God's Blessing on this IRL World!
Editing and Proofreading: LordVTP and Marv
Chapter 5: Young Adult period
Part 1
After the convention, things calmed down and returned to the usual routine.
In this way, time passed by until Megumin's second year graduation crept up on me.
It was her last summer as a high school student.
After that month of vacation, she would become a third year student.
"Kazuma is still asleep? Doesn't he realize it's the first day of summer break? This is the last proper summer break I will have in my life. Kazuma expects me to become a corporate slave O.L. in the future and provide for him while he NEETs out at home, so please have some consideration and make pleasant, youthful memories with me while I still can…"
It was a Friday, and with the weekend off, I planned to collapse into a coma.
That was when Megumin barged into my room, wearing a bathing suit.
"No, I don't remember burdening Megumin with such heavy expectations. What do you actually think of me? Anyways, it's already summer break for you high schoolers, huh?"
"Stop looking so nostalgic. Kazuma was just a highschooler not too long ago. Aside from that, did Kazuma really not know that my summer break has already started? He bought this swimsuit for me just yesterday, so that can't be it."
"I didn't buy that because it was summer. I wanted Megumin to wear that during our private time."
I ignored her hostile look as my eyes wandered down to the swimsuit I spent a lot of effort picking out.
It was a simple, black two piece that had a balance of modesty and sex appeal.
"Hm, hm. Good job, me. I made an excellent choice."
"I don't like the way Kazuma is looking at me. I know, I'll wear this."
She grabbed one of my spare hoodies and wore it over the swimsuit.
"Hnnnnng!"
"...Eh?! Kazuma got more excited?! How is that so?! I already covered myself up!"
"Foolish, naive Megumin! To still not know how the heart of a man works, you have much to learn! Not only is Megumin pulling off the 'his shirt' look, but the hoodie that is too big for her small frame is so moe, it's almost unbearable! With only the upper half properly clothed, doesn't Megumin realize that this emphasizes her naked legs?! In the context of wearing a swimsuit, it's only natural to show bare legs, but by putting on the hoodie, it looks like Megumin is walking around without any pants on! So sexy! So moe! And we're also factoring in the fact that there is a swimsuit underneath! Is Megumin trying to tease me or is she acting shy?! The duplicity! The contrast! This is truly the perfect combi… Ah, Megumin has already ran off."
While I was in the middle of passionately ranting, I didn't notice her leave my room.
Part 2
"Beach! Beach! Beach! Hey, nii-chan, they're selling yakisoba and fried squid here!"
"Hehehe… A day at the beach with Megu-nee~! A day at the beach with Megu-nee~! A day at the beach with Megu-neeee~! … Eh?! Komekko, where are you pulling me?! I don't give a damn about the yakisoba! Noooo! I'll miss the wardrobe malfunction with Megu-nee!"
I tossed a wad of yen to Komekko who dragged the nosy, still Megumin obsessed, Kazuto along with her.
When will he grow out of this annoying phase?
I wish he'd find some other girl to crush on.
"Tch! That little bugger just had to come along."
"How can Kazuma talk about his little brother that way? Don't be mean."
"Megumin just secretly likes it when that twerp showers her with praises and treats her like an unobtainable older woman."
"If Kazuma gets it, then let me have this rare treatment that I will probably never have again in my life."
She didn't even try to deny it.
We laid out a large blanket on the sand and set up a parasol.
Once we sat down, Megumin opened the picnic basket she brought with her.
"Geez, you gave Komekko money even though we already brought all this food…"
She must have known that Komekko would want to try out all the tempting beach stall food.
"I foresaw this and brought extra cash with me."
"Kazuma should be saving that for his college tuition."
"I already have a fair amount saved up. For the universities I'm aiming for, I reckon I'd spend about 1,000,000 yen in tuition and other academic expenses per year. By the time the examinations come up, I will have about 5,000,000 yen from my full-time work with Aqua, without accounting for taxes. More or less, the tuition is paid for, and I can switch over from full-time to part-time shifts to take care of other expenses, or if I need to dip into my savings…"
"I didn't ask Kazuma to elaborate to that extent."
Lately, my thoughts revolved around tuition, expenses and the future… All sorts of adult matters.
Speaking of which...
Adult matters.
"Why is Kazuma staring at me?"
Because I want to eat you up.
In terms of physical affection, I had nothing to complain about.
We'd regularly attend to each other's needs as healthy boys and girls in a relationship would.
But, there is still the matter of that.
It had been a while since we spent the night at that hotel where Megumin gave me the 'OK' to go all the way with her.
Since then, the subject of that hadn't come up at all.
I looked at Megumin now. Even though it was summer there was a slight chill in the air and the wind was strong.
She opted to wear the hoodie over her bathing suit to protect herself from the chill.
I glanced at her slim, exposed legs.
She really did look half naked!
"I see. People always say that one starts to lose desire for their partner after a year into the relationship. Cleary, they are wrong."
"What is Kazuma saying? Hey! Where are you touching?! ...Not in public, OK?"
"Gah! I knew it! I left Megu-nee with nii-san for only a little bit and he's already sexually harassing her! Komekko, hold my yakisoba for me!"
Kazuto piled the yakisoba he had been enjoying on top of the tray Komekko was carrying. It seems she bought enough for everyone.
No, she's probably intending to eat all that by herself.
…
…
Megumin and I relaxed under the parasol while Kazuto and Komekko made sand castles a few ways off.
Even though Kazuto claimed: 'I'll guard Megu-nee for the duration of this trip!', he couldn't control his little kid instincts and went ahead to play on the beach.
"..."
Megumin stared longingly at the two children playing.
I almost forgot that this one also possessed little kid instincts. I sighed and said,
"Hey, didn't those two go a bit too far off? Megumin, why don't you go and watch them closely. They might decide to run off if someone isn't following them. I'll stay here and watch our stuff."
"C-Can I really?! I mean… Ahem, as a responsible young woman who is already in her third year of high school, I suppose it's my responsibility."
