I slowly opened my eyes. My consciousness was hazy and my memories cut off after a certain point. I remember having a great time at the partyā¦drinking, dancing, singing, and playing music. After a while we cleaned up the venueā¦
Then afterwards I headed back to the workshop with the Fire Foxesā¦ah and we held a private little party there. We used the leftover food and alcohol since they insisted that āitād be too much of a waste to let it go badā. Plus there had been plenty of the girls who hadnāt gotten a real opportunity to enjoy the party.
I had thought to abstain since it was a gathering of Fire Foxes, but they stopped me and wouldnāt let me go.
After that it was a never ending stream of young Fire Fox women coming over to pour me alcohol, serve me food, and chat me up. I ended up getting hammered.
At first I tried to stop drinking but they all lined up and poured me drinks. If I tried to refuse the next one in line the girl would go āwhy can she pour you a drink and I canāt!? This isnāt fair!ā and so on and so forth. So I ended up inebriated.
After thatā¦.I donāt remember anything.
The ceiling I saw above my head was my old workshop. My body was currently wrapped in a warm futon.
I started to get bits and pieces of my memory back. I had given up on walking back to my house in Erucy, but I couldnāt allow myself to stay inside the new warehouse with all those young women. I had resolved myself to spend a night alone inside my old warehouse.
As Kuu supported me on her shoulder out the door, I had heard the voice of young Kemin called outā¦
ćKuu-anesama do your best! You donāt have to come home tonight! Decide it in one shot!ć
with a thumbs up. Thatās when I fell unconscious.
As I recalled what happened I suddenly heard the sounds of clothing rustling.
I glanced over and saw Kuu removing her dress and wearing only her underwear.
ćItād be bad to wrinkle itā¦so I should take it off. These clothes are cute but theyāre high maintenanceā¦ć
She said stripping down. The underwear she wore was simple short pants and a low exposure bra, but still I could see her beautiful body line.
ćJust a bitā¦if itās just a bit it should be fine right?ć
She whispered as she walked over slowly. I felt guilty for secretly peeping at her, so I pretended to turn over in my sleep and faced away from her.
ćCyril-kunā¦youāre asleep right? You didnāt even wake up when I was carrying you over hereā¦it should be fine right?ć
Kuu whispered as she approached.
Of course, I was supposed to be sleeping so I didnāt respond.
I was completely awake at this point, but thanks to the alcohol and my usual sexual frustration I was having trouble controlling myself.
At this juncture Kuu entered my futon and hugged me from behind.
Her fragrant soft body intoxicated my mind.
ćIām sorry Lucy-chan. Just for today lend me Cyril-kunā¦just for today.ć
Kuu murmured apologetically.
I desperately held onto my reasonā¦if not then something would truly happen.
ćLet me just talk to myself for a bitā¦ć
She leaned her forehead onto my back.
I originally had good will towards Kuu. She was never a particularly strong girlā¦but even so she grit her teeth and forced her way through. I thought that was beautiful.
No matter how painful it was she didnāt give up. Knowing her own weakness and inadequacies she desperately fought to grow. She was a girl who shone with the same brightness as Lucy. It made me want to extend a helping hand.
Being in such close proximity to a barely dressed Kuu was truly dangerous. I desperately erased thoughts of doing it with her and her offering to have relations with me even without getting married. I eliminated all the excuses I could from my mind.
They were all illusions brought on by the softness of her breasts and the heat of her body.
ćCryil-kun truthfullyā¦I had thought that even if we met again we would simply be intimate friends like before. Even when our parents engaged us we didnāt have any timeā¦and our exchange fell apart. At some point that part got lost in translation.ć
It was no wonder.
The last time we had met was five years ago. Even up til then we would have met every two months or so at best.
At that time we were still young and had no concept of romantic love. Despite that, if we had such deep emotional love that we continued to think of each otherā¦.it would be scary in itās own way.
People changed. If you still liked the same person after five years despite not having seen them at allā¦then you were in love with a daydream. That kind of person couldnāt be trusted.
ćButā¦after reuniting Cyril-kun was super cool and came to save us like a Princeā¦my heart couldnāt help but throb.ć
Iād heard this before.
ćThat time at the Fire Fox villageā¦I was happy you scolded me. I was being weak and wanted someone to coddle me. But that wasnāt truly it. I hated my weakness and wanted someone to scold me properlyā¦to lead me onto the correct path.
I wanted someone to treat me strictly yet kindly just like my father would have. I truly didnāt think there would be someone who could do thatā¦but Cyril-kun did. It made me fall more in love.ć
Kuu hugged me more tightly.
ćCryil-kun youāre always trying so hardā¦.not only that youāre valuing me and teaching me important thingsā¦that makes me so happy. It lets me know that someday I can become someone trusted and loved like Cyril-kunā¦someone you can trust too.ć
Certainly I had expectations of Kuu.
I truly believed that one day she could be my right hand man.
Of course I knew that right now that was impossible. It wasnāt that her effort wasnāt enough, it was that at this point appointing a non-elf to a position of power would cause great dissatisfaction amongst the elves.
Even so, I wanted her efforts to be recognized and accepted by everyone.
Kuu had one of the most important features of a leaderā¦charisma. Just by looking at how the Fire Foxes treated her you could tell. Charisma could be acquired through hard work and effortā¦but most of it was inborn.
ćBut even so the reason I want to embrace Cyril-kun is probably different from Lucyā¦I was sure it was probably more like yearning than love. Itās probably a rash emotionā¦a love at first sight that will cool and disappearā¦.so in a sense itās relieving if you just properly love Lucy and I wonāt feel too sadā¦.ć
I could feel a cold wet spot on my back where her face was.
ćBut that feeling didnāt disappearā¦when Iām with you Cyril-kun even these kinds of situations are so funā¦I even look forward to the next dayā¦I hope and I dream. I see a bright day. I started to never want to be apartā¦these feelings just got stronger and strongerā¦despite my lack of confidenceā¦.I think this really is love.ć
Howā¦.should I respond.
ćIām so jealous of Lucy-chan. Those five years I couldnāt see you, the feelings that piled up, and along the way she got your love. I keep thinking aboutā¦what would have happened if the Elf village never got taken overā¦if we remained engaged, if we saw each other oftenā¦if you wouldāve fallen in love with meā¦.those silly thoughts just wonāt leave. Even though I hate myself for itā¦Iām afraid that I want to push these feelings onto you.ć
Thatās why she was taking advantage of my āsleepingā to pour out all her emotions.
This was Kuuās confession.
ćI know I have to give up on this. Cyril-kun has so much more important and dangerous things to worry aboutā¦I canāt add anymore worries. Plus Iām a coward. Iām afraid of being turned down if I confess seriously. Thatās why Iāll spit out all of these feelings, cry for tonight, and end it all today. Even if it canāt be ended Iāll make it end.ć
Kuuās arms loosened. I was sure from this point no matter how she felt she wouldnāt release these feelings. No matter how her heart tore she wouldnāt reveal these through her words or actions.
In truth this would be the most convenient conclusionā¦.howeverā¦.
The tearing regret I felt at the thought and feeling of Kuu pulling awayā¦.
ćIām glad I got the chance while you were asleep. If Cyril-kun was a wake then Iād never be able to say it. Itād be hard to find a way to forget these feelingsā¦preferablyā¦ā¦.un, this might be best. Falling in love with a person I canāt fall in love with might be suitable for meā¦ć
Kuu was giving up on everything with a sorrowful smile on her face. I could feel her try to get up and leave. Itās just thatā¦
I couldnāt let her do that.
I grabbed her hand firmly and dragged her into my arms.