Chapter 172: Deep Kiss (1)

Ｒｅａ​ｄ​ ｏｎ​ ＫａｔＲｅ​ａ​ｄ​ｉ​ｎｇＣａ​ｆｅ

“Does everyone know about the Saint’s Water?”

“Let’s try making it ourselves.”

At first, he wondered why she was being so meddlesome.

It wasn’t that helping was a bad thing. It piqued his interest, too—after all, it was a legend tied to a figure who shared an origin with his name.

But the ingredients required weren’t ordinary. Considering the trouble they’d have to go through to gather them, no one would blame him if he pretended not to know.

Yet that was just Sugar’s nature—reaching out to those around her. A trait she’d had since childhood, one that Riley had been saved by more times than he could count.

He was surprised, though not entirely shocked, when she seemed to already have an idea of the ingredients.

This, too, was like her. She always acted as if she knew things she shouldn’t.

Back then, why had she asked him to teach her magic? Wasn’t it just a desperate struggle to escape fate, to do something? And it had fit so perfectly that it ended up causing real trouble.

He never pressed her for answers. Even if he asked, she’d just laugh awkwardly and deflect.

Honestly, he’d rather she got angry—snapped at him to stop asking. At least then he’d have the stubbornness to dig deeper.

But it was always like this.

She’d approach lightly, as if without a care, but the moment she sensed something heavy, she’d withdraw. Instead of prying into others’ burdens, she’d draw a line—as if to say, ‘Don’t come any closer to me, either.’

She called them precious friends, family, yet she never revealed her most important secrets.

It wasn’t the shallow kind of secrecy built for mutual protection in the present. No, these were things Sugar had hidden since childhood—something fundamental to who she was.

Why did she act as if she knew the future?

Why could she guess the ingredients for the Saint’s Water?

What were those vague, half-dodged stories she occasionally let slip?

“Have you ever seen the ocean?”

“A long time ago.”

“How long ago?”

“In a dream-like past.”

He was curious, but he didn’t want to make things awkward. By now, he’d accepted Sugar as she was—even those drawn boundaries.

Accepted.

He had accepted it.

Moved on.

Understood.

He didn’t want to make things difficult.

So, he’d accepted—

—Had he?

Sometimes, an unbearable emptiness washed over him.

Even when he pulled Sugar into his arms, it felt like she wasn’t really there.

Hiding her emotions, her true thoughts, even herself—and whatever remained.

‘Is the version of you that you show me just the older sister, the friend, the mother? Are you satisfied with only letting me see what’s veiled by responsibility?’

‘Tell me. I won’t be upset. Confide in me. Everything.’

Yet despite his own words, he was the one demanding honesty. Was it an extension of responsibility, or an expression of possessiveness? He had no way of knowing.

But then again, Riley was no different.

He wanted to know what lay inside her—every thought in her mind, every word from her small mouth.

He wanted to see an honest Sugar.

What did she usually think about? What future did she envision? What were her true feelings for him? He wanted to know for sure.

Would she panic if he asked? Or would she get angry?

Or—like always—would she just laugh awkwardly and brush it off?

“…”

He was just as dishonest.

Just as skilled at hiding his own heart.

Today, like always, began with light teasing before settling into silence. Maps of Zenrock City and auction documents littered the table.

After finishing his research, he meditated. In his current state, refining his mana was the top priority.

But as he did, memories of the last incident resurfaced.

Specifically, the image of the white staff played in his mind on repeat.

It had bothered him for a while. He’d unconsciously let that displeasure show—irritated that something so excessive had been given to someone with no intention of bearing its weight.

And then, the golden light he’d witnessed.

There was no radiance more suited to vanquishing evil.

That was what annoyed him. Why did that thing end up with him? Some gloomy, hollow-eyed weirdo with questionable tastes.

All because of that damned staff, Sugar took an interest in him, talked to him, grew close—

“…Tch.”

He shook his head immediately.

His thoughts were spiraling strangely. Why is Sugar coming to mind? Who cares who she gets close to?

‘I’m better than you.’

He was a broad-minded man—far more so than someone who’d wield a blade while oozing jealousy. No, actually, anyone would seem broad-minded compared to Sugar.

“Sorry I’m late, Riley. I stopped by a few places on the way.”

Right on cue, a woman walked in, still wearing her choker. She was at her most beautiful when wandering freely, doing as she pleased. But it didn’t matter—she was his, and so he could afford to be generous.

No matter where she went, who she was with, or what she did, Sugar belonged to Riley.

“You bought a lot.”

“Just because I ran into Leon—he was buying medicinal ingredients, so I picked some up too.”

“…You went around together?”

“Yeah.”

“Just the two of you?”

“Mhm.”

Well. It wasn’t like it mattered.

“Why? It’s just hanging out with a guy friend.”

It didn’t matter.

“Leon bought me ice cream too. Strawberry-chocolate flavor. And he told me about dreams—it was fascinating. At the market, he explained medicinal ingredients. He knows a lot. It was helpful.”

He didn’t care.

“Anyway. He’s not a bad guy.”

Who she befriended was irrelevant.

“H-Hey… um, Riley…”

“Yeah?”

“…Are you mad?”

He wasn’t.

But since she’d gone out of her way to provoke him, he figured he’d play along.

“Seems like it.”

In return, he’d take his payment gladly.

***************

Being pinned down by someone taller was intimidating.

