Chapter 45
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: 11. Child-Friendly Date (3)
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After finishing our meal, we hurried off to the next item on our 'date imitation' agenda.
Personally speaking, now that lunch was out of the way, I would've loved to just lounge somewhere leisurely. But unfortunately, Neria was the one calling the shots.
And the reference material she was drawing from? Some pure love romance erotic novel that was unmistakably targeted at women.
Needless to say, there was no mention of kicking back and relaxing in it.
Well, it's an erotic novel at the end of the day. If it was packed with that kind of stuff, it'd be pretty underwhelming.
I get it.
"Where's a clothing store? You know, Nam Dowon?"
"You mean clothes?"
"In the story, the hero gives the heroine a dress. But realistically, that's tough, so I figured we'd hit up any old shop."
"There are small shops scattered around, but I haven't exactly memorized them..."
I hadn't read the whole thing, but it was probably some story about a fancy noble young master showering a woman with gifts.
Anyway, I figured we'd spot a clothing store soon enough since I'd seen plenty while walking around the area.
And sure enough, just as that thought crossed my mind, one came into view.
Judging by the few pieces displayed outside, it looked like they sold everyday clothes rather than flowy dresses.
I checked with Neria beside me and got the OK, so we went ahead and stepped inside without much fuss.
About ten minutes later, we emerged with a single t-shirt for Neria in hand.
It was a plain, solid-color one that would blend seamlessly into her usual baggy, unkempt routine.
"Satisfied now?"
"Eh. Still not feeling that thrill."
"I see..."
"Ugh... What do I gotta do to have even better sex with you..."
"......"
In other words, she planned to try out the other things from the novel too.
And my nagging intuition that these hunches never missed the mark was spot on—Neria started working through the list one by one, starting with simple shopping and moving on to the rest.
The second item on the agenda? A stroll.
In the novel, it was probably some lovey-dovey segment where they whispered sweet nothings and flirted like crazy.
But in reality? It was just walking. Basically exercise, nothing more.
In the end, Neria deemed it 'unsuitable' and moved on.
Third up: the movies.
It was a theater play in the novel, but Neria figured that wouldn't suit her tastes and would be a total snooze, so we pivoted to a movie theater instead.
Maybe it was because there weren't any good films playing these days, but the results were dismal.
It took about thirty minutes of half-watching before Neria dozed off on my shoulder.
After the movie ended, she stretched contentedly and declared it 'unsuitable' as well.
So there I was, stepping out of the theater with an empty popcorn bucket in hand.
"Neria."
"What?"
Right in front of me.
I cautiously asked Neria, who was skimming through the web novel to plot our next move.
"Mind if I ask you something?"
"...If it's about remembering the movie? It was so boring I wiped it from my brain. Yeah. And I wasn't just dozing off—I was thinking with my eyes closed. Maybe swap out the keyboard or— And..."
"No, that's not what I wanted to ask."
"Th-then what?"
"Isn't all this experimenting you're doing... to make mana recharging sex feel even better?"
"...Pretty much, yeah?"
She wanted the best possible sex since we were doing it anyway.
She'd tried cuddling to feel that fluttery excitement and mimicking stuff from the novel.
She'd said as much herself.
Remembering that, I tossed my trash in a bin and continued.
"So as long as it feels good, anything goes?"
"...Huh?"
"I'm saying it doesn't have to be that thrilling flutter."
If it was just about good sex, there was no need to tire ourselves out wandering around like this.
Neria tilted her head at my offhand suggestion.
"It doesn't have to be a total must, but shouldn't it at least be thrilling to count as good? Like... a buff in a game?"
"That's a very witch-like take."
"What? Doing it with someone you're not feeling anything for versus someone who makes your heart race—obviously the latter's way better for mana recharging. I thought that was just common sense."
She crossed her arms under her chest and looked up at me with an expression that said, Am I wrong?
Meeting her pale blue-green eyes, I lowered my voice.
"You're right. It's common sense. Sex with someone who thrills you feels way better—not just for women, but men too."
"Then why ask if it has to be thrilling? You goldfish?"
"Not because I'm a goldfish. I just figured the order might be backward."
"...What?"
"You might not feel anything at first, but after enjoying good sex, those thrilling feelings could develop over time."
"......"
Since we were at a movie theater exit, there were people around.
I kept my voice low enough to blend into the murmurs.
"Nam Dowon, that's just code for 'let's skip home and screw right now'..."
"Wait, Neria..."
"Perverted bastard, die, die...!"
Unlike our team leader, Neria actually knew the meaning of shame—just like back at the restaurant.
She cranked her volume down to a whisper so no one else could hear, pondered my words for a second, then punished me with light punches to the shoulder.
...Which drew glances from passersby, so she finally played it cool and tucked her fists into her coat pockets.
