Inside a simply elegant Western-style restaurant, the atmosphere was steeped in refinement. Melodious classical music flowed through the space, and soft, ambient lighting gave the room a gentle, almost dreamlike glow. It was the kind of place where even silence felt sophisticated.
At a window-side table—
"This red wine steak is really something. You've gotta try it, Utaha."
Touji was multitasking like a pro. While his hands skillfully sliced a perfectly seared piece of steak, his eyes were still flicking through the menu of remaining superpowers in the Dream Mall.
"Mmm~"
The girl opposite him, angelic face and devilish figure in perfect harmony, leaned in slightly. Her cherry lips parted just enough to accept the bite, her bosom gently pressing against the slate-textured table with a soft squish.
"It tastes different from what you usually cook, but… it's delicious~" she said, her wine-red eyes glowing.
The steak was crisp on the outside, juicy and tender within. Each bite exploded with flavor, soaked in rich meat juice and complemented by the aroma of red wine. It was a taste that lingered long after swallowing.
But to Touji, no flavor compared to the intoxication of the moment—
After all, Utaha herself was the most intoxicating tonight. That heartfelt confession at the beach earlier still lingered in her heart like a dreamy echo, adding an extra glow to her every move.
"Let me try yours too," she said with a mischievous smile.
Unlike Touji, who went with steak, Utaha had opted for a lighter spread: buttered bread, vegetarian fried eggplant boxes, smoked salmon, pan-fried Hokkaido scallops, chocolate soufflé, and black tea.
"Which one does Younger brother want to try?" she asked sweetly.
Touji scanned the options. "Mm… I'll try the chocolate soufflé."
No contest. The portions were small, just one scallop, a few slices of salmon, and the eggplant didn't appeal to him. Bread? Not happening. Dessert it was.
Without hesitation, Utaha set her utensils down, scooped a generous spoonful of soufflé, and held it out to him with her silver spoon.
Touji leaned forward and accepted it.
The cocoa aroma hit him first—deep, rich, and luxurious. It blended with the creamy texture of the soufflé, melting smoothly in his mouth. Slight bitterness played against a gentle sweetness, creating a perfectly balanced flavor that made him close his eyes in satisfaction.
Delicious didn't even begin to cover it.
—
After dinner, the two of them strolled to a nearby shopping center. Partly to walk off the meal, and partly to buy a change of clothes.
By now, Touji had finished reviewing all 100 superpowers in the Dream Mall—exactly one hundred, no more, no less. And now, his attention had turned to the item section.
This section was… interesting, to say the least.
There was Conan's butterfly voice changer, tracking glasses, a solar-powered skateboard. Even Doraemon gadgets made an appearance: indoor fishing pond, easy climbing hat, air cannon, air gun, and more.
He noticed something odd though—no pervy items anywhere in sight. Maybe his Apprentice-level authority was too low for that kind of content.
Regardless, Touji was thoroughly entertained. So many quirky and nostalgic items stirred up the otaku in him, and his wishlist was growing by the second.
Too bad his Dream Points were looking painfully tight.
Sighing, he shifted over to the [Life Skill Experience Pack] category.
Here, things were more practical. Cooking Experience Pack, Planting Experience Pack, Driving Experience Pack…
Each one provided the equivalent of one year's worth of diligent training and was uniformly priced at 500 Dream Points.
Scrolling down further, he found even more specific options—
[Cooking · World Cuisines · French Haute Cuisine Experience Pack]
[Cooking · World Cuisines · Japanese Kaiseki Experience Pack]
[Cooking · World Cuisines · Italian Regional Cuisine Experience Pack]
[Cooking · Specialty Techniques · Molecular Gastronomy Experience Pack]
[Cooking · Specialty Techniques · Chinese Knife Skills & Wok Mastery Pack]
[Cooking · Fusion Styles · Southern Soul Food × Japanese Washoku Pack]
These were priced at 550 Dream Points.
Touji couldn't help but mutter, "Cheeky pricing… raising it by 10% just for a niche label, huh? Dream Mall, you sneaky devs."
"What's on your mind, Touji-kun?"
Utaha had noticed his frequent zoning out and tilted her head slightly, concern flickering in her eyes.
It didn't seem like the dreamy look of someone fantasizing about what would come later tonight. No, it was more like he was… crunching numbers?
"Ah, sorry, I was just thinking about a song," Touji lied smoothly.
In reality, he'd already made his choices.
First, he would use the 50% discount to grab [Solar Energy].
Perfect for someone planning to open a harem! Enhanced physical strength, stamina recovery through sunbathing, and 'Hands of the Sun' that made people feel warm and safe? An essential buff for any harem MC!
Next on the list—ten years of [Rock Experience Pack].
Most of the songs he released leaned into rock, and the one he planned to adapt, "Kasumi Utako" was a high-energy rock anthem too. To do it justice, he needed the skills.
"You got some inspiration, huh?" Utaha asked, noticing the shift in his expression.
She seemed pleased, almost relieved. She herself had felt a surge of ideas after his confession on the beach, but she'd deliberately pushed them aside to enjoy the moment with him.
"Then, should we each write them down after we get back?" she offered gently.
"Sounds good," Touji nodded.
That's what he said…
The moment they stepped into the hotel room and closed the door, Touji didn't waste a second. With the decisiveness of a shounen protagonist entering his final battle, he bent down and hoisted Utaha over his shoulder like a sack of rice.
"W-Wait, what are you doing!?"
One hand supported her smooth, long legs, the other braced her back to keep her from slipping. His grip was firm, dependable.
"You said we'd record our inspiration first!?" she cried out, squirming instinctively. Her cheeks flushed as her legs kicked lightly in protest.
