Hugs, Laps, and Chocolate Kisses
Am I crazy? "Ehehehe…."
Holding Cecil in my lap while seated in the chair felt strangely off. It had been a while since we'd shared a bed after splitting rooms, and her body pressed seamlessly against mine radiated a cozy warmth, yet it left a bittersweet pang—like watching a child starved for affection. As I gently stroked her back, she nuzzled into the crook of my neck with a muffled giggle. Her bound hair tickled my neck and shoulders. I could feel her heartbeat thumping away. Probably because her chest was squishing right up against my soft flesh. The slightly stiff fabric of her clothes brushing my sensitive spots made my face heat up. Feeling these sensations from such an innocent embrace… it was weird. I shouldn't be like this. Scolding myself, I looked ahead to find Veronica and Claudia staring at me with odd expressions while tidying the cards. My face burned, and my breathing felt a bit ragged. Probably because she was squeezing me so tight it was hard to breathe. And a little embarrassment too.
I patted Cecil's shoulder and spoke up. "C-Cecil, it's… over now."
She gave me a Already? look but obediently loosened her arms. I'd been worried she'd cling on forever, but thankfully, that didn't happen. Cecil slid off my lap with a lingering reluctance, her cheeks flushed as she asked, "Cecil… if Cecil gets first place again, can Cecil hug Sha'a-nim one more time?"
"Uh, y-yeah."
"Understood!"
I'd answered on reflex, and she beamed before returning to her seat. The cards were already dealt on the table. The atmosphere made it impossible to suggest calling it quits. Under the silent pressure to start, I finally picked a card and set it down.
…And so the next round began.
"I win!"
Veronica thrust her arms up in triumph. I counted the numbers in my overflowing hand before giving up. Looks like I was getting the punishment again.
Veronica rubbed her chin thoughtfully, then had me lie face-down on the floor… and mounted me. Like a chair. Not on my waist, though—for some merciful reason, she sat on my butt.
…Forget how weird it felt; I shouldn't have noticed the weight at all, but sweat beaded on my skin, and my legs trembled. My declining stamina hit me hard. Veronica patted my butt, warning the "chair" not to wobble, but I had no energy to spare for that. What felt like an hour passed in a minute, and I dragged my exhausted body back to the chair. Then… I declared.
"Hah… huff… N-next round."
I couldn't just keep taking it lying down. Just once. Win just once and end it.
"It's over."
The next winner was Claudia. I came in dead last by a single card. So close. If my turn had come just once more, I could've avoided it.
Claudia, chin propped on her hand, grinned in satisfaction. "What should I make you do? Come here first?"
"…."
What the hell was she planning? With a heavy heart, I set down my cards and approached Claudia. Her tail poked out between the chair's backrests, swishing happily as if on its own. She eyed me for a moment, then pulled her chair back and patted her thigh.
I shrugged, and Claudia chuckled. "How about sitting face-to-face on my thigh and kissing my cheek?"
"Huh?"
Veronica beat me to the weird noise. Cecil stared at Claudia with naked envy.
"…I don't wanna kiss."
"Can't be helped then. Let's just hug it out."
"…Urgh."
Putting on a show of reluctance, I climbed onto Claudia's firm thigh. Hesitating, I wrapped my arms around her back, and her strong hands pulled me in tight. I ended up buried in her ample chest.
…What kind of punishment was this? If anything, Veronica's had been the closest to actual punishment. Breathing in Claudia's oddly sweet scent, I lingered in that warm softness for a bit. Our mingled sweat made it a little slick. I felt a throb from our pressed hips. The mood turned strangely sensual, so I pulled my hands away, panting roughly as I leaned back. "Th-that's… enough…."
"Already?"
"Th-this is l-long enough… already."
Claudia licked her lips but let me go without protest. Probably figuring she'd win again anyway. Sliding off her thigh, I felt a prickling glare. Veronica.
…What was her deal? Jealous of getting buried in Claudia's chest? It did feel nice….
The game continued, punishments blurring the line between penalty and reward.
Then came a knock at the door.
"I'll check it."
