Chapter 154 – Night in Rivira.


    After eating, we walked around the city. Tiona showed me every corner of the town, but I wasn''t paying attention.


    I could only think about going somewhere with Tione without Ais and Tiona suspecting anything. ''I can''t tell them we''re going somewhere without giving a reason.''


    That would only work if I had a perfect reason. And I don''t.


    ''If I say I just want to talk to her, it''ll be likest time: Ais and Tiona will follow us. Sure, we now have plenty of space to hide, but even so, it''s not a good n…''


    Because even if they don''t catch us and see us having sex, they''ll still be very suspicious.


    ''Maybe if I tell them I''m tired and want to stay here for the rest of the day, they might decide to stay with me. Then I can sneak out with Tione at night.''


    "Luan? Are you listening?" Tiona asked. We were already at the exit of the city before I realized it.


    "What?"


    "Were you listening to what I was saying? You''re really distracted. Is everything okay?"


    "I''m just a little tired."


    "Tired? We should rest a bit more," Ais suggested.


    "That''s a good idea. You didn''t seem tired, so I thought walking around before we leave the dungeon was fine."


    "About that, I think I''ll stay here tonight. I have money with me, so it''s fine." I had saved all the leftover money from buying the sword in my inventory. I had plenty to spend.


    "You want to stay here? Are you sure? We can still leave today."


    "Yes, I want to experience staying here overnight. Why don''t you three stay here with me? We can have dinner together and enjoy ourselves." I said. Ais looked at me.


    She''s sad.


    That''s when I remembered that our dinner was supposed to be tonight… Damn it.


    "If you want, I don''t mind," Ais said. "We can have dinner at the restaurants around here. There are also inns with rooms avable."


    I looked at her and smiled. "I''m sorry," I said.


    "Hm? What''s wrong?" Tiona was confused about why I said that, but I didn''t exin it to her or Tione.


    She also asked Ais about it, but Ais refused to talk.


    "Well, since we''re here, let''s take a stroll around," I said. "We''ll head back to the city when it starts getting dark."


    As we walked, I approached Ais and whispered in her ear.


    "I''m sorry, I forgot about our dinner. Can we have it tomorrow instead? What do you think?"


    "It''s fine, I don''t mind. As long as we do it, it''s okay," Ais replied with a smile.


    Her sadness disappeared. That''s great.


    ####


    The surroundings began to grow darker as the light from the crystals dimmed. The night was approaching.


    We were in a bar and restaurant inside the city, preparing to start a "party." I ordered many drinks and food, and of course, I paid for everything.


    We ate and talked for almost two whole hours before we were full.


    None of the three drank; only I did. But even after drinking arge amount, I didn''t get drunk.


    "I''m starting to feel sleepy. We still haven''t gotten a room, right? We need to get one," Tiona said as she stood up. "Are you twoing with me?"


    "I''ll go with you," Tione said, standing up.


    "I…" Ais was about to get up but stopped. "I''ll stay here with Luan a bit longer. You two can go ahead. Don''t forget to get a room for me."


    "Alright~~ Have fun~~," Tiona said, smiling at us.


    I know what she''s doing. Ais understood it, so she didn''t want to go with them.


    "This doesn''t count as a dinner, does it?" I asked once the two of us were alone.


    "No! They were here until just now. We will have dinner tomorrow as nned."


    "I''m just joking. We''ll have dinner tomorrow. But where should we go? Do you have a ce in mind?"


    "I''m still thinking about it. Don''t worry, I''ll give you the restaurant''s address tomorrow."


    "I''m looking forward to it."


    "..."


    Ais was momentarily lost in thought before saying something that shocked me. "Luan, what do you think of me?"


    It was the first time she had asked me that directly. It might be the first time she''s ever asked anyone that.


    Ais'' face was slightly flushed. She looked at me with anticipation.


    "Pfft…"


    "What? Why are youughing?"


    "It''s nothing. I just didn''t expect you to ask something like that."


    "So? What do you think of me? Don''t you want to answer?"


    "Hmmm…" I stared at Ais for a few seconds. She was nervous, waiting for my response. What can I say to her? Should I tell her she''s beautiful? I feel like that''s not enough.


    She''s beautiful, strong, charming, and has a lovely voice.


    And that''s what I told her.


    I spent almost a whole minute showering her withpliments.


    "You''re beautiful, you have a lovely voice, you''re cute, you''re strong, you''re charming, you''re brave…"


    With eachpliment, Ais grew more and more embarrassed. She almost hid her head under the table.


    Seeing that, I could barely hold back myughter.


    "Please… Stop… I get it already!" Ais said, mming her hands on the table.


    <strong>[Ais is flustered. Her heart is racing. You''ve stirred her emotions, causing a sudden change in her behavior.]</strong>


    <strong>[You''ve earned a bonus: +10 points.]</strong>


    <strong>[Ais ispletely in love with you.]</strong>


    <strong>[Mission updated!]</strong>


    <strong>[Ais must confess her feelings and take the first step toward losing her virginity.]</strong>


    <strong>[Example: Ais must kiss you or give a clear sign that she wants to have sex with you.]</strong>


    <strong>[Warning! If you kiss her first or initiate the process of taking her virginity yourself, the mission will fail.]</strong>


    <strong>[Reward: 500 points.]</strong>


    ''Wow.''