episode_0045

I barely managed to nod at the man’s question.

“If you feel pain… tell me.” I covered my eyes with my arm. The touch of his hands on my leg felt vivid. My sweat cooled in the chilly autumn night air. I couldn’t tell if it was my sweat or his hand sweat. But the coolness that enveloped my leg, and the warmth I felt every time his palm brushed against my skin… It kept repeating, alternating, and that felt good too.

“Hoo… hoo…” The man’s heated breath tickled between my toes. I flinched unconsciously.

“H-hey, don’t tense up, Tia…” “Eugh-” My face grew hot. It was so flushed that sweat beaded on my neck. I didn’t know. It hurt, but something also felt good and ticklish… it was all mixed up. In the end, I couldn’t hold back and a groan escaped. “Groan… haa…” The moist breath sound embarrassed even me. I quickly bit my index finger to suppress the groan.

The man’s fingers slowly moved up. “J-just a little more… and it’ll be done.” Next, his hand crept to my thigh. The man gently pulled away the blanket covering my thigh. As the fabric slowly slid down, my pale thigh was revealed in the moonlight streaming through the window. *Brush.* His thick fingers swept up my skin. Then he gripped my leg tightly with both hands.

“Hoo… hoo… T-Tia’s leg… it’s so soft…” It didn’t feel real. This situation, with a large shadow rising over my body, making rough breathing sounds. Mister Fosao stroked my skin as if caressing an expensive ceramic. Then he pressed hard on one spot with his thumb.

“Ah!” “Th-this is it, right…?” It was exact. That was the painful spot. It was the cause of this incessant pain. When I nodded, Mister Fosao’s fingers applied full force. “Just… bear with it.”

It was dangerous. That’s what I thought. Because the man’s hand was reaching so deeply… No, because *that* man was touching my thigh, my heart was pounding. It felt unsettling. If his hand moved up just a little more, it felt like it would touch my pants. It was unpleasant. His sticky hands and the smell coming from his body. It was disgusting. That man was a bad guy who had done *that* to me before. But…

“Hah!” As soon as the sensitive spot was firmly pressed, the finger I was biting slipped out. I writhed in pain, but the man held my leg even tighter. Resolutely, as if he would never let go. Concentrating all his strength solely on his fingertips, he massaged very slowly. Each time his palm rubbed my thigh, the pain slowly faded. And gradually, a pleasant sensation began to fill the empty space.

“Haa… haa…” “Hoo… hoo…” This feeling was new. All strength drained from me, and I couldn’t think of anything. It felt so good, a strange sensation as if my whole body was spinning. I wanted to stay… just like this.

“Tia. Now, h-how is it?” If Mister Fosao hadn’t spoken, I would have felt truly wonderful. “…It’s better now.” “Then I’ll f-finish up.” Finish up. I was surprised at myself for feeling a momentary regret at that word. Did I just think I wanted him to touch me more? This kind of thing should only feel unpleasant… I should be thinking it’s a relief it’s over quickly…

*Press. Press.* The man began to gently release the tension in my flesh. Perhaps because I was sensitive from the pain, I could feel everything. The man’s fingerprints… the thickness of his fingers, the flesh folding at his joints, and even their size… everything…

*Swipe.* When his fingers wrapped around my leg from behind as if embracing it, feeling my hamstring. “……!” My intoxicated mind snapped awake. Anything beyond that would be a part where it would no longer feel like a simple ‘massage,’ but rather a ‘sinister intention.’ The man had only touched below so far. But if he were to harbor ill intentions and move above this point… I would kick him immediately and punish him. Steeling myself with that thought, I waited for his hand to move up.

*Slide. Slide.* Just as I expected. The man’s hand gradually moved up and lightly touched the hem of my pants. “……” Yes. If he crossed the line now, it would be over. His apologies for what happened ‘that time’ were all blatant lies. In the end, it would prove that he was just a perverted pig-criminal who hadn’t changed at all. I was silently grinding my teeth when.

*Rustle.* He pulled the blanket up and covered my leg again. “G-good job, Tia…” “……?” The man took his hand away and backed off. Then he wiped the sweat from his face and smiled. “It certainly s-seems to have gotten better… right?” “Ah, yes. Definitely…” “Then get some good sleep now… I’ll s-sleep later…”

The effect was amazing. It didn’t hurt at all. My leg, which had been hurting as if pierced by a spear until just now, was not just fine, but as light as a feather. Mister Fosao leaned heavily against the wall as if he wanted to rest. It seemed he had used a lot of energy concentrating on the massage. “……” Should I say thank you? But that thought was soon buried by exhaustion. More than that, I wanted to feel the pleasant sensation remaining on my leg even more. Breathing comfortably, I closed my eyes.

* * *

“Unnie-! Wake up!” “…Ung.” I woke up at Chii’s voice. The first thing I felt upon waking was how surprisingly light my body was. I hadn’t dreamed at all. I had slept so soundly that my head felt clear. It was strange. Normally, I would have had trouble sleeping because of the man’s snoring.

