Chapter 222: A Heartbroken Woman is the Easiest to Seduce

Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 222: A Heartbroken Woman is the Easiest to Seduce

We talked for a long time.

Chika, who had been wailing at first, seemed to stabilize as I kept talking to her and offering comfort. She even started sharing things I hadn't asked about.

They say the best thing for a grieving person is to just listen.

Over cups of yuzu tea that warmed our bodies against the chilly air, Chika and I conversed. Later, I served her some warmed-up wine—Vin Chaud. Perhaps because of the slight alcohol content, she began to pour her heart out.

Akito did this, Akito said that, it was so good with Akito, Akito is so cool…

Now I understand why girls in friend groups absolutely loathe the one who constantly brags about her boyfriend.

"Akito held my hand and said… 'Chika, I’ll always be by your side…' He… he did… but now…"

I was carefully picking my words to avoid triggering her, but here was Chika, stepping on her own landmines mid-sentence.

Realizing her situation all over again, Chika hung her head, falling back into a deep gloom.

Wow, this is driving me crazy.

I never once thought Akito would actually abandon Chika.

When does she drop out if she takes the NTR route?

She gets broken once during a request, once by Under-the-Bed, and then she exhausts herself helping Akito only to be targeted by street thugs… It took three incidents for her to leave the party, right?

I blocked the request incident, and with my current strength, I could beat the hell out of Under-the-Bed or anyone else, so that wasn't an issue.

I felt bad for Chika, but my current concern was: Is she essential for the future story?

You know how it is in games—certain events are cleared because a specific person is there, or a problem is solved thanks to someone's specialized knowledge. Even if they aren't the main focus of an event, if one person suddenly goes missing from a group effort, the plot can't progress.

It happened before.

When we first entered a Zone during the tutorial, Chika was missing, and Akito’s team just wandered around aimlessly until I showed up.

Akito probably would have solved it eventually with his protagonist buffs, but unlike the tutorial, they ended up suffering inside the Zone for days.

I mentally sifted through game content while half-listening to Chika, tossing out the "triple-threat of consolation"—It’s not your fault, you’re special, you’re amazing—all while carefully avoiding Akito’s name.

"It’s probably because I’m not attractive as a woman that Akito grew to hate me… Who would like a girl as aggressive as me?"

"I like you. You’re great."

But no matter how much I thought about it, would the answer come to me? I’m no genius; there’s no way I remember every single line of dialogue from the game.

"Huh? What did you say?"

"You’re a special person to me."

What if a throwaway line of dialogue meant that something Chika did was actually mandatory? What if no one else could replace her? What if it was something only Chika could do by chance?

If she takes the NTR route, her exit timing is right before the war with the demons, so she needs to stay by Akito’s side until then.

"……"

"……?"

Why? Why the sudden silence?

I didn't have anything to say because I couldn't remember what we were just talking about while I was lost in thought about the game.

Chika was staring at me blankly, her face flushed red as she held her glass of Vin Chaud.

…Is she drunk? The alcohol content in Vin Chaud drops when heated, but it’s not zero. If you chug it, you’ll get tipsy.

"I, I-I-I… I still feel for Akito…"

"Huh? No, forget about Akito for today."

There’s no need to keep bringing him up and hurting yourself. For now, just forget everything to find some peace of mind, and we can figure out how to fix things tomorrow.

"Hee… A-Are you saying I should only… only look at you today…?"

"……?"

What’s wrong with her? Looking at the pot, it didn't seem like she drank that much.

Regardless, since my role today was strictly to be a "yes-man" comfort machine for Chika, I decided to play along.

"Yeah—if you’re okay with that…?"

"Hueee…"

Was that the wrong answer? Sometimes when you comfort people, they throw out trap questions. If you agree and join in on the venting, they suddenly turn on you and ask, "Who are you to talk bad about him?"

Sensitive bastards.

"I, I don't dislike you either… No, but I still love Akito…"

I wasn't going to step on the "forget Akito" trap again.

"I know. I know how much Akito means to you. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠It’s okay, I understand."

"I'm sorry…"

"I told you it’s fine. Why are you apologizing to me? I’m always on your side."

