Chapter 351
Chapter 351
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 351
Chapter Title: A Sweet Night
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Someone fun to be around had appeared.
More flaws than good points, sometimes mean pranks, a pervert, a fool, and occasionally too rough with me...
"Aaaah~~~! *Cough cough*."
Watching him inexplicably brought a smile to my face. The man right beside me.
"Can't hit the high notes, huh. Heh heh."
Even the pouty way he set down the mic.
'So cute...'
The wimpy look when he was intimidated by my singing, making me want to tease him just a little.
Did anyone like this exist in the world?
"Why are you smiling like that?"
"Huh? No reason..."
*Poke.*
*Pat pat.*
A large hand ruffled the top of my head.
It felt good, but sometimes I wondered if he really saw me as a pet.
"...Don't pat my head."
A small act of defiance, but whenever I did, Lee Siheon would stroke my hair until he was satisfied, then pull away with a happy face only after it was a total mess.
I hated myself for not resisting much once his hand touched me.
'Still.'
I grew fond of him.
Being near him drew my eyes, and once my eyes were on him, I wanted to touch. Touching made me want to cling, clinging led to wanting to act spoiled, and acting spoiled made me want to just live together.
Me, with so much on my shoulders, swayed this much by one person.
When did it start?
'...'
It just came naturally.
'Hateful person.'
Someone I couldn't help but like.
Even though he could've done whatever he wanted with me, he kept his distance.
Even after my desperate confession, he cheered me on to overcome the brainwashing.
We'd grown apart at times... but regardless, he helped me.
Sacrificed his body to protect me. Took a collapsing building with his own flesh.
How could I look away from someone who protected me so purely?
"Not singing more?"
"Yeah, that's enough for today."
I thought everything else didn't matter.
Unlike other politicians expecting something in return, he tried his best to answer even odd questions about common folk, and didn't hide his flaws.
Now, even those flaws seemed charming.
Just looking at his face now, I found myself grinning without realizing.
"...Pfft."
Others called this being lovesick, probably.
"Oh, right. Not much time left?"
"Yeah."
"The National Tree's pretty busy. Makes sense with how chaotic things are lately."
Outings lasted at most 3-4 hours.
We'd wandered plenty and had our fun at karaoke, so it was about time to head back.
If my secretary found out, I'd get that chilling stare.
Stepping out of karaoke, the sky had a yellowish tint. 5 PM. Stomach still full from lunch. A time when the chest felt vaguely wistful.
Lee Siheon stretched and looked at me.
"How was it?"
"...Fun."
"Heard kids these days do this. Nobles might be different."
Watching him say that so nonchalantly made his face annoyingly endearing for no reason.
I shouldn't think this way.
'...Doesn't he feel anything about us parting?'
Being together is fun means parting is regrettable, right?
This cozy distance between our elbows now. Just enough for a single leaf to fit. It felt happy.
Do you feel this too?
I shifted my foot slightly, closing one step nearer.
3 cm between us.
A ticklish feeling brought a beaming smile.
"Ah, it's a shame..."
"Yeah."
Even boldly saying it got only a nonchalant reply.
A mix of disappointment and sadness.
I knew it was one-sided.
...When my mind was at its weakest. I'd pushed him away so much.
'What if I'm not his type.'
My heart sank.
The scene from the changing room flashed before my eyes.
My breasts aren't that big like a cow's. Short kid, treated more like a cute cat than a beauty everywhere I go.
Normally, I'd say it's time to go...
But words of going to France wouldn't come, lingering in my mouth.
'......'
Truth is.
I'd planned to confess once I saw him today and confirmed my feelings.
A National Tree's time isn't leisurely.
Part now, next meeting could be months away.
If things go wrong, years.
With war possible lately, not conveying this would leave regrets.
"Gonna go?"
Lee Siheon said.
Lips wouldn't part.
Hand to chest, clenched fist.
Why was I sweating?
If rejected, what face to make?
Just bury it. Loving alone...
If I were really the cat you say, I'd meow nicely by your side.
...One more time.
Couldn't you brainwash me again?
*Flinch.*
Lowering trembling fists, I finally spoke.
"Um, th-that, you know."
"Yeah?"
Face burning.
Nose bridge, cheeks, ears, eyes all red. Emotions out of control.
Even my mouth twitched uncontrollably trying to speak.
Would I look weird?
Why did that clueless ugly face annoy me so much lately?
Grabbed the wide brim with both hands, pulled hat down. So he couldn't see my face. To speak more comfortably.
"Th-that... that."
*Coward.*
The imaginary me that always tormented me spoke.
'Not your place to say.'
*Idiots, what're you doing? Moron.*
Breath failing. Didn't know I was this scared.
Face red like bursting. Vision spinning.
Then, one idea popped in my head.
'Ah!'
Good excuse.
"Your place..."
"Yeah?"
"When talking common folk stories... you said you'd show me."
One of many past chats.
Good memory saved me; almost forgot.
Sighed in relief unwittingly.
"Hm... time okay?"
"A bit is fine."
Imaginary me sighed.
*Sigh. Pathetic wimp who can't confess.*
'...I will.'
I have to.
Not many chances for me.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Our Night Cat seemed suspicious.
Face beet red, walking distracted like a dog needing to poop, glancing at me.
