Chapter 94. Shopping
"Haa, haaah...."
Smack!
I smacked Liliana's plump ass as she lay there panting.
"Worked up an appetite. Want to order something?"
"J-Just a sec... let me rest...."
Even though Liliana was technically dressed, her bare skin was practically fully visible—looked good.
"From now on, wear that when we have sex. Looks nice."
"Perverted bastard... ahk."
I poked Liliana's side teasingly.
It was fun hearing her go "ahk, ahk" every time I jabbed her.
"Told you, you should've shown it to me first."
"Hngh...."
She still hadn't come down from the afterglow, so I opened the delivery app on my smartwatch.
"So what do we order?"
As I scrolled through menu options, Liliana peeked over.
"Huh? Of course we should order. We've got nothing at home."
"Sometimes I want healthy food too."
"...What?"
What the hell is this succubus talking about all of a sudden?
Why bring up health food?
"I miss Mom's home-cooked meals!"
"You cried over fried chicken like three days ago and now you're whining for home-cooked food? Are you crazy?"
"Shut up! Make me food too!"
Liliana clung to me, shaking her head.
"Hey, if we're cooking, you should be the one doing it. Why me?"
"Of course you! I earn money! I give you sex! What are you doing for this household?"
Liliana glared at me, eyes wide.
"Uh...?"
"You don't even do housework. I do laundry. I vacuum sometimes. I make the money! We have sex together, but what the hell do you do?!"
"...Is that true?"
I couldn't think of a rebuttal.
Maybe... I'm the real degenerate here, not Liliana?
I mean, I work hard in my own way, but... like she said, what am I actually doing for our so-called home? Wait—can I even call this a home?
Also, why is she suddenly fixated on home-cooked meals?
★ Heroine Status Window
[Liliana]
- [ Affection: 86 ] (+0.2)
- [ Lust: 74 ]
- [ Appetite: 45 ]
- [ Fatigue: 35 ]
Current Status: I really want to go outside with Master for the first time in a while....
'Ah... she wanted to go out.'
I mean, being cooped up every day would get suffocating.
Still, can't let her teasing slide.
"Sorry... I'll go buy groceries and cook for you."
I bowed my head and began getting dressed.
"I'll come too. It's sad if you go alone."
That sly little smile—she looks like everything's going according to plan. But no way.
"No. I'll go alone. Think of it as me reflecting. Send me a message with what you want."
"W-Wait, you don't have to..."
"I'm off to shop. Text me your cravings~"
I threw on some casual clothes and headed for the front door.
"...Fine! Go then!"
Liliana crossed her arms and glared at me. Looks like she realized I was doing this on purpose.
Maybe I smiled too obviously?
Honestly, bringing her along would've just led to endless requests—she's more trouble than help when shopping.
"Let's go together next time. Just wait for today."
"Okay...."
She looked genuinely disappointed, and that made me waver a little.
Maybe I should move out of the dorm.
Not just for Liliana—but meeting other girls would be easier outside.
Now that Liliana's stream is stable, I don't need to draw extra attention as a cadet.
I opened the dorm door to head out.
"...?"
As soon as I stepped outside, a strange chill ran over my body.
'What was that? I just felt a weird shiver down my spine.'
Maybe it's just spring chill lingering.
Anyway, guess I'll make that home-cooked meal Liliana asked for.
The only dish I can make is kimchi stew. Let's go with that.
"Let's hit the supermarket."
Feeling like a real shopper for the first time in a while, I headed to a big discount mart.
Honestly, I hadn't been to one of these stores in ages, in either world.
Especially here, where we get 3 million won a month as a lifestyle allowance—it's just easier to get food and essentials delivered.
Most cadets are like that, so this mart is mostly visited by regular locals.
I only came because I wanted to experience the whole cart-pushing, grocery-shopping vibe. Otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered.
"Kimchi stew recipe... let's see, kimchi, beef bone broth..."
I checked the recipe on my smartwatch and started picking up ingredients.
It reminded me of when I first started living alone. Brought back some memories.
I used to be super diligent that first month... though eventually I got lazy and started relying on delivery food.
----------------------
『A sub-quest has been issued.』
[Help Nam Daeun]
Being short on money at the register is super awkward, right?
Help her get through it smoothly!
- Reward: +1 random stat
----------------------
"Huh?"
A sub-quest? Now?
I quickly scanned the area for Nam Daeun.
Soon, I spotted her pushing a cart toward one of the registers.
That ideal figure and waist-length black hair were striking as always.
★ Heroine Status Window
[Nam Daeun]
- [ Affection: 11 ]
- [ Lust: 10 ]
- [ Appetite: 30 ]
- [ Fatigue: 83 ]
Current Status: Need to buy Dahee's favorite snacks... and we're out of shampoo, so I'll get that too.
No wonder she wasn't wearing her usual melancholic expression—she's probably on her way to see her little sister.
I casually pushed my cart behind hers.
Her cart was filled with snacks and daily necessities.
She bought expensive chocolates and boxed snacks for her sister, but chose the cheapest shampoo for herself.
Not even body wash or facial cleanser—just a single bar of soap.
Even for toilet paper, she picked the cheapest one with a sale tag.
