Ch 26. Floor 1 - One More Girl
"Sorry."
Hori-san was on her knees—not for the reason I would've preferred, but to apologize.
I stood there with my hand on my cheek, clearly agonizing over the pain of losing a tooth, courtesy of her punch.
Damn!
"Hori-san. Can you just stop hitting me with punches? I saved you, right? Or do you have some grudge against me?"
My tone, starting normal, became more desperate as I went on, clearly tugging at Hori-san's conscience.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have felt guilty enough to be on her knees.
"S-Sorry, I-It's my fault! But still, you should have told me clearly! I really thought you were stalking me!"
The misunderstanding was resolved. Hori-san finally understood that I had simply seen her in the streets, shopping for convenience items.
That housewife look… it really brings out her charm, doesn't it?
But still…
"Hori-san, don't accuse me with these statements! As lusty and perverted as I am, with clear desires for you, I am still a gentleman! I never do such things and always respect boundaries!"
That's right. I, the Lust King, Ren Kobayashi, never force myself on anyone or commit crimes. I may be a pervert and lustful, but I'm a gentleman.
Hmph! Even though I didn't give myself this title, I still take some pride in it.
My words embarrassed her again. It was inevitable. Her punch came out to protect her embarrassed side. But this time, I was ready. If, after so many punches, I still couldn't dodge one, then I'd be a failure as a reincarnator!
I didn't even need to use [Flow]. After all these fights, I no longer closed my eyes in fear of a punch landing on my face.
I stepped back, letting that heavy fist punch the air.
"Heh! I dodged it. Let me tell you, Hori—"
There was a small bottle of medicine that had fallen during the scuffle with the zombie, right under my foot. I hadn't noticed it when I stepped back to dodge her punch, and I slipped. Without a doubt—
Bam!
Before either of us could react, we were on top of each other. I was on top, with her beneath me.
"Argh… My hea—"
Hori-san groaned and rubbed her head from the fall but then realized the current situation.
As for me? I was too puzzled by it all. Once again? First Saeko, and now Hori-san.
Am I destined to take down girls like this?
Still…
"Hori-san."
My call made Hori-san gulp. She, too, understood the situation we were in. Moreover, that blush on her face… Does she…
Gulp!
Now I gulped in anticipation. Should I take this chance?
Damn! Why am I so worried about this? A man like me should just charge straight ahead.
"W-What is it?"
She was shaken. But this behavior wasn't born of fear—it was anticipation. Saeko… I could remember her looking like this throughout the night.
The slightly tilted face, not wanting to face me directly, but the occasional glances with a blush on her cheeks.
Even Hori-san, the tomboyish girl, found this situation overwhelming.
So…
"Hori-san. I am going to kiss you."
A question? No! I make statements! Why would I ask if I should kiss her? This is the time to be decisive.
"W-Wai—"
She protested a little, but as my face got closer, her complaints faded away. In the end, her eyes closed, and she lifted her head slightly, ensuring I could kiss her properly.
…
'Kobayashi-kun…'
If it were someone else, Kyouko Hori wouldn't have allowed him to kiss her. But it was him—Ren Kobayashi. She could recall all the moments, from the goblins to this very moment.
Ren had protected her countless times. So, does she like him because he protected her?
Yes.
Does it make her feelings seem a bit shallow?
Maybe. But still… you can't choose the one you fall in love with.
But…
'...with clear desires for you…'
Remembering those words made her heart race even more. If there was something she liked—no, loved—about the boy in front of her, it was his genuineness.
Even as monsters came and the world fell into chaos, this boy remained true to himself.
And he also knew her secret, right?
That was the final nail in her heart. Hori's hands stretched out to hug Ren's waist.
She, Kyouko Hori, was a decisive girl. Once she decided to love someone, she wouldn't shy away from it, even if everyone else judged her!
…
"!!!"
Feeling the hands on my waist, my eyes widened. But then a smile crept onto my face.
I followed Hori-san and grabbed her waist with my right hand and gently touched her cheek with my left.
Maybe it was my touch on her cheek, but those shy, closed eyes opened slightly.
Filled with lust and affection, she looked at me with a face full of craving.
Damn!
"Kobayashi-kun, kiss me."
My face moved even closer, to the point where our noses nearly touched. And then, with a smile…
"Of course. But…"
With a whisper near her ear, I said it.
"Be prepared to be mine, Hori-san—no, Kyouko."
And with that, inside the medicine store, with zombies hunting humans outside and hell descending upon the world, I kissed Kyouko Hori, adding one more girl to my harem.
But wait! Speaking of harem… Did I tell Kyouko about me having a harem?