Volume 5 Chapter 2 A Date for Two
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
As evening approached, I headed toward the usual fountain square to meet Ines. Today felt different. It was our first real date-just the two of us as a couple-and I was genuinely looking forward to finally being alone with her.
”S-sorry to keep you waiting, Daisuke,” she said.
”Not at all, Ines,” I replied.
I turned around to find a nervous-looking Ines standing there. Her outfit was similar to what she wore on our first date: a simple, white short-sleeved blouse and a long black skirt. It was a fresh, clean look that really suited her.
”You look great today, too,” I said. “You really are beautiful, Ines.”
”Th-that’s not… no, thank you,” she stammered. “I shouldn’t put myself down; it would be rude to you, wouldn’t it?”
”Exactly. I consider you my beautiful, cute, prize-worthy girlfriend, after all.”
(Eep…!)
As usual, Ines had zero resistance to compliments. She turned bright red and looked down. She was so adorable I decided to just bask in the sight of her for a while.
* * *
Once Ines recovered, she scolded me, telling me not to tease her so much. I wasn’t teasing her, and even her pouting face was cute, but I held my tongue since I didn’t want her to overheat again.
Our date today was a stroll through a large garden. A walking path circled a pond, and with plenty of shade from the trees, it was a pleasant place to spend a summer evening. This area doesn’t get too hot anyway, making the garden a staple date spot-though I’d never actually been here on a date before. I figured it would be way too boring for someone as active as Juliet. Sylvie would probably like it, though.
On the way from the square to the garden, Ines linked her arm with mine, just like she had before. Being able to feel the pressure of her ample breasts was incredible. (I can’t say that out loud, of course; she’d get embarrassed and stop. Her face is already a bit flushed, probably because she still isn’t used to this.) We chatted as we walked through the cooling summer garden.
”Ines, you’re from the Dukedom¹, right? What’s it like there?” I asked.
”Let’s see… the land is fertile, but it’s a country where the forests and mountains are crawling with monsters,” she explained.
She’d told me a bit on previous dates, but apparently, all three members of the Gale Party are from the Dukedom. They just happened to meet after coming to Maultasche. That means the Elven village must be in the Dukedom, too. I’d love to go see it sometime. I wonder if they have a World Tree?
Ines’s description matched what I’d read in the library. To the east lies a mountain range inhabited by a massive number of dragons, making development impossible. Those mountains are so dangerous that even basic monster culling is difficult, so the overflow occasionally spills into the towns and villages.
”Because of that, unlike the Empire, there’s a strong culture of prioritizing martial prowess,” Ines said. “It didn’t suit me, since I only had ‘ordinary’ talent.”
”Really? I would think a Magic Swordsman² if it’s somewhat rare.”
”I can use both a blade and magic, certainly, but in the Dukedom, that’s just seen as being ‘half-baked.’”
”I was blown away the first time I saw your swordsmanship combined with Wind Magic. Even that is considered half-baked?” I asked.
”D-don’t tease me! That’s perfectly normal!” Ines cried.
”I’m not teasing. I was genuinely impressed. I really looked up to you.”
”…Geez! No more sneak attacks!” she replied.
Unused to being praised, Ines snapped at me in embarrassment. Her angry face was just as cute as the rest.
”Sorry, Ines,” I said.
”…I’m not actually mad,” Ines admitted. “Sorry for snapping.”
”But, if we’re talking growth rates, my ‘Onanist’³ class has straight Cs across the board,” I noted. “I’d probably be judged the same way.”
”True. Though I think their evaluation would flip the moment they saw you get ‘serious,’ Daisuke.”
”Eh, I don’t see much benefit in that, so I don’t plan on it.”
”I see. Knowing your true strength, I think it’s a waste, but if that’s what you want, I won’t push it,” she said.
Ines looked a bit disappointed, but since she knew I didn’t want to stand out, she dropped it. (Standing out usually just means weirdos try to cozy up to you or you get targeted by the powerful. I definitely messed up with that duel yesterday.)
”Well, I’ll get serious if I have to,” I said. “For example… if your parents ever said something like, ‘I’m not giving my daughter to a weakling like you!’”
”Th-that…!”
”We’ve only just started dating, but I mean that I want to marry you eventually, Ines. How about you?”
