Takanashi-san's Eating Habits

Takanashi-san's Eating Habits

I actually came... after all...

"Here's that woman's house!!"

"No, it's my house."

"Here's Miyucchi's house!!"

"Yes. That's right."

Riko-senpai and Takanashi-san were having some mysterious conversation.

Meanwhile, Rosso-san and I stared into the distance.

"How did this happen...?"

"H-hwaa, hwaaah..."

By my side, Rosso-san was twitching with an ominous smile on her face.

Though her gothic-lolita outfit made it hard to tell, her breasts were jiggling along with it. My spirit, worn down by tension, recovered a little.

...Come to think of it, there were only four participants. At worst, I should be able to get by just tuning out Riko-senpai's noisy antics.

Maybe I didn't need to take it as seriously as Rosso-san did.

"...Then, please come this way."

Apparently, while Rosso-san was twitching, Takanashi-san had finished checking the area around the entrance.

I nodded to her as she beckoned us over and started walking.

"Rosso-san. Let's go."

"Y-yes. No problem. I have no problem. There is no such word as retreat in the Demon King's vocabulary...!"

Rosso-san headed for the entrance too, moving her right hand and right foot forward at the same time.

...Could this person be even more shy around strangers than I was?

After all that, we were shown into the living room, where we placed the souvenirs from Master and the snacks and juice we'd bought at a convenience store along the way.

"All right, once we've washed our hands and gargled, the after-party starts!"

"Oh, before that. I have something to take care of. I'll be back in about five minutes, so please start without me."

"Nah, we're not so inconsiderate that we'd open the booze and leave the lady of the house behind. Brother."

"...? We bought juice, and I'm a woman."

"That's how it's done in Japan, Miyucchi."

"I see."

"No. Absolutely not."

Takanashi-san had probably gone to hide the Kenning in the garage. It seemed unlikely, but she wanted to make absolutely sure Rosso-san didn't see anything from the future.

And so, after we took care of various things...

"All right! To celebrate the success of our first expedition as the four of us! Cheers!"

"C-cheers."

"Cheers."

"Cheeers!!"

Our timing was slightly off, but we each raised our glasses or cups filled with juice.

"Mmm... Ahh! Tapioca milk tea after a dungeon expedition really hits the spot!"

"I don't think that's how you're supposed to drink tapioca..."

Riko-senpai had removed the lid from her cup of milk tea and was drinking it directly.

Aren't you supposed to use a straw for that...?

"Huh? But that's such a hassle."

"Ugh, this fake gyaru."

"I'm not fake. I'm the real deal."

Tapioca was already a little outdated, for one thing. More importantly, how had that convenience store even managed to stock it?

"You don't understand my gyaru power? At this rate, you'll never be popular with the girls in your class, Otaku-kun."

"Huh? I don't care? Not that I'm worried about it? It doesn't matter to me at all?"

"Oh. Looks like I stepped on a land mine. My bad!"

"No, it's fine."

It's not like I was crying. I seriously wasn't interested in the girls in my class.

...Sorry. It really hurts...

"Come on! There are three beautiful ladies here, so cheer up, Otaku-kun!"

"Yes, but two of them are a disappointing fake gyaru and a twenty-something chuunibyou..."

"All right, let's all beat him up!"

"Sorry. That was a joke."

"I'll rub gyaru into every inch of you!"

"Rub it in...? Rub what in!?"

"I am not chuunibyou. I am the true Queen of the Night and the Red Avenger!"

"But what exactly are you taking revenge against as an avenger?"

"Huh? Well, you know, the demon nobles who exiled me, the organization that manipulates society from the shadows, that sort of thing..."

Rosso-san spoke in a mumble, her cheeks turning red as she looked away.

Even she was embarrassed to talk about her setting.

"I'm curious too. Please tell me in detail, Rosso...san."

"Wha—?! N-no, I mean, I'd rather you didn't ask too much about that. I've been reworking it a little lately..."

"I'm interested in what you felt and why you chose to walk that path."

