Ch.211Chapter 211: Do Happy Moments Pass By So Quickly?

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After finishing our satisfying breakfast.

We were able to leave the restaurant, receiving gracious farewells from all the Glory of Morning Night staff, including the manager who kept expressing his gratitude.

Due to the unexpected variable of the Great Demon Rust’s appearance.

It was somewhat disappointing that our carefully planned date went awry from the start, preventing us from spending the leisurely time we had intended here.

But the well-composed meal that allowed us to enjoy our brief time effectively, the attentive service from the friendly staff, and the remarkably reasonable price compared to the service received.

And finally…

“That was delicious.”

Perhaps because Shizu’s sweet voice resonated in my ears as she wrapped both her arms around my left arm and slightly raised the corners of her mouth in satisfaction immediately after leaving the restaurant.

The anxiety and regret I felt when things first went wrong evaporated from my mind.

And what filled my heart instead was…

Whoosh-!!

A warmth that allowed me to endure the cold wind that brushed past my body without discomfort, though it had somewhat subsided due to the air gradually warming with the rising sun, yet still felt biting to the locals.

The unexpectedly chilly weather meant fewer people roaming the streets, preventing us from seeing the vibrant appearance of the island’s citizens.

“Let’s go there again next time.”

“I’ll take you whenever you want.”

“Hehe, thank you.”

It was actually nice that we didn’t have to draw attention while having this casual conversation with Shizu, who was staying close to me to endure the cold despite wearing a coat.

Still, even though she had eaten a hearty meal to build up warmth, and I had prepared and helped her into a coat for the weather…

“I thought I’d be fine until we left the restaurant, but it’s colder than I expected…”

Watching Shizu as she gently tightened her grip on my left arm and slightly shivered from side to side to endure the cold.

It seemed that spending a long time outside wasn’t such a good idea.

Partly because of the obvious reason that I couldn’t enjoy seeing her trembling from the cold.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen so few people out at this time, even though I haven’t lived on the island for that long.”

Incomparably softer than Shizu’s gentle and sweet voice as she spoke while clinging to me to endure the cold.

*Thump*

The overwhelming softness of her gentle parts pressed against my left arm, transmitting their sensation directly.

And added to that, her sweet scent—so sweet that the word “sweet” itself seemed inadequate—was stimulating my senses to a dangerous degree, which was the main reason.

Soft—how could something feel this soft when the sensation was only indirectly transmitted through my arm rather than my hands, which could feel touch more precisely?

Sweet—I had sometimes wondered if anything in this world could be sweeter than Shizu’s voice.

“The quiet island is… unfamiliar, but it’s nice.”

The body scent emanating evenly from Shizu’s entire body as she spoke while staying close to me resolved my previous doubts in a positive way, establishing a new benchmark for me.

We had experienced moments during our dates when, caught up in the atmosphere, we had gone beyond just taking each other’s lips to what could appropriately be called exploring them.

And I’d had similar experiences to this one before.

But the feelings of excitement, embarrassment, and affection that arose from being with Shizu didn’t dull with familiarity.

Everything I experienced with her was simply new to me.

And it always brought me unimaginable joy and happiness simultaneously.

Because it had reached such an excessive state, I now felt the need to somewhat reduce our close contact.

And I also thought it would be problematic to keep watching the white mist-like breath that puffed from Shizu’s mouth every time she spoke to me.

“Let’s go have a warm cup of tea to warm up.”

When I suggested going to the café, our next date location.

“…Okay.”

Shizu’s soft voice, after a slight pause, settled in my ears.

It was still a sweet voice, but why did she seem to hesitate slightly at my suggestion to go to our next date spot?

Wondering if I had made some mistake, I tried to recall the situation from earlier.

“Is it far from here?”

“About 10 minutes, to be generous?”

“Hehe… let’s walk slowly.”

Shizu’s voice, continuously settling in my ears, prevented me from continuing that train of thought.

Not just prevented, but…

“Walking like this together… it really feels nice.”

Her shy voice even provided the answer to why she was hesitant in her steps, leaving me no room for other thoughts.

When I realized that she felt the same shyness and affection that I felt when I was with her.

Simply to fulfill Shizu’s wish to enjoy this situation of walking alone with me to the fullest extent.

*Thump-!!*

Gathering the energy of the Dragon Heart, which had become like a part of my body after three years.

I infused a moderate amount of warm energy through Shizu’s hands that were holding my left arm.

This should help Shizu shiver less from the cold, right?

A faint satisfaction began to fill my head and chest, and the corners of my mouth started to curve into a gentle smile, but.

[Don’t you think it’s wasteful to use such precious power merely for heating?]

Paphnir’s nagging voice, expressing regret about using the Dragon Heart’s energy merely for heating purposes, echoed in my mind, naturally composing my expression.

