The next morning, we woke up a little late and had light sparring at the training ground until past noon. Physical exercise like this is rare nowadays. It becomes precious time for us.
Recently, Hayato has become less reserved; getting thrown around and rolled on the ground has been included in my menu. I’m pretty happy that he’s finally acknowledging me as equal.
I really wanted to go hunting, but we don’t have much time, so we will have to wait until next week.
We need to be back at the duke’s house in the evening, you know.
“Are you tired? Let’s take a break.”
“Okay.”
Since there was no chair, I sat down on the ground to catch my breath, not that it would make any difference since I was made to roll over so many times.
As my breathing calmed down, I was reminded of yesterday’s event.
Last night, Julius-sama, who initially looked as if he had been brought here unwillingly, wanted to stay until the end more than anyone else, and Esme had to smile bitterly and say, “You’re having too much fun.”
Ted and George were strangely friendly with Julius-sama, and Quinby and Lav were getting along as well.
Maria was entrusted to the nuns and taken away.
Overall, it was a good party that transcends the social barrier.
I’m really grateful to Betty for creating the opportunity for everyone to get meet.
As I was reminiscing in the memories of last night, Hayato suddenly hugged me from behind.
“What is it?”
“No… There’s no particular reason; I just want to do this.”
“Is that so? I understand, though, because sometimes I was the same.”
“really?”
“Yes.”
I spun around in his arms and hugged him back from the front.
“Especially When I feel loved, I want to do this.”
“Hmm. What’s that mean?”
“I love you so much.”
I rested my forehead on his collarbone and put my arms around him.
I like to hug, but I also like to be hugged.
This euphoric feeling is irreplaceable.
“I’m a lucky man…”
“Me to a lucky girl.”
My body and mind are warm and fuzzy.
It’s a blessing to have someone who can accept your feelings.
Maybe because we rented this practice site for ourselves and because we were outside, there was a sense of liberation that made me a little carried away.
My hand moved unconsciously, tracing a line from Hayato’s back to his waist as if to check it.
He had an ideal body line, slim but toned with muscles.
I tickled his side like an Oldman playing prank saying, “this brother has a nice body,” but contrary to my expectation, there’s not much reaction from Hayato.
“You don’t mind being tickled?”
“Yeah, this is not fine, but still within my tolerance.”
“Oh, That’s not fun.”
He smiled at me.
I felt something sinister in that smile, so I tried to pull back. But it was too late! His legs were already blocking out my escape route.
…dammit.
“Kyahahah… ahahah. Kyaaa.”
I laughed out loud for the first time in my life as he tickled my side as hard as he could.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”
“Alice is naughty, so she needs to be disciplined. Didn’t you think this will happen?”
“I did think about it a little bit. But my desire to tease you got the better of me.”
I laughed and said what I really thought.
Yes, I just wanted to see his upset face just for a bit. I know I’ll get double retribution, but I can’t stop.
Even though I honestly confess, it only upset Hayato more.
“You want to tease, huh… Oh, I see.
Sometimes Alice did go overboard, all this time, I thought it was an accident, but you did it on purpose.”
The tickling became more intense, and I fell to the ground laughing.
As I was laughing and flapping my legs, the attackers loosened up a little, and I had a bit more time to breathe.
I rolled over on my back and pleaded with him, guarding my side with my hands.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
I was laughing so hard that I was crying. I blinked, and something warm flowed to my cheeks.
Hayato, who was crawling on all fours on top of me, stopped and looked down at me silently.
“It wasn’t all on purpose, you know. If anything, it’s more likely that I realize it too late that something is not quite right.”
I’m not sure if this is an acceptable follow-up, but I need to say it.
Even this time, it was unclear where the line was between a hug (an expression of affection) and a tickle (a prank).
All I have to say is that I realized it after it was too late.
Then Hayato muttered with a straight face.
“…please consider how I feel right now.”
“What? You’re feeling a little bad right now?”
“Wait a minute, don’t you feel a crisis in this situation?”
Oh, now that you mention it… that might be true.
But nothing is going to happen. I know that much.
“…. Nope, I don’t really feel threatened.”
“Really?”
He said, “That’s not good.” He backed away and rolled over next to me, looking up at the square sky surrounded by a wall.
“…Alice. We’re going to be a family, but right now, we’re still lovers.”
“Yes. What’s wrong with that?”
[lovers] hearing it directly from Hayato’s mouth makes me happy and embarrassed.
“I mean, I don’t think it’s too early to give the impression that we’re a married couple.”
“Married couple? I don’t think we gave out that much impression.”
“I have a different opinion, and you’re acting exactly like that right now! You could be a little more nervous and blush a little more, couldn’t you?”
“I do, all the time.”
“Really!?”
I turn my face to Hayato’s while still on my back. He did the same and turned his face to me.
As we stare at each other, my heart starts to pound. Even my cheeks start to burn.
If he wanted to make me blush, this much is enough, but what was Hayato talking about?
He extended out his arms and moved them up and down, trying to get them under my head.
This is! A-arm pillow!
I lifted my head a little and put it in his arms, and he smiled contentedly and hugged me close. We both turned our bodies to the side, naturally bringing us closer together.
The tip of my nose touched his neck, and I could smell the slightest hint of white musk. It was a very sexy scent, and it made my head spin.
“Alice, you’re so cute.”
He kissed my hair and then my forehead, brushing back my bangs. The hand that stroked my hair moved down my neck, past my ears, and over my shoulders to my back.
I’m not just thrilled, I’m excited, and I wonder where he learns this kind of thing, maybe from Sister Carlos’ novels.
The moment I thought that, for some reason, my heartbeat receded, and I felt more relaxed.
I put my hand in front of his chest and slide it behind his back, and hugged him.
This hug contains a bit more sweetness than usual. We then rolled over.
I almost felt his leg come between my knees, but I quickly stopped myself, thinking that it was a bad idea. We’re outdoors.
“That’s bad. You can’t do that.”
“Okay.”
I laughed at Hayato as he quietly listened to me and withdrew his legs.
Because he is this kind of man, I could do it without hesitation.
When I rubbed my forehead against his neck, he laughed and said, “You look like a cat.”
He learned it from Sister Carlos’s novel. :rofl: