Chapter 312: Eh? Why aren’t you wearing clothes?

The reward was 2D Points that Himekoji urgently wanted—5000, another 5000!

If you multiplied it by two, that would be ten thousand!

Of course, in this case, there was no way Himekoji could choose the double reward, and if he could avoid choosing, he would rather not pick anything at all—he didn’t even want one 2D Point as a reward!

He had just made a promise to Nanami that she could rely on him, and now he was going to turn into a pervert?

Was this how he kept his promise?

No! Absolutely not!

Think of a way, think fast!

There must be a way, there’s got to be a way!

That’s it!

If he waited until Nanami fell asleep and then took her clothes off, wouldn’t it go unnoticed?

Damn, what a genius idea!

As soon as Himekoji thought of this, he instantly cheered up, clenched his fist hard, and decided to tough it out until Nanami was asleep.

Fever-reducing pills usually made people sleepy, so Nanami should fall asleep soon, right?

[Choose!]

…

Screw your choose!?

I won’t choose today!

If I choose, it’s after Nanami sleeps!

But…

It hurt so bad!

It felt like a road roller was smashing around wildly in Himekoji’s head; his face twisted painfully out of control.

But he had to hold on, no matter how much it hurt!

He hurt so badly he could barely stand, so Himekoji sat down hard on the edge of the bed, back turned to Nanami.

“Um, Himekoji…”

“Wh-what’s up?”

Himekoji’s voice came out from between his teeth, and he tried hard to make it sound normal.

“As I fall asleep, can you stay by my side?”

“Yeah, yeah, of course…”

This was pointless!

If he didn’t stay by her, how would he know when she fell asleep? And if he didn’t wait for that, how could he take her clothes off?

“So get to sleep quickly…”

Himekoji’s face, turned away from Nanami, was twisted, and he was almost crying from the pain!

[Choose!]

…

This headache almost killed him!

Even though only about ten seconds had gone by, Himekoji felt like he had lived through a whole century.

Himekoji bit down on his teeth and kept telling himself to hold strong, scared he might give in to the System any moment.

Hearing Himekoji’s firm answer, a smile spread across Nanami’s pale, weak face, as if she was finally happy, and she slid under the covers and lay down on the bed.

“Goodnight, Himekoji-kun.”

“Hisss…”

He couldn’t take it anymore!

He was at his limit!

Just when Himekoji was about to break, a bright idea hit him. He jumped up fast from the edge of the bed, stepped over to the window, and yanked the thick curtains shut.

The bedroom turned pitch black in an instant, with no light at all.

“Good… goodnight.”

Himekoji said this to Nanami, but in his heart, he gritted his teeth and yelled out the name of a skill—

“Clothing Explosion! Damn it, Clothing Explosion!”

Yes!

To keep holding out against this soul-twisting pain, he needed to do something extreme!

“Rip!”

In the dark, the naked body didn’t catch Nanami’s eye.

The girl was already dizzy with fever, and after taking pills, she was even sleepier. Her eyelids felt heavy like lead, and though she heard a strange little tearing sound, like cloth ripping, she didn’t have the strength to open her eyes and look.

Was she asleep?

Himekoji struggled with the pain as he painfully checked Nanami’s state.

If Nanami didn’t fall asleep soon, he guessed he would have to give up to the System…

Though Clothing Explosion raised his pain tolerance, it was still not much help, especially against this unfair, deep soul pain from the System.

Himekoji was sure no one in the world could stand that pain for over half a minute!

Of course, thinking this way, Himekoji didn’t know someone had once suffered such pain for him, holding out until the options finally ended.

Even though that person was only tortured by a sub-system, it was far less painful than what Himekoji felt now.

…

[Are you dumb? Why not choose first and stall later?]

Just when Himekoji was almost passing out from pain, the ‘guilty’ System kindly reminded him in a tone like he was talking to an idiot.

Huh? Choose first?

You could do that?

Damn, yeah!

Why didn’t he choose first, then take his time stalling?

Even if stalling meant a punishment, he could just not make it too obvious—it would still be better than suffering like this.

“AAAAA!”

The second he made his choice, his body felt light at once; the pain that made his soul shake disappeared fast like a wave pulling back.

Himekoji plopped down on the ground, covered head to toe in cold sweat. If he hadn’t used Clothing Explosion early, his clothes might have stuck to him and dripped with water.

The slimy mess covering him right now was far worse than Nanami’s feverish sweats.

“Fuck! Why the hell didn’t you tell me this great idea earlier?!”

Was the System just enjoying the show? This was downright infuriating!

[I didn’t expect you to be this stupid.]

Damn it!

Not only could he not argue back, but he also felt so annoyed that he actually wondered why he hadn’t just killed himself…

Whatever, what’s done is done. No point overthinking it—the more he thought, the more annoying it got. Time to focus on the task!

“Aoyama?”

Himekoji called out softly, checking if she was safely asleep.

No response.

Good, the time was right!

Naked, Himekoji crouched low and crept forward stealthily.

“Aoyama? Aoyama?”

Out of caution, he whispered twice more after reaching the edge of Nanami’s bed.

Still no reply.

But he could hear her steady, deep breathing.

She really was asleep—and soundly, too!

With that biggest problem solved, what came next was a piece of cake for an expert pervert like Himekoji.

Even though the room was dim with the curtains drawn, taking off someone else’s clothes was as natural as blinking to him.

It was a skill honed through countless experiences, almost instinctual—

The Himekoji-style undressing technique!

An art form!

Gently pulling back Nanami’s blanket, he stripped her completely bare in under thirty seconds.

He wasn’t even rushing. If he really wanted to, he could’ve done it way faster!

[Ding!]

[Quest Completed!]

[Reward: 5000 2D Points! Please check!]

“Haa…”

Done.

Though this sort of thing was routine for him, Himekoji’s heart still raced every time.

Guess that’s what they call staying true to your origins?

Wiping his sweat, he gently covered Nanami with the blanket again. Then, ignoring his little brother’s demands, he resolutely turned and strode out of her bedroom.

He was still naked. He needed to find clothes—fast.

But when Himekoji stepped out of Nanami’s room, something utterly unexpected happened—

“Huh? Brother? Why are you naked?”

He came face to face with a wide-eyed Akiko.

“Wait—you’re naked? Naked, and coming out of Nanami’s room?!”

Suddenly realizing the implication, Akiko screamed in horror.

Shock and disbelief flooded her face.

No, hang on—

Shouldn’t HE be the one more shocked and confused here?!

“Weren’t you supposed to be out shopping with Shiina?!”

Was she messing with him?!

…