Chapter 91: Mmm! Mmm! Mmm!

…

“I just thought you looked way too serious, Himekoji-san. Wanted to help you relax those tense nerves.”

Relax? Now I’m even more stressed!!

Also, who in the world helps others relax by pinching their buds?!

Hearing Kasumigaoka’s explanation, Himekoji was practically exploding with the urge to complain.

Luckily, Kasumigaoka’s choice had just triggered moments ago, so it probably wouldn’t happen again right away.

That’s what Himekoji thought.

Yet halfway through that thought, his heart suddenly pounded in alarm—

Hold up! Didn’t I just jinx myself with a massive death flag?!

The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. So he waited fearfully, trembling for several minutes…

Result?

Complete calm. Nothing happened at all.

Then, after several more minutes…

Still nothing…

Huh? Seems… safe this time?

So, dodging flags wasn’t guaranteed to happen every single time?

At once, he felt much calmer. A long-lost sense of relief spread through his chest.

His entire body instantly relaxed.

Saved. Felt so good…

Weirdly, he almost wanted to cry.

The shift in Himekoji’s emotions showed plainly on his face.

Was this what they meant by “once bitten, twice shy”?

He totally got it now.

…

“Why that look? Think I’m teasing you again?”

Since Himekoji had shrunk into a corner, Kasumigaoka Utaha now looked down at him from above.

Like they’d swapped roles.

Himekoji watched this super troublesome “Evil God” with lingering dread. Subconsciously, his head bobbed frantically like a pecking chick.

She was teasing him! Obviously! Seriously, what else could it possibly be?!

Himekoji felt like bawling.

Why did he, a certified Pervert, have to get toyed with by a female Pervert?!

This script made zero sense!

“Himekoji-san, for an editor, your skills are really lacking.”

Kasumigaoka Utaha shook her head like she was disappointed in his hopelessness.

“And you dare nod? How could I tease you just to tease you? Of course I’m doing it to create a better work!”

Don’t think wrapping it in riddles fools me—you still admitted you’re teasing me!!

To create a better work?

Pfft! What did that have to do with teasing me?!

Kasumigaoka, as if she’d overheard Himekoji’s grumbling inside, soon began explaining leisurely herself.

“This is just gathering material. Without truly experiencing certain things, you’d never capture that feeling in writing.”

Damn, she came up with such a legit-sounding excuse…

Couldn’t even argue with her logic.

Wait—couldn’t argue?

Couldn’t argue my foot!

Kasumigaoka Utaha had teased him countless times already! If this were an online game, that experience would’ve leveled him to 100 multiple times over!

Exaggerating even more, in the field known as “Teasing Himekoji,” Kasumigaoka Utaha could totally call herself grandmaster-level.

So she definitely didn’t need material this way anymore, seriously!

“Alright, Editor-san. Now it’s time for your true value to shine.”

The girl announced something earth-shatteringly terrifying like it was the most normal thing ever.

“My t… true value?”

Himekoji suddenly realized something and shot back with a dark face.

“Exactly! From now on, we’re starting practical exercises.”

“Wait, exercises meaning?”

“We experience all the key story scenes. They say theory must meet practice—this perfects the work.”

Perfects the work?! Even his Little Hime would’ve guessed what happens next.

Sure enough—

“Okay, let’s recreate this scene first.”

Kasumigaoka casually tossed a manuscript to Himekoji.

He reflexively caught it.

Naturally, before reading, he braced himself fully.

…

“A sudden transfer student—a blonde-haired Twin Tails beauty—disrupted the protagonist’s surroundings. Exhausted after being bossed and teased by her, he sighed and headed into the Bathroom for a bath…”

“Yet, something entirely unexpected happened—”

Never! Completely predicted it!

It’s the 100%-guaranteed bath event in rom-coms—the iconic moment fusing cute and risqué elements!

Naked Encounter between the male lead and a heroine!

Damn! How was he supposed to recreate this?!

Himekoji’s first thought was refusal—no doubt. He rushed to object—

“Wait! Demanding to recreate this scene so suddenly? How could we possibly—”

[Please choose!]

[A: Charge straight into the restroom while Himekoji’s bathing to snap photos!]

[B: While bathing, lure Himekoji into entering and… snap-tastic chaos!]

[Failure Punishment: Turn into Himekoji’s soap.]

Damn!

Himekoji, who had been speaking mid-sentence, suddenly stopped completely and couldn’t go on…

Again like this?!

He then slouched dispiritedly, dropping his shoulders, and sighed out loud—

Ah!

……

On the other side, Kasumigaoka tilted her head in thought. Then, as if she had made a quick decision, the girl looked interested and eager to try, so she spoke:

“I choose… mmm…”

At the very second before she could say the option, narrowly avoiding it, Himekoji covered Kasumigaoka’s mouth.

“Hey! Just behave and choose A, don’t make trouble!”

Damn it, luckily Himekoji reacted fast, or else, she would have spoken her choice!

“Uhh, uhh!…”

Kasumigaoka’s mouth was covered, so she could only make such unclear, weird sounds.

“If you agree to choose A, I’ll let go.”

“Mmm? Mmm! Uhh uhh!”

“What do you mean with those ‘uhh uhh’ sounds? Tell me clearly!”

Himekoji glared at her crossly.

“Mmm! Mmm! Mmm!”

Kasumigaoka’s beautiful eyes widened roundly. In her mind, she was furious—

Why was this guy being like this? He covered her mouth and then told her to speak clearly?

How could she say it clearly? Why not think first? Are you out of your mind? Just let go, I want to choose B!

……

“Hurry up and say it! Hmm, but you can’t talk with this…”

Darn, Himekoji only noticed that just now, and felt a bit awkward.

“Okay then, if you agree to choose A, blink your eyes. After blinking, I’ll let go right away.”

So, the two began an endless, wide-eyed staring contest…

[Choose!]

The temporary System in Kasumigaoka’s mind had started to urge her.

[Choose!]

……

One after another, the pain surged like waves, hitting her over and over.

Painful and kind of crazy?

Oh no, she couldn’t hold it in anymore!

Also, straining not to blink had a limit!

……

“If you dare choose B, I swear, I’ll turn you into a soap block!”

Almost at the exact moment Kasumigaoka reached her “breaking point,” Himekoji’s “bossy” threat slowly sounded in the girl’s ear.

He saw this stubborn girl was being so annoying, so he gritted his teeth and spat out tough words.

“Also, before you become soap, I’ll do an experiment on you. What’s it about? It’s about finding out just how much water is in the human body…”

Water? Water inside?

Hearing that, Kasumigaoka’s legs suddenly trembled weakly for no reason.

Her mouth also somehow felt all dry.

[Choose!]

And with the System’s urging, the pain and swelling in her mind got worse…

Fine, I got it! I’ll choose, I’ll choose! Just A, okay?!

Kasumigaoka felt wronged and grumpy, and for the second time, she gave in to Himekoji.

Huh? Why say “again”?

Anyway, the girl unwillingly—

blinked.