Chapter 21

Sweet Party Chapter

"……Mmm……?"

Lavia opened her eyes with a snap. Right next to her on the narrow bed, Hikaru was lying on his side, watching her.

"! Hikaru... why are you looking at me like that?"

Lavia blushed and half-covered her face with the sheets.

"Your sleeping face was so cute, I couldn't help but watch."

Being able to say this, which ranks a solid fifth in the list of lines men want to say to women, Hikaru felt a deep sense of satisfaction. Incidentally, the top four are left to the reader's imagination.

"…Idiot"

Even when she completely covered her head with the sheets, Lavia looked cute. A strand of hair poked out from the top of her head. Hikaru couldn't help but smile.

I'm 15, and Lavia is 14. I don't think it's too early for our relationship. In this world, death is quite close. Hikaru himself has experienced death once. If so, it makes sense to find and bind with someone you love early on.

"Uu..."

"?? What's wrong, Lavia?"

"I feel like I'm going to die of embarrassment..."

"Why?"

"…I didn't mean to make a sound, but I did... and your voice was unusually gentle too..."

Hikaru was at a loss. He wanted to hug her and make her voice again, but he held back.

"It's okay. There were no guests in the rooms above, below, to the left, or to the right."

"Really?"

A little bit of her hair moved. She looked cute.

"I'm sorry for making you even more tired after everything that happened yesterday."

"…You say such embarrassing things again."

Her hands gripping the sheets were also red.

"Ah, well, I was thinking that Lavia's physical limits might have been reached... You hardly ever left the mansion, right?"

"Yes... To be honest, it's quite tough. My body feels like it's falling apart."

"Sorry."

"Don't apologize. My body feels like it's falling apart, but my heart is full of happiness."

"———"

This time, it was Hikaru's turn to blush.

The hair that was sticking out was fluttering, and it seemed that Lavia was also embarrassed by what she had said. It was a major self-sabotage.

After talking a bit more, Lavia decided to rest in the room for the rest of the day.

The sheets are changed every three days, so no one from the hotel would come in—when Hikaru told her this, Lavia suddenly buried her face in the bed and checked something, then said in a trembling voice, "I, I'll go get some water... a lot of water..." Hikaru didn't ask what she had discovered. Both Hikaru and Lavia were virgins last night. That's fine.

Hikaru left the room to buy some food from a street vendor.

"Going out, sir?"

The cat-eared receptionist was still there. Hikaru wondered when this person ever took a break.

"No, just buying some food. Is it okay to eat in the room?"

"Of course—"

The cat-eared receptionist started to say, then sniffed the air.

"…You like it, don't you, sir?"

She gave him a sly smile.

"W-What are you talking about?"

"You're too flustered, sir?"

"I'm not flustered."

"Enjoying it is fine, but staying overnight is forbidden."

"I understand."

Hikaru left the hotel.

"…But, when did you bring someone in?"

The cat-eared receptionist tilted her head in confusion.

Hikaru returned with sandwiches and a ceramic pot of fruit juice. Lavia, who had lived in a noble's mansion, was delighted by the new flavors. Hikaru didn't buy a hot dog; he wanted to avoid any adventurous choices.

"I want to stay in Ponde until things calm down."

"Yes."

"However, I think it's not good for your mental health to stay cooped up in the inn the whole time."

"Yes... that's true."

"If we hold hands, no one will notice. But there are also dangers."

"Like bumping into people in the crowd?"

Hikaru was pleased. Lavia was thinking one step ahead of what he was saying.

"Yes. So, if possible, I want to continue disguising ourselves when we go out."

Hikaru glanced at the coat.

If he pulled the hood over his head, he wouldn't be recognized in the city.

But on the other hand, it was about to become summer, and wearing a hood might make him stand out more. It would be suspicious and draw attention.

"Hikaru... I feel bad for always putting a burden on you, but could you lend me some more money?"

"Money? What for?"

"To cut my hair short, dye it, and buy men's clothes."

Hikaru was taken aback by this request.

Lavia was 14, and she was at an age where she would become more feminine. Conversely, it could also be said that she still looked a lot like a boy.

Hikaru had considered the possibility of cross-dressing. But he couldn't bring himself to suggest it. He didn't want to diminish Lavia's charm.

For her to suggest it herself—

"…I'm sorry, Hikaru. I already lack feminine charm, and it's only going to get worse..."

"Don't worry about it. It's fine. Your hair is beautiful."

Her shining silver hair. Hikaru had touched it many times last night, and it felt truly wonderful.

"Even if my hair is short and a dull color... will you still not abandon me?"

"Of course not."

"I'm glad."

Lavia exhaled, looking deeply relieved.

(I see—she relies on me. I'm the only one she can rely on.)

Hikaru realized this belatedly.

Although Hikaru was alone in this world, he wasn't socially isolated. Lavia, on the other hand, was a fugitive murderer, and only Hikaru acknowledged her existence.

