Volume 4 Chapter 15 A Secret Pact and the Unavoidable Choice of Beauty
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
—The decision to unleash the ‘Beauty Dungeon’ during Golden Week was formally cemented at the meeting the following day.
Kirino swiftly contacted her grandfather, Hidou Genroku, making arrangements to broadcast the dungeon’s emergence on the adventurers-only website. All that remained was to await the curtain’s rise on the prepared stage.
Unlike traditional dungeons, the ‘Beauty Dungeon’ boasted a unique structure, dividing its interior into areas based on adventurer rank. It was impossible to precisely predict just how many adventurers would rush toward it.
Furthermore, there were countless details that only an actual in-person trial could reveal. Operational improvements would naturally become clear once people started using the facility. Hirose, though unable to become an adventurer himself, was about to experience his first involvement with a dungeon as a member of the management team. For this reason, he held a special anticipation for the upcoming Golden Week.
However, there was one thing he needed to take care of first.
* * *
”—Hirose, bringing another girl with you again?”
”I told you, it’s not my fault…” Hirose retorted.
It was after school in an empty classroom, with no one else around. In front of Hirose stood Kairi, and beside her was his underclassman, Kozuka Rio.
Today was the day they had scheduled beforehand. Anticipating that he would be busy once Golden Week began, he had chosen a weekday before the holiday started.
He had already informed Hibiki in advance. When he explained that Rio was Aoi’s close friend, Hibiki momentarily clutched her head but seemed to realize that she couldn’t stop it, ultimately giving her reluctant approval.
”Alrighty, ‘Pledge’ complete. Now, you two lovebirds, enjoy yourselves~”
Kairi waved cheerfully and exited the classroom. She had been present to activate the ‘Pledge’ skill, ensuring that any information Rio learned about Hirose would not be leaked to the outside world.
”…Ihara-senpai, was it? Doesn’t that person have the wrong idea?” Rio muttered, her gaze sharp and unapologetic as she pinned Hirose with a flat stare after Kairi left.
”Just don’t worry about her. That’s just the way she is.” Hirose waved it off.
”…You seduced her too, didn’t you?” Rio whispered, an accusation laced in her tone.
”The way you put that!” Hirose nearly shouted, exasperated.
There was a misunderstanding in her use of the word “seduced.” His relationship with Kairi had simply and naturally developed through their connection to Hibiki’s friend group. Hirose hadn’t actively pursued or set out to ensnare anyone.
”Well, shall we go?”
”…Yes.”
The two of them stood and left the school building together.
* * *
The pair were headed to Hirose’s house.
As part of the ‘Pledge’ stipulations this time, the agreement had included not only information about Hirose’s Gift but also the location where the treatment would take place.
Rio had worn a completely bewildered look when told, but because the procedure had to be kept strictly out of sight, “that place” inside Hirose’s home was the most suitable option.
”Wh—What is this!?” Rio couldn’t help but gasp the moment she entered Hirose’s room.
A section of the wall had opened up, revealing a black, swirling alien space—a gateway leading to the ‘Master Room’ was gaping before them.
”Come on, let’s go.”
”G-Go in… what is this, really… whoa!”
Hirose plunged into the gate without hesitation, and Rio, having witnessed it, was left with no other choice. She followed him timidly.
”Welcome home, Master.”
”Ecoa, thanks for your work. I’ll be using the break room today.”
”Yes, the preparations are complete.”
Waiting for them inside the ‘Master Room,’ beyond the gate, was a beautiful woman with long, flowing blonde hair—Ecoa, an apparent Elf that Hirose had automatically assumed due to her ear length.
”Wh-wh-what is this place?! The room… it’s just normal…!”
Rio couldn’t hide her surprise and confusion, spinning around to take in the surroundings. It was the first time she had ever set foot in an alien dimension. For Rio, who had only ever thought of a “dungeon” as something on TV or someone else’s problem, this was practically another world.
The spacious area was fully equipped, even feeling lived-in with cabinets, a table, vases, and paintings arranged as décor.
”Kozuka-san, this way.”
”W-wait a minute! This place… isn’t this a love hotel?!” Rio shrieked, her face instantly turning a fiery red as soon as she was led into the designated break room.
Given the luxurious canopy bed, the separate shower room, and, most importantly, the absolute privacy of the sealed-off space, her association wasn’t unreasonable.
