Hearing the sound from inside, Ace's heart tightened. A surge of heat rushed through him.
Based on his… rich experience, this kind of voice was at least ninety percent suspicious.
Ash's bathroom had originally been part of the restroom—only separated by a simple waterproof screen.
The window faced the backyard, overlooking the small crops Delia had planted, and beyond that stood a two-meter wall.
To keep air circulating, the bathroom window was never fully shut. It remained open by a ten-centimeter gap all year round.
On clear days, Delia would even slide it fully open.
Tonight, that tiny gap offered Ace a perfect viewing angle.
Earlier that afternoon, Delia had tried comforting herself after Ace had taken away her black lace underwear… but Ash had been home, whining that he was hungry, so she'd been forced to stop halfway.
She'd thought her own fingers could help her relieve her tension, but instead, the unfinished feeling sat in her heart like a burning ember.
Once Ash was asleep, Delia completely let go in the bathroom.
Mist filled the room, blurring the view, but Ace could still make out the high, soft curves swaying in slow, trembling motions.
Just that one image made his heartbeat slam against his chest.
His hand slipped into his pocket almost automatically.
Inside, the damp black lace was still perfectly preserved.
Ace's torn clothing helped him—there was nothing in the way.
He draped the lace over himself like a shawl and narrowed his eyes.
"Huff… Aunt Delia…"
[Ding, Host completed emotional release while peeping at Delia outside the window. Pervert Points +500!]
"Woah—!"
Ace cried out in relief.
But the moment the sound escaped, he froze.
Inside the bathroom, the delicate gasps immediately stopped.
"Wh-Who's out there?"
Delia's voice trembled with panic.
"It's me, Aunt Delia."
A daring idea popped into Ace's mind.
He didn't hide—he declared his identity openly.
"A-Ace?" Remembering the missing underwear, Delia's heart pounded.
She hastily wrapped herself in a towel. "It's so late… why are you here?"
"Auntie… can you open the door? I…"
Ace used his small, childish voice to pretend he was pitiful.
His clothes were torn, he was filthy, and he didn't even have shoes.
Any kind aunt would take such a child inside… and perhaps be persuaded into something more.
He looked down at the black lace in his hand, slightly stretched out of shape.
A slow smile crept across his lips.
"What's wrong?" Delia heard his 'hurt' tone and immediately opened the living room door.
The moment she saw him, she froze.
Ace was covered in dirt. Only the collar of his shirt remained, like a neckband.
His pants were shredded—only two legs of fabric hung down, with a few strips around his waist.
His exposed skin was scraped in several places.
But what caught Delia's attention the most… was that thing.
Thicker than Ace's own forearm.
Just seeing it made her stand a little straighter.
Her thighs pressed together instinctively.
The warmth from the bathroom still lingered in her body.
[Ding, Host boldly admits to peeping and shows Delia his true state. Pervert Points +600!]
"You… what happened?" Delia whispered.
She didn't dare look at him directly—her gaze kept flitting away, cheeks warm.
Ace knew exactly what that meant.
He'd had the system for only a day but already understood how Pervert Points were measured.
The higher the reward, the more impact he had on the woman's mind.
And he'd gotten 600 points just by showing himself.
Delia wasn't calm at all.
Then… I'll give you a stronger dose.
Ace crossed his arms behind his back and put on an innocent, shy expression.
"Th-Actually… I came to apologize to Aunt Delia!"
He bowed deeply—so deeply that his head sank right into her chest.
Warm. Soft. Sweet.
"Ah—!" Delia hurriedly pulled him up, nightgown clinging to her curves.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm sorry, Aunt Delia… I've actually liked you for a long time…" Ace's eyes welled with fake tears.
"Ever since I first met you, I've dreamed about you. In my dreams you're always so gentle… always wearing black lace… and then we're on the bed and—"
"Stop! D-Don't say more!" Delia's face burned crimson.
She tried to calm herself. "Th-This is normal. Boys your age are entering puberty, so—"
"No!" Ace interrupted. "I know I shouldn't like you, but I can't help it… I even became a thief today…"
Delia stiffened.
So he really had taken her underwear.
But… she hadn't even washed it…
"If… if you really like them," Delia said softly, "tell Aunt Delia next time. I can give you a few clean ones…"
Her heart screamed, Delia! What are you saying!? You can't corrupt Little Ace!
But she underestimated Ace.
He slowly lifted his head in the moonlight and whispered, "But Aunt Delia… I like the ones you just wore. Because then… they smell like you. And…"
"And… what?" Delia's whole body tensed. Her toes curled.
She was losing control.
"I can also make them full… just like this~"
Ace smiled brightly—almost angelically—as he revealed the sticky object in his right hand, raising it slowly as he stepped closer.
"Ah—! Ace, you—!"
Delia felt her heart jump out of her chest.
She actually had the impulse to give in.
He's so strong… Should I…? No, he's a child… But Ash's father…
Her mind spiraled.
[Ding, Host showed Delia the "crime scene" and launched a severe Pervert Verbal Attack. Pervert Points +1000!]
Ace's grin widened.
Tonight… I might finally taste Aunt Delia.
Just as he thought victory was his—
Delia gently took the lace from his hand.
She stroked his head.
Her voice was soft, trembling.
"It seems little Ace really likes me… but Aunt Delia is a married woman. I can't… help you that way."
"You'll meet a girl you like someday."
Her cheeks were red, her breathing shaky.
"But… if Ace likes it… you can come to Aunt Delia's house every day to collect clothes~"
She pulled him inside, took off her nightgown, draped it over his shoulders, and walked back toward the bathroom.
"Wait just a moment. Aunt Delia will help you clean up after she finishes bathing."
She smiled—gentle, maternal, seductive.
"?" Ace stared blankly as the bathroom door closed.
She'd obviously been right on the edge…
So how did she pull back?
"Aunt Delia's 'wifely virtue' stat must be too high…"
He pouted, lying down on the sofa.
But Ace didn't know—
Behind the sound of running water, Delia stood alone in the bathroom.
Her face bright red.
Her breath unsteady.
In her hand…
The object Ace had shown her.
"The long-lost…"
She swallowed.
"Why… does it smell… so good…?"
Her fingers dipped into it.
Slowly.
She hesitated—
Then brought it to her tongue.
And tasted.