Chapter 17: I love you
──March.
Spring was drawing near, and the temperatures had finally begun to climb.
In the classroom, it was common knowledge that Hirose and Hibiki were an item. They were the class’s officially recognized couple.
While many of the boys cast envious glances Hirose’s way, none of them dared to voice their frustrations. After all, three incredibly powerful beauties were always hovering around him. The only time they could truly vent was during PE class, when the boys and girls were separated.
Compared to when he had first entered high school, Hirose’s world had undergone a complete transformation.
Girls other than Hibiki, Himari, and Umi started striking up conversations with him. Though it still felt a little embarrassing at times, he found the atmosphere comfortable.
It was all thanks to Hibiki.
When he had headed to the Adventurer Guild, his heart had been full of hope, wondering what kind of Gift he would receive to help him become an adventurer. But the result had been <Beauty>, a non-combat Gift that left the staff telling him he had no talent for the job.
At the time, he’d been so devastated his shoulders had practically hit the floor, but because Hibiki had found him, he now felt confident in his Gift.
He’d been swept up in a whirlwind of events, losing his virginity in the process, and through Hibiki’s social circle, he’d met Koharu and Kirino.
He never would have dreamed that the Backlash of his skills would leave the girls flushed and hypersensitive, and he’d been dragged along by that as well. Conversely, if it weren’t for that Backlash, they might never have grown so close.
A lot had happened over the past six months, but Hirose was satisfied with his life.
However, even Hirose had something weighing on his mind.
It happened while he was walking home alone with Hibiki along the sidewalk.
"──Hey, is it... really okay for me to use the word 'like' with people other than you?"
They were the class’s official couple, but he was also on intimate terms with Koharu and Kirino.
He wasn’t "dating" those two, but their relationship was anything but ordinary.
To make matters worse, they would beg for it during their trysts──"Say you like me," they would whisper.
At first, he’d never said such a thing to either of them. But as they continued to share their bodies, he had started to crave those words.
How did Hibiki feel, seeing Hirose say those words back to them?
His love for Hibiki was certainly on a different level than what he felt for the other two, but after everything they’d experienced and overcome together, it was true that he loved Koharu and Kirino as well. He couldn't bring himself to think of them as mere "friends with benefits."
"You're asking that on the premise that you do love Koharu and Kirino, right?" Hibiki asked.
"Yeah... At first, we just ended up getting close because of how things played out. But after spending so much time together, I've developed genuine feelings for them. Of course, you’re still number one, Hibiki."
"It’s fine, really! I mean, I’m basically the one who invited you into this kind of relationship in the first place."
Hibiki didn't get angry, nor did she look disappointed.
Most people would have every right to be furious.
"──Heh heh heh. Hirose-kun, I actually have a very simple solution for you."
"Huh?"
Hibiki’s tone suddenly became playful.
When Hirose had asked the question, he’d expected a darker reaction or a long, agonizing discussion. But Hibiki replied instantly, as if she’d already had the answer ready.
"──You just have to say 'I love you' only to me!"
It was a heavy phrase for a high school freshman.
He understood the feeling of "liking" someone, but Hirose didn't quite grasp the full depth or meaning of "love."
If he had to think of love in a familiar sense, it would be for his family... but the emotion he felt for a girl he liked felt entirely different from that.
"I... love you... huh?"
I love you. It was a phrase Hirose wasn't used to.
Hibiki stepped ahead of him, then spun around and came to a halt.
"Do you remember when that sign almost fell on you?"
"Of course. If Kirino hadn't been there, I would've—"
The memory was burned into his mind.
It had happened a month ago, but it was impossible to forget.
"──In that moment, I really thought you were going to die. ...And after that, something inside me changed. I felt like I wanted to cherish you more... no, that I had to. I realized that just 'liking' you wasn't enough to cover it."
"So, that's why it's 'love'?"
"Yep! ...Well, I don't really get what 'love' is either! But if you keep me as your number one and distinguish me from Koharu and Kirino, I think this is the best way."
If it was as Hibiki said, he could certainly make a distinction.
"Love" was a much heavier, stronger version of "like."
"I’m still not quite sure how heavy Koharu’s feelings are, but I feel like Kirino feels something similar to me... Still, I want you to say you love me and only me."
