Dog Treats, Saintess Awakening, and the Aurora Kiss
"Hm?"
A blue window popped up with a notification, oblivious to the heart-fluttering flirtation I was receiving. It felt almost sacrilegious, appearing so cluelessly when just a little later would have been fine, but the window held surprisingly important info on affection levels. I barely held back a blasphemous curse and let out a sigh of relief.
Young Lady Chewing Dog Treat
Affection limit RELEASED.
Yuria's affection RISES.
[Affection: 100↑]
(!) Saint of Purity Yuria's awakening BEGINS.
Saintess...?
The status window's claim that her awakening as a saintess had started—maybe triggered by the kiss from the sleeping princess?—left me stunned. I floated a question mark over my head at the window's nonsense, openly showing my doubt. Then I shook my head slightly and looked at Yuria, who was blushing and hanging her head.
"No... that's not what I meant."
Her face red as a tomato, Yuria muttered to herself, looking like she'd burst if poked.
"Not that it means nothing... Argh, what am I even saying..."
I wanted to tease her as she fanned her face and avoided my eyes, but something more important had my attention. With trembling eyes, I stared at the affection window.
Yuria Lv. 41
Job:Saint of Purity (Awakening)
Affection:100
Favorite Topics: First love. Ricardo. Family. Need to get stronger. My own promise. Child plans. The person I like.
Disliked Topics: Ruin. Heretics. People who hurt Ricardo.
A lot had changed. From the affection cap to the saintess awakening—elements I hadn't known about were shifting dramatically. Gazing at the golden glow on Affection and Job, I felt a twinge of resentment.
If you were gonna tell me, why not sooner?
Something this crucial could've been a quest hint or something. I couldn't warm up to the ever-lazy status window.
Still, better late than never.
Sighing deeply at the window's cheeky text, I realized I'd blamed myself for Yuria's stagnant affection when there'd been a reason. And the biggest issue—the saintess awakening—was resolved too. Good was good. Satisfied, I stroked Yuria's hair.
"Thank you."
*
Peaceful Young Lady's hospital room.
"Grrr..."
The Young Lady, chomping on dog gum, bristled at my return. Not chocolate—dog gum. I rubbed my eyes and double-checked, but it was unmistakably dog gum. Chuckling helplessly, I shook my head.
Where'd she even get that?
I had questions, but first things first. Reaching cautiously toward the wary, hackles-raised Young Lady...
"Hiss."
"..."
"Wait."
"..."
She'd gone full dog. As I earnestly pondered how to turn her human again, she spat out the gum with a ptui.
Crossing her arms, she eyed me sullenly.
"Ricardo."
"Yes."
"You went to see a girl."
"Have you really turned into a dog?"
"Huh?"
Her dog instincts were sharp as ever. Chuckling softly, I approached the bed. Patient gown suiting her surprisingly well—world's top beauty could pull off anything. Picking up the fallen gum, I marveled quietly.
"Where'd this come from?"
"Old man gave it."
"Old man?"
"Yeah. Inn old man."
"Ah...?"
She pointed at the door, recounting her chat with James: The inn old man came looking for Yuria. Said she might be here, but when I said no, he gave me this.
"That...?"
"Yup. For Ricardo."
"For me?"
"Yeah. You said you're raising Gomtang, right?"
"Ah... But why were you chewing it?"
"Super expensive, good even for humans. Try it—beef jerky taste."
"Ah..."
That didn't make it edible. Shoving aside my doubts, I stroked her sullen head with a smile.
"Good job."
"Mm."
"No fighting?"
"Nope."
Ever the good girl. She'd entertained a bored middle-aged man, reason be damned. Handing her chocolate from my pocket, I spoke gently.
"Wait."
"I'm not a dog."
"..."
Smart girl. Chatting about dog gum dragged on past midnight—clock hit 3 a.m. Staring at the huge bright moon outside, we shared a dazed smile, ending our northern day in quiet bliss.
In the serene room, she spoke cautiously.
"Ricardo."
"Yes."
"Made up with Yuria?"
"..."
Of course. Culprit confirmed. Chuckling, I pinched her cheek as she leaned on my shoulder.
"I told you not to say anything. You spilled anyway?"
"Ow... ripping."
"Rip away. Chatty shepherd girl deserves it."
"Sorry sorry... Eek! Sorry!"
"Jeez..."
Releasing her cheek, I smiled. Rubbing it, she mumbled, Owie... feels stretched.
"Thanks to you, we talked it out."
"..."
"Cleared the misunderstanding, made up."
She nodded with a small smile.
"You seemed too much of a pushover."
"That's an insult."
"I know."
Gazing at the bright moon, she whispered too softly for me to hear: You're too much of an idiot. Burying her face in my shoulder again.
The moon was bright. So bright in the night sky, no lantern needed. Its gentle glow coaxed out inner stories—beautiful tonight. Gazing at its craters, I teased carefully.
"Young Lady."
"Yeah."
"Know there's a rabbit living on the moon?"
"Rabbit?"
Pointing at the moon as she tilted her head with a question mark...
"That spot to there—ears."
"Oh..."
"And bottom to top—pestle."
"Pestle?"
"Yeah, moon rabbit makes rice cakes."
"Rice cakes? Tasty?"
Her food-focused question drew my hearty laugh—I'd never tried it either.
"Dunno. Never had it."
"Hmm..."
"Wanna eat some?"
"Mm."
Staring intently, eyes sparkling, pondering moon rice cake ingredients. Her innocence made me chuckle.
"Kidding."
"...Huh?"
"No rabbit on the moon. No cakes."
"Eeeee!"
Childhood shattered, she glared resentfully, fist raised—switching to melee since ranged failed. Laughing, I smiled.
"Don't tease! Thought it was real!"
"Pfft!"
"No laughing!"
"Didn't think you'd buy it."
"Eeeee!"
Fun. Worry lifted, everything felt lighter, funnier. Gazing at the moon, I spoke carefully—northern trip ending, one thing forgotten.
"Young Lady."
"Yeah?"
She paused her punches at my quiet call, pouting angrily. Suppressing laughter, I smiled faintly.
"Something you wanted to see up north, right?"
"Ah.."
Nodding vigorously, she glanced skyward, then clock—head drooping, voice glum.
"Probably miss it."
"What is it?"
"Something."
"Tell me. I can make anything happen."
"It's..."
"Yes."
"That... the pale green painting."
"Ah..."
Chuckling, recalling her wish. Glancing skyward, smiling.
"That, I can show you."
If there's time... Huh?
A gentle breeze. Then, pale green threads embroidered the night sky. Aurora. Her wished-for painting spreading like watercolor.
"Whoa..."
"Told you."
"Ricardo...!"
"I can do anyth—"
Was gonna say stay till aurora, perfect timing, lucky me. Then—
Huh?
Young Lady flung into my arms, bodies overlapping.
"So cool!"
"Uh..."
She bounced with smiles. I... touched my lips, frozen stiff.
"Yeah."
"Heehee...!"
"Beautiful."
First kiss. My very first as an adult.