“Rumble-” The snoring sound came from outside. When I opened the door and went out, I saw Mister Fosao sleeping leaning against the doorframe. I asked Chii.

“Has this man been sleeping here the whole time?” “Yep!” “Tsk…” I immediately shook his shoulder to wake him. The man wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth.

“Ah. Heheheh-. G-good morning, Tia.” “Why are you sleeping out here?” “Ah… Tia seemed to be sleeping too s-soundly… I was afraid I’d disturb you…” “Mister.” “Huh?” I crossed my arms and glared. “I told you not to sleep outside, didn’t I? If you catch a cold like that, I’ll be the only one who has trouble.” “N-no! I’m s-sorry…” “It’s fine. We need to leave now, so get ready quickly.” “Mm-hm…”

I quickly groomed myself and packed my belt. Just then, Pashu also came by, and I got my Rose Saber and bow back. Physical condition: A-OK. Tie the belt around my waist, hang the Rose Saber, and finally tie my hair… done! The man excused himself, saying he had to retrieve the ‘purchased items’ from the village chief’s house. In the meantime, I called Chii and Pashu to talk.

“Unnie, are you leaving now?” “Yes. I have to go.” “When will you come back?” “Hmm- I don’t know when that will be, but I’ll definitely come back to Charrack!” “Promise!” “Of course! Promise!”

Next, I made a request to Pashu. “Pashu, make sure to look after Chii well. You can do it, right?” “…I got it, okay.” “You have to be able to protect Chii even if a bear appears.” “A bear? A bear is a bit…” “You just have to become that strong. You can do it, Pashu!” When I gently took his hand, Pashu tensed up. He scratched his head and looked away. “W-what?! Fine! I’ll do it!” “That’s it! That confidence!”

“But Tia Nuna. Why didn’t you answer my question yesterday?” “What question? Ah…” A sigh escaped me. It was the question about why I was dating Mister Fosao. Should I answer this? There were too many people around to say anything else… Sigh- I guess there’s no helping it. I’ll just make something up.

“Well, I guess it just sort of happened that way-. Ahaha…” “That man has a big belly and he’s ugly. He’s old too. He doesn’t suit Nuna.” Exactly! Even you see it, Pashu! But why doesn’t anyone suspect anything?! Ugh- so annoying. Still, I had to come up with a plausible reason for ‘how I ended up dating that man.’ I could talk about his flaws all day long. Good points…? As for good points… I didn’t know why I had to ponder Mister Fosao’s good points, but… Thinking about it, it seemed like they weren’t entirely absent…

“Hmm- because he’s… kind?” “Huh? Kind?” “Yes. He’s someone who cares about various things… That’s what I liked, so I dated him.” I recalled memories. What happened in the cabin. Making bows together and successfully hunting. Selling the gold ring to let me stay comfortably in Charrack. Even healing my sore leg. It was true that I had received a lot of help from Mister Fosao. Pashu rounded his lips.

“Oh- that man is surprising. I thought he threatened Nuna.” “Th-that’s not it…” What was I even saying right now? Chii giggled. “Unnie. Your face turns red whenever the man is mentioned.” “Chii! Are you going to keep doing that?!” “Hahaha-!”

That’s when it happened. “Tia… A-are you all ready?” Mister Fosao suddenly appeared from behind. “Huh?! Yes… Yes!” Did he hear what I said? I really wouldn’t want that… Fortunately, it seemed the man hadn’t heard.

“I brought it. This.” The man was carrying a large bag. “A bag? Where did you get it?” “I b-bought it from the village chief. Someone s-sold it a long time ago…” Chii proudly said. “There’s a lunchbox Chii made inside!” “Really? Thank you, Chii!” “Hehe-”

Finally, all preparations for departure were complete. The man and I headed towards the entrance of Charrack Village. A few people came out to see us off. Just as we were about to leave the village, Chii suddenly burst into tears. “Unnie- can’t you not go?” “Chii…”

Pashu patted Chii’s back, comforting her. “Chii. Nuna said she’d definitely come back later. She promised, didn’t she?” “Mm-hm…” “Then let’s give Nuna the present Chii prepared and send her off.” “Mm-hm…” To think that Pashu, who seemed so immature, could say such a brave thing. He was a child who made me think of Ritsu every time I saw him.

Chii trotted closer and held out something. It was a small wooden box. “What is this?” “Starflower.” It was a flower name I had never heard before. I took the box and carefully opened the lid. Inside were many small, pure white petals. They were dry, but still beautiful.

Chii explained. “It’s our village’s flower. If you put it in a glass bottle with water and shake it- it falls like a shooting star, it’s pretty…” “Really? I’ll definitely have to try it!” “Yeah. And also… you’ll come to see Chii again, right?” “Of course! Thank you so much, Chii.” I carefully put the box away. Then I stroked Chii and Pashu once each.

“Come with Mister! Promise!” “Okay!” I waved my hand. Leaving behind the children who kept shouting ‘Goodbye-!’ until the very end. We left Charrack Village.