"A-aah, ah-ah-ah...!"

Rosso-san looked at me as if asking for help.

Takanashi-san was probably trying to find out why she had fallen to the dark side... but I thought digging into that would only make her despair, so it was better not to touch the subject.

We should wait until she had settled on her setting.

...No, I just didn't want to hear someone else's chuunibyou setting. It was bad for my mental health.

"Come to think of it, that outfit of yours is amazing, Rosso-san. Where do you buy your clothes?"

"Ahem! I am glad you asked, young oni. I found this myself in the vast electronic sea and had it shipped here. Heh, finding a size that fit this body was somewhat difficult."

Rosso-san placed a hand on her chest and struck a smug pose.

My eyes were drawn to her chest for an instant at the mention of size, but judging by her expression, she meant her height. She was certainly tall for a Japanese woman.

"Speaking of clothes, Miyucchi, don't you always wear pretty much the same thing?"

Riko-senpai turned her gaze toward Takanashi-san.

She still seemed a little dissatisfied that she hadn't been able to dig deeper into Rosso-san's darkness—her setting—but she gave a small nod.

"Yes. I have several items with similar designs, so I wear them while rotating them through the laundry."

"Aw, what a waste. You're super pretty and have an amazing figure, Miyucchi, so you should dress up more!"

"Indeed. You should pay more attention to your clothing as well. I think wrapping yourself in silver chains would look good."

No. Absolutely not chains.

"These clothes function perfectly well, and I believe they are also appropriate for the time, place, and occasion."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk... A girl has to dress up! All right, lemme take a peek inside your closet. I'll put together an outfit for you!"

Riko-senpai winked, then twisted her mouth into a grin.

"Heh-heh... Me putting Otaku-chan in an outfit... That's 120% gyaru power...!"

Didn't that laugh take about 200% off her gyaru level?

"Come on, off to the closet! Miyucchi's fashion show starts now!"

"Huh? I thought an after-party was for eating snacks?"

"We'll do that too! But an after-party needs entertainment, Miyucchi!"

"I see. I have seen soldiers making a racket at drinking parties before."

"Soldiers? Drinking parties?"

"It's from an anime. An anime."

Rosso-san looked puzzled for a moment, but apparently she convinced herself of the lie she'd told. She nodded deeply.

"I see. In that case, I shall offer some advice on Takanashi Miyu's clothing as well. Specifically, a long black coat and a belt..."

She's going to dye her...! She's going to turn Takanashi-san to the side of chuunibyou!

Wait, though. Come to think of it, what was in her closet...?

"Otaku-kun, you wait here! You're the judge!"

"Um, wait a second."

"The audience must not leave its seats until the performance is over! Wait patiently."

"No, that's why..."

"Please wait just a little while, Yahiro-san. You can watch the Kamen Ri●der series."

"Aww..."

Before I could stop them, the three women headed off to Takanashi-san's room.

This house had been prepared by a self-proclaimed Demiurge, and the furniture and clothes inside had also been chosen by that entity.

When I'd asked before, I'd heard that it had prepared a great many eccentric things... but I wondered whether there were any normal clothes if we looked hard enough.

I escaped reality a little by eating snacks and fiddling with my smartphone for about ten minutes.

"Wooooooooah!"

After I heard a great deal of stomping, Riko-senpai literally came rolling into the living room.

She flung open the door and did a forward roll. Damn it, the corner of the table got in the way, so I couldn't see beneath her skirt as it flipped up...!

No, that's not the point.

"What happened? Is there some kind of trouble?"

"This is seriously insane! You gotta see this, Otaku-kun!"

"Oh, so it doesn't seem to be an accident or a crime."

I lowered my half-raised body back into my chair as the fake gyaru began fooling around at full throttle.

But Riko-senpai was trembling all over, wearing an unnecessarily serious expression.

"I-I... We... We awakened something outrageous while fooling around! That thing is a weapon!"

"I see. That sounds difficult."

