(The Hisame event flag is back up? Why?!)
I frantically spun my head, half in a panic.
I thought I had managed to avoid the condition “Hisame calls me to her home” with that sexual harassment attack.
But then, why is the flag still active now?
Perhaps the point of this event wasn’t being invited to her home?
Could it be that I fulfilled the condition “Compete with Hisame and have my abilities recognized” in that battle?
No, that alone seems unlikely.
Or, it’s possible that seeing “Hisame’s skin,” even indirectly, has triggered a new flag.
What if there was a family rule stating, “You must marry the person who sees your skin”?
Considering the nature of the Hisame event, it’s disturbingly plausible.
If that’s the case, then in my attempt to avoid the flag, I might have ended up stomping all over it instead.
(Wait! Calm down!
First things first, I need to confirm if the Hisame event has indeed reactivated!)
I told myself this and looked at the person who had thrown me into this vortex of confusion.
Facing the seemingly innocent girl who looked at me and said, “What’s wrong? Big Brother!” I quietly swallowed.
— A desperate battle was about to begin.
After that, I spoke with Poison-tan for a bit, and it seemed the situation was as I had imagined, or even worse.
The last time the event was close to triggering, “information about Hisame’s house” was unnaturally inserted into the conversations of the townspeople.
But now, it was different.
“Um, so, could you tell me again what you came here to do?” I asked.
“Hahaha, that’s hilarious.
I’ve told you so many times, Big Brother, your brain is only about as big as a Goblin’s.
I think Big Brother should go to Hisame’s house quickly,” Poison-tan replied with a purely evil smile.
This situation was no longer incomplete like before; it seemed the event had been fully initiated.
Instead of “information about Hisame’s house” being inserted between topics, all topics had switched to “information about Hisame’s house.”
(This is bad.)
If it were an incomplete flag, I could have broken it. But if a complete flag has been established, is it even possible to discard it?
And more importantly, as the immediate problem:
“You should go to Hisame’s house obediently, so why are you trying to get around it? Big Brother!”
“Do you know the meaning of the word ‘responsibility’? Big Brother!”
“Hisame’s Dojo is to the west. Do you understand west? Big Brother!”
“Have you perhaps lost the ability to speak? Big Brother!”
“Are you thinking that if you stay silent, everything will be okay, like some kind of stupid criminal? Big Brother!”
If I don’t do something about this sharp-tongued girl in front of me, my spirit will be crushed!
“R-Ringo…”
The one I, on the verge of mental collapse, reached out to for help was, of course, my partner.
After observing me for about three seconds, Ringo whispered something to Poison-tan.
Watching with a prayer in my heart,
“I see. Then it’s alright,”
Poison-tan seemed to have easily accepted Ringo’s words and walked towards the room’s exit.
“See you, Big Brother!
Don’t forget, Hisame’s Dojo is in the west of the Capital City!”
With a final reminder about Hisame’s house information, Poison-tan left the room.
“Hey, Ringo. Poison-tan’s errand was…”
After seeing her off to the entrance, I asked Ringo.
“…The Guild prepared the money,”
“As expected,”
I let out a deep sigh with the words.
This confirmed that Poison-tan’s errand had originally had nothing to do with Hisame’s house.
The continuous Hisame event had occurred completely.
“Huh? But wait, Ringo, you’re talking normally.”
“…?”
Ringo tilted her head slightly.
She didn’t seem to be aware of it herself…
“Hey, Ringo. Could you try saying something?”
“…Sexual harassment.”
“Bad! Never mind!”
We had talked so much.
It was clear that Ringo was unaffected by the event.
And, as just proven, it wasn’t as if Ringo’s mood had completely improved.
Was Ringo an exception, or was Poison-tan?
I decided to go outside and find out.
The result was:
“Hey, bro! This item is cheap right now, but go to Hisame’s house first!”
“This Dungeon is the hottest right now! But I recommend Hisame’s Dojo, which is west of town!”
