kscans

Chapter 194 - Laying It All Bare

"And so begins the cultural festival after-party! Today, we drink, eat, and play!"

"H-Hoorah…"

This self-proclaimed ninja… is she invincible!?

As usual, the venue was the living room of the Arisugawa residence. The professor was apparently out for work again today, a Saturday, and Aira-san sat at the head of the table like she owned the place.

Oh, wait. She’s just frozen with a smug look on her face.

The table was laden with snacks and juice that everyone had brought, but our attire was… that.

Yes, it was Aira-san’s selection of cosplay outfits. Although the disappointing college student herself was in her usual tracksuit, and I was in a mascot costume with my face showing.

However, the self-proclaimed ninja currently holding a conch shell she’d pulled from her Item Box and making sounds with her mouth was…

"Bwoooh! Bwoooh! C’mon, Ky-chan, what’s wrong? Get more pumped! Like a ninja!"

"Define ‘ninja’."

She was in a bikini armor.

The old-fashioned kind of bikini armor that makes you want to ask, "What exactly is that supposed to protect?"

A red metal bra top held up by thin straps, with metal panties covering only the front. The back was just black fabric, making it look like a swimsuit.

She also had matching red shoulder pads, gauntlets, and greaves. Only her shoes were made of cloth, but she looked like a character straight out of some famous RPG.

Her bountiful cleavage and the beautiful curve of her northern hemispheres were on full display. Her slender waist revealed faint abs. Her butt, though well-toned, was pert and shapely. And her legs were long, slender, yet soft-looking.

Does this walking piece of erotica have no sense of shame…!?

"D-Do we really have to wear this…!?"

"Every time I go to Erina’s house, I end up in some weird outfit…"

Just look at those two!

One of them, Aika-san, was wearing a black bikini with long, fishnet gloves, baggy pants that only had fabric from the lower half of her thighs down, and straw sandals.

Her chest, more modest than the others, and her small butt were covered only by a triangle bikini. Her slightly visible ribs and long, vertical navel jumped into view.

And then there was Shizuku-san. She had on a pointed witch's hat and a black cape. Underneath, she wore nothing but a red bikini top, navy low-rise hot pants, and striped knee-high socks.

It goes without saying that her chest, disproportionately large for her height and wrapped in a bikini, was rocket-like. Full of life and vigor today as well.

And from the severe angle of the strings rising above her hot pants, I could tell she was wearing a high-leg bikini underneath. The crucial parts weren’t visible, but why is it that this kind of thing is somehow even lewder…?

"Paisen told me it was a request from you, Ky-chan! You worked the hardest at the festival, so you’re the star today!"

"Kyouta, you…"

"The lowest of the low…"

"Wait…!"

Faced with the scornful gazes of the two girls, I desperately shook my head, my voice trembling.

Ah, damn it. The mascot head won't let me turn my head properly.

"You’ve got it all wrong. I was the only one who had to wear an embarrassing outfit for the festival, so I just asked Aira-san if the other three could cosplay or something. I never gave any specific instructions."

"But you asked Arisugawa-san hoping for something like this, didn’t you?"

"The ab-so-lute lowest…"

"…Well, uh… I’m sorry."

"But this is pretty much a swimsuit, isn’t it? Is it really something to get so mad about?" Erina-san asked, tilting her head nonchalantly.

Well, yes. The amount of fabric and the material are basically the same as a swimsuit. But isn’t it weird to be okay with it for that reason…?

"Yeah, I guess you’re right."

"Kyouta-kun’s reaction was so funny I might have gone a bit too far. I’m sorry," Aika-san said.

Wait, am I the weird one here…?

I don’t really get it, but I’m just glad the girls’ anger seems to have subsided.

…Hold on, didn’t she just say my reaction was funny? Am I just being toyed with here?

—Jiggle.

—Sway.

—Bounce.

Before this glorious sight, all else is trivial!

"That guy is so easy to read."

"Honestly, I’m worried about his future. I’m even worried he might fall for some weird scam right now…"

My heart is a placid lake, with not a single ripple upon it!

"U-Um… I understand the situation, but…"

A voice called out to me from behind.

This mascot costume requires me to turn my whole body to look back. As I clumsily pivoted…

"Huh, a pervert?"

"I will knock you out!"

"Shall I put a curse on you!?"

"Calm down. It’s not you this time."

There stood the representative of the Super-Lewd Clan herself, Miyoshi ‘Pervert’ Mia-san.

She wore a white, boxy hat that a priest might wear, a white collar that looked like it belonged on a sister’s habit, and long white gloves. So far, so good.

But why was she in such a risqué bikini…?

