Chapter 160 Hiiro's Image Improvement Committee 'III'
Show off like a gentleman.
But even if you say that, just being kind doesn't always make people see you as a gentleman.
The world isn't so simple.
If you give up your seat for an elderly on the train, you get yelled at.
If you pick up your lost wallet, they check the contents right there and shout that it was stolen.
If you trip and cry, the parent rushing over might suspect you made the kid cry.
Good deeds always seem to backfire.
The hero-to-be has, unfortunately, always faced this kind of harsh reality.
That's how it is in the modern world.
So what happens in another world?
In his mind, Hiiro is the hero of a knight story.
But his face is totally that of a thug.
So, no matter how kind he acts, he'd just scare kids unconditionally.
That's Hiiro's analysis.
A sad rule of thumb.
But then, he had a flash of inspiration.
Maybe he should just dress in a way that doesn't scare anyone.
If he can be loved instead of feared, it might help make the operation successful.
And the result?
It's this Puffy costume, as you see.
'Yo, Lyam! Whaddya think? Pretty damn cute, right?!'
"Yes, it's extremely cute!"
'Hah! Knew you'd get it—our team's token girl's got taste, huh?!'
"......Hah"
Lyam happily giggles at Mokumon's life-sized, adorable costume.
While these two are lost in their joyful world, Shura sighs, thinking it's just the usual pattern.
The reason she's here isn't complicated.
'Hey, Shura, we're going out tomorrow! I'll escort you!'
After a scene with "Hyee?!", Shura, by the next day, is back to regretting her decision.
When Hiiro invited her, she had a bad feeling.
That something troublesome might happen.
Turns out, she was right ── it was just trouble all along.
"By the way, where did you get that from?"
'Oh? Puffyn? Whipped it up yesterday.'
"What? You made it in a day? By yourself?!"
'Hell nah. Roped in Quollio. Now I'm stuck doin' laundry and cleanin' duty for this month and next... if they give the green light."
"...He's also an accomplice, huh? Now I get why he went to the library with Sham earlier than usual."
──Brother, you too?
Leiva, who had just snapped back from a whiteout in her mind, almost tore the magazine in her hands out of reflex.
By the way, Lyam was the one who invited her ── it was Hiiro's quick decision, thinking they'd need a "gentle" approach for girls and kids.
It was an irregular move outside of Leiva's plan.
Well, honestly, there's only irregularities now.
'"Aight then, let's roll. Stick with me—I'll get ya there smooth as hell, fast and cool!'
"Yes! Please escort me smoothly!"
"...I just want to go home..."
They walked into the main street, making oddly fancy footstep sounds.
Behind her, Lyam with a smile and the sooty Shura followed.
All kinds of things were already too late to fix.
Still, the die had already been cast.
Leiva, deciding to let go and not care anymore, clenched her stomach and started tailing them.
The most pathetic operation on the continent begins now.
* * *
"What is that...?"
"Well, it's not a beast, right?"
"No way, look, there's definitely someone inside."
"──Hey, there's no one inside, I'll kill you."
"What?! That's some extreme thinking."
"Damn. Some weird object is flaunting itself with beautiful women and girls. Meanwhile, us, we're just binge-drinking in broad daylight..."
"Ah, I wanna die. Wish the world would just end."
"When I was young too... hic!"
Everyone was paying close attention.
Passersby stopped and their eyes, fingers, pointed at the mysterious trio.
People even whispered that they might be a new theater troupe.
Thanks to that, tailing them was easy.
But she honestly can't feel any joy about it.
"Mama, that's amazing. It's so fluffy!"
"Y-yeah... but don't their arms and legs look a little muscular?"
"Mama, what are you saying? That muscular thing makes them look kinda cute but weird!"
"Mii-Mii?!"
Still, the kids seemed to like it, giggling from a distance while their excited voices rang out in yellow.
Could it be a great idea?
But to decide that, there's a more fundamental problem.
Leiva's brain was throwing an error because of the irregular situation.
A true trickster of another world.
(Um, they were originally planning to go to a restaurant...)
Anyway, the operation has started.
Leiva was the one who organized it, and she explained everything to Hiiro yesterday.
Suddenly showing up in such a strange outfit, she hopes he hasn't forgotten the important schedule.
With that worry in mind, she continue to follow him.
Then, Hiiro, or rather Puffy, spread his arms wide to signal their arrival.
The place he stood was in front of a restaurant bustling with customers.
It was the store Leiva had chosen.
It seems he has everything planned out well in his head.
Sighing with relief, Leiva gazed at the store's exterior.
It was neat and spacious.
Especially, there were many families in the line of customers.
Satisfied with her research, Leiva nodded.
(It's excellent. Now, if he can just make good use of this store's unique system...)
The reason she chose this store was because of its unique "buffet-style" system.
Instead of ordering, you can eat as much as you like from the prepared dishes within a certain time frame.
This novelty and freedom have made it a favorite among families and group customers, now it's one of the most popular restaurants in Asgardam.
What Leiva focused on was that customers serve themselves, which means Hiiro can escort Shura as a waiter.
By taking care of the food and showing such kindness, he can appeal to both Shura and the other customers.
It's a win-win situation, and Leiva confidently clenched her fist.
──By the way, Leiva has 0 experience with dating the opposite sex.
(The concern should be whether he can behave like a gentleman or not.)
It's quite rude to think this way, but since he can't even use honorific language with his superiors, it's inevitable that his credibility is low.
Just as the worry passed, Shura's back suddenly shook.
She had stumbled over the entrance step.
"Eek!"
'Whoa there!'
(!)
But Hiiro quickly caught her from behind.
So vividly.
So lightly.
'"Oi, you good? Didn't bust anything, did ya?'
"Huh? ...Ah, yeah, I'm fine."
"That was close. You need to watch your step."
Hiiro spoke gently to Shura, who looked shocked.
It was truly a gentlemanly move.
It was a great play that seemed to clear Leiva's worries from earlier.
(Hiiro Merifar! I believed you could do it!)
Leiva praised Hiiro, who turned the accident into a heart-fluttering moment.
That was good.
Even the Ash Valkyrie with silver hair couldn't stay calm about this.
Leiva smirked, thinking she was probably trying hard to calm her racing heart right now.
──By the way, Leiva has 0 experience in dating.
(Come on, feel the excitement! Not Sir Leonhardt, but Hiiro Merifar!)
Unfortunately, reality is always full of surprises.
Shura's reaction had none of the girlish charm Leiva imagined.
".........Sigh."
Though a bit flustered, Shura quickly cooled down at the sight of the purple Fluffy all around her.
No fluttering feelings here.
If she had to sum up her feelings, that would be it.
Sure, he was being a gentleman.
But her reason told her that if she felt "that" way, she would lose as a woman.
(Right?)
Even though she was the one who initiated, Shura's reaction was completely correct.
Leiva slumped down, feeling defeated.
──Also, this is really just a side note, but Leiva's recent way to relax is reading romance novels.
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