Just go already, you tsundere.
She excitedly sprinted over to the kids and joined their efforts. I couldn't help but smile to myself as I watched the heartwarming scene.
Megumin would kill me if she found out, but I took a picture to preserve the image.
An ice cream vendor came by, pushing his trolley through the sand with practiced ease. I bought a popsicle for myself.
The weather was cool but the sun was still out, a perfect day for frozen treats.
There weren't a lot of opportunities for me to relax as I spent my days either working or studying. When days like this come around, I should take full advantage and unwind.
I did just that, enjoying my popsicle, looking over at Megumin and the little ones enjoying themselves, and watching the gentle, bright blue waves of the sea water.
There's nothing that calms the soul more than immersing with mother nature...
"Ah, what a perfect day. Oh, wait a minute, there's a double EXP promotion today. I should check that out."
Once I got bored of mother nature, I took out my smartphone and started playing a mobile RPG.
Part 3
"Doesn't it feel like summer went by way too fast? And what happened to all the things we were supposed to do? Summer festivals, going on trips, test of courage… I feel like I wasted my youth away."
Megumin said as she laid on my bed, reading a book.
Three weeks had passed and Megumin only had one more week left of summer vacation.
I had air conditioning in my room, which was a godsend as the weather was scorching hot outside.
"Megumin wasn't interested in the festival since she didn't want to spend money. As for trips, we already went to those beaches, didn't we? We would have gone on more but the weather got way too hot. And as for the test of courage… What are you, a kid?"
"I heard from classmates that doing the test of courage during summer is very fashionable."
"There's always that one popular summer trend that changes every year, don't fall for the hype. Last year, all the bimbos in my class were going on about how 'eating shaved ice during summer is a must'. And now the trendy thing to do is the test of courage? What's next, cicada catching?"
Seeing as Megumin wouldn't leave me alone for a while, I closed the reference book I was studying.
Swivelling on my computer chair, I faced Megumin, who was on my bed, laying on her stomach.
"At the very least, I'd like to see a fireworks show."
"Hm… We could buy some fireworks…"
"Do we really need to spend money? Why does everything revolve around money? What a rotten society we live in."
"We could have watched one for free if we attended the summer festival a week ago, but Megumin was too stingy."
"Kazuma is making me out like a total cheapskate but he's the one who's always bitching about income taxes."
"Do we really need to pay taxes? Why does everything revolve around taxes? What a rotten society we live in."
"Kazuma is a total hypocrite."
I convinced Megumin to let me buy fireworks, just some simple sparkler types, and took them out to my front yard.
We crouched in front of a bucket filled with water in case there was a mishap, watching the sizzling flares of the sparklers.
"This is a bit underwhelming."
"If Megumin wants, I can buy ones with a bit more power."
"I suppose we can't avoid necessary expenses. Very well."
This explosion maniac actually considers pyrotechnics a necessary expense.
I jogged to the closest store and bought some real fireworks.
When I came back, Megumin was still crouched before the water bucket, staring idly at the pitiful flares of the sparklers.
She shook with anticipation as I set up the fireworks, constantly peering over my shoulder to watch the procedure.
"I'm surprised Kazuma knows what to do. He didn't have much opportunity to do things like playing with fireworks when he was a kid, right?"
"I see. Megumin is saying that I didn't have any friends growing up, so it's weird that I'm familiar with this exclusively normie procedure. Please don't underestimate me."
Actually, that's a lie. I consulted with Google-sensei as I was waiting for the store clerk to bag my purchase.
Once I had the fireworks lined up, I handed a lighter to Megumin.
"Would you do the honors?"
"Yeah!"
Megumin dashed from one end of the line to the other, lighting them as she passed.
"I am Megumin! One who wields explosion… Ah, wait, I'm not done with my…! Ah…!"
Before she could finish her speech, the fireworks shot up in the sky.
The flares crackled upon their ascent before bursting into branching explosions of light.
Megumin stopped mid-speech as she gazed into the illuminated sky.
I drew closer and we held hands.
"Oi! What's with all the noise! Keep it down!"
"S-Sorry!" x 2.
We had to apologize to the neighbors for making a racket.
Summer vacation ended one week later.
Megumin entered her third year of high school.
Part 4
With Megumin in her senior year, she was studying hard for her own university entrance exams.
Combined with my own tight schedule, our dating and private times decreased all the more.
In our free time, we passionately indulged in each other to refresh our exhausted states.
In this way, several months passed until a certain important event...
"Hey, isn't Megu-nee's birthday coming up? It's already November."
Kazuto slammed my door open and barged in, declaring this.
I was busy studying. Uni examination would start in a few months on January.
"You self-important brat, didn't I tell you to knock? What if that same Megu-nee you love so much had snuck over and was 'playing' with me here? I bet you'd regret barging in and being NTR'd in such a cruel manner."
"Scumbag! Nii-san is a scumbag to say those crude things! I can't believe a guy like you is dating Megu-nee! You don't deserve her! ...Besides, I've already seen it. Thank you for the show."
Saying I didn't deserve Megumin...
That was true, but I didn't need this annoying brat to tell me that.
...Wait, what was that at the end there?
"As for Megumin's birthday, I already bought a present for her. I think it's something she'd like."
"Oh! Nii-san has a lot of money saved up, so he probably bought a luxurious present for Megu-nee!"
I was about to take out a gift box I had been storing under my bed when Kazuto said this.
In reply, I could only stare at him silently.
"..."
"...Don't tell me nii-san bought some cheap thing?"
"Anyways, your nii-san is studying. Go away already."
"Why did nii-san put the box away?! I'm right, aren't I?! Hey, show me this cheap garbage you bought!"
I considered Megumin's frugal nature when buying this gift.
Seeing Kazuto's cold stare, I wondered if I made a mistake.
"Please return this and buy something a bit more luxurious, nii-san."
"Maybe it's Kazuto who is misunderstanding? Megumin is not the type of girl to fall for such flashy gifts."
