kscans

Chapter 188 - How Do You Protect Yourself in That?

Chapter 130: How Do You Protect Yourself in That?

The footsteps of the end were drawing near.

I looked up at the heavens to see a cloudy face, as if it were about to burst into tears. The cawing of a crow echoed from somewhere, and the thick, sticky air licked at my skin.

Ah. Why do humans repeat the same mistakes? When faced with the misfortune of others, we are either indifferent, take pleasure in it, or offer sympathy but look the other way and pass by.

But I have no right to condemn it. For I, too, have averted my eyes from disasters that befell others, treating them as someone else's problem.

Is this, then, a punishment? Is this the scythe of judgment, brought down upon the sinner who feigned ignorance?

If so, then the executioner is undoubtedly her.

A girl with a smile like the sun and hair of flowing gold. She turned her breathtakingly beautiful face toward me, her innocent eyes piercing my very being.

Her cherry-pink lips parted, and her cheerful voice announced that the day of my execution was fast approaching.

"The cultural festival is almost here, Kyouta!"

"Just kill me now."

It was September. With the cultural festival just a few days away, I stood before the entrance of the Arisugawa residence in the sweltering heat.

Why didn't I go in right away? Because, you see, I wanted to escape from reality...

But Erina-san, with her sharp senses, must have noticed me, for she came out to greet me. And, with barely a hello, she made the aforementioned statement.

This is very painful.

"Come on, come in! Shii-chan's already inside!"

"Yeah..."

"You're not looking so hot. A late summer slump?"

"Yeah..."

Erina-san, in a purple kimono adorned with golden leaves, peered at my face with concern.

I wish she would direct even a little of that kindness toward the feelings of a high school boy about to be paraded around in women's clothing in front of a large crowd.

"Well, relax in the living room! I'll bring some snacks and drinks right away!"

"Thank you..."

She pushed me firmly from behind and led me to the living room.

The moment the door opened, I sensed a strangely heavy atmosphere. The two women sitting opposite each other were in complete silence, and one of them was sweating bullets.

Seeing us enter, the sweating woman—Aira-san—put on a broad smile.

"Well, well, well! You're late, Kyouta-kun! Wait right there, I'll prepare some tea and sweets for you! You and Erina-kun just sit and wait."

"No, no! Paisen is the one who has something to talk about with you two, so I'll get it!"

"Ah, yes. Please do."

"Leave it to me!"

Aira-san, who had stood up from her chair, plopped back down at Erina-san's words.

As Erina-san breezily left the living room for the kitchen, I gave a small bow.

"Hello. Sorry to keep you waiting."

"N-No. It's fine. It's fine."

What's fine?

"Yo. I already read through the request form."

"Ah, yes."

Leaning back in her chair, Ooyama-sa... Shizuku-san flipped through a rather thick booklet.

A request from Aira-san. I didn't know what she planned to make, but I had heard that my and Shizuku-san's skills were needed. I got the gist of it after returning from the Demon dungeon, but the detailed discussion was for today.

The reason it took so long to schedule was that we needed to prepare for the cultural festival.

The 'props' were finished quickly, thanks to a so-called alchemist and a dwarf craftsman, but there were other things that required practice and so on.

But I digress. Today's client was Aira-san, so I was about to sit next to Shizuku-san.

Just then, for some reason, Aira-san was staring at me and shaking her head slightly.

When I tilted my head in confusion, she repeatedly darted her eyes between me and the empty seat next to her. She seemed to be trying to tell me, 'Sit next to me.'

I see. I understood the reason for the heavy atmosphere I'd felt upon entering and her excessive sweating.

This person was nervous because she didn't know how to act around her 'cousin's friend.'

Up until now, whenever Shizuku-san or Busujima-sa... Aika-san were around, Aira-san would embolden herself by pretending she was drunk.

But this time, she wasn't doing that. Most likely, Professor Arisugawa had confiscated both her alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, telling her to 'learn to talk to people sober for once.'

As someone who also struggles with social skills, I could deeply sympathize with Aira-san's plight.

I offered her a gentle smile and a small nod. In response, her eyes lit up as if she had seen a beacon of hope.

And then they filled with despair as she watched me sit down next to Shizuku-san.

"...!? ...!!"

Even if she gives me that 'You betrayed me!? You of all people!!' look, I can't help it.

Today, we are the client and the contractors. As a contractor, it's proper for me to sit opposite her with Shizuku-san, who is in the same position.

This is for Aira-san's own good. I must be cruel to be kind.

Well, I have my own personal reasons, too.

It's a little see-through...

Aira-san wasn't in her usual tracksuit or t-shirt, but a proper white blouse and black jeans.

While it was still midsummer hot in early September, the living room was pleasantly cool thanks to the air conditioning.

However, the sweat from her nervousness had dampened her blouse, making the skin and the blue bra underneath slightly visible!

If I were to sit next to that living embodiment of lewdness, that scion of the pervert clan, it would be the end. I had no confidence that I could discuss work properly. About ninety percent of my rationality would have to be dedicated to not staring at Aira-san's chest.