“Oh, what a handsome man! Only this shop suits you.
It’s in the west of the Capital City, called Hisame Dojo…”
“Yo! Sorry, this place is full!
Wait at the Dojo to the west until a seat opens up!”
“Thanks to you, Blue has gotten so much better…
All we can do to repay you is tell you the location of Hisame-san’s house.
It’s to the west of the Capital City…”
“Soma-bro, it’s been a while!
My sister is doing well, so leave this to me and hurry to Hisame’s Dojo!”
“Coming right up, two apples.
Then I’ll tell you a special rumor instead of a product.
I hear a Dojo run by the Hisame family has been built to the west of the Capital City.”
It was like this for everything.
With this extent, there was no longer any room for doubt.
The Hisame event had been triggered.
Or rather, the townspeople’s dialogue seemed more diverse than in the Game.
However, it seemed I couldn’t use the shops or trigger other events, just like before. An old woman at the vegetable stall even took my 100 E by force for the payment, but only stole the money.
The reason Ringo seemed unaffected was probably because she was a Bug character.
Perhaps the event flag didn’t exist for Ringo.
If that’s the case, even if I met Maki, she might end up only talking about Hisame’s house.
I hoped the Player’s correction was working properly. If not, I’d have to go all the way to the Royal Castle, hear about Hisame’s house, and then come back.
No, even before that, if the Knights’ Order showed up at my house, they’d probably just tell me the location of Hisame’s Dojo and leave.
(…This is no good. I have to do something about this situation.)
Despite thinking so, I no longer had any ideas for evasion.
The only sure way was to go to Hisame’s Dojo with Hisame herself, but if I did that, then…
(Wait a minute?)
Perhaps the next event, “Visit the Dojo with Hisame,” was the solution to avoid the situation where “characters only talk about Hisame’s house.”
In the Game, Hisame would have been waiting at her home then.
But in the current situation, would Hisame have truly returned home?
According to my knowledge from the Game, Hisame hadn’t returned to the Dojo much in the past few years.
Even so, she made a rare return home, saying it was to introduce her potential marriage partner.
However, for some reason, the Hisame’s house visit flag was triggered, but I hadn’t been told she wanted me to come to her house yet.
Would Hisame return home in this situation?
If I consider Hisame’s whereabouts as part of the event, it feels like she should have returned. But if it’s within the scope of an Irregular, she could still be somewhere else.
What if Hisame hasn’t gone home yet?
If I were to start the event properly and resolve this stalled state, I would first have to find Hisame and persuade her to go to the Dojo with me.
(No, no, that’s impossible!)
Finding Hisame, whose location I don’t even know, without any hints, and then persuading her, whom I made cry with that sexual harassment, to go home with me? That’s an impossible game. The situation has only worsened.
(If only I had gone to the Dojo honestly before…)
I even feel regret, but there’s no helping it now.
I was able to go shopping afterward because I stalled for time using the Duel as an excuse.
I want to believe it wasn’t a waste.
“In any case,”
First, I need to find out Hisame’s whereabouts.
With a tragic resolve, I turned back to face the town where only information about “Hisame’s house” was being exchanged.
However, unfortunately, I don’t have any items or skills to find Hisame’s location, and no matter what I ask the townspeople, they only talk about Hisame’s house.
It should make sense for them to talk about Hisame herself since it’s a Hisame’s house-related event, but they didn’t seem to have that kind of flexibility.
After a considerable amount of time passed, I realized that if I asked, everything would turn into “information about Hisame’s house,” but if I had Ringo ask, there would be no problem.
As soon as Ringo started asking questions, information started pouring in, as if defying the previous difficulties.
Several people saw Hisame run out of the gate with incredible speed that morning.
Most people couldn’t follow her with their eyes due to her speed, but that conversely revealed her identity to everyone.
“It’s this way, isn’t it.”
There were several Fields in the direction indicated by the information.
