Chapter 194: Cowardice Princess
Haruto and Ayaka stepped into her house, the garden lamps flickering to life with each step they took, casting a soft glow on the path.
The automatic lights inside the house followed suit, illuminating the grand foyer as Ayaka entered the code to unlock the door.
The sound of the door clicking open echoed faintly, but before they could take another step, a familiar chime interrupted the quiet.
[Ding!]
[New Quest Available!]
[Quest: Cowardice Princess]
[Description: Ayaka Yoshida brought you home to accompany her as she was afraid of being in the dark alone and specifically hated ghosts.]
[Objective: As a boyfriend, you need to step up your game in 'comforting' the cowardice princess, bring her to bed and have fun!]
[Rewards: 500 EXP, 25000 Sex Coins, Item: Charisma Potion.]
[Time Limit: Until morning comes.]
Haruto's lips curled into a smirk as he read the notification.
'Two quests in one day? This system really wants me to get her, huh?' he thought, amused.
The living room lights flickered on, revealing the elegant interior of the house.
Haruto's eyes wandered, taking in the details, until they landed on a framed photo atop the fireplace.
He picked it up, his smirk softening into a genuine smile.
"You look cute in this sailor uniform," he commented, holding up the photo of a younger Ayaka probably in middle school.
She stood in a pristine black sailor uniform, holding a bouquet of flowers with a school building and sakura blossoms in the background.
Her expression was poised, but there was a hint of innocence in her eyes. Read latest chapters on My Virtual Library Empire
Ayaka sighed, a small smile playing on her lips as she took the photo from him. "Of course, I tried to act my best in front of her," she said, her voice tinged with nostalgia.
Haruto tilted his head, his curiosity piqued. "The woman in the photo—who is she?" he asked.
The woman had the same dark hair and eyes as Ayaka, but there was something different about her. She resembled Ayaka, yet she didn't.
"My aunt," Ayaka explained, her gaze lingering on the photo.
"She's my mother's sister. She took care of me after my mother passed away. She's a widow and doesn't have any children of her own."
"She's… really kind."
Her voice softened as she spoke, and she carefully placed the photo back on the fireplace.
"Come on," she said, turning to him and taking his hand. "I'll show you where you'll be sleeping." She led him up the staircase to the second floor, her steps light but purposeful.
Haruto followed, his smirk returning as they stopped in front of a door. "Where to sleep? Why don't we sleep together? Isn't that why you called me here—because you're scared of being alone?" he teased, his voice low and playful.
Ayaka froze for a moment, her hand still on the doorknob. She lowered her head, her cheeks flushing as she hesitated.
"Do you… want to sleep with me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Haruto stepped closer, his hand resting on the doorframe as he leaned in, his breath brushing against her ear.
"Of course," he murmured, his tone dripping with charm.
"You're this beautiful. I've been holding myself back every time I see you."
Ayaka chuckled softly, though her face was still flushed. "Is that what you say to all the women you're with?" she asked, her tone light but pointed.
"No wonder no one can resist your charisma." She opened the door and stepped inside, twirling gracefully to face him.
"But it won't work on me."
Haruto's eyes widened in surprise, and then he laughed—a deep, genuine laugh. It was the first time he'd been outright rejected, and he couldn't help but find it amusing.
'I thought it would be easy, especially with her emotional bond and obsession levels so high,' he thought, his mind already racing with new strategies.
"Fair enough," he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I'll behave… for now."
Ayaka smiled, her expression a mix of triumph and relief. "Good. Now, let's get you settled."
As Haruto stepped into the room, he couldn't help but admire her resolve.
The room Haruto found himself in was undeniably feminine, yet elegant in its design.
The walls were a pristine white, contrasting beautifully with the rich brown wooden floor.
In the center of the room stood a canopy bed draped in white fabric, its soft, flowing layers giving it an almost ethereal quality.
The bed itself was adorned with white linens, and a plush rug with delicate floral patterns lay beneath it, tying the room together.
The furnishings were reminiscent of the Victorian era, with intricate carvings and ornate details that added a touch of timeless sophistication.
