episode_0010

‘I never thought I was going through this much trouble… .’

I naturally expected Karen to be in bad condition, but I didn’t expect her to cry like this.

Although it was a little embarrassing, I didn’t feel bad because it seemed like proof that she loved me that much.

It’s hard to say that it’s feminine behavior for a woman to cry while being hugged by a man, but as someone who has memories of her past life, I actually found it refreshing. Karen’s beautiful face is beautiful even when she cries, and more than anything, she is the person I love, so I have no reason to dislike her.

I repeatedly apologized and patted Karen’s back as she shed tears.

Unfortunately, this time did not last long. Karen hadn’t completely stopped crying yet, but she got out of my arms and faced me.

For me, it wouldn’t have mattered if I hugged her more, but she must have known that her actions were not very desirable in the general public’s eyes.

“Karen’s crying face is also pretty.”

He expressed his pure appreciation for the sight of the person sniffling with swollen eyes and a red face. It didn’t mean anything, but maybe I mistook it for sarcasm? Karen was startled and lowered her head.

“I’m sorry.”

I hastily threw up my hand.

“No, I didn’t mean that, I just meant that it was really pretty. Karen is a beauty, right? I think I’ve heard a lot of people around me say that I’m pretty.”

“No, not that much… .”

‘I’ve heard that.’

Well, Karen is a beauty no matter who sees her, so there is nothing strange about it. I felt a little jealous as I imagined that there might be a man who cared about her.

“Have you heard it from a man?”

Her face blushed even more at my question. Seeing that she was in trouble, it seemed like she had also been told by a man that she was pretty.

Karen hesitated for a moment and then answered.

“That… Not much, just a little bit.”

I was curious as to whether that statement was true, but I didn’t come here to interrogate her, so wouldn’t it be a bit much to ask questions based on something I’ve only heard is that she’s pretty? I didn’t want to be seen as a suspicious and jealous man by Karen.

Rather, I should be grateful that such a beautiful woman loves me.

Karen and I just glanced at each other without saying anything.

‘So, your family isn’t home?’

asked her.

“Do you sleep alone at home, Karen?”

“Ah… yes. I’m alone.”

Is it because he was aware of the current situation where a man and a woman are alone in a house without family? Karen seemed somewhat restless.

It seemed closer to anxiety than anticipation of something strange. I am worried that if I do something like that again, it will be the same as yesterday.

Of course, even if I end up doing something dirty with her, I won’t have sex right now. I planned to start with light actions and take steps slowly.

After she gets used to this behavior, try sex again and things will get a little better.

I should tell you about my plans, but for now, I decided to have a normal conversation.

“Karen, what is your sister relationship?’

“Uh… I have an older sister. I’m probably the same age as Ethan.”

“Oh. Karen’s older sister. I’d like to meet you sometime. What do you do?”

“I am a knight belonging to the city’s knights. My mother was also a knight, so my older sister also became a knight. Not me, but… .”

Face darkening. It was a topic brought up to brighten the mood, but somehow it seemed to have touched a bad part of her.

“So, what are you doing, Karen?”

“I work at the library.”

It’s a library. It suited her image.

“Then you don’t have to go to work today?”

“I took two days off yesterday and today, so it’s okay.”

It must have been a precious vacation, but yesterday was probably the worst day. I promised myself that I would make her happy today.

“So, you’ll have all the time today?”

“That… Right?”

Karen looked at me with an expression that she wanted to ask something.

I didn’t give her a chance to ask questions.

“Then you can spend today with me?”

“Yes, yes? uh… Yes.”

I received confirmation. Today I’m going on a date with her. But before that, something important remains.

I spoke softly.

“Karen.”

I could feel Karen getting nervous at my more serious attitude.

“Yes. Mr. Ethan.”

“I really like Karen. So, if you like Karen, I would like to officially date her.”

At my words, she froze as if time had stopped.

“Karen?”

And the time that had stopped suddenly began to flow.

“Well, I like it! Rather, I wonder if it would be okay for Ethan to date a woman like me-”

I stretched out Karen’s cheeks as she made a disgusting noise. Then she stamped her foot.

“Ugh- Ah, it hurts.”

When I let go, Karen covered her cheeks with her hands. That look was cute too.