However, among them, I predicted that she must have gone to Lake Regus.
After all, Lake Regus has steep cliffs.
Anyone cornered would surely head for a cliff.
“I can’t believe she’s actually here…”
From a distance, I could see someone standing at the tip of the cape.
Based on her clothing, it was probably Hisame.
The truth from a lie. My words, spoken somewhat casually, seemed to have hit the mark.
Hisame was supposed to be afraid of heights, but was she that cornered?
“Well then, shall we go?”
I said so and tried to start walking ahead, but…
“…I’m not going.”
Ringo did not follow behind me.
“Hey, wait. You know, now…”
I was about to complain, thinking she was still grumpy from that time, but Ringo shook her head.
“…Maybe it’s better alone.”
Seeing her face, I felt ashamed of my selfish imagination.
Ringo was looking at me with a conflicted expression.
“But what do you mean ‘better alone’…”
“…I’d be happier that way.”
I didn’t quite understand what she meant by “happier,” but she didn’t seem inclined to say more.
“…Understood. I’ll go.”
I knew Ringo could be surprisingly stubborn.
Besides, if Ringo, who never left my side worrying about me, said so, it must be necessary. I started walking towards the cape alone.
Hisame stood at the very tip of the cape.
The wind was blowing fiercely, rustling her hair.
It looked like Hisame might fall with just that wind pushing her, and my heart fluttered.
“This is probably the first time.
You, who I didn’t call, have come to me on your own.”
As expected, she sensed my presence. Without any sign of turning around, Hisame spoke to me.
“If you say so, it might be.
Did I keep you waiting again today?”
Hisame gently shook her head.
“No.
Actually, I was planning to call you.
I didn’t expect you to come to me.”
Saying it was a happy coincidence, Hisame turned around. Her clothes, which had been wet and see-through then, were now dry. Although her face was as well-composed as ever, her cat ears seemed to retain traces of exhaustion, fear, and dampness. Seeing that, even I was struck with guilt.
“Um, about the other day…”
Before I could apologize, Hisame asked,
“You… saw it, didn’t you?”
I choked. The image of her bare body, seen through her wet clothes, flashed in my mind.
“I… I…”
“It’s fine. Your reaction alone is enough.”
I tried to say something, but Hisame interrupted me with a gesture that seemed tinged with sadness.
“Actually, I knew.
I could clearly see where your gaze was fixed.”
“U-, ugh… I’m sorry.”
There was no room for excuses when she said that. Was I looking at her with such lewd eyes? It was a bit sad that I couldn’t deny it.
Hisame replied with a short “No” to my apology, then began to speak.
“However, if you’ve seen me in such a state, I cannot fail to report it to my father.
Since I promised you that calling you to the Dojo would be off the table, I apologize, but I will have you accompany me.
Of course, I won’t make any unreasonable demands like asking you to inherit the Dojo or fight disciples.
I will invite you as a guest.”
“…Ah.”
To her, it might have been a separate matter because the purpose was different from the promise.
Or perhaps she was taking this incident more seriously than keeping her promise.
I nodded calmly, internally screaming.
(It was the “seeing skin equals marriage” route after all!!)
Hisame’s family was an old-fashioned one.
It was an old-fashioned family fabricated by the “Nekoneko” staff with only superficial knowledge and prejudice, not by actual understanding of old customs.
The rule of “seeing skin equals marriage” was not something that appeared in the Game, but it wouldn’t be strange at all if such a setting existed in the background.
However, considering that, this world’s reproduction rate is astonishing.
It’s reproducing even parts that weren’t implemented in the Game; I don’t know if it’s faithful to the Game or not. What amazing work they’ve done.
“…Do you dislike being with me after all?”
However, she suddenly began muttering such things, perhaps misunderstanding my silence as I was lost in my thoughts.
“Eh? No, not really…”
I reflexively denied it, but it seemed to have the opposite effect.
