The Kiss That Missed the Cheek
The ambiguous relationship is driving me crazy!! I buried my face in the pillow and kicked at the blanket covering me. How embarrassing! How am I supposed to face him tomorrow? Am I completely out of my mind? Right now we're riding the magic car we called in advance, heading back home after that not-quite-confession.
"It's not my fault! He made the first move!" I muttered to myself and nodded. Yeah, he was the one who said we were already lovers, the one who claimed he thinks about me every single day. I'm just a poor girl who fell for that wolf-like butler's seduction!
"Ugh..! That bastard..!" On the way back he passed out and leaned on my shoulder to sleep, which is basically him broadcasting signals left and right! And why was he trying to hold my hand while he slept? 'That guy was definitely awake! Who the hell interlocks fingers in their sleep?!'
Thinking back, it feels like I spent the entire day being teased. I can't keep letting him toy with me forever! I need to find a moment where he actually gets flustered..!
"Mmm..!" I got it! The time I tackled him onto the bed and surprise-kissed his collarbone was probably the closest..? Wait, what? 'Now that I think about it, that wasn't the only embarrassing thing that happened today.'
What was I thinking when I made that stupid promise back then?! And more importantly, didn't I say I'd give him a real kiss—including tongue—once my illness was cured? "I must be insane..!"
Am I seriously going to end up kissing my butler for real? I banged my head against the bed. S-surely he won't actually ask for it, right? He wouldn't dare? 'No way!' That guy would absolutely do it! And he'd definitely try to suck me dry all the way to the end! If I kiss him, he'll demand to go all the way!
"A plan.. I need a plan!" Of course, it's not like I hate Sebastian or anything. If anything, I'm closer to liking him! I'm not the easy girl he thinks I am! I'm not someone who falls head over heels in just a few days!
"Of course I'm grateful he cured my illness and treated me kindly!" But I'm the cold, elegant villainess. I've lived that way until now. This is a matter of pride for the life I've led as that kind of woman. This time, I absolutely won't let him play me!
After returning to the young lady's residence, eating a simple meal, and sleeping deeply, morning had already arrived.
"Now what do I do with this thing?" The hedgehog I'd knocked out yesterday and left abandoned in the corner. I need to deal with it. I can't keep it in the room like this forever.
"Creator, you told me to bring it to the altar, right? How do I get it there?" I shouted into the air, but as expected, nothing appeared..
> [New function added to the status window!]
..Huh? Something was added? So you've been listening to everything I say this whole time but never gave a proper answer? Well, I guess you had to watch to record my actions and create an ending. Still, this is too much. Stupid creator!
"Status window." At my command, the blue window appeared before my eyes, and a new line had been added.
[Altar Entrance]
You have defeated the Demon King and earned the right to open the altar's door!
The world praises your courage in saving Violet!
When you approach a disabled Demon King, you may offer it at the altar!
Offered Demon Kings (1/9)
"Oh.." But why is one already offered? No, that's not important right now. I placed my hand on the lying hedgehog, and a notification window appeared.
> [Would you like to offer the Demon King at the altar? Y/N]
"O-oh..!" When I pressed Y, Laplace began to glow blue from the tips of his feet and slowly disappeared.
> [Offered Demon Kings (2/9)]
The number went up. So that's why they never told me the altar's location.
"Just a little more and.." Well, not really just a little, but it'll work out somehow.
"Time to get ready and head out." Even though I'd been away for several days, I still had to go to the academy with the young lady. After packing my clothes and necessities into a bag, I boarded the magic car to head to the academy when..
"..Are you feeling unwell?" The young lady was acting strange. She wouldn't meet my eyes properly and hadn't said a single word. I wondered if it was because of what happened yesterday, but her expression didn't look embarrassed—it looked more like she was deliberately trying to ignore me.
'Don't tell me she actually was enjoying it..?' No way. The young lady I know isn't like that. Still, I couldn't help feeling uneasy. Surely not, right?
