Chapter 17 - Suspect Nakamoto
But with all this racket, I'm surprised the neighbors aren't complaining.
Especially since it's the voice of an old man and a young woman together.
That's a potential incident, isn't it?
If it were me, I'd be banging on the wall, I thought as I sat down on the bed.
I placed the paper bag on the floor and rustled around, pulling out its contents.
"I brought back some souvenirs."
"Wow! Souvenirs! That's love, isn't it! Love! I'm so loved!"
"Yeah, yeah, it's love. Familial love."
Love might be love, but I'm hoping for romantic love!
Angelica protested as I handed her the still-wrapped clothing.
"Clothes! Can I try them on now?"
"You can put them on, but don't undress here. Okay, my bad. I'll go to the bathroom, so get changed while I'm gone."
I think the act of a girl taking off her clothes isn't much different from pointing a gun at you.
Most men would have no choice but to raise their hands and obey.
I retreated to the bathroom, sat on the toilet, and turned on my phone.
While taking care of business, I collected the login bonuses for my mobile games.
I don't know how long she'll take to change, but it shouldn't be that long. There's no way I can get into a serious game.
...I'm about ready for some Shaun Shaun action, and I'm starting to get withdrawal symptoms.
But as I was lost in thought about my idols, a white window appeared on the screen.
'You have a new message.'
It said.
Oh, right. Rio pestered me into installing a social media app.
Now I can contact her anytime using this.
What does that kid want to talk to me about?
I tapped the screen.
'Thanks for today. Leo says he wants to know Nakamoto-san's contact info too. Can I give it to him? He says he wants to be your underling.'
Oh, that's all it is. Sure, that's fine, I replied.
Guess I've managed to win over the older brother too. Whatever, I'll just think of it as gaining an errand boy.
'Also, this is a thank-you for today.'
Thank-you?
A message with an address attached was sent to me.
An address... she's probably trying to show me a picture.
Maybe a photo of King Leo dyeing his hair black at home, swearing to reform?
I tapped on the address, making a refreshing prediction like a passionate teacher who's just made a delinquent turn over a new leaf with his own two hands.
What came up was a single photo.
However, it was an extremely dangerous item.
"Bwuh!?"
What was posted at the link was a selfie of Rio.
An image of Rio Saito (16), with her blazer buttons boldly undone, exposing her chest.
She had her index finger inside the collar of her blouse, pulling the fabric down, desperately emphasizing her cleavage.
A white bra was faintly visible, exuding an undeniable indecency.
(Stop that, are you trying to get me socially killed!?)
Isn't this stuff bad now — producing and possessing child pornography?
If they traced the communication history and stuff, wouldn't I be done for?
If I got arrested for a crime like this, my parents would cry.
Delete it! Delete!
I replied telling her to stop this not-funny stuff, and she replied back with 'Looking for an older boyfriend.'
Your head might be full of shojo manga, but over here, I'm looking at the start of a crime documentary.
Give me a break.
As I was grappling with my phone alone, I heard Angelica's drawn-out voice saying, "I'm done~."
I stood up unsteadily and headed back.
The body that hadn't tired even from fighting a gang of armed yakuza was now feeling terribly exhausted.
"Dad, you have good taste, don't you? They're all so cute, I really like them."
When I returned to the living room, Angelica was standing by the bed with a beaming smile.
As soon as she saw me, she stretched out her arms and began spinning in a semicircle.
It was that "How is it? Does it suit me?" move a girl does when showing off new clothes to her boyfriend.
On top, a gray hoodie.
On the bottom, a tight black skirt. It was knee-length, and I didn't really get it, but it was probably fashionable.
Both her legs were covered in pitch-black tights, so she probably wouldn't be cold even in this season.
"Hehe. I can't believe you even bought me underwear."
"Yeah, yeah, it looks great on you. Cute, cute."
"Really? The skirt's pretty short, so I thought it might be a bit daring."
"Hahaha. No matter how short a daughter's skirt is, a father is a creature that doesn't get flustered."
"I had a hard time putting them on while reading the packaging instructions, but these black socks are convenient, aren't they? They're thin but nice and warm."
"Right? The technology from my hometown is amazing."
Angelica lightly hitched up her skirt. "Since my whole lower body is covered, even if it flips up, it's no problem," she said, flashing me glimpses.
"Don't do stuff like that outside. Come on, I also bought some sweets as souvenirs. Let's eat them together."
"Hey, Dad."
"What?"
"Why do you think you're so calm when I'm making such an obvious move on you?"
"Well, that's because I'm an adult, and my romantic interests are people my own age."
"Hmph."
Angelica squinted her eyes, looking half-lidded.
"You have this look in your eyes like 'I just saw something way more intense, so that doesn't even register now,' but is that just my imagination?"
