Volume 2 Chapter 17 Repayment of Kindness and a Gentle Rescue – The First Appointment
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
On this day, Takanashi Hirose arrived alone at a certain high-rise apartment complex.
A press of the intercom brought a beautiful young woman, likely in her early twenties, to the entrance. Her expression was notably sharp and composed. Fuyutsuki Saori had pulled her long, brown hair back with a barrette. Since she wasn’t wearing her usual work suit, her overall air was slightly softer, more approachable.
Her chest was impressively large, a swelling curve that made him wonder if her height could even properly support it. A slight nervousness tightened in Hirose’s stomach when he thought about performing a treatment on that body right now, but he was here today to repay a debt of gratitude ¹ she was owed.
”—It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Please, come in,” she greeted him.
”Yes. It certainly has. Thank you for having me today, I appreciate it,” Hirose replied formally.
Their exchange was stiffly formal, but today had nothing to do with work. The Adventurer’s Guild Staff Member, Fuyutsuki Saori, led Hirose into her apartment.
Fuyutsuki’s room was just as sophisticated as her image suggested. There were elegant stick incense and tall houseplants, a designed space so perfectly tidy it could have been a showroom.
”Would you mind sitting on that chair for a moment? I’ll prepare some coffee,” she asked calmly.
”Ah, yes,” he responded.
In front of him were a low, round table and two chairs. Hirose took a seat in one of them.
Minutes later, he was presented with a cup of warm coffee. She had placed sugar and milk within easy reach, and Hirose added both before taking a slow, appreciative sip.
”*Haa*… This is delicious,” he sighed contentedly.
”*Fufu*. I’m glad you think so… Still, it feels strange, doesn’t it? Having Takanashi-san here in my home.” Fuyutsuki, seated across from him, gazed at Hirose with a gentle smile. It was a private expression he would never see at the office.
”Um… it does. It feels strange to me, too,” he admitted, slightly nervous.
”Time has passed, but I’m truly happy you reached out to me like this.”
”Yes… It’s because a few simple words from you gave me the courage I needed.”
If not for those words, he might not have listened even to Hibiki. He now believed he was able to accept his Gift—that it was a wonderful gift sought by women—only because Fuyutsuki had told him so beforehand.
”Well, I thought I was just saying that for my own selfish reasons, you know? But seeing you solve so many people’s problems, Takanashi-san, is the best reward I could ask for.”
”Yes… and that’s why I came here today.”
Of course, Hibiki had already given her approval. Hirose, however, hadn’t told Fuyutsuki everything about the skills he had acquired. There was something he wanted her to do first.
”Um, could you use ‘Appraisal’ on me? I’ve learned quite a few more skills since last time. I think it would be easier if you saw them for yourself.”
”Is that so… then—’Appraisal’.” Fuyutsuki activated her Gift at Hirose’s request. What met her eyes was…
”Ah… amazing… to think you’ve gained so many… It truly is a dream-like power.” The list included ‘Skin Quality Improvement’, ‘Fat Burning’, ‘Depilation’, ‘Hair Quality Improvement’, and ‘Breast Growth’. Over a year had passed since Fuyutsuki last appraised him, and he now possessed three additional skills.
”If they hadn’t increased, I might not have even met Kirino,” Hirose mused.
”I see…”
As they talked, they transitioned to discussing the treatment for today. Although the procedures had been decided in advance, he hadn’t yet shared the details of his new skills.
”So… we had agreed to start with a full-body ‘Skin Quality Improvement’, but what do you want to confirm again?” he asked politely.
”Right. I’m already going to a medical clinic for Depilation, but if you can do it, I’d definitely like ‘Depilation’ and ‘Hair Quality Improvement’ as well…” she requested.
”Understood. Then we will do those three. However, I can’t do ‘Hair Quality Improvement’ and ‘Depilation’ simultaneously, so you’ll have to visit more than once. I just need you to understand that.”
”Thank you… But, Takanashi-san, I feel a little awkward accepting so much from you. Isn’t this too much? While I’m incredibly happy, of course…” Fuyutsuki voiced her doubt during the conversation. All she had done was offer some advice. Did she really deserve to receive all this free service? The balance of give-and-take felt uneven to her.