"How can you sit there eating snacks so calmly!?"

"What else am I supposed to do in this situation...?"

"You fool with no sense of danger! Then behold! Hate your own ignorance and choke back sobs of regret!"

"Didn't some of Rosso-san rub off on you?"

What is this? Is it contagious? ...I can't exactly say it isn't.

"Come forth, Miyucchi! Show that outfit to Otaku-kun!"

...No way. Surely not.

With Riko-senpai and Rosso-san here, that couldn't possibly happen.

Filled with anticipation and confusion, I stared at the living-room door, which had been left wide open.

And then.

"Why does Riko-senpai keep saying such strange things?"

Takanashi-san walked into the room, looking somewhat exasperated.

Wearing a bunny-girl outfit.

―――It was a weapon.

Her slender white shoulders led to graceful arms adorned with cuffs. Her exposed collarbones were delicate, while a white wing collar and black bow tie were fastened around her neck.

Her torso was covered by a white bunny suit, the exact opposite of her long black hair. For an instant, the sheer whiteness of it, combined with Takanashi-san's pale skin, made me think she was naked.

But her body line was just as visible as if she were naked. On top of that, her enormous breasts looked ready to spill out at any moment.

The wire inside the bunny suit somehow held them in place, but the flesh spread out to either side, seemingly emphasizing its softness.

The high-cut leg openings were extremely daring, leaving most of her groin exposed. If the fabric shifted even slightly, there was no doubt it would reveal a woman's forbidden parts.

Her skin was exposed from the groin to the middle of her thighs, while fishnet stockings covered everything below that. The tiny frills seemed to lend the outfit more elegance than cuteness.

Even though we were indoors, she wore high heels, making Takanashi-san's already long legs seem even longer. In contrast to her fleshy thighs, everything below her knees was slender and beautifully shaped.

I couldn't help staring, but she showed no sign of embarrassment. She fiddled with the white rabbit ears on her head as if they were a nuisance.

Some people would say, 'A bashful expression is the height of wisdom,' and I agreed with them. But there was also a kind of nourishment that could only be obtained from a beautiful girl wearing an utterly lewd outfit with a perfectly calm expression. My heart was screaming that at me.

Thank you... I am grateful to everything in this world...!

"Yahiro-san."

"Yes, I'm sorry!"

When Takanashi-san called my name, I reflexively lowered my head.

I looked too long! My body acted on its own, trying to burn the image into my retinas!

"...? Why are you apologizing? I was about to apologize for keeping you waiting."

"No, I couldn't possibly...!"

"Huh...?"

I glanced at Takanashi-san's face, but she only seemed confused.

My eyes immediately slid from her face to her deep cleavage, then fixed on the tips that looked ready to peek out at any moment.

Wait, Yahiro Kota! Get a grip! If you stare too much here, you'll die socially!

"Watch out, me!"

"Yahiro-san!?"

My full-force left hook dug into my own cheek. It hurt like hell.

But thanks to that, I managed to look away. I'd just stare at the wall from now on. That way, I wouldn't die.

"Miyucchi's closet is seriously insane..."

"It was full of clothes meant only for cosplay... though there were some noble outfits even I envied."

I heard Riko-senpai and Rosso-san's voices.

"But what is that mountain of outfits? Who prepared them?"

"I did. I didn't know what to buy, so I placed random orders through online shopping, and it turned out like that."

Takanashi-san answered in a slightly monotone voice.

In reality, the self-proclaimed Demiurge had prepared them, but there was no way she could tell them the truth.

"I see. I thought you were rather out of touch with the world, but don't your father and mother say anything?"

"No. I don't have any."

"...I see."

After a few seconds, I sensed Rosso-san nod.

"I have a mother too... but no father. He died in a traffic accident when I was in elementary school."

"...I see."

"My mother raised me by herself. I'm grateful for that, and I know she loves me. But the truth is, I was lonely."

At the edge of my vision, I could see that Rosso-san wore a serious expression.

