Question: What to Do at a Boring Coming-of-Age Ceremony? (1)
Rattle, rattle. The noisy clatter of the carriage grated on Rina's nerves. Her anxious heart churned in time with the jolting vehicle, doubling her misery. At the sight, Viscount Orpen feigned a gentle tone to inquire after her well-being.
"Rina, your face looks pale. Is something troubling you?"
Of course, the lecherous glint in his eyes as they roved over her betrayed his true intentions.
"N-no, Master. I'm fine."
Rina forced a smile, pretending all was well. They were inside the viscount's private carriage, and she sat right beside him, attending to his needs.
"Good to hear. Rina, you're finally having your Coming-of-Age Ceremony. Do you know how long this viscount has awaited this day?"
The viscount gazed at her with a childlike smile that ill suited his age. The jarring innocence sent chills down Rina's spine; she nearly screamed.
Hold it together, Rina. He's your master—your master.
She steadied her ragged breathing and tried to shift the mood by politely picking up a macaron from the plate.
"H-here, Viscount. Try a macaron. They look deliciously baked."
"Ahh... Wonderful. Put it right in my mouth for me."
"Pardon? Oh... yes, here."
Rina held the macaron to his lips. But the viscount didn't bite down immediately. Instead, he extended his slick tongue, slowly licking the cream from between the halves. His tongue worked up and down in blatant mimicry of a sexual act, making Rina shudder.
Ugh... so disgusting.
The viscount savored her trembling eyes like fine wine. Only after indulging his lust did the macaron finally disappear from her hand into his mouth.
"Delicious. It tastes even better when you feed it to me, Rina."
His hand slid naturally onto her thigh, the thick, rough palm kneading her soft bare skin. Squeeze—squeeze.
"I-I'm embarrassed... Viscount."
"Hahaha! How adorable. You're a full adult having your ceremony today—acting like a child won't do, Rina."
I hate it! I hate it! Rina screamed it hundreds of times in her mind. But she lacked the courage to voice it. The retaliation awaiting her tonight was too terrifying.
This is hell... How much longer until we arrive?
Rina endured similar torments throughout the journey. If only Mina, who was with them, would help a little—but today, Mina was unusually cold toward her. Even now, as Rina suffered, Mina stood expressionless, offering only the bare minimum service. She might as well have vanished, silently permitting the viscount to toy with Rina as he pleased.
Did I do something to offend Mina unnie?
Rina racked her brain for any misstep, but nothing came to mind. The other female slaves often envied her, so she decided to brush it off as usual.
"Rina, come closer. This viscount wants to hold you."
"...Yes, Master."
Rina unwillingly nestled into his embrace.
Ugh... I feel like hunted prey.
His body heat pressed against her, but it brought no warmth.
"You've grown so much, Rina. Especially these breasts—what did you eat to make them so lusciously full? Hahaha!"
"Kyaa! W-wait, Viscount...!"
He lunged roughly, seizing one of her ample breasts in his grip. Gentler than Edwin's touch, but no less repulsive.
Ugh... his hands feel so gross. How does Tsuna unnie find this pleasurable?
His hand grew bolder, fingers inching relentlessly toward the peak. Shame bit into Rina's lip as she chewed it.
"Hnn... Viscount... not there..."
"Hahaha! Embarrassed, are you? Ahh... Shall I strip you now?"
As his hand reached for her breast covering—screeech. The carriage halted.
Mina, who had been watching for her chance, spoke politely. "Master, it seems we've arrived."
"Tch, already? Well, fine. Tonight will be long enough. Hahaha!"
The viscount laughed heartily, satisfied, and alighted with Mina and the coachman's help.
Phew, saved... But tonight, I can't escape it.
Rina followed him out. Before her sprawled the festive bustle of Bellorn Village.
It's always so lively here.
The villagers' joyful smiles lightened her heart a bit. For a moment, she could forget her dread of tonight's deflowering.
Then another carriage pulled up behind the viscount's, bearing the Orpen family crest on its fluttering flag. The door opened, and with help from her ganos, the family's youngest daughter—and today's ceremony star—Rozette de Orpen stepped down.
"The weather's annoyingly perfect."
"Indeed, miss! It's like the whole world is celebrating your Coming-of-Age Ceremony!"
"Hmph. I have no need for such false congratulations."
Rozette wore ornate noble finery, far grander than usual. Yet her expression and tone remained icy as ever.
