Chapter 21: Qingling, Could You Please Put On Your Socks?

Night had fallen over Tokyo, the city cloaked in darkness, and as the first lights flickered on, the night sky appeared lonely and desolate. In the remote outskirts, the raucous bustle of the metropolis faded away, leaving behind streets lined with dim streetlights and windows glowing softly in each solitary home.

"Ah~"

Kasuga Haruno sat on a cushion, leaning against the sofa, yawning, and suddenly felt a tickle at his neck. Turning, he glanced at the sofa.

Mirei Kiyosuzu was lying on her side, her golden hair scattered carelessly, exposing her exquisite collarbone that invited a kiss. Her oversized white T-shirt draped naturally, and her slender, astonishingly delicate waist formed a perfect curve.

Her cool, beautiful face was bathed in the glow of the television, and her sparkling toes mischievously teased Haruno’s neck.

Gazing at her flawless silhouette, Haruno couldn’t help but marvel—such a slender branch bearing such ripe fruit, how did she grow like this? Tonight, he decided, he must study it thoroughly.

He stood and plopped onto the sofa, sinking into its softness. Mirei merely cast him a fleeting glance, then returned her attention to the TV.

Haruno stretched lazily, his hand naturally resting on her smooth, white thigh. Neither spoke; at first, his hand behaved itself, but gradually, it began to creep upward.

"Hey! You fat idiot, watch it," Mirei snapped irritably.

Caught in the act, Haruno didn’t bother to pretend, grabbing her slender legs and pulling her, with Mirei in tow, downward. Her white T-shirt rode up to her waist, exposing the delicate curve of her midriff.

Below the waist—wait, why is she still wearing Crayon Shin-chan shorts? Girl, just how much do you love that character?

It hardly fits your persona, you know? Shouldn’t a tough girl like you worship something like "Tokyo Revengers"?

"You bastard!" Mirei hastily tugged her T-shirt down, but it was already too late. By the time she realized, Haruno was pinning her to the sofa with his considerable weight.

Haruno said nothing, nor did he make any unnecessary movements.

"B-bas...bastard, what do you think you're doing?!" Mirei bit her lip, breathing lightly, her hands clutching her shirt tightly.

Haruno remained silent, stubbornly carrying on.

"You fat idiot!" Mirei’s cheeks flushed, as if she'd sipped a little wine, entering a tipsy state. Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, golden hair sticking to her skin.

Seeing that Haruno had no intention of stopping, Mirei steeled herself.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch! That hurts!"

Haruno snapped to attention, crying out in pain, "Let go, let go!"

Mirei seized the opportunity and planted her foot hard in Haruno’s stomach, then straightened her rumpled clothes and tangled hair, rising to stand over the kneeling Haruno.

"Fat idiot, remember this: you can only take what I give you, understand?"

She lifted her petite foot and pressed it against Haruno's chest.

"Hiss!" Haruno grimaced. This girl had a vicious streak.

"If you behave, I might reward you..." Perhaps out of apology or curiosity, Mirei turned her flushed face away, her voice dropping a few notes.

"Re-reward?" Haruno blinked, failing to comprehend.

He watched as her foot, once resting on his chest, began to slide lower.

?!

...

"Are you done yet? My foot’s getting tired."

"Mirei, could you put on some socks?"

Mirei paused, turning her blushing face, biting her lip, her bright eyes flashing with a complex mixture of anger, surprise, embarrassment, and curiosity...

"You scoundrel!"

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window. Haruno slowly opened his eyes, feeling the touch of his right hand. No longer startled by yesterday’s events, he deftly slid his arm free.

The girl rolled over, still asleep, her loose collar exposing a sliver of snowy skin.

The beauty of youth—how wonderful!

"One two three four, two two three four...once more..."

Dressed in a sports shirt and shorts, Haruno stretched in the morning sun. The breeze carried a hint of chill; this early, it was still brisk, but once he started running, he figured he'd warm up.

As he mused, thoughts drifted to Eri Momotani from yesterday. He wondered when the landlady would come out today.

To catch Eri Momotani for his daily check-in and complete his task, Haruno had already spent ten minutes warming up.

If, after this set, Eri Momotani still hadn’t appeared, Haruno planned to jog alone. It seemed he’d need to arrange things on LINE ahead of time.

"Haruno-kun, you’re up early today!"

A familiar voice called out. Haruno turned to see a mature figure approaching.

Her devilish figure and alluring, sophisticated aura constantly teased the restless hearts of adolescent boys.

It was the sort of physique seen only in Korean comics, now standing before him—no wonder young protagonists couldn’t help themselves.

"Ah, I just came out too," Haruno replied with a smile.

"Then let’s exercise together!" Eri Momotani flashed a captivating smile and took the lead, running ahead.

Ten minutes later,

Haruno swallowed, his throat dry, panting, "Mrs. Momotani, please go on without me..."

Saying this, Haruno felt his brain starving for oxygen.

"Haruno-kun, you’ve improved since yesterday! Keep it up!" Eri encouraged.

"Ha...haha..." Haruno gasped.

Watching her graceful silhouette recede into the distance, Haruno muttered,

Looks like I need to add some points, or I’ll keep getting looked down on.

"System, add points!"

"Ph...charisma, plus two!"

Yesterday’s morning exercise and today’s had earned him two attribute points.

[Charisma: 77]

Back home, after showering, he roused the girl lying on the bed.

Mirei Kiyosuzu rubbed her sleepy eyes. Though she'd slept soundly, her chest still felt swollen.

Yesterday it was the right side; today, the left. How odd.

On the crowded train, Haruno found no sign of yesterday’s female train molester and sighed in disappointment.

So, he thought, I missed my chance yesterday after all.