"No, it's nii-san who is misunderstanding! If you give her that, even someone like Megu-nee will be offended!"
Megumin sometimes complained about itches on her back she couldn't reach.
This was the consequence of having short arms.
Keeping this in mind, I bought her a back scratcher.
Was it really that bad of a gift?
"Fine, I'll buy something a bit more expensive, but I'll buy it a few days before Megumin's birthday. That way, if she doesn't like it, I can get a full refund from the store..."
"You really don't deserve Megu-nee!"
Part 5
Upon the insistence of the birthday girl herself, the party was set up as a private affair between close friends and family.
She insisted as such but even without such a condition, there wasn't anyone Megumin could invite outside of those two groups.
The party was held at my home considering how the alternative, Megumin's place, was surely out of the question.
Due to Megumin's restrictions, the invitees included my family, Megumin's family and then our friends, Darkness and Aqua.
There was also a surprise guest.
"For… For inviting me to this splendid occasion… Thank you, Megumin!"
"You already said that. Just calm down already. And there wasn't any need for Yunyun to bring so much gifts and flowers…"
That girl who kept following Megumin around at the convention, Yunyun.
I wasn't sure if Yunyun was her real name, or if that was a nickname based on her online handle.
I didn't want to startle this child who was already overwhelmed by the setting, though, and kept those curiosities to myself.
"Happy birthday, Megumin! Here's your gift, a signed album from yours truly~!"
"And here's Megumin's present from me. I bought this dress from my recent trip to Paris."
How many 'soul searching' trips is this rich girl going to take?
After Megumin accepted Aqua and Darkness's presents, Yuiyui-san placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder.
"Happy birthday, my eldest daughter. This would be your seventeenth birthday, is that right? Ah, the age of seventeen, the age when one becomes an adult. I hope that this daughter of mine continues to mature from now on."
"You're really laying it thick, mother."
Once everyone gave their gifts all the eyes on the room landed on me.
"What, just because I'm the boyfriend everyone is expecting some kind of grand reveal from me? What is up with this pressure?"
As I said this, Kazuto, who was wearing a three-piece suit for some reason, stomped his foot in protest and said,
"If nii-san plans on giving Megu-nee that backscratcher, I'll kill you!"
Hearing this, Megumin squirmed and reached behind her back, trying to scratch an unreachable spot.
"Kazuma got me a back scratcher? What a thoughtful gift! Please give it to me now. I could really use it."
"Value yourself a little more, Megu-nee!"
To help the struggling Megumin out, I went behind her and gently scratched her back.
As she sighed in relief, I pulled a wrapped box out of my pocket.
I slipped my arm around her waist and held the box out in front of her.
"Here, Megumin's gift."
She stared at it for a second, before taking it and rattling the contents by her ear.
"This is…! I don't know exactly what's inside but I calculate that the contents are worth around 22,324 yen!"
"How did Megumin calculate that?! And you even factored in the store's promotion at the time?! Nevermind, just open it!"
She hesitated and kept on mumbling about expenses.
Getting impatient from watching this, Aqua snatched the box away and unwrapped it.
"Give me that! Knowing Megumin, this will take forever! Now let's see what this is! Wait, isn't this the newest model! So cool!"
This selfish one just wanted the joy of opening the present to herself.
I snatched the now unwrapped box and placed it on Megumin's hands again.
"Here, it's a smartphone. It's quite expensive, but Megumin can't argue about how it's not practical, or whatever. You can't live in this modern world without a smartphone, so please use it from now on."
"I… I beg to differ! If I need to make a call, I only need to visit the oba-san who runs the sweets store across the street. In exchange for keeping her company when she gets lonely, she lets me use her home phone to make calls."
"Well, now the tsundere Megumin can visit that oba-san without using weird pretenses. Just accept the gift already."
"But…!"
As Megumin and I squabbled, Aqua snatched the phone again and flipped it open. She took out her own phone and activated the infrared feature.
"There, now Megumin has my address! Here, Darkness, put yours in, too."
"Very well, but please keep in mind that I can't receive any mails next week as I'm taking a trip to Jakarta…"
"Me… Me too! Megumin, please take my phone number!"
Yunyun held out her phone while bowing repeatedly.
"Damn it! If only I had a phone, I could have Megu-nee's number!"
As Kazuto wailed in agony, Komekko walked over to her sister and took out something from her pocket.
"Here, nee-chan. Let's also exchange numbers."
"...! Komekko, where did you get that phone?"
"Unlike the unresourceful nee-chan, I have my methods to get what I want."
"I… I see…"
This little girl will surely become someone remarkable.
…
…
"They finally left. There wasn't a lot of mess, but this is still quite the cleaning effort."
Megumin said as she threw away disposable cutlery and foam cups into a garbage bag I was holding.
"That's why it's more convenient to book a restaurant, but Megumin once again took the cheaper and more annoying option."
The both of us were taking care of the after party clean up. The guests went home while my family went off to who knows where.
This was a clear attempt to give me 'alone time' with Megumin.
But, the responsible Megumin couldn't read the atmosphere.
She was only interested in the cleanup effort.
"Megumin would make a terrible wife."
"How?! Aren't I doing well with these chores?! Don't lie!"
"Doing chores is not all a good wife does. There's also this and that, and other sorts of things…"
"Even though birthdays are the rare occasions when the celebrant can be willful, it's Kazuma who's being selfish here."
She made a good point.
I kept quiet and focused on the clean up.
Once the chore was done, Megumin heaved a sigh as she collapsed on the couch. I joined her, equally relieved to have a break.
"...If we have spare funds, I might consider booking a restaurant next time we do this, like Kazuma suggested."
Even the frugal Megumin said this after the exhausting clean up effort.
"It wouldn't have been so hard if we had help, but our mothers are plotting something stupid."
"Hm… Well, it's not like I don't understand their intentions. Now that I turned 17, those meddlesome mothers of ours will be more aggressive with their scheming."
