Ellis (3)

'How the hell am I supposed to react to this?' I pondered seriously as I stared at Ellis, who was pressed right up against my body. She lay there humming softly to herself—"Hmhm~"—but it was obvious she had zero experience cuddling with someone. And then she asks, 'What about you?'

'Obviously it's fucking amazing.' Her skin's sweet scent, the way her ass nestled against my lower belly, her back that was firm yet soft—all of it, every part of this woman named Ellis, was the problem. It felt so good I wanted to just wrap her up and pin her down right then and there. But I couldn't say that out loud.

Even a trash like me had a shred of purity left. Calmly, I opened Ellis's status window.

"…."

What the hell? Is she seducing me? Should I just naturally spread my arms and pull her in? Yeah, that has to be it. Was it because I'd confronted the guild master yesterday and it worked out so well? As I agonized over the best response, Ellis spoke first.

"What's the point of just lying here like this?"

"What exactly do you mean by 'this'?"

"When you're hugging other girls like this?"

This time, it was genuinely a little scary. I needed to figure out why she was acting this way. One thing was clear: pulling her into a hug right now would be the wrong answer. If I beat around the bush and it led somewhere weird, that'd be bad. So I went straight for it.

"…Ellis. Why are you suddenly like this?"

"No particular reason."

You're killing me. Luckily, she didn't seem to want a serious answer. Ellis cut the conversation short and tilted her head back. Then, like a pet throwing a tantrum, she pressed the back of her head against my chest. Hard.

Press—
Press—

"Nngh."

"…?"

What does this mean? Some kind of cat affection thing? Ellis didn't care if her perfectly styled hair got messed up—she just rubbed it all over my chest. Her lovely fragrance seeped into my clothes. Of course it felt good. Nothing beats a pretty girl acting cute.

But this wasn't like her at all, so I had no clue how to respond. She was really going at it, shaking her bangs with every motion, but why? I had no choice but to offer up my chest and watch her bizarre behavior.

Poking her might make her snap, and talking didn't work, so I just stayed still. Maybe give her the chest and take hers in return—like skin for bone.

'Nah, that's not it.'

Snap.

But her adorable antics ended in less than thirty seconds. Ellis pulled her head away from my chest, shot up from the bed in an instant, and looked down at me.

"How was it?"

"Uh, it was good."

"Hm. I see."

Did I sound too dumb just now? Should've said something better, but my brain froze. I sat up and looked at her. Ellis squinted, brushed her bangs out of her eyes, and continued.

"Thanks. Totally different from what I expected."

"What'd you expect?"

"That it'd feel like nothing."

Ellis crossed the living room to the full-length mirror, fixing her disheveled hair like I wasn't even there. Once she was done, she walked back to the bed.

"You did me a favor, so I'll buy you lunch. Let's go."

"…Ellis?"

"I'll wait outside. Get ready and come out."

She turned and headed straight for the front door, stepping out.

Bam!

"That girl's way too pretty for her own good, just waltzing out like that!"

At the same time, the necklace in the corner of the bed transformed into Liliana.

"Right? She barges in, gropes me all she wants, then tells me to get out. Total spoiled brat. Thinks she can do anything 'cause she's hot. Hmph."

"…You need to reflect on your own behavior sometime."

"I'm not human, I'm a succubus, duh~?"

This succubus had no idea she was the biggest looks-obsessed one around me, and kept complaining.

"…Anyway, I'm heading out for a bit. Gotta grab lunch."

I was still kinda dazed. Liliana wasn't wrong. She'd burst in, done something weird, then bailed. Anyone else would've been pissed, but….

'She's too damn cute.' And gorgeous on top of it—double the effect. Had she finally figured out how to weaponize her looks?

"Take me with you!"

"It's just a quick trip, so wait here. Hang with Scarlett or something."

"She's the reason you ditched me. I'm bored~."

"It's just food, so anyway… Sigh, fine. Let's go."

I gave up trying to convince her as she clung to my arm. Succubi really were the queens of bullying with beauty. In the end, I put Liliana around my neck and headed out.

The restaurant's exterior was so ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠ridiculously luxurious that I felt a bit intimidated.

- This looks like the Demon King's palace or something.

"…Yeah."

I agreed with Liliana for once. 'Is this a restaurant or a castle?'

The place Scarlett took me to last time was fancy enough, but this one was borderline overwhelming. For Ellis, though, it was probably standard. Ellis and I approached the guard blocking the entrance.

"Do you have a reservation?"

"Sorry, we just dropped by today."

"Understood. Ms. Ellis and one guest. I'll let them know inside. Please proceed."

The guard smiled, bowed, and stepped aside. Then why ask?

Ellis strode in confidently, and I followed silently behind.

