Chapter 257
Chapter 257
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 257
Chapter Title: All Darkness Comes from the East (3)
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"Is this the reason?"
Siu pulled out the pink four-leaf clover he kept tucked inside his cigarette case.
The mystical-colored clover, so delicate it seemed it might scatter into dust if he blew on it, had wilted just a touch more than when Periwinkle handed it to him.
A test creation.
Duration: one week.
That was all she'd told him.
She hadn't explained exactly what effect it had. And the moment they parted, Periwinkle had jetted off to Guam without even giving him an overseas contact number. No way to ask. Besides, just look at this bizarre color. Didn't it scream shady, like it was hiding some ulterior motive?
"Should I toss it..."
If Siu's hunch was right, then no matter that it was a gift of goodwill, it was utterly useless. How was he supposed to use something that dragged him into one awkward mess after another without a moment's rest? He summoned shadow over his fingertip to crush it.
"Hmm..."
But he held off. No one knew its true effect. It might be a backup in case the light green one got used up. In any case, Siu had neatly folded Eloa's bedding. Lately, he'd been falling asleep in the same room as her. Four hours a day—essential sleep was, in another sense, Siu's most vulnerable time. So to wake Eloa right away and get her help in a pinch, he slept as close as possible. Not the same bed, of course. They'd compromised by shoving two separate beds side by side. -Bang! The door across the hall flew open, and Eloa toddled out in her pajamas. Calling a full-grown woman—the venerable Tiphereth Duke—"toddling" bordered on rude. But when she wore those pajamas, it was unavoidable. Siu had eyeballed the purchase, so they ran two sizes big, sleeves swallowing her hands whole. Seeing her shuffle out, dragging the rolled-up pant cuffs, the word just fit.
"I've got the bedding sorted. Milk before bed? It's warmed up."
"Thanks as always."
"No trouble at all."
Siu handed over a mug of warm milk he'd double-boiled in the kitchen ahead of time. Living together had revealed Eloa's serious alcohol habit. Her spiritual body couldn't suffer physical addiction, so it had to be psychological dependence. He had no intention of nagging her about it. But since sleep was non-negotiable, why not swap booze-soothed bellyaches for warm milk to aid rest? For the past few days, he'd been serving hot milk. He was already mooching off her help nonstop—least he could do was pitch in like this.
"Mmm, nice."
Eloa sipped the perfectly tempered milk, perched on the bed's edge. Buoyed by Siu's cheerful gesture, she beamed softly and swung her legs playfully. That look alone made her seem the twins' age. If you overlooked her distinctive speech.
"Siu, one small favor."
Siu had grabbed the mug to tidy up and head to the kitchen. Suddenly, Eloa stopped him.
"Yes? What is it?"
"Could you manage a massage?"
A massage? Out of nowhere? At a time like this? Siu recoiled like he'd heard a buddy suggest clubbing mid-pandemic. Things tangled into knots even when he sat still. And now, both in nothing but pajamas, she was pushing for physical contact. Pajamas prioritized comfort, after all—defense was laughably low. Thin fabric, loose buttons. Lean forward a smidge, and gaps revealed all. Eloa's pajama pants right now? Panty lines in plain view.
"Why the ghost-struck face? It's hardly a tall order."
"Well, true, but..."
Eloa played it casual, utterly unfazed. Her sudden request stemmed from her earlier vow. Until now, she'd seen him as a disciple... while unconsciously clocking him as male. That vibe had rubbed off on Siu, tuning his awareness to her as a woman. Hence the blushing, fumbling reactions to every mishap. Time for a mindset shift. What if Eloa brushed off such situations without flinching? Acted true to her master role, ignoring disciple gazes or touches? Naturally, Siu's awkward barriers would crumble, forging a pure mentor-apprentice bond. Like with Rafi, back in the day.
"I ask it of you."
"Alright, fine."
Siu looked reluctant but didn't refuse. He climbed onto her bed, kneeling behind her seated form. Just toughen up. Massages weren't rocket science. Knead the shoulders—that was it.
"Hold on a sec."
Eloa twisted her hair up with the tie on her wrist, sparring-style. To keep strands out of the way during shoulder work. Which let Siu get an up-close eyeful of her pale nape. He bolted upright to dodge her scent, mouth-breathing. Hands hovered like he was defusing explosives, then settled gingerly on her shoulders.