Yes, for some reason, those two would rather I impregnate Megumin ASAP.
Even though they are the adults, they don't possess any sense of responsibility or common sense.
"Certainly, things like marriage and making babies is too much for us right now."
Megumin, ever the sensible one, didn't get carried away along with our mothers' unreasonable fantasies.
"But… While making babies and such is out of the question…"
!
"...Eh?"
"Oh, nothing."
"Oi. You can't just say something like that and leave me hanging!"
"Let's see… Maybe, after Kazuma passes his university examinations, I'll have to give him a reward?"
"...?!"
Later on that night, after Megumin left, I made sure to do some extra reviewing.
Part 6
The tests came around in January. I felt that I performed with my best effort.
As a third year, it was also Megumin's turn to take on the examinations.
To think she'd take the exams at the same time as I would… What a surreal feeling.
"OK, I get that Kazuma is worried about that… By why come to us?"
The exams were done with, but...
Until the results came out on March, I also worried about Megumin's vague promise. I consulted Darkness and Aqua about my concerns.
I asked them to meet me at a cafe once we were all free from our obligations. Meaning, Aqua and I had the day off while Darkness just got back from fooling around in a foreign country.
This rich girl… I'll make sure to foot her with the bill.
"I'm asking Aqua and Darkness for advice since the both of you are clearly experienced. The idol who surely gives out 'favors' to sponsors behind the scenes, and the perverted Darkness who is an international slut with gigolos stationed in every continent… Please take care of me."
"What kind of terrible image does Kazuma have of idols?! I'm a purehearted idol who has never known the touch of a man! I'm not a behind-the-scenes slut like Eris!"
Can I have access to the behind-the-scenes footage?
"Just what does Kazuma think my constant travelling is for?! I'm not going around the world and sleeping around with multiple partners! I'm actually going on business trips for my father's company, you know?!"
Oh, so they were business trips?
And here I thought Darkness was just fooling around.
"I see. For having a minor misunderstanding, please forgive me."
"No, there's nothing minor about that misunderstanding at all. Rather than calling it a misunderstanding, it's clear that Kazuma has a certain image of us."
Darkness said while self-consciously covering her chest.
"Well, then. Since the both of you are clueless virgins who haven't even kissed or held hands with anyone, that means I have no more use for you two. Darkness, please pay for the bill."
"Wait, even though we're all virgins here I'm sure we can still think of something! After all, it's not like we're not knowledgeable about the matter despite not having any experience."
"Yes, I'm sure Darkness is knowledgeable, indeed."
"Am I being praised or insulted?!"
Obviously it's the latter.
"Hmm… When it comes to adult matters, shouldn't we ask an adult? Maybe we should ask Cecily."
That Cecily-san would have made a good candidate if she didn't have a certain peculiar taste.
If I asked her for sex advice regarding Megumin, instead of helping me, she might actually try to sabotage me in some way.
That said, Megumin was now considerably outside of her target age range…
"OK, I'm calling her now!"
"...Eh?"
The impulsive Aqua who never spared a moment's thought before doing something, quickly dialed Cecily-san's number.
Then, with only a short exchange of words, Cecily-san agreed to meet up with us at the cafe.
"I was just finishing up a meeting at another cafe nearby. So, what did Aqua-chan call me here for?"
As she was a foreigner with exotic looks, like Darkness, and was quite a beauty herself, Cecily-san received a lot of attention as she walked in.
"Well, get this! Since we were all virgins, we thought that we could ask love advice from the experienced adult, Cecily-san!"
Aqua was blunt as usual but at least she had enough tact not to say something like, 'Kazuma needs your advice because he wants to have sex with Megumin'.
"...I guess I should be honored that you thought about me, but I've only done it a few times when I was in college, you know? After discovering my true inner self since then, I haven't had that kind of relationship with a man ever since."
For having just declared herself sexually inactive, what was with that look of arrogance?
"Eh? But I thought that Cecily-san often gives out 'favors' to sponsors behind the scenes to ensure that I get funding as an idol?"
"I think you have a mistaken idea about what producers do, Aqua-chan."
Rather than producers, that kind of fantasy was usually applied to idols, right?
And Aqua was calling me out earlier, but she seemed to have some misunderstandings herself.
"Hm… Well, even with my limited experience, I can give you guys some pointers, but maybe we should go somewhere a bit more… private?"
This seemed a bit dangerous, so I declined the offer.
"W-Well…"
On the other hand, Darkness seemed a little bit interested.
Part 7
As expected of Megumin, she passed her exams and was accepted into her first school of choice.
How admirable.
In my case, I was a nervous wreck during the waiting period.
I couldn't handle the shame of failing the second time around.
So I felt the pressure.
And when the day came…
"Kazuma, please relax. If you want I can check the results for you."
"Oh, would Megumin do that? Very well, I'll wait over there."
"Even though I offered, could Kazuma at least try to pretend that he isn't a complete coward?"
Megumin had those cruel words for me as she went over to a bulletin board.
It was already weird enough that I was applying for university at the same time as Megumin. If I failed now, it would mean Megumin became a university student before I did.
After several minutes of the diminutive Megumin trying to look over the taller bodies around her…
She finally came back with the results.
"I'm sorry, Kazuma…"
"...!"
She came back saying those words, with her head lowered.
Saying sorry while looking like that…
So… I failed?
"I'm too short and couldn't see the results. You'll have to come check yourself."
"Damn it! I'll do it myself!"
It was my fault for relying on this shorty.
As I glanced around the board, Megumin held my sweaty hand in support.
"...!"
It was right there, my number… I made it!
It took all I had not to cry out in sheer joy.
After all, there were others in here who did not pass. Showing such a tactless show of emotion is…
"You did it, Kazuma! I'm so proud of you! Geez… I'm so happy right now! Here, let me give you a big kiss! Chuuu~!"
I'm really happy, Megumin, but please have some consideration…!
"Tch! Not only did that guy get accepted, he has such a cute girlfriend, too! Go die in a hole!"
