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Yuto's words sparked a radiant smile across Hestia's face. She sprang up like an oversized white rabbit, bounding into his arms with a playful whine. "Yuto, I knew you'd treat me the best!"
'Mm, a very substantial white rabbit.' Feeling his chest thoroughly occupied, Yuto nodded in quiet satisfaction.
…..
It was a rest day today. With no pressing matters to attend to, Yuto and Hestia decided to spend it wandering the streets of Orario together. Strolling through town with a cute goddess at his side was its own kind of carefree bliss.
Along the way, they even scoped out a luxurious villa nestled in a tranquil, central district of the city. With Yuto's current wealth, he naturally gravitated toward the finest options in clothing, food, housing, and travel. Not only would it make his own life more comfortable, but it'd also provide a cozy retreat for the girls tagging along with him.
The villa was expansive, boasting several underground hot springs and the era's most cutting-edge entertainment setups. After a quick chat, both Yuto and Hestia fell for the place and sealed the deal with a full payment, planning to move in once renovations wrapped up.
Before they realized it, night crept in. The rosy glow of sunset sank behind Orario's towering walls, and a lone star flickered to life, drawing the curtain of nightfall. The city's nightlife buzzed with more energy than anything Yuto remembered from Earth. Locals filled taverns and squares with song and dance, their melodies drifting through the air. Streets shimmered with the eternal glow of magic stone lamps, while adventurers trudged home from the Dungeon, weary but alive. Ten thousand lanterns blended with the stars above, painting a breathtaking mosaic of light.
Among the crowded taverns, the Hostess of Fertility reigned supreme in liveliness. Graceful waitresses darted about like butterflies, delivering fragrant platters and exotic wines to eager patrons, fueling the already electric atmosphere.
Bang!
The tavern door burst open, and another band of adventurers streamed inside. At their helm was a woman with a red ponytail, a notably flat chest, and squinting eyes. She was Loki, the goddess of Orario's mightiest Familia.
"Yo, Mia! The usual, ten barrels of wine and fifteen of mead!" True to her reputation as a shameless drunkard, Loki ordered by the barrel, brushing off her Familia's exasperated sighs.
"Ah, it's Yuto!" Tiona's keen eyes zeroed in on him at the bar, and she let out an excited squeal. Her tanned legs propelled her over in a flash, a grin plastered across her face.
"What a coincidence, running into you guys again," Yuto said, sipping his rich wine with a leisurely air before turning to greet the Loki Familia.
"Yeah, out of all the taverns in Orario, we end up here," Lefiya huffed, puffing out her cheeks.
"Quite the coincidence," Ais chimed in, blinking once and nodding solemnly.
Thanks to their shared battle not long ago, the Loki Familia warmed up to Yuto easily. Captain Finn sat alone in a corner, watching Yuto chat and laugh with the Familia's beauties, his gaze flickering with unreadable thoughts. Meanwhile, veterans like the dwarf Gareth stuck to quieter company, clinking mugs with old tavern buddies.
It didn't take long for a tipsy Loki to start causing a scene, forcing her crew to tie her up in sheer frustration. The rowdy feast ended in a chaotic clamor.
As the Familia shuffled out noisily, Ais hung back, slipping away from the group. She watched Yuto's tall silhouette disappear into the tavern's back rooms, biting her lip before trailing after him quietly.
Inside, Yuto was talking with the tavern's charming waitresses.
"Wow, you found a place to live so fast…" Chloe sighed, her cat ears twitching as she gazed at the handsome youth. "Does that mean you'll be moving out soon?"
"Someone as remarkable as Yuto is bound to carve his own path," Syr murmured, her gray ponytail swaying as she dipped her head. Her hands fidgeted under the table, betraying her quiet disappointment.
'If Yuto moves out… can I still make him daily bentos?"'Syr had been crafting heartfelt lunches for him lately, and the gesture had deepened their bond. Whether it was a budding crush or something else, she wasn't ready for him to leave just yet.
"It'll be a while; renovations take time, at least half a month," Yuto replied offhandedly. Truth be told, with his money, he could've moved in sooner, but he wasn't eager to part with the tavern's lovely crew.
