Chapter 367: Side Story — Reunion (6)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 367: Side Story — Reunion (6)
“Kaya, those kinds of words…! You know better!”
As the atmosphere grew tense, I realized I would have to step in and mediate.
However, contrary to my expectations, Luce simply closed her eyes in silence. Judging by her demeanor, she didn’t seem to have any intention of lashing out at Kaya. She took a slow, deep breath, visibly reining in her emotions.
Perhaps she had truly learned how to control her temper during her time at Märchen Academy.
“Haa…”
Finally, Luce let out a heavy sigh, turned her back, and started walking away.
“Luce?”
“I’ll go on ahead. I wasn’t planning to attend the reunion anyway.”
“Huh? Oh…”
Boom!
A surge of violet lightning erupted into the sky. Luce summoned her massive black Thunderbird, Galia, and mounted him. Enveloped in crackling purple electricity, the Thunderbird gazed down at me, his eyes flashing with a sharp, solemn glare.
[Isaac…! Please, do your best to procreate!]
Smack!
[Guh!]
Luce struck the Thunderbird’s head hard with her fist.
“Let’s go.”
[Luce, aren’t you all in the same boat? In the end, the more Isaac mates, the more grandchildren I’ll have…!]
“I said, let’s go.”
[Hmm, yes, yes. Understood.]
Sensing his master’s murderous aura, the Thunderbird finally fell silent.
Immediately after, the killer whale familiar, Bello, summoned itself.
[Breaking news! My master is pouting… ‘Shocking!’ After the scandal of Isaac’s infidelity, she’s even ceded a critical mission to Kaya! My master, the disgrace! Psychological torment! Dread!]
“…”
Smack!
[Aaaah! Bello is in shock! No violence! No violence!]
Bello flew in frantic circles above Luce’s head, protesting vigorously. Thanks to her familiars, Luce never had a moment of peace.
Soon, Luce soared into the air atop the Thunderbird, scattering violet lightning as they vanished at incredible speed.
Whoooosh!
The resulting gale roared through the Josena Forest, shaking the trees.
Has Luce actually learned how to back down…?
I had seen glimpses of it during our academy days, but seeing it now, I couldn't help but realize how much she had grown.
“Hmm… is Big Sis an uninvited guest too?”
“No, that’s not quite the right way to put it.”
At my response, Dorothy shook her head gently with a warm smile.
“No, I am an uninvited guest. I have nothing to do with today’s reunion. Kaya’s right about everything.”
“If you put it that way, I feel guilty… I mean, I don’t really dislike Senior Dorothy, even if I can’t say the same for Luce Eltania.”
You still dislike Luce, huh…?
“That’s an honor, then.”
Dorothy approached Kaya and me. She rested a hand on her knee, leaning forward to look Kaya in the eye. Since Dorothy was taller, this brought them level. Underneath her witch’s hat, her face was bright with a smile.
Dorothy’s eyes, glowing with their signature starry pattern, locked onto Kaya. Kaya swallowed nervously; it seemed like an instinctive reaction to being stared down by one of the strongest beings in the world.
“Sorry I couldn’t keep the premarital chastity agreement.”
“What?”
“You see, I just couldn’t hold back in the end. So of course, I understand how you feel, Kaya. Neither of you should feel pressured. There’s no need to scream and shout about it. We’re all going to be Isaac’s wives, aren’t we?”
“You really know how to kill the mood…”
“Nihihi.”
Dorothy, looking perfectly relaxed, gently stroked Kaya’s hair.
“Sorry for being selfish, okay?”
“Senior Dorothy…”
“Yup?”
“Don’t try to subtly establish dominance by stroking my hair.”
“Oh dear, I’ve been caught.”
Dorothy chuckled softly and took a step back.
“President, I’ll be heading back now. I’ve overstayed my welcome.”
“No, it’s fine.”
I could look at my women as much as I wanted, but today was the reunion. Ideally, I wanted to spend time with the people who were actually supposed to be there.
“And also.”
Dorothy shaded her mouth with her hand and whispered softly into my ear, her expression turning subtly troubled.
“Don’t, like… go too wild with it? Big Sis gets a little jealous too, you know.”
“Huh?”