Wow, that dress is gorgeous. I wish I could wear one like that just once...
Rozette's gaze locked onto Rina. Their eyes met head-on.
Gasp... busted!
As expected, Rozette scowled and seemed ready to charge. Her attendants restrained her, and Rina quickly averted her eyes, slipping away.
Phew, that shook her off. Why is that lady always so nasty to me?
Out of Rozette's sight, Rina sighed in relief and surveyed the square. Elegant two- and three-story brick buildings lined the edges, while a central mermaid fountain sprayed cool water. For the festival, stalls and street performers overflowed, filling the air with vibrant energy—the free spirit absent from the solemn estate.
"Whoa, this is Bellorn Square? It's amazing!"
"Is that the famous street food stall? That skewer smells incredible. I wanna try it."
"Look at the crowds! Bellorn's as huge as they say."
From behind the carriage came exclamations from the female ganos Rina's age. Exhausted from the long trip, yet their eyes sparkled as they chattered.
Well, it's their first village outing. I've been here often, though.
Female ganos rarely left the estate—kidnappings for resale were common, so errands fell to sturdy males. Rina, thanks to the viscount's favor, had ridden carriages to various villages and felt a quiet pride.
Wait—where's Master?
Her smug reverie shattered as she realized she'd lost him. Scanning frantically, she spotted him nearby, chatting with village elders and the priestly delegation for the rite.
That'll take a while. Huh... is that Leon?
In the square's center, Leon was surrounded by peer girls, laughing amiably.
"Leon! You've been to the village lots for errands, right?"
"Uh... y-yeah, kinda."
"Wow, you're amazing, Leon! What's that huge tent? Tell us."
"That's the traveling troupe's tent. They always show up for big festivals!"
"Eek! A troupe? Kinda scary, but you know everything, Leon. So cool!"
Leon fidgeted under the praise, secretly pleased. For some reason, the scene irked Rina.
Typical guys... grinning like idiots surrounded by girls. So sloppy.
Leon, flailing his hands in flustered denial, would have clutched his neck in冤 if he'd heard. Rina waited for their talk to end, then strode up.
"Hey! Leon!"
"Oh? R-R-Rina! Y-you're here. G-good to see you."
He stammered worse than usual, waving wildly.
"It's just 'Rina,' not 'R-R-Rina.' And we saw each other this morning—what's good about it?"
"Uh, w-well, yeah."
Rina puffed her cheeks at his clumsy dodge.
"You're pretending not to know on purpose, right?"
"Huh? Know what? Did I do something wrong to you? Haha."
She glared childishly at his awkward laugh.
"This morning—you groped my breasts and ran!"
"R-Rina! That was an accident. Sorry..."
"And—and! Ugh... you saw it! You saw everything and ran!"
"...S-saw what?"
"You jerk! You spied me peeing and bolted, you perv!"
"W-wait, Rina! Voice too loud!"
Still fuming, Rina thumped his chest with tiny fists. His labor-hardened body felt nothing.
"Perv, idiot, devil's dung-sack Leon! Why'd you even look? Can't trust guys."
"I'm really sorry, Rina! I didn't mean to—crowd rushed in, I got curious, approached, and accidentally..."
His sincere apology made her reluctantly stop and turn away.
"So... what'd you think?"
"Huh? Of what?"
"What'd you think of... y'know... seeing it!"
Both faces flushed crimson in unison.
"Uh... w-well... um..."
Leon's brain short-circuited.
"You thought it was gross, didn't you?"
"No, Rina! It was really pretty and cute. So cute I wanted to touch it just once... Ah!"
Silence blanketed the square at his fatal slip. Rina, grasping the implication, blushed furiously, eyes welling with humiliated tears.
"Y-you crazy perv! Leon, you really saw me that way?"
"N-no! Slip of the tongue! Total accident, Rina!"
"Shut up! I won't talk to a perv anymore. Go away!"
She fled, hands over her face. Panicked, Leon chased.
"Wait, Rina! Give me a chance to explain!"
"No! Don't follow!"
"O-okay, Rina."
His steps halted heavily. Hers, too—though she didn't turn.
"Leon!"
"Y-yeah? What, Rina?"
"If I can't drink the seongryeju today, you have to do it for me. That's payback for your screw-ups today, got it?"
"Y-yeah! Of course. Trust me, Rina!"
With that, she dashed into the lively crowd without looking back. She didn't want him seeing the unstoppable smile blooming on her face.