Since that day, the full extent of Kirino’s Gift had become clear.
She had declared that she would protect Hirose, as if she were convincing herself of it. Hibiki felt that those words carried a strong will that Kirino had never possessed before.
"You should think about it too, Hirose. What if I was the one standing under that falling sign──"
He didn't even want to imagine it.
"I'd hate it..."
"Hehe, thanks."
Hibiki gave him a bashful smile at his answer.
On the other hand, Hirose’s expression darkened slightly, perhaps because he had let his imagination wander.
"I don't want to lose you, Hibiki. I want to be with you forever. I don't know if that's 'love' or just 'liking' you more than anyone else. But if you want me to say it, then maybe as I keep saying it, I’ll truly come to feel that way... So──"
Of course he would say it.
"──Hibiki, I love you."
"~~~~~~!!"
It looked as though steam had physically puffed out of Hibiki’s head. As proof, her entire face turned a vivid shade of crimson.
Even though she was the one who had asked for it, actually hearing it seemed to have made her incredibly embarrassed.
"...Aren't you going to say it back?" Hirose asked the girl who was currently busy burying her face in her hands.
"H-hk! Hirose, I love you too! Eek!"
Hibiki screamed the words and lunged at Hirose, wrapping him in a tight hug.
◇
"──Hirose... use your Skill?"
By now, this had become their standard way of begging.
It meant, Make me feel even better.
He used it every time they were lost in their passion to heighten the pleasure, even though it wasn't the intended use.
He’d recently discovered that <Skin Improvement> had its limits. No matter how many times he used it on Hibiki and the others, they wouldn't get any "prettier." It seemed like their skin was already at its maximum level of beauty, so there was nowhere left to go, but either way, he knew there was a ceiling.
Furthermore, there were things on the skin that wouldn't disappear: moles.
They seemed to be treated differently than burns, bruises, or scars. Even though the Skill "improved" the skin, for some reason, the moles remained. In fact, Hibiki still had a tiny mole on her face. Considering that, things like freckles probably wouldn't vanish either.
Regardless, using <Skin Improvement> up to its limit wasn't a problem; it just left him with the Backlash. While he felt a little guilty about using it for sexual purposes, it had become a habit by now.
Hirose activated his Skill. Sitting behind Hibiki on the bed, he reached around and cupped her ample breasts.
"Nngh... this is crazy... ♡"
They had come back to Hibiki’s room after their exchange on the sidewalk. They were alone today... no one to disturb them.
Simply rubbing her while the Skill was active transmitted an extraordinary amount of pleasure.
The recipient never grew used to the Backlash; no matter how many times Hibiki experienced it, her reaction remained the same.
"Ah... ahh... I can't... I can't enjoy this with anyone but you anymore, Hirose... ♡"
Hibiki had never been with anyone else, but the pleasure was so intense that she couldn't help but say it. It was almost like an aphrodisiac effect you’d see in a manga.
She cried out, her ragged breathing clearly audible. Her shoulders heaved as she writhed from the overwhelming sensation.
Every time his fingers brushed against her hardened nipples, she let out a sharp cry. This pleasure was becoming an addiction.
"It’s so good... it feels so good... ahhhnn! ♡ Hirose... Hirose...! ♡"
Soon, Hibiki reached her limit. She grabbed Hirose’s hands to stop his movements, then turned around and began unbuttoning his school shirt.
"Haa... haa... your body, Hirose... ♡"
Hirose had originally been quite thin.
However, he’d been performing these massage-like treatments for six months now. While he wasn't "buff," he had developed a decent amount of lean muscle.
"Nngh... chu... slurp..."
Hibiki pushed him down onto the bed and began trailing her lips across his upper body, making lewd, wet sounds. Her large breasts pressed softly against his stomach as she gradually moved upward.
"Hirose...! ♡"
"Nngh... mmm...!"
Hibiki pressed her lips to his, and they began the familiar exchange of saliva.
Sucking, licking, and tasting one another. They repeated the deep, soft kisses over and over.
"...Maybe it's because you told me you loved me, but I want to make today special."
"Sure. Do whatever you like."
"Then... something we've never done before... nngh."
Hibiki pressed her lips to his neck and sucked hard.
