Hey Naru! Just Once! (5)
But I had no idea what was coming next, grinning back at Aquina.
"Look at that slurred speech. Here, drink some water." I poured water from the teapot and handed it to her.
I'll just grab a quick bite and head out.
While waiting for the food, the tavern owner and chef came out to greet us.
"Oh, Lord Naru. You've arrived."
"Yes, hello. Please take good care of us today."
"We're grateful you came. We'll do our absolute best to serve you. Oh, and Kinzen asked me to tell you to pick up the Charm Bead from the Suicide Skeleton as soon as possible."
"She was here?"
"She came yesterday."
"Ah... got it. Thanks for passing on the message."
The Charm Bead of the Suicide Skeleton. I'd picked it up a few weeks ago in the mermaid dungeon. I'd asked Kinzen to process it for me, but I hadn't been to the guild lately, so we hadn't met.
"Who's Kinzen?"
"Our guild's magic engineer."
"Ah, that one."
Aquina's hiccups had stopped, and her drunken haze seemed to clear a bit. Her gaze on me sharpened.
"The owner and chef came out to greet you personally. Nice."
"I told them it wasn't necessary, but they always do this."
"Must be because you're famous."
I glanced out the window. The night view outside had a certain charm.
"I like this spot, and luckily no one's taken it. Good luck."
"Great view of the outside. You come here often?"
"This street up ahead leads to the house I used to live in. I'd stop by on my way home."
It was a tavern on the way to Melissa's place.
"After a late night at work, I'd walk home breathing the night air, get hungry, but cooking at home felt like a hassle. So I'd come here."
"Couldn't you just have the maids make something at home? Seems easier."
"I'm crashing at my live-in girlfriend's place, so only daytime help comes by."
"Guess your girlfriend isn't from some big noble family."
"She's an adventurer like us. Common birth, but made it big as one. Know who?"
"No clue?"
"Melissa."
"Ah, your old party member."
"Yeah."
"The divorcee."
She flashed a smirk, like she felt superior knowing my ex-party member's life hadn't gone smoothly.
"Your ordered chicken fricassee and grilled chicken gizzard are here."
"Yes, set them down here."
The beer came out too. Aquina and I grabbed our foaming mugs.
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Clink. We both chugged it down.
We'd already drunk a ton in the first round and arrived buzzed, but the new spot made the booze go down easy again. Especially here—the beer's damn good.
"Kyaah! That's the stuff!"
Aquina laughed happily, setting her glass down. I grinned like an idiot watching her.
"Beer's good here, right?"
"It is."
"Try the grilled gizzards. Gotta order these whenever you come."
"Why? That good?"
"Tastes different from other places. It's legit. Plus, the owner's generous with portions."
Aquina picked up her fork. She dipped the golden-brown grilled gizzards in the thin sauce and brought them to her mouth.
"Mmm, smells amazing."
"To die for, huh?"
She popped one in and chewed. Her eyes squeezed shut.
"Look at those fluttering eyes. Tasty, right?"
"Whoa, it's really good!"
"Told ya."
"How'd they grill it like this?"
"Good even without sauce. Try it plain this time."
The snacks were so good, the beer kept flowing. For her, for me—this was trouble. I had classes tomorrow. But I couldn't stop.
"Two more beers here!"
"Coming right up~!"
I ordered, then looked at Aquina.
"Aren't we drinking kinda fast?"
"Good vibes, having fun—makes it go down quick. We worked hard all day; let's enjoy, then crash hard at home."
Was Aquina a boozehound? She handled it better than expected.
"Hey, Kang Naru."
"Yeah?"
She grinned mischievously, like she had something up her sleeve. Her pale face flushed deep red from the alcohol, almost like heavy makeup.
"Wanna see something fun?"
"Show me."
"But if I show you, you gotta show me yours."
"Got nothing to show."
"You do. An Isle. A top adventurer like you must've eaten a couple fun ones."
"Fun Isles?"
"I got a hilarious one adventuring recently. Wanna see? You'll freak."
"What is it?"
"Promise to show yours first."
"Nah."