Her string bikini was far too small to contain her explosive bust. Below her beautifully defined waist, her buttocks, which could only be described as a ‘massive ass,’ were barely covered. The back must be something incredible…!

She had a loincloth, but it was see-through, rendering it meaningless. The way her white knee-socks squeezed her thighs, creating a delectable bulge, was just so bewitching.

I declare it now. This was a sex-saint.

"My sister insisted, so I put it on, but… really, why me too…?"

"Let’s ask the person herself! Hey, Paisen. Wakey-wakey."

"Hah!? It seems I passed out. Thank goodness, so it was all a dream."

Shaken by the shoulder by Erina-san, the disappointing college student regained consciousness.

Wait, did this woman pass out with her eyes open…?

"A party with two high school girls I’m not really close with… that super-awkward situation never happened…!"

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but this is reality…!"

"Wh-What…!"

"It’s okay, Paisen, Shī-chan, and Ā-chan are all friends now!"

"I can’t pull off a move only super-outgoing people are allowed to make!"

Perhaps knowing that the exchange between the self-proclaimed ninja and the disappointing college student would go on forever if left alone, Mia-san—who was now looking even more erotic as a result of trying to cover her body with both hands—stepped between them.

For a brief moment, her backside came into view, and my Spirit Eye did not miss it!

That was the legendary T-back…! Her large, white peach-like cheeks quivered with a tiny jiggle…!

"Sister! Please tell me why you suddenly told me to wear this!"

"Huh, a pervert?"

"Hmph!"

"Ow!?"

The disappointing college student got a sharp slap on her silver head. It was less disappointing and more deserved.

"Well. I thought, since we’re doing this, let’s make the theme for today ‘An Otherworldly Adventurer Party’."

"We don’t need a theme like that… So. Why did I have to dress up like this too?"

"Hold on, hold on. It’s faster to show you than to explain. Erina-kun. Hand out those things."

"On it."

With that, Erina-san started pulling out weapons… no, weapon-like objects from her Item Box.

"Here, a bamboo shoot!"

"A bamboo sword?"

"And for Shī-chan, this!"

"A staff… a very twisted one."

"And for senpai, this!"

"What is this gaudy, rich-person’s staff…?"

"And finally, this is for me!"

Erina-san loosely wrapped a sword belt over her bare skin and hung a plastic sword from it with a string.

And with that, the group of beautiful girls in their lewd cosplay outfits lined up in a row.

I suppressed the urge to bow twice and clap twice with my reason. A scene like heaven, and a hell I must never touch…! Dammit, I can hear the sound of my orichalcum-grade reason chipping away!

"A party of a samurai, a mage, and a warrior—‘a ninja!!’—is missing a healer, I thought. So, I figured I’d add a sexual pervert—a sex-saint—to the mix."

"Hnngh!"

"Owwie!?"

Mia-san’s furious staff attack. She must have been holding back quite a bit, as only a light thwack sound came from Aira-san’s head.

Though, the person who got hit was groaning and clutching her head.

"B-By the way, Ky-chan-kun is the common mob enemy A that appears along the way…"

"Mia-san, please hit her one more time."

"Understood."

"Abaah!? Ky-Ky-chan-kun! You betrayed me, Ky-chan-kun!"

"Sorry. Being called a mob by a mob is surprisingly annoying…"

"I’M A ZAKO!!??"

Even with the physical abilities of a brown bear, she seems like she’d lose to someone from the karate or judo club…

Helping Aira-san level up has made me certain of one thing.

This woman is hopelessly bad at moving her body…!

How should I put it… her mental image is too far ahead of reality. The form in her head is probably perfect, but her physical control isn't developed enough to replicate it.

I knew that about her before, but I never thought it was this bad. I figured if she just moved around a bit, being an Awakened Person, she’d get used to it…

Maybe with a few years of training? Even then, I have my doubts.

Well, none of that matters now. What matters is the bounty before my eyes.

"There, there! Paisen, just think of it as a swimsuit!"

"No, this is pretty embarrassing even for a swimsuit…!"

"But senpai, you don’t seem to hate it?"

"W-Well…"

Her face red all the way to her ears, Mia-san’s gaze shifted from Aira-san to Erina-san, and then to me.

Then, as if making up her mind, she straightened her back and tightened her grip on the staff.

The chest! When she straightened her back, her chest went dwoomp! The tips were almost… the peaks of those great mountains were almost visible from that shake!

And… and… I feel like the peaks are asserting themselves a bit…

No, don’t think any further. My reason is going to overheat!

"W-Well. Since this is the cultural festival after-party, right? I will accept this as party entertainment."

