After one thing led to another, we made our way back to Tsudon and headed straight for the red-light district.
We were here to have some fun!
Naturally, I'd already showered and scrubbed myself clean as a matter of etiquette. I hadn't missed a single detail.
I'd combed through the config menu, but there weren't any options for a child lock or disabling the ethics filter. I'd likely have to give up on the idea of visiting any actual erotic establishments. Even if those options did exist, it was easy to imagine the game simply cutting my consciousness during the crucial scenes anyway.
"We're going to a cabaret club, uo! We're gonna live it up with a flock of girls, uo! Maybe I can even get a few feels in! It's possible I couldn't touch anyone before just because we were all players, uo!"
"That's a valid possibility. We need to verify that. Yeah, we definitely need to verify it! Let's go! Oh!"
"I'm more interested in the snacks, ssu. Though, when it comes to the booze, the real world probably tastes better, ssu."
Apparently, Penpen had already tasted some alcohol for cooking purposes.
So, she could drink... Well, Penpen definitely looked the part. It was obvious at a glance that she had the body of an adult.
On the other hand, there was me—Tria-chan. Her physical age was at a level where a safety filter might realistically kick in. Alto was right on the borderline, though it didn't look like she'd be barred from drinking.
"Eh? Is that so, uo?"
"Probably because refrigerators aren't a thing here. Unless there's a mage who can use cooling magic, you can't get a cold drink, ssu. There don't seem to be cocktails, either. I did hear there's something called Dwarf Firewine, though, ssu."
"By the way, Penpen-shi? Have you mastered cooling magic, uo...?"
"Already did, ssu."
"Classic Penpen-shi! That's why I find you so electrifying and admirable, uo! Come on, let's go, uo!"
Even the red-light district isn't so daunting when you're with a group. Not that I was scared to begin with. It was just a game, after all.
"Excuse me. There are three of us. Can we get a table?"
"...My apologies, we're currently at full capacity."
"There's three of us, uo! Can you make it work, uo?"
"We're fully booked for a private party today..."
"Um, there's three of us, ssu. Is it alright, ssu?"
"You—don't suppose you'd want to work for—no, you wouldn't! Er, anyway, today is our scheduled closing day!"
What a disaster. The shops were right there, yet we couldn't get into any of them. What was going on here?
"I feel like we're being avoided for some reason...?"
"Could it be that the shops haven't been implemented yet, uo...?"
"Ah. Is it one of those things where there are tons of shops lined up, but only one of them is actually enterable, ssu?"
That was possible. It happened sometimes in games. ...Gunuuu.
Even though this was a dedicated VR Mode, the attention to detail in this game was seriously lacking! Dammit!
"In that case, I'll ask at the next shop to see what's open, uo! There should be at least that much of a hint, uo! Excuse me—! There's three of us, uo! Can we come in, uo!?"
"Yes... Please, come in, customers."
...Apparently, this shop was the winner.
A waiter led the three of us to a sofa. Inside the dimly lit establishment, a lamp on the table cast a soft, hazy glow.
"Women! Booze! Food!"
"I-I'm starting to get nervous. It's my first time in a place like this..."
"As long as you've got the coin, it's nothing to be afraid of, ssu. You'll be fine, Tria-shi. Unless it's a total rip-off... Oh, give us three girls who are okay with some touching, ssu! Just bring whatever alcohol and snacks you recommend... also, a juice for this kid."
Penpen seemed surprisingly experienced. I wondered if she frequented these kinds of places in the real world.
After a short wait, the three girls Penpen had ordered arrived at our table, accompanied by a cart loaded with food and drinks. Wow, they really had that seductive "nightlife" vibe.
"E-Excuse us."
"We look forward to serving you tonight."
"Shall we start with a toast?"
The three girls slid in between us, sitting to each of our left sides.
Whoa, that's the scent of a lady of the night. Their perfume was heavy and floral. It felt like a flower blooming in the dark...
"Right then, I'm done cooling these, so I'll lead the first round and then we're on our own, ssu. To the success of Tria-shi's fateful Turtle Extermination—cheers!"
"Cheers!" we all shouted, raising glass cups filled with alcohol.