When I scooted closer just to test, she didn't pull away but turned her head sharply. "Young lady, are you drawing a line between us right now?"
At my question, she panicked and her eyes darted around. Seriously? "Hmm.."
When I made a thoughtful sound and moved slightly away, she waved her hands in the air. "N-no! It's not like that at all..!" Her reaction made it even more suspicious. Had something changed in the game?
"Then why are you keeping your distance? I was looking forward to seeing you all day today.." It was a slightly cringey romance-fantasy line, but if the game had changed, my quest plans would be ruined. I had to find out here.
"W-what? Y-you.. you were?" She twisted her head and smirked. No, seriously, what? From that expression, it didn't seem like she actually wanted distance.
"S-still, no! It's not that I dislike you. Don't worry!" Did I miss something? I thought for a moment, then remembered what I'd forgotten and laughed.
"Why are you getting so worked up..?" The young lady asked, watching my reaction. Ah, so that's what this was about.
"Young lady, now that I think about it, don't you owe me something?" You have to keep your word, young lady.
"When the young lady's illness is cured.. what was it again..? I think you said you'd do something really nice for me.." I tapped her lips lightly, and she froze completely. So this was the reason. Whew, what a relief!
"You're not going to do it? I'm ready." "Ready for what, you crazy bastard! Ugh.."
She seemed to be mulling it over, moving her mouth. Well, even I had to admit this was a bit much..
"Then how about here instead?" Since asking for the lips would be too obvious, I tapped my cheek. This was all for the sake of the game player's dental health. Too many sweets and your teeth will rot, right?
'Besides, in romance, if you rush the skinship too fast, it loses its flavor.' Even I thought we'd progressed way too quickly in just one day. Yeah, that was it. Definitely not because I was afraid of taking the young lady's first kiss and the consequences that would follow.
After a moment of hesitation, she nodded readily. 'I already kissed his lips, so a cheek is nothing!' she was probably thinking. With her eyes tightly shut, she puckered her lips like a woodpecker and went straight for my cheek.
'..But if she comes with her eyes closed like that, I can't hold back.' My deliberation didn't last long. After thinking for about a second, I turned my head toward her, and her lips, meant for my cheek, landed on my lips instead.
She stayed still for a few seconds, feeling something different from what she'd expected, then quickly pulled back and shouted, "Y-you..! You said the cheek!!"
I had intended to. "But what was I supposed to do when you came with your eyes closed? I couldn't resist."
"W-well.. you're supposed to close your eyes when kissing!" Where did she pick up that excellent knowledge? When I stared at her, she scratched her head.
"Damn it..! I studied romance novels because of the promise I made with you!" Oh-ho, so that's what happened.
"So does that mean you were also looking forward to kissing me? Since we're already here, want to go again?" "You crazy bastard!"
The young lady kicked my shin without mercy. Hey, we're still inside the magic car!
"And technically, that was still a kiss.. So when exactly are we doing the real one..?" At my whining, she turned her head sharply. "I-I don't know! We'll do it later!"
How adorable. How has someone like this lived without friends? "Don't drag it out too long. I'll be waiting."
When I crossed my arms confidently and sat back, I saw the young lady touching her lips with a flushed face. Wow, she's seriously the cutest thing in the world. This is why I keep the young lady alive.
"..What are you looking at!" When our eyes met after she glanced sideways, she got angry. Hey, can't you say it a little nicer?
"W-we've arrived!" The driver spoke while glancing at us. Come to think of it, this guy must have heard our entire romantic exchange.
"..Aaaah!" Realizing this, the young lady screamed and ran off. "Thank you for your service. See you again later."
After a quick greeting to the driver, I got out of the car. "Ah, this crazy bastard is back again. Get lost. Want to die?"
There stood the young lady, already fuming, and.. "As expected, you're beautiful today as well. How about taking a walk with me?"
The blue-haired chuuni Pikachu who had spewed blue electricity during our last sparring match. That guy, now with dyed blond hair, was throwing flirtatious glances at the young lady in an oily voice.
..That crazy bastard?