The Day After: Chats, Lingerie, and Karaoke Surprises

The day after that somewhat special day, I woke up refreshed from a deep sleep and checked the clock. Seeing that it was already past noon, I rubbed my eyes and let out a sigh.

"Ow... I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠really shouldn't overdo the mana reinforcement."

Concentrating mana in my brain definitely sped up my thinking, which was great, but the longer I used it, the bigger the backlash. After a quick shower, I checked my phone.

Messenger (300+) ...?

What the heck happened after I fell asleep last night? The group chat was buzzing like crazy—even now, while I was still toweling off from my shower. I started scrolling up from the top to catch up.

Just your typical post-stream chit-chat.

'Nothing major, then?'

"...Ah."

Yeah, I let my emotions get the better of me and went a little overboard with the kill. The damage being low was just an excuse anyway. I made a mental note to apologize to Sarea privately later.

The casual convo rolled on until a new topic popped up.

Offline meetup. Yeah, it had come up before, but I'd always turned it down despite the chances.

Suddenly, I felt a pang of guilt toward the guildmates.

And from there, the chat exploded with meetup plans.

Spotting my name, I fired off a reply right away.

I'd been planning to anyway, so no hesitation.

Watching the chat light up even more, I smiled softly.

'Good people.'

...Come to think of it, I'd sworn to buy new clothes after that one time, but never followed through.

"Ugh... hate going out..."

Regular clothes I could order online, but underwear? Everyone said you had to try it on. Gritting my teeth through the hassle, I slipped on my one and only pair, grabbed jeans and a black short-sleeve tee. Glancing down, my chest was bulging out noticeably.

I tried ignoring stares, but no way I'd avoid them like this. I dug out the one thin white cardigan at home and threw it on.

...Not much help, but better than nothing. Mask on again, and out the door I went.

I'd always hated crowded places. The chaos bugged me, plus Lost World had plenty of fun at home. And if everyone stared at me in that mess? Mood killer, big time. The bad kind.

How do I know? ...Wish I didn't.

"Whoa... she's gorgeous..."

"Go get her number, man."

"Hey, bro, eyes up here?"

Not long after leaving home, downtown hit, and stares piled up as expected. Witch's aura passive kept them at bay, though.

"Um... excuse me, could I get your number..."

Some still tried. Third time now—I deflected with an excuse instead of outright no.

"Ah, I'm into that girl."

"Oh, okay..."

The guy backed off. Smiling faintly under my ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠mask, feeling victorious—

"Um, sis, if you don't mind..."

Argh, come on. Let's not do this. Okay?

Part of me wanted to Threat them away, but who knows what that'd cause? So I turned everyone down and reached the offline lingerie store.

First time in a place like this—I timidly called out to a clerk.

"Um... here for underwear..."

"Ah, yes! Ma'am, what's your size?"

'Size? No clue...'

Even this one pair felt off, so I edged closer to her, gauging.

"I... don't really know my size..."

"Oof... uh? Oh, happens sometimes! Let's measure first."

In the fitting room with her, she started taking measurements from behind—and her breathing got heavy and quick.

"...You okay? Breathing looks rough..."

"N-no! It's... do you wear perfume, ma'am? Smells amazing..."

'Perfume? Nope.'

Oh yeah, one of my second-job skills boosted scent appeal. In-game for charm buffs, but...

'Brings IRL effects too, huh...'

"No... no perfume."

"Got it..."

Awkward fitting done, she showed me bra designs.

Oh, and no, not telling you my size.

I grabbed basic black and beige bras and panties, then shame hit hard. Paid and bolted like my life depended on it.

Pretty sure I heard "Come again!" behind me. Imagination, right?

After the store, lunch outside. Removing the mask drew stares, nearly choked me up, but hey—getting used to it.

Old me would've skipped eating out entirely. Guess the new looks boosted my confidence a bit.

Since I'm out, time for stuff I'd always wanted to do. On the way home, a sign caught my eye.

Nostalgic middle-school haunt. Following the familiar vibe, I slipped inside. Afternoon crowd was thick. Snagged the last room at the entrance, paid for an ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hour.

Always started with my go-to ballad. Slid the mic cover on, brought it close.

"The back of the girl who sang of our love~"

A calm, pleasant tone flowed out. My hands swayed side to side on autopilot. Eyes closed, lost in the song—the track hit its climax.

"As you leave me—!!"

Unlike before, a clear high note filled the room. Tough song to nail, but I crushed it—surprised even myself mid-note.

"Whew..."

Opened my eyes, checked the score.

Grinning in satisfaction, I queued up more: pop, R&B, even J-pop. Shadows hovered outside sometimes, drawn by my voice, but no one barged in. Focused on singing.

An hour-plus later, stress melted away as I stepped out. Singing always helped, but this voice? Way more fun to listen to.

Mask back on, out I went.

"Gasp..."

A guy gawking, mouth agape as I emerged. His stare soured my mood.

"...What?"

"Um, miss..."

He snapped to, handed me a business card.

"If interested, call—"

"Pass."

I shoved the card back. Entertainment? Like for idols? No thanks—I hated the spotlight. Didn't even hear him out, just left.

Glanced back: guy in shock, card dropped, staring blankly.

...Not my problem.

Home at last, I sorted the new undies, fired up my phone, and hit the group chat.

'...?'

Pinned notice right at the top. I read it.

Hm. Next Saturday, from the looks of it. Clothes can wait till then...

Dinner time. Fired up the delivery app, pondering options.

Then remembered "day's fun cash"—checked my balance.

'Getting tight...'

Mic and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠today's splurge the culprits? Everyday stuff ate the rest. Money vanishing left and right.

"Sigh..."

Closed the app, boiled some ramen instead. Enough for meetup fun, sure.

'After that?'

Probably broke. 'Gotta grind Lost World... or get a job...'

This body? Prime for wage negotiations.

Mulling over my phone, a notification pinged.

"...A stream?"

My purple eyes began to glow faintly.