Chapter 338: Another Person Who Likes Peaches
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 338: Another Person Who Likes Peaches
After waiting in a long line, we finally made it into the Momo-nim merchandise store.
The place was filled mostly with young women, but I browsed the goods alongside Renka and Chinami.
As if to prove the character's immense popularity, all sorts of items were on display.
There were basic products like dolls of various sizes, cups, tumblers, postcards, and notebooks, as well as daily necessities like shampoo and body wash.
Impressive. But I was still dismayed by the lack of an Ahegao Momo-nim.
Does the demand from perverts not count as demand?
This is something I'll have to protest.
I glanced at Chinami, who was frantically picking out items, then nudged Renka, who was just observing the products with her arms crossed.
"Captain, didn't Momo-nim get an anime, too?"
"It did."
"Then why aren't you a Momo-nim fan?"
"Hey...! Do I have to like every single anime?"
"If it's you, Captain, then of course you do."
"What a narrow-minded view. So like you."
"Narrow-minded? Are you one to talk?"
"And why can't I?"
The way she defiantly tilted her chin up was pretty.
Did she think I wouldn't be able to do anything since we were in a public place?
If so, Renka had made a huge miscalculation.
Tap.
Without caring who was watching, I placed a hand near the skirt of Renka's uniform.
"Heek...?!"
Startled, she frantically looked around.
Fortunately for her, no one seemed to have noticed.
Relieved, Renka shot daggers at me with her eyes.
"What do you think you're doing, you psycho...!"
It's the same pattern every time, but it's always fun.
I chuckled and patted the top of her buttocks a couple of times as a warning not to mess with me, then walked over to Chinami, who was filling her basket to the brim.
"Are you buying all of that?"
"Yes. There are a lot of new products."
"Do you even have room for it all? I bet your room is already packed with Momo-nim stuff."
"I bought a new display shelf just for this day. Surprisingly, Renka has a good eye for that sort of thing, so she helped me out."
Renka doesn't have a good eye for storage, she just knows what's good because she's deep into subculture...
I still don't get why she's hiding her subculture hobbies from Chinami.
Chinami would definitely keep it a secret and would be understanding about it.
Not that it matters, since she'll find out naturally once we all start living together anyway.
With that thought, I pointed to a package in her basket.
"What's that?"
"Ah, this is peach powder."
"Is it for making iced tea or something? Or for sprinkling on popcorn?"
"No. It's a powder you sprinkle on fruit."
"...Excuse me? On fruit?"
"Yes. They say if you sprinkle it on things like strawberries or oranges, it instantly dissolves and makes them taste like peaches."
Why the hell did the Momo-nim company make something like this?
Did they run out of merchandise ideas and just decide to make whatever?
The world is going crazy. I suddenly feel the urge to have a sincere discussion with their development team.
"It's made from actual peaches, so I think it'll make even real peaches taste sweeter. I'll bring some tomorrow so we can try it together."
I forced an awkward smile at Chinami's words and nodded.
"Sure. Let's do that."
"Okay."
I noticed Renka staring at us with an incredibly anxious look in her eyes.
Proof that she had a premonition she would be the first test subject for the peach powder.
It seemed she, too, was suspicious of this unknown substance.
Still, it was funny how, kind-hearted as she was, she was already planning to eat it if offered.
After buying all her merchandise, Chinami stuffed it into her bag until it was bulging.
Even that wasn't enough, and she was left holding two large shopping bags.
I helped her by taking the bags and led the two of them to the car.
Chinami said she'd be right back from the restroom, leaving her bag behind as she headed for the subway station. As I watched her go, I spoke with Renka.
"Captain, you can sit in the back."
"Me?"
"Yes. The person who gets off first should sit in the back."
"No... I mean, I don't care where I sit... but Chinami's house is closer, so why are you dropping me off first? You're planning to do something weird to Chinami after I leave, aren't you...!"
"Something weird? Like what, specifically?"
"H-How can you expect me to say it out loud...!"
Is this déjà vu? I feel like I'm replaying a memory of this exact conversation.
Renka seemed to be thinking the same thing, as she pressed her pink-tinted lips tightly together.
"You always say the same things, Captain."
"...That's because you say the same things first..."
"That's true. Should we try something different from now on?"
"S-Something different...?"
"How about it?"
"I... don't really want to..."
"I'll take that as a yes, then."
"When did I agree! I said I didn't want to!"
"Just get in."
"No! I'm taking the train with Chinami...!"
I silently opened the back door and gestured with my chin, looking back and forth between Renka and the seat.
Pouting, she mumbled something under her breath, then carefully got into the car, mindful of her skirt.
She was going to get in anyway. Always saying things she doesn't mean.
It seems the memory of her "service" has completely vanished. I'll have to raise the intensity and do it again soon.
* * *
"Isn't it heavy?"
"Nope. I'm just holding them, so it's not that hard."
"I'm sorry. I feel like I'm just causing trouble."
"Trouble? Don't say that."
"Okay. Thank you."
We were in the elevator of the apartment building where Chinami lived.
As I helped her with her shopping bags, I saw a look of apology on her face.