"...Eek!"
The baggy pajama gaped everywhere. Instant his callused palms met the graceful bare curve of shoulder-to-neck... Goosebumps prickled Eloa's silky nape. Shoulders locked rigid, like she'd taken a jolt—even though he hadn't pressed yet.
"Hurts? I barely touched..."
"No, no. Keep going."
Siu paused, then got kneading. Eloa's rock-hard tension melted bit by bit. So soft. Bare skin to bare skin, and even through thin cloth—pure marshmallow fluff. Like it was declaring, This is a woman's body. Her back had always loomed massive. But hands-on? Tiny shoulders. Endlessly fragile to shoulder solitary grief... or the crushing karma she'd saddled herself with.
"Feel good?"
Eloa nodded vigorously. No snags under his fingers—probably braless under the pajamas, flitted the thought. Fleeting, but reflexive: eyes flicked to her chest. Always trussed in sports bras for sparring... but truth? Voluptuous heft. Sitting posture or not, they hoisted the pajama fabric proudly. Siu snap-shook it off. Good thoughts. Good thoughts. Lately's string of embarrassments kept dragging his mind there... Bad habit.
"Hmmm..."
Blind to Siu's turmoil, Eloa's frame loosened further. Straight-spined back now slackened, teetering toward full recline. Siu reined in wandering thoughts.
"Any better?"
"Quite refreshing. Impressive technique."
"Used to do my parents' when I was a kid. Mind tilting your head back?"
"Head back?"
Eloa blinked curiously but reclined into his palms. Siu dug thumbs into Fengchi points under her occiput—the classic barber service press.
"Haaaah..."
Head lolled halfway back; her eyes went hooded, lips parting. Round forehead's crescent brows quivered. Yeah—that reaction. Massage landing true. Self-satisfied at his still-sharp skills, Siu worked her nape diligently. Head weight usually sufficed for acupressure, but hers was so petite and light—extra oomph required.
"S-so skilled."
Eloa beamed, cat-drunk-on-nip vibes. Leaning farther... nearly supine now.
"Uncomfy? Lie flat?"
"That work for you?"
"Yeah, easier on me too."
"Very well."
Eloa stretched out fully; Siu cradled her occiput. Kneaded her full neckline repeatedly. But an unforeseen snag arose. Sprawled flat meant way more Eloa-body in his sightline. Pajama hiked up in the flop, gap baring a dainty navel. Sunken yet elongated slit—adorbs.
"Who knew such magic existed..."
Then, spiking into view: peaks. Above chest-mounded pajama ripples, two standout swells. Dead-center on each breast. Had to be nipples...
"Ack!"
"S-sorry!"
Flustered grip crushed her nape; Eloa jolted awake.
"No—no, delightful. Carry on."
Eloa shut eyes, surrendered to his tender kneads. Inner glow of vindication. Spot-on strategy, no doubt. First touch had twitched her—fair. Sparring bumped bodies plenty, but never this intimate glide. His rough-thick-chill palm chilled her skin; second-guessed the call. Yet proper kneads? Zero drama. Body contact? Meh. Siu's initial stiffness thawed to pure response at her guileless lead. No awkward vibes detected. Proper master-disciple bond forming at last. Relief. Keep this up forevermore.
"Hmmmmmm..."
Sleep tugged insistently. Drift off under his hands? Bliss. Dizzy haze narrowed to nape's cool refresh. Mattress-swallowed languor... as she wriggled faintly... A spine-chill whispered by her ear. -Tuk. Tuk. Tuk. Precisely three faint pops. Then her chest felt oddly bare. Squirming about, massage-tossed fabric... Three flimsy pajama buttons had popped loose naturally. And her fidgeting gaped the front wide—breasts fully aired out. Siu's nape-hands froze mid-knead. Eyes-shut Eloa couldn't see, but she knew. The recent mishap streak? Mega-escalated now. I.e., pure accident: tits bared straight at Siu. And he'd clocked it. Dizzy, breath-hitching vertigo hit; she willed calm. Nothing to undo now! Vowed natural handling if it recurred, right? Zero shame under heaven? Siu'd quit noticing too. So button up casual, quip coolly: 'Why the fuss?' "......"
"......"
Stretching silence. Mindset be damned—lips sealed, body locked.
"......Snooore... zzz..."
Eloa deployed sleep-pretend mode!