Whatever. If I don't wanna see it, no big deal. Adventurers don't share Isles lightly.
"C'mon~ Or I'll yell?"
Aquina pouted, throwing a drunken tantrum. No shame in her buzzed state. She whined regardless of onlookers, insisting we each reveal one.
"I'll go first! C'mon~ Pleeease~"
What Isle was she so eager to show off? Less about seeing mine, more bragging about hers.
"Just show yours alone. Problem solved."
"Embarrassed. You show something embarrassing too~"
"What's embarrassing? Your Isle power?"
"Yeah. Pushing past the shame here."
"Such a pain. Fine, do it."
"You'll show too?"
"Yeah."
Persistent. I'd just flash some useless one and be done.
Hm. Do I even have a fun Isle? What've I got?
I pondered, then recalled something decent.
God Touch should work... It's mood-boosting.
Screw it. I'm buzzed too—too lazy to overthink. Let's go.
"Your beers."
"Thanks."
The server left. Aquina eyed me playfully.
"You better show. If you bail after mine, I'll get mad."
"I will. Go on."
"Watch close."
She shoved the beer aside, facing me squarely.
"No one's looking?"
She scanned around casually. Patrons were eating and chatting, eyes elsewhere. Our wooden partition hid us unless someone craned their neck.
"Clear."
"Here goes. Watch."
She stared at me, slowly parting her lips. I tilted my head.
What? Pulling something from her stomach? Sword-swallowing?
Instead, her tongue slipped out gently. Longer. And longer. My eyes widened.
Whoa.
Her tongue stretched nearly 30 centimeters. Humanly possible?
"Firtht time theing one thith long?"
Aquina freely manipulated the long tongue—curling, flicking, snaking like a serpent licking the air. Weirder by the second.
Suddenly, my lower body grew heavy.
Ugh... what's this arousal?
I imagined that tongue wrapping and sucking my cock. Instantly, blood rushed south—my glans twitching to attention.
Booze making me horny for no reason.
Aquina retracted it smoothly.
"Saw mine. Your turn."
"You a snakekin?"
"Isle power, dummy."
"Makes your tongue longer?"
"Ate it not knowing. Pisses me off. What use is this...?"
"Maybe helps with sex techniques...?"
"Ah! You dirty-minded perv? My friend said the same. Kinda erotic."
"Ahem!"
I hid my lewd thoughts, changing the subject.
"Mine's a touch thing."
"Magic?"
"Nah. Touching skin makes 'em feel good."
"Feel good? Do it."
She extended her arm.
"Touch."
"Nah, better on other spots."
Going all-in, I chose an erogenous zone. No funny business—just being a gentleman with a lady.
"Mind if I sit next to you?"
"Sit."
I scooted close, reaching for her earlobe.
God Touch
I gently caressed her earlobe with my fingers. A soft moan escaped her lips.
"Ahh... mm, feels good..."
Aquina melted, clutching her chest, squirming nonstop. 10 seconds. 20. 30. Felt like forever, but no stop sign. I pulled away first.
"How's that? Feels good, right?"
Her face was flushed deep.
"Haa, haa... in-incredible... better than booze."
"Saw mine too. Let's drink."
"W-wait..."
"...?"
"One more touch?"
"That good?"
"Yeah..."
Damn, she loved it. I chuckled, sitting back beside her. I stroked her earlobe again, sliding down her nape to her collarbone. Massaged slowly.
"Haaah... aaang... mmmph..."
Her moans grew louder, stickier. Touching her drunk body ignited my lust fast. My cock swelled in my pants, hardening stiff. The tent was obvious—she noticed.
"...Why's your pants like that?"
"Your fault it got big."
I shrugged it off, slipping my hand under her top to grab her soft breast.
"Haak, hngh...!"
"Nice tits. So squishy."
"H-how can you just grope..."
"Want me to stop?"
"..."
She just blushed silently. Booze helped, but God Touch's mind-melting pleasure was the real culprit. Normally she'd slap me; now ecstasy made her yield easily. My hands grew bolder, freely kneading left then right.