Chapter 25 - Eriri's Virginity?
Eriri ignored her mom and grabbed Evan's hand.
"Come on, Evan, let's go to my room. I'll show you my latest project."
She led Evan up to her bedroom on the second floor.
Just like his previous visits, the room's décor was simple, though the walls featured anime posters.
By the bed was a work desk with a computer and a tablet, and against one wall stood a bookcase filled with doujinshi and popular novels.
"Here, Evan—sit anywhere you like."
Eriri shook her twin-tails, walked to the computer desk, and unplugged the tablet.
She fiddled with it, then handed it to Evan.
"Look! I'm really proud of this new work!"
"All right, let's see."
He took the tablet. Eriri spun her chair around, watching Evan's "judge-like" expression with focus.
Though this wasn't her main reason for inviting him, his seriousness made her nervous.
She had poured months into these drawings, using countless online references.
As he swiped through the pages, Eriri's anxiety grew. Finally, he reached the "end."
Eriri clenched her fists: "W-well? What do you think?"
"You've improved in story flow, and the meet-up between the leads is more dramatic, but… the erotic content lacks punch in plot and artwork. It doesn't feel fresh or eye-opening."
She was happy about the initial praise but disheartened by the critique.
She knew there were issues—referencing online images could only take her so far.
"I know, but… I can't visualize enough. Oh—Evan, can you help me?"
She blurted this, cheeks reddening.
"You want help? How exactly?"
"You don't need to do anything special. Just be the photographer—I'll change."
Eriri walked to her closet and pulled out outfits—scraps of cloth more suited to manga panels than real life.
Evan realized the real reason she'd asked him over. He stayed seated, calmly watching Eriri's impromptu costume show.
Eriri had a fantastic figure.
The special fabrics fit her perfectly. She wasn't skinny—more like an exquisite porcelain doll, her body flawless.
Nervousness gnawed at Eriri, but she couldn't muster the courage for the "final step." Growing flustered, she slipped into her last outfit, silently cursing Evan for not taking the lead.
Wasn't this where a guy was supposed to be assertive?
"Stop right there. That one's perfect."
Evan nodded approvingly. Delicate ribbons skimmed her skin, bright and sheer like the morning sun, the fine material clinging to her curves.
Eriri froze—so he'd been picking a "suitable uniform"? But things had gone this far. Though part of her wanted to back out, she stepped toward Evan, eyes on his face.
Click.
While Eriri's consciousness wavered, the ajar door gently closed. Sayuri placed a hand to her mouth, smiling with relief. Her weeks of coaching Eriri had paid off.
Evan stayed until early evening. As he prepared to leave, he ran into Sayuri, "back from shopping."
She invited him to stay, but he explained he had things to do the next day and left.
Sayuri hurried upstairs in brisk steps. Opening the bedroom door, she found Eriri in bed like a wrapped dumpling. Concern flashed over her.
Her daughter wasn't strong; even in gym, Eriri's results were near the bottom.
But Sayuri noticed Eriri's eyes open, looking back. Her worries vanished:
"How are you feeling?"
Eriri's cheeks grew hot: "What do you mean, 'How am I feeling?' We… we didn't do anything!"
Sayuri wasn't fooled by Eriri's clumsy act.
Seeing her mother press—and recalling this was her mom's idea—Eriri blushed fiercely and admitted the truth.
"I knew it! So tell me—did Evan-kun 'grow up?'"
Eriri was at a loss.
Why is my mom more curious than I am?!
"I…I don't remember much."
Mortified, Eriri didn't notice her mother's expression.
"Seems Evan-kun has plenty of stamina. He didn't look tired when he left," Sayuri commented.
Eriri suddenly spoke anxiously: "Mom… is there a chance I… could be, you know, pregnant?"
"No. It's your safe period—it's not that easy. I checked."
Sayuri shook her head.
"Oh, good."
Eriri sighed in relief. She was too young to be a mother.
"Anything else?" Sayuri kept asking.
"No. Just… various positions. I gathered a lot of reference material."
Eriri's cheeks turned crimson—recalling it made her want to hide. But Sayuri's curiosity wasn't satisfied.
"Hurry and tell me in detail!"
"???"
Noticing Eriri's startled look, Sayuri realized she was too carried away.
"Ahem. I'm just… worried about your health. If there's nothing else, I'm at ease. Tonight, I'll make extra-nutritious dishes to replenish your energy."
Sayuri left, mumbling.
That was close. Good thing my daughter didn't notice.
Eriri felt relieved—lucky tomorrow was the weekend, so she could rest. Otherwise, she might've needed a day off school.
When Evan arrived home, he found Asia playing with Est.
"Let's have fried noodles for dinner, plus some cold dishes."
Though he'd lived in Japan a while, Evan wasn't used to the cuisine. Asia offered to help, but Evan was set in his cooking ways.
After eating, Asia cleaned up. Est watched TV. Evan summoned Ddraig and sank his consciousness into the Sacred Gear, using the flag to purge the lingering souls of past Red Dragon Emperors.
Even as "predecessors," Evan had no mercy.
They were obstacles to power and would attack him, far from innocent.
Many were assimilated by older, resentful spirits—a never-ending "rescue mission." If Evan's mind wasn't resolute, forcibly activating Juggernaut Drive too often could drive him insane or shatter his psyche.
By late night, Evan had absorbed one-fifth of the souls.
"Partner, this Sacred Gear of yours is remarkably effective against these grudging souls. At this pace, you might attempt Juggernaut Drive in a week!" Ddraig sounded excited. A host unleashing its power at 100% gave it accomplishment.
"Makes sense," Evan said simply.
"It's impressive—but don't get carried away. I've seen people lose themselves to power," Ddraig cautioned.
"If I can be shaken by mere power, I'm not worth much."
Anyways...
"Time for bed."
"Good night, Partner."
Evan turned in.
Disciplined, he rarely stayed up late, sleeping soundly without carrying fatigue or stress.
Asia wasn't in his room, but Est was curled under the blankets, dozing with a little drool.
Evan snuggled the sword spirit's small body, using her as a soft, sweet-smelling pillow, and slipped into deep sleep.
The next day was still the weekend.
Since Asia would live with him long-term, Evan took her to the city market for feminine necessities.
They stuffed themselves at a buffet for lunch, caught a movie, then had dinner out before heading home.
Evan glanced at the clock—7:40 PM. While shopping, Koneko texted that his match with Riser was at 8:00 PM, but no need to go early.
He waited until twenty minutes beforehand, then rose from the couch.
"Asia, stay here. I might be home late, so don't wait."
Evan hopped on his motorcycle and roared into the night.
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Lemon next chapter~