"Let me make this clear upfront: I'm not some fool who got swept up by a merchant's sales pitch and just had to compete. It's just... I happened to be hungry, okay?"
"Yes, yes. Then let's eat together," Wise agreed with an indulgent smile, while the staff member introducing the restaurant chimed in.
"The ultimate winner of the challenge gets to have their name written on the wall inside the shop~"
"Did you hear that, Wise?! If you lose, I won't forgive you. If you win, then I'll... I'll agree to anything you want!!"
After saying that, she was clearly fired up.
Wise certainly thought so, but regardless, he and Lucy worked hard together and managed to finish a set of the Fiery Hot Pot Challenge.
"You two worked together wonderfully! Here's a complimentary serving of our signature spicy beef!"
The staff member came over to congratulate them, but Lucy wasn't interested in that. Instead, she immediately brought up the winner's reward.
"N-Now I can write my name on the wall, right?" Lucy asked, touching her slightly bulging stomach.
She was so full that even talking had become a little difficult.
"Ah, I'm afraid not yet. As I mentioned earlier, only the ultimate winner's name can go on the wall..."
After saying that, the staff member clearly noticed the change in Lucy's expression and quickly continued.
"The current record holder, ever since the challenge began, is a goggled girl who suddenly appeared late one night. She ate the extra-spicy hot pot without changing her expression even once, like someone casually sipping iced milk tea on a hot summer day."
It was certainly a unique comparison.
According to the staff member, the girl hadn't left her name behind, only mentioning that she was a soldier.
"So the wall is still empty. Next time, if we get the chance, we'll definitely have to ask for her name..."
"How much did she eat?" Lucy suddenly interrupted.
"Hmm?"
"I asked, how much did she eat?! Next time, I'm eating double! I absolutely refuse to lose to some goggled girl from who-knows-where!" Lucy declared with a determined look.
As for Wise, after hearing all that, he had a pretty good idea who this mysterious goggled girl was. But judging by Lucy's current mood, it was probably best to keep that information to himself.
"Ugh, it's so spicy... I feel like if I drank jet fuel right now, I'd spontaneously combust. Wise... are you okay?"
After leaving the hot pot restaurant, Lucy kept hissing and fanning her mouth, trying to cool the burning sensation on her tongue with the cool evening air.
In contrast, Wise seemed completely unaffected.
"I'm fine. Are you really finding it that spicy? I know a way to help relieve it. Do you want to try?"
"Hm? Of course I do. What is it—"
Lucy hadn't even finished speaking before Wise wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her.
Only after the sudden attack ended did she finally react.
"Y-You... what are you doing?! This is the middle of the street!" she exclaimed, her face flushing red with embarrassment.
"But there's hardly anyone around. So, do you feel any better now?" Wise asked with a teasing smile.
"Hm?" Lucy touched her lips. "It does seem less spicy. How did you do that?"
Just moments ago, her lips had been slightly red and swollen from the heat of the food. Now, they had already returned to normal.
"If you want to know, kiss me again, and I'll consider telling you~"
Wise said it purely to tease her, but Lucy didn't fall for it. She simply let out a light huff and acted as though she didn't care.
"If you don't want to tell me, then don't. I'm not curious... However, consider this a reward for helping me!"
Lucy took action, and after Wise enjoyed his reward, he kept his promise.
"Actually, this is my special ability. I can relieve other people's pain through touch—the more intimate the contact, the better the effect."
"Huh? Is that real or fake?"
Lucy looked skeptical, but she didn't press the matter further. However, on the way back, she seemed to remember something and spoke again.
"Oh, about that... what do you want me to agree to?"
"Didn't we lose?" Wise asked, looking at her.
"Who said we lost? You helped me complete the challenge, so that counts as a win. What, you don't want it? Then forget it..."
Lucy clenched her fists in annoyance, and Wise naturally understood what was going on.
"I didn't say I didn't want it, but... can you really agree to anything?"
"Ugh... I-I'll keep my word!"
Lucy revealed a shy expression, her gaze drifting expectantly toward Wise as she waited for him to make his request.
"Since you said so..."
As he spoke, Wise wrapped an arm around Lucy's shoulder. Although her body trembled slightly, she didn't resist and only lowered her head shyly.
"Then tonight, can we not go back?"
"...I don't care, but Wise, won't Belle urge you to come home?"
"I'll text her. If she knows I'm with you, she definitely won't worry."
"Ugh..."
At that point, Lucy couldn't exactly refuse. She'd already said the words.
Soon, the two arrived at a capsule hotel. After booking a room, they received their key from the front desk attendant, who gave them a knowing look.
"What did that woman's expression mean just now? It was like... it was like..."
Lucy couldn't quite describe it, but that look clearly wasn't directed at her alone.
Wise, standing beside her, had played a significant role as well.
"There's only one bed in the room... Wise, you're not really... Ah!!!"
As she turned her head, Lucy suddenly saw something and instinctively screamed. Wise quickly stepped forward and covered her mouth.
"Shh, quiet, Lucy. You'll make people misunderstand."
"B-But what are you doing?!"
Lucy covered her eyes with one hand, though a large gap remained between her fingers, while pointing at Wise with the other.
He answered naturally, "Taking off my clothes. Isn't it obvious?"
'Of course, I know you're taking off your clothes! Even if I agreed to anything, isn't this progressing a little too fast?!'
She felt he should have at least given her some time to prepare mentally.
Yet as she stared at him, another thought crept into her mind.
'I didn't notice before... I didn't expect Wise's body to be this good... No, no, Lucy, what are you thinking? You're about to... How can you still be thinking about things like that at a time like this?!'
Her mind was in complete chaos, and she barely noticed Wise speaking to her.
"Lucy, want to join?"
"W-What?!" she blurted, snapping out of her thoughts.
"A shower, of course. After eating hot pot earlier, you must smell a bit, right?"
"A shower..."
Lucy looked at Wise's smile and suddenly realized something.
'Damn it! This guy must be doing it on purpose. Hmph, does he really think I'm that easy to mess with?'
With that thought in mind, she replied huffily, "If we're showering together, then we're showering together. Who's afraid of who?!"
After saying that, she marched forward in a huff.
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Zenless Zone Zero: The Almighty Incubus of Sixth Street
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