Chapter 133: Chapter 133: Natsuha Is Working Out!
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"Letās see if she can turn from a victim of a minotaur to a minotaur slayer."
For example, todayās Fuyutsuki Shiori had her intelligence downgraded several times, such as inexplicably taking the blame for swapping lunchboxes instead of throwing it back at Yoshihiro.
But it was still okay. With a little guidance from him, Fuyutsuki Shiori had mostly figured it out.
You should know that as long as Hikari interacts with a heroine, especially one guided or helped by him, as long as the other party obliterates the minotaur, he can also get rewards. Often, the rewards are even more than what heād get from overwhelming it himself.
Apart from the rewards from the Pure Love System, Hikari felt that guiding heroines and helping them counterattack and obliterate minotaurs was like a management game. It gave the pure love war god a significant sense of accomplishment.
The famous social psychologist Maslow divided human needs into five levels.
1. [Physiological], 2. [Safety], 3. [Love and Belonging], 4. [Esteem], 5. [Self-Actualization].
These five needs, from 1 to 5, are arranged from low to high.
Peopleās pursuit of needs generally follows Maslowās hierarchy, climbing step by step.
Having acquired some ability to survive and protect those important to him, Hikari had basically fulfilled the first two levels of Maslowās needs, physiological and safety.
Love and respect he also had.
Now, it was time to pursue self-actualization, which in this world meant practicing his pure love war god philosophy.
After all, practicing his own beliefs not only brought him satisfaction but also carried no loss and even yielded greater rewards.
So, why not?
Although Fuyutsuki Shiori, walking beside Hikari at this moment, did not know how grand his aspirations were, she faintly felt his attitude toward herāneither too enthusiastic nor showing any aversion. For this, she was quite satisfied.
After all, she knew her place. She was just an orphaned high school girl with no father or mother, relatively good grades, and decent looks.
Compared to Hikari, who was not only handsome but also exuded an extraordinary aura, she was insignificant.
She didnāt even dare to entertain the thought of reaching for him.
If Hikari had been more ordinary, like a typical rich second generation, she might have considered shamelessly approaching him.
It wasnāt that Fuyutsuki Shiori lacked self-respect. If she were frivolous and self-indulgent, as an orphan, she would have strayed long ago.
On the contrary, Fuyutsuki Shiori was extremely strong and independent. She even disliked relying on others.
For instance, because she boarded at Nakazumi Yuiās house, she worked hard to cover living expenses and reduce the burden on Nakazumi Yuiās mother, Nakazumi Mao.
She studied hard as well, planning to earn a scholarship for college.
But Hikari gave her the impression of not being a bad person at allāsuper handsome and even saving her in a critical moment.
What woman could resist such a near-perfect man?
What girl wouldnāt feel the stirrings of first love?
In the prime of youth, tender branches drip with spring rain, tick-tock, tick-tock.
The teenage Fuyutsuki Shiori had feelings too, but as an orphan, her inferiority complex and feelings of unworthiness kept her from expressing them.
At the crossroads of parting, Fuyutsuki Shiori took out a leftover half-price rice ball from the convenience store and, blushing, handed it to Hikari.
"Um... Hikari-kun, this is the only gift I can give you before we part. If you donāt mind, I hope youāll accept it." Fuyutsuki Shiori offered it to him with both hands.
Hikari casually accepted it, and Fuyutsuki Shiori was overjoyed. She had been worried that Hikari would find the half-price rice ball too shabby.
However, Hikari was far from being as particular or wealthy as she imagined. Not long ago, he hadnāt been much better off than Fuyutsuki Shiori.
Hikari pretended to rummage through his pocket while actually opening the Pure Love System store and exchanging for a Pure Love Amulet.
He handed it to Fuyutsuki Shiori as a return gift.
"Keep this white jade charm safe. It can bring good fortune and might help you turn danger into safety in certain perilous moments," Hikari casually explained.
Then he turned and left.
Fuyutsuki Shiori looked at the charm Hikari had given her in her palm. It was shaped like a jade pendant, pure white and flawless, resembling a piece of white mutton-fat jade.
Just looking at it made it seem priceless.
Fuyutsuki Shiori watched Hikariās figure as he walked farther down the forked path.
She clenched her palm tightly, holding onto the charm, which felt valuable even to the touch.
Fuyutsuki Shiori stared at Hikariās departing back, her eyes shimmering strangely under the streetlights.
"Forget it. The distance is too great."
"An orphan shouldnāt have such rose-colored, unrealistic dreams."
"Instead, I should study hard and repay Hikari-kun in the future if I get the chance."
Whether studying hard would actually give her the chance to repay him was another matter entirely.
Even though it felt out of reach, Fuyutsuki Shiori wasnāt entirely disheartened. As an orphan, she had already experienced too much despair and wouldnāt fall into a deep self-loathing caused by this vast disparity.
Nakazumi Yuiās family had modest means, and their house was naturally not large.
Fuyutsuki Shiori shared a room with Nakazumi Yui.
After finishing her bath, Fuyutsuki Shiori briefly recounted todayās events to Nakazumi Yui.
Nakazumi Yui was furious: "My uncle Yoshihiro is that disgusting?"
"Shiori-chan, are you okay?"