...The drinks had been poured into the glasses and distributed before I'd even noticed. Talk about efficient! What was going on here? Even with Tria’s enhanced perception, I hadn't seen them do it!
"Oh, Tria-shi gets juice, ssu. Obviously. If you want a refill cooled, just let me know, ssu. I've got cooling magic."
"...With this body, I guess it can't be helped."
For the sake of Tria-chan's healthy development, I really should keep her away from the booze. Yeah. I mean, you could argue it doesn't matter since it's a game, but roleplaying is important.
『Lord Spirit, Tria is fine with drinking. I actually want to try it, so... please, don't hold back.』
"No, no, no. That’s not happening."
"Hmm? What's wrong, uo? Hic."
Hey, Alto's already drunk. That was fast.
"Fuwaaa, I'm all warm, uo. Hey, lady... give me a kiss, uo."
"A-Ah, that’s a bit much, customer."
"Hey now, Alto. Don't go overboard and cause trouble for the staff, okay?"
"...No, it's verification, uo! Really, uo!"
"Even so, you have to follow the proper steps, Alto-shi. In this business, the girl's mood is the most important thing, ssu. Right?"
As she said that, Penpen laced her fingers with the hostess next to her. It was a proper "lover's grip."
The girl assigned to Penpen didn't seem to mind at all. In fact, she seemed totally into it. Wow, she's good.
"Actually, we've got something like a curse, ssu, so we don't know if we can actually have physical contact with people. Oh, it's nothing dangerous. It's just that the 'lewd' spots are blocked by a barrier, ssu. See? Strange, isn't it?"
"Oh, really? Wow, that is strange."
"As a test, would you mind touching me in different places to see where it works, ssu?"
"Sure. Should I start by stroking your head?"
"Oh, that works, ssu! I wonder if I can do it from my side? I can!"
"Yay! Congratulations!"
Penpen, you're incredible! She demonstrated that her chest was untouchable and then moved right into head-pats! What a practiced set of maneuvers...!
Hmm? What is it, miss?
"Milady, have some fruit. Open wide, 'aahn'!"
"Fuo!? A-Aahn... munch."
She held up a piece of cut fruit on a pick. An "aahn" from a pretty girl! Was there any reason to refuse? No. Aahn. Munch.
Oh, this is definitely an apple. It tastes exactly like one. So sweet.
"...H-How cute... There's still more, Milady."
"Nnyu? Munch, gulp. Aahn!"
I was being fed fruit like a baby bird.
Fuooh. Yummy, yummy.
"Next, a grape. Here, aahn."
"Amu."
Whoops, in my excitement, I accidentally nibbled her finger. Chulun. ...I see, so finger-licking is okay. I checked on Alto.
"...Boobs are a no-go, uo. What about thighs, uo? Rub, rub."
"Y-You really can't touch them, can you?"
"That's what I've been saying, uo. It's mysterious, isn't it? Can't even kiss, either."
"Nnh, s-so close... Y-Your face is so pretty..."
It looked like Alto's verification was progressing in its own way. Thighs and kissing were off-limits, huh.
Looking over at Penpen, it seemed like knees were fine. She and her girl were having a great time, laughing and playing.
...Hmm? What now?
"Um, Milady. Would you like to try... feeding me from your mouth?"
"Eh! I-Is that allowed!?"
"Then first, this apple..."
Verification! This is strictly for verification!!
...Ah, it seems mouth-to-mouth is blocked if the object, like a grape, is too small.
Wait, Alto just got slapped on the butt. Is that allowed!? Even though the butt was supposed to be a dead zone... maybe it's okay over clothes? Or maybe it counts as a combat action? Heh! ...Wait, if that's the case, if I slapped her, she might actually die. You better just stick to receiving them, Alto.
Wait, Penpen is hugging her girl now. Eh, am I allowed to do that too!?
One thing led to another, and while we focused on our verification, we ended up enjoying the nightlife quite a bit.
In the end, the bill came to 1 gold coin and 13 silver coins. ...There was a bit of a mess, and Alto was, well, Alto. She drank a ton and ended up vomiting, after all. Considering the cleaning fee, the price was probably fair.
Today was fun! We'll have to come back!
(Next time, from a different perspective)