Suspicious Tea (3)

Ethan’s changed demeanor gave off an unsettling vibe.

‘Was he always like this? I thought he used to be more timid around me.’

At the very least, the Ethan I knew would flinch if our bodies so much as brushed against each other while sharing a bed.

…Though lately, with all that’s happened, we’ve been sharing beds more often, so his reactions have dulled somewhat.

He did look cool when he saved me with his absurd skills during dangerous moments, but when we were alone, he was just an inexperienced virgin with zero resistance to women.

I mean, even when I was about to die at Machart’s hands, he couldn’t even-wait, why am I bringing that up now?

For some reason, my thoughts kept drifting off, so I quickly refocused and answered Ethan’s earlier question.

“The wish coupon… You can use it whenever it’s convenient for you, Ed.”

“Right, of course. Don’t worry. Since it’s a precious wish coupon from Lily, I’ll only use it for something truly important.”

“…The tea seems to have steeped enough, Ed.”

“Yeah, seems so.”

“……”

-Sluuuurp.

What exactly are you planning to use it for? This is making me nervous.

And why have you been making such intense eye contact? That’s not like you at all.

The biggest problem was that I couldn’t bring myself to look away from Ed’s gaze, so I just quietly met his eyes.

Even though my face burned from the eye contact, I didn’t want to look away. There was nothing to feel guilty about, so averting my gaze would feel like losing somehow.

I don’t know why he’s acting like this, but I didn’t want to back down. Just… my pride wouldn’t allow it.

“……”

“……”

-Whoosh.

…It’s not like I was the first to look away. I just shifted my gaze downward so I wouldn’t accidentally spill the tea, that’s all.

It’d be a waste to spill this rare tea I got as a gift, right? Yeah.

After pouring the suspicious tea Catherine gave us into two cups, Ethan and I each took a sip simultaneously.

-Gulp.

‘…What does this even taste like?’

It kinda tastes like cosmetics. Is this really how you’re supposed to drink it?

The fact that the brewed color was pink from the start was suspicious enough. Did I just drink something weird?

‘It doesn’t seem like there’s poison or anything in it, though.’

Hmm, I don’t know. She probably just gave it to me because it’s a unique tea meant to be drunk like this.

And if the tea tastes unusual, it can be a good conversation starter, right? Maybe it’s her way of making sure couples don’t feel awkward while talking.

Yeah, I’ll just casually ask how the tea tastes and ease into the conversation. Maybe I can indirectly figure out what kind of wish he wants to make…

“So, what kind of wish were you thinking of making, Ed?”

“……”

…Wait, hold on.

I was supposed to ask about the tea’s taste first to lighten the mood before getting to the main point, so why did I blurt out such a direct question right away?

‘Well, does it matter?’

What’s done is done. Might as well roll with it.

I just asked what I was going to ask anyway, so there’s no need to backtrack. Actually, skipping the small talk and getting straight to the point is even better.

“Don’t worry too much. I won’t make any requests that would make Lily uncomfortable.”

‘It’s not like I’d mind whatever request you make, Ed.’

“R-really? You won’t suddenly demand a thousand gold coins from me when I become a top-class adventurer someday to pay back my debt, right, Ed?”

“Pfft.”

…Wait, what the hell?

Why do these weird, unrelated words keep slipping out?

Not that I’ve never thought about it before. Honestly, I was a little worried about how to respond if he made a perverted request instead of something like this.

But I never planned to ask him outright. I swear to the heavens, absolutely not.

“Pfft, what? Were you actually worried I might make that kind of request, Lily?”

“W-well, you wouldn’t tell me your wish right away, so I couldn’t help but think of something like this! If it’s not something I can grant right now, then… this is the only thing I can think of!”

“Hmm, well, I doubt Lily will ever become a top-class adventurer.”

“Are you underestimating my skills, Ed?”

“No, I’m not. But you can’t become an adventurer.”

‘That’s not for you to decide, Ed.’

“…Fine, if Ed says no, then I guess I have no choice.”

…What the hell?

Why are you so adamant about this?

And why is my mouth answering this ridiculous demand on its own?

I don’t get it. My mind feels perfectly clear, but my body keeps acting on its own.

‘Could it be the tea Catherine gave me…?’

Is it some kind of truth serum or something with similar effects? Is that why these thoughts keep slipping out?

No, no way. It can’t be a truth serum. If it were, that would mean everything I just said to Ethan was my true feelings, and that makes no sense.

And the fact that Ethan is acting so normal doesn’t add up either. He should at least look a little flustered. Aside from being slightly more assertive than usual, why is he so composed?

Does he really have nothing to hide from me? That’s ridiculous. Even Ethan must have at least a few things he doesn’t want me to know.

Otherwise, it’d be impossible for him to always look this cool in front of me. That assumption is just absurd.

“……”

Ah, fuck.

I don’t know what’s in this tea, but one thing is clear: drinking more is dangerous.

It’s not like my body is in danger, but I instinctively feel that this tea is trouble.

If I drink any more, I might lose control of even my own thoughts. With that in mind, I tried to set the teacup in my right hand back on the saucer…

-Slurp.

