Should We Start with a Kiss?
The game Eden had a special system. Instead of conquering characters one by one, there were "sister combo" events that only unlocked when targeting two at once. And among those, one pair of sisters had skyrocketed in popularity thanks to that event.
Today, the one waiting for Ian was one half of that famous duo. And she was one of the few reliable characters in this world.
How much time had passed? The tavern door creaked open, and a young woman who still hadn't shed her girlish innocence stepped inside. She looked pristine and pure, like a flower of immaculate white. Snow-white hair, spotless white armor, an air of untouched freshness that hadn't yet been stained by the world.
She spotted Ian the moment she entered and strode over with a hint of tension. Bowing her head slightly, hands clasped lightly together, she opened her mouth with a shy smile.
"H-Hello, Ian. I'm Shiro. My sister sent me."
Shiro's voice trembled a little, which only made her seem even more pure and innocent. Thanks to that, every eye in the tavern turned their way.
"Oh my, does he meet up with other girls too?"
"Then maybe I have a shot?"
"Ha... I wanna suck his dick."
Shiro's face flushed beet red at the comments, and she hunched her shoulders in embarrassment, head bowed. Her innocence shone through untainted.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Ian."
Ian, already used to these situations, ignored the stares and replied calmly.
"I-It's an honor to go into the labyrinth with a gentleman!"
Shiro's words pitched up at the end from nerves, drawing laughter from around them.
"Pfft, what's with her?"
"Is she a virgin?"
"Holy shit! I wanna suck his dick!"
At the mocking voices, Shiro shrank even more, her face so red she could only stare at the floor.
"We should move somewhere else."
Ian figured conversation was impossible here and suggested changing spots.
"O-Okay."
Shiro nodded shyly, head still down. The two headed to the nearby inn where Ian was staying.
"Let's talk here for a bit."
Ian spoke as softly as possible to ease her tension.
"Yes..."
When Ian opened the door and went in first, Shiro hesitated outside.
"Um..."
She spoke up first after a moment.
"Yes?"
"Is it really okay if I come in?"
Ian tilted his head.
"What do you mean?"
"Ah... It's my first time entering a man's room."
Shiro was far more innocent than Ian had imagined. Her cheeks were already faintly pink.
"Come on in, make yourself comfortable."
Ian gestured, and Shiro stepped inside cautiously, her footsteps feather-light.
"Pardon the intrusion."
She paused after saying it, as if steeling herself. Then, slowly, she raised a hand to the buckle on her armor.
Click—
Shiro began undoing the buckles one by one. Her movements were a bit clumsy but steady. Ian just figured the armor must be uncomfortable and she wanted to relax while they talked.
The last buckle came undone, and the armor slipped off her body, thudding heavily to the floor.
Thud.
But Shiro's hands didn't stop. After the armor, she reached for the clothes underneath.
Ian's eyes widened involuntarily.
"Ah, wait—"
He started to speak, but it was too late. Shiro was already unbuttoning her inner shirt.
Pop—pop—
The buttons came undone one by one.
"W-Wait a second!"
Ian shot to his feet, hands raised.
"Yes?"
Shiro paused, puzzled. Her pale arm was already exposed. Her face was bright red.
"Why are you taking off your clothes?"
Ian's voice was full of bewilderment.
Shiro peeked up at him slyly, gauging his expression.
"But... when a man invites a woman to his room, doesn't that mean..."
Her voice trailed off. She sounded serious but uncertain.
"Huh? Who said that?"
Ian blurted in disbelief.
"A book."
Shiro's reply was tiny. Her hands were clasped tightly together.
Ian sighed. This girl had clearly read some messed-up book.
"I read it in a book before."
Shiro met his eyes briefly, then looked away.
"Usually, when a man invites someone over..."
Her voice grew quieter.
"It's a signal that it's okay to pounce..."
She stared at the floor as she spoke, like she knew it was wrong but had to say it anyway.
"W-Well, whatever book that was..."
Ian felt a sudden stiffness in his neck.
"That's not how it works."
"Ah, sorry. I just thought everyone did it that way."
Shiro started slowly putting her clothes back on, hands shaking. Her face was red up to her ears. She looked like a student who'd given the wrong answer or a scolded child.
Ian felt a twinge of guilt watching her.
"Ah... I guess I was too forward."
She spoke again, half-covering her face with her hand.
"Hm?"
But through the gap in her fingers, he caught her peeking at him.
"We should start with a kiss, right?"
Shiro's voice brimmed with conviction, like she'd nailed the correct answer.
"Ha..."
Ian opened his mouth, then closed it. He'd nearly said Sure! but barely held it back.
"No. Let's just... talk about the labyrinth."
Ian sat back down with a sigh. Shiro still had her face half-hidden, looking a bit deflated.
"Y-Yes."
She mumbled almost inaudibly and sat across from him.
Ian stayed silent for a moment, then realized he needed to switch topics to help her relax.
"So, shall we talk about our plans going forward? Are you ready?"
Shiro finally showed her face a bit more and nodded quietly.
"Um... did my sister set off okay?"
She ventured, seeming calmer now. Shiro was the younger sister of Sion from Arcia's party—a character meant to be conquered alongside her sibling. Arcia had allowed her to join Ian precisely because of that connection.
"Yeah, she left safely."
Shiro's expression brightened at Ian's words.
"If you don't mind, could you tell me about your boon?"
Ian knew from her game profile, but he asked again to confirm.
Shiro bit her lip lightly, pondering, then whispered as if resolved, her hand moving cautiously to her helmet. Come to think of it, she'd taken off her armor but still wore the helmet.
"I have... ears."
With that, she gently placed the helmet on the table.
Atop her head were a pair of animal ears, poking out plainly. Shiro covered them shyly with her hands, face flushing.
Ian stared, puzzled. This world had no dwarves or elves—no demi-humans at all. If Shiro was one, her sister Sion should be too. But Sion was unmistakably human.
"It's a negative boon."
When Ian didn't respond, Shiro explained first. But that only confused him more. Her game profile hadn't shown it, and thinking back, Arcia wasn't originally in Sion's party either. The protagonists' paths, Shiro's boon—everything was diverging wildly from the original story.
"Are you okay?"
Shiro snapped him from his thoughts.
"Sorry. Teaming up with a girl who has these ears... you must hate it, right?"
Her voice nearly cracked.
"No, it's not that. I was just thinking..."
Ian reached out reassuringly.
"You don't have to worry about it. I got kicked from a party before because of these ears..."
She seemed to have bad memories attached to them.
"Then just remove the boon at the temple. Your ears should go back to normal."
Sion could cover the cost, no problem.
"It's not all bad, actually."
Shiro elaborated a bit more on her boon.
Beast's Night
◈ Effect: Transforms the body like a beast's. Heightens smell, hearing, touch—all senses sharpen, enabling instinctual action.
◈ Trait: Effect strengthens as night approaches, allowing more instinctual movement.
"My senses get sharper, which helps in battle, and I can detect monsters with smell or hearing."
She desperately tried to sell it as not a bad boon.
"Yeah, it doesn't seem all negative."
Ian had to nod in agreement.
"And it's not weird. It's cute."
He added to reassure her.
"Thank you."
Shiro smiled shyly. Ian was a little surprised, but honestly, he had one dream.
"Um... but..."
Ian broached it carefully.
"What is it?"
He hesitated oddly.
"It's okay, you can say it."
Shiro sensed it and encouraged him.
"Can I... touch them?"
Ian asked quietly.
"..."
Why! Of course! Beastkin ears! Gotta touch 'em at least once!