Chapter 396: Gentleman
[Mission Complete]
The system notification sounded like sweet music to my ears. Unfortunately, leveling up now required more EXP, so I had to hold off on that satisfaction.
"Are you okay?" I asked Yuki as I appeared right in front of her. She looked surprised and almost stumbled, but I quickly caught her around the waist, making sure she stayed steady and safe.
I had to be gentle with her; after all, she was a potential candidate.
"T-thank you," she stammered, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment as she lowered her gaze, a shy smile playing on her lips.
I'd be an idiot not to figure out that she likes me.
I bet if I kissed her right now, she'd be delighted and float on cloud nine. However, my instinct was telling me not to do it. It was a strange feeling, especially since she was really my type.
So, I chose to play the role of a typical anime protagonist.
An oblivious guy surrounded by girls who like him, and not doing shit because he needed to let the plot unfold. Choosing a girl right away would end the anime too soon, after all.
I extended my hand to help her to her feet. Once she was steady, I gently released my grip.
She seemed a little disappointed when I pulled away, but I intentionally did it so she would fall for me more.
The idea was to create a sense of longing, a subtle play in emotions. By not completely fulfilling her expectations, I aimed to leave her wanting more, deepening the connection and interest she might be developing for me.
"Thank you for helping me!" she stammered, her attempt to express gratitude making her appear adorably awkward. It was like watching someone trying to do something she was not used to.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to check her status to figure out her age.
And behold , she was only 17 years old.
A pang of disappointment stabbed at my heart. It was like receiving a Christmas gift and realizing I couldn't use it.
'17 years old and already set for arrange marriage ? Damn, Japan has a different way of looking at legal age,' I sighed inwardly.
I recalled reading on the internet that the legal age for marriage in Japan was 18 for males and 16 for females with parent's consent .
As expected from the country that birthed the Lolita genre, it was a paradise for men of culture and degenerates alike.
I had entertained certain thoughts about her, but she was just short of the age for my striking zone. While I might be a bit of a degenerate, I would never crossed that bridged of no return.
So, I continued to pretend to care for her. After all, I still needed to complete the second mission, which involved making her the new clan leader.
I couldn't figure out the exact reason why the system assigned me such a mission, but perhaps she would developed into a significant character in the future. For now, though, she stood before me as a vulnerable girl in need of my assistance.
'Lucky for you, I'm a good guy,' I pat myself in the back, feeling a sense of pride as I committed to helping her from the bottom of my heart, without any ulterior motives whatsoever.
Speaking of their clan, judging from the strength of the guys I one-sided massacre, her family didn't seem all that powerful. Perhaps I could wrap up this whole mission tonight and then visit a popular anime spots with her tomorrow.
"Let's get out of here first," I suggested, gently taking her hands. With a reassuring smile, I lifted her into my arms, holding her like a princess.
Jumping into the air, we soared skyward. While flying was an option, this method felt more romantic. In mid-air, I transformed back to my old kimono-style appearance because, well, it looked better.
I leaped from one building to another, the moon casting its glow on my face. I could sense Yuki's heartbeat, feeling the rhythm of her pulse. This must have been the first time she was carried like this.
I also felt the cold air, so I enveloped her in my telekinesis, ensuring the wind wouldn't bother her.
Finally, we landed on top of my hotel building. I carried her here not for any dubious reason, but simply because it was the only place I knew that was safe.
"Did you get sick?" I asked her, acting concerned that she got nausea from the all that moving.
"I'm okay," she replied with a smile.
We took a seat on the bench; the lack of people around suggested that either the night had drawn everyone into the busyness of their own lives, or perhaps, the exclusivity of this place made it a luxury only a select few could afford.
It was the latter in my opinion; not just anyone could afford this place.
I was an exception, because I am able to infinitely create wealth with my unique ability. Money was like mere pieces of paper to me. In fact, obtaining a simple piece of paper might prove more challenging than acquiring actual currency at this point.
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"Thirsty?" I inquired, reaching into my blackhole storage to retrieve some drinks.
I chose a non-alcoholic drink for her, considering she was a minor.
She seemed puzzled when she saw the labels in a language she didn't recognize. I realized I had grabbed these drinks from Korea.
"Those are imported," I explained.
She nodded in understanding, opened one, and took a sip.
"This is delicious!" she exclaimed.
"I'm glad you like it,"
I let her get comfortable before starting our conversation. I wasn't in a hurry; this whole thing began because I wanted to kill some time before Sung Hei's concert.
"Can I ask why you saved me?" she broke the silence.
I paused for a moment, recalling the numerous anime's I'd seen. I aimed to deliver the most fitting response for a clueless, dumb , and oblivious anime protagonist.
I flashed a nonchalant smile and replied, "Oh, it was nothing special. I just felt like doing it. I can't just stand there and pretend not to see you in trouble."
In my mind, I couldn't help but cringe, feeling embarrassed as I acknowledged how some anime protagonist were just too dumb to imitate.