Flambéed Love (Story of Seasons / Harvest Moon Fanfiction)

Chapter 14: Beginning

Raeger kept Minori in his embrace, holding her tightly while he continued to feel her warmth on his own lips. His heart rate began to rise again, and his movement became uneasy around her body. "Rae..Raeger.. wait.." Minori spoke weakly as she pulled back to get some air.

His heart skipped a beat upon hearing Minori's soft complaint, and his eyes quickly widened in disbelief over his own actions. At the same time, however, he was thankful that he stopped in time before he loses control over his own body; before he does something he might regret later on.

"I..I'm so sorry, Minori!" Raeger apologised immediately. "I let myself get carried away... I shouldn't have done that. I'm really sorry!" He looked at her with guilt, afraid that she would feel uncomfortable around him in the future if he continues to make such advances - when he hasn't even make sure on how she feels about it.

Minori looked up to see the young chef frowning with concern, along with his facial expression that turned somber.. yet it shows the clear genuineness in his apology, and his fear of hurting her because he truly does care about the woman standing right in front of him. Minori smiled and giggled faintly, very quickly lightening up the atmosphere.

"It's fine, Rae. You don't have to feel bad about it at all.. And it's not as if.." She suddenly paused, finally coming to a realisation that what she was about to say could very well be rather embarrassing for herself. "Uhh, nevermind!!"

"Hhmm? What is it, Minori? Not as if...?" Raeger questioned.

Minori quickly twisted her brain in an attempt to find a way to get out of this seemingly awkward situation. But being unable to come up with a witty answer, she sighed, and eventually decided to face his question - because he would eventually be able to figure it out by himself anyway.. just like how he always managed to see right through her.

"It's not as if.. not as if I hated it!" Minori finally declared. She looked away in embarrassment, and her cheeks immediately turned pink. Raeger had his eyes slightly widened in surprise, totally amused by what he had just heard.

"But.. just, slow down, will ya'?!" Minori continued to look the other direction, and then kept her mouth sealed as she blushed even harder. 'Why did I have to shout saying that?!' she told herself.

Raeger tried to control himself from bursting into laughter upon seeing her adorable - yet spicy - reaction. But he was almost at his limit, and he didn't think he could maintain his poker face any longer. So he cunningly stepped forward, and hugged her tightly in his arms to hide his facial expression from her field of observation.

He brought his hand up to her head, and gently caressed it. His affection seemed to have calmed Minori down a little, but being pressed so close to his body.. and clearly smelling his scent, Minori was put in a dilemma. Nevertheless, she enjoyed the sensation, and hence let herself fall deep into rapture. She smiled, thankful that Raeger didn't press her for further questioning that would otherwise embarrass her even more. 'Phew.. I'm lucky Raeger's so nice.. hehe! Now I don't have to wor..'

"So, what is it that you don't hate, Minori?" Raeger suddenly asked, disrupting Minori's joyful train of thoughts. He grinned, and was impatiently waiting for her reply.

'DAMMIT, RAEGER. I spoke too soon.' Her eyes widened in disbelief, with her cheeks slowly turning back to its rosy blush. 'You evil little...'