"Haa~... That was seriously close to dying."
The next day, I headed out to the city for shopping. Just thinking back on yesterday makes my spine chill. I've dived into all sorts of dungeons so far, but none of them made me feel the threat of death like that one.
That aside――. (I ended up seeing a girl doing that for the first time...)
The sight of Eclair-san pleasuring herself is burned into my mind and won't leave. Legs spread boldly wide, twisting her body while groping her sensitive spots with her fingers.
She couldn't fully suppress her sweet moans as they leaked out, making her unbelievably lewd. Above all, the forbidden thrill of seeing a sight she absolutely wouldn't want anyone to witness――
(Ahh, no, no! I can't keep fantasizing like this! I gotta stop!)
I shake my head vigorously and refocus on shopping. Walking through the market with a bag in hand. The bustling street is overflowing with people.
By the way, I'm no longer living with Milfi-san. She invited me with, "Won't you stay and live together a bit longer?" but that would be bad for appearances, right?
Besides, I kinda feel like she just wants me to handle her meals. She's pretty scatterbrained when it comes to daily life.
(Hm?)
At the edge of the market, there's a single tree. Sticking out from behind it is a familiar tail poking up. (Wait... could that be?)
Sure enough, as I approach, it's the girl with lilac hair and cat ears――Eclair-san.
She hasn't noticed me yet, and with a serious face, she's peeking out from the shade of the tree at the market, stepping out only to pull back repeatedly.
(Is she... trying to kill someone? Nah, no way.)
"U, uu~..."
Her furrowed brows and groaning look like she's in real trouble no matter how you slice it. I thought about just walking past, but for some reason, I couldn't leave her alone.
"Um, Eclair-san."
"Fukya!?"
The moment I call out, she bristles her tail and jumps up. You don't have to be that startled...
"E-Ero Monkey!"
"Please stop calling me that... What are you doing in a place like this?"
"N-Nothing at all! Leave me alone!"
"But you've been trying to go into the market and then stopping, right?"
"You've been watching me the whole time!? You really are a pervert!"
"You don't have to say it like that..."
I started regretting calling out to her――when I noticed. She was holding a shopping bag.
Plus, her breathing was ragged, and her cheeks were flushed. ――I get it. She came to shop, but she's scared of going into heat and can't bring herself to go.
Yesterday, just smelling my scent made her like that. If she goes into a crowded market, who knows what'll happen.
That's why she can't make up her mind―― "W-What?"
Faced with her wary expression, I think for a moment, then say, "...What do you want to buy?"
"Huh?"
"You came shopping, right? Tell me what you want to get."
"W-Why do I have to tell you?"
"Come on, please."
When I press her like that, Eclair-san hesitantly answers. "Um... bread and potatoes, cabbage and... dried fish."
"Anything else?"
"S-Strawberries."
"Got it. Then, can I borrow that?"
I snatch Eclair-san's shopping bag with a quick grab. "Eh, ah, wait a sec!"
"Wait right there for me."
Leaving the stunned Eclair-san behind, I head into the market. ※※※ "Here you go."
I hand over the now-full shopping bag, and Eclair-san looks totally bewildered. "Why...?"
"You looked unwell. I was out shopping anyway, so it was no big deal."
She almost killed me and all, but she's still Milfi-san's friend. I couldn't just ignore her.
Eclair-san gauges the distance between us like a wary cat, then hesitantly opens her mouth,
"Ah... thanks."
Along with her thanks, she hands over the payment. Good. It didn't end up being unwanted meddling. "Ah. If you'd like, want me to carry that home for you? It's pretty heavy."
"...No. I don't need it."
Looks like that was overstepping. Well, yeah, makes sense. If men's scents are so bad she can't even shop, having me go all the way home would defeat the purpose.
"Well, see you around then."
As I'm about to leave, she calls out to my back. "...Wait."
"Yes?"
"Um... on second thought, please take it home."
"Eh, it's okay?"
I can't help but ask again. Eclair-san nods curtly――and then says something totally unexpected.
"And after that, um... th-there's something I want to ask you."