Chapter 59: Yume Minami: "It's so hot… what did you make me drink!?"
...
Kihara decided that, compared to raising his hero rank, fixing Yume Minami's mental state was far more important.
He had no intention of living with a "walking time bomb" who could explode at any moment.
After thinking it through, he realized the problem might actually be his fault.
Lately, he'd been too focused on going out and fighting monsters to level up, and hadn't given Yume enough attention—causing her "condition" to worsen.
Girls like her tended to be extremely sensitive. Like a switch between "purple melancholy" and "pink excitement," even the slightest trigger could send them spiraling.
After some thought, Kihara walked over and crouched beside the sofa, where Yume was lying like a lazy fish.
"Yume… want to go out somewhere?"
She glanced up from her phone, gave him a strange look, then went back to scrolling.
"Sure. But why now? Haven't you been busy hunting monsters in Z-City lately?"
Kihara, a self-proclaimed master of interpreting galgame dialogue, immediately decoded her words:
She's expressing dissatisfaction… and wants to go to Z-City.
"Alright then, since you want to go to Z-City, let's head out. Want to buy some clothes while we're at it?"
"…When did I say I wanted to go to Z-City?"
Yume felt like he had misunderstood something—but she couldn't be bothered to correct him. She simply nodded.
"Fine. Let's go."
Kihara looked her over.
"Wait… you've been wearing that outfit for three weeks straight. Aren't you going to change?"
"I do change when you're not home. If you don't believe me—smell it!"
Instead of offering her sleeve like a normal person, she lifted her leg.
Her long, slender thigh—wrapped in black 60D tights—was extended right in front of him.
Her toes curled slightly under the fabric, faintly revealing their shape, while the elegant curve of her foot formed a dangerously suggestive arc.
…Was she seriously testing him?
Kihara immediately noticed her right hand hidden behind the sofa.
No doubt—if he actually leaned in, she'd probably pull out a knife.
He smacked her leg away with a straight face.
"Who wants to smell your feet? I'm not some weirdo. If you're not changing, let's go."
"Whose feet are you calling smelly!?"
Yume flushed red with anger, completely offended, and almost wanted to shove her foot into his face just to prove a point—but he had already walked off.
They got on the motorcycle.
Still annoyed, Yume only held onto the edge of his shirt with one hand.
As the engine roared to life, the sudden acceleration nearly threw her backward.
"Ahh—!"
Panicking, she immediately wrapped both arms around his waist, pressing herself against him.
Coach! She's tackling me with full force!
Z-City
Despite its reputation, Z-City's center was still bustling thanks to the presence of many heroes.
Before Kihara could ask what kind of clothes she wanted, Yume suddenly grabbed his hand and dragged him into a shop.
Only then did he notice the sign:
"Gumi Gumi COS Shop."
"…???"
"Wait here."
Yume quickly disappeared into the changing room with an outfit.
About five minutes later, she peeked her head out, clutching the curtain tightly.
"Kihara… come here."
"Alright."
As soon as he stepped closer, she suddenly pulled him inside.
"Whoa—!?"
Caught off guard, Kihara froze.
Standing before him was Yume.
Wearing a black-and-white maid outfit.
Her face was slightly flushed as she fidgeted, hands clasped in front of her.
"S-so… how is it? Does it look good?"
"It does… but why are you buying a maid outfit?"
"You said I don't have many clothes. I can just wear it at home when I'm bored."
"…Fair enough. If you like it, then buy it."
"..."
"Why aren't you changing back?"
Yume stared at him like he was an idiot.
"How am I supposed to change with you standing here?"
"Oh. Right. Sorry."
After buying the maid outfit, she picked out a few more clothes (without showing him), then they went to a normal clothing store and bought three casual outfits.
Once they were done, she immediately dragged him back to the parking area.
"That's it? Done shopping already?"
"Yeah. Let's go home. I'm tired."
Kihara secretly sighed in relief.
He wasn't good at shopping with girls.
…Though if it were Rikka or Akane, that would be different. He could spend all day with them.
Girlfriend shopping and normal girl shopping were two completely different experiences.
Yume rushed into her room with the bags.
Not long after, she came out again.
Wearing the maid outfit.
She lifted her skirt slightly and spun in front of him.
"Seeing a high school girl in a maid outfit at home… doesn't it feel pretty satisfying?"
Kihara calmly replied:
"That's a short skirt, not a long one. You might not want to do that next time."
"Ah—!"
She quickly pressed down her skirt, face turning red.
"H-how much did you see?"
"…Light purple lace."
"…Aren't you supposed to say you didn't see anything!?"
"A gentleman is honest. I saw it, so I saw it. Now go change."
"I refuse!"
"Go."
He pushed her back into the room and immediately retreated to the kitchen.
Yume peeked through the door crack.
She watched as Kihara quietly took out a small pink packet and poured powder into a glass of water, stirring it quickly.
"…Wait… is he finally making a move?"
Her heart started racing.
After a long internal struggle—logic vs emotion—
Emotion won.
After everything he'd done for her…
She decided to trust him.
When she walked out, Kihara immediately waved.
"Yume, come here! You must be thirsty—have some water."
"…Okay."
She took the glass, looked at him, and drank it all in one go.
A moment later—
A burning heat exploded from her stomach.
"Hot…! What… did you give me!?"
Kihara flashed a bright smile.
"Hot water… with extremely spicy chili powder."
"AAAAAAAHHHH!!! I'LL KILL YOU!!!"
Breathing fire like a demon, Yume lunged at him.
...
Thank you for reading.