It seemed that Ryoka-san had regained her composure and was pressing closer to me again.
“No, why does it have to be like this?”
“Well, we finally got into that kind of mood, and I kinda like you, you know?”
“Um…”
“Come on, come on. Is this your first time?”
“Yeah, it is…”
“You’re my first inexperienced guy too. I’m kinda curious about how it’ll feel.”
Ryoka-san straddled my stomach and grinned. She started to lift my shirt, but I grabbed her shoulders to stop her.
“No, this isn’t okay. We just met today.”
“Come on, we’ve known each other for about half a year, right?”
“But we only learned each other’s names today. For a guy and girl who aren’t even dating to do something like this…”
“Are you some old-fashioned prude?”
As I resisted, trying not to touch her skin directly, her lips pouted in a sulky manner.
“What’s wrong? Do you hate the idea of doing it with me that much?”
“It’s not that I hate it, and honestly, I’m more than welcome to the idea, but there are circumstances that make it impossible.”
“What kind of circumstances?”
I couldn’t exactly tell her that if we did it, she might die from the pleasure.
“Ah, are you Muslim? I used pork in the stir-fry today, was that okay?”
“No, it’s not that.”
Wait, are Muslims not allowed to have sex? I knew they couldn’t eat pork, but…
“Well, if there’s a reason, I guess it can’t be helped. I’m not going to force you.”
Ryoka-san didn’t complain any further and smoothly got off me. She stretched, revealing her slender waist and cute belly button.
“Alright, I’ll clean up the dishes.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
“You can drop the formalities now.”
She chuckled and started cleaning up the dishes as if nothing had happened, humming a song I didn’t know.
Her beautiful profile, blue eyes, and the way her blouse lifted slightly to reveal her not-so-small chest. Her short skirt swayed, showing off her healthy thighs.
To put it mildly, she was incredibly cute and cool. How happy would I be if I could have sex with a girl like her?
“Alright, all done. Tatsuya, I guess I’ll be going now… Tatsuya?”
Ugh, if only my experience wasn’t zero, I could have lost my virginity today… Am I going to die a virgin?
“Eh, Tatsuya, why are you crying!? Did something happen!?”
“Ugh… I wanted to do something naughty…”
“Huh!? Then you should have done it earlier! I don’t get it!”
Ryoka-san, though confused, comforted me as I shed tears. She really is a good person.
◇
“Have you calmed down? Are you okay?”
“Yes. I’m sorry for showing you such an embarrassing side.”
“It’s fine.”
“It’s getting late…”
I looked at the clock; it was past eight. A healthy high school student should be heading home by now.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. Even if I go back, there’s no one there anyway.”
Now that I think about it, she did say she lives alone.
“Um, can I ask you something rude?”
“Depending on what it is, I might punch you, but go ahead.”
“Uh, well. Have you, um, done it with a lot of people?”
“That’s what you want to ask? Yeah, well, I try to stick with more experienced people. But in this day and age, it’s not that unusual, right?”
Ryoka-san answered as if it were nothing.
“Is there a reason you want to level up?”
“Ah… well, something like that. It’s not a happy reason, though. Want to hear it?”
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to.”
Ryoka-san straightened up and began to speak.
“My mom has Petrification Disease.”
Petrification Disease. It’s a disease where the body hardens like stone. It starts from the hands and feet, gradually spreading. If it reaches the lungs or throat, breathing becomes difficult, and if it reaches the heart, it stops. Sometimes the brain is affected first. It’s a terrifying disease.
“There’s a plant in the dungeon that can cure Petrification Disease. It’s called Nankin Tou or something like that. It only works on Petrification Disease and is pretty rare, so the supply is limited. It’s way too expensive for me to afford.”
“So you want to get stronger to go get it yourself?”
“Yeah. I’m still far from being strong enough, though. That’s why I work at a convenience store and look for promising guys. I need money for equipment too.”
“Is your mom, um, still okay?”
“Yeah. She can’t walk anymore, but she’s not in immediate danger of dying.”
Well, who knows how long she’ll last, Ryoka-san added in a low voice.
“Sorry, sorry, this got kinda dark.”
As if shaking off the dark mood, Ryoka-san forced a smile.
“Well, that’s how it is. I hope you can sort out your circumstances soon and get to do something naughty.”
“Me too.”
“When that time comes, let me know. I’ll help you out.”
“Really!? Thank you!”
I immediately bowed my head, and Ryoka-san laughed.
“No pride at all, huh? Well, I’m heading home. Today was fun. Don’t just eat tantanmen all the time, okay?”
“Got it. I’ll try to cook more.”
Ryoka-san waved her hand behind her back and left without looking back. She was cool until the very end.
“Ahh… I really wanted to do something naughty.”
I wonder when I’ll ever get to do something naughty…