Riley was already much larger than Sugar. With him looming over her, she couldn’t even squirm.

Or maybe it was the atmosphere—the sharp, cold tension in the air, the look in his eyes. The realization that he was angrier than she’d expected made her break out in a cold sweat.

‘This… this is working too well…’

The fear of angering him warred with an inexplicable thrill.

‘He’s jealous to this extent?’

She felt foolish for even thinking it. That her heart would race just because Riley was jealous.

‘I’m weird…’

What was she expecting?

What did she want to happen next?

After avoiding his gaze for a while, she peeked up at his face.

His expression was twisted with displeasure. Just looking at it sent a prickling heat through her body.

“U-Um, Riley.”

Trembling under his piercing stare, she whispered his name—only for him to lean in closer.

Not toward her ear or neck. He came straight for her face, making Sugar flinch and shut her eyes.

Their breaths collided, hot and uneven.

‘Ah…’

A kiss.

The last one had been interrupted because of Ione. It felt like ages since they’d done this.

Despite the tense atmosphere, his lips were soft and sweet against hers. Sugar’s stiff body began to relax.

“Mmm…”

It was strange. Just lips touching—like holding hands or hugging, just another point of contact.

So why did it scramble her thoughts? Why did her chest feel so full it might burst?

When they finally parted, she missed it immediately. Her lips felt cold, craving his warmth again.

As if reading her mind, he kissed her once more, and her body melted. A floating, weightless sensation—different from the stimulation of erogenous zones.

She wanted to cling tighter. Wrapping her arms around Riley, she pulled him closer.

‘He’s jealous because I hung out with another guy. But he’s kissing me like this, like I’m melting—’ She wanted to hold him even more. Every action resonated in her chest, unbearable.

A time to exchange breaths and hearts. Lost in the haze, she barely registered a new sensation.

…Huh?

Something hot and wet brushed her lips.

Cracking her eyes open, she saw Riley—eyes shut, engrossed—and flushed. But embarrassment wasn’t the issue now.

‘His tongue is touching me!!’

Riley was licking her lips.

They’d only ever kissed chastely before. Nothing beyond pressed lips. Sugar had never even considered going further.

She could at least pretend lip contact was just affection. (Who’d believe that? But she insisted on it.)

But tongue? Letting his tongue touch her? This was a declaration.

I want to mix with you.

‘Ahh…’

Her mind raced ahead. If she allowed this, Riley’s hot tongue would slide in, their saliva mingling, wet sounds filling the air as they—

‘What am I thinking?!’

She ignored the heat pooling low in her stomach.

Cheeks burning, she pressed her lips together and pouted.

Riley, who’d been teasing her mouth like a knock at the door, pulled back.

“…”

“…”

A silent exchange of glances.

The man, now less angry, skimmed his eyes over Sugar before scoffing.

“W-What… Why are you laughing…?”

Without answering, Riley caught her lower lip between his fingers.

“Eek?!”

 

His thumb and forefinger pinched the soft flesh of her lip, tugging lightly before sealing his mouth over it. Mwah, mwah. Light pecks at first—then a slow suck, followed by the swipe of his tongue.

What… is this?

Sugar trembled. The unfamiliar teasing was too much. Strangely, it felt harder to hold onto her rationality than when he’d touched her chest.

‘Ah… Hn…?’

His tongue explored her lips with a slick, deliberate drag. Between breaths, he sucked on her plump lower lip, coaxing it into his mouth.

Her own tongue stayed still, but his moved with sticky insistence. Wasn’t this a kind of deep kiss too? The implication alone threatened to unravel her.

A sexual act. Lovers’ intimacy. The sensation of her soul leaving her body.

Sugar’s tongue twitched unconsciously.

She wanted to join. To tangle with his and stir together.

The distance was minuscule—less than three centimeters. If she just stuck her tongue out playfully, they’d touch. A simple lick, like cleaning food off her lips, and it’d be over.

‘N-No…’

She couldn’t swap spit with her childhood friend. That was absurd.

But.

But.

‘Just… a little…’

He clearly wanted it. Would a little be okay?

They were already kissing. She’d even let him touch her chest—was mixing tongues really so different? Would it really be a problem?

Besides, she’d provoked his jealousy. If she traced it back, she’d pestered him about things he didn’t want to discuss.

‘So…’

Hesitantly, Sugar let her tongue peek out.

A small, pink thing, shyly emerging. Its owner’s eyes glazed over with anticipation.

And then—

As if mocking that anticipation, Riley stopped.

“…?”

He pulled his face away. The humid heat of his breath vanished.

Bewildered, Sugar stared as Riley meticulously wiped her lips with a tissue.

A bad feeling settled in. Despite her burning body, her mood chilled.

“Wait…”

No. No way.

“Riley.”

“Yeah?”

“…Th-That’s… it?”

“Yep.”

An immediate answer, devoid of hesitation.

Sugar’s face stiffened as she clamped her mouth shut. In contrast, Riley smirked.

“Were you expecting something?”

“…”

Her face burned scarlet. Too ashamed to let him see, she covered it with both hands.

She’d been played.

This was all his doing. She knew exactly what he’d say next.

A petty punishment, marinated in jealousy—the price for her provocation.

It was so arrogant, so infuriating, so humiliating—

“If you say it honestly, I’ll listen.”

Sugar’s lips began to quiver.