Ch.124Pink Curtain

I really fell into a deep sleep, but my body was still fine when I woke up. This should be the point where he gives in, but he’s still holding back—he’s seriously stubborn.

I got up from the bed and moved to where I could see Ju-an’s face instead of his back. Then I lifted his arm and slipped underneath it.

Thanks to that, I was now in Ju-an’s embrace. If he wasn’t going to make a move himself, I had to take action—what else could I do?

While I was enjoying the warmth of Ju-an’s embrace with my whole body, I felt him trying to quickly pull his hand away from me.

But I was faster and hugged him tightly. Thanks to that, I could still remain in his arms.

“Um… Lite? How long are you going to stay like this?”

“Until you pounce on me?”

I pressed my body against his until our chests touched. Then something hard pressed against my lower body.

“Should I really help you today?”

“Could you please just move away? That would be the most helpful thing.”

“Then I guess I’ll have to keep bothering you today.”

As I continued hugging Ju-an, he finally climbed on top of me, just like he did yesterday.

Okay, don’t tremble. Don’t be afraid at all, just stay calm.

“Are you going to pounce on me now?”

A frightened voice escaped from my throat. But this was the calmest voice I could manage.

I prayed for Ju-an’s patience to run out, but instead, he climbed off me, and my condition returned to normal.

He’s seriously stubborn. After all this, shouldn’t he just lose control and pounce on me? We’re not in an awkward relationship—we like each other. So why won’t he make a move?

“Ju-an, do you really like me?”

“Yes, I love you more than anyone.”

“Then why won’t you pounce on me?”

“Because I don’t want to force myself on someone I truly care about.”

“But I clearly said it was okay.”

“Who was just trembling with fear?”

“Just come and pounce on me. Then I might remember.”

Ju-an gave a bitter smile and went into the bathroom. Am I really that unattractive?

No, I definitely have charm. I might not be sure about my personality, but I’m more confident about my looks than anyone.

My figure is perfect too. Everything that should stick out does, and everything that should curve in does.

It’s actually strange that I have so little stamina with this body. Shouldn’t I be just skin and bones to be this weak?

Ah, maybe Ju-an is being considerate again. He probably thinks I’ll collapse if we get intimate because I have so little stamina.

But there’s not much I can do about that. Stamina doesn’t improve overnight—it takes consistent effort over time.

But thinking about it, that doesn’t seem right either. If I lack stamina, he could just do all the work himself.

So he must really be holding back because I’m scared. If that’s the case, the problem would be solved if I weren’t afraid.

Alright, I should go get some advice today. The only person I can ask is… Agath. Should I just not get advice at all?

…Since everything’s already been exposed, is there any reason to be afraid? She’ll naturally figure this out when we start dating anyway.

Why do they say it’s better to get the beating over with quickly? I’ll just go and tell her everything.

***

After searching around the guild for Agath, I finally found her looking suspiciously at a potion.

“Hi. Did you enjoy yourself yesterday?”

“No. Ju-an stubbornly refused to give in.”

“…Don’t tell me you tried to seduce him again yesterday?”

“Yes. I spent all day telling him to pounce on me, but he showed no signs of giving in.”

“…It’s amazing how you’ve become a complete vixen overnight, and it’s equally amazing that boy doesn’t give in.”

I somewhat agree with the first part, but I completely agree with the second. If he doesn’t give in after all this, maybe there’s something wrong with his sexual function?

While I was mentally complaining, I suddenly noticed the potion Agath was holding.

“What’s that?”

“An aphrodisiac I was going to force-feed you.”

“That sounds good. Could you give me one for Ju-an too?”

If his mind becomes completely filled with lust, maybe I won’t tremble with fear. Or maybe his patience will be defeated by desire. I was right to come to Agath for help.

“Um… even though it’s just the two of us, this is still a public place… could you please speak more quietly…?”

Agath said with a flushed face. Does she realize who’s usually the most enthusiastic about saying these things?

“You’re the one who brought up aphrodisiacs first, Agath.”

“This isn’t an aphrodisiac, it’s just a potion with World Tree leaves…”

“So you don’t have an aphrodisiac right now?”

“Please, just speak more quietly…”

Agath’s voice was getting softer. Does she realize her usual behavior is much worse than what I’m doing now?

“So do you have it or not?”

“I don’t have any right now…”

Unfortunately, it seems Agath doesn’t have an aphrodisiac. I’ll have to find one elsewhere.

But what is that potion she’s holding? I understand it contains World Tree leaves, but I can’t guess its effects.

“What exactly are those?”

“They’re potions made with World Tree leaves—basically a cure-all.”