“It’s fine.
Since I showed you that… your reaction is understandable.”
“No, I mean…”
No matter how hard I protested, it didn’t resonate. She smiled wryly and said,
“You must have thought I was disgusting, right?”
I have no idea what she’s talking about. Did she have a hidden setting about being insecure about her body?
However, that would be completely unfounded, or rather, an unnecessarily luxurious concern. If Hisame were to have complexes, Ena would… that’s a joke, of course, but at least Hisame shouldn’t be ashamed of her body.
“No, I thought you were beautiful.”
So, I said that like a manga protagonist, with a straight face. I meant it.
To praise someone after sexually harassing them and peeking at their body, I admit it’s insane, but I said it anyway.
“Lies! That’s…”
However, Hisame showed signs of being flustered by that. Was it really a complex? In any case, I pushed my advantage.
“No, more than anything I’ve ever seen, I thought you were beautiful.
Hisame, you, um, in your natural state, you’re more attractive.”
However, that was the sorrow of being alone. Because I wasn’t used to complimenting people, I ended up saying something incredible without realizing it. I just said a compliment that came to mind, but if I think about it calmly, it sounds like:
“Your see-through appearance was the highlight of my life!
I think you’re best when you’re naked, don’t you think?”
This is undeniably perverted talk.
“…R-really?”
However, Hisame became extremely flustered by what I said. Did it truly strike a chord? I seized the opportunity and pressed on.
“Y-yes, of course!
I want to see it again!”
My runaway mouth wouldn’t stop. This can only be interpreted as:
“Show me your naked self again!!”
It’s not just perverted, it’s just someone faithful to their desires.
“…Understood.”
But for some reason, Hisame-san understood!
“Eh, no, just now…”
Ignoring my flustered state, she said,
“Please close your eyes.”
As she said that and reached for her clothes, I had no choice but to close my eyes. In the darkness, I was in utter confusion.
(Wait, wait, wait! What is happening here?)
I could hear the rustling of clothes. She seemed to be genuinely taking off her clothes. Is she really planning to show herself naked again? Besides, last time it was through clothes, I didn’t see her real naked body, so is this the first time…
(No, that’s not it! It’s not about that…)
Could it be that the “Hisame Marriage Event” that I don’t know about has been triggered ahead of schedule?
Or, if there’s a rule that seeing skin leads to marriage, isn’t this flow of events natural, regardless of the event?
I don’t know. I have no idea.
But I have a feeling I’m making a significant mistake.
“…Alright.”
However, Hisame’s voice signaled the end of my time. When I hesitantly opened my eyes,
“—!?”
Hisame stood there, red-faced, holding the clothes she had been wearing.
Her important parts were hidden by the clothes in her hands, but her shoulders were completely bare.
Is this, is this serious?
While I was lost for words, Hisame trembled with shame and spoke.
“Th-the thing is… back then, I had it wrapped around my waist, so you couldn’t see very well…”
“Well, to be sure, before I could get a good look at the most crucial spot, Hisame crouched down, and it was probably the momentum that allowed me to stare like that, but with my current state, I don’t have that kind of courage…”
But there was no time for such hesitation.
Ignoring my internal conflict, Hisame moved.
“I will show you… the place I have never shown anyone.”
And with that, “it” revealed itself before me. The moment it did, I felt all my thoughts scattered somewhere.
“…Beautiful.”
My mouth uttered the only correct words. The “it” that was exposed before me was the highest beauty, eclipsing all art.
A perfect silhouette that I would believe was created by God if told so.
A supreme texture that conveyed exquisite suppleness and touch, visible just by looking at it. Its elegant and subtle movement, like a willow tree swaying in the wind, radiating a certain allure.
— It was undoubtedly, the most beautiful thing in this world.
Unable to suppress the overwhelming emotion, I said it again.
“Truly beautiful. Truly beautiful… cat tail.”
…Yeah, well, I sort of expected that!
