08.5 Stride

Jane tore her eyes away from the beaker where the mixture was rotating and blending.

Instead, she turned her gaze toward Lily, who was pressing her soft lips together firmly while moving her pen.

‘Why is she being so proactive?’

Jane suddenly grew curious.

Lily was being so proactive and serious that it was hard to believe she had started this simply out of boredom.

Even though recalling her past life would make her tremble with revulsion.

Making chewing gum and condoms wouldn’t bring Lily any personal benefit.

As a legal slave, Lily wasn’t recognized as having any private property rights.

Of course, Jane could provide for her separately.

But there was no way for Lily to use any money that came her way.

That made Jane even more curious.

What was driving this girl to act so enthusiastically?

“Even though you said you didn’t want to sleep together.”

“Huh?”

Lily lifted her head upon hearing the unintentional complaint.

Jane didn’t avoid the sparkling Jewel Eyes looking back at her.

“Why are you working so hard?”

“Is… is that not allowed?”

Her slightly tilted head made her white hair sway.

The bob cut that had reached just below her chin when she first came to the Fairy’s Playground now seemed to touch her shoulders.

Feeling the passage of time in an unexpected place, Jane shook her head.

“That’s not what I meant. I just wanted to say you can stop if it’s too much for you.”

It wasn’t a particularly meaningful remark.

But Lily, setting down the pen she had been using to draw lines, disagreed.

“I was the one who started this project.”

Her slightly furrowed brows were adorable.

The pouty lips that stuck out in displeasure were endearing.

“My reason for starting this was simple. Because Jane seemed troubled. If we can find a way to process the slime byproducts, it’ll benefit you.”

“But we already found a solution, didn’t we? We can sell the chewing gum, and I’ll develop the condoms.”

“I just told you. I was the one who started this project in the first place. I’m doing it because there’s something I can contribute.”

Lily didn’t raise her voice.

But Jane could tell she was angry.

Still, it didn’t make sense.

After all, Lily knew there was no material gain in it for her.

“But there’s nothing in it for you, Lily.”

“Do you really think that?”

“I just want Lily to live comfortably.”

The small body trembled slightly.

Furious, Lily finally dropped a bombshell on Jane.

“The reason I’m doing this is because I like you, Jane. I never expected any material reward.”

“Huh?”

Jane was left speechless by Lily’s words, delivered through clenched teeth to emphasize her anger.

What had she just heard?

Lily likes… me?

Jane’s mind went completely blank.

“Why?”

Another question arose.

Was there any reason for Lily to like her?

Because she was her master?

Because she rescued her from the slave merchant guild?

Every person Jane had met so far had been the same.

They sought favors without compensation and were selfish.

That was a universal human trait, whether noble or commoner.

Of course, she and Lily had done all sorts of things together.

They’d shared light kisses and deep, tongue-tangling ones.

They’d touched each other’s breasts and engaged in even more intimate acts.

But Jane never assumed physical intimacy meant the other person liked her.

Watching Jane’s confusion, Lily sighed deeply, as if the ground had given way beneath her.

Her master was surprisingly clumsy when it came to dealing with people.

It was obvious that strange thoughts were swirling in that round head of hers.

And Lily had no intention of enjoying misunderstandings by withholding words.

“You being my benefactor is one reason I like you. I also like that you provide me with food, shelter, and a place to rest.”

“Uh, um…”

As Lily began listing the reasons one by one, Jane’s dark eyes, usually so steady, began to waver.

But Lily continued.

“You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever met, and I think it’s cute how weak you are in the mornings.”

“Huh? Wh-what?”

“I like how your cheeks turn pretty shades of pink when pushed a little, and I love your warm, forest-like scent.”

“Ugh… wait, Lily.”

Before she knew it, Jane’s pale cheeks had flushed a lovely shade of pink.

Overcome with embarrassment, Jane tried to cover Lily’s chattering mouth, but Lily calmly intertwined their fingers instead.

“I also love seeing you flustered like this. I love the affection you show me.”

The murky black in Jane’s eyes darted around, lost.

The yellow diamond curved softly.

Lily confessed quietly.

“I just like you, Jane.”

“I… I like you too, Lily.”

“Why?”

She threw the question back at Jane, who had originally asked it.

After biting her lip briefly, Jane slowly pulled out the words buried deep in her heart.

“I don’t know. At first, it was just because your eyes were pretty. That’s why I noticed you.”

The half-blood with trembling yellow eyes in that cramped, smelly room.