“That, uh, you know… don’t go doing those kinds of things all recklessly…!”
Dorothy shut her eyes tight, whispering despite her overwhelming embarrassment. It was less of a whisper and more of a desperate, quiet plea. I didn’t catch every word, but I had a pretty good idea of what she meant.
A smile naturally formed on my lips. I gently brushed a lock of hair behind Dorothy’s ear.
“I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks for understanding.”
“Ahem, yeah…”
Dorothy coughed awkwardly, stepped back, and wrapped herself in a cluster of shimmering stars.
Chararang!
Then, with a tomboyish grin, she gave a playful finger salute.
“Alright then, time for the uninvited guest to bow out!”
“You’re leaving without hearing the moaning? I wanted to let you hear it.”
“Only if you want to feel Big Sis’s wrath.”
Dorothy waved goodbye, then floated into the air and shot across the sky. The sight was breathtaking, like a meteor shower streaking through the heavens.
With that, both Luce and Dorothy returned to Düpendorf. For a while, only the chirping of insects and a deep stillness remained in Josena Forest.
“They’re finally gone… Shall we go inside, Isaac?”
Kaya’s voice broke the silence. She nestled into my arms, gazing up at me with a loving smile.
“You got bold the moment they left.”
“For us, this is nothing short of war. A war to receive even a little more of your love… and to love you in return. Even if you love us all equally, it’s a problem we can’t avoid, right?”
“Hearing you say that makes me feel a little guilty… But more than that, are you sure you’re okay with a place this old? There are plenty of nicer places.”
“This place is perfect. We all have memories here.”
Kaya gazed deeply into my eyes.
“Still, it’s a bit disappointing. It’s not exactly the most natural situation. Not very romantic, you know?”
“Yeah, true.”
“But I don’t think there’s much choice. If I want to steal a moment like this with you, surrounded by such incredible people… I have to fight for it, no matter how pitiful, forced, or unnatural it may seem.”
Kaya forced a small smile, her voice carrying a faint sense of sorrow.
“The luxury of naturally having you all to myself… that’s not something I can expect.”
By global standards, Kaya was undeniably a top-class Wizard. However, she seemed to have a complex about not standing out as much as my other prospective wives. For someone with such a strong-willed personality to say something like that, her self-esteem must have been quite low.
Maybe this was partly my fault for not paying enough attention to her.
“Kaya.”
“Yes?”
“I just thought of a place I really want to go to right now.”
As I spoke with a bright smile, Kaya tilted her head curiously. The hideout was a place all of my women had passed through at some point. Today, I wanted to visit a place filled with memories shared by just the two of us.
*
“Hehe! This place… it’s that place, isn’t it?”
Underneath the towering cliff, the gently trickling stream reflected the moonlight like a mirror. It was just as it had been during our first semester of the first year at Märchen Academy—the place where Kaya and I had spent a night alone together.
“Look.”
“Hmm?”
I had brought the magic pouch I kept in the hideout. I showed it to Kaya and pulled out various pieces of camping gear. Back when I was focused on growing stronger against demons, I had prepared this emergency camping set.
With a simple wave of telekinesis, I quickly set up the site. Then, I spread my arms wide and flashed a toothy grin.
“Ta-da! Setup complete.”
“Hehe! What is this? You’re so cute.”
Even though this was Kaya’s Ravenous persona, her memories and identity were the same. She understood the significance of the scenery before her. Gradually, a wistful expression formed on her face.
“The setup is better than back then, huh?”
“I’m someone who’s always improving. Even when it comes to camping.”
As I responded confidently, Kaya let out a small chuckle.
We lit a campfire and sat side by side in portable chairs. I draped a spare blanket over Kaya’s shoulders and handed her a cup of warm cocoa.
Kaya smiled awkwardly.
“Isaac, I feel like this isn’t the situation I had in mind earlier… It’s too heartwarming. Too wholesome?”
“Do you dislike it?”
“Nope! I like it. It feels like my heart is being filled up.”
“Then just enjoy it quietly. This is my chance to have you all to myself.”
“Huh?”
Caught off guard by my response, Kaya blinked in confusion.
“This is a place only the two of us know. No one else. That’s why, when I’m with you, I feel like this place is perfect.”