“……”

…Now even my body isn’t listening to me.

I don’t know anymore. I’ll just wait for this time to pass without incident.

“So, Lily, what kind of wish did you think I’d make?”

“……”

“Lily?”

“……”

Ethan, sitting across from me, asked me a question, but I deliberately ignored him and avoided his gaze.

I instinctively knew. If I answered him now, something completely different from what I intended would come out.

So what else could I do? I had no choice but to say and do nothing.

If I didn’t speak, I wouldn’t slip up-it was the perfect strategy.

“Lily, what’s wrong all of a sudden?”

“……”

“You’re the one who called me here because you had something to say. Why’d you suddenly go quiet?”

“……”

“Hmm, weird.”

Since I wasn’t saying anything, Ethan smirked and started teasing me.

Honestly, I wanted to punch that smug face, but I held back because I knew my body wouldn’t obey me.

Somehow, I had a feeling that instead of a punch, I’d end up shoving something else at Ethan.

“Then let’s do this. If I ask a question and Lily doesn’t answer, I’ll take that as a yes.”

“……”

“First question… let’s keep it simple?”

“……”

“Were you hoping I’d make a perverted request with that wish coupon?”

What nonsense. Why would I hope for something like that?

At Ethan’s ridiculous question, my mouth reflexively blurted out a denial.

‘Huh? What are you talking about?’

“Yes, I was.”

‘……Huh?’

Wait, what did I just say…?

“Ah, I see. So Lily was hoping I’d make a perverted request?”

“Ah, ah, ah, ah.”

I wanted to say “No,” but the words just wouldn’t come out. It was like something inside me was blocking me from saying it.

Meanwhile, Ethan seemed to take my response as a green light, grinning slyly as he leaned in closer.

-Smooch.

“Hngh?!”

Ethan’s sudden kiss caught me off guard. I never expected him to go straight for my lips without warning.

But no matter how much I tried to pull away, I couldn’t. My stiff neck refused to let me escape even slightly from his touch.

Taking my lack of resistance as consent, Ethan deepened the kiss, his tongue teasing my lips. And then I-

“Hah, haah…!”

-Lick.

…I tilted my head the same way he did, parted my lips, and slid my tongue into his mouth.

I don’t know anymore. Whatever happens, happens.

‘It’s not like this is my first time kissing him anyway.’

We’ve already kissed about five or six times, and French kissing like this isn’t new to me either.

Hell, we’ve done things far more intimate than this-kissing barely even counts as a sexual act.

…Yeah, it’s nothing.

There’s no need to attach meaning to something so trivial. Kissing is nothing special at all.

-Smooch, slurp.

“Hah, haah…!”

After several minutes of kissing, our saliva thoroughly mixed, and Ethan slowly pulled his lips away.

-Smooch.

“…Lily.”

“…Yes.”

“If a perverted request is what you want from me… would it be okay if I did that?”

“…As your wish?”

“No, not as a wish. Just because.”

“……”

“Because this is what you want.”

I wanted him to make a perverted request? That’s hilarious.

Just because I gave him a blowjob once, he must think I’m some kind of lustful woman who can’t resist men.

He’s the one who wants it. The proof is right there-his pants are so tight it’s obvious even from across the table.

Making excuses while trying to satisfy his own desires. How shameless.

“…Fine, Ed.”

…Well, whatever. It’s not like I can’t do it.

After all, Ethan was the one who trusted me enough to risk his life to save me.

He killed the source of my greatest suffering and was the first to believe in me when I was at my lowest.

And well, I do owe him a lot in general.

Even if it’s not a wish, if I think of it as repaying my debts to Ethan… there’s no reason to refuse.

“No take-backs, got it?”

“…But just one thing. And…”

“No penetration, right?”

“……Yes.”

For a moment, I almost blurted out, “That’s not really a problem.”

Not that I wanted to say that-it’s just that my body almost said it on its own.

I barely managed to focus and answer properly, but if I hadn’t, I might’ve lost my qualification as the Saintess that Celista entrusted to me over something this stupid.

…If not for this damn Saintess chastity restriction, I would’ve just done it and been done with it.

After pondering what to ask for in return for my one request, Ethan cautiously made his demand.

“Then… I want to do it with my mouth.”

“Oh. Y-your mouth?”

…Well, that’s fine.

I’ve done it for him once before, so yeah. I can do that.

Though I thought he’d push for something more since I said I’d do anything, honestly.

For someone who was just shoving his tongue down my throat, his request is surprisingly timid. Guess a brat will always be a brat, no matter how many years pass.

I thought he might ask for my breasts or something, but this is much tamer than I expected.

If he’d asked for anal or something, that would’ve been a serious dilemma, so maybe this is for the best.

He must’ve really liked the blowjob I gave him last time. Thinking that made me feel a little better.

“Alright, Ed. Then sit on the bed over there. If it’s just with your mouth, I can do it as much as-“

“No, not that.”

“Huh?”

“I want to do it with my mouth… to you, Lily.”

“……Huh?”

…I’ve… never even considered that before…?