Chapter 524: A Reminder of the First Time
Chapter 524: A Reminder of the First Time
“Rachel. I know I invited you for a meal, so this might sound a bit strange, but how about we do a little shopping first and eat later?”
“Oh?”
As I said that, she pressed her enormous breasts even tighter against my arm and gave me a deep, knowing smile.
“You took a day off for the first time in a while, right? Since it’s a rare holiday, let’s walk around a bit.”
“Oh my, are you being considerate? Alright. Shall we, then?”
When I repeated the words she had said to me before, she chuckled and replied.
It seemed she understood my intention.
Last time, she must have been walking around feeling like she was on a date with me, but I was completely oblivious.
So, to be honest, I think it was too ambiguous to be called a date.
That’s why this time, I’m going to enjoy shopping while being fully aware that this is a date.
Our actions might not be that different from last time, but just by changing my perception of the act, its meaning changes significantly.
“But shopping just because you want to walk a bit? Didn’t you dislike shopping, Guwon? Or is there something you need to buy?”
As we naturally headed toward the shopping district, she smiled at me as if she found it strange.
To think she’d ask such a question when she already knows why I made this suggestion.
Did I really seem like I hated shopping that much when we went together before?
Well, I do remember being flustered and not knowing what to do because the physical contact was quite intense, all while I was oblivious to her intentions.
“Huh? No, not really. I just thought you would like it.”
“Oh my. Do I seem that way? Hehe. Still, that’s a relief. I was starting to run out of daily necessities.”
“Rachel… You should at least rest on your days off…”
Running out of daily necessities.
Well, if you go to work every single day without a day off, you wouldn’t have time to buy things like that.
This city has many shops that stay open at night to accommodate the adventurers' lifestyles, but she gives off the impression of always being at the Guild, except when she's sleeping.
Come to think of it, someone who's this much of a workaholic would normally look worn out and haggard from work. But she doesn't look like that at all.
Well, maybe it's just because she's so beautiful.
“Hehe. If you tell me your exact schedule for entering and leaving the dungeon from now on, I'll think about it. You always come and go from the dungeon so irregularly.”
When I said that, feeling a bit exasperated by her workaholic nature, she hit me with a counter-punch.
W-what? Does that mean the reason she's been at the Guild every single day without a break is because of me?
Does it mean she's been working like that every day just for that short moment to see me?
I can interpret it that way, right?
Keuk. Rachel. I was a fool. How could I have not known your feelings until now…
“It's because you go into the dungeon so impulsively, without any plans, that accidents like the one before happen. Do you have any idea how worried the receptionists get every time an adventurer gets into an accident in the dungeon?”
“Ah, so that's what you meant…”
Come to think of it, something similar happened before.
This woman sometimes says something that sounds promising, only to let me down.
She's not doing this on purpose just to tease me, is she?
“Hm? What do you mean, ‘that's what you meant’? What did you think I meant?”
“Ah, no. It's nothing.”
“Aww. It doesn't seem like nothing. What is it? Tell your big sister.”
With the hand opposite to the one linked with my arm, she smiled and poked my side playfully, as if tickling me.
Yeah, it seems she really is doing this on purpose to tease me.
Rachel. Aren't you a little too skilled at handling men?
Well, feeling the thumping of her heart through her chest pressed against my arm, I don't think she's completely unfazed either.
No matter how thin the material of the dress she's wearing is, she boasts a considerable bust size.
Feeling a heartbeat through a chest like this is a rare thing.
“Haha. It's just my… Ugh!”
Just as I smiled, tickled by her attack on my side, I suddenly felt a piercing killing intent on the back of my neck.
When I reflexively spun around and got into a stance to unleash the Saint's Wave, a hooded figure was standing there.
…Sara. Is that you? I was wondering how you were following us…
I mean, Sara stands out, too.
For one, she's famous for being one of the women who's always with the Saint, and even if she weren't, there's her beauty.
The owner of a beauty that stands out even in this city full of beautiful women.
A beauty who makes ten out of ten, a hundred out of a hundred people, regardless of gender, turn their heads when she walks by.
Of course she'd have to wear a robe to follow us quietly.
Anyway, Sara had been following us quietly, but it seems she got a little jealous seeing how close Rachel and I looked.
That surprised me. I almost used a Saint skill reflexively.
That could have been a disaster in more ways than one.
But to think I'd reflexively try to use a Saint skill. I guess some of the trauma from being shipwrecked is still with me.
“Guwon? What's wrong?”
Surprised by me suddenly turning around, Rachel stared at me with wide eyes.
Did she not notice at all?
In other words, she perfectly controlled her killing intent and directed it only at me.
That means she did it on purpose!
Using the Hero's talent for such a useless thing.
Hey. Since you're helping me out anyway, be generous and let me have a little fun.
I muttered that to Sara in my head and turned back to Rachel.
“Ah, no. It's nothing. I felt like someone was staring, but I guess it was just my imagination.”
“Staring? We're always getting those. Haven't you gotten used to it yet, Mr. Saint?”
Fortunately, it seemed she interpreted my words that way, as she smiled and spoke playfully again.
“I don't think I'll ever get used to these stares.”
