It feels like the conversation drifted in an awkward way and that is only from my perspective. Ichirou is just smiling like usual and Merissa reddened face conveys everything. If you are not that dense, someone from outside the conversation could immediately tell what is happening. Merissa’s crew faces slacken from their captain’s reaction.

Ichirou himself just stood there and stare at Merissa with his usual killer smile. But upon closer look, it feels like a bit forced…

He sneakily hides his left hand and keeps Merissa occupied with his right hand as he comes for another stroke in her head. I can see his left hand behind him but the others don’t. He started making a gesture with it frantically by waving it while closing and opening it repeatedly with parted fingers.

………

I really thought he would not notice it for the reason he is a main protagonist material and main protagonist is prone to being dense. Maybe because he has already someone in his heart that he is aware of it and does not want to cause anymore misunderstanding. I guess bad and cruel experiences are the best teachers.

But…

What the hell does he want me to do in this situation?!

Like what I said earlier, I do not want to move from my place as Casablanca and Hibiscus sleep on my lap. I’d really love to help but I don’t want to feel guilty of waking up these two. With that in mind, I just gave Ichirou a thumb up with a smile as a service and whispers with my lips.

“You.Can.Do.It!”

His left hand jerks and his a bit forced smile froze. His face becomes pale as ice like he just saw a ghost. I really wanted to do something but that would be too presumptuous of me since I never had been in a relationship or had anyone asks me about such things. The best thing I can do is to support him in his decision earnestly.

I get it that he does not want to hurt a girl’s feeling and it seems he does not have any experience in turning down someone when push comes to shove. Also, we are still not sure if Merissa really did FALL for him.

What to do?

As I started racking my brain for the situation brought by his careless charm, someone comes rushing in the scene.

“CAPTAIN!”

“Eh?! Hey, what’s the problem?”

One of the crew barges in and broke the odd atmosphere floating around. The ice broke and Merissa’s flushed face returns to captain mode and put on an air of a leader. I can’t believe she was able to switch gear in an instant while that man over there just heaves a sigh of relief since he himself cannot disperse such situation.

“We just received words from Captain Gants! He and the majority of the pirates compromised a cease fire! Furthermore, he invites you to a conference that will be involving the top pirates!”

“Gants did?! That old man really loves holding people by the neck and do as he pleases. Did he mention anything else?!”

“The meeting place will be at the shore of the abyss. The conference will be about the incident that just occurred. He also insisted that you must absolutely bring Miss Asagao with you because there will be an announcement regarding her.”

“He also said that?! I swear that geezer always do this! If I wasn’t indebted to him, I wouldn’t comply!”

Merissa’s face distorts in anguish funnily as she contemplates. But rather than getting anywhere, her body suddenly collapsed.

Eh?!

I couldn’t act because of Casablanca and Hibiscus so I could only watch her fall but my worry is for naught because Ichirou immediately caught her in his arms and carry her like a princess.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

“Are you okay?!”

“Y-Yes…I am…just sore…”

“Don’t force yourself! You should have told me that you don’t feel well at all!”

“But the sooner we discuss this, the earlier we can reconcile and fix the problem…”

“Don’t be stubborn. I will be much glad if you take a rest now. Asagao, Casablanca, and Hibiscus need to properly rest too so it will be better to send you all to bed. Seeing you in a state like this because I forced you pains me. I’m sorry for that.”

“I-If you say so…I guess…we can…talk about this…later…”

Everyone worked really hard today and I admit, I wanted to sleep so bad. I want to lie down on a proper bed. My feet are getting numb because I haven’t moved it for a quite some time and my neck is getting stiff because of this stupid bird sleeping atop my head.

Get off my head already…

With that, the whole ordeal about the appearance of the giant devil was solved but the problem regarding each other’s emotion and opinion will remain undetermined until tomorrow.  Needless to say, we are going to sleep like a log except for those people who are busy with the ship’s maintenance, order, and duties altogether with Ichirou who does not need sleep.

.

.

.

It’s cramped…

Why the hell did the four of us shared one bed?!

I understand that Merissa, as the captain, would have the best and comfortable bed on this ship but, do we really have to cram ourselves in here?!

Merissa insisted that we do not use the cabin anymore because it is most likely disheveled because of the battle. The only room that her crew fixed in the heat of the moment was Merissa’s room so we really don’t have any choice.

