Struggling (8)

First, I briefly awakened my mind, then slowly got up from the temporary bed and pushed Erica against the wall.

For a moment, Erica looked bewildered, but she immediately hardened her face.

I was the same. Maintaining an expressionless face, I strengthened my grip on her wrist.

“Don’t you think about willingly offering your body?”

“I don’t want to.”

It felt like we had returned to our previous relationship. Suddenly, I felt good.

“…..Let go.”

But it was just a momentary silly thought. She was probably just feeling aversion to the situation of fangs invading her body.

“Why?”

“Bloodsucking….. feels strange.”

Does she dislike it?

Well, since my fangs aren’t particularly small, it probably feels very foreign.

I pondered for a moment.

It’s not something I should care about.

Anyway, it’s been a long time since the fang marks near her shoulder disappeared, so it’s just time to inject again.

“Think positively. This is an equivalent exchange, isn’t it?”

“What do you mean?”

“You benefit from receiving my magic power, and I get to taste your blood.”

“I don’t particularly need it though?”

“I’m not interested in your opinion.”

It was a forceful tone. I satisfactorily thrust my fangs.

Soon after, I felt slight resistance.

“W-wait….. ugh, huk!”

The scent of her skin rang in my brain.

A warm wave flowed into my mouth. Feeling the appropriate mix of sweetness and saltiness, I closed my eyes for a moment and shivered.

It wasn’t just me who started regaining vitality. Erica was the same. When I slightly loosened my strength on her shaking shoulder and arm that was resisting more fiercely,

Immediately, as her body pushed away, the amount of blood stimulating my mouth rapidly decreased.

“Ah…..”

“I said I don’t want to.”

Her eyes were glaring at me before I knew it. I smiled slightly.

“I told you I’m not interested in your opinion.”

“Doing bad things without consideration or kindness…..”

“I don’t know about such things.”

It was a small rebellion.

It was a rough act carried out while reminiscing about the memory of letting everything go in her embrace.

That’s right.

I felt again that my body and mind had become lax lately.

Is this the power of love?

Is it an illusion where the world looks beautiful and brilliant?

Good memories have been piling up.

But it doesn’t solve the fundamental issue.

“Are you angry?”

“…..Is this provocation?”

“If so, what will you do?”

I indicated the surroundings with my eyes.

It’s the Association’s lounge.

If we open the door and go out right now, there’s the Director and a few employees.

The situation is entirely favorable to me.

“You can say what you want. I enjoy your condemnation too.”

“Bad woman.”

“It changed from crazy woman to bad woman!”

“Hmph.”

Erica cleanly ignored me and turned her head to grab the doorknob.

Watching her leave the lounge, I deliberately clung to her back persistently.

“Let’s go together.”

There was no reply.

Walking to match her stride, I wrapped my hands around her waist, but a cold hand came and pushed me away.

We passed through the corridor and the office door opened.

This time I grabbed her wrist. It was shaken off.

I tried to check Erica’s expression, but it was difficult due to her quick steps.

The Director was standing in front of the coffee machine and blinked when he saw us.

“Did you two fight?”

“No!”

“Yes.”

I twisted my side hair and blinked.

In the first place, the question of fighting shouldn’t be allowed in the relationship between her and me.

I should always be an antagonistic existence to Erica. We should be taken for granted to the point where biting, fighting, and breaking each other feels light in our opposing relationship.

For a moment, I felt like my head was melting. It seems like we’ve had skinship several times just today. Before I knew it, I had forgotten my duty and was doing bestial things again.

I turned my head.

Anyway, I have no choice but to gasp while grasping the end of this tattered relationship.

I’ll have to use this necromancer group this time.

Following Erica with the Director in front, we arrived at the conference room.

“As you both know, there’s been an uproar this time. After the Alliance incident, necromancer groups have slowly started to be observed.”

A few report sheets were thrown. In a blurry photo, a necro army in the form of skeleton soldiers was visible.

“The restoration of the Alliance building has been postponed, and even the troops are undergoing treatment procedures. They contacted the Association. Asking if we could do something.”

“Thanks to me!”

Silence fell.

My ear was pinched.

“Ow, it hurts.”

Erica’s fingernail dug into the inside of my ear. Tears almost came out.

“E-Erica…..”

Suddenly feeling sad at the situation where she wouldn’t even meet my eyes.

No.

With my ear still grabbed, I turned my thoughts while feeling the sensation of her fingers.

Come to think of it, being abused by Erica isn’t bad either. Though I’m not into that kind of thing, if Erica wants it, I can endure that too.

There’s no way my sturdy physique, which has endured many things, can’t accept Erica.

“Anyway, Orli. I’d like you to help.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Is Erica going too?”

The Director slightly nodded to Erica.

I nodded too.

Soon after, a sigh was heard.

“I’m going anyway.”

“Then I’ll go too!”

“It’s not a picnic, you know?”

It’s not a picnic. This time too, I have to rack my brains and proceed with the plan.