”I… I would be happy if that happened, too…” she whispered.
She turned beet-red again, but this time she leaned into me happily. When I turned to hug her, she hugged me back. I won’t specify where, but the physical sensation was absolutely magnificent.
”I’m glad we feel the same way,” I said.
”Me too…” replied Ines.
We stared into each other’s eyes for a moment, but Ines pulled away when other strollers approached. (Dammit.)
”You’re so shy, Ines.”
”Of course I am! Doing that… in front of people…”
”But you’re fine with it in front of Juliet or Sylvie?”
”They’re my precious comrades,” she said. “I told you, didn’t I? I’d welcome it if you started dating them, too.”
I didn’t quite get the logic, but Ines clearly had her own set of standards.
”Even if you’re okay with me dating Juliet and Sylvie, what about other people?” I asked.
”If it’s someone you’ve chosen, it’s not my place to complain, but I might not be able to get along with them if they’re too strange,” Ines said. “Sylvie and I don’t really have anyone we hate, but Juliet is very picky about who she likes, so you should probably talk to her first.”
”Fair point. Thanks for the advice.”
Ines didn’t seem to mind much. I guess Sylvie’s the same? Juliet definitely has her preferences, so I’ll find a time to talk to her.
* * *
For dinner, I’d reserved a table at a place that specialized in Minotaur meat. While she wasn’t quite at Liese’s level, Ines had a hearty appetite. She loved meat, obviously. Since their party couldn’t hunt Minotaurs themselves yet, this was a bit of a luxury.
”A toast to our first date,” I said.
”Cheers,” said Ines.
Ines was sticking to non-alcoholic drinks tonight. Her tolerance isn’t great, so I think she was worried about getting trashed. (What would I do if she did? Take her to an inn, obviously. Cue my best devious grin.)
I’m joking, of course. I made a promise to Ines, so I’m going to wait until she’s ready to bring it up herself. Even if she passed out drunk, I wouldn’t lay a hand on her. It might take some time, but I know she’ll accept me eventually. That’s just who she is.
”What about tomorrow? Do you want to come along?” I asked.
”Yes. Even if it’s not just the two of us, I’d be happy just to be near you,” she said.
She said it clearly, despite the blush. Man, she’s cute.
”I’m glad. I love being with you, too. I’ll see you tomorrow,” I replied.
(Eep…!)
I guess my “attack” was a bit too much for her, because she overheated again. Good thing she wasn’t drinking. I watched her fidget and turn red for a few minutes until she recovered and snapped, “I told you, no sneak attacks!” She was the one who started it, though. Totally unfair.
”I don’t have any family in this world, but are yours still in the Dukedom?” I asked.
”Yes. My parents, two older sisters, and a younger brother,” Ines said.
So her family is back in the Dukedom. (Based on what she said earlier, I wonder if the ones who stayed behind are all meatheads?)
”Our home isn’t in the capital, but we run a shop in a fairly large town,” Ines continued. “That’s where their livelihood is. My older sisters are already married; the eldest is taking over our shop, and the second one will take over her husband’s family business eventually. My brother isn’t an adult yet. And no, it’s not ‘because they’re meatheads.’”
My face must have given me away, because her eyes started darting around.
”I-I wasn’t thinking that at all,” I said.
”Are you sure?”
”I’m sorry.”
Dammit, I couldn’t handle her judgmental stare! It’s a rare look for Ines, but it’s still cute. (If I said that, she’d just get madder.)
”Heh, I’m not actually angry,” Ines said.
”No, I was definitely thinking something rude. My bad.”
”Don’t worry about it. It’s a fact that there are a lot of meatheads back home,” she admitted.
”I knew it.”
The Dukedom is full of jock culture, but obviously, you can’t run a country on brawn alone. The rulers must have the right skills for it. On the flip side, the military and the adventurers are probably just a bunch of muscle-brains. I really don’t want to deal with that. But eventually, I’ll have to go to the Dukedom to introduce myself to Ines’s family.
* * *
Dinner ended, and I walked Ines back, arms still linked. Seeing the innocent Ines brave her embarrassment and muster her courage like this was incredibly sweet.
”You seem totally unfazed by us linking arms, Daisuke,” she said.
”That’s not true. I’m incredibly happy to be walking with my beautiful, cute, prize-worthy girlfriend.”
