Becoming an Adult
Porter: Johann44
Even after she snapped at him to get lost and go back to his room, Johann didn't budge.
He sat in the small chair at the center of the room and brewed some coffee. It was still too early for dawn to break—an hour too early to start the day on the main planet, too late if it were the main planet.
"Smells good, that coffee."
The mage, her throat still sore from the tantrum she'd thrown at him, tried her best to act nonchalant as she said it. No point going back to sleep now anyway; might as well sip some coffee and get an early start on the day.
"No snacks, unfortunately. I brewed it strong and bitter—might not be to your taste."
"I'm a grown-up. Don't worry about me."
The mage sat across from him, with only a small table between them.
Steam rose gently from the coffee mugs on the table. They were modest ceramic mugs—the ones he'd bought with her back in Start Village.
"Feeling a bit better now?"
"Thanks to you."
It wasn't empty flattery. Without Johann patiently taking her childish outburst, she'd still be drowning in that haze of grief. He'd absorbed her wild emotions like an unyielding wall, letting her recover so quickly.
What if it had been the hero instead of Johann?
The hero was a good man. Self-centered, stubborn, mismatched with her in so many ways—but he was an excellent comrade. A warrior she could trust her back to. Traveling with him was always fun and thrilling.
Maybe what she'd felt for him wasn't romantic attraction, but just camaraderie. Thinking back, he had plenty of flaws as a man. It was almost funny that it only hit her after he was dead.
"What's got you grinning like that? Cry and laugh in the same breath, and you'll grow hair on your ass."
"What kinda nonsense is that? You guys actually say stuff like that in your world?"
The mage let out a little chuckle through her nose at Johann's out-of-left-field joke. The human heart was a strange thing. Even she couldn't pin down her own feelings.
"The hero's dead."
"Yeah. Hero's gone."
"We've got mountains of stories from the guards about how and why he died. Won't be an easy day unless we chug enough coffee."
"You really okay now?"
"Still feels like something's poking at my chest. Honestly, it hasn't sunk in yet. I can still see the hero's smile so clearly. Hear his voice calling me, see him swinging that sword..."
"You liked the hero, Mage. It's natural for echoes of someone you loved to linger."
Johann said it as he sipped his coffee. He'd brewed it bitter enough to numb the pain, but apparently caffeine alone couldn't erase the scars she carried.
Still, humans were creatures of forgetfulness. It was only a matter of time before she moved past the hero. He'd fill that empty space with his own scent.
"Porter. I'm about to say something totally out of left field, so don't get the wrong idea."
The mage's voice carried a grave weight, like a fresh grad facing their first interview, tense as she introduced herself. Her wide, pounding eyes gave no hint of what was coming.
"What's this all of a sudden?"
"Even I think it sounds insane right now, but don't misunderstand. I'm totally off my rocker at the moment."
"Saying that just makes me nervous."
"I'm so confused. Did I like that guy as a man, or just as the hero?"
"You mean you don't know if you liked Hero as a man?"
"Yeah. I have no clue what my feelings for him really were. Isn't that weird? What the hell got hold of me? His death must've messed up my head."
She needed to sort out her emotions properly. Only then could she bid a clean farewell to the dead hero.
"I wanna check. See what it is I actually liked."
"How?"
Johann could guess what came next, but he played dumb, waiting for her to spit it out.
The mage's face flushed beet red. Time for the real embarrassing confession. It would've been nice if the porter picked up on her intent first, but his blank expression showed no sign.
'This guy's usually so sharp—why's he playing dense now, making me spell it out? Damn it!'
He was ruthless in the clutch. She'd just discovered another flaw in the porter.
"I-I-I, with me..."
"With you, Mage?"
"Ughhh! You totally know and you're pretending, aren't you? That teasing tone—super suspicious!"
The mage slammed her mug on the table. Teasing her at a moment like this? Unforgivable. He was considerate enough in everyday stuff, but pranks at key moments weren't cute.
