Chapter 34: This world still values appearance
Andre Rivera's worry was completely unnecessary.
Because Hikigaya had no intention of returning to the base anymore. Of course, if he had known that the main heroine from the anime was coming, he might have considered going back to take a look.
His not returning wasn't because he didn't want to see the Hand-to-Hand Combat Division group anymore, but rather, having once been in the Yomi, he understood deeply how extensively the organization had infiltrated Japan. No matter where he went, if they wanted to find him, they definitely could.
Standing up from the riverbank, he decided to leave.
The new clothes he had changed into at the base felt uncomfortable to him.
He roughly estimated in his mind that if he activated his Authority, it wouldn't take long to return to Chiba from here.
The Authorities of Dryness and Moisture could affect most natural entities—land included.
With the power of his Authorities, Hikigaya could perform a technique similar to instant movement.
Not only land—water too. The Moisture Authority could act on rivers, lakes, and seas on land, while the Dryness Authority could work on the ocean—this was quite a strange thing, likely because ancient Egyptians regarded seawater as the product of burning.
However, just as Hikigaya was about to move, he heard a sound.
The sound came from a section of the river, where a few ripples spread.
Hikigaya walked over and looked down, only to see a young woman submerged in the water.
She was wearing only a robe-like garment, sitting cross-legged in the water. Her long hair floated with the current, and her body remained motionless, suspended in the stream.
This posture made Hikigaya feel like he had seen it somewhere before.
He had seen many beautiful women by now, but even at such close distance, this woman still made Hikigaya marvel.
Her snow-white skin looked soft enough to break with a touch. The two mounds on her chest were full and firm without losing elasticity. The curve of her slim waist and round, perky hips was exquisite. Her cross-legged legs could be called masterpieces.
But who was she? She was definitely a martial artist, but didn't seem like someone from the Weapons group—those people never left their weapons behind.
Splash!
Even Hikigaya couldn't quite tell how she did it—she floated up to the surface in an instant, flicked her long hair, and with a gentle paddle of her jade-like feet on the water, slid to Hikigaya's left side.
"Staring at an older woman like that... not something a king should do."
Stepping on the riverbank's pebbles, the woman made no move to put on more clothes. She simply stood there fully exposed before Hikigaya, speaking slowly:
"If one is a king, and he likes something, he should use his power to take it directly."
Now that was a line of someone from Yomi.
But from her tone… did she consider herself quite old?
Since she was now facing him, Hikigaya could clearly see her face.
She looked just like a woman in her twenties, but her eyes were deep—far deeper than someone her age should have.
Her beauty was like a painting, refined and elegant, yet it carried an alluring charm beneath the surface.
At the same time, she exuded a classical aura. All these seemingly contradictory traits coexisted harmoniously within her.
"You know me?" Hikigaya asked.
"Of course. You are the king born from Yomi. How could I not know you? The others are still on the way, but since my dojo is nearby, I arrived early."
A beautiful young girl referring herself an old lady—among the Hand-to-Hand group, Hikigaya knew of only one like that.
Kushinada Mikumo—the only woman among the Shadow Nine Fists, known as the "Bewitching Fist."
The styles of the Nine Fists were generally reflected in their titles.
Kushinada Mikumo's style was focused on the word "Bewitching." A practitioner of jujitsu, she was extremely bewitching—both her martial arts and her persona.
She looked like a young beauty, but was actually the oldest among the Nine Fists. Her body and appearance, however, remained that of a twenty-something. It seemed tied to her unique cultivation method.
Most intriguingly, she was apparently once a "Living Fist" type. No one knew what caused her to change professions, and upon doing so, she instantly became one of the most extreme types among the "Killing Fists."
But it seemed Kushinada Mikumo had no intention of covering herself up. Was she unaware of her exposure, or did she just not care?
So Hikigaya carefully admired her with the eyes of someone appreciating fine art. In the end, he concluded—yep, everything was natural. No artificial parts.
That was ridiculously unscientific!
As Hikigaya took on a scholarly look, Kushinada Mikumo suddenly gave a charming smile and asked:
"You like women, don't you?"
Hikigaya gave her a look of reproach.
Wasn't that obvious...?
"Then how about letting my disciple serve you?"
"I'll pass. I already have a little sister," Hikigaya shook his head. Kushinada Mikumo's disciple was basically just a kid.
"Seems you only like mature women."
Truly worthy of being an "older one"—her words were incredibly unfiltered.
Hikigaya decided to switch topics. He didn't want to talk about this anymore.
"You were waiting for me here?"
He couldn't think of any other reason why Kushinada Mikumo would avoid entering the base even though she was nearby, and instead go swimming here.
"Yes. I didn't want to be disturbed. Please forgive this bit of selfishness from myself."
Just as Hikigaya was thinking she at least had some self-awareness, Kushinada Mikumo floated across the distance like a ghost, placing her hands on his shoulders. One hand paused briefly before sliding down his chest to his abdomen.
"Actually, I have something quite important to discuss and would like your support. Could you lower yourself to discuss it with me?"
Feeling a chill on his stomach, he realized her hand had slid in through the gap between his buttons.
What was this, a seduction attempt?
Hikigaya looked down at the hand resting on his belly and thought just that.
The world had truly lost its morals. Has no one any shame anymore? But then again… maybe sacrificing himself for the sake of the world's morals wasn't such a bad trade.
As for age… given how Kushinada Mikumo looked, who could seriously treat her as anything older than twenty? Besides, he was a God Slayer—unless killed by a god, he'd probably live forever. Age didn't really matter.
In this world, everything came down to looks. Hikigaya had understood that truth long ago.