Ultimately, what she wanted was to go on a date and then follow Sonoko's advice about confessing. And after confessing, she pretty much knew what would likely happenshe was prepared. But she hadn't expected him to just come out and say it. That was enough to throw her off balance.
Still, she refused to let it show in the chat. She had to stay coolat least there.
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "Ah, you're such a joker, Rei Ao. If you'd really wanted to start something with me, wouldn't you have pursued me by now? Like you've done with all those other girls in the group. I mean, we've known each other for a while. Is it that you're just not interested in me?"
She typed those words nervously. This was the sticking point for her.
Rei Ao: "You're the one joking, Utaha. You're aware of what the chat group calls me, aren't you?"
Rei Ao: "Pervert, degenerate, fiendthat sort of vocabulary. They've basically accepted me for who I am."
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "Uhso?"
Rei Ao: "It shows I'm seriously lustful. But you know, having so many lovers also has its downsides. I mean, tonight I'm at X person's place, tomorrow I'm with Y. I'm never really free."
Rei Ao: "Like just now, I was in the middle of a, uh, shuffle game with Mai and Rio."
Utaha fell silent.
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "Rei Ao, do you really think talking about that in front of a beautiful young lady is appropriate?"
Her pink little fist clenched at her sideshe was pissed.
It felt like he was bragging. And she hated how it made her feel.
Rei Ao: "I'm just telling you the truth."
Rei Ao: "It's not like I don't want to claim yousomeone with both a great figure and a beautiful face. But the chance never came up, and you never gave me an opening, did you?"
Utaha was speechless.
She couldn't deny it. The other girls in the chat group had been pretty proactive about throwing themselves at him, so he'd never needed to come after her.
She likely hadn't even made the queue for ahem "fun times." And yet, hearing what he said, she felt oddly pleased. At least it was clear she did have a certain appeal for him.
Her lips curled into a faint smile. She decided: this time, she'd take the initiative.
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "Heh, your silver tongue is as smooth as ever, I see. No wonder all those girls go nuts for you."
Rei Ao: "That's not my only silver 'skill.' I've got something else even better at really making them lose their heads."
Utaha instantly understoodshe was no innocent bystander. She turned red as a tomato, muttering under her breath:
"He's just sough"
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "Stop you perv!"
Rei Ao: "Haha, okay, enough beating around the bush. What is it you want, exactly?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "Rei Ao, do you have time to hang out with me?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "My new book's about to be released, and I'm trying to ease my nerves. Going alone is boring."
But really, she was feeling lonely.
Rei Ao: "If a beautiful girl invites me out, how could I refuse? Where do you want to go?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "The beach."
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "But I don't like crowded beaches. I'd have to wear a swimsuit, and I don't want just anyone seeing me like that."
Rei Ao: "Oh?"
Rei Ao: "Are you implying you only want me to see you in a swimsuit?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "Don't flatter yourself!"
She typed that sharply, but her heart hammered because he'd read her exact thoughts again. She couldn't be calm in real lifeher chat persona was all an act. Still a swimsuit
Utaha's eyes flicked to the special "guaranteed-to-win" swimsuit that Sonoko had given hera set of barely-there black straps holding together three tiny scraps of fabric.
Was that really something you could call a "swimsuit"?! Let alone wear it in front of him?! Her scalp tingles at the thought. What's even the difference between wearing it and wearing nothing?
Rei Ao: "Alright, I'll cut the teasing. Since you want a private beach, I'll take you to the most beautiful one in the world."
Rei Ao: "I'll come pick you up now."
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "Wait! Let me pack first!"
Rei Ao: "Ehhh, aren't you supposed to prepare beforehand?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "Hey, I didn't expect you to message me all of a sudden! Give me a break."
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "Besides, a girl has a lot to pack, y'know~"
Rei Ao: "Fine. Let me know when you're ready."
Utaha jumped up, hurrying to gather her things. Everything went into her little suitcase. Finally, she picked up that "guaranteed-to-win" swimsuit, her face burning. She was beyond embarrassed at the idea of wearing it, but after much internal debate, she tossed it in.
"I probablywon't need it, right?"
She had no idea she'd soon discover how very, very needed it would be
~~~
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Chapter 584: Lovely time with Utaha...
"Are you ready?"
Rei Ao appeared in Kasumigaoka Utaha's apartment in the blink of an eye. She was already dressed in a swimsuit with side ties, wearing a sun hat and sunglasses. Though it covered parts of her figure, it still looked very alluring.
