Presenting the Ring to Rokuko

I know that presents like rings become flags—if you don't give them right away, you never will.

So, as embarrassing as it was, I decided to hand it over quickly.

I started thinking things like "I don't need to make a big deal of calling her over just to give it to her…" but no. Once I decided to give it to her, I needed to follow through.

So, to eliminate the option of not giving it to her, I sent a message: "I finished that thing I promised, so I'm giving it to you. Come to my room."

"Kehma! I'm here!"

She arrived in three seconds. That was fast.

If she had a tail, it would probably be wagging right now.

I rummaged around and—

"So, Rokuko. Here, the promised item."

"A box? … Ah! Can I open it?!"

"Yeah."

No sooner had I said it than Rokuko quickly took out the ring.

"Ooh… A red gem? It's so clear and beautiful. There's something sparkling inside it too."

Then she immediately tried to put it on her finger—and stopped.

… Then she kept glancing my way… What? You want me to put it on you? That's more service than I expected. Just handing it to you was embarrassing enough.

"… Kehma. I heard from the hero that at times like this, it's normal for your partner to put the ring on. P-put it on me?"

She's… asking me…? Damn, fine. I'll accept that challenge.

I took the ring back from Rokuko, gently took her left hand, and aimed.

… When I looked at Rokuko's face, she was staring intently at the ring, tense.

While thinking about how Haku-san was probably going to kill me for this later, I put the ring on Rokuko's ring finger… It's loose. Well, I made it without measuring her size, so of course it would be.

But this was within my expectations. I have [Create Golem].

In fact, since I had planned to adjust it from the start, I deliberately made it loose. It would be more of a problem if it wouldn't go on at all.

Rokuko touched the loose ring with her right hand, spinning it around and around.

"Muu, it's loose… I know!"

"Hm?"

Just as I was about to adjust it with [Create Golem]—kashiin! Rokuko started glowing.

When the light faded, standing there instead of Rokuko was a blonde girl who looked like Rokuko grown up.

And on the ring finger of her white left hand, the red ring I made fit perfectly.

Who are you—… no, it's Rokuko. Logically speaking, there's no way it could be anyone else. Well, logically speaking, no one should be able to grow up in an instant either, but Dungeon Cores aren't normal.

"If the ring is loose, I just need to get bigger! Ehehe, it fits perfectly. How is it? Does it suit me?"

"Y-yeah… You're Rokuko, right?"

"Hm? What's wrong, Kehma? Captivated?"

Rokuko smiled and puffed out her chest. Something like meat buns jiggled with a "tayun."

Her apparent age had clearly increased. If before she looked like an elementary schooler, now she was around high school age. High schoolers these days sure develop fast, hahaha.

… I almost found my eyes drawn to her legs, but I desperately stopped myself and looked away. It would have been dangerous if Rokuko hadn't been wearing shoes.

"… Um? Rokuko, what's with that appearance?"

"Oh, come to think of it, this is the first time I've shown Kehma, isn't it? How is it? Oops—"

Rokuko twirled around to show off, then lost her balance from the momentum and fell over. Her shoes even flew off.

"Ow. I lose my balance when I suddenly get bigger."

"Hey hey, be careful."

I sat back down.

OK, let's calm down. I saw various things—white and a certain spot—but I'll pretend I didn't see them… Kuh, those white knee socks are so alluring! My eyes went there involuntarily! Don't point your feet toward me—my heart can't take it!

But I must not look. With legs that shapely and no age-related concerns, I might carelessly fall in love.

If that happens, I can easily imagine being slaughtered by Haku-san, so I have to desperately endure.

"R-Rokuko, can you change back?"

"Yeah, I can. Actually, maintaining this form uses up a bit of DP."

"Good. Please change back for now. I still don't want to die."

"Eh?! I'll cause Kehma to die like this?! Got it, I'll change back right away… I changed back!"

I glanced over. She had properly returned to her loli form.

Phew, that was close…

"Alright, now let me adjust the ring's size… huh?"

"Hm? Ah, it fits perfectly now."

Rokuko said while putting her shoes back on. When I looked at the ring finger of her left hand, the ring that should have been loose fit Rokuko (small) just as perfectly as it had fit Rokuko (big).

… Come to think of it, her clothes, shoes, and even knee socks had adjusted to fit Rokuko (big). Wait, didn't those shoes just come off? Eh? They adjust even when removed?

Alright, let's not think too deeply about this. There's a possibility it won't adjust anymore if I consciously recognize it as violating the law of conservation of mass.

Rokuko gazed dreamily at the ring on her finger.

"Ehehe, it's so pretty. This gem—it's red and transparent and beautiful."

"Yeah. It's my proud work."

She must have been really happy, twisting her hand this way and that to look at it from various angles.

I've finally calmed down too. Seriously, my heart was racing…

"What's this sparkling thing inside the gem?"

"That's orichalcum."

"Heh, so this is orichalcum… Isn't orichalcum super rare?"

"That amount cost 10,000 DP."

"Heh… So that much is ten Kehmas, huh…"

Hey, don't turn me into a unit. That would make Feni rank higher than me.

"Ehehe."

"Well, I'm glad you like it."

"Yeah, thank you, Kehma! I love you!"

Two seconds after saying that, Rokuko's face turned bright red. She must have realized what she just blurted out.

Then she ran off saying, "I-I'm going to show off to Niku and the others!"

… I couldn't help but think that was cute.

No, that's just—I'm just happy and warm because she was happy with my present. That's all it is…!