Utaha's words made Yusei's heart stir for a moment.
The panties she had just been wearing...
To be honest, for a brief instant, Yusei felt a flicker of temptation, but he quickly dismissed the thought.
'No way. How can I, an upright and honorable man, would I stoop to such a lowly act? Even if it's called 'fun', that's something to be done during an intimate night.'
However, Yusei understood that Utaha had pinpointed this about him. She knew he wouldn't actually do it.
'So you're trying to regain control of the conversation?'
Yusei saw through Utaha's ploy.
Immediately, he chuckled and said, "Sure. But since you're the one who proposed this 'transaction', shouldn't you fulfill your part first?"
"To put it simply, give me the panties now, and then I'll lick your feet."
"What?" Utaha raised an eyebrow.
She hadn't expected Yusei to actually agree.
'But asking me to give the panties first... this...'
But things had reached this point, she couldn't back down now.
"Fine. You go out first." Utaha took a deep breath.
Yusei shook his head, "No deal. What if you give me a pair that's not... 'fresh'?"
Utaha frowned. Actually, that was precisely what she had been thinking.
Giving him the one she was wearing? That would be too embarrassing and shameful.
"Then what do you want to do?" Utaha asked helplessly.
"Seeing is believing." Yusei shrugged.
'Seeing is believing? Didn't that mean he would have to watch? No, absolutely not!'
Utaha fell silent. She knew she was no match for Yusei in this verbal sparring.
'Or rather, had this guy planned it this way from the start? Another miscalculation.'
With a light cute snort, Utaha lay back on the bed. Leaning against the headboard, covered by the blanket, she started typing on her laptop.
Yusei smiled, "Don't you want me to lick your feet anymore? I really want your panties, you know."
"Are you a pervert? You even want used panties?" Utaha shot Yusei a glare.
Yusei shrugged calmly, "Because I'm interested in you."
"Oh, really? I bet you said the same thing when you got together with Yuuki-san, right?"
"That's different. It was a different line."
"What a frank bastard of a playboy."
As she spoke, Utaha sighed. She knew this guy wanted to two-time, but for some reason, she couldn't suppress her fondness for him.
'I'm really such a fool,' Utaha sighed inwardly.
Soon, Utaha's mother, Shino, brought drinks and pastries.
Yusei thanked her politely. The room returned to the quiet of just the two of them.
Neither spoke. On one side was the sound of Utaha typing on her keyboard, and on the other, Yusei silently ate pastries and drank his beverage.
After a while, Utaha was the first to lose patience and glanced over.
"Kouhai-kun, since you've eaten my family's pastries, I assume you're prepared to help out, right?"
"Help with what?" Yusei asked, his mouth full of cake.
Utaha pointed at the computer in her lap, "With my novel, of course."
"Your novel? Isn't it already successful? And Katou-san already gave you suggestions last time." Yusei looked at Utaha, puzzled.
"It's for the concept of a new book." Utaha showed the computer screen to Yusei.
There wasn't much content, just a brief outline.
The story was still in the romance genre. But the difference from her previous book was that one was written from the female lead's perspective, and this one was from the male lead's perspective.
Yusei raised an eyebrow, "You plan to write a harem novel?"
"Why not? I have to thank you, Kouhai-kun, for your rich experiences, which gave me this inspiration."
Yusei really wanted to retort, 'Do I have a harem?'
However, he decided against it.
"You haven't even finished your previous one, right?"
"No, but it's almost done. Probably another month or so?" Utaha thought about the plot briefly before answering.
Yusei sighed, "You're really pushing yourself. Writing two at once? Your family shouldn't be short on money, right?"
"It's a hobby, okay? And like I said, it's all inspiration from you. I'd feel bad if I didn't properly 'repay' you." Utaha said with a smirking expression.
"By 'repay', you mean using me as a prototype for your story? Sorry, but I won't help with that. Don't even think about learning about my life experiences."
"No need to know. After all, playboys are probably all the same. A quick search online for information is enough."
Yusei's face instantly darkened, "Hey, I'm not a playboy. I told you about having a girlfriend right away. Someone so open and aboveboard, could they be a playboy?"
Utaha snorted cutely but didn't continue, though her eyes were filled with heavy disdain.
Clearly, she firmly believed Yusei was a playboy.
"Alright, enough joking. If I wrote that kind of novel, my previous reputation would be ruined. I still plan to start a new book, but not a playboy-themed wish-fulfillment story."
"But even so, why come to me? It feels pretty useless. You've already mastered the craft, and you can write books on your own. And I don't write novels, so what could you possibly need my help with?"
"There's obviously a reason for seeking you out. You took advantage of me last time, and I haven't settled that score yet. Will you help me or not?" Utaha's eyes glinted with menace.
"Took advantage of you?" Yusei looked strangely at Utaha.
"Did you lose your memory, or did I? When did that happen? I don't remember anything."
"You're not going to deny it after getting what you wanted, are you?" Utaha looked at Yusei unfavorably and hinted, "Last time. At your place."
Prompted by Utaha, Yusei remembered that day.
'But... could that be considered 'taking advantage'?'
Yusei looked at Utaha speechlessly, "We were interrupted that day, remember? And that wasn't 'taking advantage'… at most, it was just a kiss."
"As expected, a man who doesn't want to take responsibility. Hah." Utaha let out a cold laugh.
Yusei shrugged and smiled, "The problem is, I didn't do anything. Without any benefit, how can I take responsibility?"
"Then what benefit do you want?"
"The panties."
"Why do you only remember the panties?"