Our Chinami is so kind. It makes me anxious to send her out into this harsh world alone.
"Master."
"Yes?"
"You know I really like you, right?"
"Myaah...?!"
At my sudden confession, Chinami covered her face with her small hands.
She was just dripping with cuteness. The strap of the pink bag she was wearing seemed to amplify that cuteness even more.
Her reaction brought a fatherly smile to my face as I said, "Looks like we're here. Shall we get off?"
"Ye-Yes...!"
Chinami scurried to my side. I held out a hand, and after a moment of hesitation, she took it, her eyes filled with embarrassment.
I interlocked my fingers with hers, and we walked to the front door of her apartment in a sweet, budding atmosphere.
"Well... I guess it's time to part..."
"I guess so."
"See you tomorrow..."
"Yeah, see you."
We were saying our goodbyes, but neither of us let go of the other's hand.
This is how Chinami expresses her subtle stubbornness—through her actions.
She's better at expressing her desires than Renka.
As I was thinking this, watching Chinami's face flush like a peach, the door suddenly opened.
Click.
A woman with pink, bobbed hair that curled at the ends and reached her shoulders stepped out.
"Chinami? You're back... oh?"
She was petite and cute, with a very gentle voice.
The moment I saw her in her apron, I knew exactly who she was.
It would be strange not to, seeing as she looked exactly like Chinami.
"Who...?"
She tilted her head adorably. I bowed deeply.
"Hello. My name is Matsuda Ken."
"Aha...! So you're Matsuda-kun?"
"Yes. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Hello. I'm Nanase Momoka."
She suddenly switched to formal speech and bowed back.
So Chinami gets her quirkiness from her mother.
Her voice was wonderful—girlish, yet with a hint of maturity somewhere within.
I bet this is exactly what Chinami will be like when she's older.
Her appearance was just as I'd imagined.
A small frame that made you want to protect her, squirrel-like chubby cheeks just like Chinami's, and pink, pink eyes...
Why are the heroines' mothers always beautiful and young-looking?
Who established that cliché?
The temptation of a mother-daughter donburi was creeping up on me again.
I haven't met him yet, but what if Chinami's father is quirky too...?
If he's that eccentric, wouldn't he also be into loser masturbation?
To achieve my dream of a harem, I'll have to talk to all four of their parents anyway. Instead of taking a submissive approach, wouldn't it be easier to win over the mothers?
Of course, that would create four victims, but based on utilitarianism, the picture of them being sacrificed for the happiness of eight... no, nine people, including Kana, doesn't seem so bad.
As for the husbands, maybe sending them a USB with a video of their wives every now and then would be fine...?
Shaking off the wicked thought that had momentarily crossed my mind, I bowed once more to the prettily smiling Momoka.
Then I spoke.
"It's a true pleasure to meet you. I came to drop Nanase-senpai off."
"Is that so? Thank you. Chinami talks about you so much... you seem very dependable."
She says the same thing as Midori.
As expected, heroines' mothers are quick to trust the protagonist.
"Thank you."
"Have you eaten?"
"Yes. The three of us, including Inoo-senpai, had a simple meal."
"Oh? In that case, would you like some fruit?"
The fruit is definitely going to be peaches, right?
"No, thank you. I'll have some next time. It's getting late, and I have to move my car since I parked on the side of the road."
"I see. Well, you must come over next time. I'll prepare some delicious peaches for you."
I knew it.
The more I looked at her, the more I listened to her voice, the more I thought she was exactly like Chinami.
When we have sex, would she also kick her feet and beg me to hold her, just like her daughter?
Just imagining it sent a rush of blood to my lower body.
I replied that I would, then bowed to Chinami, who was blinking her large eyes, and to her mother.
Then,
"Get home safely."
"Goodbye."
The two of them said their farewells to me in perfect unison.
Seeing such a cute sight keeps stirring up wicked thoughts in me. Should I really be holding back?
The thought of just surrendering my body to pleasure feels intensely appealing.
Suppressing the temptation, I left the apartment building, went home, and took a cold shower.
Afterward, I lay spread-eagled on my futon and called Miyuki.
—Hello?
Mm. Hearing Miyuki's gentle voice didn't wash away my wicked thoughts; it made them stronger.
"What are you up to?"
—We're having a party right now.
"A party?"
—The dog at my grandma's house had nine puppies. So she called all the relatives over to celebrate.
Right, I figured it would be for some trivial reason like that.
But nine puppies... that's pretty amazing.
Anyway, it seems there's a superstition in Miyuki's grandmother's town where they throw a festival whenever a pet has a large litter.
A very peculiar superstition, the kind you'd only see in a romantic comedy or a slice-of-life manga.
"Oh, really?"
—Yeah. I'll bring back lots of tasty side dishes.
I let out a weak laugh at her words and replied, "Alright. Are you coming back tonight?"
—I'm not sure. I might be late, or I might come back early tomorrow morning. Don't wait up for me, just go to sleep.
Miyuki's coming home late, too?
That means I'll be incredibly bored until nighttime... I'll have to kill time by relentlessly tormenting Renka.