Volume 4 Chapter 7 – Shutou Household – 2

| Kyosuke Todou

After that, I got them to stop bowing and lectured them a bit. We finally gathered around the table, the three of us. Really, let’s stop with the bowing thing, okay? That’s probably borderline harassment.

“Have you been here before, Toudou-san?”

“No, it’s my first time in the house. Though, I used to visit the model shop out front often.”

“I know. I saw you.”

“Woah, that’s kinda creepy… You’re giving off a weird vibe here.”

“…Just go home.”

“I don’t think you’re creepy at all, Shutou-san. Don’t worry about it. You could’ve said hello, you know? But, wow, Mamiya-san, you’ve got a sharp tongue.”

“!! I’m lying! I’m so sorry! I’m sorry! …I was just shocked… shocked that it’s your first time here… Shutou-senpai, I apologize.”

“…It’s nice that you can apologize right away. Let’s be mindful, alright?”

“Ahaha. She got scolded. If Kyousuke-kun forgives you, then I forgive you too. Help with the tea.”

“Muh! Um… but…”

“Underling.”

“Fiiine, I got it~”

“Kyousuke-kun, wait here.”

“Huh, ah…”

The two of them left to prepare tea and snacks, probably to avoid leaving us alone in the room.

…No, this isn’t good.

…It’s awkward now that they left.

As a result, it’s just the two of us here in the room now. Being alone makes every sound clear as day.

I mean, I’ve got sharp hearing.

“Mm, mm, mm.”

She’s still going… Is she a hero or something? Everyone’s a hero in this world.

A female hero… there was a time you could pick one, wasn’t there?

But really, what’s the right way to handle this situation?

◆

The two who left haven’t come back yet. For now, let’s deal with the pressing matter of these suspicious panties.

Or… should I play dumb about it? I mean, wouldn’t Shutou-san think I was rummaging through the closet if she came back?

Most heroes end up getting suspected anyway.

Not to mention, I’m not even sure if that balled-up thing is actually panties. I’d have to open it to confirm. And I can’t even be sure if it belongs to the person hiding under the bed.

But I’ve always had good instincts.

That’s definitely panties. Without a doubt.

Now, who’s hiding under the bed anyway? It’s definitely a girl, but it would make a big difference if she’s a friend of Shutou-san’s, someone she knows, or a complete stranger.

If she snuck in without a word and is hiding under the bed, it could be a case of yuri partner or stalker.

In that case, I’d essentially be a stalker stalking a stalker. Meaning everyone but me is a stalker. Double? No, triple the stalking. Bartender, less ice here. And a chaser, please~

No, that’s not it.

There’s one person in this room who’s not a stalker! …Wait, that makes it sound like being a non-stalker is a bad thing.

No, that’s not it either.

It’s not like we’ve got a “Stalker x3 appears!” situation. This isn’t a slime battle.

If she’s a friend, she’s going to the lengths of stalking for the sake of yuri.

If she’s an acquaintance, she’s going to the lengths of stalking for the sake of yuri.

If she’s a complete stranger, she’s going to the lengths of stalking for the sake of yuri.

…So, whether she’s a friend, an acquaintance, or a stranger, she’s a yuri stalker either way. Seriously…?

“Hero! Won’t… lose…!”

“What!?”

Did she just say “Hero”!? Is there another returning hero here!? Wait, wait, calm down, calm down.

For example, a hero who saved another world… might be stalking their beloved… hiding under the bed… doing some kind of love ceremony?

No, no, that’s ridiculous.

Or maybe, she’s performing a ritual to save Shutou-san and her friend from the dream world ruled by succubi…?

No, no, that’s absurd too.

Let’s just drop it.

It’s probably some kind of metaphor. I don’t sense any magic, anyway. Yeah, yeah. I’ve always had good intuition. Though intuition’s not really the issue here—maybe I should use detection magic instead.

“Curse… magic… can’t… use…!”

“What!?”

She’s really fighting, isn’t she!?

So… what does this mean?

Is this supposed to be Hero vs. Evil Magician?

…No, the hero would obviously win, wouldn’t they?

But it sounds like she’s struggling…?

There haven’t been many evil magicians to begin with. They never come across as very strong since they’re usually weak and get defeated quickly.

In Alefgard, magic is tied to emotions and wishes, so it doesn’t suit deceitful personalities. Truly twisted magicians are formidable opponents, but there aren’t many compared to the demon races. If they’re too malicious, they’re constantly targeted by the Temple Knights. They can’t even live in peace.

“Ah… ah… ahhh!”

If she’s from a different world… well, considering the current mood, it does feel like another world, but… is she getting more intense?

Her voice is getting louder.

She knows I’m here, right?

With detection magic, I can tell her gaze is directed this way. And I have a feeling she’s only getting started.

“…”

While still crouched, I stealthily moved toward the supposed panties. Until I open them, they’re Schrödinger’s panties. If I don’t open them, they’ll never be officially deemed panties.

Why does this feel like I’ve taken someone hostage…?

Whatever. I’ll make this girl hero, who’s currently in a heated battle with an evil magician, witness this.

If I hold up this mysterious fabric (hypothetical panties), there should be some kind of reaction, right?

Don’t underestimate a former hero with five years in the fantasy world under his belt!

…Although, it makes me feel more like a rookie craftsman. It’s like, “Congratulations, you’ve graduated from half-skilled. Now go build your career.”

…Whatever. If these hypothetical panties belong to Shutou-san or the person under the bed, a yuri stalker would probably explode in anger, saying to keep swords out of it. And if they’re unrelated, there’ll be no reaction. Either way, I’ll know.

Alright, here goes!

I reached out for the mysterious fabric (hypothetical panties), and the girl hero gasped. Hmm. This is proof we’re not in a dream world. …So it’s yuri after all… or maybe not. It’s still Schrödinger’s panties for now.

I grabbed this mysterious piece of cloth (hypothetical panties), opened it wide, and revealed its true form!

Alright, show me the truth!

“Kyousuke-kun!? Stop that—!”

“Huh!?”

So I’m an acquaintance after all!?

In reflex, I managed to catch the girl who leapt out from under the bed like a startled cat, hugging her softly from the front, but due to my current weakened state, I ended up falling backward.

“Ah!!”

As a result, she ended up straddling my crotch, unintentionally rubbing us together despite being total strangers. And, thanks to that earlier display, things were… kind of awake.

Not that I’m going to say what exactly.

“Ah…! Can’t… stop… sorry… eek…”

For some reason, she gave a single stroke, paused briefly, shivered, and then… had a little accident. A warm sensation seeped into my lap… warm?

…

Ruri-chan?

And as I caught her, the mysterious cloth (hypothetical panties) slipped out of my hand, fluttering gently through the air and landing on my face, bringing the truth down with it.

Gray panties with a yellow cat embroidered as a small accent, confirming their identity as real panties.

…I’ve always had good intuition.