Chapter 42
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Squirrel's Tears (4)
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I'd half-expected it, but Lulu was extremely dependent on me right now.
So, what if I just leaned into it and made her completely reliant on me?
In Lulu's mind, she probably saw herself as an ungrateful squirrel who'd bitten the hand that comforted her.
I planned to exploit that.
It was a scheme that stabbed right at her sore spot.
One wrong move, and I could fail every quest.
Right before me, the tears streaming down Lulu's cheeks dripped onto the floor.
Her tail, which had been wagging happily just moments ago, now dragged limply across the ground.
Her ears hung slack over her head, utterly devoid of energy.
Anyone could see she was completely drained.
It hurt just watching her.
What must she be feeling? Like she'd been left all alone in the world, maybe.
Self-loathing? Regret? I couldn't read her thoughts, but it was probably something like that.
But thanks to it, I felt certain.
This plan would work.
Temporary Status Reveal: Favorability (35) Pleasure (0)
Her favorability hadn't dropped.
That meant she still saw it as her own mistake.
If she'd thought I messed up, it would've gone down.
35 was about right for old friends.
She must be pretty shocked.
"Shasha-nim? Are you okay?"
I flashed a grin, tightening my grip on the door handle.
Lulu's eyes flicked to my hand on the knob.
Of course, I had no intention of opening it.
I didn't want her leaving just yet.
But I casually turned the handle all the way down anyway.
And the moment I turned my head to pull it open...
"Forgive me..."
Lulu's mouth opened.
"Pardon? What about?"
"Your leg... I-I bit it."
"Oh, it's fine. I grabbed you too hard."
I smiled like it was nothing and turned my head back.
"N-No, that's not it... I got startled... and bit you."
"Anyone might nip when they're startled. We're not even that close."
I tossed the words out casually, like it was no big deal.
Lulu's shoulders twitched at "that close."
"S-Sorry... please... don't say that. F-Forgive me."
Her hands trembled violently.
Honestly, I had no idea why she was this dependent on me.
But whatever. If I could use it, I would.
This was enough.
Now it was time to ease her guilt toward me.
I wasn't here to enjoy her tears, after all.
"Haa... Fine."
"R-Really?"
I let out a deep sigh, acting reluctant as I forgave her.
"Yeah. But what is it you want?"
"What I want...?"
"You're asking for forgiveness because you want something, right?"
"Y-Yeah..."
Lulu fidgeted with the fingers clutching my sleeve.
Probably the same thing as before.
"Then since you've entered the gate, let's do a body search together."
"Body search?"
"Don't want to?"
"N-No, of course we have to if we've entered the gate."
Lulu shook her head vigorously.
Her hair swayed side to side.
"From now on, say 'good' if it feels good, 'bad' if it doesn't."
"O-Okay."
This was crucial.
I couldn't waste time on actions that might hurt her favorability.
Lulu had been scrutinizing my every move since earlier.
My hand positions, leg spacing, gaze direction—everything.
People who are emotionally unstable or overly dependent often watch others like hawks.
They have to, to survive.
I quickly checked the time limit.
Time Limit: 10 minutes 00 seconds
Not enough time.
The gamble paid off, but... I might not clear the quest.
"I'll move you before we start the body search."
I hurriedly scooped Lulu up.
Like I did with the Saintess—like cradling a baby.
Unlike with the Saintess, she was light, but still tricky to hold properly.
The two fruits on her chest pressed firmly, getting in the way.
"Kyaa! ...Hup..."
Lulu yelped in surprise but quickly bit her lower lip.
As if afraid I'd stop.
Startled by the sudden height, she wrapped her arms around my neck and her tail around my waist.
I carried her to the desk and plopped her down like last time.
"You okay?"
"O-Of course!"
Lulu patted her butt, fidgeting on the desk.
In my rush, I'd tossed her like an object.
But she waved it off, saying she was fine.
Her face was much brighter than before, at least.
We'd done the oral search last time, so no need to repeat.
It wouldn't help much with pleasure anyway.
Time to pick up the pace.
"Stay still."
Lulu's eyes, red from minutes of nonstop crying.
Her cheeks glistening with tears.
This time, I wiped her face with my thumb.
"No more crying now, right?"
"Yeah..."
Lulu met my gaze and gave a shy smile.
She seemed used to me cleaning her up now.
I even wiped the tear tracks from her cheeks.
"Do you always cry this much?"
"N-No... I'm... the merchant guild master's daughter... Eek!"
She cut off mid-sentence as her shoulders jerked up.
Because I'd placed my hand at her waist to start the search.
"Starting the body search. You can close your eyes."
"......"
I began quickly, anxious about the time.
Her waist felt in my hands.
Proportions-wise, she was an adult, but touching her, she felt so small.
The springy texture at my fingertips.
Maybe because of her chest, her dress was a bit loose-fitting.
Her figure didn't show much.
Same as last time I saw her body.
It felt like a shame to hide a body that felt this good in my hands.
"Say 'bad' if you don't like it."
"Okay..."
Lulu squeezed her eyes shut.
Her hands gripped the hem of her dress on both sides, unsure where to put them.
-Sshhh.
The rustle of fabric against her skin.
I slid my hands from her waist upward.
The hem of Lulu's dress crept up bit by bit.
Revealing her pale thighs.
Feeling the sensation on her thighs, Lulu hurriedly pressed her hands to her groin.
-Sshhh.
I ignored it and slid my hands downward this time.
From waist to hips, then down to her thighs.
And when I gripped her thighs firmly...
"Eek!"
Lulu yelped, her shoulders jolting.
"Huh? Why? Again?"
She rubbed her belly area with her hand.
Lulu's eyes went to my hand.
"Something wrong?"
"N-No."
I scanned her again.
"Huu..."
Her legs trembled.
Her face itchy, she kept rubbing her cheek against her shoulder.
Her flushed face, twitching lips, pupils shaking in confusion.
Lulu was starting to heat up.
I squeezed her thigh harder, cheering inwardly.
"Haa..."
Each time I tightened my grip, her breaths quickened.
And her chest heaved more with each gasp.
Her cheeks so itchy she rubbed them wildly against her shoulder now.
But that wasn't enough; she started using her hands, rubbing more intensely.
'Should I get bolder...?'
The thought hit me suddenly.
Truth be told, I'd been hesitating all this time.
Moment I decided...
I released her thigh.
Grabbed her waist and pulled her tight against me.
"Huh...?"
Lulu looked startled by the suddenness.
She was nestled right in my arms now.
Her face peeked up at me.
Pupils shaky with fluster, but her lips betrayed her with a slight upturn.
"Eh... eh?"
"This okay for the body search?"
I asked, hugging her tight.
"......"
Lulu nodded silently.
Then slowly started rubbing her cheek against my chest.
Each rub relaxed her expression more, satisfied.
Just staying like this might raise her pleasure...
But to speed things up, I kept my left hand at her waist and moved my right to her butt.
"Eek!"
Lulu jolted at the sudden sensation on her rear, stopping the rubbing.
Her gaze turned to look at her butt.
"......"
Lulu's lips moved wordlessly.
Then she turned back to me.
-Smirk.
Time Limit: 7 minutes 02 seconds
Temporary Status Reveal: Favorability (39) Pleasure (17)
Maximum Arousal State Entered: Pleasure gain doubled, Rationality decreased.
And in that instant.
Lulu's expression changed completely alongside the strange status window.