"Okay."
"Handsome, please wait a moment. I'll have someone get a new one from the warehouse now."
The saleslady originally wanted to chat with Tenya for a few more sentences, but after noticing Yukino beside him, she instantly backed down.
"Beauty, your boyfriend is so handsome." The saleslady looked at Yukino with envy.
Partly out of envy for her looks, and partly out of envy for the male companion by her side.
"He is not my boyfriend." Yukino corrected.
"Oh..."
"I understand."
The saleslady smiled knowingly.
You're here buying underwear together, and you're telling me you're not boyfriend and girlfriend?
Seemingly reading the saleslady's teasing gaze, Yukino's expression became a little flustered.
Yet, she couldn't claim to have a clear conscience. She could only choose to remain silent.
"Would you like to try on other clothes?"
"All the clothes in our store are trendy brands imported from foreign."
"Authentic and guaranteed."
The saleslady said confidently.
Yukino picked up an apron and tried it on at the scene, carefully observing herself in the mirror.
It was a purple sleeveless suspender dress with a striking cat paw print on the chest, looking playful and cute.
"You'd look so cute cooking in that." Tenya gave a thumbs up.
"Is that so? Thank you. But I was asking how Yui would look in it."
Yukino turned around, took off the apron, folded it, and held it in her hand.
"For Yui, she'd probably suit those light, loose-fitting styles, clothes that look a bit silly and clumsy?" Tenya commented.
"A spot-on description..."
"I have to admit, your understanding of Yui is far above mine."
Yukino expressed her admiration, which was rare.
Following Tenya's suggestion, Yukino quickly chose a pink suspender apron with many heart patterns on it.
At the counter, when paying, Yukino also took the sky blue underwear and the purple cat paw apron.
As she left, a faint smile hung on Yukino's face, showing that she was in a good mood.
"Tenya-kun, what gift did you prepare for Yui?" Yukino asked with a hint of curiosity.
"I remember Yui likes dogs. How about we go check out the pet section?" Tenya suggested.
"...."
Yukino was startled, her expression flashing with a trace of unnaturalness. But she didn't object, just silently followed behind him.
"Woof woof woof!"
As they approached the pet store, they could hear the sound of dogs barking from inside.
Yukino's body trembled slightly. Affected by her childhood trauma, she felt a psychological fear of dogs. Just then, she suddenly felt a warmth in her palm.
She saw a warm large hand holding hers. Tenya turned his head and smiled gently at her.
"With me here, don't be afraid, Yukino."
Yukino's heart immediately settled. Her fingers struggled symbolically for a moment, but she didn't break free from his hand, allowing him to lead her forward like this.
"Welcome to the Doggy Wonderful House."
The employee greeted the customers with a smile.
"Woof woof woof!"
The dogs in the cages were jumping up and down, excitedly panting and wagging their tails, as if waiting for their owner to buy them.
However, unfortunately, the dogs' enthusiasm had no effect whatsoever on the cat faction's Yukino.
Yukino subconsciously tightened her grip on Tenya's hand, and her body also unintentionally moved a little closer to Tenya. Tenya took the opportunity to put his arm around her shoulder.
Seeing this, others cast envious glances. But they were a handsome man and a beautiful woman, there was nothing to say.
"Hello, I'd like to pick out a dog collar." Tenya's objective was clear.
"Okay, please look this way."
The staff led the two to the pet accessories counter, where various collars and leashes were displayed.
Tenya chose a pink and blue collar with a heart in the middle, based on his first impression.
"Are you really going to buy a dog collar as a gift?" Yukino expressed her confusion.
Although her personal preferences were different from ordinary girls, she vaguely felt that giving a dog collar as a birthday gift seemed a bit inappropriate?
"It's fine. The gift itself isn't important, what's important is the person giving the gift."
Tenya planned to use the [Item Creation] skill to craft the collar into a magical item and give it to Yui.
With this, the task of buying a birthday gift was successfully completed. That day, their hands didn't separate.
— — —
"Yui, Happy Birthday."
Yukino presented the carefully selected pink apron.
"Yukinon!"
Yui hugged Yukino with a face full of joy, bumping into her head and making it buzz.
"Yui, too close..."
Yukino's face was slightly distorted from being squeezed, and her expression was extremely subtle.
She thought to herself, 'Is this your way of repaying kindness with enmity?'
"Yui, happy birthday."
Tenya presented the dog collar, which had been modified with [Item Creation].
Its appearance didn't look any different, but it exuded an indescribable spiritual energy.
"Tenya-kun. Thank you, I love it!"
Yui's eyes lit up. She opened the gift box with joy, only to see a small "necklace" inside, which looked a bit small. Without thinking, she immediately put it on, wearing it around her neck.
"Ho-How is it?"
After putting on the dog collar, Yui looked at Tenya with anticipation.
"Wait, Yui!"
"Th-this is..."
Yukino was startled and quickly tried to stop her.
She had seen with her own eyes yesterday that Tenya bought a dog collar at the pet store.
At that time, she felt that giving a dog collar as a birthday gift was inappropriate.
"It suits you very well, Yui."
Tenya interrupted Yukino's attempt to speak with one hand, while praising Yui without changing his expression.
As he said before, the gift itself wasn't important, the protective magical function it provided was the key.
"Hehe. Tenya-kun's gift, I'm so happy." Yui smiled foolishly.
"...."
Yukino's mouth opened, but she ultimately couldn't bring herself to say the truth. She just turned her head and glared fiercely at Tenya.
What a mischievous guy!
Next, the three of them had dinner and went straight to karaoke. In their joy, they also secretly drank a little alcohol.
"Yui, it's not suitable for minors to drink alcohol." Yukino advised a few words.
She herself had no problem, her Nekomata power could dissolve the alcohol in her body and keep her sober.
"Hehe..."
"It's okay, anyway, Tenya-kun is here."
Yui's alcohol tolerance was really poor. She only drank a glass of cocktail and already felt a bit dizzy. She leaned softly into Tenya's arms.
"Let's call it a night." Tenya checked the time and saw it was getting late.
"I'll take Yui home first. Yukino, will you be okay going back alone?"
At this time, Yukino had basically mastered the Nekomata's power. Let alone encountering bad people or thugs, she had the ability to protect herself even if she encountered something strange.
"You're taking Yui home? I suspect you have improper intentions." Yukino frowned, staring at him with sharp eyes.
"Hey, don't treat me like some pervert. I would never force myself on a girl."
New Book
Renji transmigrates to the world of One Piece, at some random village. He spends his days on peace. But then, one day, pirates invade the place he calls home.
On the verge of death, he awakens a system. And as if that wasn't enough, he gets Heavenly Six Eyes, basically Six Eyes Pro Max and Sukuna's Diamantle at the start.
Besides, he gets bounty points for each kill of a pirate with which he can upgrade his skills.
This leads to the rise of the strongest Marine the world has ever seen.
[Ding! Host's performance upon joining the Marine has been recognized by the system.]
[Reward: Reverse Cursed Technique (Lv. 1)]