A Beautiful First Impression
My first impression was... well, what could I say? She was just pretty.
Not some graphic representation, but the real deal. It was so unreal that it really made me feel like I had somehow stepped into this game.
It was nothing more than that our compatibility was just terribly bad.
The one who had been sitting pressed against my party nonstop, tormenting Risette all day long.
From a third-party perspective, there was really nothing to think about. I wasn’t Risette anyway, so I had just brushed it off.
『 Name: Luciana
[ Locked ] [ Locked ] [ Locked ]
[ Locked ] [ Locked ] [ Locked ] 』
...Well, obviously it was Luciana. Anyone could tell.
“Did something get on my face?”
“…No. It’s just that you’re pretty.”
“Puhu, thank you?”
I couldn’t say I was curious about your locks.
And it was true that she was pretty.
“Then I’ll be going now. Take care.”
I spun around and fled.
Sorry, but I’m a busy person, you see. If the name written there wasn’t Luciana but something else, I might have gone with you? I was half-offering.
It’s not like anyone else was pretty—how unfair is that? That guy’s a scam character and he has everything.
Fortunately, Luciana didn’t stop me.
Even as I hurried away, no voice came from behind.
...Just.
One extra set of footsteps.
“...Excuse me?”
I turned my head.
“Hm?”
Luciana was following me naturally, as if that was completely expected.
While smiling.
...It was weird to say that with that smile.
No, more than that, what exactly was she following me for?
I had clearly said—
Take care—
“Ah, perhaps we’re going the same direction…?”
Well, it could have been my imagination.
“No?”
“…Yes?”
No? Wasn’t that the social rule to say yes when someone was confused?
Luciana stared at me, looking puzzled.
What was she thinking? Why did she look so uneasy?
“It might be possible.”
“…What do you mean?”
People can change their minds. Anyway, I have no intention of going anywhere with you right now.
I felt like something was off with the atmosphere.
Without realizing I was uncomfortable, Luciana’s arm naturally slipped around mine.
...Wait.
An arm around me?
“What the heck—”
“My way.”
Her warm breath brushed my ear.
“I’m going in that direction.”
“...Hah—”
For a moment I thought I’d been electrocuted.
What...?
What was that just now?
...Did I have to whisper it like that?
And we were total strangers...
“Puhu, don’t be so cautious. I just got lost.”
“You should’ve said that earlier.”
She covered her mouth with her hand and let out a short laugh, but she kept the arm around me and kept walking.
In the end I had no choice but to be dragged along.
...This was really maddening.
The body heat next to me kept distracting me, so I sneaked a glance.
It didn’t quite match the game image I remembered.
The Luciana I knew was one who was constantly in a panic because she couldn’t devour Risette...
Maybe I had to call it “tamed” a bit... or perhaps there was something I still didn’t know.
At least show me that locked information...
Eh?
『 Name: Luciana Trust: 15
[ Locked ] [ Locked ]
[ Locked ] [ Locked ] [ Locked ] 』
15? Was that high?
I would need something to compare it to...
More importantly, why had it opened suddenly.
I still didn’t know the real reason.
#
In the end I couldn’t find an answer, so we walked a long way together, Luciana glued to my side the whole time.
By now the forest was dark.
Moonlight leaked through the shaking leaves.
From time to time the howls of unknown monsters echoed.
According to the schedule we should have reached Riabet by now.
Was she late because the monsters attacked?
No, somehow we had never been attacked at all.
Then what was the problem?
...It was obvious.
“Probably, I’ll have to camp tonight.”
“I like night walks too?”
“…Because of who exactly... ugh.”
You already knew everything and still acted so shameless?
Because she wouldn’t let go of the arm, we had only gotten this far on a slow pace. Yet she was so strong that she kept squeezing my chest tight and still refused to release my arm.
...I thought she was chestless.
Of course it wasn’t my chest.
Camping, they say you can make a shelter by weaving branches and such.
Wait, didn’t that mean I had to stand guard?
Ugh, I still had 3-star memories...
...For now, I should find a good tree to use as a base.
As I looked around, our eyes met.
“You don’t have to worry about me. I’m not going to die just because I stay awake for one day.”
As if she was wary of my actions, Luciana tilted her head and spoke up.
“Why? I still like to sleep properly though.”
At least I should keep the human daily sleep recommendation in mind. If my condition got worse, who knew what would happen.
...Human?
...Ah.
Now that I thought about it, I was a demon right now.
As a Succubus, I was basically nocturnal.
That was why I wasn’t tired at all. Of course.
I stared at Luciana for a moment.
If I could, I wanted to march through the night, but since she was human...
I definitely wasn’t worried about her. I just didn’t want her to complain about being tired tomorrow, because it would be annoying.
If we got caught camping because I was late, that would be a huge disaster.
“I should ask just in case: are you from a noble family?”
“Hm? Why do you ask that?”
“I was worried you might be uncomfortable sleeping in a forest like this.”
