With Senya’s presence, Higan and Alstroe weren't able to do more than what they did to me. That really shocked me because I didn’t know that they became that really attached to me or they missed me so much that they want such skinship.
The bath ended smoothly as we got to refresh our mind and body. Our skin becomes clean and our hairs become smooth and silky as we are free of any sweat and dirt. However, when we were dressing in the dressing room, there is something that was given attention in regards to my body.
It was Senya who addressed that problem…
“Asagao…that…scar…!”
“Ah…”
For those who know about it, they just bitterly took a quick glance to it. However, for Cattleya, Mimi, Shouko and Senya and co., they stare at it with pitying eyes. I get it why they look at me with such pity. After all, the scar was big and long as if my chest was previously forced opened.
Upon the bringing up the subject, I can’t help not to smile faintly to it. I touch the scar and trace it from the top which under my neck down to the base in my diaphragm. It gives me that nostalgic day where I was bleeding under the snowy land with dark clouds looming.
The day I was reaching out to the sky, asking for help but know that my time at the moment is final. After that, I was saved…and my life started turning around…
“This is…a scar…that marked the day I realized that…I have to change. Whenever I falter, whenever I am lost and I have no one else to rely on, this scar…reminds me to be strong. It’s like my sign of change.”
They didn’t speak any words. No one is that insensitive to do it so I nonchalantly do my own business when in reality, inside, it kind of painful and embarrassing that I have to get hurt this much to have my resolve.
The bath ended with a dim atmosphere.
.
.
.
Senya provided us a huge room, a chandelier hanging in the ceiling and large windows that clearly shows the moon. The bed is freaking huge that it can let more than seven people sleep altogether…seven small people…
It’s like she set up a pajama party for us and prepared appropriate pajamas. I remembered that I bought animal themed pajamas for me, Alstroe and Higan so I brought is out. However, contrary to what I expected…
The bunny pajama was worn by Higan, the Fox pajama was worn by Alstroe and what’s left to me is the dog pajama.
I look at Higan and Alstroe with empty eyes mixed with disappointment…
“You seem displeased, Asagao. You’d actually think that I’d wear the fox pajamas since I am a fox? That’s just basic thinking. I like the bunny one so I wear it.”
“Ummm…Asagao…it’s because you’ve thought of me as a dog doesn’t mean I am going to wear it…”
Damn it…
I was thinking inside the box when I thought that Higan and Alstroe would actually like the pajamas I chose for them. Even as a fox, Higan has a different animal and Alstroe’s argument is sound.
Also, when the others entered the room, I was surprised. Everyone besides Shouko is wearing animal-themed pajamas. Shouko preferred to have a separate room.
Hibiscus is wearing a chick, Casablanca is wearing a bear, Topaz is wearing a white snake, Cattleya is wearing a cow and Mimi is wearing a…what…? Tsuchinoko?!...oh…a dragon…
Everyone has their own tastes…I see…and it seems Senya readily provided everything. I wonder why she spoils us so much.
“Such big bed! It looks soft and fluffy too!”
Everyone proceeds on diving into the bed. This is going be one stuffy sleep but I don’t think that’s bad. Sleeping with this number of people is rare for me and as much as possible, I want to feel everyone’s warmth.
Mimi looks at me with fiendish eyes. It seems that she is plotting something stupid again!
“Hey, hey, we really don’t need to sleep this early right? Let’s introduce ourselves to each other and talk about something!”
“I agree! Right, Casablanca!”
“Yeah, girls talk!”
Everyone’s eyes widen at the sudden notion…
Wait a minute…
Girls talk?! I became a girl for not even a whole year! I remember having this kind of talk back then with Casablanca and Hibiscus but it wasn’t that long. What are we going to talk about now?! My heart is already thumping from being so conscious.
Damn it, Mimi!
As I contemplate about my rising anger towards the smug faced Mimi, everyone formed a circle in the large bed and I saw Alstroe beckoning me to her side. She looks pretty jumpy along with Higan as they wait for me.
Maybe because they didn’t have many friends in the past that they are now excited about this. However, I am equally jumpy not from excitement but from the sheer pressure of having to talk about something.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
The first is Mimi.
“I am Mimi! I am a beast kin from the goat clan (lol). I’ve been working here in the mansion for as long as I can remember. I am a dear friend of Asagao too and I like here very much!”