“Does it have any aphrodisiac effects or help with sexual—”

“It doesn’t have those functions, so please be quiet!”

Agath, who seemed unaware of her own usual behavior, shouted. It is fun to tease her like this.

“So this is good stuff, right?”

“Yes. It rapidly restores stamina, so it’ll be a big help when fighting the Demon King.”

“Then why do you look so unhappy?”

“Just because the place that makes these potions isn’t exactly a good place.”

“What did they do to make you feel that way?”

Did they put plain water in the potions? Or did they abuse their power somehow?

“You know about the black magic human rights movement from the past, right?”

“Yes. Wasn’t black magic legalized after that?”

“Right, and this company provided major support for that terrible black magic human rights movement.”

“…You’re upset just because of that?”

“If it weren’t for this company, black magic would still be illegal. So that’s plenty of reason to dislike them.”

Seeing how clergy like Agath usually hate black magic, this makes sense. Though I don’t really understand it.

“Then why did you buy their products?”

“They just sent them as ‘support’ without asking.”

“Isn’t that a benefit for us?”

“It’s beneficial for us. But it feels uncomfortable to rely on people who helped black magicians.”

“But we’re not in a position to be picky right now.”

“That’s true.”

This is a life-or-death battle. We don’t have the luxury to be picky about methods just because they make us uncomfortable.

“So you really don’t have it?”

“…Wait here for a moment.”

Agath, with a bright red face, went somewhere and returned shortly with a box.

“What’s that?”

“What you’ve been looking for.”

“An aphrodisiac?”

“Please speak more quietly…”

Luckily, I got my hands on an aphrodisiac. Now I just need to make Ju-an drink it.

“But why do you have something like this?”

“Obviously I bought it to force-feed you. But when I tried to do it, I got too embarrassed.”

Agath was much more devious than I thought. Well, the outcome is good, so it doesn’t matter.

“Thank you. Tonight, Ju-an and I will definitely—”

“You don’t need to tell me!”

Agath’s face turned bright red as she quickly left. I should hurry back with this too.

***

After waiting desperately for Ju-an to return to the room, he finally came back. Alright, time to give him the aphrodisiac.

“You worked hard.”

The simple phrase “Drink this to wet your throat” just wouldn’t come out of my mouth.

I had the aphrodisiac in my hand. But now I didn’t have the courage to make Ju-an drink it.

I knew things would go smoothly if he drank this. But even knowing that, I still couldn’t find the courage to do it.

I really like Ju-an so much, yet I’m afraid to gather courage for this one moment—I’m pathetic.

But in a way, I’m glad. I’d rather start this with my own will than rely on drugs.

So I’m back to square one. At least we still have plenty of time left, right?

As I was about to fall asleep without accomplishing anything again, a thought suddenly struck me.

Soon we’ll have to fight the Demon King. And we might be separated forever there.

There’s no guarantee we’ll even be alive tomorrow. How can I say we have plenty of time?

Everything could end tonight. I might never get to express these feelings. Like Leo, my love might remain unrequited forever.

What am I saying about having plenty of time? Nobody knows how much time we have left.

So in a fit of emotion, I got up and took out the pink emblem I’d been preciously keeping. But I was still afraid.

Yet I was more afraid of our relationship ending like this. I’d rather engrave this proof of my feelings on our bodies now, even if we’ll long for each other forever.

It has to be Ju-an. Not anyone else, only Ju-an.

Whether we make love now or remain still, the result is the same. If we end up parting in the end, I’ll long for Ju-an forever either way.

So there’s no reason to stop here. I need to move forward.

With my body trembling wildly, I approached Ju-an. And I finally gave him the answer I couldn’t give before.

“You know what the pink emblem means, right?”

As I finished speaking, I pinned the emblem to Ju-an’s chest. And to be clear, I said it directly too.

“I like you. And I’ll continue to love only you forever.”

I mustered up all my courage to say this, but Ju-an just stood there with a red face, silent as a mute who’d eaten honey.

“Aren’t you going to answer?”

Only after I glared at him a little did Ju-an finally speak.

“Thank you… really… I’ll make you happy for the rest of your life.”

“Then let’s do it right now.”

“Um… how about we take some time first?”

“Why?”

“Well… I’m not mentally prepared yet…”

All this time, Ju-an was holding back not just because of me, but because he was afraid too. I guess we’re both scared because it’s our first time.

But unlike Ju-an, I don’t have the patience to give time for mental preparation.

So I put the aphrodisiac from the cup straight into my mouth.

“Lite? What are you suddenly—mmph!”

Then I transferred the aphrodisiac from my mouth to his, and said with a steady voice:

“If you won’t pounce on me, I’ll pounce on you.”