"That's right!" Touji nodded, walking toward the bedroom as if carrying the most precious cargo.
"I thought you'd be tired from walking all day, so I'm doing the honorable thing—carrying you to the bed," he added nonchalantly, even giving her bottom a light pat like some smug oni-chan.
Once in the bedroom, he gently set her down.
Utaha stumbled slightly, brushing down her skirt with a sigh. Her expression screamed "are you serious?" as she narrowed her eyes and rolled them dramatically.
"Younger brother, thank you sooo much," she deadpanned.
"You're very welcome!" Touji replied with mock sincerity, waving his hand like some kind of prince of etiquette.
His gaze then drifted out through the expansive French windows. The Rainbow Bridge glowed in the distance, its reflection dancing on the river like strands of golden thread. The city sparkled beyond it, a million lights flickering like fireflies in the night.
Turning back with a smug grin, Touji asked, "How about it? Not a bad view, right?"
"Mmm, even better with the lights off."
Utaha's remark carried a teasing weight.
Touji gave her a thumbs up, raising one brow. "Onee-san really gets it!"
With that, he started undressing without hesitation.
"I'm taking a shower first," he announced.
Utaha didn't budge. Arms folded, she stood there like a silent judge from some anime bathhouse episode, watching with far too much curiosity.
"Hm… not bad… pretty good… oh?" she muttered, nodding along like she was critiquing a performance.
Touji gave her an exaggerated eye-roll.
'Just wait… your younger brother's gonna evolve…!' he thought, vowing in his heart like a true protagonist.
Inside the bathroom—
Touji unwrapped the neatly packaged hotel toiletries, brushed his teeth, and then opened the Dream Mall.
Time to buy the forty-ninth superpower—Solar Energy.
He had held off on buying it earlier just in case it caused any noticeable reactions in public. But now that he was alone, he hit purchase.
Warmth surged through his body, like rays of sunlight soaking into his skin… and then— nothing else. No glowing aura, no transformation sequence, not even a special effect sound!
He stared into the mirror, blinking.
"…"
Outside—
Utaha had finally pulled out her phone and was jotting down her scattered inspirations into the memo app.
A few lines, clean and sharp, like a haiku of storyboarding.
Suddenly, she heard the splash of water from the bathroom. Her ears perked up like a cat who heard a snack bag crinkle. Her eyes lit up with mischief.
Raising her phone, she pointed it at the silhouette behind the frosted glass door and—click! She took a photo.
With a smug smirk, she sent it to Kani Nayuta.
Then, she placed her phone on the bedside table… and slowly began undressing.
Elsewhere—
Kani Nayuta's phone buzzed.
Upon seeing the photo, her eyes narrowed as if decoding the hidden meaning.
Then she pouted.
[Kani Nayuta]: "If you have the guts, send a nude! What's the point of teasing me with stuff like this! (﹁﹁)."
Nayuta-san would never admit defeat. Ever.
Back at the hotel—
The door creaked open.
Touji turned around, water still running, eyes wide.
For a moment, the world seemed to freeze. No sound, no movement, just pure, blinding light.
There stood Utaha—face slightly flushed, one hand over her chest, the other...
...
Utaha-chan is number one in the world!!
...
"Touji-kun, can I come in?" Utaha's voice was soft, almost timid as she poked her head through the cracked-open bathroom door.
Touji glanced over, toweling off his hair. "Of course, Utaha-chan. What's up?"
"I was thinking..." she stepped inside, her eyes darting to the shower, then back to him. "Maybe we could shower together? Just to save water, of course."
Touji raised an eyebrow, surprised but intrigued. "Shower together, huh? You mean like... just showering?"
Utaha blushed, her arms wrapping around her bare torso self-consciously. "Y-Yes, exactly. Just showering. Together."
Touji smirked, dropping his towel and stepping back into the shower. "Sure thing, Utaha-chan. The more the merrier, right?"
She hesitated for a moment before stepping inside, her naked body glistening under the bright bathroom lights. Touji turned on the water, adjusting the temperature until it was warm and steamy.
They stood facing each other, the tension building with each passing second. Touji broke the silence, grabs the soap, and offers it to Utaha. "Here, you can go first."
She takes it, her fingers brushing against his as she reaches for the soap. She squirts some into her hands, lathering it up before turning to him. "Um, can I...?"
He nods, turning around and presenting his back to her. She starts at his shoulders, her small hands working the soap into his skin. He can't help but tense as her fingers trace down his spine, sending shivers down his back.
He turns to face her, taking the soap from her hands. "My turn."
He squirts more soap into his hands, bringing them to her shoulders. He massages the soap into her skin, working his way down her arms, her sides, her hips. He can feel her tense underneath his touch, her breath hitching as he gets closer to her breasts.
Their eyes meet, and the tension snaps. Touji drops the soap, his hands cupping her breasts, his thumbs teasing her nipples until they harden. She gasps, her body arching into his touch.
He leans down, capturing her mouth in a searing kiss as his hands roam her body, exploring every curve, every inch of soft skin. She moans, her body pressing against hi
s, her hands tangling in his hair.
He breaks the kiss, his voice ragged. "Utaha, I want you. Now."
She nods, her voice a soft whisper. "Yes. Please, Touji."
He lifts her up, her legs wrapping around his waist as he pushes her against the wall of the shower. She gasps, her fingers digging into his shoulders as he enters her in one smooth stroke.
Their bodies move in sync, their breaths ragged, their hearts pounding in unison. The shower fills with the sound of their lovemaking, the steam surrounding them like a misty veil.
As they reach the peak together, Utaha looks into Touji's eyes, seeing her entire world reflected back at her. "I love you, Touji."
"I love you too, Utaha. Forever."
And in that moment, nothing else matters.