Damn it again Mimi! Why do you have to spew such absurd lies?! I just kind of sigh at her words and in contrast, everyone claps their hands. Higan kept her poker face as usual. I know that she is kind of possessive of me. I am aware but at least she has control over herself.
“I am Casablanca Prasiolite. Together with Hibiscus, we are the daughters of the elf queen Hinoki! We’ve been on an adventure with Asagao for quite a while now. Please take care of us.”
“Umm…As Hibiscus said, we are Elf Queen Hinoki’s daughters, a twin no less. Umm…Asagao has been a great help to us so we are really happy that she came to our life and also…she saved us many times now…ehehehe…”
The twins introduced themselves. Higan smiles a little and Alstroe claps a little exaggerated as slight gust was felt. Cattleya and Topaz happily join in clapping but as for Mimi, her face becomes oddly pale.
Come to think of it, she knows about Hinoki so she must have remembered something bad.
“I am Higanbana, the daughter of the Beast General Izuna from the Fox clan. I think everyone has their commonalities and that’s meeting Asagao. I, myself thinks that Asagao is a really important for my life.”
Higan boasted like it is a matter of fact. Everyone cheers in applaud again as a sign of amazement except for Mimi. However, this time, she didn’t look pale but someone who is looking up to Higan like she is her owner with a little flushed face.
“Good evening everyone. I am…Cattleya…I came here with Susanoo. Pleased to meet you all.”
She was a little shy but overall, Cattleya is cute. Even under those pajamas, you can see those breasts puffing out. The cow pajama kind of suits her in a way or two.
“Topaz here…I like food.”
That was quite an awful and short introduction but somehow it fits Topaz image. She is quite contrasted to Higan. Topaz is an expressive girl that does everything nonchalantly because of her underdeveloped mentality while Higan has a frozen and you could say nonchalant reactions but does quite expressing and provocative actions due to her matured mentality.
And here comes the most expressive person in the universe…
“Hi, hi! I am Alstroemeria! I am a human! But somehow, people say I am quite weird and odd but please, try to bear with me if it is true!”
I think you being weird is a little true…
However, I guess it can’t be help because of how you lived your life with your abnormal strength. It would not be weird if she acts awkwardly or differently from other people but still, she was able to live a life being optimistic as she looks forward to the future.
About the scar earlier, when I told them that it is where I drew my courage, that’s partial. It was Alstroe’s bright and cheery personality that cheered me up. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be here and I’d be sure that I am going to hate this world…
It’s finally my turn…
“I’m Asagao…I think…most of you knows who I am…but…I would like you to know more about me not through words or gossips but through my actions. Please take care of me.”
Cattleya stares at me with an eye that seems sympathizes with me. Among everyone here, she is the only one I don’t know much. One thing I can say is that she seems to be attracted to Susanoo based on how she clings to him.
Everyone else just claps in unison. Hopefully, I didn’t say anything weird…
I breathe a sigh of relief, however, the evil’s plan isn’t finished yet and I see that girl, Mimi, staring at me again with a smile plastered all over her face. Why do I have to get involve to someone like here?!
“Okay! Since we are done with the introduction, let’s start our main topic! Let’s talk about love!!”
This girl…
“Asagao, if you will! Please tell us something about your love interests!”
There are more than two annoyances in this world and this girl just joined on my list. Why do people like her exist anyway?! What with that face saying that this is going to be interesting and I will have my fun.
Geez…
It’s like some of my misfortune will be one of her comedic antics and routines. First, she tried to kill me physically and now she is trying to kill me mentally. Is this a mindset of a sadist?
I hate you.
Now all eyes are glued to me. Higan is staring intently at me and Alstroe is as always, jumpy and frantic as she is waiting for my answer.
“Umm…d-do I really need to…”
“Yes! You already have one, right?! A certain man with met--!”
“Wait! That’s…”
“Isn’t it fine? There are only us here. Share it with us, come on!”
I got embarrassed real fast. I kind of just scratch my nape as Mimi told me that it’s fine but as far as I am concerned, Higan, and Alstroe here. It’s precisely they are here that I am more embarrassed to say it.