Rei Ao took in the sight, admiring her for a moment.
"Hmph."
Feeling his gaze, Utaha blushed. She cleared her throat.
"I'm ready."
She glanced over at Rei Ao.
"What about your swimsuit?"
"Do you really think I need to bring one?"
He smiled, snapping his fingers. In the next instant, the extra clothes on his upper half vanished; now he was just wearing board shorts and flip-flops. The key detail, of course, was his well-defined upper body.
"!!!"
Utaha found herself unable to look away. Sure, she'd watched recordings of him doingcertain things with other people, and had done some things herself she couldn't quite admit. Yet seeing him in real life was on a whole new levelfar more captivating than any video.
"Gulp."
She swallowed unconsciously, which Rei Ao pretended not to notice. He only gave a light chuckle.
"Let's go. Time to visit a deserted, beautiful beach."
In a single blink, the two of them were suddenly standing on soft, golden sand. Utaha shielded her eyes from the sun, looking around. The sand was fine and clean, dotted with coconut palms. Beyond lay an endless ocean.
"Huh? Where is this?"
She felt something was off.
"Heh."
Rei Ao casually summoned a mat, a large beach umbrella, lounge chairs, and cold drinkseverything they'd need. Only then did he explain with a grin:
"You wanted a place with no people, a beautiful beach so here's an uninhabited island in the middle of the ocean. How's that? Satisfied?"
""
An uninhabited island?!
Utaha felt a surge of alarm. She had mentioned wanting an empty beach, but not an actual deserted islandthis was scary!
"Rei Ao, I, uh"
"You're not scared, are you?"
He cut in, giving her shoulder a reassuring pat.
"With me around, what's there to fear? And if you insist, I can set up a cozy little house."
With a point of his finger, a house appeared not far away.
""
Utaha remembered how powerful Rei Ao was. Rightthere's nothing to be afraid of.
"All right then. Since you've gone this far"
Feeling more relaxed, Utaha stretched with a content sigh.
"Let's enjoy our time off together!"
At first, Utaha stuck to wandering along the shore, wading in the shallows, catching a few crabs, making little sandcastles. It was all a bit childish, but Rei Ao good-naturedly played along.
"Rei Ao, let's go for a swim!"
Gaining confidence, Utaha proposed another idea.
"You're not scared anymore?"
"Haha, not with you here. You'll protect me, right?"
Utaha posed playfully, trying to look provocative.
Rei Ao frowned slightly.
"Utaha, this is a deserted island. If you keep tempting me like that, aren't you afraid I'll turn into a hungry wolf?"
His heated gaze made her blush. She quickly noticed something was going on with his swim trunks.
"Ah!"
Without another word, she spun around and dashed into the water.
"I'm going for a swim!"
Basicallyshe ran away. The cool seawater eased her burning embarrassment, clearing her mind. She cursed herself for chickening out. The whole point of coming here alone with Rei Ao was to possibly get swept away, right? Why back down now?
While she was pondering what to do next, something beneath the water set its huge eyes on her.
Rei Ao's eyes flashed.
"There it is."
In the next second, he appeared by Utaha's side.
"You"
She started to speak, but he grabbed her by the smooth curve of her waist and lifted her into the air. Glancing down, Utaha went pale: a massive maw was gulping water right where she'd just been swimming.
This creature was bigger than any blue whale she'd ever seen. She realized Rei Ao had just saved her!
"Rei Ao, w-what is that?"
She clung to him, trembling slightly. The thing below had definitely given her a scare.
"A sea monster."
[Beast]: Sea Behemoth
[Level]: 27
"But it's alsoour dinner."
He'd noticed it earlier. Its description mentioned the meat was considered a delicacyapparently even dragons loved it. They could have a barbecue.
"D-dinner?"
Utaha blinked at the fish-like monstrosity, huge and ugly. Hard to believe it'd taste good.
"It's enormous. Can we even finish it?"
"So what if it's huge? Mai and the others still manage to swallow Don't tell me you think your mouth's too small."
Rei Ao's casual remark made her pause. She quickly realized what he was actually implying.
"Hey, you're shameless."
She gave him a light, indignant smack.
"But seriously, you're gonna eat thatfish?"
"Of course. Let me show you my cooking skills."
He clenched his fist.
"Grrr!!!"