Although I called it nagging, the point itself contained undeniable validity.

So ignoring it wouldn’t be right either.

‘It’s not wasteful. When someone I care about is suffering from the cold, and I have a solution, using it without hesitation is what a man should do.’

I offered an excuse that wasn’t really an excuse, in a tone that blended shamelessness and confidence.

[…I should have known better than to say anything.]

Paphnir’s voice, filled with resignation and a bitter smile as if he had expected this response, fell silent again.

Though it sounded like nagging, I could clearly feel the Dragon Heart’s energy—which I had carefully accumulated since waking up this morning—diminishing just from sharing a little warmth with Shizu.

So Paphnir’s criticism that echoed in my head was certainly nagging, but also very correct.

“…It’s warm.”

But Shizu’s words of gratitude, spoken in the warmest and sweetest voice I’d heard today, only confirmed that my earlier choice had not been wrong.

That energy could always be replenished through breathing techniques before sleep and accumulated again.

But how often do I get to see Shizu’s face light up with gratitude and a bright smile?

I have no regrets.

Though this winter weather must seem quite alien to people who have only lived in this city.

Sharing warmth with someone I care about and receiving warm words in return.

Our steps toward the café were slow, but filled with lightness rather than heaviness.

This beautiful day is just beginning.

⚜

The weather outside is quite cold.

I never thought I’d encounter weather reminiscent of the northern regions here of all places, on this island.

I’m partly tired from using a lot of energy confronting the demon that suddenly appeared in the middle of the island.

But today’s weather is notably chillier than any day I’ve experienced while living on the island.

The warmth I gained from eating that delicious breakfast with Kal dissipated instantly with just one cold breeze.

Now you understand how chilly the weather is, right?

I’m strangely weak against cold weather.

When I was young, I never realized this about myself because I hadn’t experienced extreme weather conditions.

It wasn’t until I faced the severe cold of the Empire’s northern region, which I visited for the winter after my 18th birthday, that I realized it.

You can imagine how weak I am against the cold when I shiver uncontrollably even after wearing layers of thick clothing.

So I was quite worried about today’s date with Kal in this weather, and indeed, the weather turned out to be as concerning as I had feared.

But as time passes, I find that I don’t entirely dislike this weather.

Why don’t I dislike it? Hehe, I think you already know.

It’s because I can walk down the street with my arms wrapped around Kal’s left arm to ward off the cold I feel despite wearing a coat, without drawing people’s stares.

Such a warm… and truly dependable arm.

I’m happy just being able to walk while having this limited monopoly on Kal’s body, which gives me such a cozy sense of security just by being close.

But perhaps I’m becoming greedy.

I find myself increasingly wanting to monopolize not just one of his arms, but everything about him.

Though behind this desire to monopolize everything about him is an equally growing desire for him to monopolize everything about me.

Someday… in the not-too-distant future, this wish of mine will come true, right?

I wish it could happen right now, but.

“How’s the energy I infused you with?”

“…It’s so warm that I don’t even think about the cold anymore.”

For now, I’ll try to be content with being able to see his affectionate demeanor up close, where he doesn’t hide his love for me in every word he speaks.

Because both Kal and I need to hurry with preparations to build a world where we can live a life entrusting everything to each other.

Because we need to overcome the great calamity that will make the demon we just faced seem as trivial as tears falling in the rain.

Beings tainted with ma who exhale malice as naturally as breathing.

And even transcendent beings imbued with distorted divinity that such beings command with a mere gesture.

For some time now, dreams have been warning me of such a calamity approaching.

Because finding my own happiness isn’t what I should be doing as someone bestowed with the holy sword to dispel the darkness that will befall this land.

That’s why I console myself for this regret and make a firm resolution.

“I should have prepared a thicker coat for you; I’m sorry for resorting to temporary measures like infusing energy.”

My precious Kal, who always shows me more affection than I expect and still feels it’s not enough, always expressing his apologies to me.

“I actually prefer it this way… I like feeling your warmth spreading through my body.”

“…Really? Thank you for liking it.”

Kal, who warms my heart with even greater warmth when I offer him kind words.

Kal, who steadfastly protects me with a body that quickly recovers even when injured in dangerous situations.

Kal, who hides the pain and suffering his senses feel with a smile when he’s in front of me, regardless of his wounds healing.

Kal, who makes me happy just by being near.

For the future where I can live happily with Kal Ranos.

I must fight no matter how difficult things get.

So… today is like a preliminary work of filling a corner of my heart with warmth before facing that arduous future, wouldn’t you say?

I hope my warmth reaches not just me but Kal as well.

Though quite some time has passed since I met Kal at dawn this morning.

I still feel like this happy day with him has just begun.

I hope these footsteps, slow yet incongruously light, continue throughout the day.