Ch.42Storm Premonition (3)

“Anyway, you can go home and rest today without pushing yourself too hard.”

Sasix showed a strange kind of consideration toward me.

“I can’t really rest even if I go home.”

That’s what I said.

I had a feeling I’d be dragged straight to the bedroom as soon as I got home.

“Ah… I, I see.”

Sasix looked at me with oddly sympathetic eyes.

“Let’s hunt with all our might until 2 AM today!!”

Suddenly, hunting started to become enjoyable!!

“S-sure.”

Sasix nodded and drew his sword.

——–

After that, we cleared out nearby monsters following our usual routine. Thanks to the effectiveness of the monster extermination program, there hadn’t been any recent reports of humans being disabled or killed by monsters.

Well… there might be some media manipulation to ease public anxiety, but I decided to believe that what we were doing wasn’t entirely in vain.

When I was playing the game, I didn’t feel much about it, but now I had become a resident living in this game world. This was reality, and my wish was for my surroundings to be safe.

“By the way, Sasix. You look pretty tired too?”

I said to Sasix.

“Ah… well. I’ve been doing part-time jobs and various other things lately. Like club activities.”

Sasix replied.

‘As expected… he’s the protagonist.’

The life of a protagonist was quite busy.

First, he had to raise his humanity stats through various activities. For example, drinking tea at a sophisticated café or working part-time jobs would increase charm and sense, while participating in sports clubs would increase courage and tenacity.

Based on humanity stats, players could build friendships with various people, and as a result, unlock new Psychorobo combinations.

“Youth by day, extraordinary by night” was this game’s catchphrase.

Since it was still early in the game, Sasix seemed determined to raise his humanity. After club activities, he would be rushing to part-time jobs in a whirlwind of hustle.

“You’re living quite the busy life.”

That’s what I said.

“Well… I guess so.”

Sasix smiled brightly.

“But I can’t give up hunting monsters. It’s something only we can do.”

Soon after, Sasix put on a serious expression.

“That’s right.”

I felt motivated. I immediately drew my sword.

“Let’s go!!”

“Yeah!!”

Break time over, we charged toward the monsters that were gradually gathering again.

——–

Pleasant times always pass quickly.

“Well, it’s almost 2 AM now. Let’s head back.”

“Already… 2 o’clock.”

“Well, hang in there. Isn’t it your fault for hitting on just any girl in the first place?”

Sasix offered some irresponsible consolation.

“Hitting on just any girl!! Anyone who hears that would misunderstand!!”

I was just living my normal life. But Umi and Eri suddenly accelerated. I was the one hit by a passing truck.

“Being unaware is truly evil…”

Sasix made a naturally disrespectful comment toward me.

“Well, tomorrow, no, it’s already today. You know we’re meeting at the amusement park at noon, right? Tell everyone not to be late.”

Sasix said. Despite his cool guy concept, he seemed quite excited about going to the amusement park together.

———

Anyway, I parted ways with Sasix and headed to the entrance.

It was ironic how my lower body reacted like Pavlov’s dog even after having my vitality thoroughly drained.

‘If I had weak stamina in the first place, they would have given up on their own…’

Unfortunately, I was quite virile. Eri and Umi knew this and that’s why they pounced on me.

Well… it’s a cliché in possession or isekai stories…

No. The fact that they properly implemented this cliché while not implementing others was clearly malicious.

‘I don’t need this stuff, give me experience bonuses or something!! Or a massive stat boost!!’

Well, complaining won’t help. What’s done is done. With a resolute heart, I opened the front door.

“Ah!! Shota!! You’re back?!”

“You’re late.”

Umi and Eri greeted me immediately. As if proving they no longer intended to hide their true intentions, they were wearing only underwear.

“…Haven’t you slept?”

I gulped.

“Ah. We slept while you were out. We needed to recharge our energy.”

Umi said.

Energy recharge… I could feel their strong determination to systematically devour me by managing their stamina. It was scary. Really.

“Then… shall we go to the bedroom?”

Umi and Eri immediately dragged me along. I had given up even resisting by now.

After that, I was thoroughly devoured until I passed out in exhaustion.

——–

I woke up immediately to the sound of the alarm.

“Phew…..”

It was 9 AM. I had time to get ready, eat breakfast, and head to the meeting place.

“Mmm… the appointment’s at 12… let’s sleep more.”

Eri cuddled up to me, whining sleepily.

Should I? Honestly, the thought wasn’t unappealing. I was feeling sleepy too.

“No way.”

Umi sat up abruptly and said.

“The amusement park is a battlefield. We need to prepare in advance to win.”