"Here."
*Click.*
Door opened to a musty smell.
Somehow ended up at my old place. Wonder if it's tidy.
Of course, unmanaged room was a mess.
No worst case bugs.
Instead, floor coated in white dust film.
Footprint stamped entering from entryway.
"Kinda dirty, you okay?"
"...Yeah!"
Marronier seemed to like the vibe itself.
True. This is common folk of common folk. When suddenly isekai'd here, nearly died of misery.
'Been a while.'
Eyes to the squat desk corner.
No real desk in tiny studio; got a simple one without backrest to study.
To buy books for academy exam with remaining money.
No bed, moldy mat on floor.
Neatly folded blanket on it.
I entered, sat on mat. Following Marronier wandered corners.
Her footprints on white dust half my size.
Leaving Blanche marking everywhere like puppy seeing first snow, I looked at ceiling.
"Siheon."
"Done looking? Sit here."
"Okay."
Blanche sat right beside, still curiously scanning.
*Cough.*
Still dusty, so opened mat-side window for light ventilation.
"This is where you lived."
"Yep."
Place I lived when had nothing.
Now knowing context, it's fine, but first time, trembled fearing who prepared such house. Life itself a horror flick.
"...I see."
Quietly, Marronier looked up at me.
*Thud.*
Head on my shoulder.
Hat off, placed on mat. Long hair revealed, then hand moved.
Left finger tap tap. Long nail scratched my thigh.
Like signaling something.
"Oh, right. Siheon."
So unnatural.
Forced atmosphere made me chuckle.
Wonder what she's angling for this time.
Looking at her, that shy expression, she drew even closer.
Our distance closed till stuck tight.
"Remember... that thing you said before?"
"What?"
"......"
Blanche's face exploded red.
"You."
"Me."
"N-no, me."
"You?"
I waited. It was cute.
Fun watching her fret over words.
"......Ugh."
Did I tease too much?
Overwhelmed by shame, Marronier covered face with hands.
After long pause, she burst.
"Aaaah!"
*Grab!*
"Huh?"
Suddenly hugged my chest with both arms.
Sitting body fell back. Marronier atop my prone body.
Arms around my waist, she rubbed her face in my chest freely.
Realizing her bold move.
"...What now...?"
Timidly asked me.
"Asking me?"
"...Can't say it. Your fault..."
"What is it. I'll hear anything, just say."
When was my body ever just mine.
I'm the deficiency-filler, right.
"Then... I'll say once. Listen."
Marronier lifted face from chest.
Eyes tearing from worry.
"I... think I still like you."
Hanging voice echoed off cramped studio walls.
Clear voice tickled chest pleasantly even now.
'...Tch.'
Knew roughly.
Why like someone like me.
She knows my temperament, why?
Thoughts crossed mind... but brainwashing definitely gone.
Yeah, promised once.
"You said... even after brainwashing lifts, if same... you'd take responsibility."
"Mm. Did. But Blanche, would that really make you happy?"
"......It would."
Tear dropped.
*Thump thump thump thump.*
Strong pulse. Pressing chest max close, buried face in my chest.
Heart pounding so hard, unsure if okay.
Blanche bound my body with arms like never letting go.
"Being with you. Makes me, yeah. L-listen to this."
Pushing body harder to let me hear heartbeat.
Faint throb made my flesh tremble too.
"Even this... seems like I'm lying?"
"No lies. Get up first. Tears flowing."
"Don't wanna..."
"Then scoot forward so I can hold you?"
*Squirm squirm.*
She moved well.
A bit forward, now could hold properly.
Small light body. Holding, patting back, she hiccuped intermittently.
"Crying over one confession."
"......"
"A tree shouldering a nation okay like this?"
Reacting to slight jab, Marronier peeled face from chest.
Slightly swollen eyes glared.
"Haven't heard answer yet."
"......"
Sharp one.
Would get firm yes somehow.
Fierce resolve.
I closed eyes, thought of Seyoung, Dalrae, Star, Imperial Path.
'Sigh.'
Sis. Sorry. One more.
Bitter smile, pinched Marronier's cheek.
"Got it."
Joy lit her eyes.
"No, but just say you like me, why all this-"
Try to calm near-tears her with words, then.
Blanche moved head fastest, lips met mine.
Soft small lips sweetly left their feel briefly.
No tongue kiss. So...
"...Kiss me."
Was brainwashed Marronier this spoiled?
If her nature, nights ahead tough.
Instead of sigh, leaned head forward slightly.
Sweet scent filled mouth richly.
*Thud.*
Body tilted, now I was atop Marronier.
Tiny cat smiled at me.
"Time okay?"
Marronier exposed belly, parted thighs without me saying.
"...Today, scolding's fine."
Voice sweeter than any fruit, captivated.
"Thirty min... no, one hour."
Smile deepened, eyes dripped honey.
Deliberately drunk on mood, Marronier was utmost romantic girl.
"Exactly two hours... let me feel you."
Over-the-top,
Koreans'd cringe, but foreigner, no hesitation.
"How many hours?"
"...Three."
Sorry to Marronier's fans.
Buried head between white collarbones. Blanche swallowed softly.
Warm today's night, shell fully peeled, warm enough to pop in mouth.
A sweet night.