Johann burst out laughing at her fierce reaction. Her fresh, innocent vibe felt like real dating after so long—a thrill for a guy used to toying with women via cheats.
Bumping heads, caressing, loving, fighting, confirming hearts—that was romance. With a beauty like the mage, this college-crush style was always welcome.
Johann set his empty mug in the table's center. The self-proclaimed adult had barely touched half her coffee. Too bitter for her, probably. She wasn't grown yet. Time he made her one.
"You mean you'll do whatever to check if you liked Hero? If you don't spell it out, I won't know."
"Ughhh! To the end, really! Sigh~! You're just like the hero! Why are all men so immature?"
She crossed her arms and turned away sharply. But peeking back slyly was adorable.
Her instincts told her: time to yield. He was waiting for her to say the shameful words.
"Ughhh! Gotta make a lady confess outright to be satisfied?"
"Compared to the tantrum you threw at me? That's just cute."
"Fine! Call it even then!"
She huffed, hands on hips, glaring at him with a determined face. It hit her again how handsome he was.
Johann was the type who intimidated just by existing. Being this casual with him? Credit to his friendly personality.
Handsome, charming in so many ways. Yeah, this guy could help her shake off her past.
"I wanna know for sure what I like! So... so... take my tantrum just once!?"
She couldn't say it straight—beat around the bush instead. Her max effort confession. But Johann wasn't easy.
"Exactly how should I indulge you?"
"I hate you! How far you gonna make a girl go?"
"All the way."
"Fine! You want it? Let's fuck once! Happy!?"
She exploded. Even she felt her face burn—major-league bold. But spitting it out cleared her mind hugely.
Johann smiled faintly. No verbal reply needed; it was decided. He leaned forward across the table.
His handsome face reached hers. Before she could look away, his lips covered hers.
"!?"
A brief touch. Their lips connected. Her first kiss tasted of strong coffee. Adult flavor.
"......"
Her face burned hotter than during the confession. Looked ready to combust. Thankfully, no explosion.
Johann pulled back slowly. Her prim expression was a sight—like the Priest's pure one.
"Congrats on becoming an adult. Now you can finish that bitter coffee."
"......Not yet. Adults do that."
Emboldened, she spoke up. Spot on. She still bore a child's mark. Time to conquer what even the hero hadn't touched.
"To the bed, then."
"Haven't washed up..."
"Adults are fine."
What was fine about it? Still, she surrendered to his lead. Zero experience here. The guy who'd cooked the Priest so well would guide her right.
He laid her flat on the bed. Her primness called for vanilla first time. Missionary was best for a woman's debut.
Still in her outdoor clothes, undressing took time. But Johann was patient—unwrapping her like a luxury gift, layer by layer.
Off came the knee-length thick coat and woven dress, leaving pure white lingerie and garter belt.
First time exposing this much to a man. Too shy for eye contact. She closed her eyes, turned away.
Swish! Swish!
Undressing sounds hit louder than usual. Never noticed them before. His hand hooked her bra clasp.
"Eek!"
Almost swatted his hand away on reflex. But she held back. Soon, she was fully nude.
"My face right now... must look ridiculous..."
She covered it with her palms. Didn't want him seeing.
"Beautiful. Though you were stunning dressed too, Mage."
"Don't I stink?"
"You smell like you, Mage. Nice scent—makes me feel good."
"Ugh! Makes me feel bad! Wait! Don't sniff!"
He buried his face in her breasts. Perfect volume, soft welcome. Her warmth seeped in. Heart raced.
Naturally, her below was untouched fuzz, tips glistening slightly. This much arousal for a first time? Mage might have talent.
"Relax. Muscles are too tense."
"I'm not you! How am I supposed to relax here?"
"Heh. Then let me help loosen you up."
Thus began Johann's caresses. His slick technique turned her to jelly in under five minutes.
"D-Damn...! You're too good at this...!"
First time or not, instinct screamed: total pro!