"Hehe, lucky you! I'd love to live in a big house too," Anya chirped, kicking her legs clad in sheer black stockings. Her cat tail swished merrily behind her, clearly taken with the idea.
"Hey, Yuto, can I swing by to soak in the hot springs sometime?"
"Of course! You, and everyone else, are welcome anytime," Yuto said with a smile, lighting up the girls' eyes except for Ryuu, whose expression held a hint of complexity. Still, smiles spread across their faces.
Just then, Chloe gave Yuto a gentle poke in the back.
"What's up?" he asked, turning to the black-haired catgirl.
She tilted her chin toward the door. "Check it out."
Following her gaze, Yuto caught sight of a golden-haired figure peeking through the curtain. It was Ais, spying on him.
"Miss Sword Princess has been watching you from the doorway for a while now," Chloe teased, her cat ears quivering with mischief. A sly grin curved her lips. "Hehe, Yuto, are you and Miss Ais a thing? Why else would she follow you all the way here?"
"Eh, or maybe you two have already… you know, and you've gone and ditched our precious Sword Princess?!"
"Slander's a crime, Chloe," Yuto quipped, already chummy with the flirty catgirl. He reached out, snagging her swaying tail and giving it a playful tug. After some light teasing, Chloe let out a cute whimper, her big eyes glistening as she pouted for mercy. The other girls stifled giggles, and even Ryuu struggled to keep her composure.
Done toying with the adorable catgirl, Yuto strolled outside to face the uninvited Sword Princess.
"Looking for me?"
Ais shook her head, then nodded.
"Should I leave, then?" Yuto turned as if to walk away, but she stepped on his shadow, sticking close. No matter where he drifted, she followed silently behind.
"Miss Ais, care to tell me why you're here? Otherwise, I'll just head off," Yuto said, his form beginning to fade.
Panic flashed across Ais's face. "Yuto, sir… p-please wait," she stammered. "I want to know how you became a hero."
"See? Was that so hard?" Though his figure was nearly invisible, Ais's sharp senses told her he was still there, watching. "You know an adventurer's skill panel is their deepest secret. Even within the same Familia, it's off-limits."
"Mm… I'm sorry," Ais mumbled, her head drooping, shoulders slumping in defeat.
She hadn't meant any harm; she just wanted to unravel the mystery of his strength. For over three years, she'd been stuck at Level 5, her stats maxed out with no progress. The frustration had driven her to seek answers from him.
"…"
Yuto hadn't expected such a heartfelt apology. Honestly, he didn't mind, he'd just been messing with the earnest girl. "If you want to see my skills, fine. But not here; too many eyes. Let's head outside the city."
A warm breath brushed her ear, and Ais's cool cheeks flushed. She blinked, glancing toward him with a glimmer of hope.
"Follow me." Yuto dropped his concealment, his form flickering before vanishing down the street.
"Awaken, Ariel!" Ais's eyes sharpened as she chanted her magic. A soft breeze swirled around her, boosting her speed to a blur as she raced after him.
Under the hazy moonlight, they dashed beyond the city walls. While Ais panted, legs trembling from the chase, Yuto stood unruffled, not a bead of sweat on him.
Without a word, he peeled off his shirt, revealing a physique chiseled like an ancient Greek statue. Even in the dim light, Ais couldn't help but sneak a few glances before locking onto his back.
"Is this… real?" Moments later, she gaped at his jaw-dropping stats in stunned silence. Could anyone in this world wield such terrifying, abundant abilities? She'd been hailed as a genius since childhood, but next to him, she felt small. Doubt gnawed at her as she stared at the numbers.
"Beyond S… there's an even higher tier?" A mere Level 1 with this many skills, what would he be at Level 5 or 6?
'Oh no, I hope I haven't broken her,' Yuto thought, slipping his shirt back on as he noticed her gloom. "Your mindset's off. Rushing only tightens the bottleneck."
He knew she'd been trapped at Level 5 too long, and even her calm demeanor couldn't fend off the growing unease.
"Yuto, sir… please help me!" Ais pleaded, her usual restraint cracking as she sought his guidance with rare desperation.
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