The skin was pulled so tight it was almost painful. After a long session of "blood-sucking," a bright red mark was left behind.
"Is... is the position of that okay? Won't people in class see it?"
"Who cares? Just show it off."
"Dummy... I would’ve been fine with as many as you wanted as long as they were hidden."
"In that case, I’m gonna leave a ton of them where they can't be seen──"
Hibiki proceeded to leave hickeys on his chest, arms, and stomach... one after another, until Hirose’s body looked as if he were wearing a red polka-dot shirt.
"You know what's coming, right, Hibiki? I’m going to leave just as many on you."
"Yeah... do it. I want you to leave as many as you want. Carve the proof into me that I belong to you."
With trembling, watery eyes, Hibiki accepted Hirose’s lips on her skin.
Her sweet voice echoed through the room as identical marks were carved into her──.
"Holy crap... we went way too far today..."
Two hours later, the two of them were huddled under a blanket, completely naked.
Hibiki had the back of her wrist pressed against her forehead, trying to catch her breath.
"Well, we did it non-stop without a break," Hirose said.
"My muscles are definitely gonna ache tomorrow... I’m gonna be like a newborn fawn."
"Haha."
Despite her words, Hibiki’s body and heart were fully satisfied.
Their lower halves were a mess, and they were both drenched in sweat.
If anyone walked into the room now, the scent hanging in the air would make it instantly obvious what they’d been doing.
Staring up at the ceiling, Hibiki suddenly spoke.
"Oh, right. What was it? ...That word from the game you mentioned, for when you boost a teammate's attack or defense."
"Hmm... are you talking about 'buffs'?"
"Ah, that’s the one! Adventurers use that word too, right?"
"Yeah. Support-type adventurers have Gifts with buffing effects and cast them on their party members."
Turning onto her side, Hibiki let her beautiful peach-colored hair sway.
"But you can use them too, Hirose..."
"Huh...?"
"You're not an adventurer, but for a girl like me, your Gift is the ultimate buff."
Fuyutsuki, the woman who had used <Appraisal> on him, had said something similar.
He wanted to repay her for those encouraging words someday, but he hadn't had the chance yet.
And through his life so far, Hirose had come to fully understand just how much girls craved his Gift.
"I mean, girls get so happy just by becoming a little bit prettier. With your Gift, it’s like... 'My life is the best ever! I’m super happy!' Koharu and Kirino must feel the same way."
"...Yeah. Having seen it firsthand, I think so too."
"So, no matter what happens in the future... you have to keep believing in your Gift, okay?"
"............Okay."
It was always like this.
Every now and then, Hibiki would speak to him with such kindness. She validated him, made him positive, and brightened his outlook.
Originally, Hibiki was a "center-of-the-class" popular girl who seemed unapproachable. But after actually talking to her, he found she could be pure, kind, and even though she dragged him around... he had nothing but affection for her.
That was why he felt he should tell the girl who was always by his side one more time.
"Hibiki..."
"Hmm?"
"──I love you."
"Geez... I love you too."
Hirose was able to say it much more smoothly than he had on the sidewalk.
They naturally pulled their bodies close and hugged each other tight.
Even though they were supposed to be too exhausted to move, they shared another kiss, deciding to go for just one more round──.
Hirose Takanashi, the boy who couldn't become an adventurer.
He was plain and lacked any distinguishing features. Even if he had received a combat Gift and become an adventurer, there was no guarantee he would have succeeded as he’d hoped.
It is said that the Gift one receives reflects their subconscious mind to some extent──at least, that was what researchers studying Gifts claimed.
Therefore, the fact that Hirose had received a Gift like <Beauty> meant it was likely related to his inner self.
However, even if he had re-evaluated himself and become more positive, Hirose probably wouldn't have been able to do anything alone. That was why, no matter how many times he thought about it, he always arrived at the same conclusion.
──Hibiki, thank you so much for finding me.
He couldn't fight like an adventurer. But he wanted to be of help in any other way he could.
Whether it was making girls shine even more beautifully or helping people with troubles they couldn't tell anyone else. He decided to continue doing everything in his power.
This is a slightly naughty story about an ordinary high school boy who couldn't become an adventurer, but by receiving the Gift <Beauty>, he solves the problems of beautiful girls──and makes them happy.
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