(I need to be more responsible for a while.)

After finishing the meal, Hikaru left the room, leaving Lavia behind.

He first went to the Adventurer's Guild. It was just before noon, so Jill and Gloria were at the counter. As usual, adventurers were gathered around the counter. Hikaru thought they were like "idols you can meet." Maybe there was something like "UTJ48."

"Hikaru-sama!"

In front of the request board were Pola, Pia, and Priscilla. Pola, of course, was the one who spotted Hikaru first.

"I was wondering where you were yesterday."

"I spent the whole day reading this."

Hikaru showed them a book from the guild's archive. However, it was an old, worn-out book that was no longer in use.

"What is this...?"

"I borrowed it from Unken. Reading it through will give me knowledge."

This was Hikaru's "alibi." Yesterday, he had helped Lavia escape, but if asked what he did all day, he had an answer prepared.

"Such a thick book!?"

Pola's surprise must have been heard, as Jill came out from the counter. At the same time, the adventurers gathered around the counter groaned.

...Hikaru usually thought, "Please just do your job at the counter," but he was curious if yesterday's incident had spread to the Adventurer's Guild, so this was a good opportunity to find out.

"Hikaru-kun. Unken lent you this? Hmm... I'll return it to Unken for you."

"Is that okay? You're busy."

"Just passing it on when I come. —But did you really read it all?"

"I did."

"Hmm. Then let's have a little quiz."

Jill flipped through the pages with a smile.

"…What is the effective method for defeating Muddyrock in the swamp?"

"It's ice magic. Freezing it makes it easier to destroy."

"What is the effect of powdered jaundice herb?"

"It relieves nerve paralysis."

"Explain the dungeon closest to Ponde."

"The 'Ancient Divine People's Underground City,' about five days by carriage on the southern road. It's jointly managed by the Adventurer's Guild and the country, with an entry restriction of Adventurer Rank E or higher. Many undead monsters have been confirmed, and the troublesome ones are the undead monsters that use dark magic—"

"I see. You really read it thoroughly."

Jill closed the book with a snap.

Then she turned to the adventurers gathered at the counter.

"Everyone, make sure to check the archive. Knowing more than just the quests you take can increase your survival rate."

The adventurers glared at Hikaru. Jill was indeed meddlesome.

(…But from this, it seems the news of Lavia's escape hasn't spread yet. Since she was being escorted by adventurers, it should have been reported as a failed quest. The "quiz" was good. It proved that I read the book.)

"Hikaru-san"

"Whoa!"

Gloria had placed both hands on Hikaru's shoulders from behind. She leaned in close and whispered in his ear.

"Did you really read it yesterday?"

"…Yes, I did."

"Is that so?"

"Ah!"

She blew a breath into his ear and then let go, returning to the counter. Hikaru hadn't noticed when she had left the counter and approached him.

(She's definitely someone to watch out for...)

Actually, Hikaru had read the latest version, not the old one, in the "archive." He had had several opportunities to read it.

Hikaru read books much faster than other people and was good at memorizing. In fact, he had already memorized the entire book before borrowing it.

"What is that receptionist doing…! She blew into Hikaru-sama's ear, blew into it! I want to do that too!"

"Please stop…"

Hikaru left the Adventurer's Guild, feeling exasperated as he dealt with Pola.

"…How is it?"

That evening, in a room at a business hotel.

Lavia stood in front of Hikaru, but her appearance was completely different.

Her hair, which she had wanted to dye black to match Hikaru's, was dyed a light brown. The world had very few black-haired people, so it would have been too noticeable. Her hair was cut short, just long enough to cover her ears.

She wore a wide-brimmed hunting cap, which would make it hard for adults to see her eyes.

A white shirt, a vest, and knee-length pants.

With socks and leather shoes, she looked almost like any other boy.

"Does it suit me…? Is it okay to say that?"

"Hehe. Sure. —No, it's fine, Hikaru! Let's conquer the world together!"

"…Don't push it. It's painful to hear."

"Doesn't it work? I practiced all day… boy talk."

Thinking about Lavia practicing her speech alone in the room, she was quite cute, but it just didn't suit her. She was a girl, and even if she looked like a boy, she looked like an elegant one. She seemed like a well-bred young man. In that sense, Hikaru was the same.

There were various expenses, but there was still enough money to live for a while.

...Incidentally, Hikaru had also bought something necessary because of having Lavia as a partner.

Condoms.

Lavia, at 14, was already capable of becoming pregnant. This seemed to be the same in this world—according to Roland's memories.

Interestingly, the condoms were "magic stones." They contained "dark" magic, and carrying them in your pocket would weaken sperm in men and affect the ovaries in women. The effect on men was milder and more targeted, making them more effective for contraception, so most men who visited the pleasure district carried them. For women, the side effects were too severe, causing irregular periods, so they were generally carried by