I’d delivered the triple-threat of consolation plus the "I'm always on your side" finishing move. Perfect. This was the same technique I used to win over seniors who came back after getting chewed out by the boss.

Chika pulled her legs to her chest like a young girl and hid her face in her knees.

Glance.

What was with this cute move—peeking at me but immediately looking away because she couldn't meet my eyes?

And when did she take off her socks?

Hey! Didn't your mother ever tell you that showing your bare feet and wiggling your toes makes men excited?

It’s hot as hell!

I don't have a foot fetish, but Chika’s uncharacteristic "girly" movements and her white feet—with toes turned pink from the cold—were tempting me.

The conversation died down, and it got a bit awkward as Chika kept stealing glances at me.

What is this atmosphere…?

"Sorry"? What was she sorry for?

If anyone saw us, they’d think I’d just confessed and gotten rejected, leaving us in an awkward limbo.

"Why do you… No, never mind. Forget it."

There are two ways to piss someone off: the first is to stop talking mid-sentence, and the second is…

"Just speak freely. Whatever happens today stays between us."

"Just for today…?"

You’re acting like this now because of the shock and the alcohol, but you’ll be kicking your blankets in embarrassment when you wake up tomorrow.

Just like the promise I made with Chika before, I intended to treat today as if it never happened starting tomorrow.

"Just for today…"

Perhaps remembering the time she jumped me while high on drugs and our promise to forget it, Chika muttered the words again and set her cup down on the table.

Ah… those toes are really distracting. I’m a proper gentleman, though. Maybe sitting on the same sofa was a mistake.

We were sitting at opposite ends, but I was leaning back comfortably with my legs up, almost lying down. If I just stretched my legs, I’d touch her.

This ambiguous distance seemed to make the atmosphere even more erotic.

Gulp. No. Don't get up. You’re not being used today.

I quietly covered my cock—which was thickening at the worst possible time—with a cushion and watched Chika’s reaction.

Chika was… Huh?

"Just for today…"

Chika began crawling toward me on all fours, like a jaguar stalking through the jungle.

Her golden hair, which she’d let down earlier because it was wet, cascaded over her shoulders. Because the T-shirt I’d given her was too big, her collarbones and cleavage were visible through the wide neck hole as she moved.

While I watched blankly, unsure of the situation, Chika kept approaching until her face was right in front of mine, looking down at me.

Her falling hair became a curtain on either side of my face, leaving us staring only at each other.

Look… even if I’m a polite gentleman who doesn't turn away those who come to him… if I don't stop you, Akito might kill me.

Wait, maybe not? Akito told her to get lost, so is it fine?

"We’ll just be together today… and forget everything tomorrow…"

Who was it that said it?

That there’s no woman easier to seduce than one in the throes of heartbreak.

…Now that I think about it, I think that was just a line from a movie. Meaning it’s probably unreliable.

Chika looked down at me for a long time with eyes that seemed both sad and full of love, and then her face slowly descended.

Chu.

Chika’s eyes fluttered shut as she gave me a light, shy kiss.

After a moment of just pressing our lips together, Chika’s mouth parted, and mine followed suit.

A moist tongue cautiously invaded my mouth, her tip flickering against mine as if searching.

In response to Chika’s teasing tongue, mine began to move as well, and soon our tongues were tangling and rubbing against each other frantically.

"Mnh… slurp… nnh… haa…"

Our sticky saliva mingled… and mingled… Excuse me, Miss, it feels like you haven't kissed much because your spit is leaking everywhere and I feel like I’m going to drown.

After swallowing Chika’s saliva as it poured directly down my throat a few times, I couldn't take it anymore. I grabbed her slender waist and pulled her down beside me.

Lying on our sides facing each other, we began to caress each other’s bodies, lost in the kiss.

Chika, having lost her restraint, let her hand sweep down my chest, past my abdomen, until she touched my bulging cock.

"Ah…"

Startled, Chika’s eyes snapped open, and she pulled back.

Her eyes darted around in panic, her face flushing a deep crimson as she stole a glance at my crotch.

You’ve already been in the Sex Zone and seen everything there is to see.

Come to think of it, she knows the taste of semen and has seen it directly, but this might be the first time she’s actually touched it.