"That’s right, senpai! Let’s just have fun with it!"

"And later, my sister will be the Demon Lord. In a similar outfit to ours, of course."

"Eh?"

"Ah, that’s a great idea. I’ll help."

"Eh?"

"Of course, I shall cooperate as well."

"Eh??"

Before she knew it, Aira-san was surrounded.

That aside, besides Shizuku-san who’s wearing a cape, the view from behind is also incredible… Mia-san is Mia-san, and Erina-san and Aika-san both have nice butts.

I’m a die-hard chest man, but butts are nice too…

But the side-boob visible on Erina-san and Mia-san even from behind is even better…!

"Paisen!"

"E-Erina-kun! Help m—"

"I think a Demon Lord who can’t fight is fine these days!"

"Help me, Ky-chan-kun! This is a crisis for your benefactor, the one who created this paradise for you!"

"Sorry, Aira-san."

Since I can’t move my head side-to-side in this costume, I just shifted my gaze.

"I can’t dive into that."

"Y-You virgin loser incel!"

The disappointing college student let out a wail.

I’m sorry… All I can do is burn this magnificent sight into my memory…! How powerless I am…!

Besides, I honestly want to see Aira-san in a lewd outfit, too. Her looks are truly perfect, her looks.

"Don’t say that, just jump in, Ky-chan!"

"Whoa, she’s coming this way!?"

"Since we’re at it, you should cross-dress again too, Ky-chan!"

"No way!"

Erina-san rushed towards me with an innocent smile, her chest bouncing up and down. Her huge breasts nearly spilled out of her bikini armor.

Then, she placed her hands on her knees and peered up at me. The combination of her beautiful face, the cleavage emphasized by her arms pressing from both sides, and the destructive power of her softly shifting chest made my head spin.

What is with this lewd, self-proclaimed ninja? I swear I’m going to pounce on her…!

Dammit, my brain is boiling! Blood isn't reaching my head!

"S-Strategic retr—"

"Hold on! Everyone, stop!"

Just as I was about to make a run for it, Aira-san shouted, holding up her smartphone and waving her arm frantically.

Instantly, I felt my boiling brain cool down. The sensation was similar to when I’m told of an approaching enemy in a dungeon.

"What is it? Just so you know, I’m not gonna let you talk your way out of—"

"Shī-chan."

Erina-san, who had approached unnoticed, grabbed the shoulder of a mischievous-looking Shizuku-san and stopped her.

Mia-san also had a solemn expression, waiting for Aira-san’s next words.

…I’m sorry. The outfits make this whole situation surreal, and my brain is starting to wobble again.

"Erina?"

"Paisen, did something happen?"

"Y-Yeah. Just now, I got a news alert from a site I subscribe to… It’s faster if you see for yourselves. I’m turning on the TV."

With that, Aira-san picked up the remote and pointed it at the living room TV.

She flicked through the channels—some drama, a shopping program—one after another. Her finger finally stopped on a studio where a ‘Breaking News’ banner was displayed.

"We have breaking news! An group of Awakened Persons, believed to have cooperated in the large-scale rebellion in China, were just discovered left in front of a military base, already in restraints!"

"What?"

Who let out that gasp? It might have been me.

At the unexpected news, my gaze shot to Aira-san for a moment. She had said before, "This might get wrapped up surprisingly quickly," but…

"There is a high probability that they are the ‘former Turohorse’ group calling themselves ‘Istio’… no, wait!"

The news anchor’s agitation was palpable even through the screen.

Taking a script handed to her from the side, the anchor broke out in a sweat.

"Their photos have been released online! In response, ‘Arianrhod’ has denied any involvement, stating that none of them are listed in the ‘Turohorse’ member registry—"

Forgetting the dreamlike scene around me, my eyes were glued to the screen.

…Seriously?

"Well, there were rumors about it."

Aira-san’s somewhat detached voice echoed through the living room.

"That the three girls from the ‘B-Rank Adventurers’ had posted on social media that they wanted to go see the Great Wall."

…Those scary-looking girls under Director Akasaka’s command!?

I remembered the small girl with the twin pigtails and the two beside her. At the ‘Briefing for B-Rank Candidates,’ they had a relatively normal appearance but radiated an exceptionally strong pressure, so they’d left a powerful impression on me.

There was a chance that powerhouses like them had gone to a rebellion-torn China. Furthermore, a group claiming to be ‘former Turohorse’ had been captured… and from the circumstances, it wasn’t by the local military or police.

It was hard to believe it was just a coincidence.

"Th-Then does this mean…"

"Yeah."

I sensed Aira-san nod in response to my words.

"It means Director Akasaka went and did it."