If you must blame something, blame your own lewd body...!

This was a necessary measure to ensure a serious work discussion. A booklet had been prepared for me as well, and I lowered my gaze to its cover.

'The Strongest! Aira-chan's Super-Secret Plan!!'

"Is she an idiot?"

"Please refrain from verbal assault the moment we begin."

I couldn't help but grimace at the world-endingly bad taste.

Seriously... Was she always this hopeless...?

"Wait. There is a reason for this, deeper than the ocean."

"Let's hear it."

"I couldn't think of a good name, so I went for a joke."

"Even as a joke, it's shallow, you fool."

Don't think you can just slap on an exclamation mark and '-chan' to make it work. That joke has been overused so much it's about to catch fire from friction.

"Here you go! I brought iced tea!"

"My dear Erina, are you planning to do something indecent to us!? To turn into a beast and—"

"Shut up, you hopeless of the hopeless."

"I-I've been demoted from 'co-ed' to just 'hopeless'...!?"

"Shii-chan, why does iced tea mean beast?"

"Beats me. I don't get her vibe at all. She suddenly started talking a lot. Did I do somethin' to make her hate me?"

"Nah. Paisen can only talk to people she can look down on, or people she sees as family!"

"Hmph... Erina-kun. Wait. Um, a little more, you know..."

Ah, Aira-san was shrinking more than ever. I forcefully tore my consciousness away from the gravitational pull emanating from the valley of her breasts, which were being pushed together from the sides.

This is bad. I must return my gaze to the booklet with the idiotic cover...!

"Here, you go."

"Ah, thanks."

A glass of iced tea was placed before me, along with a wooden coaster.

A glass filled with stick-shaped baked sweets was placed in the middle of the table, and Erina-san took a few steps back, holding the tray.

"Well then, I'll leave you young folks to it..."

"Erina-kuuun!? Wait. Don't leave me. Besides, you're younger than us. So sit next to me and protect my heart...!'

"Sorry, Paisen."

Erina-san's eyebrows furrowed into a sad shape, and she gave a wry smile.

"Granny told me to stay in my room with Senpai until your business talk is over. So, I'll come back when your discussion is finished!"

"Don't say that! Come on, just a little longer! Just for a little bit!"

"Well then everyone, I wish you luck! ☆"

"Don't leave meeeeeee!"

Ignoring Aira-san's anguished cry, Erina-san left.

"Rinzaki Erina makes a cool exit...!'

Correction. She made a hopeless exit. The level of coolness in that old man's exit is something a normal person could never imitate...

After a wistful glance at the closed door, Aira-san turned back to us.

"U-Umm, well then, umm..."

"Calm down, Aira-san."

"Silence, boy! Do you know my suffering!?"

"I actually kind of do."

"Right!?"

"...People she sees as family, huh."

Shizuku-san glanced between me and Aira-san, then grinned.

"I see, I see."

"Shizuku-san?"

"Don't mind me. Arisugawa-san. No, I'll call you by your first name. Aira-san. Please begin."

"Y-Yesh."

The fact that the most composed person here is a high school girl.

I averted my gaze from the cold-sweating Aira-san and silently cheered for her efforts.

Work mode. Work mode solves everything. At first, just say what's necessary with polite language and a smile. Leave the difficult stuff for later. For now, that's enough...!

I couldn't make eye contact since I couldn't look up, but I hoped my thoughts would reach her.

With that in mind, I also picked up the booklet.

*

Thirty minutes later, Aira-san, having drained her iced tea to replenish her lost fluids, let out a huge sigh. Then, all the strength left her body as she went limp.

She seemed to have burned out. Still, she had managed to hold a proper conversation in the latter half, so this was a huge step forward.

I gave her a mental standing ovation as I closed the booklet and put the ballpoint pen I'd brought back in my pocket.

"The points we need to hash out are pretty much these, right?"

"We won't know the rest 'til we actually try it. This is gonna be a pretty big contract, so I gotta have my old man and woman look over the paperwork."

"Do you think you can make it at your... at Shizuku-san's factory?"

"The 'size' ain't a problem. We can probably handle the technical side, too. But, Aira-san, are you an expert in physics and electrical stuff, too? You seem to know more about it than me, or even my parents... Actually, based on all the calculations and stuff you mentioned, you're pretty much a pro in that field."

"This person can do pretty much anything at a first-class level. Except for exercise and communication."

"Wow... Wow..."

I glanced at the hopeless beauty, her eyes unfocused and her mouth hanging open.

If it weren't for all the stuff with her mother, maybe her communication skills would have been average...

But as I thought that, I couldn't imagine an Aira-san who could be composed and sharp in front of people. In my mind, she was a hopeless co-ed.

"Are you done talking?"

"Ah, yes."

The living room door opened, and Erina-san came in.

Her timing was impeccable. Could she have been eavesdropping with her skill?

It seemed she was worried about Aira-san after all.

"Let's play then! Senpai was busy studying and wouldn't play with me, so I was bored."

No, I take that back. This self-proclaimed ninja was just looking for a chance to come play.