That moment was still vivid in Jane’s memory.

“I don’t really know why, but I just wanted to take you with me. And then your behavior was so cute, I kept looking at you.”

To be honest, it had felt more like adopting a small pet.

That’s why she had given her the name of a lily of the valley on a whim.

But over time, the half-blood with yellow eyes dyed her heart in her own colors.

At some point, Jane realized it.

That she was addicted to poison.

Jane slowly reached out and stroked the necklace she had made herself.

Lily guided her master’s hand to her own cheek.

Watching Lily close her eyes slightly and rub her face against her hand, Jane spoke.

“I just… just like you, Lily.”

“I’m glad. I thought it was just me.”

“There doesn’t always have to be a reason.”

“That’s right. As long as we like each other, that’s enough.”

It felt like her mind had cleared.

How could she not love someone who showered her with so much affection?

The complicated reasons no longer mattered.

The guilt of having dismissed Lily’s feelings suddenly made Jane’s chest ache.

As Jane bit her lip, Lily whispered to her.

“Don’t overthink it, Master.”

“But…”

“Oh, you silly girl. You like me, and I like you. Why make it so complicated?”

Though you can be a bit mean when punishing me.

At Lily’s grumbling, Jane finally relaxed.

And confirming the other’s feelings ignited an uncontrollable fire in her chest.

“Alright, let’s get back to work.”

“Huh?”

Wasn’t this the perfect moment to transition into a kiss?

Now that they’d bared their hearts, wasn’t it time to bare their bodies?

Jane was baffled.

But regardless, Lily picked up her pen again, swinging her legs that didn’t reach the floor.

***

“Gah!”

A shiver ran down her spine.

Hadn’t they just confirmed their feelings for each other? Wasn’t that the end of it?

Now they could focus on working hard and enjoying the satisfaction of accomplishing something.

But then, a hand rested quietly on her shoulder.

“J-Jane?”

The murky eyes looking down at me had darkened even further.

Whenever Jane had this look in her eyes, she was always dangerous…

Sure enough, a chilling voice escaped her lips.

“Let’s do it. I want to.”

Do what?

But she already knew exactly what Jane wanted.

The low, almost gloomy tone was thick with desire.

The sweat glands on her back felt like they’d multiplied fivefold.

Her tunic, damp in an instant, chilled her body.

“Don’t want to? Should I touch your breasts instead?”

“Gah!”

Jane’s voice still lacked any liveliness.

But the temptation she offered nearly made Lily cave.

After all, her chest was full of dreams and romance.

“Jane, wouldn’t it be better to finish what we were working on first?”

After licking her dry lips, she asked, but Jane slowly shook her head.

“There’s no deadline, so we can take our time. No need to rush.”

“B-but…”

“You said you’re doing this for me, right? Are you going to ignore what I want now?”

“Ugh…”

“Don’t think you can brush it off like last time.”

“Urk.”

Jane brought up the time Lily had tempted her with makeup, only to deflect with a single kiss.

There was no escape.

No gaps in the pouring rain.

She becomes endlessly weak when she’s the one being pulled in, yet unbearably strong when pushing her desires like this.

“Sigh… Just promise me one thing.”

“Tell me.”

I pulled out my last remaining safeguard.

“Go slowly, don’t be rough, and stop if I say no.”

A basic courtesy between partners.

Until now, under the pretext of “punishment,” I had never received this consideration.

Simply because both Jane and I were inexperienced in this kind of relationship.

But it had also become the reason I avoided intimacy with Jane.

“If you like someone, you should be considerate of them in bed too.”

Jane didn’t answer immediately.

It was like telling a starving beast to eat its meat with a knife and fork.

But I waited patiently for her response.

“…Okay.”

Finally, Jane raised the white flag of surrender.

With a sullen expression, she asked me.

“But did you really dislike it that much?”

I answered honestly.

“I didn’t dislike it. The overwhelming pleasure wasn’t bad either. But I still wanted this promise.”

“Mm.”

The predatory intensity from earlier was gone, replaced by a small, subdued voice.

I pressed a light kiss to her lips.

*Peck*

“Please walk slowly so I can keep up. I want to walk beside you, Jane.”

I already knew how volatile emotions could be.

I’d learned that the hard way in my past life.

But here I was, being swept up by them again.

Still, it should be fine for now.

Jane, wearing a faint smile, returned the gesture with a light kiss of her own.

“Come to think of it, I was wrong. Lily’s legs are short, so her stride is small too.”

“Jane!”