[Oh, partner. Your manners have improved impressively! You’ve come a long way since the first time. I must praise you.]
I don’t want that kind of praise, you know?
After walking through the jungle with Rin for a while, I finally arrived at the mango grove she mentioned.
“Here we are. Kim Deok-Sung.”
In front of me, a grove of trees laden with mangoes unfolded.
The scenery I had seen in anime.
In the Japan subculture deserted island rescue episodes, they always pick and eat tropical fruits, and while it appeared in the original work, I never thought I would do it myself.
So, I just need to pick them, right?
“This is also the habitat of a plant-type otherworldly species called the Giant Tree. They disguise themselves as regular trees and when they spot a prey, they ensnare and consume it with their vines. But don’t worry, Kim Deok-Sung, your future wife, will protect you.”
Rin, with her backpack on, confidently led the way while giving me a detailed explanation she already knew.
B-rank plant-type otherworldly species, the Giant Tree.
It appeared in the original work’s mango gathering scene too.
Just as Rin described how they ensnare with vines, the lower bodies of Evangelin and Olivia, who were picking mangoes, were constrained by vines, showcasing a rather tentacly capture service.
This had been depicted in black and white illustrations in the original light novel and brilliantly animated.
“Yeah, sure. I’ll be careful.”
Nodding in agreement, I started picking mangoes and prepared to stash them in a bag I had packed in case of an emergency.
But is this actually going to be tasty?
I’ve heard that fruits growing wild aren’t usually that delicious.
But since it says it’s tasty in the original work, it must be good, right?
*
In the mango grove.
Under the blazing sun, Rin was sweating as she picked mangoes, a smile lingering on her lips.
“Hehe.”
She felt light, as if she could fly.
‘Just the two of us······!’
No Olivia, no Eri, no Makoto, no president, and no Hoshino Kasumi.
In this vast jungle, it was just the two of us.
Thump.
Thump thump.
Her heart raced as if it would burst.
Rin felt a tightening in her chest.
Her cheeks flushed.
‘Today was a fulfilling day. Since I scored with him as a guide, now I can lure him with the secret swimsuit I have in my bag······.’
Rin clenched her fist.
The swimsuit she had decided to only show him in a private setting, one she hadn’t revealed on the beach, was currently tucked away in her backpack.
The secret swimsuit that was supposed to be shown only in a private setting with him is now sitting in my backpack.
Rin knew her strengths and weaknesses well.
If her weakness was her lack of femininity, her strengths were her voluptuous chest and glamorous figure.
‘If I use this… Kim Deok-Sung will definitely fall for me.’
With no other rivals around, now was the perfect opportunity to score points with him.
Just as Rin was seriously preparing herself while thinking of her secret weapon swimsuit.
Swoosh.
A thick green vine resembling a tentacle began to move stealthily behind her.
“What the…?”
The moment Rin sensed something amiss and turned to look.
Tap.
A vine snatched the bag containing her secret swimsuit.
Revealing its true form, a plant-based otherworldly creature—Giant Tree—showed itself.
“W-wait, no!”
In a panic, Rin waved her hands and ran after the plant creature that had taken her backpack.
Tap.
Her foot got caught on a protruding rock on the ground.
“Ahhhhh…!”
Thud.
Rin fell forward, twisting her ankle painfully.
Her left ankle swelled up bright red.
Swoosh. The Giant Tree’s green vines, not missing the chance, quickly wrapped around Rin, who lay on the ground.
“Eek!”
Her face turned bright red.
It all happened so quickly, and with her twisted ankle, she couldn’t even draw her weapon.
In her panic, she shouted.
“Kim Deok-Sung! He-help me!”
*
Like a farmer picking ripe mangoes from an orchard, Deok-Sung picked one mango after another.
Hmm.
Now he understood why everyone takes breaks when farming persimmons.
While lost in such useless thoughts, he suddenly heard a desperate voice in the distance.
“Kim Deok-Sung! He-help me!”
It was Rin’s voice.
[Partner, it seems like Shinozaki is in danger. Shouldn’t we go? As a man.]
The Black Prince said.
Danger?
The only kind of danger here was from the service-type otherworldly creatures that had already appeared in the original story.
No way?
[Let’s hurry. Partner. This could be serious.]
Hearing the Black Prince’s voice, which always reacts instantly to matters involving women, he headed toward the direction of Rin’s voice.
There, he found…
“Ugh…”
With her lips bitten in a state resembling a seashell’s position, Rin was bound by the vines.
In a bikini that was already quite revealing, seeing her trapped in a way that reminded one of a seashell made her look even more embarrassed.
Rin’s voluptuous chest, wrapped in the bikini, jiggled as the vines constricted around her.
Exactly like a scene from an anime service shot.
This is ridiculous.
She seemed embarrassed by her current state, looking down.
With her earlobes flushed red, Rin looked at me and said,
“I-I’m sorry… but… c-can you help me…?”
Didn’t I promise to protect her?
Maybe I should keep my mouth shut.
Suddenly, a scene from the original story flashed through my mind.
Olivia and Evangelin getting entangled in the Giant Tree’s vine tentacles, blushing and moaning.
When he watched that scene in the anime, he thought it was a fantastic service shot, but now that it was real and involved Rin, he felt oddly upset.
He couldn’t just leave her like this.
“Sure, I’ll save you.”
“T-thank you…”
Rin says in a whispering voice.
With a sigh, I draw Durandal.
Just like at Imgan School, there’s no need to use combat mode against regular otherworlders, not high-level ones.