A blond delinquent said as he saw the display Megumin showed.
There's all sorts of dangerous types glaring at us already.
"Hah?! You got a problem with my man, you punk?!"
"Gack! Why is this loli strangling me?!"
…
...
Before Megumin could start picking fights, I took her to a nearby family restaurant.
"Since this is a happy occasion, let's have an extravagant meal."
"Megumin says that, but this is an ordinary family restaurant. An 'extravagant meal' would mean a three course meal that includes appetizer and dessert, and access to unlimited soda fountain refills..."
"That… That sounds extravagant, indeed!"
No, it really doesn't.
"I'm really happy, Kazuma."
This is…!
'If you pass the exams, I'll give you a reward'
The promise she gave me echoed in my head.
"Well, then, Megumin, that was a great meal, wasn't it?! So good that I couldn't help but wolf it all down! Well, then, what should we do next? Haha… Hm, well, let's see, there's a hotel across the street so maybe we should…?!"
I was unable to contain my excitement and rambled nonsensically.
"...I know what Kazuma is thinking about right now, so please tone it down! Well… Hm… It's not like I haven't been preparing my heart for this day, but…"
Don't… Don't tell me she's having second thoughts?
"Uwaa… Why is Kazuma giving me that hurt look?! You look like a pitiful abandoned puppy right now… Please stop."
I didn't know I was making such a pitiful look, but whatever it was, it seemed to have an effect…!
"I get it, I get it, but instead of going directly to a hotel just like that, let's talk about it first!"
"If you blueball me today, it's over."
"What's over?! Don't joke around about that! My stomach actually dropped when Kazuma said that while giving me a dirty look, you know?!"
After paying the bill, we headed out of the family restaurant.
We walked around the streets without a direction in mind.
"I love you, Kazuma."
She said out of nowhere, without warning.
"I don't think we've really said it before, and if we did maybe it didn't leave much of an impression since I can't recall ever saying it, or you saying it, so I just wanted to get it out there."
"I… I see."
"What about Kazuma? Do you love me?"
"I love you, Megumin."
"I see. So Kazuma is completely head over heels for me and can't stop thinking about me even in his dreams, huh?"
"How did you know about that?! I mean, that's not true at all!"
This late into our relationship, we finally confessed.
Furthermore, it ended up with us squabbling yet again.
"So, when Megumin said 'reward' last time, she meant 'that', right?"
In other words, this wasn't another blueball attempt, right? I could properly get excited without regretting it later, right?
"...I've been doing some thinking even before that day. If Kazuma remembers, I already gave him permission to go all the way when we took shelter from the rain in that hotel, but he backed out."
"I get it, so please don't bring that up again!"
Like I feared, while Megumin was actually willing to progress our relationship to the next level, but my cowardice from that time made it awkward for her to bring the subject up again.
"Well, at least now, there's an appropriate occasion when we can do this, so… This time… Let's do this properly, Kazuma."
"Megumin…"
We stared into each other's eyes, our faces drawing nearer.
"Ring! Ring!"
Of course, just as the mood was going well, we were interrupted.
Around this time, I received a phone call.
"Kazuma-kun… How were the results?"
It was my mother.
She was speaking with a bit of caution, but when I told her about the good news, she said,
"Ah! That's great! I'm so proud of you, Kazuma-kun~! Sniff, sniff… Who would have known that a miracle like this could happen…!"
Oi.
"Yeah, well, right now I'm here with Megumin, so…"
"So if it's like that… Ah, y-you know, Kazuma-kun, the whole family will be out today! And by the whole family, I mean everyone except you! We're actually going on a trip to, um, Jakarta! So, with that, Kazuma-kun, please take care of the house! You'll have the whole house to yourself!"
Before I could respond, my mother hung up.
As she was sitting beside me on the swings, Megumin heard the gist of it.
"It's pretty obvious what they're planning but… Rather than booking a hotel like Kazuma was planning, it would be more efficient to go to Kazuma's home, so…"
Even with this you're still thinking about cutting down on costs?
Part 8
We took the train home, not speaking a word or meeting each other's gaze during the entire trip.
"G-Geez, Kazuma is obviously shaking! A-Are you really that nervous? Haha…"
I fumbled with the house key as I took it out of my pocket.
After a concerted effort, I managed to open the door. There was a noticeable pause as we halted by the doorstep.
"After you, Megumin."
"No, no. I will follow after Kazuma."
"As the guest, you must go in first."
"As the guest, I insist that as the host, you lead the way inside!"
It took several minutes of this before we entered.
"Hm? What's this scent? Has Kazuma's house always smelled like this? It's making me feel a bit…"
The 'smell' Megumin was referring to was most likely the result of the numerous incense candles strategically positioned throughout the house.
This was probably the work of...
"I don't think my mother would go this far, so this might be the work of the madam."
My mother was also conspiring against me, but I knew full well that the real puppet master was Yuiyui-san.
"So it's my mother's doing, huh? Wahh… Kazuma, all this smoke is making me feel lightheaded…!"
When we got to my room, I closed the door and opened the windows to filter out any lingering incense smell.
Megumin collapsed on my bed, breathing hard, while squirming around uncomfortably.
"Megumin, if we take a bath I think the smell will be washed out."
"That's a good idea. Well, then, as the one who came up with the idea, Kazuma should go first."
"It'd be more efficient if we go together."
"Geez, can't Kazuma take a hint?! I need as much time as possible to emotionally prepare myself! Now, go take that bath!"
I took Megumin up on her offer and took the bath first.
"..."
I was going to make love with Megumin…
I can't make excuses this time about rushing things or not being prepared, we've waited long enough!
That's right, as long as we're careful not to make babies and…
...Wait a second.
"Arggghh! I forgot about that!"
Somehow, in all the excitement, I forgot about the important matter of 'protection'.
If I ran to the store now, Megumin might no longer be in the mood when I came back.
I could try to sneak out while Megumin was taking a bath, or…
"..."
