Money Can Buy Everything

042 Declaring Love Aloud

Momo smiled, his eyes reflecting only Asuna's figure.

Asuna also looked at Momo, at the reflection of herself in his eyes. She could sense that at this moment, this boy in front of her had only her in his eyes and heart.

Only her, Yuuki Asuna.

In an instant, Asuna knew it was time to make some choices.

She chose to face it, to face Momo.

However, with her choice made, the previous unease and nervousness vanished. She believed that no matter how she acted, Momo wouldn't mind at all. In his heart, she was the most beautiful girl.

No need to worry about proper etiquette, impolite language, perfect posture, or graceful actions. The only thing needed is to open one's heart, accept Momo, and accept one's true self.

"It truly feels like a dream. You descended from the sky, entered my life, and I didn't feel a hint of aversion. It seems like I got used to your presence in an instant."

"Compared to your perfection, Momo, I really feel insignificant. There are certainly many girls who are more beautiful, more talented, more suitable for you than me. But it seems like from the very beginning, you've chosen me... Do I really deserve this?"

Asuna spoke, appearing somewhat anxious, her hands fidgeting, yet Momo didn't give her a chance to feel uneasy. He had already taken hold of Asuna's hands, easily separating them and then holding them tightly.

"Absolutely, you do."

Momo moved closer to Asuna, their foreheads almost touching. He said, "Because, while there are many beautiful and talented girls in the world, there's only one Yuuki Asuna."

With the simplest declarative statement, Momo conveyed a fact he had firmly established, which was enough to dispel all of Asuna's unease.

"I've chosen only you, Asuna."

Seeing Momo so close, seeing his unwavering gaze, Asuna smiled.

Asuna suddenly understood something: all her worries, all her fears, all her self-doubts, none of it was worth her mental energy.

As long as she gave everything to Momo, that would be enough.

As long as she believed in Momo, that would suffice.

Without evading, without averting her gaze, she looked at Momo before slowly closing her eyes, awaiting the moment that was meant to come.

That wait lasted one minute.

And nothing happened!

Asuna's heart anxiously skipped a beat. What had happened?

Her eyelashes fluttered, and she finally couldn't resist opening her eyes, sneakily stealing a glance at Momo. What she saw was a playful smile playing on Momo's lips.

A surge of anger rushed through her. What was Momo doing? Making jokes at a time like this!

Puffing up her cheeks, she aimed for a direct hit against Momo, only to have Momo grab her hand, preventing her from moving.

"You jerk..."

Asuna felt a bit annoyed, wondering if Momo was really just teasing her at a time like this?

"Asuna, don't be impatient. Actually, there's one more step missing."

Asuna blinked, step? What step?

Momo leaned in close to Asuna's ear and whispered softly, "I love you, Asuna."

Love, not like.

In a dimension Asuna was unaware of, Momo had been yearning for her beloved character for nearly a hundred years. This was an emotion that had stood the test of time. It was love, not just liking.

A bewitching fragrance wafted up from the depths of Asuna's heart. She lost all strength, collapsing into Momo's embrace. The only thing she could do was lift her head and gaze at Momo with intoxicated eyes.

"Kiss me, Momo, please..."

Their lips met, and in the moonlight, only their two silhouettes pressed together, unmoving in the wind.

The sweet scent felt even warmer against the cool background, making the two figures seem to sigh beneath the moonlight.

"What an annoying feeling. Why can't I be more than ten meters away from Momo..."

It was unclear how much time had passed until the two of them calmed down slightly. Asuna held onto Momo's shoulders, trying to use her own strength to stand up, but her body had no intention of recovering its strength.

"It's all your fault!"

Asuna lightly thumped Momo's chest, then looked up at him. Her eyes were filled with shyness. But when she saw the eager look in Momo's eyes, she quickly lowered her head and said, "I can't do it anymore, if... if you go on... I really won't be able to stand!"

"Go on with what?"

"Pushing the limits!"

Asuna's legs felt weak, yet she reached out and tugged at Momo's ear, saying, "I can resist, too."

"Unfortunately, you can't beat me!"

Asuna wanted to retort, but she exclaimed in surprise as Momo suddenly lifted her up by the waist, saying, "What, what are you doing?"

"Naturally, I'm holding you!"

"But... but!"

"Alright, don't worry. I'll put you down once you've regained your strength. It's really getting late; we should go back to the inn to rest."