"Oh, that's right! Kyouta, is it true that Paisen has been bothering you in the game lately?"

"Well, yeah. I really wish she'd do something about that trash-talking habit."

"Without trash-talking... what is a winner..."

"She's saying that even when she's broken..."

"She probably means it from the bottom of her heart."

Shizuku-san and I looked at the hopeless co-ed with exasperated eyes.

She was still making a dumb face with her brain overheated, but it seemed she could still hear us.

"I see. Okay, then I'll make Paisen wear the clothes she refused to wear before because she was embarrassed, so please forgive her for that, okay?"

"Huh...? You don't have to do that."

"It sounds fun! And I think it's related to our discussion today!"

"Listen to me."

"Give it up, Kyouta. Once Erina's like this, she won't listen."

With a beaming smile, Erina-san picked up Aira-san and carried her into the next room. What on earth was she planning to make her wear?

Five minutes later, as Shizuku-san and I were discussing the request, the two of them returned.

"Sorry for the wait!"

"Yeah. What were you even doing?"

Shizuku-san sent an exasperated look toward Erina-san, who had returned with a huge smile.

With her kimono sleeves tied back, she wiped her brow as if she had accomplished a great feat. Not that she had broken a sweat.

"Glad you asked! Come on, Paisen, your entrance!"

"E-Erina-kun. Do I really have to appear before people dressed like this...!"

"It's fine, it's fine! It's okay, I promise!"

"Hey, wai—"

Erina-san went back into the next room for a moment, then returned, pushing Aira-san from behind.

"!?"

Seeing Aira-san's outfit, I almost burst out laughing.

To put it simply, she was dressed in 'a pilot suit from a robot anime.' And a very tight-fitting one at that.

From the shoulders down and from the thighs down, the material was black, but her torso and crotch were made of a white material.

The thin fabric shamelessly revealed her outstanding figure, and Aira-san, who seemed to have regained some of her sanity, was blushing furiously.

There were metallic decorations on her ears, forearms, and the tips of her breasts, giving it a somewhat sci-fi feel.

But more than that, it was erotic. The way she desperately tried to cover her chest and crotch with her slender arms only made it feel more obscene.

"Erina-kun...! Isn't this one of those 'How do you protect yourself in that pilot suit!?' kind of things...!?"

"It's okay, Paisen."

"What's okay?"

Erina-san gave Aira-san a confident thumbs-up.

"Your skin exposure is almost zero...!"

Is that the problem?

"I, see...!'

Ah, her brain's still boiled.

For some reason, the hopeless co-ed was suddenly convinced and puffed out her chest confidently. Her magnificent bust bounced with a fwomp, and my head followed its motion up and down.

I cannot resist this gravitational pull...!

"Now that you mention it, the only exposed skin is my face, and all the important parts are covered! There's no problem at all!"

"That's right!"

"What was I so embarrassed about! Hah, it seems my head was in the gutter!"

"Yep!"

As her chest bounced, the metal parts on the tips naturally bounced as well. In the center of each was a round, blue glass piece, which only served to mark the 'summit.'

In terms of sheer size, Erina-san and Mia-san were larger. And due to her height, Shizuku-san might have a larger cup size.

But Aira-san's were shaped in a way that deserved to be called 'beautifully magnificent.' Erina-san and the others had beautifully curved breasts, but hers were on another level.

And her crotch area was completely unprotected, or rather... Isn't that fabric a little thin? If it wedged in just a little more, I feel like I'd see a shape I shouldn't see.

From my seated position, it was difficult to stare at that area. But the vision of my [Spirit Eye] was extremely high. If I concentrated, it surpassed a telephoto lens.

I was more grateful for this skill this year than I ever had been...!

"Kyouta."

"Hwah!?"

A voice from beside me made my shoulders jump.

"N-No, this is..."

"Take this."

A convenience store point card was quietly slid onto the table.

"The discount coupons are probably expired, but I've got a decent amount of points saved up...!'

Hey, don't give me a thumbs-up.

The self-proclaimed ninja wore a smug look as if she had accomplished her mission. The lewd, hopeless co-ed started striking cool poses. The harassing dwarf was looking at me with expectant eyes.

What is this situation? Somebody explain it to me...! Mia-san... no, she'd probably just go wild, so she's out. Professor! Please explain, Professor! This chaos is mainly your granddaughter's fault!

"Alright, Kyouta-kun! Since we're at it, let's have a photoshoot! I'll recreate scenes from the anime, so you take the pictures!"

"Understood!!"

I nodded on instinct. I took out my phone and, while on one knee, started hovering with wind from [Mana Conversion].

I see. What Shizuku-san had once said about 'skill proficiency'... I felt like I understood it not with my head, but with my senses.

As I flew freely around Aira-san like a humanoid drone, I strongly felt my understanding of the skill deepen.

Putting that aside, I decided I would somehow store these photos offline.

───That night.

Aira-san, now fully back to her senses, utterly destroyed me in the game. But I had no choice but to accept it meekly. She was completely silent the entire time, without a single taunt.

And not a single word about deleting the photos.

Thank you... From the bottom of my heart, thank you...!