As A Result of Trying To Live An Erotic Slow-Life, I Have Become The Underground Ruler of This Upside-Down Otherworld - Chapter 71: Chapter Three Interlude: Do-Anything-For-A-Day Coupon - Shuri

Chapter 71: Chapter Three Interlude: Do-Anything-For-A-Day Coupon – Shuri

Shuri felt reluctant, incredibly reluctant.

She hadn’t been employed at Ronnyan long, yet she’d received such a lavish reward, and it freaked her out.

She couldn’t help but confirm with Arius multiple times if she could really accept it, and when she asked Kazune for advice, Kazune cried tears of blood.

In the end, Towa’s words settled it—rejecting kindness is the greatest rudeness. That calmed Shuri.

But what to wish for? As expected, nothing came to mind.

“U, uun…”

She realized recently, but her background and personality make it hard for her to wish for things herself.

In a way, she even respects Mia for using her coupon right away.

Mia didn’t share details, but she said it was preparation to share time with Arius in the future.

Her eyes held determination and resolve—colors Shuri recognized from underworld dealings, unmistakable.

Yet, those colors seemed far more beautiful and vibrant than any she’d seen before.

Even in non-life-or-death moments, they shone brighter than ever.

“Even me…”

Indeed, Shuri is a newcomer.

She’s still awkward with Mia and Serika, though Towa’s easier.

That’s why this is her chance to prove herself—not just her loyalty, but that she’s not the old self clinging to stagnation out of fear of change.

“But, so, what do I do?”

That’s why Shuri’s taking this seriously—maybe too seriously.

Arius meant it as a survey of their wishes, but it’s more about thanking them for their daily efforts.

Shuri vaguely senses she’s overthinking it.

She’s always had a habit of taking things too heavily, though she’s grown a bit past it.

“M-Maybe… getting held… would be good?”

When asked what she wants from Arius, most thoughts lead there.

Since her first time with Arius, her sexual desire has surged.

On ordinary nights, she comforts herself, and using her skills, she’s peeked at others being embraced, using it as material.

When she went looking for material, she found Towa already there, sparking mixed feelings, but that’s a side note.

“Nah, that’s not it.”

She’s a member of Ronnyan now.

Wanting his body? She could just say it—no need for a coupon.

Thinking she can’t without it makes her ashamed.

Plus…

Shuri hasn’t named the feelings she holds for Arius.

If asked if it’s the love Towa and the others talk about, she’d tilt her head.

Broadly, she could say she likes him.

But digging deeper, it’s probably not passionate longing.

“…Alright.”

Deciding on one wish, Shuri clenched her small fist.

※

—I want to play hide-and-seek with Goshujin!

Arius’s eyes widened.

It was unexpected. He’d thought of dates or such, but never a childhood game.

His eyes seemed to ask if she was sure, but he didn’t voice it.

Like with Mia, Arius figured Shuri might be sorting something out through hide-and-seek, so he swallowed his words and agreed.

“I know it’s dumb, but…”

The location is the Arius Family’s tentative territory, with the condition that Shuri won’t use her skills.

She sits, deeming this a good hiding spot, and breathes quietly.

She didn’t think it was a waste of the coupon.

No, Shuri wanted to be found.

The Shuri she crafted for Arius.

The Shuri who lived among the Rats.

There are many Shuris inside her.

The one made to admire Arius was fortunately accepted, though built from their first meeting, so it felt a bit shaky.

The one who suppressed emotions to stay unshaken for the Rats’ life worked well too. If Arius hadn’t shaken her, that future might’ve vanished.

“Me, huh…”

Shuri doesn’t know herself.

It’s innate—born an ugly woman, always making someone uncomfortable.

She told herself to be a “good girl” to avoid upsetting her parents, even when she was sold, vowing not to speak ill.

She lived suppressing her true feelings until she met Arius.

“Where am I, really?”

Hugging her knees, pressing her head down, Shuri looks like a lost child.

Many things are resolved.

Despite twists and turns, she has no complaints about now.

But she’s anxious.

Who is the self that feels no complaints?

Is the self that feels happy just programmed to think it should?