”(Eep…!) No more sneak attacks, I said!”
”Haha, sorry, sorry.”
We walked along happily like that, but it couldn’t last forever. We were already nearing her inn.
”Oh! I forgot to give you this!” I said.
”What is it?”
Between the Dungeon Upheaval and the duel, it had slipped my mind, but I wanted to give Ines and her party some cosmetics.
”It’s a cosmetic set I got from a treasure chest. You liked floral scents, right?”
”Cosmetics? Something this high-end… wait, I already accepted this pendant, so I suppose it’s a bit late to be modest. But I’ve never heard of cosmetics coming out of a treasure chest…”
”The dungeon is full of mysteries,” I said.
”…I see. Fair enough. If it came from a chest, I suppose it can’t be helped.”
Ines seemed to realize something was off, but she chose not to pry. She really is a great woman.
”But even if I have these… I don’t really know how to use them,” she said.
”You’re already beautiful, so I think even a little bit will look amazing on you.”
”Already… th-thank you. I love hearing it from you, but I’m still not used to it.”
She managed not to overheat this time, but she was still beet-red. So cute.
”I think Rei-san, Misaki-san, or Manami-san would know the most about it,” I suggested.
”Rei-san was your fellow countrywoman who’s opening the ‘Maid Cafe,’ right?” she asked. “And Manami-san had the ‘Cat Cafe.’ Misaki-san… sorry, I don’t recall her.”
”Rei-san and Manami-san, yeah. Misaki-san is the soft-spoken Priest.”
”Ah, her. But I don’t really know any of them well.”
”Well, I don’t see them that often either, but I’ll talk to someone. Rei-san would probably love to teach you. For now, just try the toner and lotion before bed.”
”Understood. I’ll leave the networking to you, then.”
We reached the inn and the conversation trailed off. We both fell silent, feeling our time together coming to an end. Ines’s grip on my arm tightened.
”I’ll see you tomorrow, but I’m still lonely….” she whispered.
”I’m just happy you feel that way, Ines.”
We turned to face each other for a final goodbye. The sadness in her eyes was palpable. The knockout power of a beautiful woman’s pensive gaze is truly something else.
”It’s hard to leave, but we should call it a night. If we stay out too late, it’ll ruin tomorrow, so get some sleep, okay?”
”I know. But that doesn’t make it any easier to leave, does it?” she asked.
”I guess not….”
As we gazed at each other, we both naturally leaned in, embracing and sharing a kiss. It was just a light touch of the lips, but it was a deep, searing kiss filled with Ines’s feelings. We lingered there for a while before pulling our faces apart, though we kept our arms around each other, unwilling to let go. I didn’t want to stop feeling her warmth. I’m sure she felt the same.
”I love you, Daisuke. Even more than I did yesterday,” she said.
”I love you too, Ines. Thanks for being here with me.”
We shared one last light kiss before finally letting go. It was hard for me, too, but I forced myself to walk away.
”See you tomorrow, Daisuke,” she said.
”See you tomorrow, Ines.”
She turned back to wave with a red face several times before finally heading inside. I watched her go, pushing down my own reluctance until she was safely out of sight.
—
Summary:
Daisuke and Ines go on their first official date through a scenic garden in Maultasche. The chapter focuses on their romantic progression, ending with a mutual affirmation of love and a shared kiss. Daisuke also learns about Ines’s family background in the monster-infested Dukedom.
—
Trivia:
- The mention of dragons in the east of the Dukedom suggests a future high-level adventure zone.
- Ines’s openness to a harem arrangement (Juliet and Sylvie) hints at the long-term relationship structure.
- Daisuke’s concern about being ‘targeted by the powerful’ foreshadows political complications arising from his ‘Onanist’ abilities
—
Character Insight:
The relationship moves from ‘newly dating’ to ‘considering marriage.’ Ines shifts from being flustered to actively leaning into the relationship, while Daisuke displays a protective but respectful side by refusing to take advantage of her potential intoxication.
—
Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The ‘Dukedom’ is established as a martial-focused nation where ‘Magic Swordsmen’ are ironically considered average. The ‘Onanist’ class is revealed to have ‘C’ rank growth across the board, making it appear mediocre to the status-obsessed societies of this world.