Fuyutsuki Shiori shook her head. "Hikari-kun helped me just in time, so Iām fine."
"But Yui, you should also be careful with Yoshihiro."
"Even though heās your uncle, he has inappropriate thoughts about you too."
Nakazumi Yui nodded repeatedly. "Mm! I get it! After hearing you, I suddenly remembered that Mom had mentioned something about this before too."
"Back when I was in high school, Uncle was already sleazy and disgusting."
"Mom said he used to stare at her a lot, but since Mom was very fierce, uncle didnāt dare to do anything outrageous. He didnāt even dare to touch her a bit."
"But he was caught and sent to juvenile detention multiple times for harassing female classmates."
Fuyutsuki Shiori frowned. "So, he has a record. We need to be extra careful."
Nakazumi Yui nodded, then suddenly smiled and asked, "By the way, that Hikari-kun, is he really as handsome and amazing as you say he is?"
"He even gave you such a beautiful jade talisman. Wow, Iām so jealous I could die!"
Fuyutsuki Shiori laughed. "Before I met Hikari-kun, I didnāt believe it either. But after meeting him, I realized there are no words that can describe his stunning appearance."
Hearing Fuyutsuki Shioriās continuous praise, Nakazumi Yuiās inexperienced heart, having never been in love, began to flutter uncontrollably.
"I really want... to meet this Hikari-kun. Shiori-chan keeps talking about..."
Nakazumi Yui tugged at her twin ponytails, a slight trail of drool escaping from the corner of her mouth, her big, watery eyes brimming with curiosity and anticipation.
Even though she hadnāt yet seen the true face of Hikari, the way her best friend praised him had already conjured an image in Nakazumi Yuiās mind of the most perfect, handsome face she could imagine.
āāā
Meanwhile...
Hikari, who had just walked into the Asou Apartments, had no idea he was about to become a source of fascination for two more girls today.
The pathetic pig-like shop owner Yoshihiro had been too weak to help Hikari vent his anger.
So, Hikari figured heād come back and ask for help from Shinomiya Natsuha and Mifuyu Yukino instead.
Hikari knocked on Mifuyu Yukinoās door first. No response.
He unlocked the door and went inside, but no one was there. She was probably out buying groceries.
Closing the door, Hikari moved to Shinomiya Natsuhaās room and opened the door to step inside.
At this moment, Shinomiya Natsuha was home.
What surprised Hikari, though, was that the charming and seductive Natsuha, who was usually like a succubus...
...was not wearing her usual spaghetti-strap nightgown or miniskirt today.
Normally, when Hikari pushed open the door, he would see Natsuha dressed in a particularly alluring way, waiting for him.
It was clear that she did so to compete with Mifuyu Yukino next door.
But today, Natsuha was dressed quite modestly in a sporty tank top and a matching athletic skirt. Her long, slender legs were even wrapped in nude-colored sports tights.
Though she still looked sexy, the tank top had built-in padding, and the athletic skirt had a proper lining.
On her stunning, perfect figure, it was undeniably attractive and tempting.
But compared to her usual sultry style, the difference was starkālike that between a chaste saint and a courtesan.
"Hikari-kun~" Natsuha greeted Hikari sweetly and lovingly when she saw him walk in.
"Good afternoon." Hikari waved back at her.
As he took off his slippers, Hikari watched Natsuha curiously.
At first, he thought she was cosplaying as some kind of sporty girl.
But to his surprise, as he was removing his slippers, Natsuha actually picked up a fairly heavy barbell, rested it on her shoulders, and began doing serious barbell squats.
This scene left Hikari quite shocked.
āGoodness, had Natsuha suddenly changed her ways?ā
Scanning the room, Hikari noticed that there were indeed a lot more fitness equipment pieces now.
In addition to the dual-purpose machines he had once used with Natsuha, there were now proper barbells, bench press setups, and even a rowing machine...
Watching Natsuha seriously working out, only giving him a brief greeting instead of the usual warm welcome, Hikari felt a bit of oddness in his heart.
He walked over to her, observing her focused workout, and teased her a little.
"Donāt tease me when Iām working out seriously~" Natsuha said.
Hearing the naturally coquettish tone in Natsuhaās voice, Hikari couldnāt tell if she was genuinely serious this time or just her usual teasing self.
Watching her continue her workout diligently, Hikari chuckled,"You really are a sporty girl today, Natsuha-chan. Your toned and elastic body is nice, but being soft is great too. Donāt push yourself too hard."
Hikari recalled that Natsuha had once practiced some useless Aikido, which she hadnāt touched in ages.
He was worried that her sudden intense training might cause issues with her body.
Hearing his words, Natsuha rolled her eyes and replied, "Iām not training for toned muscles. But yes, Iām working out because of you, Hikari-kun."
"After all, having a better physique will help me keep up with you when we go hiking or do other activities. Iāll be able to last longer. Right now, I feel like youāre leaving me farther and farther behind."
"I know I canāt compare to that darn widow Mifuyu Yukino, but I refuse to let Akane catch up with me. Thatās one reason."
"But aside from that, thereās another very important reason, which is the main one."
"Hikari-kun, do you remember what you promised me a while ago? Do you still remember what it was?"
āāāāāāāāāāāāā
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