DING! DING!
THANK YOU,@MÜRSEL KENAN FOR JOINING THE MEMBERSHIP.
I'M TRULY GRATEFUL.
.....
Chapter 42: Scheming with the Black-and-White Thief.
...
Fight first, then become sworn brothers.
That was how Kihara summarized today's gains.
When he returned home, however, Akane Shinjo and Rikka Takarada were nowhere to be seen.
Instead, a note lay on the table.
Because they had literally drained him unconscious, the two decided to return to their original world to "reflect on their actions"… and also give him time to recover. Daily supplies would be delivered by the little monster girl.
Kihara stared at the note, expression blank.
"…Honestly, there's no need to feel guilty."
He wasn't the grudge-holding type.
It was just getting drained unconscious.
He had absolutely zero desire for revenge.
…He just felt like he was severely lacking in love right now and had a sudden urge to go into full-on "pile driver mode" on something.
"…My wives are gone… so who's going to fill that emotional gap now?"
After a shower and calming himself down, Kihara started planning his next steps.
Priority one: money and materials.
Tomorrow:
Make a fishing rod and try fishing
Water the parsnips, Gather wood and stone while clearing the farm.Then there was something bothering him.
His cooking skill.
Normally, in Stardew Valley, skills leveled up quickly early on.
But despite cooking multiple meals.
He was still Level 0.
"…Don't tell me… I have to use ingredients I grow myself?"
That would explain everything.
"…Yeah. Still comes back to money and resources."
With a sigh, he turned off the lights and went to sleep.
Not long after—
Creak.
The window quietly opened on its own.
A pointed witch hat slowly rose into view.
Golden eyes gleamed in the darkness, scanning the room with unmistakable curiosity and mischief.
The infamous black-and-white thief of Gensokyo.
Marisa Kirisame, had arrived.
Her treasure radar was going ding ding ding.
Her gaze locked onto the glowing rectangle charging by the bedside.
"…Weird box. Looks valuable."
She slipped inside silently.
Though the house looked simple outside, the interior was filled with strange items she had never seen before, almost like discarded tech from Eientei.
As a professional thief, she took pride in both her skills and her "helpful spirit."
"This kid sleeps without locking doors or windows… clearly doesn't understand how dangerous people can be."
She nodded seriously.
"I'm just helping him build awareness!"
Convincing herself completely, she reached for the phone.
SLAP.
A hand grabbed her wrist.
Kihara 's eyes were open.
He smiled, not kindly.
"So, Miss Magician… what exactly are you doing in my room?"
"Y-Yo~! You're awake?"
Marisa laughed awkwardly.
"I saw your doors and windows weren't locked, so I came to help secure them!"
"…I see. How kind of you. I almost thought a thief broke in."
"A thief? Where? I don't see any!"
She looked around dramatically, acting righteous.
"First day in Gensokyo and someone's targeting you? Disgraceful! I'll go set up defensive magic formations right now!"
She turned to leave.
But his grip didn't budge.
"…Uh, can you let go? Men and women shouldn't touch casually."
Kihara smirked.
"The infamous black-and-white thief, Marisa Kirisame… do you really think I'm that clueless?"
…Crap.
Marisa froze like a frog caught by a snake.
"W-What do you want?"
"Perfect timing. I need a body pillow."
He grinned.
"Attempted theft. Your punishment is being my pillow for one night."
"ARE YOU CRAZY!? I'm a girl! Who jokes about their own purity like that!?"
"This is Gensokyo," Kihara said calmly.
"Where morals are worth less than dirt."
"I promise I won't do anything."
"…I'll even treat you to premium beef tomorrow."
Marisa scoffed, flicking her hat.
"Not enough. Add more."
"…Fine. A box of premium truffles too."
"Deal!"
She nodded immediately.
"Then let me change clothes first—can you let go now?"
"Sure."
The moment he released her.
She bolted for the window.
Her fingers touched her broom and she grinned smugly.
"Heh. Kid, you're still too naive."
"You said it yourself morals are worthless. Never trust a verbal agreement!"
Kihara sighed.
"…Yeah. I knew you had none."
"START UP."
Before Marisa could react.
Her vision blurred.
The next second—
She was tied up with extremely suggestive rope binding, lying in a warm bed.
Her hat and shoes were gone.
"…W-WHAT KIND OF MAGIC IS THIS!?"
Panic surged.
Was her innocence about to end here!?
The great black-and-white thief, defeated by a newcomer!?
"Guh! Just kill me!"
"Relax," Kihara said lazily.
"I won't do anything weird."
"…That doesn't make me feel better!"
"You tried to steal from me. There has to be a price."
"…Well… yeah…"
"I said I wouldn't go too far."
He paused.
"…Besides, I kind of like you."
Marisa froze.
"…What?"
"…I like your body."
"THAT MAKES IT WORSE, YOU IDIOT!!"
Ignoring her, Kihara lay down, pulled her into his arms, and covered them with the blanket.
He buried his face in her golden hair.
"…Goodnight, Miss Magician."
Marisa stiffened completely.
Surrounded by a man's presence, she barely dared to breathe.
If I move… will he turn into a wolf!?
But as time passed—
He didn't do anything.
Slowly, she relaxed.
A yawn escaped her.
"…First time sleeping like this…"
"…It's… kind of warm…"
And eventually—
She fell asleep.
In the middle of the night.
Her eyes suddenly snapped open.
Her face turned bright red.
"…Oi… are you pretending to sleep or sleepwalking!?"
She clenched her fists, trembling.
"…You're playing dirty, huh…!"
But in the end—
She could only endure it silently.
The next morning—
Under Kihara 's confused gaze.
Marisa glared at him with teary eyes.
Her legs trembled as she limped out, leaning on her broom like an old woman.
No words.
Just pure resentment.
.....
Thank you for reading.