The bed can fit us four, Casablanca, Hibiscus, Merissa and me but, can’t we just have someone sleep on the floor because it is getting unbearable hot! Or that’s just me because there are already two of them clinging to my arms and Merissa just has to join by slipping into my bottom and hug my waist.

The three of them sleeps carelessly while I get so tensed. Their bodies cling to me and I can feel their softness, their tender young and supple bosoms and the fresh and youthful odor that is pleasant for the nose because it has a scent of arousal. This act of them is like innocently seducing me and I think it is winning!

This…This must be a work of a devil!

I stealthily try to evacuate the place by carefully undoing their arms that were wrapped around me. I cannot sleep like this and I will either lose to the temptation or lose my mind. I can’t let both of that happen.

After like five minutes, I was able to successfully undone Hibiscus and Casablanca’s grip on my arms and I now move to the bigger problem, Merissa. Why does she have to cling into my waist?!

As I touch her arms…her eyes open slightly…

“Ah…”

“Hmm? M-Merissa?”

“Gao…auu…what’s wrong?”

“Sorry…I disturb…your sleep…”

“No…I was clinging to you selfishly. You’re incredibly huggable that it felt pleasant.”

“Not you too…”

“So, what’s wrong…?”

“E-Eh? Umm…t-toilet…I guess…”

“I’ll come with you.”

“Wah?! O-Okay…”

Merissa gets off me and stands up from the bed with shaky legs. I wonder what happened that made her end up like that. Is diving deep underwater really that tiring that your whole body gets sore?

I followed her and help her walk by wrapping her one arm into my nape.

“Thank you, Gao.”

“This is nothing. Let’s go…is what I wanted to say.”

Merissa and I walk towards the door just to be showered with thick and dense presence. Beyond this door is someone dangerous?! Why is there so much hostility flooding this door?!

I grab the knob of the door and contemplated if I am going to open it. Now that I think about it, I really might have to pee now…

I turn the knob and carefully open it with racing and pounding heart…

What behold my sight is…the back of that guy…Ichirou who stands menacingly at the front of the door while exuding so much hostility. Since I opened the door, Ichirou immediately notices this and pull back the looming hostility…

“What are you doing…?”

“Asagao and Merissa?! I am on standby here and looking out for you girls.”

“That’s more than looking out…it felt like you are out for blood! Anyway, please move…”

“Ah, let me accompany you two.”

“To the restroom? Are you serious?!”

“What? No! I didn’t know. Sorry…”

“Geez…”

Getting out of our way, Ichirou sees us off from the door. Seriously, why go the extra mile for being overprotective? Sounds extremely exaggerated…

Hmm…the phrasing sounds weird…

Anyway, Merissa and I walks out from the place and head towards the restroom. She becomes oddly quiet when we saw Ichirou but I guess she really does feel that way for him. But I am really curious myself and I am dying to know and I want to hear it from her lips!

Since we are walking together, this might be the best opportunity to ask her.

“Merissa, I’d like to ask you something personal.”

“Gao? Your tone sounded so serious.”

“Well, it is somewhat…something I really, really wanted to know since earlier.”

“Sure, ask me.”

“Do you like Ichirou?!”

“……”

Ah…damn…I immediately dropped the bomb without second thoughts! Merissa’s face becomes dumbfounded with a gaping mouth. Needless to say, her reaction is priceless.

What actual fuck did I do?!

Merissa’s face becomes dyed in red as she separates from me a little immediately. Her healthy tanned skin tinged with redness added extra spice to her eroticism…

“I…Umm…eh…”

“M-My bad! You don’t have to answer that!”

“No...it’s fine…! I’ll be frank here…yes…”

She places her hand on her cheeks and starts fidgeting again as she looks sideways. Now that she openly admitted it to me, I am now thinking how will this even have to do something with me?!

“What did you even like about him…”

“Well, when he patted me, I never felt so good. It sent so many jolts in my spine and my body felt so hot. I mean, it is definitely because I am extremely attracted to his arm!”

“What…?”

“I’ve never seen such arm before! Such density, such hardness, such brilliance! My heart started racing when it touched me! I am a first generation dwarf but I have never seen such kind of metal in my whole life! I want to feel it, lick it, taste it, and pry it open!”

“Wait…”

“Ahhh…It made me fall even harder when he embraces me and carry me with such arm. I immediately felt that it is a home of myriads of spirits! My face just gets flushed whenever I think of him!”

“What about his looks?”

“Hmm? He is fairly attractive, I guess? I mean I like him and all, right? He has a good body and powerful too to boot.”

“……”

This is not what I expected!