—
TL Notes:
The author explicitly warns of ‘high sugar content,’ a Japanese slang term for extreme romantic sweetness. The term ‘meathead’ was chosen to localize ‘Nounai-kin’ to maintain the colloquial tone of Daisuke’s internal monologue.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Ines – 170 cm tall with long green hair, a voluptuous build featuring a large bust, and blue eyes, she exudes a goddess-like smile that masks deep shyness and low self-esteem. As the middle child of five and leader of the Gale Party, she wears a feminine blend of heavy armor and a college-girl aesthetic—often a white short-sleeved blouse with a black long skirt on dates with Daisuke, her first girlfriend and fellow member, to whom she’s deeply affectionate and owes a professional debt. A D-Rank Level 21+ wind-enhanced swordsman, she speaks formally with “sumanai,” drinks lightly for safety, and overheats at praise, blushing and pouting easily. Innocent, naive, fiercely loyal, her tender vulnerability contrasts her warrior gravitas, and her figure carries notable “destructive power”—both in combat and in affection.
• Daisuke – Mid‑40s Japanese adventurer, reincarnated from another world, wears a ten‑year‑old watch and Radiant Iron gear. B‑Rank with high AGI/DEX, he wields Healing, Fire magic, Ground Shrink and Flash Move. Mentor to Liese, Camilla and Rin, he leads a growing household, cares for slaves, and gained fame after beating Gerta. He avoids the spotlight, dates Ines, knows modern cosmetics, and juggles multiple relationships while exploring the continent.
• Juliet – 150 cm cat‑kin beastman with blue bob hair, cat ears and tail, large chest, light armor, dual‑wielder Idaten skill, wielding a two‑handed sword. Gale Party scout in hot pants, gear shatters after Orc fights. Prickly tsundere, avoids lewd talk, nekojita palate; short‑tempered Twin Winds instructor who insults the protagonist, snaps at Daisuke’s teasing about age/rank, yet begins to smile at him. Companion of Daisuke, shows affection, wears a fluttery shirt and short miniskirt, from the Ducal Capital.
• Sylvie – Elf, 140 cm tall, petite loli‑like with pointed ears, long wavy blonde hair and a fairy‑like smile. Top‑ranked Gale Party adventurer and Daisuke’s spirit‑magic teacher; excels in scouting and trap detection, drinks MP potions, handles adult topics better. Wears a white blouse and embroidered yellow skirt, smells of forest, and for dates dons a Gothic Lolita dress with frilly layers and lace‑up boots, always smiling and supportive.
• Liese – Dragonewt girl, 16, grey‑blue hair, thick horns, grey scales on neck and limbs, 170 cm tall, thin chest, tail that thumps when excited. Lancer‑class spear user, Daisuke’s first slave and loyal vanguard at the inn; greets him formally on return. Trained at Grünewald guild, Level 14 Two Conflicting Dragons sealing fire/water, loves meat and reading, assists Camilla (especially bathing).
• Manami – Leemans, sharp‑eyed former office worker and Working Women Party member, now a dedicated Tamer retiring to open a cat café. She’s a cosmetics recipient with unknown preferences, caring for cats with elegant poise, and building close bonds with party allies and future patrons.
• Misaki – 165 cm tall, standard build, semi-long hair, thick chest armor; calm, kind older-sister aura. Priest of the Working Women Party and former nurse, also Leemans member who cared for elders and does physical labor. In combat she surprises with fierce mace strikes. Laid-back transferee noted for a large chest and relaxed demeanor.
• Rei – 155 cm tall, standard‑built member of the Working Women Party with twin‑tails, thick chest armor and a bright, high‑energy aura. She wields the Rainbow Raiment skill that brightens allies. Former corporate employee and hobbyist cosplayer, outgoing and teasing, known for comedy routines and plans to retire to open a maid café. Now a transferee, energetic and bubbly, gifted a cosmetics set by Daisuke, close friend of the protagonist and sought‑after for cosmetics advice.
• Mai – 175 cm tall, toned and athletic, she dons thick chest armor and a single ponytail, giving a slightly masculine look. War Saint Vanguard of the Working Women Party and Leemans member — former gym instructor, adventure lover, brisk speaker — also in the transferee party, recalling martial‑arts tournament knowledge from a past life.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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