Chapter 43

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 43

Chapter Title: Squirrel's Tears (5)

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The status window was in its usual form, but below it was a line that particularly caught my eye.

Maximum estrus state? And what's this about pleasure value?

If the pleasure value is doubling... does that mean from now on, every touch will feel twice as good?

"Hah... hah..."

That's when I heard Lulu's breathing growing rougher and rougher.

"...Hah..."

"Lulu?"

Every time Lulu panted, her ample fruits pressing against my stomach jiggled wildly.

I had no choice but to grab her shoulders with both hands and push her back a little to check her status.

Even her shoulders were so dainty they fit perfectly in one hand.

Lulu's head hung low, drool dripping from her mouth.

Is this what estrus state ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠looks like?

'Just a quick check.'

- Swoosh.

I slid both hands down her shoulders softly.

"...Haaah."

Lulu's body trembled violently.

A much clearer reaction than before.

It almost made me think the Hand of Abstinence hadn't even worked properly up until now.

It wasn't much, just a simple stroke...

I had no idea why she'd suddenly entered estrus, but at this rate, I could clear the quest before the time limit.

"Lulu."

"...Heh..."

I called her again, but she just kept her head down, mumbling incoherently.

I grabbed her chin and lifted her face.

"Hic..."

Our eyes met.

Her gaze was unfocused, eyelids heavy and slack.

She looked drunk.

Then her eyes fixed on the hand gripping her chin.

"Smell..."

Lulu slowly grabbed my hand.

This sweet scent filling the air.

Inside the gate room right now, a fruity sweetness mixed with a nutty acorn aroma hung thick.

She's probably talking about that.

For some reason, ever since I noticed the scent, Lulu—who'd only seemed cute before—started looking more mature.

"I told you not to wipe away my scent..."

- Rustle.

Lulu's tail wrapped around my waist.

The fluffy fur rubbed against my clothes, making a soft sound.

"Hehe..."

Lulu flashed a seductive smile on her cute face.

- Squeeze.

The tail around my waist tightened gradually.

Like a snake coiling, it squeezed my midsection hard.

The corner of Lulu's mouth twitched up slyly.

And then... with her tail still gripping tight, she flopped back onto the desk.

- Thud.

I braced my palm against the desk to avoid slamming into it.

Because as she fell back, her tail yanked me along with her.

Lulu's mouth curved into a sly grin.

As if everything had gone exactly according to plan.

'This is driving me crazy.'

This was definitely deliberate.

She knew her tail alone couldn't topple me, so she used her body weight to pull me down.

"......"

The tail coiled around my waist wriggled slightly.

As if asking what I was waiting for.

I'd expected her to grab my hand and rub her cheek against it like before, but this version of Lulu was far bolder.

As if the crying girl act had all been fake.

No different from crocodile tears.

Now I got why the quest was called Squirrel's Tears.

A merchant through and through—cunning as hell.

The whole situation felt like it was forcing my hand.

Hidden quest, doubled pleasure, and Lulu's behavior.

But there was no time to hesitate anyway.

The time limit was almost up.

I lifted my right hand, which had been supporting my weight.

And... slowly moved it.

...

My lower abdomen burned hot.

Touching this man's hand again made my body heat up.

Even though it shouldn't without estrus.

It felt just like estrus starting all over again.

'When he petted my head... and grabbed my tail... it wasn't like this...'

The room wasn't hot, but my face flushed.

Every time the large hand on my waist moved, my lower belly grew hotter.

My entrance tingled again.

It was different from real estrus.

Not like that time, writhing in my room from unsated sensations.

When his hand rose from my waist, it felt lacking, but as it slid back down, the need dissolved.

As his hand trailed from my waist along my hips to my thighs, anticipation outweighed the shame.

Different from yesterday when he touched inside my mouth.

Unfamiliar.

The fact that handing my body to a total stranger felt good.

Like the lump in my chest was finally unraveling.

I couldn't understand why I'd clung to him earlier.

The first head pat had made me want to snap at him.

Do I look like an easy mark just because I'm crying?

Pointless to say it after bawling already, but as future guild head, I needed some pride.

But soon after, a strange calm settled in.

His petting made all my worries seem meaningless.

So when he tried to pull away, I grabbed his hand without thinking.

Wondering if cheek rubs would feel as nice as last time.

Not the heart-pounding thrill from yesterday, but reassuring.

Each time his large hand cupped my cheek or brushed my ear, it felt like finding a new nest—so secure.

I wished time would stop like this.

Escaping the pressure of guild head, the disputes, the threats—just staying still like this.

But I messed up.

Bit his leg over something stupid like grabbing my tail.

Squirrel beastkin have developed front teeth— one wrong bite and it tears flesh.

I'd always been careful...

Excuses.

His pants stained slowly red, tears welled up again.

Of course the angry man pulled away and tried to kick me out.

'Abandoned.'

This hard-won safe haven.

We'd only just met, but he'd petted my head, touched my cheeks, my ears.

Isn't this more than friends?

He wouldn't do that if he hated me.

I'd never had friends, so I didn't know.

Hospil blocked me from commoners.

Friends later, after becoming guild head.

But... one mistake and discarded.

How could I let go of someone I finally bonded with...!

He'd even seen me in my underwear.

"Shasha? You okay?"

His voice grabbing the doorknob made my heart sink.

Tears burst out.

What if he leaves like this? I'd bawl in front of the advisors.

No way I could hold back.

So I begged. Forgive me, please.

Just one chance.

I didn't even know what kind.

I just wanted him to pet me again like before.

Hospil always said stay rational, negotiate.

But desperation blanked my mind.

The desperate one loses negotiations.

I was just scared. Now I only wanted his pets, that easy comfort.

Luckily, my sincerity worked—he forgave me. Thrilled at the thought of more, my mood soared.

Definitely a good guy.

Hospil would've locked me up, fed me cheap acorns for two days.

He picked me up, moved me to the desk.

Then every touch set my body ablaze like estrus.

'Yes, just like this...'

That instant.

He pulled me into a tight hug.

His hard body felt as ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠soft as a bed.

Tingles raced everywhere.

Unsated sensations enveloped me completely.

Then his hand suddenly gripped my butt.

"Eek!"

A lewd squeak escaped automatically.

The tickle in my butt dissolved at once.

Electric bliss shot to my head.

Strength drained from my body.

'Ah... I get it.'

I need this man's touch.

Why estrus hit doesn't matter.

I'm blissfully happy now—that's what counts.

His gaze keeps drifting elsewhere.

Keeps flicking behind me, but nothing was there earlier.

I hate it.

Looking away in this moment.

I wrapped my tail around him bit by bit.

Possessiveness.

Yes, possessiveness toward him surged in my chest.

Every time I tried owning something, they interfered.

All I could have were things they wanted, using me as excuse—not what I desired.

But today... I'll get what I want.

By any means.

You grabbed my butt first... so you started it, right?

...

That was close.