"By the way, this is a bit of a late topic to bring up, but..."
It was the same lobby as before, but after everyone had dispersed and the atmosphere had calmed down, I decided to ask properly.
"Yes?"
Misago responded with a serious expression.
"Yata-chan said it was fine for me to stay, but... would it be okay if I impose on you for a while?"
A pretty fundamental confirmation.
"Of course! Not just for a while—forever, if you'd like!"
Her face shifted from looking like the world was ending to blooming into a bright smile. Was she really that happy about it?
"Well, there's one small problem with that."
"Yes?"
She tilted her head in confusion, as if wondering what could possibly be an issue.
"As it stands, I have no money, nor any way to earn it. I'm completely broke."
I was pretty sure I had mentioned this before.
"Is that so?"
Despite my repeated statements, Misago only seemed to have question marks floating above her head. She truly didn't see the issue.
"I'd like to offer some kind of compensation for staying here. Is there any work I could do?"
"Um... hmm...?"
She froze, looking as if she'd been caught off guard.
"Generally speaking, isn't it a man's job to be taken care of?"
Her answer was given in a way that suggested there was no other possible alternative.
"Is that really how it works?"
Was being a kept man the default here?
"I'm willing to do anything."
I wanted some kind of role, some form of work. Being entirely dependent on someone else just didn't sit right with me.
"Huh? Did you just say you'd do anything?"
Suddenly, Misago's previously dazed expression changed—her eyes gleamed sharply. She muttered something under her breath, as if she had just thought of something she wanted me to do.
"Umm... well... I mean..."
Her response was hesitant.
She clearly had something on her mind, but the words wouldn't come out.
"Aww, stop acting so innocent."
Yata-chan cut in, sounding exasperated.
By the way, "innocent" in this case was the equivalent of an old-fashioned word for an untouched woman—basically, a virgin.
In modern terms, it was like saying someone was acting overly pure or naive. In a world where women were the majority, this might be the equivalent of teasing someone for being inexperienced.
So, was she a virgin? Probably. In fact, it made me happy to know she was in the same boat as me. I couldn't help but look at Misago with warm eyes.
After all, I was a virgin too, and there was a certain sense of camaraderie in that.
For what it's worth, virgins tend to be the kind of creatures who, upon hearing "I'm not a virgin," immediately feel like they've been cheated on—even if they weren't in a relationship to begin with. It's a ridiculous mindset, but it happens.
Just knowing that I didn't have to deal with that kind of emotional turmoil was oddly reassuring.
Misago, meanwhile, was waving her hands around in the air, her face turning bright red, before she fell into a silent, downward gaze.
"...Is that... bad?"
I was tempted to play dumb and ask why she was directing that question at me, but her expression looked like she was experiencing the end of the world.
"I think it's actually a good thing."
I answered honestly. I barely stopped myself from adding, "I'd gladly take you for myself." That would have been way too creepy.
Yata-chan, meanwhile, reacted in a way that didn't require words or sound effects—her exaggerated movements were already loud enough.
"Would you... accept me?"
Misago asked, her gaze sharp with newfound determination.
"If you're offering, then I'd be happy to."
It was an invitation too good to refuse, so I accepted it straight away.
The idea that a man should be the one to take the lead and make the move was probably just a relic from my old world.
Here, hesitating would likely be considered rude.
Even so, having responded, we were now both frozen in place. Since I had accepted her offer, I figured I should be the one to take the next step.
Looking around, I searched for something I could do.
I glanced beside me, where Misago was sitting, and placed my hand over hers on the sofa.
"Ah..."
She reacted immediately, her face turning even redder.
Would this work from this distance?
I leaned in and gave her a light kiss.
"Consider this a sign of commitment."
Misago's face was burning red as she nodded, and the surrounding crowd erupted in cheers.
Needless to say, we both turned scarlet.
This novel has been lovingly translated by https://www.patreon.com/Jenuinez_translation