“Karen is an attractive enough person, so don’t say that. If I love Karen and she loves me, that’s okay. Got it?”

Karen nodded loudly at my words.

“Yes!”

As she said that, her blue eyes were shining again.

“Oh, and about sex.”

In an instant, the life disappeared from my eyes.

I spoke urgently.

“I think it would be better to have sex later. I think it would be a good idea to give Karen some time to get used to the pleasure by doing only simple touching and caressing instead of sex for a while. When I get used to sex, I’ll try it again. How do you feel?”

Karen responded with a mixture of regret, gratitude, and emotion.

“… Thank you, Ethan. I will do my best to become a woman worthy of Ethan.”

I said with a smile.

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

We looked at each other and laughed happily.

“It looks like it’s roughly finished, would you like to go on a date with me? It’s a long-awaited holiday, but it’s a waste to stay indoors.”

Karen, who had completely regained her energy, answered energetically.

“Good!”

We spent the day wandering the streets. We walked around the market, bought food and shared it, and talked about mysterious magic while looking at the magic tower in the distance.

We also read books together at the library where Karen works. Since Quien is a big city, the library was also large. Although it was not my first visit, it felt new to come with my loved one.

“There was a person like Karen in the library, so why didn’t she remember it?”

It was truly disappointing. Karen told me the reason with a slightly shy expression.

“That’s probably because I’m assigned to the underground library, not the general library.”

An underground library is basically a place where the materials inside cannot be viewed unless permission is obtained. I had never been in there either.

“I guess it’s because Karen is talented. I’m still young.”

“Ah, it’s not like that.”

Although I couldn’t say it in words, I could feel the pride on my face. After that, there was a moment to ‘praise Karen’.

We left the library with a satisfying time and continued our date.

Time passed quickly and it was already evening. The last part of the date was spent in the square. There is nothing more romantic in the world than watching the sunset while listening to the music of a musician and a bard with your loved one.

We chatted while watching the performance.

“Thanks to Ethan, I was really happy today. Thank you.”

“It’s the same for me. It wouldn’t have been this good without Karen.”

We laughed and said to each other.

Was it not some kind of fate that led us to look at each other’s faces at the same time at that moment?

Karen’s face, stained with sunset light, was extremely lovely.

“… … .”

“… … .”

We looked at each other in silence.

I realized she was thinking the same thing I was thinking.

And Karen’s actions were faster than I expected.

“… … !”

She wrapped her arms around my waist and the back of my neck and kissed me. I was confident that the moment we shared a kiss in a world filled with music, singing, and soft sunset colors would be a memory I would never forget.

I will never forget this moment.

***

“Hwaam.”

When I opened my eyes, I saw a familiar ceiling. This is the motel room where I stay.

Memories of yesterday came back clearly.

‘Karen… .’

After a kiss I’ll never forget, we hung out for a while longer and then parted ways. Karen walked me away saying it was okay. It was really okay, but it was still nice to feel her love.

‘It’s nice to have a feminine look.’

Of course, it’s always good if it’s Karen.

It’s a pity that I can’t spend time with her today, but I can’t help it because we both have things to do.

“It must be a library by now.”

It didn’t seem like the library would open yet, but Karen would already be there because she would have to get to work earlier than opening time.

“I have to do my job too.”

I had no intention of neglecting my daily life just because I was in love. Karen wouldn’t want me to do that either. I didn’t want Karen to do that either.

“I quit being a Changgwan, so I guess I should go to the guild.”

Recently, there were many days when I worked at the window or took a day off rather than carrying out requests. There was no big reason, I just wanted to rest.

“It would be nice to have a good request.’

There are always minor requests, but of course the rewards are low, so in reality, they are requests only done by inexperienced novice adventurers.

Requests worth money had to be left to luck.

If you’re lucky, you’ll make money, but if you’re unlucky, you’ll end up emptying the can. Therefore, adventurers often end up joining the guild when they have nothing to do.

“I wonder if there’s anything left to eat.”

If there were no requests, I could have been stuck in the guild and just wasted time.

“Still, something feels good today.”

Is it because we went on a date yesterday? For some reason, I had a feeling that things would go well today.

I left the inn and headed to the guild, hoping to find an easy and lucrative quest.