Suddenly, a laugh erupts from her, unexpected and pure- a sound so unlike Blossom that it catches me off guard. She is not one that tends to laugh at all. Not because she tends to be depressed, but more so because her airhead brain rarely picks up on humor even when it’s laid out in front of her.
Or she just doesn’t find the same things funny that humans do.
Blossom’s eyes are shining, full of genuine happiness. “Hana told Master back then.” She mouths between merry giggles. “She said that she made the greatest choice when she swore her eternal loyalty to Master. Her instincts couldn’t have been more right!”
Before I can respond, she leans in and kisses me deeply. Blossom has never been one to initiate kisses like this- it’s always me taking the lead. At most she tells me what she wants me to do, and waits to see whether I oblige her request or not. But this time, there’s a vividly burning fire behind her forceful action, a sincerity that matches her words.
I return her kiss wholeheartedly.
A blessed minute passes as such, and as our lips part I look into her eyes while still being a bit taken aback by her boldness.
Blossom just gazes at me lovingly, then shouts jovially; “Luna loves Master!”
“Mom, she is by far the happiest slave I’ve seen in my entire life!” Mavena whispers, which I hear clearly. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
“Happiest slave? Pfft.” Lucille scoffs bitterly. “My dear, Luna is the happiest woman I’ve seen in my entire life.”
I can’t help but chuckle wryly at the disgruntled comment.
It’s true that Blossom had been spoiled by me quite heavily in a sense, but thus far she had been my only actual woman, so who else could I show all the boundless love I have to give from deep within my heart?
Also, she’s an amazing girl who deserves every single speck of affection she receives.
Be that as it may, it’s time for round 2.
I let Blossom down, who reluctantly let’s go after a bit of prodding, then I pull Ayame’s choker out of the bag and hide it behind my back as I begin walking towards her. She stood up when I had asked but- unlike Blossom- she waited in place next to her chair.
I stop in front of her and examine her features. She is looking up at me with a vast pool of emotions being evident on her delicate face. I place my free hand her face and stroke her cheek gently with my thumb.
“Thank you for coming into my life, my beautiful samurai. You’ve not only been my first ally, my first battle partner and teacher, but also the person who has saved my life on numerous occasions, whether directly or indirectly. It’s safe to say that without you, I would’ve died many days ago. Once again, thank you for everything.” I state with a grateful tone as I reveal her gift.
She has the complete opposite reaction from Blossom.
Ayame freezes, not even looking at the item but maintaining eye contact with me.
Is that guilt I see?
Yep, it is.
I notice tears forming on her delicate face. Then trickling. Then… streaming.
I watch her intently, curious what caused such a reaction.
“I’m so sorry, Quinlan…” She whispers between muted sobs.
I raise an eyebrow. “Hmm? For?”
“For being a bitch! I’m not at all deserving of your words!
Not only have I been berating you often, but when I beat you up during our duel was the ugliest day in my life that has been eating away at me ever since… I was supposed to be your teacher, instructor, mentor, but instead I used my obvious superiority in all aspects of combat to beat my student up, not to teach you, but just to satisfy my desires!” She cries while gazing down at her feet in shame, no longer managing to look into my eyes.
Has that been gnawing away at her heart? I thought she was okay. She even said that she wouldn’t apologize for it. Guess it was said in the heat of the moment.
When I called her an amazing teacher during our first labyrinth run, she was elated and proud beyond reason, so I imagine her doing things only a bad instructor would had made her feel horrible.
I place her gift down on the table and reach out for her delicate face to hold in my two palms. After which I make a gentle motion, silently asking her to left her head to let me see her gorgeous features, then I begin to wipe her tears with my two thumbs.
“You’ve been a mischievous girl, there’s no doubt about that, but I love you as you are. As for what happened that day, I arrogantly brought your talent and mastery over the blade into question, so your fury was entirely understandable. One could argue that I deserved to be put in my place. I even said I knew something like this was coming.
Furthermore, even if it wasn’t your intention, I learned an immense amount of swordsmanship from you in the span of a single day, and you should also know just as well as I do that I took an oath of revenge back then, one I will fulfill no matter how sorry you feel.
So stop apologizing already. Getting back at you has been one of my strongest driving forces, if you begin going easy on me out of guilt I will be very, very mad. Understood?”
She stares deep into my eyes for a good half minute before nodding slowly.
Ayame then removes my hands from her face and guides them to her back, after which she envelopes me in a hug of her own. “Thank you, Quinlan… Truly. It should be me who is saying all the beautiful words, not the other way around.”
I replicate her motions and hug her firmly. “Hana, I’m glad to hear of your gratitude, however… If you truly feel this way, I will have a favor to ask you tonight that I would like you to accept. Doing so would make me into an incredibly happy man.”
A good opportunist never lets such occasions go without profiting from them in one way or another.
Ayame doesn’t reply for a good minute, simply enjoying the warmth of our entwined forms, before whispering in a very low, sheepish tone; “… as long as it’s not too outlandish…”