Chapter 5 Part 1 – A Sunday spent playing a game together with my wife at her request

Translator: Chaos

Editor: Riciel 

Recently, Riko has been inviting me out a lot.

It could be a time to relax after dinner, or a day off from work.

“Do you have any plans, Minato-kun? If you have time, I’d like you to spend it with me…”

When she told me in a reserved manner, I was sure that I would cancel any plans I had and fulfill Riko’s request.

Well, I don’t really have anything special planned either way…

And today, again.

“Minato-kun, are you free today?”

“Yes. It’s been a while since I’ve had a Sunday off from work.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Hmm…”

I usually watched a movie after work on weekdays, so I thought I’d play a game once in a while. I told her that, and to my surprise, Riko said she wanted to play with me. I owned a PS4 and a Switch Lite that I had recently bought, so it wasn’t impossible for us to play together.

“How about this one…? It’s the kind of game where you just have to hunt, and I think Riko would enjoy it.”

“I don’t know if I can play it well, but it’ll be fun if Minato-kun plays with me.”

What kind of pressure are you putting on me…!

I must make sure Riko enjoys this!

After finishing breakfast, we sat side by side on the living room sofa and began to play the chosen game. On the low table in front of the TV, Riko had prepared ginger ale and snacks for us.

Ever since I mentioned that I liked ginger ale the best of all carbonated drinks during a conversation some time ago, ginger ale has received a regular spot in our refrigerator. Riko’s devotion to her work was evident in every little detail.

However, it’s not because of her devotion that I fell in love with Riko. Instead, I felt that her ability to find anything to make me happy just by hearing it in an ordinary conversation and to give it shape without saying a word, was truly precious to me.

She’s a goddess, isn’t she…?

“Minato-kun? Why are you spacing out?”

“Oh! It’s nothing! – First, let’s create a character.”

I spent my day off playing games with the girl I love. I tried not to think about the specialness of it. If I were to become conscious of it, I would definitely make a lot of mistakes.

Anyway, I’ll do my best to make sure that Riko won’t regret playing the game with me.

I did my best to teach Riko everything from character creation to fighting mechanisms.

When everything was ready, we went out to the field together.

Riko’s movements were a bit awkward due to her inexperience with the game, but I loved her for that. I wonder if that’s also the reason for my different playstyle.

Normally, I didn’t care if my character was attacked, but with Riko’s character, it was a different story. Just being chased by an enemy made me react with, “Screw you!”, and I naturally had the feeling not to let her die, no matter what.

I’ll definitely protect Riko.

“Amazing…! Minato-kun, why are you so strong…?”

“Haha. I’m just used to it.”

“I don’t think so. I don’t think I could ever do it. You’re really amazing. Do you have a secret to your strength?”

“I don’t know… Right now, I’m just trying to protect Riko.”

“… So you want to protect … Wait. It’s not fair to say that out of the blue. It’s too bad for my heart…”

“Huh?”

For some reason, Riko buried her face in the cushion she had been holding and started to squirm.

Huh? What?

“… Hah. I thought I was going to die of shock.”

Riko’s voice was muffled, and I couldn’t really make out the content. So I don’t know why she’s squeezing the cushions and flapping them around, but I find the movement adorable anyway.

“Minato-kun’s attack power is too high…”

With both hands still hugging the pillow, Riko looked up at me.

No, if we’re talking about attack power, it’s the way Riko looks at me that’s dangerous…

“My attack power, you see, is due to the fact that I’ve been playing a lot, and I’m well-equipped.”

“You’re a natural…”

“Natural?”

What did I say that was so strange?

I couldn’t think of anything else, but Riko’s cuteness kept me from thinking too much.

… No. I’m ridiculously happy.

I found myself forgetting that Riko had someone she liked, and truly enjoying this time.

But wait a minute.

… Oh, yeah, that’s right.

Whether I do mind or not, it doesn’t change the fact that Riko has someone she likes.

So, rather than spending my time thinking about it and feeling dead, I’d rather get it out of my head and enjoy my time with Riko…!

It’s normal for me to think in a negative way, but the time Riko gave me today was so wonderful that it forced me to twist my thinking around.

“Hey, Minato-kun. What’s the material for this armor?”

“Material?”

“Yes, yes! Which one drops this material?”

“The main core of the Polar Dragon. That’s a pretty difficult strong boss quest, and I could take you if I’m the party leader.”

“Would it be difficult with me?”

“Hmm.”

Riko is right… but wait.

It’s a strong boss…

It’s obvious that Riko, who just started today, and I, who have been slacking off lately, will have a tough fight.

Success will depend on luck a lot, and it will be like hoping for a miracle.

But if such a miracle were to happen, it would be…

– I’m going to honestly enjoy the time I spend with Riko from now on.

“All right, Riko, let’s give it a shot.”

“Yeah…! It may slow you down, but I’ll do my best…!”

I’ll do my best to be Riko’s protector.

Not only that; if possible, I’d like to defeat the enemies and give Riko a sense of victory as well.

I’m going to go for it.

I gritted my teeth and grabbed the controller again.

◇◇◇

– And 45 min later. We won the fight, close to our deaths. It was a miracle that it happened.

… I should just get it over with.

I’m going to enjoy this situation as much as I can.

Just because I love someone who has someone they love, doesn’t mean I’m obligated to live in pessimism.

Even if I’m not the one Riko loves, I’m happy just to be with her, so let’s not destroy that little bit of joy with our own hands.

Listen, the guy whom Riko likes.

I don’t know who you are, but I’m sitting next to Riko right now instead of you, and I’ve got her incredibly cute smile all to myself…!