I place my hand on the hilt of Durandal.
[Partner, let’s go. Let’s save the lady! We’re using the Dark Draw, partner!]
I was planning on it anyway.
Infusing Durandal with magic.
Wrrrr.
Durandal vibrates as it absorbs the magic.
Quickly, I unsheathe Durandal from its scabbard.
[Black Radiance Sword Technique]
[Fourth Form]
[Dark Draw]
Flash.
The black magical light bursts open, creating a chaotic blade trajectory in the air.
[One more time, partner!]
Slip.
After sheathing the blade again, I quickly draw Durandal.
As I unleash the second Dark Draw, a howl comes from the green giant tree in front of me.
[Kiieeeeeeek…]
Swoosh.
With a scream, the vines unravel.
Along with that, Rin, who was bound in mid-air, falls to the ground.
“Uh, uhhhhh…”
Rin’s navy blue eyes tremble.
[Partner, you have to catch her.]
The Black Prince nags again.
I was going to catch her anyway.
Sighing internally, I brace myself to catch her with my arms.
Thud.
“Wha?!”
Rin suddenly finds herself in the Princess’s embrace.
Her face turns bright pink.
“Ugh… I vowed to protect you earlier… but I ended up being the one being protected… I’m so sorry… Kim Deok-Sung…”
She mutters softly, hiding her flushed face with both hands.
“No need to apologize for that.”
I never expected anything from the start.
That’s just how the light novel world works.
“Hmph… still… I’m sorry…”
“I told you, no need for that.”
“…Okay, I got it…”
Finally, Rin stops apologizing after I mention it once more.
Just as I was slowly lowering her to the ground.
“Wha?!”
As soon as Rin touches the ground, she stumbles and leans towards me.
What’s wrong with her?
My gaze shifts to Rin’s ankle.
Her left ankle is swollen and red.
When did she get hurt again?
[Partner, looks like you need to carry this lady.]
The Black Prince reaches a conclusion in my mind.
“Ugh… I’m sorry… Kim Deok-Sung… I’m really sorry…”
Rin, leaning against me, buries her face in my shoulder, shivering slightly.
Tears fall from her eyes.
Seeing that, I suddenly remember when Rin twisted her ankle at Kiyomizu Temple during the Kyoto Exchange Tournament.
Back then, I really didn’t want to carry her.
But now?
Not that I mind.
Maybe it’s because I’ve grown fond of her, just like Olivia?
A chuckle escapes me.
[Partner, the lady is crying. Are you going to leave her like this?]
‘Isn’t that enough?’
I respond to the Black Prince while wiping the tears rolling down Rin’s cheek with my hand.
“Don’t cry. Seriously. You’re not a kid, are you?”
“Hey, are you an idiot?”
Rin’s cheeks turn bright red.
She bows her head and replies with a trembling voice.
“Y-yeah, but…”
“Enough, you can’t walk like that, just get on my back.”
I cut her off.
Rin’s eyes widen in surprise.
She asks me in a shocked voice.
“Is, is that really true?!”
“Of course it is, so hurry up and get on before I change my mind.”
“Ah, got it!”
She hurriedly picks up her bag from the ground and climbs onto my back.
Alright.
Now we just need to head back.
After adjusting my center of gravity, I take my first step toward the base camp.
Thud, plop.
Raindrops hit my cheeks.
‘Raindrops, huh?’
That doesn’t sound good.
Just as my spine chills and I look up at the sky,
whoosh!
The rain starts smacking my face.
A torrential downpour begins.
“Damn it…”
Swearing slips out of my mouth.
What luck.
Wrapping kimchi in spicy chicken,
whoosh!
The heavy rain pours down.
I know it’s common for tropical climates to have sudden showers, but why does it have to happen now?
I had no idea.
Sure, there have been rainy scenes, but this downpour was never in the original.
I’m feeling a bit flustered.
The rain is pouring down.
“I’m sorry…”
Rin, on my back, whispers weakly.
This is a world with no coherence or plausibility, a light novel world.
Even a superhuman like Rin can catch a cold if she gets wet in this crazy place.
Besides, Rin’s character has already caught a cold in the original story.
During this practice, there’s a 99.9% chance—no, 100% chance—that an unexpected situation will arise, and I can’t let her off the hook just because of a cold.
After all, Rin is a capable talent who rivals Olivia in abilities and skills.
That picky old Association President wouldn’t have taken her in as a foster daughter for nothing.
“Sorry? What sorry? Just wait a moment.”
I carefully lower Rin to the ground and take off my beach hoodie, wrapping it around her.
It’s a thin summer jacket, but it’s better than nothing.
“Ki, Kim Deok-Sung… what is this…?”
Rin’s face turns red as she fidgets with her lips.
Thud, plop.
The torrential rain taps on her shoulders.
Rin bows her head and shivers slightly.
“Th-thank you…”
“If you’re thankful, then try not to catch a cold.”
If you get sick, I’m the one who ends up in trouble.
“…Ah, I understand… I-I’ll make an effort! I promise!”
Rin clenches her fist as she vows.
But it’s not necessary to go that far.
Her face turns visibly redder.
[Oh, partner. Nice line there! Totally a pro, a total pro. At this point, even you’re guilty, partner.]
The Black Prince is babbling nonsense in my head again.
What? Guilty?
That’s absurd.
Who said I’m guilty?
Normally, I would throw a retort, but this is an emergency.
There’s no time for a verbal spar with the Black Prince.
“Get on my back again.”
“Y-yeah…”
I lift her back up again.