"Th-there's no way that's true."
Angelica, with her hands behind her back, leaned forward. "I wonder~" she said, walking around the room, throwing me sidelong glances. "Suspicious~"
Her movements were just like a great detective cornering a culprit who was being cheeky despite there being piles of evidence.
"You know, I actually found something."
"...What?"
"When I was rummaging through the paper bag, I found this."
Angelica pinched a single strand of hair from her pocket.
Black, long, straight. It was evidence that looked like it had clearly come from a beautiful girl.
There was no doubt it was a part of Rio's smooth, long, straight hair...!
"Dad."
"...Yes."
"So, you had these clothes bought for you by a girl, didn't you? For an old man's choice, it was suspiciously good at understanding a woman's heart."
"Well, you see? It'd be embarrassing for me to buy a girl's panties, and I wouldn't know what's good, right?"
"Was she a pretty person?"
"Well, not really... just your average girl."
"She looks a lot like Elsa-san, doesn't she?"
"How did you know?"
Angelica declared, "That was a complete fishing expedition." She added, "I can't believe I actually hit the mark."
"As I thought, Dad likes black-haired girls."
"That's not it! Why are you looking like you're about to cry!?"
"Is she your girlfriend? I guess so. It's been a year since you came back to this world, hasn't it? You probably have a lover by now."
Getting asked about whether I have a girlfriend by a sixteen-year-old girl twice in one day is a first in my life.
The only people who've been interested in my private life this past year were the police.
The only time I ever got any attention was from police questioning.
How am I supposed to handle this?
"...Well, it's not like it matters to me anyway. It's not like you and I are lovers or anything."
"Well, yeah."
"It's just me saying I like you one-sidedly, and you don't feel anything for me anyway."
"...It's not like I feel nothing..."
Really?
Angelica said in a strained voice.
"...You just don't like my type at all, and that's why you don't make a move on me, right? ...Isn't that it?"
"That's not it. D-don't cry, you really are cute. I'm holding back my desires with all my might. I find girls around your age cute, but if I laid a hand on you, the guilt would be bigger. I'd end up hating myself. That's why I don't do anything. Understand? See? This is my problem, not Ange's fault."
What am I rambling on with excuses for?
A grown man, being toyed with by a teenage girl. What has the world come to?
And I'm supposed to be a Hero. I can change the terrain with my skills.
But it doesn't help me at all with human relationships.
"...Do you really think I'm cute?"
Of course, I nodded heavily.
Then Angelica tightly gripped the hem of her clothes and sat down on the bed.
She flopped over and lay on her back.
"...Then, do it."
Do what?
"...What you did with the owner of that hair today. ...Do the same thing you did with that person to me too."
"What?"
Angelica squeezed her eyes shut and shouted, her ears turning red.
"You did all sorts of lewd things with her, didn't you!? Then do the same to me! Then I'll believe what you say! I'll believe that you really think I'm cute!"
"You're going into overdrive."
"Right now! Right here! You're going to cheat on that black-haired girl with me!"
[Party Member Holy Maiden Angelica's Possessiveness has increased by 600.]
[Angelica's Sexual Arousal has reached 70%.]
[This value is sufficient for consensual sexual intercourse. Proceed with execution?]
[If executed, there is a certain probability of conceiving a child.]
[Any child born will inherit some status tendencies and skills from both parents, and will be able to share equipment and items.]
[Additionally, class transfer will be possible for the child.]
[Angelica's Sexual Arousal has reached 71%.]
[Angelica's Sexual Arousal has reached 72%.]
[Angelica's Sexual Arousal has reached 73%.]
As always, these tactless system messages make me want to ask what this thing is trying to do with my life.
I slammed the windows shut and steeled myself.
Fine, I'll do it.
I sat down next to Angelica and said, "Don't regret this."
"You ready for this? I'm going to do with you what I did with that black-haired girl today. Over and over and over again. Are you sure you're okay with that?"
Angelica silently nodded.
"It might hurt, you know?"
"...I'm prepared for that."
"Alright."
I patted Angelica on the shoulder and said.
"Then tomorrow, we're going ghost hunting."
"Huh?"
"Today, I was asked by this girl named Rio to go rescue her kidnapped older brother."
"...Kidnapped?"
"In short, I went on an adventure. I took down some bad guys. You want to do the same thing, right? Tomorrow, you and I will go look for some evil ghosts, and we'll kick their asses."
"...I-I can't believe something like that."
"If you want, I can even introduce you to that girl herself, and I can introduce you to her older brother and the idiots I beat up too. They'll all give you a proper testimony! Come on, let's be Ghostbusters! For today, just eat well, sleep, and prepare!"
"Ehhh..."
Although she complained, "I don't want horror!" Angelica's face somehow looked relieved.