The Sea Behemoth seemed to choke as if being squeezed by an invisible force. It flailed mightily, creating monstrous waves, but there was no escape. Rei Ao yanked it right out of the water and tossed it through the air, where it crashed onto the island.
"Time to prep our fish."
Rei Ao didn't speed up the process with any powers. He took his time: cleaning the fish, slicing the meat, skewering it, and then barbecuingstep by step, while Utaha watched curiously.
By the time they finished, night had fallen. The little house Rei Ao had conjured glowed with warm light. Lights decorated the surrounding trees, giving the beach a bright, romantic atmosphere.
Sitting beside the campfire, Utaha quietly watched Rei Ao at the grill. In reality, her eyes were fixed more on him than on the fish. In the firelight, that handsome face looked even more striking. For reasons she couldn't quite name
"Gulp"
She almost found Rei Ao more appetizing than the barbecue.
"Utaha, look up."
Rei Ao pointed to the sky.
"Hmm?"
She raised her head.
"Wow, that's beautiful!"
Utaha gasped. The moon was bright and pure, the sky alive with countless stars. A scene she'd never see in the city. It felt vast and boundless.
"Here, it's ready."
Rei Ao handed her a skewer of freshly grilled fish. It smelled heavenly.
"Thanks."
She accepted it. They sat shoulder to shoulder by the fire, gazing at the night ocean, enjoying the sea breeze and the meal. Utaha felt a rare sense of calm wash over her. Almost unconsciously, she leaned her head on Rei Ao's shoulder.
"The moonlight's really lovely tonight."
~~~
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Chapter 585: Tonight Moon is Beautiful... Angel's Little Secret
"Tonight, the moonlight is beautiful."
Utaha couldn't help but remark on the sight. Yet in the next second, she froze upbecause, without warning, Rei Ao pressed his lips to hers.
"!!!"
Wh-what just happened?!
Her mind went blank. Rei Ao's hand found its way to her exposed waist, making her flush with embarrassment.
"Mmph!"
She leaned backward, cheeks blooming with color.
"W-what are you doing?!"
Utaha asked, utterly flustered.
"Hm?"
"Weren't you just confessing to me?"
Rei Ao tilted his head innocently.
"Huh?"
"When did I?!"
Utaha carefully replayed her words in her mind. She was certain she hadn't uttered anything resembling "I like you" out loud.
"Sigh."
Rei Ao let out a small sigh.
"For a light novel author, you sure don't know that 'The moonlight is beautiful' is actually a way of saying 'I love you'?"
""
Utaha's mind felt doused with cold water. She did know that phrase could be an indirect confessionshe'd seen it in novels.
She had just used that expression offhandedly, only meaning to compliment the moon. But apparently Rei Ao had taken (or pretended to take) it as something else.
Clearly, though, he was teasing her. Because the mischievous grin on his face said it all.
"Hahaha, Utaha, you're too easy to trick. I did it on purposeI just felt like kissing you."
""
She trembled slightly. So he was messing with me, she thought. Should she be angry? Furious? But instead, she pushed her hands to his cheeks and kissed himbriefly but boldly.
Breaking away, she said earnestly:
"Rei Ao, I like you!"
No beating around the bushan outright confession. Rei Ao wasn't particularly shocked. He calmly pulled her onto his lap so she was straddling him. Their foreheads touched, hot breaths mingling as they locked eyes.
"I should be the one saying that. Utaha, I like you."
"Even though I like a lot of people, are you still willing to like me back?"
"Yes, I am!"
Utaha answered without hesitation.
A second later, Rei Ao leaned in and kissed her againthis time more passionately, a true deep kiss. Under the moon's glow, the temperature rose between them. Utaha soon felt his intense desire, face blushing bright red.
"Rei Ao, II'm ready"
She was trembling with shyness. Resting against him, she whispered in his ear:
"How about we go inside?"
But Rei Ao only gave a soft chuckle and shook his head.
"Utaha, tonight the moonlight is beautiful. I'd like us to appreciate it together."
"Eh?"
Utaha picked up on the meaning behind those words. Did he mean here?
"Mmh"
A thrilling jolt shot through her, and, as if by some unseen force, she nodded. Immediately, she felt a pair of big hands swiftly advancing.
"Pop!"
Under the moonlit sky, bits of cloth fluttered in the sea breeze. By the flickering firelight, Rei Ao admired her loveliness.
