Chapter 85
❖ ❖ ❖
If someone runs away, someone else is bound to chase.
Somehow, Eki, a mere mage, ended up hunting a dragon named Cassius. She returned to her academy-day habits, when she used to cling to Milla, and chased after her master with determination.
“Master, I revised the magic circle I drew yesterday. Could you take a look?”
“Leave it there and go.”
“Okay, thank you.”
Chu.
“Eki!”
She would tug her master’s face toward her and kiss his cheek whenever he avoided looking at her. That was basic.
“It’s because I’m grateful. A thank-you kiss. It was pretty good, right?”
“What was good about that?!”
“Then would you like a thank-you kiss on the lips?”
“Enough!”
When Cassius snapped at her, she would purposely stumble and pretend to fall into his arms.
“Ah, Master. Sorry.”
“…Get off me.”
“Yeesss.”
And while she was at it, she indulged in desires she had long suppressed.
“Why are you leaning on me. Wait, don’t rub your face on me. I told you to get off!”
“It must be the luck potion. My legs won’t move.”
“Don’t lie. This is your doing!”
When the other person is overwhelmed with embarrassment, your own embarrassment fades. Eki wasn’t usually this brazen, but watching Cassius panic and tremble made her playful side flare.
“But Master, I hear something pounding. Is that your heartbeat?”
“…Damn it.”
Let go. Move away. Stop that.
He said all that. But Cassius’s arms around her waist never actually left. He pushed weakly, careful as if handling a glass sculpture, with no real strength in his hands.
Eki was convinced that at this rate, she would soon hear his true feelings. Cassius was far weaker to kisses than she had expected.
‘Pulling Master in requires kissing after all.’
Her full-bodied courtship plan worked perfectly. She should have done this ages ago.
【 If you’re doing it anyway, why not deep kiss on the lips instead of just pecks? 】
Eki’s triumphant expression immediately twisted.
The puffball fairy popped out of nowhere with a blink!, and Cassius went rigid with terror. He shoved Eki away in an instant, then dusted off his clothes like she had smeared filth on him. His face blazed as he barked.
“Stop that nonsense. Get back to work. I won’t tolerate this in the workshop.”
“Then is it allowed somewhere else?”
“…Eki Provanet.”
Cassius’s voice dropped low and ominous. Eki quickly erased her smoldering gaze and cleared her throat.
“Ahem, ahem. I’ll get back to work.”
One must know when to retreat. Her master was extremely bashful, and whenever they weren’t alone, he would instantly change demeanor. If she pushed him now, he might kick her out of the tower.
‘If not for that fairy…’
Eki cast an irritated glance at the fluff, which immediately puffed up defensively.
【 That’s so mean! I just want to watch you two have fun together! 】
“We weren’t playing. We were working.”
【 Humans kiss and hug for work? 】
“…We do this and that.”
【 I want to see more of that! 】
“Good grief.”
Maybe she shouldn’t have let it out again.
“But isn’t it uncomfortable not having a name?”
To distract the fairy, Eki changed the subject. Luckily, its eyes sparkled.
【 A name! I want one! Will you give me one? If Eki names me, I’ll like it no matter what! 】
“Really? Hmm. How about Fluff?”
Cassius, who had been shaking a flask of potion, snorted. It was basically a laugh. Eki shot him a harmless glare.
【 Fluff? Isn’t that the kind of name you give to a pet? 】
“Isn’t it cute?”
【 Umm. It’s kind of weird. 】
And yet earlier it said anything she named would be fine.
“I thought it was nice…”
“If we leave it to you, it’ll end up with a dog’s name.”
“It would not!”
“Then what else besides Fluff?”
“Um. Cotton?”
Cassius shook his head, and the fairy turned its back on her.
【 Cassius should name me instead. I like Cassius too. 】
“I refuse.”
【 Meanie! I like you a lot because Eki gave birth to me! 】
Clatter. A glass bottle fell from Cassius’s hand. Thankfully, the top had been sealed, so nothing spilled.
Normally Eki would scold him, but instead she flushed red and fanned herself.
“It’s a bit warm. I’ll open the window.”
“…Go ahead.”
【 The warmth isn’t the issue. You need to name me! 】
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.