Asuna didn't know what had come over her, but she hopped down from Momo's back before they entered the town. However, as a form of compensation, Asuna voluntarily held onto Momo's hand, as if afraid that he would misunderstand her intentions.

However, when the two of them saw the other players, Asuna's mood grew somewhat heavier.

"Momo, can we still go out? Can we still survive?"

"Don't worry, we definitely can. I can assure you of that."

Asuna glanced at the players on the roadside. She hadn't made any excessive demands of Momo. Although she wanted to help these players, she wouldn't let Momo directly give away items to them. On one hand, that would put Momo in a difficult situation, and on the other hand, it wouldn't have much effect. Asuna was kind-hearted, but growing up in an elite family had matured her thoughts far beyond those of her peers. She only lacked experience.

Asuna had a faint understanding that if Momo were to give items to all players, what awaited him wouldn't be praise and trust, but rather malicious curses and anger. Humans, once they tap into their worst nature, are not much different from animals.

Especially in the current situation—this death game. If external rescue couldn't be obtained, what kind of situations would arise among these ten thousand players?

Asuna felt a slight unease, but Momo seemed to sense her thoughts. His grip tightened.

"It's okay. I've got everything under control."

"Mhm."

They entered the inn. Asuna seemed to recall something and said, "By the way, Momo! You didn't even tell me you spent so much col these past few days. No, we can't be so wasteful. You worked so hard to earn col; we can't spend it recklessly!"

After saying that, Asuna walked up to the innkeeper and started manipulating the interface.

"No need to be so frugal, Asuna. Tomorrow I'll explain to you in detail about my daily income. At the moment, we can afford these expenses."

"That won't do either. We can still be a bit more economical. In the future, you'll have to listen to me when it comes to spending!"

"Alright, alright. But at the very least, choose a mid-level room. I can't bear wooden beds. We should at least rest well."

Asuna's body trembled, and she changed her selections in a slightly panicked manner, saying, "Ah, okay... I'll take care of it."

Having said that, Asuna finalized her choices and then, with her head lowered, led Momo into a private room instance.

Momo found Asuna's behavior somewhat strange. However, after they entered the inn room, he understood.

The room was still a mid-level one, there was no mistake about that. It seemed Asuna had modified her choice based on what Momo had said. The only difference from before was that Momo had reserved an entire floor, while Asuna had...

Just one room.

A double room.

"So, h-how is it..."

Momo tilted his head, a slightly amused smile playing on his lips as he said, "Not bad at all. A double room is indeed a good way to save money. You get the same services as a single room for the same price, and on top of that, you even get a real person as a body pillow. It's practically perfect!"

"Mhm..."

Momo jokingly continued, while Asuna kept her head down, responding quietly.

"Alright, Asuna. Is there something you want to say?"

"Shouldn't I be the one to speak up?"

"Because, I really don't understand! Oh, I got it now, you want me to sleep on the floor to save money, okay, no problem..."

Momo fell silent as his lips were sealed by Asuna's gentle kiss. Since he had playfully teased her by pretending to look around, Asuna decided it was time to take the initiative.

After all, she had made up her mind.

"I... I looked up the system, found out about the ethics restriction thing... and then found out that this is also possible here... so, Momo... I've lifted the ethics restriction..."

Asuna's voice grew softer, her face grew redder, and even the tips of her ears turned crimson.

In reality, Asuna's heart rate probably exceeded a hundred beats per minute by now. She was covered in sweat, which might have attracted the attention of the specialized medical staff in the Yuuki household.

Would they think Asuna encountered some danger in the game?

Oh my, just thinking about it made her a bit excited!

"So... so... Momo... so..."

Asuna seemed to stutter, unable to continue. At that moment, Momo once again lifted her up, and they headed toward the bed.

Asuna turned her face away, too nervous to look at Momo. But when Momo laid her on the bed, Asuna's starting equipment disappeared.

The moonlight shone upon Asuna's skin, making it even more alluring.

Asuna closed her eyes and extended her arms towards Momo, wanting to embrace him.

Naturally, Momo didn't refuse. He held her hands, their fingers interlocked. Then, he kissed Asuna once more.

Asuna's body trembled but quickly calmed down. It was as if she was no longer anxious and was beginning to enjoy the intimacy with Momo.

After a long while, their lips parted. Asuna's eyes were misty as she said, "Momo... I'm willing..."