When Si-hyun came out of the restroom after about ten minutes, the large tent had already disappeared.

  Seeing this, I felt a little regretful.

  Maybe I should have just pounced on him.

  Out of respect for Si-hyun's feelings, I kept that thought to myself.

  "Si-yeon, could you be more careful this morning?"

  "Why? I already know what to do."

  "That's exactly why I want you to be careful."

  Si-hyun seemed downcast, and seeing him like that made my heart ache.

  Had my actions upset him?

  "Okay, I'll be careful."

  "Good."

  We still had time before hotel checkout, so we began relaxing.

  Breakfast was instant meals we'd bought the night before.

  "Instant meals have really improved lately."

  These were lunch boxes that could be heated with heating packs, requiring no special cooking tools or water.

  We normally preferred bread for its convenience and shelf life, but yesterday we'd bought these out of curiosity.

  The taste was average.

  Not particularly delicious, and they took some time to heat up, but they seemed practical for long trips.

  "They really have improved."

  "Yeah, I've seen Hunters in pickup teams who specialize in eating these."

  Come to think of it, I was the one who suggested trying these with Si-hyun.

  Thinking about future Expeditions with him, I shared what I'd recently learned.

  "There are times when you get tired of eating bread."

  Even though we bought different types each time, bread was still bread and could become monotonous.

  "These might be good for occasional meals."

  "Some Hunters actually prefer these lunch boxes."

  "Really?"

  "Yes, but when I saw them eating, it looked quite messy."

  Surprisingly, they were eating cold food or meals with clumped seasoning.

  When asked why they didn't choose convenient bread, they said they preferred rice.

  Though I like Korean food too, I couldn't understand their reasoning.

  "Oh! I also saw someone with an expensive thermal lunch container!"

  That Hunter normally had a fixed team but joined a pickup team for variety. He was skilled and gentlemanly, well-liked by all team members.

  "Really? Did it look presentable?"

  "Yes, it sealed well so the food didn't mix together. Looked quite proper."

  "Should we get one?"

  "I don't know how to cook."

  "Well... I don't either."

  But Si-hyun was probably better at cooking than me.

  "Want to learn how to cook?"

  "Cooking?"

  "Yes, doesn't sound bad? Though it would take a long time to learn."

  Cooking by hand...

  That could be romantic. Preparing meals for your lover yourself.

  Just imagining it made me happy.

  "Okay, decided! I'll learn cooking from Mom when we get back."

  "Food made by Si-yeon. Can I look forward to it?"

  "Eh? Ah, no! Don't expect much! You know I can't even make instant noodles properly."

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  "That's why I'm looking forward to it more? You're learning for me, right?"

  He was too perceptive.

  Hearing Si-hyun say that made me feel I had to try twice as hard.

  We happily ate breakfast while discussing plans for our next Expedition.

  "Wouldn't somewhere closer be more convenient?"

  Si-hyun seemed to prefer day trips over overnight stays.

  "Why? Wouldn't somewhere farther but with stable rewards be better?"

  I fully supported overnight stays.

  Actually, it suited me perfectly!

  How wonderful to spend nights together!

  We argued back and forth about this.

  Me wanting longer trips with overnight stays, and Si-hyun preferring short day trips.

  In the end, I was the one who gave in.

  Since Si-hyun was the one driving and also our main combatant, I had no say as the support.

  His gentle persuasion ended up convincing me instead.

  "So we'll go exploring everywhere after we level up, right?"

  "Yeah, though even after leveling up we still can't handle Rank B gates."

  No matter how skilled Si-hyun was, B-Class was too much for us.

  Unless we joined an existing team, that would be different.

  "Got it. I'll follow your lead."

  "Thank you."

  We chatted until checkout time arrived before I knew it.

  That's when I faced a dilemma.

  What about my lingerie?

  I couldn't wear yesterday's set again... Should I just wear clothes over my lace lingerie?

  Fortunately, I had spare outfits besides yesterday's clothes.

  Whatever. I'd already worn these stockings multiple times - what was a garter belt compared to that?

  While changing and doing my makeup to head out, Si-hyun suddenly coughed dryly when he saw my outfit.

  "Si-yeon?"

  "What?"

  "Well... it suits you, but..."

  His gaze dropped to my legs.

  I'd put on the garter belt and stockings he'd made me take off yesterday.

  "I have no choice. My dress alone is too cold."

  My black dress ended above the knees, leaving my legs quite chilly.

  "Does it look bad?"

  "No, you look too beautiful. Enough to draw other men's attention."

  Oh! Was he jealous?

  "What does it matter if people look?"

  Of course, becoming the center of attention would be different.

  I was used to moderate attention anyway.

  Besides, the hem wasn't short enough to reveal the garter belt.

