Ch.67Addiction?

I carefully laid Riano down on the bed and observed her blankly.

My gaze paused once on her beautiful face from above, once on her large chest, and once on her captivating hips.

She called herself a 29-year-old virgin in her last days of being one, but no matter how I looked at her, that didn’t seem right.

She could probably remain a virgin for about five more years.

Thinking that, I unfolded the neatly arranged blanket. I covered her with it and moved to the window to close the curtains properly.

This was to prevent the unfortunate event of sunlight waking her up if she wanted to sleep in.

Before leaving, I approached the bed once more to look at her face one last time.

Her breathing had already become steady, and her peaceful expression showed she had fallen into a deep sleep.

As I stared at her blankly, I lowered myself and gently kissed her.

Our lips touched briefly and then parted.

Maybe this would give her good dreams.

With that thought, I slipped out of Riano’s room.

* * * * *

Except for not going to the Academy because it was the weekend, everything was exactly the same as usual.

From waking up in bed in the morning to Riano greeting me happily when I left my room.

These things had become so familiar that they were now part of my daily routine.

So I thought I’d spend the whole day talking and kissing with Riano, or spending time alone with Derin.

That is, until I opened the workshop’s back door.

I wanted to breathe in the refreshing morning air and stretch, so I opened the back door to go outside.

“Good morning. Did you sleep well?”

Elin was waiting for me.

I had expected Derin might be waiting, but Elin was completely unexpected.

After fully exiting the workshop, I closed the door and looked around.

But Derin was nowhere to be seen.

Could she be being considerate of Elin? Because we agreed to spend time alone together?

A complex mix of emotions bloomed in my heart.

Usually, rivals would be jealous and try to drive a wedge between people.

But the women who liked me were different somehow.

They seemed to care for and help each other.

While that’s certainly better than fighting, it’s so unusual that I can’t help but wonder about it.

Anyway, I had made a promise, so I should focus entirely on Elin now.

“Elin, good morning. Why did you come so early?”

“Derin told me if I came at this time, I could see something nice…”

Elin smiled while looking into my eyes.

“She was right. I should thank Derin later.”

“Really…?”

I wasn’t sure what that meant.

But since Elin was smiling happily, I didn’t feel bad either.

“Elin, wait a moment. I’ll get ready to go out.”

“Oh, yes. Take your time. I’ll wait for you.”

Leaving Elin behind, I opened the back door and entered the workshop. Then I immediately started getting ready.

I took off my pajamas and changed into new clothes. Then I fixed my messy hair that had just woken up and tied it back.

Looking in the mirror, there was a man who wasn’t handsome but was fairly neat.

This should be good enough, right?

Thinking that, I was about to leave the room when I ran into Riano.

I was planning to go see her anyway, so this was actually convenient.

“Crow, where are you going?”

Perhaps because I had been going out frequently lately, her expression showed a hint of dissatisfaction as she asked.

“I’m going to meet Elin. I’ll be back for dinner.”

“Elin?”

When Elin’s name left my mouth, her expression worsened.

She seemed to be trying to hide it, but not very successfully.

Come to think of it, Riano has never seen Elin.

Maybe I should introduce them sometime.

Finally, Riano sighed deeply and turned her head away from me.

She was upset but trying not to show it.

Is she jealous because I’m spending time with another woman instead of her?

“Go quickly.”

She said that while still looking away.

I forcibly reached out and held her face. Then I looked into her eyes.

Her fiery red eyes were full of worry.

Looking straight into those eyes, I pressed my lips against hers, and soon a short smacking sound was heard as we parted.

Would that improve her mood?

I checked her expression, but…

She still had a pouty look.

But her mood seemed to have improved, as the corners of her mouth were trembling.

As if she was forcibly holding back a smile.

Thinking that I could make that trembling mouth corner rise completely, I whispered softly.

“Want to do it again?”

Perhaps because the voice in her ear felt good, Riano couldn’t stop the corners of her mouth from rising already.

“Yes, I do…”

At her words, I leaned forward once more and kissed her.

This time a little longer than before.

So she wouldn’t feel lonely even when I wasn’t by her side.

At least until I returned in the evening, so she could enjoy the lingering sensation of the kiss.

I kissed her deeply, filled with emotion.

Smooch—

With a slightly longer smacking sound, our lips parted, and she exhaled roughly, unable to breathe properly due to the extended kiss.

“Haah—. Really… Come back early. I’ll be waiting for you today too…”

Her slightly flushed face, along with her breathing, made her look seductive.

I want to kiss her.

That’s how I felt naturally.

I wonder if I’ve become addicted to kissing too.

“I’ll be going then.”

“Yes, take care.”

Riano, whose mood had improved beyond just being better, was smiling.

As I left with her sending me off…

“Oh? You came out quickly.”

Elin, who had been waiting for me, approached me in one step. Then she naturally wrapped her arms around mine. The soft, squishy feeling pressed against my arm, and I felt my face heating up.

Was she always like this?

No, absolutely not.

Although she was full of pride, as an elf, she was strict about relationships between men and women.

The fact that she’s now so bold with physical contact means…

Is she definitely aiming for me as a lover?

Well, I suppose I’ll find out as time goes on.

“Elin, where should we go first?”

“Hmm… I don’t particularly mind. I think I’ll enjoy anywhere we go.”

That works well for me then.

“Have you eaten breakfast? If not, I know a good place. Want to go there?”

I was starting to get hungry anyway.

“Yes, that sounds good.”

Elin agreed with my suggestion, and we started walking.

Of course, my arm was still in her embrace.

It was a bit embarrassing, but not unpleasant.

Soft and fluffy…

I was worried I might get addicted to this too.

The place we arrived at was a small shop with a good view of the fountain in the park.

Because Riano basically hates going out, I discovered this place while wandering around alone.

Not only was the view from the outdoor tables amazing, but the cleanliness and taste of the food were excellent too.

I thought it would be popular, but when I asked the owner, surprisingly few people visited.

Plus, since it was early morning, there were even fewer people, and we had the shop all to ourselves.

As Elin and I sat down at an outdoor table, a young man slowly approached and asked:

“Would you like your usual?”

“Yes, two of those please.”

After taking our order, the young man disappeared into the shop, and Elin, who had been watching him, tilted her head and asked me:

“Do you come here often?”

“Hmm… I just came whenever I had time alone. To organize my thoughts and such.”

But I think it might be difficult to visit this shop frequently like this from now on.

With Riano, Lael, Derin, and now Elin joining. If I have even a little free time, I’ll probably spend it with them.

Because being with them is more enjoyable than being alone.

“Um… Crow, can I ask you one question…?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

Elin trailed off as if hesitant to speak. That made me suspect it wouldn’t be an ordinary question.

But I had no reason to refuse, and I was curious about what she wanted to ask.

After a brief silence, Elin swallowed and spoke softly.

“How far have you gone with the others? Derin said you kissed her on the cheek… I was just wondering…”

While I wondered why she was curious about that, I had promised to answer, so I honestly replied:

“I’ve kissed them. On the lips.”

Then she…

“Then do it with me too.”

Boldly declared that I should kiss her.