Chapter 246: Ultra durable?

Outside, Yverine was fanning her face with both hands, walking in tiny circles like she was trying to cool her CPU.

Brandon stepped out of the sliding glass doors with the plastic bags in hand and smiled dryly before walking to her "Sister Yve..."

Yverine froze mid-circle and turned around to look at him with a soft flush in her cheeks.

She tried to act nonchalant but ended up fiddling with a loose strand of hair as her eyes darted away "W-What?"

With a soft sigh, he spoke "Let’s leave..."

Yverine nodded a little too fast. "Yes. Yes, let’s... let’s leave."

They began walking side by side as the night breeze brushed against their faces.

The city was calm, with only the occasional hum of a passing car or the distant chatter of other pedestrians echoing down the street.

After a moment of silence, Yverine, still red-faced, muttered under her breath, "That was embarrassing..."

Brandon chuckled softly "It wasn’t that bad."

She narrowed her eyes and nudged his shoulder "What do you mean, it IS bad."

Shrugging his arms, he replied "Well, I got to see a cute side of Sister Yve today."

C-Cute? Yverine’s face burned even more.

She groaned and covered her face with one hand "I thought you were buying cigarettes! Who goes from chips to condoms that fast!?"

Hearing this, he couldn’t help but laugh "Don’t worry... the next time I buy condoms, I will invite you at that time too. I want to see you getting flustered even more."

She squeaked and slapped his arm "Don’t you dare!"

He laughed, dodging another slap as they reached the next block.

As they turned the corner, her hand found its way to his sleeve with a small pout on her lips.

"...Next time... at least warn me first."

He smiled and looked ahead "Alright. But you’re still coming with me."

Yverine sighed dramatically, "Gods, why am I the only one suffering tonight..."

But she didn’t let go of his sleeve.

And Brandon didn’t mention it.

---

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and Brandon stepped in first, holding the slightly crinkled transparent plastic bag filled with snacks as Yverine followed him.

Just as the doors were about to close, a small voice shouted, "Wait!"

A mother and her young daughter, maybe six or seven, rushed in and Brandon opened the elevator’s door.

The girl had pigtails and a juice box, and the mother had a faint smile.

As they entered, the woman smiled towards Brandon "Thank you..."

Brandon nodded his head, reciprocating the smile ’Seems like they are foreigners; they are speaking english.’

The little girl’s eyes drifted toward the transparent plastic bag in Brandon’s hand.

Specifically, to the top of the bag where a packet is pressed up against the clear surface with a "ULTRA DURABLE – XL"

She blinked and tilted her head as she asked in a bright, innocent voice "Mommy, what’s ’Ultra Durable’?"

Yverine froze in horror and Brandon also stiffened upon hearing this.

The mother blinke and looked down at her daughter.

Then looked at the plastic bag.

Then looked at Brandon.

Then looked at Yverine.

She paused and smiled before answering her daughter "It’s something for adults, dear."

Yverine’s knees buckled, and she had to grab Brandon’s arm to steady herself as a red explosion erupted across her face.

Brandon made the grave mistake of trying to hold back laughter and instead let out an awkward choking sound.

The little girl, not understanding at all, just nodded wisely "Oh. Like taxes?"

The mother chuckled "Exactly."

Yverine, still clutching Brandon’s arm whispered, "I am going to kill you when we get out of here."

Brandon facepalmed himself with a laugh before whispering back "Then at least let me use the condom before you kill me..."

She was even more embarrassed upon hearing this, and her whole body quivered.

The elevator finally reached their floor with a ding, and as they exited, the mother gave them a tiny wave "You two have fun."

Yverine muttered, "We’re not-" but the elevator doors closed before she could finish.

Brandon exhaled slowly and Yverine smacked his arm again.

---

Soon, both of them entered Yverine’s room.

Brandon casually tossed the snacks onto the low table while Yverine, still very much overheating, immediately collapsed on her bed like she had just returned from battle.

Brandon took the condom packet out of the bag, twirled it between his fingers, and casually slipped it into his pocket.

’Now, it won’t cause anymore problems.’

Yverine noticed him and looked at the packet before it disappeared into his pants pocket.

’...T-That’s the large one...’ she mumbled under her breath and only then did she realize that he took a large size.

Her mind, against her will, conjured certain visuals of his size ’H-How big it is for him actually pick that size...’

