Whoosh!
Another projectile tore through the air.
The human-headed spider was clearly furious that Natsuki had dodged its surprise attack.
It immediately gathered its strength for another shot, but this time, it fired only a single web bullet.
Its target was Natsuki’s head.
The heart and the brain were the two most obvious weak points of the human body, and the monster had concentrated all its power into this one attack.
It was far more destructive than the earlier barrage.
Its plan was simple: kill Natsuki before he could react, and the woman beside him would have no chance of escaping.
She would be completely helpless, a little more than meat on a chopping block.
“Kouhai-kun, watch out!” Utaha cried.
The web bullet spiraled toward him with a roar, whipping up violent currents in its wake.
A faint sonic boom cracked through the air, and before Utaha had even finished shouting, the attack was already inches from Natsuki’s forehead.
Then, to everyone’s astonishment, it passed straight through him.
It was an afterimage!
Utaha’s eyes lit up while the human-headed spider froze in disbelief.
Boom!
The web bullet struck the wall behind Natsuki and exploded, bringing the entire structure crashing down in a cloud of dust.
Had that gone off against his skull, he would have gone from cute and handsome to cute and headless.
A dangerous grin spread across Natsuki’s face.
‘So you’re the little bastard who tried to ambush me?’ “Trace on!” Kanshou and Bakuya appeared in his hands.
They were the twin blades most commonly wielded by Archer—or rather, Heroic Spirit EMIYA.
Kanshou, the black yang sword, and Bakuya, the white yin sword, were both ranked C-.
As a married pair of blades, they naturally pulled toward one another.
Natsuki’s dynamic vision sharpened to its limit.
He dodged the spider’s next attack and hurled both swords.
Then he created another pair.
“Triple-Linked Crane Wings!” In the next moment, Natsuki closed the distance.
The enlarged twin blades swept down like a pair of black-and-white wings.
Splatter!
The human-headed spider’s head burst apart.
What remained of its body dropped heavily to the ground, completely lifeless.
Natsuki did not have much actual combat experience.
The first two times, he had fought at close range using Hamon.
In the park, he had used a bow and detonated Caladbolg II as a Broken Phantasm, which had been such ridiculous overkill that he might as well have been a nuclear-powered archer firing at a mosquito.
Still, a lack of experience did not necessarily mean he was bad at fighting.
He was practically the Souji Tendou of an anime crossover world.
Geniuses could not be judged by ordinary standards!
When it came to combat, Natsuki could simply imagine his way through it.
Once the danger had passed, Utaha pressed a hand to her chest and released a breath she had been holding.
“Kouhai-kun, you weren’t hurt, were you?” “Of course not.” “Thank goodness…” Utaha rolled her beautiful eyes.
“I never imagined monsters like that actually existed.
I really did nearly die tonight.” Then she added dryly, “Now I understand why you weren’t worried about angry readers confronting you in person.
They genuinely wouldn’t stand a chance.” “Of course.
I’m incredibly strong.” Natsuki said it with shameless pride.
They resumed walking.
“You were very cool just now, though, Kouhai-kun.” “Was I?” “Very.” “Aren’t you curious about that monster?” “I am.” The image of that grotesque human-faced spider still made Utaha uneasy.
“But if you don’t want to tell me, I won’t ask.” Her restraint was deliberate.
Utaha had feelings for Natsuki.
Perhaps they had begun when his first novel became an instant success, yet he had still offered a helping hand to a complete stranger whose own debut was on the verge of cancellation.
Or perhaps those feelings had grown later, after she discovered how handsome, charming, and entertaining he was.
Either way, liking him did not give her the right to invade his privacy.
She might have a sharp tongue, but her emotional intelligence was excellent.
“It’s true that this world isn’t normal,” Natsuki said with a shrug.
“Supernatural creatures exist, and so do powers beyond ordinary human understanding.
Still, there’s no point obsessing over it.
Life goes on.” He only gave her the broadest explanation.
The subject soon passed, and their conversation returned to light novels.
Before long, they arrived outside Utaha’s apartment building.
“I’m home.” Standing beneath the streetlight, Utaha narrowed her eyes in a warm smile.
“Mm.” Natsuki nodded.
“Tell me, Kouhai-kun…” Utaha looked up at him.
“If I ever find myself in danger again, will you protect me?” “Of course I will.” Natsuki answered without hesitation.
A faint, pleasant fragrance drifted closer.
Utaha leaned in and lightly kissed him on the cheek.
“I’m satisfied with that answer.
Consider this your reward.” Senpai was as bold as ever.
Had it been Eriri, her face would already have turned bright red.
She would have shouted something like “Shut up!” or “Idiot!” while completely failing to make a move.
Tsunderes never said what they truly felt!
That was why they always became losing heroines.
“Good night, Kouhai-kun.
Sweet dreams.” “Good night…” Natsuki watched Utaha enter the building before turning around and strolling home.
…
At the Sawamura residence, Eriri was still working hard in her room after an exhausting day.
It had not been a holiday, and her secret identity as the famous adult doujin artist Kashiwagi Eri absolutely could not be exposed at school.
There was no way she could sneak in a little drawing between classes—not even if she hid alone on the rooftop!
She could not bear to imagine how humiliating it would be if anyone discovered the truth.
That left her no choice but to stay up late and work at home.
Fortunately, Eriri genuinely loved being a doujin artist.
Even while pulling an all-nighter, inspiration usually poured from her faster than she could draw.
Tonight, however, she could not seem to focus.
“What did Natsuki-kun go do with that top-heavy woman in black stockings?” “Ahhh!
Why am I even thinking about this?” “Work, work, work!” Eriri tugged at her golden hair in frustration.
The look Utaha had given her before leaving had definitely been a challenge.
It was, wasn’t it?!
Eriri lowered her gaze toward her chest, then instinctively compared herself to Utaha.
Her irritation immediately doubled.
“Ughhh!” The joys and sorrows of different people rarely aligned.
…
Natsuki had no idea what Eriri was suffering through.
After returning home, he took a bath and washed away the exhaustion of the day.
Between spending hours shopping and fighting a human-headed spider monster, there was no way he would not be tired.
He was not made of steel.
“Ahhh…” Nothing beat a hot bath.
Natsuki stretched contentedly and found himself already looking forward to tomorrow.