令嬢はまったりをご所望 (HIATUS)

V3 Chapter 3.3

"It would have been great if we could have brought Sena-san and the others along." (Shize)

"I'm sure, and I wanted to show this to everyone as well." (Rhonya)

The thoughtful Shize-san brought a smile on my face

__

Just then, Shize-san brought out a small vessel. Its contents seemed to be alcohol.

"I'll teach you how to drink."

"If it is alcohol, I do know how to drink to an extent..."

"Try finishing this in one go."

I obeyed and finished it in one gulp. A tinge of sweetness passed through my tongue to my throat, and I felt a hot sensation.

"Nn.. This is delicious."

No wonder Orphedot was in a good mood. It has a fruity taste quite different from wines and champagnes.

"Drink it slowly," as if whispering in my ear, he conveyed with a low tone. I wonder why I felt pleasant hearing his voice.

Was it due to the alcohol? Or the mystical view right now where everything within my sight was shining brightly?

Urged, I drank another mouthful. As I got drunk from the deliciousness, Shize-san slid his finger across my cheek. Then he started rubbing my cheek, and traced my profile, and finally grabbed my ear.

I chuckled as it tickled.

It started getting more fun for me, and I tried to empty the contents of the vessel filled with alcohol, but was restrained from the back, where I was wrapped by the waist.

"Slowly."

Shize-san brought his own glass of alcohol and drank a mouthful, and offered me some fruits.

As I received them, I slowly opened my mouth.

"I am sure you are aware of the incident where I saved the forest, yes? Back then, when the plants were damaged, they gave off a light just like what is happening right now when they were coming back to life, and it was a spectacular sight. Much more than what we are seeing here right now."

I closed my eyes, and reminisced about that view of the past. That plainly shining light.

"Orphedot is the spirit governing the plants. Hence, the birth of new plants spread to the world from this place. They will sprout somewhere, create life and wither, and once again be reborn and bloom with pride."

Shize-san poured another cup of alcohol again from the vessel.

"I too, want to be reborn here in this forest if I die."

As I faced towards Shize-san, his amber eyes were far closer than I expected. The distance was so close that I felt that our noses almost touched.

"W-where does Shize-san want to be born in the next life?" I tried changing the topic, whilst Shize-san made a dubious expression and answered.

"What a weird question to ask... I can only think about now."

I responded with 'that is true' and made a chuckle.

"Even if I were to be reborn in the same place, together with the same comrades, I wouldn't get tired of it."

As I looked at the radiant Shize-san who said this, Orphedot approached us.

"Here, my dear friend. It would be best for you to drink some more."

Orphedot poured more onto my cup. Still in a good mood, he went to dance again.

The cup was filled to the brim, and the alcohol had overflowed to my fingertips.

Shize-san then took my hand, and started licking the alcohol that had spilled on my finger.

I was dumbfounded, and could only stare at the amber eyes. Amidst the colorful lights from the banquet, Shize-san's eyes twinkled like the stars.

"Here, one more gulp."

Once again urged by Shize-san, I drank the alcohol. My body began to gather heat, and it felt pleasant.

"Delicious, right?"

"Yes..."

After taking a deep breath, I immersed myself in the lingering heat.

"Shize. Have some of this drink as well." (Orphe)

Orphedot came back with a wooden vessel, and offered this forest's specialty alcohol to his cup.

I had previously been offered the drink as well. It looked and smelled precisely like honey, but it was a very strong liquor.

I stared at Shize-san, who indulged in the drink.

"... Delicious."

"Is that so, is that so!" Contented with Shize-san's response, Orphedot went back to the crowd of spirits. He really was in a good mood. Just by seeing him, even I felt happy.

(TLN: see that Roto on top of the Phii? >:3 that's mine, i claimed it. Rotos are mineeeee!!)

"Rhonya too."

Shize-san offered me the cup filled with the forest's liquor. I drank it as it was. The scent of honey spread within my mouth, and a mellow heat passed through my throat. This was one exquisite drink as well.

"It's delicious, right?" His low toned voice reverberated, which made me shiver.

I nodded in response.

Just then, he approached me and started rubbing his mane on me. As I squealed within my heart, I responded back by rubbing my cheek as well. I closed in onto Shize-san and leaned on him to indulge myself and get buried amidst the mofumofu-ness.

"Rhonya. Do you want to live here?"

While sharing the liquor, I heard Shize-san's voice while looking at the spirits who were singing and dancing away. Even though the surrounding was noisy, I couldn't clearly hear what he was saying. Was it due to me getting drunk?

"I am sure even that would be a good life as well. A free life.... And I am sure I can take everything slowly..."

A life without any hardships. I could sleep as much as I want to, take care of the plants, play with the spirits and mythical beasts, and take a slow life.

"...But, I..."

I took a mouthful of the liquor.

But I have the café. Although there are times where I'm so busy that my eyes twirl around, it's still much better than before. It felt worthwhile to do, and I lived my days in fulfillment.

While looking at Shize-san's eyes with the same color as the liquor, I left a kiss on the jet black cheek.

I did not know why I did it. Maybe, because I felt like it.

Soon after, it felt like Shize-san's eyes glimmered. He grabbed on my chin, moved his face closer... and then... and then...