“…”
“Kaya, you’re still as pretty as ever. You’ve matured, too. You’re adorable.”
Kaya caught her breath, then smiled awkwardly as she looked down at her cup.
The crackling of the campfire. The gentle flow of the stream. The cool night breeze and the warmth of the flickering flames. The atmosphere felt far more comforting when shared with her.
“I see…”
I deliberately chose not to read Kaya’s thoughts. Although my habit often led me to read people’s psychology unintentionally, I disliked prying into her inner mind. However, seeing her relaxed smile reassured me.
Since Kaya had recently undergone training with the Astrea ducal family, she had plenty of stories to share. Our gentle conversation and laughter danced along with the flickering flames. Eventually, we moved on to chatting about daily life in Düpendorf, excluding any mention of Dorothy or Luce.
I stopped talking when I noticed Kaya gazing at me with an intense, heartfelt look.
“Sir Isaac, may I ask you for a favor?”
As a suggestive atmosphere settled between us, Kaya smiled.
“Would you… make a move on me?”
A dry chuckle escaped my lips.
“Isn’t that a bit too direct? Do people normally say things like that?”
“Who knows? I’m not sure… but I don’t think it really matters.”
Kaya rose from her chair, stepping backward toward the tent. I approached her, showering her with kisses. As we deepened the kiss, the sound of mingled breaths echoed in the quiet night.
We moved into the tent. I cradled the back of Kaya’s head and carefully pushed her down. As her back touched the floor, I leaned over her, never breaking the kiss. Determined not to let me escape, Kaya wrapped her arms around my neck.
Srrr…
Around us, glowing green tree trunks appeared, serving as natural lamps. I slowly opened my eyes. As if the angle of light had been perfectly calculated, Kaya’s skin caught the soft glow of mana, making her appear pure and ethereal.
Of course… she had planned this. It was as if she had imagined this exact moment and prepared everything ahead of time. It was truly adorable.
Chuup…
Huh? What’s this?
Why did her kiss suddenly become so timid?
It was as if Kaya had suddenly lost all her confidence. I felt a strong tremor run through her body where it touched mine. It was a drastic change.
Could it be…?
I gently pulled back. In my sight was a woman with trembling green eyes.
“Haa… ah…”
Her cheeks were flushed crimson. Her light green hair was adorably tousled. Her eyes were spinning dizzily.
Kaya had reverted to her original persona.
“Kaya?”
“I-Isaac… Uh, that is, um… hnnng…!”
Her face turned as red as a ripe apple, looking like she might burst. She could barely speak, her words stumbling and twisting awkwardly.
A personality switch at this exact moment, of all times. The Ravenous persona sure was wicked.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m… fine. Actually, no, not really… I feel like my heart is going to explode… Hoo, haa…”
Kaya exhaled heavily, her breath coming in strained gasps.
“I see.”
I smiled warmly, brushing her hair back to reassure her. I needed to calm her down, but that didn’t mean I was going to stop.
“Should we take it slow?”
“Huh…? S-slowly…?”
“Sorry, but stopping isn’t an option.”
“Huh…?”
“You have no idea how adorable you look right now.”
As I spoke honestly, Kaya’s expression gradually began to relax. Her flushed cheeks and the shy, overwhelmed look of a girl madly in love remained, but my message—that I was genuinely captivated by her—had clearly sunk in.
“Sir Isaac…”
“You’re okay with this, right? If I keep going?”
“…”
At my gentle urging, Kaya averted her eyes and nervously mouthed the words.
“Please… come.”
With trembling courage, she softly whispered the invitation. It was the answer I had been waiting for.
“Mmph!”
I pressed my lips against hers once more, showering her with fierce kisses.
“I-Isaac, w-wait a second…! Hup…!”
Kaya instinctively tried to push me away with her trembling arms, but I firmly grabbed her wrists and pinned them to the ground. Soon, she relaxed, letting the tension drain from her body as she gradually accepted me.
“Haa… chu…”
Kaya began to mimic the bold, sensual kisses she had attempted while under the Ravenous persona’s influence. Her face, melting with heated excitement, was so endearing that I couldn’t stop.
I slowly began to undress her.
That night, we shared a passion that lasted until the first light of dawn broke over the horizon.