  "But I don't like it?"

  Hmm... Realizing Si-hyun was jealous sent a thrilling pulse through me.

  I could truly feel how deeply he loved me - that possessive side of him seemed incredibly endearing.

  "Don't worry, I belong to you, Si-hyun."

  Hearing this, Si-hyun knelt before me and covered my lips with his.

  "Mph!?"

  It was a brief kiss.

  "Your sweet words are quite moving?"

  Ah, this happiness felt absolutely wonderful.

  Si-hyun showed a satisfied smile.

  "You s-surprised me with that sudden kiss."

  "Because you're just too adorable."

  I felt incredibly happy!

  How could just a kiss bring this much joy?

  Novels always describe this feeling so extravagantly - it really makes you curious.

  After checking out, we drove leisurely home.

  -

  With no traffic and perfect weather, we detoured to a rest stop.

  This service area had stunning natural scenery in an ideal location.

  The one we stopped at even had a batting cage, so we played for a while.

  Watching Si-hyun in the batting cage made me understand why Awakened were banned from professional sports - his dynamic vision was so sharp he could hit every pitch as a home run.

  "That looks boring."

  "Eh? It's not boring, it's just too easy. I could barely hit half before."

  We'd visited batting cages together in middle school.

  Back then, we both struggled to hit anything.

  "I want to try too."

  "In that dress?"

  "Oh, it's fine."

  I grabbed some change and entered the batting area as if taking over from Si-hyun.

  When we passed each other, I noticed his concerned look but focused on my swing.

  I inserted coins, gripped the bat, adjusted my stance, and took a few practice swings.

  That's when the first pitch came hurling toward me.

  "Hmm..."

  Just testing the first ball!

  It was absolutely just to check the pitch speed!

  When the second ball came, I swung with all my might.

  Of course, I missed completely.

  "How could that be!?"

  I had timed it perfectly?

  While analyzing the reason, the third ball arrived, and I swung in a fluster.

  With a clear "clang," the ball flew backward.

  It meant I hadn't hit the sweet spot.

  "Damn it."

  Now I was gradually getting the rhythm and stance.

  The fourth ball finally produced a clean crack and flew forward at high speed.

  "Not bad."

  Each time I swung, my skirt fluttered up, but for me at that moment, hitting accurately was more important.

  Once I found my aim, the rest became easier.

  Although the pitches were somewhat tricky, my Artifact-enhanced agility and gradually adapting dynamic vision kept me from missing.

  I couldn't hit home runs like Si-hyun with every swing, but I steadily sent out quite a few good hits.

  "Ah, it's over."

  After using up the pitch count, I put back the bat and stepped out of the batter's box.

  "How was it? I did pretty well, right?"

  "Si-yeon, swinging like that in a skirt will show everything."

  Huh? Could he have seen?

  "D-did you see?"

  "No, I didn't see that... but your thighs..."

  Ah, I was wearing a garter belt today. If my upper thighs showed, it would be exposed.

  Still, it wasn't as embarrassing as directly revealing my underwear.

  "I'll be careful."

  Si-hyun didn't want others to see me like that, and of course I had no objection.

  When I stood in front of Si-hyun, he started stroking my hair.

  "You did great."

  "Right!?"

  Being praised made me overjoyed.

  "How about we exercise together sometime? Like badminton."

  "Well... if we play together, I'd have to control my strength carefully."

  Ah, right. After Si-hyun's Body Strengthening, his physical stats were super high.

  He must have been holding back at the batting cages too.

  "I see. If it's too much trouble, forget it."

  "I can control it fine. I'm mainly worried about hurting you."

  Si-hyun looked apologetic.

  "Really, it's fine. I wasn't thinking it through. How about we go to the gym together?"

  Remembering how Si-hyun often made time for the gym, I suggested it.

  "Work out together?"

  "Yeah."

  "Uh... it sounds good, but I do have concerns."

  "What concerns?"

  "I'm worried other men might harass you."

  "Oh please, with you there, who would dare?"

  "Then let's go together next time."

  "Okay."

  This way I could spend more time with Si-hyun.

  Plus, women's gym clothes are generally quite revealing, right?

  Perfect for showing off to him naturally.

  On the ride back, I looked up women's gym outfits.

  Turns out everyone loves wearing leggings.

  Trying them on, I found they really were convenient for movement - no wonder they're popular.

  When we parted at my doorstep, I felt unusually reluctant.

  Even though we'd see each other tomorrow, I could hardly bear being apart for a moment.

  Si-hyun seemed to read the attachment in my expression and gave me a light kiss, saying he'd see me tomorrow.

  Maybe because of what happened last night, Si-hyun seemed to express his feelings more.

  Even though trying to advance our relationship failed, this could still count as a gain.

  -

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