Luciana’s head tilted sideways. She must have understood me.
...Was I speaking too clearly? Then it was a problem.
Soon, all she did was point her index finger upward.
“…Up?”
Nothing there? It could be a tree...
“I usually sleep in trees.”
“...”
She said it as if it was completely normal, so for a second I thought she was strange.
I knew the game flow and hidden events, but I didn’t know how characters spent their nights.
The world was synced with reality, and at night I was supposed to sleep anyway.
...These guys really struggled to survive.
No choice then.
Sleeping one night in a forest full of monsters was better than arriving and resting well.
“Let’s rest a bit and then head out.”
I wasn’t particularly tired, but rest was necessary.
Even if I didn’t know it was because I was nocturnal, I actually felt more energetic than before.
Was it because she wasn’t sticking to me anymore?
Anyway, once we reached the village I was definitely leaving her behind.
The first hidden quest would be easier alone.
“Ah, by the way, what’s your name?”
“…Hm?”
Ah, we hadn’t exchanged names.
Thinking about it, calling her Luciana might have been a real problem.
I knew this world, but this world didn’t know me.
“Risette. ...Um... yours?”
...I almost said it.
No matter what, calling her “unnie” gave me a strong distaste.
“It’s Luciana. You can call me Luci?”
“Miss Luciana.”
No way. I had no intention of getting close.
It was still awkward.
Ever since Luciana joined the party, all kinds of status effects had been attached to Risette.
There was definitely something, but up until now there hadn’t been any strange points.
Just being glued to me and feeling uncomfortable... that was it?
“You’re too much.”
“You can’t keep acting cute.”
I looked away from her pouting lips.
...Hmm.
Maybe that was her original image.
Anyway, I couldn’t let my guard down.
How could I know what would happen?
I had only seen one day. No hasty judgments.
“Can I call you Seri?”
“...What kind of name is that?”
“Then I’ll call you Risette?”
“…Both sound bad to me.”
You keep making it confusing.
Looking at it this way, you seemed like a kind person.
“I’ll call you Seri until you tell me to call you Luci.”
“...Do as you like. Then.”
Luciana brushed my lips with her finger and gave me a faint smile.
...That was the best way to change the subject.
She was clearly having some sinister thought.
Right then, the monster howls that had been echoing from afar suddenly stopped.
“Strange, the monsters are quiet today.”
“Hm? That’s not true.”
“…What?”
Normally her tone would have been something like “of course~” in a relaxed way, but the answer I got was completely unexpected.
“I killed dozens of them on the way.”
Luciana continued as if it was nothing, tidying her hair.
“They were super obsessed, like they were in heat.”
What?
Wait.
“...I didn’t see any of them?”
When?
When exactly?
Well, the rustling sounds I heard were normal.
I also heard some monster howls.
But they all went quiet after a short while.
I just thought she couldn’t find us. The early monsters’ detection skill was the worst.
I had thought that.
“But they’re all dead now. It would be a shame if blood splattered on your clothes.”
Luciana smiled as if it was no big deal.
“...”
What was this feeling?
It felt like someone had protected me.
No, it was just because it was Luciana, so it felt weird.
Even though I had my arm around her, I hadn’t noticed what she did.
...I finally realized.
She was a 5-star.
“Miss Luciana’s clothes are white. You wouldn’t believe me even if I said it like that.”
“If you think that way, I’m disappointed. But I’m being honest.”
Luciana smiled at me with a bashful laugh.
...Don’t believe that.
Don’t get fooled by that sly smile.
...Still.
It seemed a little less suspicious than before.
“Let’s head out.”
“Eh, already? We could talk a little more.”
I wasn’t okay with it.
It felt like I might be tricked.
It was a bit scary.
We should hurry to the inn in Riabet, put Luciana to sleep, and run away.
Still, she had actually protected me today.
I was about to stand up when I hesitated and tossed her a small throw.
...I had received it.
“Thank you.”
It was true that I didn’t like Luciana.
Still, that was the perspective from before I entered this world.
Once I said it, I felt awkward and hurried away.
I had clearly said—
Thank you.
So there was no debt owed. Yeah.
After walking a long way like that, I suddenly felt something was off.
One set of footsteps was missing.
She had been following me fine earlier.
I turned my head sharply.
Luciana was still sitting on the tree where we had been talking.
Head bowed.
“...What are you doing?”
No answer.
“If you don’t come quickly, I’ll go first.”
Only then did Luciana lift her head.
“Ah, I’ll be right there.”
Why was she like that?
Earlier she had said she would follow, but...
I muttered to myself...
Ah, whatever.
It wasn’t my problem.
I turned my back again.
And yet I hadn’t noticed.
I hadn’t noticed that Luciana had her hand pressed over her mouth.
I hadn’t noticed that her ears were bright red.
I hadn’t noticed that her usual sly smile had completely vanished.
And—
“...H, damn.”
Even the laugh that slipped out from under her palm.
“Cute...”