"Well, well," Haruto remarked, his smirk widening as he took in the surroundings.
"So, I'm sleeping in this girly abode tonight?"
Ayaka, who was rummaging through her cupboard, glanced over her shoulder with a playful smile.
"Hm? Does it make you feel less manly?" she teased, pulling out a set of clothes before heading toward the bathroom.
"I'll take a bath, so don't you dare peek, okay?" she said, her tone light but with a hint of warning.
Haruto sat on the edge of the bed, testing its softness as he replied, "Why would I? In the end, I'll see your body tonight anyway."
Ayaka rolled her eyes, disappearing into the bathroom without another word. Haruto leaned back, his hands sinking into the plush mattress.
"And no, this room doesn't make me feel less manly. I have a sister, remember?" he called out, though he wasn't sure if she heard him.
A few minutes later, Ayaka emerged from the bathroom, her hair damp and her skin glowing.
She wore a short white silk dress that clung to her figure, the fabric shimmering softly under the room's warm lighting.
She smelled faintly of jasmine, a scent that seemed to linger in the air around her.
"Let me get something for you to change into," she said, brushing past him and leaving the room.
She returned shortly with a shirt and a pair of pants, handing them to him. "These belonged to my aunt's ex-husband. They should fit you."
Haruto took the clothes, raising an eyebrow. "So, in the end, I'm just your sleep partner?" he teased, his voice dripping with mock disappointment.
Ayaka laughed, a soft, melodic sound that filled the room. "More like my pillow," she said, gently pushing him toward the bathroom. "Go take a warm bath. You'll feel better."
Haruto obliged, stepping into the bathroom and letting the warm water wash away the day's fatigue.
The soap, unsurprisingly, smelled of jasmine, and he couldn't help but chuckle.
'Even the soap smells like her. She really loves this scent,' he thought, drying himself off and changing into the clothes she'd provided.
When he stepped out of the bathroom, he found Ayaka sitting at her dresser, blow-drying her hair.
She glanced at him and gestured for him to sit in the small chair in front of her. "Come here. Let me dry your hair," she offered.
Haruto obliged, sitting down as she ran her fingers through his damp hair, the warm air from the dryer soothing against his scalp.
"Your home feels cozy," he commented, breaking the comfortable silence. "I don't think there are any ghosts hiding here."
Ayaka paused, giving him a pointed look. "Do you want me to burn your hair?" she threatened, though her tone was playful. "It's not like you believe in ghosts anyway."
Haruto chuckled. "I'm here to protect you, aren't I? Isn't it fair for me to look around and make sure there aren't any ghosts to exorcise?"
"Stop joking about ghosts!" Ayaka sighed, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "Let's talk about something fun instead."
"Fun, huh?" Haruto thought for a moment. "Chiyo—my stepmother—mentioned that we were childhood friends. Is that true?"
Ayaka's hands stilled for a moment before she continued drying his hair. "Ah… yeah. We used to play together during the summer breaks when you visited your grandparents' house."
Haruto grinned. "I must've been really handsome back then too, right?"
Ayaka laughed softly. "Kind of. You were popular with the girls. And cheerful… like the sun."
Haruto's eyes widened in surprise. He couldn't remember much about his childhood, especially not the parts involving Ayaka or Ren.
Most of his memories were hazy, overshadowed by the trauma of his mother's death.
"Then why didn't you approach me in school?" he asked, his tone curious.
Ayaka hesitated, her fingers slowing as she brushed through his hair. "That's… I didn't want you to have problems with Ren," she admitted quietly.
Haruto's jaw tightened at the mention of Ren. "Tch, that asshole. You shouldn't have—"
Before he could finish, Ayaka's phone rang, the sharp sound cutting through the room like a knife.
She froze, her eyes widening as she glanced at the screen. The name "Ren" flashed across it, and her hands trembled as she answered the call.
"You bitch! What took you so long to answer?" Ren's voice roared through the phone, loud and venomous.
"Come to the usual place in five minutes! Someone's looking for you."
Ayaka's face paled, her voice shaky as she tried to respond. "Ren, I—"