That was the same shoulder she'd been napping on just moments ago. Is this how you repay the favor?
Neria kept her mouth shut tight all the way to the elevator at the theater exit. Only once we were in a quieter spot did she grill me again.
"...Take back the 'die.' I'd have to do it three times more with some other guy. I'll let you live for now."
"Thank you."
"So..., ...that thing you said while tossing the trash."
"......"
"Explain it again so I get it."
"An explanation... Hm..."
It wasn't really something that needed explaining.
Why else would there be sayings like 'sex first, love later'?
Or 'sex chemistry,' 'soulmates in bed'?
Starting as casual sex partners from mild interest and evolving into something deeper and more intense? That happens all the time in everyday life.
But Neria standing there with a sulky look didn't seem convinced at all.
How do I explain this so she'll go, Oh, I guess so?
If I brought up sex chemistry now, she'd probably kick my shin instead of my shoulder...
"...Ah."
As I rubbed my chin in thought, a little idea sparked.
On the way back to Neria's place.
Sitting side by side in the back of the taxi, Neria held my smartphone and muttered,
"...You keep stuff like this saved on your phone, huh?"
"......"
A ton of erotic novels stored inside.
To be more precise, Neria was scrolling through a bunch that our team leader Eve had personally written.
"Not judging or anything. It's just so you."
"......"
"Yeah. Figures a guy from the Rehabilitation Support Department would be this shady and perverted..."
"......"
"Still, I vaguely remember the guys in the guild chatting about how dudes usually have a bunch of naughty pics in their gallery..."
"......"
"Kinda more perverted than a pure love fanboy should be, though..."
Fabricating a perfect backstory for how they ended up on my phone would've been tricky, so I opted to take a small hit to my reputation.
No way she'd believe 'Our team leader wrote these herself while skimping on sleep to make side dishes for me.'
When I said they were just hot ones I picked up browsing the internet, she nodded like, That tracks.
As she methodically checked the titles from top to bottom, she sighed and elbowed me.
"Folder name's all professional like it's work files, using your own name and everything. Jeez..."
"Anyway, Neria, it's fine to browse overall, but what I asked was..."
"I know. You wanted me to read this one? Delinquent Junior... Whatever, this one."
A tale about getting blackmailed by a thuggish junior and getting railed like a dog.
Obviously, the title was straight from team leader Eve.
And another obvious thing.
I hadn't gotten permission from the team leader to show Neria.
Probably... yeah.
...As long as I don't get caught.
It'll be fine.
"Should I pull over here?"
"Ah, thanks. You've had a long drive."
"......"
That embarrassment had me scrambling out of the cab like my life depended on it, while Neria next to me was utterly relaxed.
"......"
"......Hoo..."
The same went for the walk from the roadside into her apartment complex.
This witch leisurely scrolled through my phone, taking slow, frustrating steps.
...Was she so into the team leader's erotic novel that she was glued to it?
Come to think of it, I'd heard Neria liked games but also reading novels as a hobby.
Though judging by her somewhat indifferent expression, it didn't seem like a perfect match for her tastes.
Probably something like, It's not my thing, but since you asked, I'll read it.
Or maybe there was another reason.
Curiosity got the better of me, so I asked.
"What do you think so far?"
"...Eh. No sexy scenes yet. I'll read a bit more."
"...Got it."
Fair enough—we'd only been at it for about ten minutes since the cab.
She'd just passed the very beginning.
I left her to it and walked her to her front door.
...And even then.
Neria kept reading the team leader's erotic novel.
"......"
Beep. B beep. Beep beep.
I followed her inside as she unlocked the door lock while shielding the screen with her body.
A slightly warmer air than outside—honestly, not much difference—brushed my face.
"Pardon the intrusion."
"......"
The only luggage was that one t-shirt from the store.
If it were mine, I'd try it on right away and decide, but since it was for Neria, I set it on the living room sofa for now.
She still seemed busy reading the novel.
"Dinner plans?"
"...Dunno. Something simple."
"I'll check the ingredients then. Probably got some..."
"......Yeah."
We'd snacked on popcorn midway, but this was a rare outing for her, so she might be hungry.
Whipping up dinner could rack up some easy points.
Oh, those old praise coupons from before—still valid?
Probably meaningless now.
Even as I poked around the kitchen, Neria was glued to the novel, fidgeting.
"......"
"......"
...She was still sprawled on the sofa devouring the erotic novel when I came back with water.
I handed her a glass of cold water, and only then did her eyes flick to me briefly.
"...Thanks."
Literally just briefly.
A few seconds at most.
She handed back the half-full glass and flopped sideways on the sofa, continuing to read.
Same witch.
From the same woman.
The team leader's erotic novel.
"......"
...At least she seemed focused now, not indifferent.
I stepped away to avoid disturbing her.