The twins are grinning at me like they already know it and Cattleya intently listens to us with a reddened face. It seems she likes romance…
Topaz is just listening without any reactions or comment while Alstroe stares at me while softly smiling.
What surprised me the most is that, of all people, Higan is the calmest. As I glance at her, she gave me a sweet smile.
I just clutch the sheet where I am sitting as to gather courage and speak…
“I…I am in love with someone…although he doesn't know, I…I plan to tell him sooner or later. This feeling… I just realized it recently…though I am a bit confused and a little scared, I want him to know about it…”
I was able to say it with a composed face, although some of my words stop momentarily, I was able to. I glance at everyone and it seems that they perfectly understand it. Even Higan just gave a small nod to me.
It’s kind of odd knowing her nature but if she didn’t show any opposition, I think that’s good.
The next moments are us just fooling around until everyone gets sleepy.
.
.
.
“Asagao…Asagao! Wake up…wakey wakey!”
My body is slightly shaken by someone. As my reflexes are kind of honed, I immediately wake up from my deep sleep. I saw the face of Higan beside me.
“What’s wrong? Toilet?”
“No! Asagao…will you go for a walk with me?”
“Walk? It’s…still dark outside?! Why now?”
“Please…”
“Do you really think I’ll be able to decline you?”
“Ehehehe! Let’s go.”
Higan and I soundlessly left the bed. What I saw is the scene of everyone sleeping side by side, all jumbled in the bed.
The twins are hugging each other as they snore soundlessly in the left corner of the bed while Mimi is cushioned between Topaz and Cattleya’s breasts. She looks so happy with her situation. As for me, I just left Alstroe’s side together with Higan as we quietly left the room.
Through the dark corridors to the unmanned hallway of the mansion, we walk through as Higan firmly hold my hand. On the way, we saw some girls including Meiko patrolling. We just gave a light nod to them as we made eye contact and they let us through.
Higan and I, with my lead, goes inside the forest where we can see the river while the stillness of the darkness still looms. The sun hasn’t peek yet in the horizon and the smell of fresh with the forest’s natural aroma wafts in the air.
By the river bank, Higan stops walking for a moment.
As I look at her while her back faces me, it got me thinking that she is actually angry at me. Her grasp on my hand is gentle but it seems that she won’t even let go of it. I wasn’t able to hear it because of the flowing water the river produces but I know that she is sobbing.
“Higan…!”
“Asagao!!!”
“Ah?!”
Higan abruptly pulled me towards her own body and hug me intensely as she wraps her arms around me. I can already feel her tears falling in my neck. I can already feel that she wants to say something. I can already feel that she has been lonely together with Alstroe without me.
She faces me and looks at me in the eyes while tears keep spilling from hers. I don’t know what she feels right now but I am sure that she is somewhat sad…
“Asagao…I…was holding myself back earlier! I don’t want to show this kind of emotion to everyone. I can only show it to Asagao and Alstroe. I’ve missed you so much that my heart right now is still trembling.”
“Higan…I’ve missed you too and of course, Alstroe.”
“I’ve always hoped that you are okay. I’ve always hoped that you are safe. I’ve always hoped to when we meet again, you will be smiling. That wish of mine is granted and now, you are now in my embrace. I’m happy but…”
“I knew it…about earlier…right?”
“Asagao…”
Higan pauses her word as she stares at me again with passionate eyes. She firmly holds me tighter in her embrace and at the moment…
She pulled me in towards her and her face…her lips got closer to mine…
A soft…warm…and delicious sensation is passed on to my senses as...Higan kisses me on the lips.
THUMP
My heart immediately beats hard as she presses her lips to mine. I can feel an ecstatic sensation overwhelming my mind and body as she penetrated my lips with her tongue. In response to the romantic approach, my tongue also sways with it and start slurping with fluids with her…
THUMP
Running out of breath, Higan separated her lips to my lips forming a thread of saliva. Her eyes are still teary and her face is flushed. I am the same as my eyes seem to spill some tears as the sensation was invoked into my body.
“Asagao, I respect how you feel. I respect who you want to be with but, I am going to reveal how I feel first.”
THUMP
“Asagao, I love you! I love you not just a person, not just as a friend. Asagao, I love you with intent to make you my lover, no, my lifetime partner!”
My mind and body froze in that very instant.