An alternative suddenly came to me.
M-Maybe there were some condoms in the house?
It's somewhat awkward to admit, but there were times when I'd hear strange noises coming out from my parents' room.
"Megumin, I'm done! It's your turn now!"
"OK… Um, I think I'll take my time in the bath while I keep preparing myself so… Please be patient, Kazuma. We'll definitely do it today, so please have some consideration…"
"By all means, take your time."
"I didn't expect Kazuma to be this understanding. Perhaps Kazuma was more of a gentleman as I thought?"
I went to my parents' room as Megumin took her bath.
I opened all the drawers and rummaged through the random junk my parents kept around.
Finally I saw it…
"...There's so many."
They had at least five boxes of condoms with different variations. Some were flavored while others promised 'ultra-thin quality'.
I didn't want to use any weird ones for the first time, so I picked out a generic brand and headed back to my room.
"Kazuma, I'm back…"
"Welcome… to the gates of hell!"
"What is Kazuma on about now? ...And what are those?"
I dumped the contents of the box and laid out the condoms all around me in a pile.
"You might want to check the condition of those. My mother might have poked holes on them."
"No, I don't think she'd go that far and these were my parents' collection, anyways…"
"Kazuma says that but you're already checking."
Megumin expressed her doubt as I went ahead and checked just in case.
She towelled her hair and sat beside me. I felt droplets of water spraying out as she wiped her hair.
"Megumin sure manages to look mature doing that…"
"As expected of me."
"...Mature for a loli."
"Does Kazuma want anything to happen or not?"
"I'll behave. Megumin is a beautiful young woman."
"Insincerity is worse than insulting me."
She looked a bit annoyed at my words but her features melted into a gentle one.
"In any case, Kazuma… I want you to know that I trust you, so… Please be gentle with me."
There it is!
The words every man wants to hear!
"Thank you for trusting me."
"N-No problem."
"..." x 2.
We stared awkwardly at each other, not knowing how to start.
"Well, I guess first we should do the usual…"
"Somehow, even though we've done a lot of foreplay like activities, I feel awfully shy doing it in this context!"
With apprehension bubbling in my stomach, I inched closed towards Megumin.
I held her shoulders and forced myself to look into her eyes.
"D-Don't look at me like that…!"
"L-Like what?! What am I doing that's so strange!"
"If you look at me like that, I feel like I'd want to do something hasty like get on one knee and propose!"
"R… Really?"
"Damn it! Just stop already!"
I snatched my gaze away from Megumin's lovestruck eyes.
"It'd be easier for me if Megumin acts like her usual tsundere self. Why don't you fidget around and throw things at me while I attempt to advance?"
"...I think you overstate that apparent personality trait of mine. And why is Kazuma complaining? I'm… waiting…"
Saying that, she shyly presented herself to me.
In the end, I was still panicking and making all sorts of excuses.
With my hands still on her shoulders, I gently rubbed them.
Looking into her eyes once more…
"Nn…"
We gently kissed, our lips pecking once, then separating.
"...I don't know why… But that felt like our first kiss."
"Wasn't our first kiss completely by accident?"
It happened in such a cliched manner, too.
"Yeah, but the rush of emotions was something I had never felt before… It was similar to expending all my mana to cast explosion magic!"
"You've never casted explosion magic IRL, though."
"Don't crush a girl's dreams."
We kissed again and the kisses increased in intensity until we were passionately making out.
I pushed her on the bed, maintaining the kiss as I worked to unbutton her blouse.
"Even though I've seen these boobs for a long time and they aren't big to begin with, somehow I can't get tired of looking and fondling them."
"I can't tell if Kazuma is insulting or complimenting me, and please mention the fact that my boobs have grown a little since then."
Indeed, rather than flat A-cups they have reached the bare minimum size that could qualify for B-cups.
Perhaps it was my constant caress that evoked this miracle.
With her blouse opened and her bra exposed, I messaged her chest through the cloth.
"It feels redundant to keep saying it, but Kazuma really loves boobs!"
Yes, I can't help myself.
After years of thinking 'what do they feel like?' I can't be satisfied no matter how many times I get my fill.
They even feel good...against my son…
"…"
But this time, not on your chest!
"K-Kazuma… I considered what you said last time, so…"
Hmmm, I've never seen this expression?!
"Um.. I… It's...actually a safe day...I think?"
"What's this 'I THINK?!"
"Before, Kazuma went on a passionate tirade about cumming inside…"
She looked sideways, as if coming to a decision.
"I..I think we can...risk it."
"You know I was just using that as an excuse to back out right? It's as Megumin and Darkness often say. I back out when it's time to actually do it."
"Why is Kazuma only so honest now?! And don't back out after I said something embarrassing for your sake! I took that tirade seriously all this time, so don't say something irresponsible like 'I was just joking!'"
"Fine… If I have to… Sigh."
"Why is Kazuma acting so resigned? And you actually went ahead and said 'sigh'."
"In any case, we are still beginning the foreplay stage but Megumin is already talking about cumming inside. Is Megumin actually a closet pervert?"
"I get it. I'll stop being considerate to Kazuma."
Seems like I pushed her too far.
"Ah, it's fine… I will give Megumin the virgin creampie she so desires without fail."
"Kazuma was just talking about still being in the foreplay stage and blaming me for being eager. What a hypocrite."
I deftly removed her skirt, leaving her only in panties.
I caressed her sensitive spots through the cloth, her chest and down there...
"Nnn… Kazuma…"
Even after all this time, Megumin was still sensitive.
Eventually, I pulled my shirt over my head and moved to unbuckle my pants.
Seeing this, Megumin stripped as well, removing her underwear and revealing her naked body.
We should have been used to seeing each other naked by now, but we still looked at each other shyly seeing one another's bodies.
"...Megumin really is a beauty, huh?"
"What is Kazuma using uncertain language? Of course I-I'm a beauty…"
Even the prideful Megumin couldn't call herself a beauty without stuttering.