”It might look that way, but it’s quiet here, and there are no prying eyes.”
”Tch… W-well, that’s… true, but…”
”I know you’re anxious. But I absolutely won’t do anything except the procedure. You have to trust me on that one thing.”
Hirose’s words were gentle, and there was no lie in them. Yet, that very sincerity only caused Rio’s heart to pound even harder.
He had been the same way with the other girls. He took every care to be considerate and would never force anything unwelcome. But it was exactly that quality which made Rio feel all the more nervous—she was utterly confused by this contradiction.
She had spent the last week agonizing over this.
—I want to be alongside Aoi.
It was only for this single purpose that she had come today.
”Besides, coming all the way here… that means your resolve is set, right? I have no intention of forcing you. You can still turn back now.”
”I—I won’t quit! I absolutely came here with my mind made up!” Rio shot back, though her face was still crimson.
”Understood. Then I’ll explain again. Can you sit on the sofa?”
”Yes…”
As the two sat down on the sofa, Hirose once more began to carefully explain his Gift, just as he had in the classroom. He held nothing back, detailing not only its Effect but also the Recoil it inflicted upon the user himself.
”The more I hear about it, the more I realize what an insane ability this is…” Rio murmured.
”I think so too.” Hirose sighed.
Rio silently gave a small nod to Hirose’s words. The reason Aoi had become so incredibly beautiful was finally clear. The drastic change since the summer vacation of middle school, making Aoi attractive even to other girls, had been a total mystery. Now, it had finally been resolved.
Rio was a girl, too. Although she had always believed that her sharp eyes meant that she was cut off from Koi¹ love, that didn’t mean she never wanted to be beautiful. It was true that when Hirose listed the nine skills he had mastered, she’d honestly thought, “Should I really be getting something this amazing for free?” But today’s purpose wasn’t for herself. It was a commitment to be together with Aoi.
”So, is ‘Skin Quality Improvement’ okay for today?”
”Eh… Ah, uh…”
”As I told you, if you want the full Effect, you’ll need to repeat the treatment a few times. …That is, if you’re comfortable with me touching you repeatedly.”
Hirose sought to confirm Rio’s intentions again. Her expression clearly stated that if she was going to go through with it, she wanted a procedure that would make her happy.
”For today, ‘Skin Quality Improvement’… please.”
”Understood. Then I’ll step outside for a moment. Call me when you’re ready?”
”…Okay.”
And so, Hirose left the room, leaving Rio alone in the break room.
”I’m going to be touched by him…“
Even though her resolve was set, anxiety still lingered. This was her pristine skin, which she had never let anyone touch before. She took better care of it than most boys and always made sure to cover up any unpleasant smells.
But today—
”…Why did I choose this underwear?”
Rio looked down at herself and clutched her head. It was a design she would never normally pick out: red and pink lace, cutely arranged. She had fallen in love with it in an online shop and bought it, only to shove it into the back of her drawer thinking, “This won’t suit me.” Yet, for some reason, she had put it on today of all days.
”Idiot, me… this makes it look like I’m trying to seduce him, doesn’t it…?”
Scratching her head, her face completely flushed, she was appalled at herself. Nevertheless, having taken off her uniform, Rio took a single, deep breath.
Forcefully settling her nerves, she called out to Hirose through the door.
The moment Hirose walked in, Rio unconsciously hugged her left arm with her right hand, instinctively crossing her arms over her chest. This posture, however, only served to emphasize her bust, which was more prominent than she had realized—slightly larger than Aoi’s size.
(…That’s much flashier underwear than I expected.) Hirose blinked in surprise but quickly composed his expression.
Rio found it unbearably embarrassing to be seen this way by someone she had even disliked. She had intended to glare at him, to ward him off with a sharp, intimidating look—but her face was already completely red, making her glare utterly unconvincing.
”…Should I put on an eyemask?” Hirose asked, his kindness evident in the single phrase.
”Tch… You don’t need to!” Rio rejected the offer with a strong tone, turning her head away. She was even more ashamed of the part of herself that actually appreciated his consideration.
Moving to the bed, the two faced each other.
”I’ll cover any parts I’m not touching with a towel. Don’t worry.”
”…”
(Stop it with the kindness… don’t be nice to me anymore…) Rio’s heart was in turmoil.
If Hirose were a more insensitive and clumsy person, she might not have been so confused. But he consistently approached her with a gentle tone, never pressing too close. That was what made him the most difficult to deal with for Rio.