"Whoa…."

- Broadcasting from here would blow up.

Yeah. Steal one decoration and it'd cover a family's living expenses for a year. A waiter guided us deeper inside. In the back were private rooms—probably for VVIPs like Ellis.

"Shall I assist with your order?"

"Two of my usual, please."

The waiter took the order and left, leaving just Ellis and me. She stared right at my face, which was kinda pressuring. To break the awkwardness, I tried chatting.

"…How's your body been lately? Feeling okay?"

"Yeah. Definitely better than before. I didn't like the guild training room, so I've been resting this week."

"I've been bummed about not training since I got here too. Guess you feel the same."

It wasn't just me. I bet some guild members hated it but couldn't say so.

"Why do you live so hard?"

Suddenly, Ellis asked.

"Outta nowhere, huh?"

"Just curious."

She was full of random stuff today. She probably wouldn't answer if I asked why, so I thought it over.

"Life's like that. You never know when it'll crash, so hustle while it's good."

Short deliberation. Slack off when things are going well, and it all crumbles fast. That's why I'd scraped by in my past life, and why I was building bonds with these women now. Hard to answer if they asked if I'd lived like trash, but if they asked if I'd hustled? Hell yes.

Ellis blinked at my answer. Blink. Blink.

"If you join Iris Guild, I could take care of you."

"…What's with you today, seriously."

Right on cue, the waiter brought appetizers. Ellis chuckled mischievously and popped some salad in her mouth. My stomach was churning, but she ate like it was nothing.

'This feels like I'm the one being conquered.'

I grumbled internally and spooned up the soup in front of me. Still no clue what she was thinking, but food was food.

The instant the spoon hit my tongue, I set it down on the table.

"……What is this?"

The moment the soup touched my tongue, my whole body knew. This transcended food. I wanted another bite, but it hurt to see the bowl emptying.

"Everyone reacts like that the first time."

Ellis slurped her soup casually across from me. Seeing her snapped me out of it. Right. I was here with Ellis—couldn't look pathetic. Bringing a guy you like and his first impression is hesitating over soup? Affection drained.

I ate as calmly as possible. When the main course arrived, I cut the steak tiny to savor it, but she probably didn't notice.

"Suit your taste?"

"Yeah. Insanely good."

We ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠chatted over dessert. If I had a status window, my affection for Ellis would've jumped at least 10 points. And she paid. Was she an angel?

- Me too! Tell 'em to pack it up quick!

Meanwhile, the devil in my head had been babbling since the steak hit the table. Quiet during the meh-looking appetizers, but main course? Chaos.

"…Sigh."

- Pack it up! Or I'll yell for Scarlett!

Yeah, I'd figured something would happen since she tagged along.

"Um, Ellis."

"Yeah?"

She was savoring her ice cream dessert.

I'd sworn not to be pathetic, but this crazy succubus forced my hand.

"…Do they do takeout here?"

"Takeout?"

She mulled it over, then smirked like it was ridiculous. Embarrassing, but even then, her face was cute. She pressed a button, and the waiter appeared fast.

"Need anything?"

"Pack up today's menu. I wanna eat it at home."

"Yes, ma'am. I'll inform the chef."

She said it was for her, but I caught the waiter's glance my way. First time for this kinda order, so suspicion on me. Maybe not, but guilt hit anyway.

- Yay! Steak! Steak!

Liliana cheered obliviously. We're settling this later.

"…Thanks."

I thanked Ellis, who'd taken the blame. No clue her vibe today, but her expression said it was fine. Good was good.

Maybe she wanted a lunch date? Then why the bed thing?

"How was today?"

"Huh?"

Her question cut my thoughts. She'd finished her ice cream and stared straight at me.

"I mean, how was having a meal with me?"

"An honor. Food was great, partner's even better."

My tension eased a bit. Starting to adapt to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her weirdness.

"You still stand by what you said back then?"

"When?"

"After meeting my sister."

"…The looks thing?"

"Yeah."

Right, I'd told her that once. When she seemed jealous of Irene's appearance, I'd said among people I knew, Ellis was the hottest.

"Of course. Probably for life."

"Hm. Really?"

She tapped her spoon on the glass, nodding, then smirked.

"Pass."

"Pass what?"

"You'll see."

Isaac had said something similar. Father and daughter, same vibe.

"Shall we head out? If you wanna come again, just say. We'll go together."

"Sure."

Ellis grinned brightly and stood. No idea exactly, but it felt like one wall around her had crumbled. She'd never talk openly about her looks before—huge change. Confident, backed by real beauty and skill. Impossible not to like. Every action dripped pride—not inferiority, but self-love. Felt like we'd gotten closer; good day for me.

And if we came back, never bring Liliana.