"If you ever have trouble or something on your mind, come to me. I swear on my soul that I will help you with everything I have."

"Thank you..."

Takanashi-san's voice sounded slightly bewildered.

"Hey, Rosson. Just so we're clear, I don't think there's any genuinely shady reason behind the stuff in that closet, okay?"

"I have no doubts about that. I can tell the scent of a virgin's blood simply by standing beside her."

"Uh, is that sexual harassment?"

"It is not!"

"Ha-ha-ha! Well... both my parents are healthy too, but they're often away from home for work."

I couldn't see her from where I was, but Riko-senpai was probably wearing a serious expression too.

"But I had Grandma. I wasn't lonely. Miyucchi, if being alone ever gets too hard, come to our café. I'll buy you at least a coffee."

"...Yes."

After hesitating a little, Takanashi-san seemed to nod.

A solemn atmosphere settled over the room. Still, I never would have guessed that Rosso-san had been raised by a single mother...

It might not have been the time to think about it, but perhaps that had something to do with why she fell to the dark side in the parallel world.

As I mulled that over, I realized Rosso-san was looking at me.

She moved her eyes as if urging me to say something, shifting her gaze back and forth between Takanashi-san and me.

...Wait, does she want me to wrap this up? This conversation?

I can't do that. I really can't.

My parents weren't especially prone to being away from home, and they were alive and well. If anything, they were so energetic that I couldn't live without earbuds.

Well, Dad had been a little low on energy lately. He was supposed to have gotten younger, but he looked a little gaunt.

But there was no way I could say that. It would be sexual harassment.

Wait. Seriously, wait. I can't turn this into a heartwarming story from here!

"Otaku-kun... no, Kota-kun, you're our companion and our friend too."

Please, Riko-senpai. Don't call me by my name right now. Don't create a serious atmosphere. I'll die. I'll actually die!

"Indeed. You are not alone. You have friends with whom you can watch each other's backs."

Rosso-san! That wasn't nearly chuunibyou enough! Say something so chuunibyou that it can only be a joke!

No, time was my enemy. The situation would only get worse if this continued. I had no choice but to say whatever came to mind...!

"Takanashi-san."

"Yes."

"I may not be very reliable, but... I'll do what I can."

"Yahiro-san...!"

"If something troubles you, I want you to rely on me. And not just me—the whole clan, too."

"...Can I really rely on you?"

"Yes. I'll do my best."

I had only said exactly what came to mind, but Takanashi-san's voice trembled as if she were moved.

I quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

But then.

"In that case, right away."

"Yes... Huh?"

Takanashi-san approached, her heels clicking against the floor.

Not that it mattered, but wasn't she damaging the floor? Could she at least take off the high heels?

That thought flew away when she came right in front of me. I'd gone to such lengths to turn my head away!

My vision and brain were filled with enormous breasts at point-blank range.

Boobs! Boobs! Get a grip!

"I have a favor to ask."

"Yes!"

Takanashi-san leaned forward and took my hand. The feel of her slender fingers, the cleavage emphasized by her posture, and the breasts that swayed when she bent over began eating away at my thoughts.

Goodbye, my sanity...

"Please wear the miniskirt Santa outfit and the kimono-style bikini from the closet!"

"No."

Welcome back, sanity. Go away, madness.

I gently freed my hand and turned my head. Right in my line of sight was Riko-senpai, clutching her stomach and shaking with laughter.

What am I, a sideshow? I'll beat you to a pulp.

"Why not!? You said you'd do anything for me!"

"I didn't. I never said anything."

"Calm down, Takanashi Miyu! This is where you're supposed to have a serious conversation! How did this turn into a cosplay discussion!?"

That's right! Tell her, Rosso-san!

"I am being completely serious. I genuinely want Yahiro-san to wear the miniskirt Santa outfit and the kimono-style bikini."

"Why!?"

"Because I couldn't get them."

"That makes absolutely no sense!?"

I think it's fine not to understand, Rosso-san. Please stay just as you are... no, keep the chuunibyou within reason.

