Chapter 79
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: 20. I Absolutely Do Not Have That Kind of Taste (3)
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Maybe you actually do have that kind of taste.
Before you stake your honor on it and declare it so emphatically, why not mull it over a bit more...
Besides, once you actually try it, it might feel surprisingly good, you know.
"Hmm. Nothing immediately comes to mind."
"...That's really strange. Then what on earth was that earlier...?"
I pondered a few words of advice for Dorothy but ultimately held them back, opting for a businesslike response instead.
Right now, Dorothy was busy denying it so vehemently.
Besides, I figured it was better to start with words that would please her ears rather than dousing her with cold water right away.
Poking her with harsh facts—as they say—didn't feel right just yet.
Well-behaved pets that listen obediently and act cute have always been adored throughout history, East or West.
Thanks to that, I had a rough goal in mind.
"Maybe it's the influence of your first field trip experience today. Don't worry too much about it."
For now, become the gorilla that unconditionally empathizes with Dorothy's words.
Fortunately, flattering someone wasn't all that hard.
"That does seem the most likely, but it's still baffling all the same. Just thinking about having sex with you still gives me chills."
As we exchanged a few short words, the elevator arrived.
I stepped aside first, as if inviting her to board, and Dorothy gracefully entered with an air of natural poise.
She went to the left rear corner, as far inside as possible, and propped her chin on her hand, lost in thought.
...That said, there's one problem.
Even if this is a luxury apartment, an elevator is still an elevator.
It's a narrow space by any measure, so is it really okay to ride together?
I hesitated for a moment.
"Stop reading the mood and get in already. I've shared elevators plenty of times with men inferior to you."
"...Thank you."
Even so, I maintained a safe distance and stood at the opposite side.
The right corner by the door, diagonally across from her spot in the inner left corner.
For companions traveling together, it was a rather awkward position.
"......"
"......"
As the doors closed and the elevator began to move, an awkward silence settled between us once more.
It was exactly like the one we'd felt in front of the front door just moments ago.
Now, crammed into this confined space, I could almost understand what claustrophobia felt like, even if just a tiny bit.
So, I squeezed my eyes shut tight and then opened them.
It wouldn't be polite to pull out my smartphone in front of a witch lady, after all.
"......?"
When I did, my view had shifted slightly.
...Not like I was suddenly flying over a rainbow on magic or anything.
Dorothy, who had been tucked firmly into the corner, was now standing noticeably closer.
And she was even looking up at me with those emotionless violet eyes.
Honestly, I was a little startled.
It was a good thing Dorothy was stunningly beautiful; otherwise, I might have made a ridiculous face in surprise.
"Wh-what's going on, Dorothy?"
"Your recent experience has left me so puzzled that I suddenly want to run a test. Would you mind cooperating?"
"Ah... If it's a request from you, Dorothy, of course I'll cooperate..."
"Thank you."
A test?
I tilted my head, not fully grasping it, when Dorothy pulled her mask down slightly and hooked it over her chin.
Then she grabbed my wrist without warning.
This wrist—the one she'd rated as plump like an earthworm just a few days ago.
"Are you testing if your senses have changed?"
"That's part of it. ...It feels a bit better, but it's still disgusting and nauseating all the same. At least there's some slight progress."
"Aha."
"Even when you grabbed my hips earlier, it wasn't as unpleasant as I'd expected."
Good news.
But according to Dorothy, this was just incidental.
What she really wanted to test was something else.
I wondered what it could be, so I waited with an awkward smile, and soon Dorothy began gently tugging my wrist.
While backing toward the elevator corner, no less.
"Would you come a bit closer?"
"...Closer?"
"Yes. Closer. Approach me until I ask you to stop."
That was easy. What could be the problem with just taking a few steps?
But since the other person was Dorothy, it still made me nervous...
"...Understood."
She wasn't some psychopath apprentice witch.
She wouldn't command me and then beat me up with magic if the results didn't please her.
As per Dorothy's request, I inched closer to her, waddling awkwardly.
"......"
"......"
Current distance: one step.
Still far enough to take in Dorothy's full figure at a glance.
"Is this good?"
"...A bit ambiguous. I'm grateful you're mindful of my discomfort, but since this is a test, feel free to be bolder."
"Wh-what if you really feel like throwing up...?"
"I know a good cleaning service."
"......"
"Just treat me like any ordinary woman."
Could it really be solved that simply? Well...
In the end, I stepped a little closer to Dorothy.