I lightly took her wrist and guided it toward my cock.

Tug.

I tried to lead her, but Chika tensed up. No matter how much I strained, she wouldn't budge a millimeter.

"Yeon-woo."

Dammit. Now that she’s regained her senses, is she thinking this is wrong?

Of course… I also think this is wrong when I consider Akito, but my reason ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠is currently attached to my dick…

Overwhelmed by the intensity in Chika’s clear eyes, I just blinked without saying a word.

"Um… I know it’s… hard for a man to hold back…"

"Yeah, it’s hard."

"Can we… just stop at kissing for today?"

She said "just for today," but "just kissing for today" means she’s absolutely not giving it up.

Chika, I didn't know you could be this petty. Don't you know the worst kind of girl is the one who teases but doesn't deliver?

But if I forced it here, she’d only get angry.

The goal was comfort anyway; this was just a bonus.

My cock seemed a bit dejected, though…

But honestly, doing it would be a bit weird.

Chika is clinging to me because she’s sad about being rejected by Akito. She’ll regret it the moment she wakes up tomorrow, and right now, I’m nothing more or less than a substitute for Akito.

No matter how much my brain is in my dick, I still have some pride.

I smiled at Chika, who was watching me with eyes full of guilt and anxiety.

"It’s okay. We’ll do whatever you want."

"Thank you…"

Genuinely grateful, Chika hugged me.

Her soft breasts pressed against my chest, and every time she moved her body to lift her head for a kiss, her clinging chest rubbed against me.

This… I might not be able to hold back…?

* * *

"Brother, are you okay?"

Akito didn't answer Shiori’s question, but his face was filled with regret and guilt.

When Chika had come to him for advice, he had spoken harsh words.

Even though it was a great opportunity to learn from one of the 12 Zodiacs, she had been agonizing over it because she wanted to stay by Akito’s side.

Rather than staying entangled with Roman Fraser without learning anything properly, her skills would improve by leaps and bounds if she learned from the 12 Zodiacs.

However, even before she spoke to him, she seemed ready to give up the opportunity.

She only said it because she didn't want to leave his side, hoping he would stop her…

Akito regretted ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it too late.

He clearly understood Chika’s heart during the conversation, yet he had gotten angry.

Because Seo Yeon-woo was involved.

That was the only reason.

Even though he understood everything Chika was feeling, in a fit of pique, Akito had told her that if she liked Yeon-woo so much, she should just go to him.

He hadn't used particularly foul language, but the single sentence telling her to "go" had hit Chika like her world was collapsing. Tears had streamed from her eyes as she stared at him blankly.

Only then did Akito panic and try to apologize, but Chika had run out and hadn't returned yet.

Akito sat on the veranda, blankly watching the rain.

The dark night sky and the drizzling rain seemed to reflect his own loneliness, making him feel even more depressed.

"Chika… is she still not answering her phone?"

"No… I think she just hasn't checked it yet."

Shiori understood how shocked Chika must have been and knew she was likely ignoring all contact, but she lied to comfort Akito.

Akito looked down at the phone in his hand with bitter eyes, then looked up.

"Today… even if it’s late, I have to apologize when Chika gets back. And to Yeon-woo, too."

"To that man as well?"

"Yes. I did something cruel to both of them because of my jealousy."

Shiori wasn't thrilled about him apologizing to Seo Yeon-woo, but she was happy to see the Akito she had been worried about return to the kind, broad-minded brother she knew. She nodded.

"As expected, you’re wonderful, Brother. Chika will be happy too."

"I did something stupid, and you call me wonderful… I’m still lacking."

"Recognizing your flaws and striving to be better isn't an easy thing to do."

Akito smiled faintly at Shiori’s words.

Because of her relationship with her father, Chika rarely went to her family home and lived at Akito’s house almost like a boarder.

Vowing to apologize the moment she returned, Akito waited for Chika with a lightened heart.

The moon was hidden by dark clouds, but Akito smiled, feeling as though his surroundings had somehow become brighter.

At that same moment, Chika, her body entwined with Seo Yeon-woo’s, was melting into pleasure, lost in the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠deepening kisses and caresses.