”It’s perfectly fine. I haven’t taken payment from anyone I’ve treated so far.”
”If you say so, Takanashi-san… But please, if there’s anything you need, anything at all, just tell me.”
”I will…” he promised.
With the contents of the treatment decided, they began preparations.
Hirose stepped out of the room to wait in the bathroom while Fuyutsuki got ready.
During that time, Fuyutsuki removed her clothes, climbed onto the bed, and prepared herself.
Of course, Fuyutsuki felt embarrassed to be seen naked. But she had seen his power and his seriousness when he saved Asumi. Because of that, she felt she could entrust her body to him. That was the thought in her mind.
”—I’m coming in now.”
”Yes, please do.”
Hirose sought permission before re-entering the room. When he opened the door, Fuyutsuki was waiting on the bed, covered only by a single towel. She had nothing else on.
”Um… What about a swimsuit or something?” he asked, flustered.
”I thought it was proper etiquette on my part to prepare in a way that makes it as easy as possible for you, Takanashi-san…”
A slight blush colored Fuyutsuki’s face. Her usual cool expression had broken, and the sudden shift surprised and thrilled Hirose a little.
Hirose approached the bed, and Fuyutsuki lay down on her back, still carefully draped with the towel.
”Alright, Fuyutsuki-san. I’ll start from the top and work my way down. I tell everyone this, but if there’s ever a time you want me to stop, just tell me and I’ll pause. The Recoil is a bit…” he instructed, sounding a bit anxious.
”You really are so kind. I will certainly tell you if I need to,” she assured him.
With her permission, Hirose leaned toward Fuyutsuki’s head and sat down on the edge of the bed.
And then, he activated his skill.
”—Skill ‘Skin Quality Improvement’.”
—
Summary:
The chapter sets a deeply intimate mood as the protagonist, Takanashi Hirose, visits the apartment of Fuyutsuki Saori, a cool Guild staff member, to repay a long-standing debt of gratitude with his powerful, body-modifying Gift. The tension rises quickly when Saori, revealing a softer side, makes the surprising decision to prepare for the treatment with only a towel, demonstrating unwavering trust.
After confirming his newly acquired Gift skills through an Appraisal, they agree on a procedure sequence—starting with Skin Quality Improvement—which immediately pushes the story into a high-stakes, personal service dynamic.
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Character Insight:
Fuyutsuki Saori’s character is explored deeply as she sheds her professional exterior. Her willingness to strip down to a single towel shows her profound trust in Hirose, rooted in her observations of his sincerity and power during a previous rescue. While she expresses a desire for fairness, her actions prioritize making the Gift treatment successful and easy for him, underscoring a deep, non-professional affection and respect. This vulnerability is a major turning point in their relationship.
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Behind the Scene:
The scene establishes the personal cost and necessity of Hirose’s Gift treatments, mentioning the ‘Recoil’ effect, which is why he emphasizes the need for a stop word. The chapter deliberately moves the relationship from a polite, professional exchange to a high-tension, intimate arrangement in a private setting to highlight the unique nature of his Gift and his loyalty to those who have helped him. The full revelation of his skills (‘Breast Growth’, ‘Depilation’, etc.) sets the stage for future Gift application stories.
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T/L:
1 [Ongaeshi (恩返し)] is a Japanese concept meaning to repay a kindness or a favor. It’s more than simple thanks; it’s an active fulfillment of a debt of gratitude. ↩
Notes:
• Fuyutsuki Saori – A guild staff member who possesses the ‘Appraisal’ Gift. She is called in to assess Asumi’s critical condition, identifies the injury as a magical curse, and reveals that Hirose might be the only one who can cure it, despite the professional risk to herself.
• Kirino – Strikingly beautiful with blue long hair (F, 168cm), Kirino is gifted with ice magic and feels isolated because of her appearance. Hirose’s Beauty skill helps her improve her self-image and social comfort, directly affecting Kirino’s relationship with her family and classmates.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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