If she had to say, the cowardly self that hesitates at every turn might be her true self.

If so, what does that true self think of now?

“Goshujin-sama…”

Arius is a worthy master, so grand she feels unworthy to serve him.

The Rozaria incident, in a word, convinced her to fall for him, to be drawn to him.

No, it’s a lie to say she wouldn’t fall—he was that perfect.

As a man, as a master, in both ways, she’s certain no one surpasses him.

“I like Goshujin.”

No discomfort saying it.

“I’m in love with Goshujin.”

As expected, it feels off.

“I want Goshujin to hold me.”

Her womb seemed to nod before her heart.

Female instinct, perhaps—wanting to conceive with a superior male’s seed.

Her heart nodded late.

Of course—nothing fulfills her heart and body like sex with Arius, she’s sure.

“Maybe it’s just ‘cause I can’t imagine anyone else holding me.”

The mere thought of another touching her sends shivers of disgust.

She’s always disliked men, her sexual urges mild, likely from being sold by her father, making her feelings for Arius even stronger.

“My destined one.”

That’s probably what Arius is to Shuri.

That’s why she wants to know what her true self desires.

And then.

“Yo, found you, Shuri!”

“…Feh!?”

She wished to be found.

※

“Man, hide-and-seek basics, right? The darkest place is under the lamp!”

“Au… Goshujin, you’re amazing.”

Ronnyan, on the roof.

There, Arius found Shuri.

Not even an hour from the start—an early curtain call.

“What? You were confident? Heh, underestimated me, huh? Back in the day, they called me Demon Arius!”

“D-Demon Goshujin…”

Though that was in his past life’s childhood.

In this world, a boy playing hide-and-seek is like begging to be kidnapped and assaulted.

“Phew… But first time up here, and it ain’t bad.”

“Not bad?”

Ronnyan is two stories. With the basement, maybe three, but from the ground, two.

It’s not tall, so the view isn’t unobstructed, but Arius finds it nice.

“Yeah, you can see people well.”

He sees people coming and going.

“It’s like… Climbing super high and seeing far-off views is pretty, but you don’t think, People are living down there, right?”

“Eh, um… I don’t get it, sorry.”

This world has no buildings hundreds of meters tall.

Even the capital’s castle is half the height Arius imagines.

“Just sneaking up a bit is nice. Not looking down, not looking up—this height’s perfect. Well, you wouldn’t get it… Maybe I’ll build an Arius Tower someday?”

“A-Arius Tower? I-If Goshujin wants, I’ll try hard.”

“Kidding.”

Arius waves his hand patapata with a wry smile.

He can’t say, but he came here to scan for hiding spots.

He didn’t expect Shuri to be here—his deep-sounding talk has holes.

“Well, wanna switch and go again?”

“Eh?”

Shuri’s eyes widen at the next game’s mention.

“Huh? Thought one round was it? That coupon’s for a day. Let’s play hide-and-seek all out today. I’ll find you every time… If you can find me next, that is.”

“—”

A casual word.

“So that’s it…”

“Hm?”

Shuri felt saved.

She wished to be found—her true self, which she couldn’t find, she thought Arius could.

But the self found now was half-formed, and she thought that was it.

“Hehe, Goshujin! Hurry and hide, hide!”

“O-Oh? Alright! Here I go! Hey, don’t just leave me hanging, okay!? That’s brutal!”

“I wouldn’t! I’ll find you quick!”

Seeing Arius scurry down the ladder watata…

“…Thank you, Goshujin-sama.”

There are many Shuris.

Too many to count herself.

But if she finds Arius, seeks him…

He’ll seek her back, find her.

She doesn’t know which is her true self.

Maybe there’s no such thing, and all of them together are her.

“Can I start!?”

“Not yet!!”

But it’s not over.

Her search for herself, her feelings, doesn’t have to end yet.

Right, from this height, just sneaking out a bit.

“Yosh! Here I go!!”

Not looking up or down, just seeking the self she wants.

Surely, that person…

“Yes! Goshujin! Found you!”

“Too fast!?”

Is laughing beside Arius.