As A Result of Trying To Live An Erotic Slow-Life, I Have Become The Underground Ruler of This Upside-Down Otherworld - Chapter 73: Chapter Three Interlude: Do-Anything-For-A-Day Coupon - Towa

Chapter 73: Chapter Three Interlude: Do-Anything-For-A-Day Coupon – Towa

Arius’s right-hand woman, Ronnyan’s resident pervert, and representative, Towa.

In truth, she decided how to use the do-anything-for-a-day coupon the moment she received it.

“Goshujin-sama.”

“Hm, thanks. But really, you sure? This way—”

“No, Goshujin-sama. Spending this time with you is exactly my wish.”

The location is Rongrong.

A room typically reserved for renowned beauties or regulars who’ve amassed significant points.

It’s unclear if this world has the concept of wa (Japanese aesthetic), but Arius imagines a high-end ryokan room.

He regrets the lack of tatami, but the room is designed for sitting on the floor, a rarity in this world.

A low table sits at the center, surrounded by four cushioned chairs, likely for a group.

Opening the window reveals a well-kept courtyard, complete with a deer scarer. Sitting on the engawa, one can relax, steeped in wabi-sabi.

“Still, I was shocked. When did you come here?”

“Since Goshujin-sama brought me, I’ve visited bit by bit in my spare time.”

Arius, silenced by Towa’s gentle smile, changes the topic.

In fact, Towa didn’t use her connection to Ririeru. She earnestly saved points for this day.

As Ronnyan’s cook, she visited—not frequently—to learn from Rongrong’s cuisine.

“Classic Towa.”

“I’m honored by your praise.”

Arius looks around the room again.

Crassly, he wonders if they’ll do it here.

Like a couple trying a love hotel to break the monotony.

But a glance reveals no bedding. The shop discourages such acts in this room.

What’s her plan? Arius tilts his head, and Towa speaks softly.

“Fufu, Goshujin-sama? I didn’t ask for this to be held or for you to do something for me.”

“Ngu… Uh, well… Sorry.”

Arius’s mind jumps to sex.

He knows it’s a bad habit, but given his past, it’s unavoidable.

Before coming to the capital, he was undeniably exploited sexually, surviving that way.

He survived because he used being exploited. He was lucky to realize his sensuality was a weapon.

So, when problems arise, he first thinks, Can sex fix this?

The Rozaria incident was like that, and even recruiting Towa worked because of that mindset.

His solutions are few. Yet, the few cards he holds are jokers, so powerful they’ve left a deep impression.

This world’s people have brains in their dicks.

He half-seriously believes it.

“I wanted Goshujin-sama to rest.”

“Rest?”

Towa’s smile never fades.

Arius lived for himself, thinking only of his own needs.

A shop where ugly women get a slight edge? Just an excuse to leave Eld comfortably.

He disliked beautiful women, sure, but never thought to fix it.

Walking with Towa and the others, his switch flipped without him noticing.

He doesn’t realize it—or avoids it.

It’s unclear, but now Arius prioritizes others’ needs as much as, or more than, his own.

Only Towa seems to notice.

She understands she and the others warped Arius’s path.

His old way—sex—worked until recently.

Now, he faces issues needing other strengths.

“Yes. Goshujin-sama’s daily drive is wonderful, but I think rest is needed sometimes.”

Called his right hand, but with Shuri at Ronnyan, Towa’s skills are redundant.

She lacks Mia’s underworld power or Serika’s physical strength.

Even striving to understand Arius’s intent perfectly isn’t instant.

She prides herself on knowing him best, but Mia and Serika would claim the same.

In the end.

Towa has nothing unique to offer. Her pride has vanished.

Even as Ronnyan’s cook, Mia and Serika could manage.

“Towa…”

“So, I used that right to let Goshujin-sama rest.”

Towa wanted to heal Arius. Her role, she thought, was taken by those better suited.

Her confidence, her charm, eroded daily.

All that remained was her desire to care for Arius more than anyone.

“Come here, Towa.”

“Eh? Uh, um…?”

That’s why, probably.

Arius sits cross-legged zaza on the engawa, inviting Towa to his lap.

She meant to pamper him, not be pampered, but she can’t resist.

It’s not just Arius’s charm or Towa’s love creating this pull—something else is certain.

“Hey, Towa.”

“Y-Yes.”

Before she knows it, Towa’s on Arius’s lap, embraced from behind.

Cats curl up in kotatsu, but Towa curls up in Arius.

“Thanks.”

“—”

Holding Towa lightly, Arius says softly.

That’s why it reached Arius so directly.

Stripped of pretense, Towa’s heart held pure, sincere emotion.

Her deep, strong feelings for Arius made him feel warmly enveloped.

“Honestly, when I met you, I never thought I’d hold you like this.”

“…Yes.”

It was one-sided.

Arius saw Towa as a useful tool, undeniably, and Towa was enthralled by lust and emotion.

“But somehow… Meeting you, getting introduced to Mia, then Serika moving into Ronnyan. The plans I had? Gone without a trace.”

“That’s… because of us—”

“No, it wasn’t changed. I wanted to change it, to be changed.”

He was escaping.

Or perhaps he’d given up, believing happiness in this world was unattainable.

He thought reaching out would grasp nothing.

But he was slightly wrong.

“Making a place where I’m satisfied isn’t as good as making one where we can all live peacefully. That might make me far happier.”

From where Arius once stood, reaching out grabbed nothing.

Wanting to shut himself away was natural, maybe.

“It’s because of you, Towa.”

“…Me?”

Meeting Towa expanded his world.

He walked this path without understanding why.

“You’re warm, really.”

He didn’t want to let go of that warmth.

What he took to use became his greatest treasure.

“Goshujin-sama…”

“Yeah, I’ll take you up on it. Rest, huh?”

Adding strength to his embrace.

Arius buries his face in Towa’s soft hair.