Chapter 113: As Expected of the Goddess of Culture!
For the customers, the restaurant's move to a reservation-only system on Tabelog improved the dining experience, but it also made the competition fiercer. Getting a reservation was no easy feat.
Day after day, people complained online that it was like trying to snag tickets for a top idol's concert.
On Ryohei Tanaka's end, with fewer customers each day, his revenue had dropped significantly, but his life had become much more relaxed.
All in all, he was very satisfied with the change.
...
Two days passed in this manner, and the weekend arrived.
Early in the morning.
"Ohayou~~~."
Ryohei Tanaka slowly opened his eyes. His vision was still a bit blurry when a soft, captivating, and mature female voice reached his ears. The sound was tinged with a hint of laziness, yet possessed an indescribable charm, as if it could effortlessly pluck at one's heartstrings.
Ryohei instinctively turned his head.
He saw Lucoa lying on her side next to him, propping her head up with her left hand. Her long, golden-highlighted hair was scattered carelessly on the pillow as she watched him with a smile. A black tank top clung to her upper body, perfectly outlining the generous curves of her chest, which looked as if they might burst free at any moment.
"Ohayou!"
What a stimulating sight to wake up to.
Ryohei averted his gaze, raising his right hand to cover his face. He peeked at Lucoa from the corner of his eye and said, "Why are you in my bed again?"
After being caught red-handed last time, Lucoa had behaved herself for... three days. Today was the fourth day, and her good behavior had apparently come to an end.
"Eeh?"
"Tanaka-kun's reaction is so calm. I guess I need to be even more honest with my feelings, then?" Lucoa said, tapping her cheek with a fingertip in a completely non-sequitur response.
After muttering to herself, she said, "Okay," pushed herself into a sitting position, and made a motion to take off her tank top.
"You don't need to be that honest!"
Ryohei instinctively shot up in bed and grabbed Lucoa's wrist. He looked at her with narrowed eyes and retorted, "I'm a man, you know. Lucoa, are you really going to test me like this?"
"Eeh? Not at all... I'm not testing you, Tanaka-kun. I just wanted to give you a little fanservice," Lucoa said, opening her left eye and smiling. "After all, I'm quite fond of you, Tanaka-kun."
'Fanservice girl!'
"Oh, well thank you so much!" Ryohei said, deadpan. He was deeply moved.
"Mm-hmm~."
Lucoa hummed softly and curled her long, full, black-stockinged legs, bringing her knees together and kneeling on the soft bed. She crossed her arms under her chest, making her already eye-catching curves even more impossible to ignore.
"So, Tanaka-kun, would you like some fanservice?" Lucoa's cherry lips parted slightly, her voice full of temptation, every word seeming to carry a seductive aura.
In her mind, she had already planned her next line: 'I'm sorry, being this forward with fanservice makes me seem cheap, so maybe next time~.'
ヽ(●´ε｀●)ノ
"I'll pass on that kind of fanservice..." Ryohei said, waving a hand dismissively. Then, in the same casual tone one might use to decide on breakfast, he said something incredible.
"If you don't mind, Lucoa, let me ride you."
"Huh?"
Σ(゜ロ゜;)
Even Lucoa was shocked by this. Her magnificent, heterochromatic eyes flew wide open, filled with utter disbelief. She clearly hadn't expected Ryohei Tanaka to say something so bold in such a calm voice.
...
A few moments later.
High above Tokyo.
"Woooooah—!"
"So fast!!"
A gigantic, serpentine creature burst through the clouds, streaking across the sky at incredible speed. Its body was so massive it was impossible to see from end to end. Its head was snake-like but had avian features, with a sharp and imposing beak. Its body was covered in magnificent feathers that shimmered with shades of emerald green and gold in the sunlight.
A sea of white clouds stretched out beneath the giant serpent, like a boundless white ocean, its waves rolling and stretching to the horizon. The early morning sun pierced through the thin atmosphere, dyeing the pure white clouds with soft shades of gold and orange-red.
"Is it a little cold?"
The mature, captivating voice sounded next to Ryohei's ear, tinged with concern.
"Yeah, a little," Ryohei replied. As soon as he answered, he felt an invisible barrier envelop him, blocking out the chill of the high altitude and the rushing wind. It was like going from being outside a plane to suddenly being inside the cabin.
Ryohei sat up on Lucoa's head.
In her true form, Lucoa's size was immeasurable. Her head alone was like a towering mountain peak. Ryohei, sitting on top of it, was as small and insignificant as a blade of grass.
He turned his head to look around—and the sight made him shout with excitement.
"The view is amazing!"
The feeling of openness and magnificence was exhilarating. It felt as if the entire world was spread out beneath his feet, boundless and breathtaking.
"Mhm."
Such a view was commonplace for Lucoa, but seeing Ryohei so excited made her happy as well. Then, she proposed in a slightly seductive tone, "Tanaka-kun, want to try something a little more exciting?"
"Nope. If it's too exciting, my heart won't be able to take it," Ryohei refused without a second thought.
"Eeh?"
"Tanaka-kun, you really don't act like a young man. You're more like a little old geezer."
"I'm afraid you'll prank me," Ryohei said bluntly. After all, he had just managed to fluster her, and he was worried she'd take this chance to get even.
"Uwaah—! What kind of image do I have in your mind, Tanaka-kun?" Lucoa cried, feigning injury.
"Hmm, a... slightly sly and lewd big sister?"
"I don't accept 'sly'."
"So you accept 'lewd'?"
Σ(ﾟДﾟ;
Ryohei was stunned. So you're actually self-aware!
"If possible, I would prefer you change 'lewd' to 'overflowing with charm'."
(´∀ `)
"Nice!"
'As expected of the goddess who presides over culture and its dissemination! She really knows how to polish her words!'
...
After bickering for a while, Ryohei heard her ask, "Tanaka-kun, is there anywhere you'd like to go?"
"Mmm..." Ryohei paused, a flicker of emotion on his face. "Actually, there is one place..."
He named a location.
Lucoa used her magic to navigate. Her massive body turned gracefully in the air, heading toward the destination Ryohei had mentioned. A short while later, she announced, "We're here."
"Eh? That fast?"
Σ(ﾟДﾟ;
Ryohei couldn't help but be shocked. It had only been a few minutes.
~~~
Get early access to 20+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
~~~
Every 5 new reviews = 1 extra chapters
Every 150 Power Stones = 1 extra chapter