Chapter 34: A Crash Course In Cooking & A Huge Serving Of Competition (Part 3)
Laying on my bed, I mindlessly play Faith/Grandiose Command on my phone while my TV is on just to have background noise. This boss is really kicking my ass. I really don't wanna use a command mark to ensure my victory but it is what it is. Using up a mark on Nogao Kagetaro, her ultimate attack animation plays and completely annihilates the boss, resulting in the victory screen popping up.
"Yes! Go me!" I pump my fist into the air.
"Hey! You there! Recognize us?!" Wait! Do my ears deceive me?! Quickly putting my phone down, I sit up and look at the TV.
"R-Rus and Rohe?!" I accidentally exclaim out loud.
"That's right! And today, we've got a proposal for you!" Rus says.
"Enjoy our quality line of clothes? Think you're hot stuff? Wanna show off to the world?" Rohe asks. I'm listening.
"Then we've got a totally rockin' bomb to drop! We're pleased to announce our fashion contest!" Rus says.
"Human or liminal? It doesn't matter! Don your best outfit, take a killer selfie, and submit it to us on the Rus & Rohe website!" Rohe explains.
"Rohe and I will personally undertake the role of evaluating each and every submission to find our favorites. Only out of those favorites may we select three winners," Rus says.
"Hmm? What are the prizes you ask? That, our wonderful fans, is a big mystery! Who knows what you could get. Maybe just maybe you don't even have to necessarily win to get a prize. Sounds like fun, right?!" Rohe says.
"We're running out of time now so let's make this quick. Before submitting your entry, please make sure to review the rules and limitations which can also be found on our webpage," Rus clarifies.
"And with that…," Rohe starts.
"We look forward to your awesome submissions! Bye bye now!" The two of them wave excitedly with big smiles on their faces. Their ad cuts off, switching to an ad about some brand of milk. Hmm. I'm really interested but Rus & Rohe's is heavily geared more towards women so I don't think guys are allowed. I'll have to check out their rules to see. Not like I couldn't pose as a young woman but the last thing I want is to blatantly lie to them!
Holding my chin and closing my eyes, my mind ponders. I wonder what these prizes are. An autograph? A huge amount of money? Maybe a surprise visit from Rus and Rohe themselves?! A trip to their photo studio where we get to see the magic of their modeling shoots happen?! Curse these ideas! Now I super want in on this!
"Ryuta!" Polt, Lilith, and Draco suddenly yell, making me jump.
"H-Huh?! W-When the hell did all of you get in here?!" I question.
"About a minute ago. You would've seen us if you weren't getting lost in thought," Polt answers, booping me on the nose with a finger.
"I see… so was there something you three needed?" I ask.
"You seriously forgot already?!" The three immediately shout, not pleased with me.
"A-Admittedly, I've been wrapped up in my own distractions for a few hours," I chuckle sheepishly.
"You told us we would reconvene in the kitchen for lunch!" Draco says.
"And currently, it's a quarter past one! That makes you an hour and fifteen minutes late for when you typically start preparing lunch!" Lilith adds. Goddamn it! I knew it felt like it was time for something. I blame Faith/Grandiose Command and the Rus & Rohe contest for getting me off track!
"Oh, that's right! My bad!" I apologize, rubbing the back of my neck.
"You better be! Now c'mon!" Draco says.
"… Just let me finish up this game session really quick," I say, picking my phone up.
"Ryuta!" They angrily growl and lunge at me, forcefully pulling me by my legs off of the bed and onto the floor.
"H-Hey, this is completely uncalled for! It was gonna take just one more minute!" I whine.
"Then you can finish that up by the time we get to the kitchen," Polt says as they continue to drag me across the floor and out of my bedroom.
"If you insist," I sigh, continuing to play on my phone. After being dragged to just outside the kitchen, they let go of my legs.
"You really let us drag your ass all the way down here?" Lilith asks as I stand up.
"Well, you three seemed so committed to it so I figured who am I to get in the way of such dedication," I grin.
"Just terrible," she says.
"I really can't wait until you pick a definitive winner. I'm just saying," Draco says, casually cracking her knuckles.
"Assuming that you'll still win? For all you know, the pleasure might be all mine," Lilith says.
"Or even mine for that matter," Polt adds.
"That sounds like there's a bet going on at my expense," I point out.
"Don't worry about it. It's harmless to you," Draco assures.
"Hearing you say that really only makes me doubt that more," I chuckle nervously.
"Anyway, it's time for you to give out our instructions," Lilith says, skirting past my apprehension.
"Very well," I sigh. "All of you have thirty minutes to whip up something for lunch. If you use anything that's quick and easy like instant ramen without incorporating it into a more complete meal, you automatically fail. That's about it."
"So you mean we really have to figure it out ourselves?!" Draco and Lilith question.
"Indeed. Did you think I was kidding earlier?" I ask.
"I told them you were serious but they wanted to hold onto nonexistent hope that you were just joking," Polt explains.
"Damn it!" Draco and Lilith exclaim disappointedly.
"Seems like you two need just a tiny bit more incentive since clearly my words of encouragement did nothing for the both of you earlier," I say.
"Incentive?" Draco and Lilith question curiously, quickly scurrying to each side of me to cling onto my arms.
"Sweetheart, don't bribe them!" Polt responds disapprovingly.
"Don't listen to Polt! Tell us!" Lilith says, tugging on my left arm.
"What Lilith said! I wanna know!" Draco adds.
"It's not really bribing. I'm just making them aware of something I was already planning," I elaborate.
"If you say so," Polt says.
"Draco," I mutter in her left ear.
"Y-Yes?" Draco stammers.
"If you win, we'll go on a date," I whisper.
"B-But we're already going on a date to the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival, aren't we?" She points out.
"I mean a personal date. Just the two of us. I'll even bump it up to happen before Lilith's personal date," I say, noticing her face turn a shiny cherry red.
"Hell yeah! That's definitely enough to motivate me!" She yells excitedly, bouncing in place.
"What on earth did you tell her?" Polt asks, concerned.
"Simply a nice reward for winning is all," I answer, chuckling.
"Oooh! Now me! What's my reward if I win?!" Lilith questions, pulling me down to her height.
"We'll finally give that whip some practice tonight," I mutter seductively.
"O-Oh my! Don't tease me like that, Sweetheart!" She says, getting riled up.
"And then I'll tie you up like the bad girl you are and have my way with you until I'm fully satiated," I say, lightly flavoring my voice with a sadistic tone while briefly grabbing her chin.
"G-Geez, Ryuta. You're giving me way more than just motivation! I really really want that!" She breathes heavily with her hands on her cheeks just imagining it, her legs shuddering with perverted anticipation.
"Show me you want it by winning then," I goad, twirling her skimpy tail around my left index finger.
"I-I will, Sweetheart!" She shouts, her engine revved and ready to go. That takes care of those two which leaves just one more.
"Well, whatever you told them got them fired up at least. Now let's get this started!" Polt says.
"Not yet. I'm not done," I say.
"Not done? I don't get it," She scratches her head.
"Polt, I have an incentive for you too," I start walking towards her. Realizing what I'm getting at, she nervously backs away.
"I-I don't need a silly incentive. It's all good," she tries to assure me to no avail, a heavy blush on her face. Seizing the moment, Draco darts behind Polt and grabs her wrists. "D-Draco?!"
"Don't be shy, Polt. Hear our Sweetheart's special reward for you," Draco urges.
"N-No way! We don't even need his rewards! Have you two forgotten what the winner gets out of this bet?!" Polt asks.
"Not at all! Kihihi! If anything, that's what makes it even better! You get two things instead of one. Can't say no to a deal like that. Isn't that right, Ryuta?" Lilith giggles.
"Precisely so!" I agree with a mischievous smile.
"I knew letting Ryuta entice you two was a bad idea!" Polt says.
"She's all yours," Draco says, letting go of Polt's wrists and playfully shoving her my way. Trapping her in my embrace, Polt tries to wiggle free.
"Poollltt," I call her name in a soft tone, her ears twitching adorably from my soothing voice and wiggling ceasing.
"Y-Yes, Sweetheart?" Polt shyly avoids eye contact with me.
"What's something you want from your lovely boyfriend?" I inquire, gently resting my forehead against hers and slowly swaying us back and forth.
"I-I told you I want nothing," she answers. Polt says that but I know she's lying since I already know what it is.
"It's been some time since we last did the thing, hasn't it?" I say, not whispering on purpose.
"S-Shush, Ryuta! That's too embarrassing to mention with them here!" Polt pipes up, wanting me to shut up.
"…The thing?" Draco and Lilith question.
"It doesn't concern either of—Aah!" Polt yelps, feeling her left ear being nibbled on by me. "R-Ryuta!"
"Feels like forever since we last groomed each other. I can tell you're dying to do it more as am I," I say, my hands sliding down her shapely figure to rub her ass.
"N-Not… in front of them," she says, struggling not to give in to her clear arousal. Freeing her ear, I start licking her furry left cheek.
"No need to hide our special brand of affection especially when you're the one who requested we do it," I tease.
"Fine, Ryuta. When I win, you better deliver and give me the best grooming yet!" She caves in, ecstatically licking my right cheek back and allowing her tail to wag.
"Don't worry. I definitely will," I chuckle as she pulls away from me.
"Wait, so you mean you have Ryuta intimately groom your fur… with his tongue?" Lilith questions.
"… When I have the desire for it," Polt answers reluctantly.
"No different from the weird things I exclusively do with you and Draco really," I add.
"Fair point," Lilith says. Draco suddenly gasps.
"Is that the reason why you and Polt like to bar us from bathing with you two sometimes?" Draco asks, having connected the dots.
"Guilty," Polt and I admit.
"Doing a lot more than just grooming seeing as we hear you two go at it so I thought it was just a desire for bathroom sex," Lilith says.
"I-It just happens to turn into sex is all!" Polt
"Every single time without fail?" Draco and Lilith inquire, dubiously squinting at Polt.
"… Yes," Polt answers hesitantly.
"You two should hear the more subtle things she does. The cute little barks she makes when I—," I abruptly cut my teasing short due to Polt's hand so suddenly grasping my family jewels.
"That's enough talking. Isn't it, Sweetheart?" Polt asks, a threatening energy emanating from the smile she's giving me.
"Y-Yes, ma'am," I stammer. Watching her remove her hand grants me immediate relief.
"Anyways, enough about that. We need to get down to business. Are both of you ready to lose?"
"Screw that! I'm ready to win!" Draco responds.
"Me too! You're goin' down!" Lilith replies.
"Step into the kitchen and bring the heat then! I can take it!" Polt taunts. With that, those three run into the kitchen to engage in their second bout of competitive cooking. I'd rather not be in their direct presence so they can focus completely on their craft this time. Whipping out my phone, I walk into the living room and plop down on the couch. Let's see what those rules have to say, Rus and Rohe.