CH. 319: Early morning confession

Asahi, Ryuu, and Alise only came out of the tent when Tiona called them out for a meal. The two had become immensely curious about the supernatural powers of half-vampire Kiyomi Araragi.

The dinner was meatless broth, which was far from his usual meal. He only had some before he said farewell to the group.

"Wait," Finn said. "We were going to discuss the plans for the next few days. Care to join?"

"Sure."

He patted Alise's back. "Wait for me. And don't touch that."

"Come quickly!"

Alise dragged Ryuu back into the tent. Asahi followed the three commands—Riveria, Finn, and Gareth—into the large tent in the center of the campsite. The three sat around a short table, leaving a seat for Asahi.

"We were planning to head out tomorrow, not today. Slaying the Cadmus Dragon is our objective."

Finn started the discussion.

"Cadmus Dragon?"

"The floor boss of the 51st floor. It's a great dragon with more physical power than a level 6 boss," Riveria explained. "Its hide is extremely valuable."

"We finished it almost a month ago. It must have respawned by now."

He hadn't stumbled into this dragon last time.

'It might still be in the process of respawning.'

"Level 6, huh. Sounds… tasty."

Riveria stared at him blankly. "We don't eat monsters."

Asahi shook his head. "I'm fine with this arrangement. As for the loot I collected on the previous floor, I'd give your share back when we return to the surface."

"That'd be wonderful," Finn said.

Traveling without supplies has been a refreshing experience for everyone. Finn wasn't worried about magic stones as wealth wasn't an issue for a level 6 adventurer like him.

Asahi tapped the table. "But I'd like to keep this expedition as short as possible. Your party is restricting my speed."

Whether they liked it or not, it was the truth.

"We won't fall behind next time."

Asahi nodded and got up to leave the tent. "Later then."

Asahi returned to his tent and enjoyed some anime with the two.

Soon, the day passed and it was time to sleep. Alise fidgeted as she glanced at the small mattress laid in the center of the cramped tent.

"W-Where should he sleep, Ryuu?"

"Why are you… asking me?"

"Cause I'm fine with him being here. W-What about you?"

Ryuu looked at Asahi with red cheeks. "I don't know…"

Asahi could easily go back to the mansion—the two had forgotten this fact. How could he deny their invitation to sleep together?

Asahi tossed the mattress in his ring and pulled out a small bed from his ring. He took out three blankets and sprawled on the bed. "Here. Come over."

Alise gulped and slowly nodded. Her previous statement of only sleeping with the man she married had flown out of her head. She stumbled toward the bed and laid beside him. Alise used the blanket to wrap herself from head to toe.

He shook her shoulder. "Idiot. Take off your armor."

"No…"

Asahi pulled her blanket, revealing her beet-red face. "Jeez. You want me to do it, Captain? I'm very skilled at undressing."

Alise turned even redder. Carefully getting up, she took off breastplate and pauldrons before taking her off her boots. "Happy?"

Asahi observed her slim figure with a smile. "Better. Now, Ryuu."

Alise quickly covered herself with the blanket.

Ryuu took off her ornate green cloak and her boots. Keeping a straight face, she approached the bed. Asahi patted the empty space to his right. Ryuu had no choice but to lay beside him. She turned over, revealing her back to him while Alise was completely wrapped in her blanket.

The bed was big enough for three people to sleep while keeping an appropriate distance.

Silence filled the tent.

Asahi could hear the girls' heartbeat clearly. They were trying to sleep, but his presence kept them at bay, creating improper 'thoughts' appropriate for their age.

Asahi sighed and closed his eyes. "Sweet dreams."

"Goodnight."

"...Goodnight."

***

Alise woke up to find a hand around her waist. The weight made her painfully aware of the owner. She opened her eyes, only to find Asahi's face a few centimeters away.

'Why? Why are you hugging me like I'm your lover?!'

Her heart sped up like crazy. She could kiss him if she moved a little. Like he kissed her goddess before he left.

"You can't…"

She mumbled as if trying to control herself. It was wrong. It could ruin her relationship with her goddess. Nothing would be the same after this. She tried to stop herself, but her body moved against her resolve.

At that moment, Asahi's lips parted. "Is it fun to molest a sleeping man?"

Alise's emerald eyes trembled. "I-It wasn't. I wasn't going to kiss—"

Asahi held her chin and stole her lips. Her eyes widened as Asahi's soft lips caressed hers.

Ending the kiss, Asahi gave a teasing smile. "That's how it is done."

A tiny heart flew from her scarlet hair.

[—Alise Lovell: Affection +2]

"W-W-Why? Why did you kiss me!"

She tried to get up, but Asahi tightened his arm around her waist. "Because I wanted to. Your indecisiveness makes you cute. But you would never confess your feelings even if the world ended."

[—Alise Lovell: Affection +4]

Alise felt dizzy. Barely keeping consciousness from slipping, she bit her lips. "I-I'm not indecisive. I never had feelings for you..."

Despite her words, her lips curled into a foolish grin.

Asahi chuckled. "Look at your expression before saying that."

"I… I admit I like you… but it's wrong… this is all wrong… Astraea-sama, I can't betray—"

Asahi silenced her with another kiss. "Astraea was never against me having a relationship with any adventure from our Familia."

Alise's mind went blank. "Wait… What! I was suffering all this time for nothing?!"

"Yes. Stupid Captain. You held back even though we could have done this," Asahi said and slipped his hand into the blanket. He gently caressed her soft breasts. "A lot more than a kiss."

[—Alise Lovell: Affection +7]

Alise took off his hand and gave it a little squeeze. "Don't t-touch me like that… It makes me feel strange."

"Is that so?"

She nodded, biting the corner of her lips. All of this was too unusual. She felt like this might be a dream, and she'll lose everything after waking up. The fact everything happened after she fell asleep didn't help.

"Alise Lovell, be my woman," Asahi muttered and caressed her cheeks. "I promise to give you the affection you deserve."

"I…"