“Aww. How are you going to show me the legend of the Saint then? You are going to show me, right? As between a Saint and his receptionist.”
…With her pointed emphasis on the word ‘receptionist,’ I think I finally understood why she was teasing me so much.
Don't tell me she's still bothered by what I said back then?
No, but she also definitely said before…! Oh, I was the one who said it first. My apologies. For being so dense.
“Oh my, we're already here. Hehe. Brace yourself. Last time, I went easy on you because I felt bad, but today, you're the one who tempted me, so I'm going all out. No saying you want to stop midway, okay?”
And as soon as we arrived at the shopping district, she gave me a playful smile and said just that.
“Hah. Rachel. Are you trying to threaten me with something like that? Time flies just by looking at your face. There's no way I'd surrender midway, right?”
“W-we'll see how long you can keep that up!”
Yes! I finally landed a hit!
As I thought, she's weak to direct approaches!
Just a moment ago, she seemed like an experienced woman who was skilled at wrapping men around her finger, but now she's blushing and showing such a fresh reaction.
I had a faint feeling ever since I put my arm around her waist earlier, but… don't tell me she's never seriously dated a man before?
Come to think of it, didn't she say something similar when she was making excuses to my girls at the restaurant?
Hehe. Honestly, Rachel. Why are you so cute?
Drunk on the sense of accomplishment from landing a hit on her for the first time today, I let my guard down.
“…Rachel. Didn't you say you needed daily necessities?”
Sitting on a chair in the corner of the store, I muttered so that no one could hear.
Of course. If anyone heard me muttering something like this, it would be a disaster.
“Guwon! How about this dress?”
“Yes! Hmm. Isn't it a bit too revealing? Of course, I like the view, but it's not something I'd want other men to see.”
And as soon as she returned with a dress in her hand, I put on the most charming smile I could muster and replied.
“O-oh my. Are you trying to seduce your big sister right now?”
Elder Sister Rachel blushed, a shy smile on her face that was both pleased and embarrassed.
“Can't I?”
“You're always like that, Guwon… I'm going to tell Diana.”
“Go ahead.”
Oops. I didn't mean to say that right now.
I was planning to reveal that I got her permission after confessing during our meal later.
This is pretty much the same as telling her I already got permission.
“…Ugh. A-anyway, so this dress is a no? Then I'll go pick another one.”
It seemed she realized it too, as she couldn't maintain her composed reaction from before and returned flustered to where the clothes were displayed.
Right. This was a clothing store.
And we had already been in this store for over an hour.
Of course, lunchtime had long since passed.
Isn't she hungry?
No. Of course, I'm not saying I want to leave. Of course not. Definitely not.
I'm just worried about her health….
Keuk. Right. Dammit. I'm starting to regret what I said so confidently earlier.
I'd forgotten that this is what happens when women go to a clothing store.
Lately, whenever I came to places like this, we all came as a group, so I could just sit and wait while they talked amongst themselves, which was a bit easier.
Ugh. The nightmares of the past… Sara, stop. Diana, you too, don't join in. I'm not a dress-up doll! You guys look beautiful in anything!
“Phew. I might have bought a little too much. With a convenient porter like you, Guwon, I just couldn't help myself… I'm sorry.”
After some more time passed, she finally finished shopping and apologized, sticking her tongue out cutely.
“Not at all. I was happy to be able to see you in so many different outfits.”
Feeling healed by her smile, I replied with all my might.
Besides, whatever the process, it's all over now!
“Oh my, is that so? Then maybe a little more… E-eh. Oh, Guwon. I'm just kidding. Don't make that face.”
She started to say with a bright smile, but then changed her words midway and lightly tapped the tip of my nose with her index finger.
R-right! Of course, it's a joke! Even though her tone sounded incredibly serious, of course, it's a joke!
“Shall we go to the restaurant now?”
“Yep! Ah, but before that…”
“Hm? Don't tell me you had something to buy too, Guwon?”
“Ah, yes. Actually…”
Saying that, I led Elder Sister Rachel to an accessory shop I had visited once before.
Hmm. I felt it a little when we entered the clothing store, but now that we're in here, the killing intent on the back of my head has gotten stronger.
Don't be like that. This isn't just for Rachel.
“H-here is…”
As if she never expected me to bring her to a place like this, she hesitated with a flustered expression.
I could feel the thumping from her chest, pressed against my arm, grow a little louder.
“I'd like to buy some necklaces. Could I get your advice?”
“M-me?”
“Yes. I want to buy them for my girls, but I don't really have a good sense for these things… Please.”
“Ah, ahh! Right! For your lovers! I understand! Leave it to me!”
Hearing my answer, she couldn't quite hide her disappointed expression, but she still forced a bright tone as she replied.
Then, with a serious face, she looked at the necklaces and asked me a question.
“So I just need to pick ones for Sara, Diana, and Leia?”
“Yes. Ah, and if possible, with gems that can be magically enchanted.”
That Sara. She didn't follow us into the store, so she probably can't hear what I'm saying, right?
Actually, this is a surprise gift I've been thinking about for a while. I feel a little bad buying it during my date with Rachel, but if I don't do it now, I won't have another chance to buy it secretly.
Besides, I need to get one for Rachel, too.