She pressed her face on the pillows and rolled on the bed ’No, No, No.. whay am I even imagining that.’

Brandon blinked at her outburst "You alright?"

"Perfect!" she chirped from under the pillow. "Totally fine. Never been better!"

Brandon chuckled softly, leaning against the wall as she recovered.

Later, after she had composed herself, the two stepped out into the corridor.

"Well, well, look at the two of you."

Hearing a voice, both of them turned their heads and looked at Naevora, who was walking toward them.

"Was wondering where you two ran off to. Come on, I was just heading out. Join me for dinner?"

Brandon smiled and nodded his head "Sure. I’m starving."

Yverine nodded quickly, trying to look normal and not like she had been thinking about Brandon in indecent dimensions just minutes earlier.

Bzzz.... Just then, Brandon’s phone buzzed.

He reached into his pocket to grab it, but fate... that cruel little goblin, had other plans.

The slick condom packet slipped out along with the phone and fluttered to the floor.

Plop.

Right in front of Naevora’s feet.

All three stared at it.

Yverine froze like someone had cast [Petrify] on her and Brandon just blinked.

Naevora’s eyes slowly tracked down to the shiny silver packet on the floor.

Then looked at Brandon.

Then she looked at Yverine.

Then back at the packet.

Then back at Brandon.

Her jaw slowly dropped open in utter shock.

"...No way."

Yverine’s soul left her body again and went on a trip to meet her ancestors, who are up in heaven.

’I am so cooked...’

Brandon cleared his throat and slowly leaned down to pick it up, "Uh... that’s actually... not mine."

Naevora snapped out of her shock and stared at him "Then why is it in your pocket?"

He glanced away and muttered "Bought it for my friend. Limited stock"

Naevora was still unconvinced and turned to Yverine, her gaze narrowing "Yve..."

"I- ! I didn’t- I mean, it’s not like- We weren’t- !! I mean, not like that! And even if it was- not that it

was...

but even if-"

Brandon couldn’t help but chuckle in his mind ’Seems like her brain, which was short-circuiting, is fully fried now.’

With a deep sigh, Naevora muttered "It is definitely a surprise, but I am not against it."

"If both of you consent, you guys can do it... It’s your own personal life. As your Master, I am happy my disciples are getting along so well."

Brandon and Yverine stayed silent, as they didn’t know what to reply and looked at each other.

They stood there silently, frozen in place like broken NPCs awaiting new dialogue triggers.

Naevora smiled and walked past them "Come on, let’s go..."

Brandon sighed and rubbed his temple "I hate gravity."

Yverine whispered beside him, "Don’t ever take things out of your pocket again."

---

At the hotel’s dining table, Naevora, Brandon and Yverine took their places.

A soft-spoken server arrived and handed them the evening menu "Tonight we have coq au vin, ratatouille, boeuf bourguignon, and a special on duck confit. For sides, we have pomme purée, truffle fries, and garlic herb baguettes."

Brandon picked up the menu like it was a cryptic puzzle as he didn’t understand a single word "...And what the hell is coq au vin?"

Naevora, resting her chin on her hand, replied "Chicken braised in wine. You should try it. It’s good."

Eventually, the three placed their orders.

Brandon went for duck confit, pomme purée, and haricots verts, green beans sautéed in butter and garlic.

Across from them, Naevora watched both of them in silence with her wine glass halfway to her lips.

’They’re getting along well. Maybe a little too well.’

She took a long sip of her drink, then set it down gently ’At least they’re not fighting each other. I should be relieved...’

Naevora looked at them and spoke "Don’t eat too much. You’ll ruin your appetite for combat drills tomorrow."

Brandon nodded his head "Hmm..."

Yverine turned to him and whispered "See, in tomorrow’s training, I am beating your ass."

EH? He smiled dryly "Sister Yve, you should not bring personal feelings into training..."

He turned to Naevora and complained "Naevora, are you seeing this? Sister Yve is trying to bully me."

Naevora couldn’t help but chuckle and replied "I can only pray for you."

Brandon turned to look at Yverine and she deliberately speared the meat on her fork with a soft *thud* and ate it in front of his eyes as if saying ’This meat is you tomorrow.’

Seeing this, he gulped ’Tomorrow training.. she is going to kill me.’