An apartment near the sharehouse was where I used to create special settings. Behind it, there was nothing—nothing for anyone except me. [Setting Creation] is a remarkable skill (or aspect of my essence, depending on your perspective) that perfectly addressed my desire for 'more'.
All you need to do to use it is point at a wall, imagine the setting you want to create, and a 'gate' will appear. Only I and a select few special people I chose can see or perceive it. However, the gate won't be usable for about five months, a duration that will decrease as I grow. Currently, it's standing at four months and twenty days.
As I moved inside the gate, darkness filled my vision, and the next moment, I found myself in a clear white hallway—a setting I created specifically for my needs. My first five gates were created near my grandpa's house since that was where I lived, but while creating a sixth gate, I encountered a dilemma.
Those gates were completely stationary; the only way to move one was to make a new one from scratch, meaning more waiting time. To enter the first setting, I had to return to that location, and there was no other option.
But then I had an idea! Since I could use [Setting Creation] even within a setting, I could create a world to serve as a sort of teleportation relay. Thus, I created the White Hallway—a corridor ten meters wide and 51 million kilometers long, with a surface corresponding to that of planet Earth.
Every time I enter, I arrive at one end of the hallway. Since then, I have created many different settings. When I arrived at the start of the hallway, I was greeted by the sight of the endless marble corridor and the gates located every meter or so. I even added signs to indicate the names of the settings and the order in which they were created.
They were named:
1) Previous World
2) Previous World - No Spoilers
3) Hentai Hell
…and so on.
I won't comment on the third. That one was an ugly discovery and a wake-up call. I walked past several gates and reached the last one in less than a minute.
When a gate is 'unlocked,' I receive a screen notification detailing it, including the name I mentally assign to them, though those can change—as was the case with the third one.
And so, I entered the gate to Hentai World 5.
---
There are some other strange aspects of [Setting Creation].
For instance, when I enter the setting, there's an effect that makes others ignore me, including people and electronic devices like cameras. I tested it, and there's no record of my appearance; it's as if I manifest from nowhere, but only in this specific instance. It appears that my visibility is concealed unless there's a logical reason for someone to see me.
The most intriguing part is that I have no way of knowing where I will appear. While tuning the essence, I set parameters to arrive in the world at the right moment and in the right spot. Safe to say, this has disrupted the linearity of time between the main world and the settings.
Not that I mind—after all, spending four hours with a MILF, leaving, and then returning after five days as if I had just finished is quite delightful. It's uncontrollable as a world-traveling ability, but it's the best I could have received.
And since the 'right place and right time' now places me in front of a bar while the sun sets, that seems like a clue. As I entered the establishment, I noticed it was filled with groups of friends and couples. The next clue was the lonely lady at the counter with an empty drink.
So, I approached her and called the bartender over. "One Gin Tonic for me and a refill of whatever the lady was drinking," I said. From what I could see, she was the most stunning woman I had ever encountered, and considering I've visited four different Hentai worlds, that says a lot.
Now, let's level up my [Seduction].
...
(POV: Mira Tsubakihara)
Being a single mother doesn't bother me. I have two daughters who have just started high school, and I've never seen it as a burdensome duty. I even adopted little Yuuji when his parents passed away, and I've never regretted it.
However, while I have my children with me, my heart is heavy with sadness because I am a widow. It has been four years since my husband's death, and there are times when I just lie down and stop. I have considered remarrying, but currently, there are no men I'm interested in, aside from Yuuji. I don't think my daughters would approve of me having another relationship either.
That's why, on the fifth anniversary of my late husband's death, I was looking for some alcohol to help numb my feelings. After finishing my drink, I was about to head home when someone sat down right next to me.
"One Jin Tonic for me, and a refill of whatever the lady has already taken."
I thought about declining the offer, but there was no one at home; all of my kids were spending the night at a friend's house. Maybe I could do something different?
It's not like I had become celibate all this time. I had spent the night with a guy or two, but I was never interested in keeping a relationship. As I decided to at least take a look at him...