Come to think of it, this was probably a gacha thing.

"Pff—i-it's fine, Otaku-kun...! It's not like you'll lose anything... Pffft...!"

"I will. My heart will."

Also, you. That killer pass from the serious conversation straight to this was deliberate, wasn't it? It absolutely was.

"Anyway, making Otaku-kun my dress-up doll can wait until later."

"It won't happen. Ever."

"Yahiro-san... I believe in you."

"Don't. Don't trust anything in this world."

"Still, Miyucchi, your boobs are seriously huge. What do you eat to make them grow that big?"

"I was wondering that as well. I do not envy you, since preparing clothes must be difficult, but I am curious nonetheless."

At their questions, Takanashi-san seemed to nod.

That aside, I could still see a little of her breasts at the edge of my vision. What an unbelievable size. Even after turning my head this far, they were still visible...

My face began turning toward Takanashi-san as if pulled by gravity.

Damn it... Would I have to punch myself in the right cheek this time...? And Riko-senpai in the crown of her head while I was at it!

"I don't think I eat anything special."

"Aw, but I'm curious. You live alone, right? What do you usually eat?"

"In the morning, I have cornflakes, salad, scrambled eggs, yogurt, and coffee."

"Oh, oh. Very Western."

"She doesn't eat rice in the morning...?"

"For lunch, I have cornflakes, salad, scrambled eggs, yogurt, and coffee."

"Oh, I see... Huh?"

"And for dinner, I have cornflakes, salad, scrambled eggs, yogurt, and coffee."

"They're all the same!?"

Takanashi-san responded to Riko-senpai's bulging-eyed stare with a dissatisfied tone.

"They are different. I take supplements for vitamins and iron, which tend to be lacking, with each meal."

"I see. So the number and types of pills are different in the morning, afternoon, and evening! You idiot!"

"Why am I being insulted...?"

"I think that's obvious."

Don't lean in to look at my face, Takanashi-san. Your cleavage comes into view too. At this distance.

Eight-tenths of my brain was about to rebel under the influence of lust, but somehow I managed to move my mouth.

"Um, Takanashi-san. You like eating delicious things too, right?"

"Yes."

"Then I think you should place a little more importance on having some variety in your meals."

"Why? I believe this menu provides sufficient flavor and nutrition."

"If you keep eating the same thing, you'll get tired of it eventually. More importantly, tasting all kinds of food should be good for your mental health too."

"Mental health... I see."

Apparently satisfied, Takanashi-san straightened her back. Her breasts moved farther away from my field of vision.

That was close. A little more and I might have pressed my hands together and worshiped her breasts as a divine object.

As a believer in the Big-Breast faction of the Church of Boobs, this was a miracle from God.

So God really did exist...

"I have heard that mental fulfillment also has a positive effect on physical health."

I continued the conversation with the last scraps of my reason.

"That's right. Food is important."

"I hear that the highs produced by drugs are unhealthy. This is the healthy kind, then."

"Yes. Above all, an adventurer's health comes first."

"What kind of environment was this girl raised in...?"

"Don't worry about it, Rosson. Miyucchi just got back from America."

"America is frightening...!"

As a certain country suffered some serious reputational damage, I sensed Takanashi-san nod.

"I understand. From now on, I will try to add a little more variety to my diet."

"Yeah. That'll probably be better. You could decide what to eat for each day of the week to start with."

"Yes. I will try it."

Later, I decided, I'd consult Master too. I felt bad relying on her so much, but she would surely be able to help. She'd probably have some advice about Takanashi-san's meals.

I had also learned a little about Rosso-san's family. That could be considered a gain as well.

There had been sacrifices, but this after-party had still been fruitful.

"That reminds me, why have you been sitting in the same position this whole time, Yahiro-san?"

"Don't point it out. Even I know this is a situation where I have to pretend not to see..."

"Well... um... y-young people, you know! I-it can't be helped!"

My mental health had been sacrificed for the sake of the future.