Umi spoke with a determined tone.

“What do you mean battlefield…”

The real battlefield was this bedroom. I was about to say that but stopped myself.

“Right. Right. I need to wash up.”

I immediately headed to the bathroom.

Eri seemed to want to shower with me, but she couldn’t overcome her sleepiness and fell back asleep.

“Hey Shota. To save time… wouldn’t it be better if we showered together? We’ve already seen everything anyway.”

At that moment, Umi tried to enter the bathroom with me. Her face was slightly flushed.

“………”

I knew well that saving time was just an excuse. Umi’s eyes gleamed with greed. That intense gaze was directed at only one place. Yes, my lower body.

“Stay back!!! You demon!!!”

I immediately made a cross with my fingers to drive away the evil spirit named Umi.

“Come on~ Don’t say that~”

Umi immediately acted cute and pushed me into the bathroom.

And so, from the morning, I was thoroughly devoured by Umi again. Despite it being a simple shower, it took an hour.

——

Anyway, Umi and I left the house right away.

“Eri. Take care of the house.”

I said, kissing Eri.

“Okay.”

Afterwards, Eri hugged me and nuzzled her head against me.

“Let’s go then.”

Umi pulled me along.

“………”

I couldn’t help but stare at Umi in her casual clothes.

“Hm? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Umi tilted her head. However, she seemed to be expecting a certain answer.

“No. It’s just that Umi is so pretty.”

I immediately gave the model answer.

“Really!!!! Shota!! Always saying such sweet things!!”

Umi immediately patted my shoulder.

“This won’t do… let’s cancel the appointment. I need to devour this Shota who always says such cute things.”

Then, Umi, overwhelmed by instinct, tried to drag me back.

“Get!!! A grip!! Woman!!!”

I immediately struggled to calm Umi down. I barely managed to pacify her.

———

It didn’t take long to get to the amusement park in Emoshita City.

We just needed to take a bus. I thought we might have to take a train, but that wasn’t necessary.

“Ah… I’m excited.”

Umi said with a giddy smile.

“Excited…”

There was a chance to visit in the game too, but that didn’t mean I knew it well.

In dating sims, the amusement park scene would just be a background CG, and then it would end with text saying we had a good time.

Soon, the bus arrived at the amusement park. Not that the stop was right in front of it. We had to walk about 15 minutes.

‘This… already smells like a low-budget place.’

I had that certainty.

——-

As expected. It was an amusement park in a small city. Just barely qualifying as an amusement park.

Old attractions, and they tried to compensate for the inadequacy by including a zoo.

How should I describe it… it felt like an unlucky Seoul Grand Park.

“Zoo…!!!”

However, just the existence of a zoo immediately raised my excitement. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that zoos were my favorite places.

Isn’t it the best to be able to see various animals that you can’t normally see?

“What kind of animals do they have?”

I immediately checked the sign.

“What? Didn’t you graduate from zoos in elementary school? Shota, you’re such a kid.”

Umi stood next to me, chuckling.

Then, I was overcome with despair.

“There’s no… giraffe…?”

Thud-!

I collapsed right where I stood.

“Come on. It’s fine without giraffes. They’re not even that cute.”

Umi said something very high school girl-like.

“You fool!!!!!!”

I couldn’t hold back my scolding.

“Shota!! Don’t shout!!”

Umi yelled with a bright red face.

“Listen!!! Giraffes are essential elements of an amusement park!!! The presence of large animals like giraffes determines the tier of a zoo!!”

I immediately expounded my amusement park theory.

“The absence of giraffes means it’s a subpar zoo!!! It’s like going to Shinsekai but not being able to use Bankai!! It’s like being a Shinigami but not being able to use Bankai!!! It’s absolute trash!!”

“Stop throwing around random words!”

Umi diligently objected.

Besides!! Giraffes were also visually impressive. Looking at their tall, massive figures, boys would burn with innocent ambition thinking, ‘I should grow up to be big like that.’ Biographies? Mentoring? None of that was necessary. Just looking at giraffes solved everything.

At that moment, familiar voices were heard from a distance.

“Ah. There they are.”

“We didn’t even need to look for them. Just by seeing that commotion, it’s obviously Shota.”

Sasix and Taiga approached me.

“Ah. You’re here. Please stop Shota.”

Umi said, pulling me along.

“Leave him be. He’ll tire himself out eventually.”

Sasix said calmly. Hey… hasn’t your treatment of me gotten harsher?

“Not taking his shirt off… pfft… where are we.”

Taiga was trembling with laughter for some reason.

Anyway, that’s how our amusement park party gathered.