As Akane’s simulator partner emerged from the shadows, she released a breath. Sosuke was her new husband by way of arranged marriage. He had been abducted alongside Akane and compelled to play through these ridiculous fantasies as each story’s handsome male lead. Sosuke was a perfect fit for the role, as he was tall and muscular, with a sharp jaw and piercing grey eyes that contrasted beautifully against his fiery orange hair. Most captivating was his stoic demeanor, which few circumstances could penetrate.

“You came just in time!” Akane remarked.

Annoyance reflected in Sosuke’s eyes. “A regular occurrence in the simulations we have been assigned.”

“At least we didn’t have to fend off any slimy tentacles this time around.”

“Very true…”

They both shuddered. After which, Akane noticed her husband was even more scantily clad than she was. His outfit resembled something the villain from a ’90s anime might wear. He was outfitted with pointy shoulder pads, a long flowy cape, and a horned helmet, yet no armor covered his chest or abdomen. Because of course his character had magical abs, or skin as thick as steel, or whatever!

“Are you alright, Akane?” Sosuke asked.

“I’m fine. And you?”

“As well as can be, all things considered.”

By now, Sosuke had no doubt caught sight of Akane’s revealing outfit in the dim torchlight. Yet like always, his aloof expression did not waver.

“Do you happen to know where the keys to your shackles are?” her husband inquired.

“I think the leader had them, but I-” Out of the corner of her eye, Akane saw something moving on the ground. “Look out!”

The burly NPC who had been struck in the chest by an arrow suddenly rose up and lunged at Sosuke. Her husband swiftly reached for his sword. The mercenary swung a dagger dripping with green goo, likely representing a poison or paralytic. Sosuke dodged the attack and prepared to counterstrike.

Seeing his ambush had failed, the NPC rushed toward Akane.

“Pookie-bear!” her husband shouted.

Since when did either of them have pet names?!

Before Akane could be taken hostage, a giant panther the size of a horse leaped at her from the darkness. The beast immediately stationed itself between her and the mercenary. It also bore a saddle that matched the color of Sosuke’s cape.

“Drat!” the NPC shouted.

Sosuke ran up from behind to deliver a finishing blow. The mercenary ducked his head at the last second, missing the edge of her husband’s blade by less than an inch.

“Ack!” The enemy sank to his knees, as if injured. “Curses!”

The NPC collapsed and died in a pool of his own blood.

Sosuke unclenched his fists. “Good job, Pookie-bear.”

“But I didn’t do anything,” Akane replied with confusion.

“Oh, I was talking to the panther,” said Sosuke. “It will only respond to the name engraved on its collar.”

A collar which read Pookie-bear, with a heart at the end.

“Right…”

Akane didn’t know whether she wanted to burst out laughing, or crawl under a rock and stay there forever.

“So, how did you get the upper hand just now?” she asked in an effort to change the subject. “From here, it didn’t look like your attack landed.”

“It didn’t,” Sosuke confirmed. “Luckily for us, I maxed out the ‘extra hitbox’ weapon upgrade on my journey here.”

“Come again?”

“It means as long as my attack comes within an acceptable range, the target will receive full damage.” Her husband gave two thumbs up. “We should have the advantage in most battles from here on out.”

Akane was greatly miffed. “How come you always get to run around like a warrior in a video game while I have to spend all my time being chased down or kidnapped?”

Sosuke shrugged. “You’re the expert on romance novels, not me.”

“How can this same setup be romantic after the thousandth time?”

“Again, I wouldn’t know. Besides, it’s not as if I have any say when it comes to the programming.”

“It was a rhetorical question!” Akane hung her head in defeat. “Please just get me out of here!”

“Which of these men is the leader?” Sosuke inquired.

She motioned to the mercenary leader with an arrow in his head. “Check that one.”

After a moment, Sosuke found a set of keys hidden in the NPC’s pocket. When he returned to Akane’s side, he began to unlock her chains. Meanwhile, her eyes were inevitably drawn to his chest. Lean, chiseled, and shimmering with sweat.

“So…who are you supposed to be?” Akane asked as a means of distraction. “You aren’t dressed like a typical hero.”

There was a hint of irritation in Sosuke’s voice. “The notorious Demon Lord of this world, who has been keeping his true powers hidden until now. Apparently.”

“Let me guess: your character isn’t as evil as everyone thinks. That’s why, upon noticing that I, an innocent maiden, was in need of rescue during your trek through the woods, you came to my rescue?”

“Actually, my character is described as ruthless to all, except you, my secret lover. When you didn’t make it for our scheduled rendezvous, it provoked a desperate search of the enchanted forest,” he replied.

Akane rolled her eyes. “Is it just me, or does this whole plot feel a little contrived?”

“Didn’t you say you used to read stories like this all the time?”

“A fact I’ve never been more ashamed of.”

“Well, I doubt these simulations could do proper justice to an esteemed genre.”

“You might be surprised by the caliber of writing in today’s bestselling books,” Akane mumbled.

It didn’t take Sosuke long to undo the chains of her captors, yet Akane’s hands remained fastened with locks.