Hirose moved to the head of the bed and gently placed a large towel over Rio’s body as she lay on her back.
(This bed… is surprisingly comfortable…) The soft sensation of the bed cradling her body eased the tension in her shoulders slightly. It was so comfortable that she felt worried, as if she might fall asleep right there.
”Alright, I’m starting. Tell me right away if you can’t handle it. I’ll stop midway.”
”I know that… So just hurry up and start!” Rio burst out, trying to cast off her feelings. She didn’t want this situation to drag on. She just wanted it to be over quickly.
Her only goal was to become like Aoi. A little bit of endurance, just to stand beside Aoi. That was all it took. She told herself this again and again—.
Hirose slowly rolled up his shirt sleeves and held out both of his palms toward Rio.
”—Skill ‘Skin Quality Improvement’.”
His hands began to glow faintly.
As his hands approached, Rio stared intensely at the faint light, whispering a powerful affirmation within her heart:
”…No matter what you do to me, I absolutely won’t lose!”
—
Summary:
The secretive plan to open the Beauty Dungeon during Golden Week is set in motion, adding an urban fantasy layer to Hirose’s life. However, before the chaos, he must uphold his private mission: helping his latest recipient, Kozuka Rio. In a tense, almost clandestine meeting, Rio faces her deep embarrassment and internal conflict as she enters the luxurious Master Room for a beauty treatment. Driven solely by her fierce loyalty and desire to stand with her friend Aoi, Rio makes a defiant, emotional stand, preparing for the intimate Skin Quality Improvement skill despite her intense anxiety about being touched by the kind-but-awkward Hirose. The scene climaxes with Rio’s powerful resolve, underscoring the high emotional cost of seeking a magical beauty buff.
—
Character Insight:
Rio’s character is defined by a deep and self-sacrificing loyalty to her friend Aoi. Her sharp, defensive exterior is a protective shell, masking an unexpected feminine vulnerability (symbolized by the sexy, unused lace underwear) and a desire for personal beauty she had suppressed. Her embarrassment over the ‘love hotel’ atmosphere and Hirose’s gentleness reveals a complex emotional turmoil—she is simultaneously repulsed by the situation and attracted to the non-threatening kindness of the boy she needs, making her resolve to endure the treatment a true act of courage.
—
Behind the Scene:
The dungeon’s public launch is the big upcoming event, and this chapter sets up the final piece of the pre-launch plan: ensuring all future Gift recipients, starting with Rio, are secured by the secrecy skill ‘Pledge’. This ritualistic, intimate scene emphasizes the core narrative tension: Hirose’s powerful, S-Rank Gift always requires a one-on-one, physically-intimate procedure to administer, which generates awkward but potent romantic comedy tension and tests the emotional limits of the characters, especially when the recipient is as highly strung as Rio.
—
T/L:
1 Koi love: Refers to romantic love, typically with a sense of yearning or deep affection, in contrast to a platonic love (ai). It is often used to describe crushes or romantic feelings. ↩
Notes:
• Genroku – Kirino’s grandfather (M, 74yo, short white hair, 182cm), president of the Adventurer Guild. Though intimidating, he is deeply caring for Kirino, protecting her throughout the narrative. His body looks much younger and is absurdly muscular, causing his suit to strain. He is fiercely, boisterously affectionate towards his granddaughter. He causes a major scene when he sees Kirino.
• 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.
• Kozuka Rio – Aoi’s best friend. She has a neat, precise look with short black hair and is slightly shorter than average. She was initially friendless, making her connection to Aoi incredibly important. She is highly suspicious of Hirose and what he’s done to change Aoi, viewing him as a threat.
• Rio – A member of the Beauty Committee who previously worked with Hirose and already holds a negative opinion of him, seeing him as a ‘playboy.’ She has short dark hair and is dressed neatly in her school uniform. She is Aoi’s friend and is currently determined to ‘rescue’ her.
• Ecoa – The Guardian of the Dungeon Core, a beautiful entity with long blonde hair, slit eyes, and distinctive pointed ears reminiscent of an elf. She initially appears in black ceremonial robes, which instantly transform into a revealing, classic black maid uniform. Her existence was previously undetectable by ‘Appraisal’ Gifts. Her sole purpose is to serve and support the Dungeon Master, Hirose.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply