Chapter 29 : Daily date (3)

[The Silver Horned Divine Beast, Who Only Reveals Itself to Virgins, cannot hide its joy at reuniting with you.]

[The Silver Horned Divine Beast, Who Only Reveals Itself to Virgins, dances with joy that you are still a virgin. Item drop rates increase by 100% throughout the entire world.]

“This is why I didn’t want to come back…”

The moment I logged into the game for my date with Gaia the next day, the familiar notifications began to ring incessantly.

Honestly, out of all the games I’ve played, this is the one I wanted to enjoy the most, but last time, I couldn’t because of *that* incident.

And thanks to those notifications, which accurately poke at that trauma, I feel goosebumps all over my body.

A completely realistic, authentic fantasy world!

Since it was a game that didn’t exist in my previous world, my expectations were high…

Before the world changed, I was so focused on one game that I didn’t pay attention to others, and in this world, there were many games and companies that didn’t exist on Earth, so being a man was a bit inconvenient.

Even now, as I walk to the meeting place with Gaia in the restored tutorial village, these damn alerts show no sign of stopping.

The only relief is that Gaia’s alerts aren’t going off.

If there were even a hint of the same incident as last time, I was going to log out immediately.

Fortunately, it seems the Unicorn, despite its words, is exercising some restraint.

A breeze carrying the scent of spring flowers tickles my nose, even though it’s not spring.

Perhaps because it’s the starting village of the game, a lively atmosphere, along with fantastical scenery, envelops the village.

The tutorial village, somehow restored.

I should have been here playing the game like normal.

Children playing, the clang of the blacksmith’s hammer and acrid smoke, the hawkers’ calls… Come to think of it, isn’t this the first time I’ve seen so many NPCs?

Suddenly, seeing that all the NPCs were female, I started to feel uneasy.

[The Silver Horned Divine Beast, Who Only Reveals Itself to Virgins, says there’s nothing to worry about.]

“Why?”

Even if I speak into the void, it will reach her without fail.

The immediate replies prove it.

[The Silver Horned Divine Beast, Who Only Reveals Itself to Virgins, says that to others, it looks like an ordinary village maiden.]

“You should have said that earlier! Really, because of you guys… I could have enjoyed it last time too.”

The sight of this village disappearing in a pillar of light still lingers in my eyes.

It really makes my head pound every time I think about it.

Still, this time, thanks to the Unicorn seemingly behaving itself, I think I’ll be able to have a normal time.

[The Silver Horned Divine Beast, Who Only Reveals Itself to Virgins, says that’s the deal. It says that the image of itself simply drooling and waiting, and this reality, are cruel.]

“Shut up. You need to reflect on your actions.”

Even as we bickered like this, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing.

Although it was only for a day, the girls who constantly communicated with me from the side…

There were no viewers, but if there had been, I think there would have been a lot of comments.

It seems I had come to really enjoy the experience of communicating and sharing with them.

[The Silver Horned Divine Beast, Who Only Reveals Itself to Virgins, confesses its sexual preferences, saying it can now somewhat understand Gaia’s  hobby of getting excited by being neglected.]

“Not interested!”

There was still some time left before our meeting time, but as a man, I thought it was virtuous to wait first, so I logged in a little early.

Perhaps because it was my first date, I couldn’t help but feel nervous.

When I logged in, Gaia was already gone from the waiting area.

She must be waiting for me here in advance.

The shabby restaurant in the corner of the village where she suggested we meet.

She said she was confident I’d like it because of the fantasy-style monster dishes, and it was a famous spot.

Something about experiencing the atmosphere of this world.

As she said, it was popular. Even though it was still a while before lunchtime, the restaurant, despite its dilapidated appearance, already had a huge queue.

For a moment, a sense of foreboding washed over me, the feeling that I might end up spending the whole day just waiting in line, so I hurried to the end of the queue.

At the same time, I broke out in a cold sweat at the murderous prices on display.

Gaia will pay, right…?

I’m just a level 1 penniless beginner.

[The Silver Horned Divine Beast, Who Only Reveals Itself to Virgins, says it made a reservation. It boasts that if it takes charge of today’s date, the success rate is guaranteed.]

“Stop peeking! Well… Thanks for letting me know… No, just stop paying attention!”