"......"
"......"
Current distance: a handspan.
Now, Dorothy's toes were getting cut off at the edge of my vision.
...Blocked by her breasts.
"Dorothy, doesn't this look a bit off?"
"You mean the picture we're making?"
"If the elevator CCTV catches this, it'll look like I'm doing something really shady. Like cornering a woman and going 'Heh heh heh'... you know?"
"I've already concealed it with illusion magic. No need to worry."
"It fools machines too?"
"Simply put, illusions divide into perception manipulation and spatial manipulation types... but this doesn't seem like the time for a magic lesson."
"S-sorry."
Magic sure is convenient in all sorts of ways.
Is that why Dorothy used it so practically at the cafe, like with her doppelganger?
With that brief aside, I pinned her against the elevator corner.
"......"
"......"
Current distance: one breath.
If Dorothy leaned toward me even slightly, her breasts would brush against me easily.
"...Hmm."
"......"
Dorothy's relaxed exhale brushed against me.
A short breath that merely pressed lightly against my clothes before dissipating.
But that meant Dorothy could feel my own breath, which I was barely holding back right now.
What was she trying to learn by getting this close?
Was it simply a disgust tolerance test?
As I grew confused, an incongruous sound pierced the space between us.
*Ding.*
The chime signaling we'd reached the first floor.
"Already at the first floor."
"Y-yeah. Seems so."
"The test is about done. Let's get off."
Fortunately, no residents saw this ridiculous scene.
I let out a stiff breath of relief as I stepped into the first-floor lobby.
Dorothy followed, pulling her mask back up.
She adjusted her fluffy scarf and spoke.
"I was wondering if I really had a taste for submitting to a male down there, but the results are quite reassuring."
"...Is that so?"
So that's what that was roughly testing.
Her word choice was so blunt that I flinched for a moment.
"Yes. Of course, it's too early to say for sure, but from what I see, you don't even have the slightest tendency. If you did, there would have been some female reaction just now."
"Female... reaction, huh..."
"Like looking up to the male and getting wet down there."
"......"
"Fortunately, I'm fine this time. Now I feel refreshed."
...Did she deliberately use such crude words to affirm her denial more firmly?
Plus, even though no one was around right now, this wasn't really something to say outside...
Dorothy finished her clear pronunciation with relish and pulled out her smartphone, looking somehow relieved.
She seemed to be checking the time.
So, the empathy gorilla could only nod and say it was a relief.
But inwardly tilting his head, I exited the apartment building.
The piercing winter wind howled outside, proudly proclaiming that it was truly midwinter now.
If it was like this even in broad daylight, what would nights be like?
I straightened my coat and asked Dorothy, who had followed me out, about our destination.
"Any plans after this?"
"Not sure."
"No need to head back to your dorm?"
"The illusion I set up in my dorm should be performing well enough. Complex illusions drain a lot of mana, but one of me just sleeping in bed because I'm not feeling well is great value."
Ah, so that's how she slipped out.
It was such a Dorothy-like solution that I nodded, and she drew a V with her fingers while lightly shaking her smartphone.
"Besides, I'm a pretty important trainee, aren't I? Unless it's a huge scandal that hits the internet, the higher-ups would cover for minor slips."
"Aha..."
"So, I can go along with you, Nam Dowon. Any good ideas for recharging my mana?"
"......"
Good ideas.
I couldn't say it with full confidence, but I did have a suggestion.
"What do you think about my place...?"
"...Don't tell me you're actually going to do what Neria suggested? Take me to your house and just pounce or whatever...?"
"N-no, not pouncing, but I do think we should test it thoroughly."
"What do you mean?"
"That weird reaction you had earlier, Dorothy—it's been bothering me."
"...The position like dogs mating. You want to try that again."
"That's my thought. Of course, if it makes you uncomfortable, I won't push it."
"Hmm."
Dorothy cast her gaze downward briefly, pondering.
Soon, she met my eyes directly again and answered.
"Very well. Elimination is key to finding the right answer, so I'll cooperate."
"Thank you, Dorothy."
"Besides, it's just pretending to mount me from behind and thrust a few times. The verification will be over quick, so no reason not to."
"Then after that, we can address whatever you're curious about in the remaining time..."
"Remaining time? It'll probably leave a ton since it ends in 10 seconds—no, 3. We should make a list of things to do on the way..."
"Mm, then Dorothy, how about somethi—"
"Not bad..."
.
.
.