"How should I say this… Not only am I going to lose my virginity, but I am doing it with a beautiful girl I love… I'm so very lucky!"
"I'm really grateful, but I have a feeling this conversation is one that isn't usually appropriate for 'bedroom talk'."
She said that, but I couldn't imagine what 'bedroom talk' should actually entail.
Would the unnatural dialogue in the A.V.'s I've seen as a virgin NEET count?
"I'm going to fuck you hard, baby."
"No! Just no! Don't say that again!"
As expected, lines from porn don't work.
"...I suppose rather than worrying about what's 'normal', we should just be ourselves."
"That's right. There's no reason to act superfluously in order to impress Megumin."
"Don't talk as if I'm a woman with no standards… Ah!"
Without any warning, I embraced the naked Megumin.
She stiffened for a bit before letting out a sigh.
She gently rubbed my back and giggled into my shoulder.
"Kazuma, I'm glad I met you."
"Yeah, me too."
There was probably more that we wanted to say.
But holding each other like this was enough to convey most of what we left out.
"...Unnn~ ...Uuuu~"
She started shaking, and I felt something wet drip down my shoulder.
"...Is Megumin crying?"
"No. Why would you think that?"
"Then are you drooling? I know you're excited, but I'm not really into the 'ahegao' thing, so…"
"Just get a clue, dumbass!"
When we seperated, she sniffed and rubbed at her slightly sore eyes.
"Don't say anything."
"Got it."
"Then… I'm waiting, Kazuma."
Since the start, she made a point of letting me take the lead.
'I want the guy to lead'.
So even the headstrong, tomboy Megumin had this girlish sentiment.
"Um… How does Megumin want me to do this?"
I heard girls had certain preferences and procedures in mind for how they'd like to have their first time.
For a guy, the only thing we were curious about was the sensations that come with sex… At least for the first time.
How would it feel inside? Is it actually painful for girls during their first time?
That is what males are curious about. There aren't necessarily any expectations.
"I don't really have any preferences… Just try to be gentle, please."
In the doujins I read, even if it was a girl's first time, the male character would say things like: 'I'm sorry, even though it's blah-chan's first time… My hips are moving on their own!'.
With Megumin's request in mind, I resolved not to do something so tasteless.
"Ahem. Well, then. Megumin seems ready, so…"
"Ah, Kazuma worked hard to get me ready… So maybe I should also…?"
"There's no need."
I didn't usually worry about endurance, but I didn't want to conclude our first-time together with a premature ending.
If Megumin performs the oral technique that she had developed over the years with my help as an 'explosion' sommelier, I wouldn't be able to hold it in when it comes down to do it.
"Then… If Kazuma is ready… I'm also ready."
Saying 'I'm also ready' won't put me at ease.
"Well, then…"
"Yeah…"
With Megumin laying down, I positioned myself between her open legs.
"..." x 2.
So… Do I just shove it in?
It feels weird to put it in without any remarks.
"I'm going to fuck you hard, baby."
"I told Kazuma to never say that line again! Put it in already and get it over with!"
I couldn't get over the awkwardness of sticking it in without any prelude.
Well, if that's what she wants…
"Ngh…"
With a small grunt of effort, I placed the tip along the lips and pushed in, all in one motion.
My glans made it inside and I immediately flinched from the unexpected warmth inside…
"..." x 2.
With about a quarter of my son inside Megumin, we both stared at each other blankly.
"WAHHHH! YOU REALLY DID STICK IT IN?! JUST LIKE THAT?!"
"M… MEGUMIN WAS THE ONE WHO TOLD ME TO PUT IT IN! MAKE UP YOUR MIND!"
We both panicked while staring at our connected parts.
I haven't even put it in all the way yet and we were already in this state.
"First of all, calm down, Megumin. I haven't breached your important hymen yet."
"That's right… I don't feel any different. In fact, I can barely feel anything at all…"
"Please don't say that. I will actually become impotent if you say that again. Please clarify that you can't feel anything because I've only put the tip in so far."
"Wait, now that I think about it, Kazuma didn't put on a condom yet, did he?"
"Oh, yeah. I almost forgot."
"This is already becoming a disaster!"
I got caught up with that talk about 'cumming inside' earlier and forgot about this important step.
"Well, like I said, it's a safe day, so…"
"In that case, I'll help myself then. Thank you for the meal~!"
It felt like a waste after I spent all that time looking for protection.
But, there was a big part of me that wanted to feel Megumin directly for the first time…
Just in case, I'll have to buy 'the pill' at the pharmacy later.
With that settled, I positioned myself once more…
"Wait! Wait a second! Maybe Kazuma was right, there needs to be some kind of opening remarks before we do this. It just feels weird otherwise."
"I get what Megumin is saying but don't make it seem like this is a grand-opening of a new department store. Um… Maybe we should say 'I love you' again before doing it?"
"I can't just say that phrase loaded with meaning on the spot. I need to be inspired!"
"You sounded like Aqua just now. And what occasion could be more inspiring like this?"
"Ugh, this is giving me a headache! Just put it in already!"
"Saying that again… Don't regret it this time."
Even though I did it cleanly last time, my son slipped against Megumin's entrance a few times before finally penetrating past her lips and retaining its previous occupation.
"Well, then. I'll push forward…"
"OkayK…"
We both didn't know where to look and averted our eyes from one another.
I slowly pushed my way inside.
With every push, I felt more and more of Megumin.
I was already gasping from the pleasure.
The warmth and slickness of Megumin's inner walls enveloped me.
This is bad…!
Did all girls feel like this?!
Finally, at about midway in, I met some resistance.
"Wahh… I feel it, Kazuma… Pressing against…"
Megumin felt it, too. For the first time since we connected, our eyes met.
I looked at Megumin, asking with my eyes for explicit permission.
"I… I suppose it's unavoidable!"
Don't give me such a vague answer while looking so uncertain!
I probed against the barrier, as if looking for a weak spot.
