy's solo apartment..."
It wasn't nearly as messy or smelly as books and media made her expect. No dirty dishes piled up. No mysterious odors. No questionable posters on the walls.
Just from the apartment's cleanliness, Tachibana could tell Hayato maintained good daily habits.
The only issue was... this, probably.
Tachibana spotted the discarded clothes on the floor. After thinking for a moment, she stood up and carefully made her way over on tiptoe, wincing with each step. She picked up the garment to hang it on the rack.
Something fell from the pocket, fluttering lightly to the floor.
Her gaze landed on the item. Instantly, embarrassment colored her cheeks, heat rushing to her face.
A condom.
Hayato carried condoms with him. The discovery inevitably made Tachibana's imagination run wild. Her mind conjured scenarios she immediately tried to dismiss.
"Boys at that age... It's normal."
"Carrying protection actually shows Hayato-kun is being responsible. That's a good thing. This is... a good thing."
Face burning, she crouched down, picked up the wrapper, and slipped it into her own pocket. Her fingers trembled slightly.
"But regardless, academics should be the priority."
Tachibana felt she needed to properly guide Hayato, help him understand that for the sake of his future, he should focus more energy on his studies.
Now she didn't dare touch anything else in this high school boy's apartment, afraid she might discover more surprising items. Like magazines. Those kinds of magazines. Better not to know.
Still, he's taking a while. When will Hayato-kun get back?
Ten minutes later, Hayato returned, carrying a convenience store bag.
He crouched in front of Tachibana and carefully began removing her black stockings. His movements were gentle, trying not to pull too hard.
"Mm..."
The movement apparently tugged at her wounds. Tachibana's hands instinctively gripped the bedding, fingers digging into the fabric. A soft sound escaped her lips.
At that moment, Hayato's gaze fell on her smooth, delicate feet. Under the apartment's soft white lighting, her skin gleamed like jade, reflecting a subtle, alluring sheen. Refined as porcelain. The sight was unexpectedly captivating.
Tachibana trembled slightly, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks. Her eyes unconsciously looked away, focusing on the wall instead.