[The Silver Horned Divine Beast, Who Only Reveals Itself to Virgins, says it once again realized what a tsundere is, admitting its own immaturity. It congratulates you on capturing its heart before the date even began.]

“I give up.”

The gazes I felt as I made my way through the long line were normal.

Having been constantly subjected to looks of longing or desire since coming here, this was a somewhat new experience.

Would I have felt like this if I had been a streamer in my original world?

Fortunately, the reservation was properly made in my name, and after looking me over from head to toe about three times, the employee, with a deeply furrowed brow, started to lead the way.

It was an expression that clearly said, ‘You made a reservation for a private room?’

I felt a little dejected in comparison to the employee at the restaurant I went to with Yena, but that feeling quickly disappeared along with the aroma of food wafting from inside.

“But if they’re that disgusted, what kind of appearance did I set?”

[The Silver Horned Divine Beast, Who Only Reveals Itself to Virgins, asserts that you look like a typical village maiden. It consoles you by saying that at least Minotaurs and Trolls would be thrilled to see you.]

“I don’t need that kind of consolation! And I’m a village maiden?!”

“Please be quiet inside the restaurant.”

The employee’s words cut in sharply.

The woman, with the typical appearance of a career woman, looked somehow exhausted.

I wondered if it was because of the large number of customers, but I decided not to interfere.

“Ah, sorry…”

The interior wasn’t that large, so I quickly reached the reserved seats.

And there…

“Who?”

“It’s me! Your faithful servant! Gaia!”

* * * * * * * * * * *

“You look like a different person without the wings and ring.”

With the buzzing, glowing angel ring and the wings that accentuated her divinity gone, Gaia was truly an ordinary beautiful girl.

I thought I had arrived early, but she was already there. Until she faced me, she fidgeted, wondering what she was thinking.

The way she kept glancing at the air and giggling to herself was truly unsightly.

The pitiful maiden with two ram horns adorning her head. It was clear at a glance that she had prepared for this date; she was fully armed. The way her eyes were fixed on me, almost dangerously so, was a point deduction though.

“That means I’m beautiful, right?”

“Yeah, I was surprised too. You look good in those fantasy-style clothes, not that white thing you usually wear. Maybe it’s because you’re naturally pretty?”

“…”

“Still, those wing-shaped accessories next to your ram horns always suited you.”

“…”

Did I talk too much? When no reply came, I stopped talking and looked into Gaia’s eyes.

This was my first date, so I started by complimenting her, just like I’d seen in old dramas and on YouTube, but was something wrong?

“D-Don’t look at me like that… I look like a normal woman, right…?”

Unlike her usual passionate and forward self, she blushed and lowered her head.

Only then did the current situation begin to make sense.

At the same time, seeing her react so readily, my playful side kicked in.

“Gaia.”

“Mmm…”

“My employee isn’t answering my questions?”

“Y-Yes…”

She became incredibly meek, making me wonder how she could have bickered and acted so forcefully towards me before.

I couldn’t help but smile.

“You look really pretty today. Wear that outfit when you’re assisting with the broadcast from now on. Everyone will be surprised.”

“Please stop… I don’t even have my wings and halo…”

Her trailing words told me it was working.

The corners of her mouth started to curl upwards despite her telling me to stop.

“Or should we try a two-player game next time? Like you said, it’s okay to enjoy this world a little. The Chronicles of an Ordinary Village Girl and an Angelic Beauty! Wouldn’t that be fun?”

“Of course it would be fun, but… I… That is… Of course it wouldn’t be bad!! It’s just that… my resistance… Ugh… With our roles reversed, it’s a bit…”

“Pfft…”

“Eh?”

I tried to hold back, but I couldn’t.

Perhaps it was because she looked like she did when we first met, but I couldn’t help but laugh at her every reaction. She was adorable.

They say just looking at someone you like makes you happy. Is this what that feels like?

It wasn’t romantic love, but there was definitely affection, so I found her amusing and couldn’t stop myself from laughing.

“You were teasing me!”

“No, no. I did enjoy your reaction, but I meant everything I said 100%.”

“…I guess it wasn’t a lie.”

“Excuse me, ladies? Honestly, your flirting is an eyesore. I understand it’s commonplace, but could you please order soon?”

The waitress from earlier was standing next to us, waiting. With Gaia flustered by her words and placing our order, our date began.