Claudia stood, true to her bodyguard promise, and opened the door to chat with someone. Soon she returned to the table, hands full.
"What's that?"
"Sorry for the trouble, they said, and left these."
Come to think of it, the train hadn't moved yet. No complaints arose, probably because they'd smoothed it over like this. And sure enough, what Claudia set down looked like pretty high-end stuff.
"…There's booze too?"
"Guess they want us to drink and sleep quietly."
She snickered, uncorking a bottle. A rich fruit aroma wafted out. As trivial thoughts crossed my mind—like what they'd give someone dropping a whole ryang—glasses began filling one by one. It flowed so naturally, no one questioned the drinking.
"Whoa, pretty."
Veronica swirled her glass, admiring it. The flesh-toned liquid was striking. I lifted mine and sniffed too. Then Claudia whispered, "…Is the assistant old enough for this?"
Glancing at Cecil, who stared at the bottle in Claudia's hand with sparkling anticipation, wondering when she'd get hers. Like I could hear the twinkles.
…Tough call. By calendar years, she was under one—but that's human standards. Telling that curious face no solo drinking… was beyond me.
"…Just a little."
"Sure?"
Cecil's glass filled slightly. She looked to me for permission; I nodded, and she sipped tentatively. Tension gripped me. After a small swallow, her face scrunched up. "…This is weird."
"Haha, too early for the assistant, huh."
Cecil stuck out her tongue and grimaced. Her cuteness drew an involuntary chuckle from me as I opened the accompanying box. Inside: chocolates, presumably, and light snacks.
"…Chocolates too."
"Ooh."
"Chocolate?"
"Chocolate?"
Ignoring their varied reactions, I peeled a round wrapper—yep, chocolate. Alcohol was a bust, but this would surely win her over. Popping one in Cecil's mouth, she stomped happily, declaring it delicious. I passed more for her to peel and dove back into drinks and game.
The potent booze hit fast. Drunk, baseless confidence surged: I can win now. The game slowed amid sips. I clung to my fuzzy mind, focusing.
"Ahaha, I win!"
Veronica cackled sloppily, face red as her hair from the booze. Standing behind me, she huffed hot breath on my shoulders while patting them. "…It ain't over yet… right?"
"Pffft… yeah."
First place was set, but I wasn't last. Game on till the end.
"Sha'a's last again?"
"I wanted… first…."
Claudia pouted faintly, cheeks rosy. Cecil flushed too, miffed at not winning. Veronica patted my shoulder, chuckling. "So… what to make you do."
"…."
She mulled, then grinned, unwrapping a chocolate and stuffing it in my mouth. Then….
"Feed me chocolate mouth-to-mouth!"
Drunk out of her mind? She'd blame me later once sober. Did I have to? Glancing at Claudia for backup, she watched with keen interest. Cecil eyed my mouth enviously, cheeks pink.
…No one's stopping this?
"Hurry up!"
The bittersweet chocolate melted from body heat. Sighing inwardly, I turned to Veronica. My drunk body wobbled. Our eyes met; she giggled cluelessly, mouth agape. Infuriating. She asked for it—no complaints later. Closing to lip-brushing distance, I kissed her boldly, rolling the chocolate in with my tongue. But her welcoming tongue pushed it back. What started as feeding turned into a deeper kiss. Melted chocolate and tongues tangled. Wet sounds filled the air as it smeared our lips. Sweet-bitter chocolate, fruity booze scent, Veronica's aroma, soft tongue. And… a hint of alcohol.
These chocolates have booze in them.
We stayed lip-locked until the chocolate fully dissolved….
"…There, all done."
A bit sobered by the kiss, Veronica's face burned redder as she returned to her seat. I sat casually, a little dazed. The scattered cards blurred. At this rate, I'd just keep losing. Rifling through past-life memories, I thought of another game.
"…Let's play something else."
This one I can win. Pure luck. Worst case, I'd draw once. I tore paper into four lots: three numbered, one blacked out.
Yes… my proposed game was King's Game. Even if I didn't draw king, I could dodge punishment. Genius. Explaining the rules to the group, I smirked inwardly.