"Aren't you a bit young for this establishment?"
The barista was giving him a strange look. Was he a boy? He had black hair, enchanting purple eyes, and looked about ten years old, not like a man at all.
As I began to address him like a mother would to her child, he took out his wallet and handed a card to the bartender.
"I'm a college student, and this is my student ID."
"Um, sorry... It's just that you look..."
"Don't worry, it's not the first time people have mistaken me for a kid."
The card had his photo, student ID, and other college-related information on it. So, his name is Kuze Masachika...
"Now then, you've already read my name, but I'll introduce myself again. I'm Kuze Masachika, but you can call me Masachika. And what's yours, my fair lady?"
Huh, seems like quite the dramatic person, with his wording and gestures that imitated a noble asking for a dance.
I decided to follow his example, making exaggerated gestures and imitating a playful noble lady.
"Hohoho! This one's name is Tsubakihara Mira, but for you, it's Lady Mira! Hohoho!"
I mimicked the strange laugh of a noble villainess from old European drama while placing my hand on his.
"Enchanté, Lady Mira. Chu~"
"!"
He was right on point with his imitation, but I didn't expect him to kiss my hand. A jolt coursed through my body... I think he is a really good kisser.
"So, Lady Mira, please tell me why you seem so down. I promise to do my best to knock down any culprit!"
"It's... not the fault of anyone. It's... well—"
"A sorrowful recurrence, maybe?"
"...! You're right; it's the anniversary of an... unhappy occurrence..."
The bartender completed our cocktails, and we began to drink.
"...Whatever happens, just think that they are in a better place..."
"!!! How—"
He gave me a forced smile before looking down at his cup.
"You're not the first, you know? In different places and moments, I've seen people with your expression, who feel... felt out of sorts and lonely."
"Oh... If I may ask... how are they now?"
He started to circle the rim of his glass before looking directly at me.
"Whatever you do or whatever happened, people need to move forward. You might feel down now, and maybe you'll continue to, but no matter what, it's not the end of our days."
"Masachika... you seem so young, yet you talk so maturely. What is your real age?" I asked, completely mesmerized by his words and expressions.
He seemed to be waiting for such a question, as a playful glint appeared in his eyes.
"Take a guess; I'll give you one chance!"
"Mmh, then... since you seem young, let's ignore your physical appearance. By your behavior, you feel like... 21 years old."
"Your answer is..." He crossed his arms in front of him. "Wrong, unfortunately. But since I have to ask a question myself, I'll give you another chance."
I stopped and looked at him closely. His stature resembled that of a boy, not a man, and he didn't have any imperfections on his skin. Yet, he was clearly a college student, as seen from his student ID, and the way he downed his drink so smoothly...
"...24, you are 24 years old. No doubt."
He placed his elbow on the counter, resting his head atop it and looking directly at me.
"Wrong again, Lady Mira. Now then, how do you take care of your hair? It's such a shiny orange that must be difficult to maintain, and it's also so soft."
I nervously started touching my hair, feeling it wasn't as good as he claimed.
"Well, I use a simple shampoo, one that's slightly pricier than others, but I don't think it's that effective."
He opened his eyes wide and leaned closer before using his hand...
"Lady Mira, I haven't met a single woman with hair cleaner, more beautiful, and softer than yours."
With that hand, he took a strand near my face and caressed it while the tips of his fingers brushed against my skin, sending sensations through me that I didn't know were possible with such a simple touch.
Then he moved his mouth near my ear and whispered sweetly, "You don't have to look so down, Lady Mira... you're beautiful."
"*Shiver* Ah... haha, thank you, Masachika..."
Damn, I felt a burning sensation on my face. Was it the alcohol? It had to be the alcohol!
The evening continued with interesting topics, compliments, and flirting that made me forget any sadness I had felt before. As midnight approached, we were both starting to want a bit more...
"Masachika, you know... my house is nearby."
I shouldn't do it; he was younger than me, but...
He was such a good boy and today... today I wanted to be appreciated.