"That'll be 13,200 won, ma'am."
"Just a moment. I'll pay in cash."
Nam Daeun, who has most of her lifestyle allowance taken by her guild, lives on the bare minimum pocket money.
Watching her pull crumpled 1,000-won bills and coins from a worn pink wallet really tugged at my heart.
"One, two, three..."
"You're a bit short, ma'am..."
She was exactly 100 won short. Unbelievable.
"Ah, I'm sorry...."
After hesitating, Nam Daeun took out the shampoo instead of the snacks for her sister.
Looks like she miscalculated while insisting on buying the snacks.
Her face turned bright red from embarrassment over not having enough money.
Now's the time to step in.
"Nam Daeun."
"Wh-!?"
She looked absolutely startled as I appeared from behind.
"Still haven't found your card? Sir, I'll pay for this."
I extended my smartwatch toward the cashier.
"Yes, of course."
"Ah... th-thanks."
Realizing I was helping, she accepted my gesture.
She waited for me in front of the register and spoke once I finished paying.
"I'll definitely pay you back later."
Holding her shopping bags in both hands and bowing her head—was this really the Nam Daeun I knew?
"Looks like you really like snacks. You removed shampoo instead of the snacks."
"...They're for my sister. I haven't seen her in a while."
"That so? Then buy some more. My treat."
"That's too much. I'd feel bad."
"Still, it's a special occasion. She'll love it."
After hesitating at the mention of her sister, she sighed.
"It's okay. Thanks for earlier though. I had a lot of expenses this month and ran out of money. I'll pay you back next month."
"You don't have to. We're in the same group. Just be a bit more cooperative next time. It's for your sake too."
"...Sorry. But I have to be number one."
Her expression hardened slightly.
She must be thinking about her hospitalized sister.
"Why? What's the big deal about being number one?"
"It means everything to me. I'm really sorry. I'll repay you someday."
"It's fine. We're in the same group. See you later."
I left her standing there and exited the mart.
[Quest Complete!]
"Well, I tried poking at her, but no bite."
Bit of a shame, but talking this long to someone with such a closed heart is a success in itself.
At least I planted a kind image.
It's all about slowly getting her to open up.
Maybe she'll try harder in the group project next time. I did buy her snacks.
When I got back to the dorm, Liliana greeted me.
"You're back?! You brought what I texted you, right?"
"Chicken and pizza aren't home-cooked food, you know. I'm going to show you the essence of real home-cooking today."
"Hmm... alright."
Leaving her lying on the bed with a sulky look, I started making kimchi stew.
It's been a while, so I felt a little rusty.
But the scent of the boiling stew filled the dorm, and Liliana wandered over.
"What's this? Doesn't smell like tteokbokki."
"Ah, behold—this is kimchi stew."
"What nonsense."
I served her a bowl of my homemade kimchi stew.
Hot rice and kimchi stew—that's what I call home-cooking.
"Ack! It's spicy! What the hell is this?!"
"Spicy? Nah, it's refreshing."
"It's just hot and spicy! How is this refreshing?! Are you crazy?!"
This damn succubus complains even when I make her a meal.
"This is K-home-cooking, damn it. If it's too spicy, eat it with a fried egg."
"Hmm... I guess it's kind of tasty. Maybe."
Yeah, seeing a succubus munch on kimchi stew is definitely weird.
As I stared blankly at Liliana, I noticed the window was open.
"Liliana, didn't I tell you to keep the window closed? What if someone peeks in?"
"Huh? I didn't open it."
"I closed it when I left. If it wasn't you, then who?"
"Really? I think... maybe?"
Her squinting and struggling to remember worried me.
Is she getting dementia already? I mean, she is a bit old.
"That look on your face—you're not thinking something weird, are you?"
"Not at all. Just eat your kimchi stew."
*
"It's fine. We're in the same group. See you later."
Lee Hoyeon said with a wave as he left the mart.
"Haa..."
Nam Daeun sighed, staring at the snacks in her shopping bag.
'I can't believe I was jealous of such a kind person... I'm trash.'
Thanks to Lee Hoyeon, she was able to buy more snacks for her sister and returned to the dorm.
After a shower and changing into comfy clothes, she lay on her bed.
"He probably wants to be number one too... everyone says he's a rising star."
She opened EveryDay and searched his name, revealing tons of posts.
Most praised him, but some were needlessly hateful.
"Why are people so selfish...?"
What did he even do to deserve that kind of hate?
Maybe his life isn't all that easy either.
"Ugh..."
Feeling overwhelmed, Nam Daeun messaged her sister, probably asleep by now.
- Me: [Photo] Unnie bought lots of snacks! See you this weekend!
Hopefully this makes Dahee smile a little.
Tomorrow was the 1-on-1 duel.
Until now, she had secured first place easily without going all out.
"Will I be able to do that again?"
She wanted to reduce the influence of the Buyer Guild and Uncle Minkyoo, who held her sister.
That's why she had been showing only just enough ability to remain at the top.
But Lee Hoyeon... he looked genuinely strong.
"We'll probably face off in the 1-on-1. Hopefully, in the finals."
That way, she could at least let him be the runner-up.
With that thought, Nam Daeun drifted off to sleep, worrying about tomorrow.