With every tap, Megumin flinched, expecting any of them to be the one that would deflower her.
"Geez! Kazuma, just take me already!"
"GAHH! Don't just suddenly scream… Ack…!"
I was shocked by Megumin's sudden screaming and my body reacted in turn…
...With my hips surging forward.
"Ah." x 2.
I felt something thick and warm drizzle down my son.
"...C-Congrats, Megumin."
"...Y-Yeah, thanks."
Somehow, we both managed to graduate from virginity.
Part 9
...About ten minutes later.
"..." x 2.
Since I popped Megumin's cherry, we had both been stuck in the same position, blankly staring at each other.
"...So, did it hurt?"
It was probably too late to ask out of concern but I went ahead and said it anyways.
"It… It didn't hurt as much as I thought. It stung a bit initially and I felt numb for a while but that eventually subsided."
"I see…"
"How was it for Kazuma?"
"Well, even if you ask me that… I felt a warm liquid pouring down my son. I thought Megumin was peeing."
"How could Kazuma say that?! Don't joke around during this important moment!"
Even as she was pinned under me, Megumin flailed her limbs around.
"If Megumin is so energetic now… Um… Can I start moving?"
Even after 10 minutes of idling, my son was still raring to go.
In fact, being inside Megumin for this long, even without any movement, already felt insanely good.
"Well, I suppose it'd be natural for Kazuma to move… So, please by my guest."
Giving me that half-assed invitation… Is this really OK?
Regardless, I couldn't hold still any more.
Using my hips, I initiated a steady rhythm of deliberate, thrusting movements.
"How's this?"
"Yeah… I feel Kazuma's thing sliding in and out…"
"I didn't ask for a narration. I'm asking if Megumin is feeling good."
"I don't really know. Maybe I need to relax more. I'm too overwhelmed right now."
Her tight, warm walls were constantly squeezing around me.
Even if I paced myself or applied only slow, shallow thrusts, it felt like I could lose it at any moment.
"Kazuma you're making a funny face right now, like you just ate something sour. Are you doing this on purpose? Please take this seriously!"
"I'm not doing it on purpose! It's taking all I have not to burst out prematurely, alright?!"
"...Then why doesn't Kazuma let it out? I don't mind. You don't need to put up any pretenses around me."
If you say that so clearly… I really will, you know!
Don't tempt me!
"Megumin doesn't get it. Men worry about these kinds of things… It's a matter of pride. I want Megumin to come first before I do!"
"Look, I really don't care about that. I'm not keeping score, or anything. And I think it'll be tough for me to come since this is the first time."
I did read somewhere that most girls don't achieve climax during the first time.
The average time it takes for guys before they succumbed was around the one minute mark.
I'd regret it if my first time ended so pitifully, but I felt a sweet ache down there… Indicating that I was about ready to burst.
"I'm sorry, even though it's Megumin's first time… My hips are moving on their own!"
"Eh?"
I pressed down on top of her body, pinning her arms down.
I leaned in to kiss her.
"Nnnm!"
Our sweaty bodies slid against each other as I thrusted my hips.
Her corrugated insides parted and squeezed with every thrust. Even as I withdrew, if felt like her walls were sucking me in.
From my sensitive glans, down to my rigid shaft, I felt every sensation.
The bed creaked and Megumin's small frame slid up and down on the sheets as I pounded on her.
"Kazuma… Nnnn! You're… not gentle at all!"
Those words brought me out from my brief insanity.
"...I'm not going to apologize."
"What do you mean! Kazuma made a big deal of asking for my preferences and I only had one request! And you look so stupid flailing around on top of me you know! And that perverted, old man face you had on was just creepy!"
Was that really what it looked like?
It seemed much more romantic and intense in my head.
"Um… If Megumin doesn't like my clumsy movements, then maybe we should switch positions? If Megumin is on top, she can dictate the pace."
"Asking me to go on top and lead when it's my first time… How shameless!"
"Hey, it's my first time, too! I'm equally clueless! If you don't want to do it then I'll just keep 'flailing around' like Megumin said!"
She looked at me with a bit of disgust before relenting.
We fumbled around a bit as we switched positions.
When I pulled my son out, I noticed the sheen of blood covering it.
I felt a profound feeling when I saw that, for some reason.
"Alright. I'm on top now. What do I do, Kazuma?"
"Just move your hips… Don't rush and wait until you get into a rhy… THM?!"
"Eh? What's wrong, Kazuma? Am I doing something wrong?"
No, rather than 'wrong'...
It's too good…!
"Ugh…! Pant… Pant… You have a talent, girl! Your future in this business is bright!"
"What business?! Is Kazuma teasing me?! Is this some new form of bullying?!"
Her insides already felt insanely good. If she combines that with this technique…
I gripped the sheets as Megumin bounced her hips on my lap.
"Kazuma… Is this good? I don't really know what I'm doing but…"
"No, this is good! Keep it up! Don't stop! I beg of you!"
"Kazuma?! Oi, are you really OK?! I can only see the whites of your eyes! And is that foam coming out of your mouth?!"
I was a virgin until a few moments ago.
Please have mercy on me.
There were too many stimulants.
Watching Megumin on top of me, her small but firm breasts bouncing…
That shy, blushing, but aroused expression on her face…
And then she brings out this godly technique?!
"I can't… I'm…"
The sexual repression I've suffered as a virgin of 19 years…
"Hnnnngg! Ghkk… Nnnnnngg!"
All my muscles seized for this one action.
Spasms overtook my body for what felt like a full minute.
"Eh? What is this… Warmth… Is this?"
Megumin stopped her movements as my seed poured into her.
Her eyes fluttered and she gasped in shock.
"Hah… Hah… Hah…" x 2.
We stared at each other, gasping and panting.
After we regained our breath, she pulled out.
I saw my seed dripping out from where we were connected.
Seeing that, I couldn't help but get excited again.
"...Ready for round two?"
"Why did I fall in love with a man like you?"
I don't know why, but I'm glad you did.