The Beast That Licks Me - Chapter 4.5

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(Lurelia’s Christmas Bonus – Update 1/4 🎉)

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***

“This is so delicious.”

Rosette exclaimed in admiration as she ate the clam chowder. The soup was truly delicious, with the smooth taste of cream blending well with the chewy clam meat.

The place Evan had reserved was a family restaurant converted from a two-story house. Using fresh seafood from the island as the main ingredient, the home-style food wasn’t fancy but retained a simple charm.

“How did you find out about this place?”

Rosette asked, poking at the octopus terrine that came as an appetizer with her fork.

“Some of the people I worked with live on the island. They recommended it to me.”

“It’s a shame we’re coming on the last day. No, if we had known about this on the first day, we might have gone bankrupt already.”

Evan grinned at Rosette’s cute way of immediately changing her words.

“The manager introduced me to the next job, so it looks like I’ll be able to work continuously until we get off the ship. I’ll be paid weekly, so we can occasionally eat delicious food like this.”

“That’s good. You’re working and I’m working, so we’re on our way to becoming rich. But isn’t the work hard?”

“I don’t like sweating, but the work is fine. There are many fun things too. The other day…”

A staff member placed chili crab between the two as they conversed. Rosette exclaimed at the steaming chili crab. The crab, seasoned with sweet and spicy chili sauce, had one particularly large claw that was as big as Rosette’s fist. Evan naturally tore off the claw, prepared it for easy eating, and placed it in front of Rosette. After dipping the plump claw meat in plenty of chili sauce, Rosette cupped her cheeks.

“Mmm…! It’s so delicious, you should try it too.”

“Yes, I will.”

Today, they realized that food that’s too delicious can actually make people quiet. Only after finishing the popoco sherbet for dessert were they able to have a proper conversation. After talking for about 20 minutes, they paid the bill, including a tip, and left the restaurant.

“Ah, that was really delicious.”

“It was. Let’s come again next time.”

At Evan’s words, Rosette suddenly wondered. Would we be able to come here again? What would we be like then? Would we still be together? She hoped they would be.

“Yes, let’s come again next time.”

Speaking with that wish in mind, Rosette stepped onto the sandy beach. The cool night breeze cooled her sweat. They leisurely walked along the beach. The soft sand tickled their toes.

“Put your feet in the water, it’s refreshing.”

Rosette said, splashing her feet in the water. Evan took off his shoes and followed Rosette.

“You’re right.”

Evan said, smiling like a boy. Feeling somewhat strange, Rosette silently walked ahead. The night breeze was cool, but it didn’t cool the heat on her cheeks. It was fortunate that it was dark.

The two quietly walked along the night sea. The foam of the waves came to them, collided, and broke into small pieces. Every time they stepped on the wet sand, their feet sank.

“Ah!”

“You need to be careful.”

Finding it fun, she walked, almost jumping, and slipped. If Evan hadn’t grabbed her arm, she would have fallen. When this happened several times, Evan offered his arm.

“Hold onto me. So you won’t fall again.”

“…Is that okay?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

Even with Evan’s casual words, her heart raced. Rosette steadied her breathing and gripped Evan’s arm tightly. She could clearly feel the muscles that had been toned by recent hard labor.

It was getting late, and since most people wanted to watch the fireworks from the ship, the beach was completely empty. Thanks to this, they could leisurely stroll along the main beach.

The quiet sound of waves, the gentle breeze, the nighttime beach, their lightly linked arms. If happiness had a form, perhaps it would be a moment like this.

“This is really nice. So quiet.”

“It is.”

“It would have been nice if Ariel and Levit had come with us.”

“Really? I like that it’s just the two of us.”

“…Huh?”

“Would you really have preferred if the four of us came?”

Evan asked with a playful smile. As Rosette hesitated before speaking, a firework rose behind her with a sound like a bird crying. The firework that soared high into the sky burst, causing Rosette’s back to flicker white. Time moved slowly. The fireworks reflected in Evan’s blue eyes, then gradually faded.

Gazing into Evan’s eyes, Rosette belatedly realized that she, too, had wanted to be alone with him. Evan slowly moved closer to Rosette. Was he going to kiss her? Rosette tightly closed her eyes. Something warm and firm touched her nose, then moved away. When she opened her eyes, Evan was proudly showing her some sand on his finger.

“How do you get sand on your nose while walking?”

Evan said with a playful smile. Rosette’s cheeks burned hot. Why are you always so composed? Rosette pulled on Evan’s shirt and stood on her tiptoes. She tried to kiss him, but lacking height, the kiss lost its mark and wandered around his lower lip and chin before ending.

How can I not even manage something like this properly?

Rosette pushed Evan away with a frustrated expression. She could see the fireworks reflecting in his eyes each time he blinked. Evan’s eyes slowly curved. It was a smile that thoroughly melted her heart.

Evan moved closer to Rosette and slowly bent down. This time, Evan closed his eyes first. Their foreheads touched, and after playfully rubbing noses, Evan carefully lowered his lips. Warm body heat seeped through their lips. Only then did Rosette slowly close her eyes. The kiss tasted of salt.

***

Rosette woke to rustling sounds. Evan, his wet hair pushed back, was buttoning his shirt. Her heart fluttered at the sight of his exposed forehead, different from usual.

“Where are you going so early?”

Rosette asked in a husky voice, looking at the darkness outside. Evan answered while finishing buttoning his cuffs.

“I told you I’d be starting a new job today. They told me to come early.”

“But it’s too early.”

Evan fixed Rosette’s disheveled hair and kissed her cheek.

“I’ll come back early. Let’s have dinner together.”

“Okay, I got it.”

Soon, the door closed, and Rosette was left alone. After touching her own lips, Rosette suddenly kicked her legs under the blanket. The laughter that escaped couldn’t be stopped.

***

Rosette, who had officially begun teaching Silvia, realized not long after starting the tutoring that she was a student who needed no teaching. At the same time, she was a student who was satisfying to teach.

What this means is that Silvia was as much of a bookworm as Rosette, and perhaps because of all her reading, her manners were nearly perfect. She also spoke little, so there wasn’t much to correct.

However, because she had relied only on books, her speech mixed old-fashioned expressions with more recent ones, requiring occasional corrections. Since she immediately applied the corrections, Rosette found teaching her extremely easy. The years of daily education from Sarhen, who had been active in high society instead of her daughter, who hadn’t entered it, were paying off.

Rosette wondered if she should be receiving payment just for this, but Jepi, who observed the lessons, was completely impressed and kept begging Rosette to become their full-time tutor, until Silvia scolded her.

Jepi, who listened to the lessons alongside them, began nodding off like a cat in the sunshine after about an hour, then left like the wind, saying she would buy some cake.

“How is it going? Is it very difficult?”

“No, I like being able to ask about things I don’t know.”

Silvia shook her head and answered in a gentle voice to Rosette’s question. By rank, Silvia should actually have used informal speech while Rosette used formal speech, but because Jepi strongly objected, saying such a thing was impossible between teacher and student, Rosette ended up using informal speech while Silvia used formal speech.

“That’s good. I’ll tell you everything I know. Feel free to ask anytime.”

“Thank you.” “Then we’ll have a test in 10 minutes. Do you need more time?” “No, that’s fine.”

Silvia answered politely and shifted her gaze to the book. She was completely different from Ariel, who acted allergic at the mere mention of tests, or Levit, who would heave a deep sigh. Children really do have such diverse personalities. Rosette found this obvious fact both fascinating and enjoyable.