“It seems boring to end it too quickly. Can I fight moderately while enjoying moderately?”

“Does it seem like you can?”

She must be very angry, constantly finding fault. Actually, this appearance is cute too.

“No matter how much you provoke me, I’m not affected at all.”

I twisted my side hair.

“No. Your prim expression that I haven’t seen lately might strain my heart.”

“…….”

Erica turned her head expressionlessly.

Suddenly, I wanted to tease her.

After a short break time, the conference room door opened. Three hunters in uniforms entered hesitantly.

“These are the hunters who will accompany you on this operation. I don’t think you’ll care much given your personality. But I thought it would be better to show their faces.”

“Is it okay for a necromancer group? Are they strong people?”

Along with a pure question, I tilted my head. Are they high-level personnel?

Was the Association in such a good situation?

The Director averted his eyes and lifted his paper cup without saying anything.

Is it a hastily organized team? Well, it would be difficult to gather high-ranking hunters in this situation.

I pondered for a moment.

But why? Is there a need to give room for injuries to occur?

Erica blinked. Then her gaze turned to each of the hunters in turn.

“Wouldn’t it be fine with just me and Orli?”

“They’re kids who passed the private procedure and were selected. While at it, to give them some practical experience.”

“W-we can do it!”

One hunter met my eyes and shook once more.

“I-I’ll work hard! Just give me orders!”

“Such people are rare in this world.”

Erica made an expression of disbelief.

“Even so, I think these people might be in danger for this operation.”

“They begged and pleaded to be sent. Try to understand. It’s a world where money is needed.”

The empty paper cup fell over.

“Moreover, I’m not particularly worried. Erica, you’re going together. What big problem could occur?”

The Director’s eyes turned to me. Silence fell.

I smiled slightly.

“Oh…..”

“I hope you two make up quickly. Both of you.”

There’s benefit to constantly saying I like Erica in front of the Director. When told we fought, he immediately shows concern.

Watching the Director leave the conference room, I turned my head to Erica.

“The number of people to protect has increased.”

“Ah, really….. I can’t believe this…..”

Erica grabbed her forehead. The hunters shuddered.

“Don’t worry. If you obediently follow my words, I’ll try to behave.”

Erica bit her lip. Well, with that personality, it’s impossible for her to refuse knowing the hunters’ circumstances.

“How about sucking up to me now? If it’s cute, it might have a big effect.”

“…..Shut that mouth.”

I smiled slightly and leaned on her shoulder. It was rough but warm.

“And.”

“Yes?”

“You said you’d….. be with me.”

Her snow-white eyes shook several times.

“Even if you don’t like it, you have no choice. You’re being threatened right now.”

“…..Was that so?”

Unwilling to bend her pride, she just turned her head.

The uniforms fluttered. There was a rustling sound.

Erica handed uniforms to the hunters one by one.

“These are specially made undead-specialized clothes. The place we’re going to clean up is a necromancer group, but since the stats are similar anyway, the difference is minimal so it’s fine.”

“Thank you.”

“Where’s mine?”

Erica narrowed her eyes.

“I’d like even what you used to wear.”

When I looked at Erica’s seat before, I did see a few uniforms.

“…..Those aren’t magically treated. Wear this.”

It was a black uniform. I took it and stood in front of the mirror with its sophisticated design. The black outfit certainly suits my snow-white hair well.

I turned my eyes. Erica was in a blue uniform.

“Pretty.”

Silence fell.

“Erica is pretty.”

“As you know, this is a hastily organized team so support is a bit lacking. I think you’ll have to understand that much.”

The hunters nodded while watching my reaction.

“We also have specially made exclusive weapons.”

“I want to dress you in other uniforms too.”

Erica slightly turned her head and looked at me.

Her eyes were half-lidded.

“We’re busy right now, you know? We have to finish preparations today since tomorrow is the actual operation.”

“Just today you were panting in front of me.”

Everywhere became quiet. Erica dropped the uniform she was holding.

“Th-th-that mouth won’t…..”

“You hugged me and explored my body wildly before.”

“Won’t, won’t your mouth shut up?!”

Her face turned red. The hunters blinked and slightly glanced at Erica.

“You tormented me here and there countless times while I was sleeping. Was my body your goal perhaps?”

“It’s not! Th-that, you too…..!”

“What did I do? I didn’t do anything while you were sleeping? It’s just you with your peculiar taste.”

“What are you, I never, I never…..!”

Seeing her hands trembling, I smiled slightly.

I didn’t particularly lie.

“I’m sorry, everyone. Erica was bold when she did it, but now that she’s caught, she seems embarrassed.”

“Aaagh…..”

Erica hurriedly ran to me. Soon after, my mouth was covered by her palm.

“I got it, I got it so please be quiet…..!”

I tapped her palm a few times. Soon after, air rushed into my mouth.

“I’ll watch what you do today.”

“Ugh…..”

Erica let out a faint groan. Her uniform shook and a refreshing sound rang out.

She was cute.