Chapter 182: Explode, Clothing! Nanami!

After sending Mashiro to meet her editor, Himekoji was sent back home.

That’s because Ayano Iida would later be responsible for bringing Mashiro back.

But then again, since she could bring her back, why not just pick her up from the start?

…

Having these random thoughts, Himekoji biked back alone.

Along the way, he ran into that police officer again—the one who’d chased him down eighteen streets earlier until collapsing tired on the pavement.

As soon as that officer spotted Himekoji, hatred flashed in his eyes. Ignoring his tiredness, he stumbled to his feet, panting heavily, and lunged toward Himekoji furiously.

The second chase ended just as before—Himekoji won again.

…

Back home, knowing Nanami was still there made Himekoji weirdly uneasy.

“I’m home.”

While changing shoes at the Genkan, he peeked into the living room.

Sure enough, he spotted the girl—seemingly hunting for water, she’d opened the fridge.

“Ah? Wha—why are you back so fast?”

Startled by the sound, Nanami froze.

Caught holding a glass pitcher without permission was like being caught red-handed. For strict, rule-abiding Nanami, it brought overwhelming shame and awkwardness.

“I-I was so thirsty… You weren’t here, so… I thought I’d just find water myself…”

Stumbling over his words, she trailed off mid-explanation. Suddenly, she hung her head weakly. But then she inhaled sharply, her expression shifting through several emotions.

Finally, she looked up sincerely and apologized—

“I’m sorry! I should’ve called to ask permission first! Coming to your house for the first time and being so rude… I’m really sorry!”

“Huh?”

Himekoji blinked.

What was all the fuss about?

It was just water.

Not valuable at all.

The stuff comes free—drink as much as you want!

Seemed like Nanami fixated on things others didn’t find important…

And honestly, if anyone was rude, it was him.

This was Nanami’s first visit, yet he’d shoved dinner prep onto her.

He’d even left her alone while he went out with Mashiro…

So arguing about this didn’t make any sense!

Nanami’s politeness should rub off on Mashiro instead.

…

“It’s no big deal, Aoyama. Just treat this place like your own home. No worries.”

Himekoji waved his hand dismissively.

“T-treat it like my home?! Y-you aren’t implying something weird, right?”

Yet Himekoji’s casual words only unsettled Nanami further.

Flushing bright red, she reacted like he’d said something scandalous.

Weird meaning?

Himekoji paused. Only then, a beat later, did he realize what she meant—

“Not at all!”

Hold on!

The person making normal stuff sound weird was the weird one here!

“Ahh… Still thirsty. Need water to calm down.”

Nanami patted her chest as if calming herself.

“Calm down? What frightening thing did I say?”

Himekoji muttered, glancing uneasily at Nanami.

But that glance made him notice something bad!

“Stop! Don’t drink that! That isn’t water!”

Seeing the glass pitcher in Nanami’s hands, Himekoji gasped. Without thinking, he shouted a warning.

The liquid inside looked crystal clear, just like chilled water…

But it was actually the Kuchikamizake he’d brewed earlier for the System!

And there was something important to note—

The brew wasn’t ready!

A horrid feeling instantly shot up Himekoji’s spine.

If Nanami drank this, something terrible would happen!

“Wait, s— Too late!”

Himekoji hadn’t even completed saying “stop!”

“Glug, glug, glug…”

Watching Nanami tilt her head back and down the entire cup, Himekoji froze. Mouth open, he stood rooted.

Was this the famously quick-acting Aoyama at work?

…

“Hic!”

“Hic?”

Since Nanami drained that cup, his eyes stayed glued to her—both anxious and scared.

He feared she’d suffer side effects.

So when he suddenly heard the hiccup, his heart nearly stopped. Startled, even the hiccup sound left his mouth.

Meanwhile, aware she’d hiccuped loudly, Nanami blushed furiously and covered her mouth.

“Y-you okay?”

Himekoji asked nervously.

“Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Relieved the hiccup hadn’t repeated, she removed her hand. Puzzled, she stared back.

Is it alright?

No, if it seemed alright, that was when real big trouble happened!

Getting that kind of reply, Himekoji not only failed to feel calm, but also grew more worried and scared.

“But I seem thirstier now. Mind if I drink another cup? The taste isn’t bad.”

Nanami sought Himekoji’s opinion.

Still drinking?

Don’t you even know what death means?

Himekoji was shocked by her clueless boldness.

“Of… of course, feel free to…”

Turning her down here would make me seem stingy, right?

Anyway, probably Himekoji also wanted to see what the System Kuchikamizake had up its sleeve, so he fearfully agreed.

Drinking one cup or two was the same thing, wasn’t it?

Plus, he could check the power of Kuchikamizake in advance, avoiding being unprepared and messy during the “mission”.

So, Nanami volunteering to be his first test subject was brave and praiseworthy.

Thinking that, Himekoji consoled himself.

…

“Gulp, gulp, gulp…”

The second cup.

“Gulp, gulp, gulp…”

The third cup.

“Gulp, gulp, gulp…”

The fourth cup.

“Gulp, gulp, gulp…”

Nanami was still at it!

Hey, even if Kuchikamizake isn’t strong, it’s still liquor!

Are you one of those who never gets drunk after many cups?

“Nanami? Are you fine drinking like this? Careful not to get drunk…”

Himekoji finally couldn’t stand it and spoke up.

“Get… get drunk? Why would I get drunk?”

Her tongue sounded a bit tangled as she answered back.

“Because it’s liquor!”

“Huh? This… this is… hic! liquor?”

The girl mumbled unclearly, turning her head dizzily toward Himekoji.

Oh, in Japan, minors aren’t allowed to drink alcohol.

…

Ding!

Special reminder, one of Kuchikamizake’s effects, Clothing Explosion, is about to trigger!

Countdown starting!

…