Chapter 16: Ayame Yomogawa Trade Request

After buying all the necessary items for Sakurajima Mai:

"Rei Ao, do you want to invite Kato Megumi to visit your new home?" Mai asked.

Rei Ao smiled. "Kato, since my new place is close to yours, would you like to come by and take a look?"

"Sure, I've noticed that your new house is quite close to mine, so I'd love to see it," Kato responded.

"Alright, let's go."

Upon entering Rei Ao's new home, Kato Megumi was surprised by its spaciousness.

"Rei Ao-kun, this place must have been expensive."

Rei Ao chuckled and waved his hand. Suddenly, the table was filled with gold and jewels.

"This!!!"

Even Sakurajima Mai, who had seen her share of wealth, was shocked.

Kato Megumi's eyes were also dazzled by the piles of gold and jewels.

Rei Ao explained, "These are from Saeko Busujima's world. You know, that world is in a state close to the apocalypse."

"..."

Both of them immediately thought of zombies, much like scenes from disaster movies.

"Rei Ao-kun, were you in danger there?" Kato Megumi asked, her eyes filled with concern.

Sakurajima Mai, feeling a little envious, pouted and said, "Danger? He was a hero over there, saving people left and right, especially Saeko Busujima. They were practically inseparable."

Rei Ao shot her a glance. "That was a trade, okay? You don't understand."

"Anyway, feel free to take anything you like. There's plenty here."

"Really?" Mai's eyes sparkled as she spotted some beautiful jewelry.

"I'll pass," Kato Megumi said, declining.

She didn't even glance at the jewels, instead looking directly at Rei Ao with a serious expression. "I don't want any of these. What I want is a ring. There's nothing here that I like."

"If possible… I hope one day you can give me one, Rei Ao-kun."

"..."

Rei Ao instinctively glanced at Kato's ring finger.

After a few seconds of silence, he made a solemn promise. "Kato, I will definitely give you a ring you like one day."

"Mm."

Kato Megumi smiled for the first time, and Rei Ao was stunned by her beauty.

"..."

Sakurajima Mai suddenly felt that the atmosphere between them had become quite intimate. Compared to Kato, she couldn't help but feel like she was losing.

So, she also said, "I don't see anything I like either."

"Haha, okay, I'll find something you like one day as well," Rei Ao laughed.

They hadn't even formalized any relationship, yet she was already feeling jealous. It seemed his strategy of staying close and taking advantage of opportunities was working perfectly.

At that moment, a notification from the chat group appeared.

[Ding! Ayame Yomogawa has sent a trade request!]

[Trade details]: Protect the people of Iwato Station and ensure their safe escape aboard the Kotetsujyo.

[Ding! Please choose the trade terms!]

Both Kato Megumi and Sakurajima Mai noticed Rei Ao's sudden change in expression and asked simultaneously, "What's wrong, Rei Ao-kun?"

Rei Ao smiled and replied, "It's nothing, just a trade request."

Ayame Yomogawa's request had come unexpectedly, especially since she hadn't spoken in the group until now.

He checked her personal information.

[Name]: Ayame Yomogawa

[Level]: 0

[Ability]: "Basic Archery"

"As expected, it's very simple."

Based on her trade request, it seemed that Iwato Station had been overrun by the Kabane.

"I guess I'll have to be a bit demanding in this trade."

With nothing else of value to offer, her only option would be to trade her body usage rights.

[Ding! Your trade request has been accepted!]

[Trade terms]: "Basic Archery," "Body Usage Rights Once."

[Ding! Do you wish to confirm the trade?]

"..."

Ayame Yomogawa stared at the trade notification, feeling conflicted.

Not long ago, a Kabane-infested Hayajiro had crashed into the western gate of Iwato Station.

That night, Iwato Station was breached.

Screams and explosions filled the air.

Her father had led some men to inspect the Kotetsujyo, planning to abandon Iwato Station. However, she had not yet received any signal from him.

Meanwhile, the people she was leading were growing increasingly restless.

Only by reaching the Kotetsujyo could they escape, but the Kabane were too numerous.

Those who were bitten and killed would turn into enemies. Even with the protection of samurai, it was becoming nearly impossible to break through.

In desperation, Ayame had reached out to Rei Ao for a trade.

And she had received a response.

But the trade wasn't for wealth or resources; it was for… body usage rights.

She had a vague idea of what that meant.

Thus, she hesitated.

As a noblewoman, she had studied matters of physical intimacy from books.

But that didn't mean she had experienced it herself.

"Let's go! If we don't make it to the Kotetsujyo, we're all going to die!"

"I don't want to die!"

The shouts of the people behind her strengthened Ayame's resolve.

"I am a member of the Yomogawa family. It is my duty to protect the people!"

Without further hesitation, she confirmed the trade.

[Ding! Trade initiated!]

[Trade with]: Ayame Yomogawa

[Trade details]: Protect the people of Iwato Station and ensure their safe escape aboard the Kotetsujyo.

[Trade terms]: "Basic Archery," "Body Usage Rights Once."

[Time limit]: 3 hours.