Kourin murmured something before speaking again.
"Aurelius is the one and only High Human Kingdom. They are the only race capable of withstanding the Demonfolk. Their natural enemy, one could say," Kourin explained as we both walked on the main road.
"However, it does not mean that the people here are that detached from Humans in this world. The fact is that 'Aurelius' was once a normal human country. It started as a normal human country that evolved after the progenitor of High Humans was born."
My eyes drift to a white tower spire that stretches to the sky.
"That place is one of the four main sections of Aurelius. The Palace of Morgwynevere."
"Is that where we are headed?"
"Not today, unfortunately. It seems the Queen had important things to do suddenly. So she dispatched me to make you familiar with what the High Human society is like. Well, more like I volunteered, of course." Kourin smiled.
"Thanks. It's reassuring to have someone to count on here. I feel very lost if you aren't here with me right now." I smiled.
Kourin looks away and points once again. "That is the road to the entertainment district, that road is to the market district, and that road is to the housing district. For the record, we also have entertainment that you have in your usual place. For example, karaoke, gym, movie theatres, comedy club, café, etc."
"Wow... I thought people here would do like... not that kind of technology that I would see in everyday urban life... In my mind, I thought High Human society would look more traditional."
"I can't say I didn't have the same feeling at first. But it's a fact we overlook that High Human society itself is based primarily on normal human society. The only difference is Mana."
"How is that different?"
"Almost everything here runs on Mana, and due to Mana always multiplying, there can never be a shortage of Mana. So every technology here inherently uses Mana to operate."
"I see..." I nodded.
I still don't quite get the Mana always multiplying thing, but let's just assume I understood.
Kourin then abruptly stopped before looking towards me and said, "Oh yeah, Med. Follow me, please." Her hand suddenly stretched forward and grabbed my hand. She was dragging me while walking in front.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
From what I saw, we are on the right path to the Entertainment District, but why do I feel a dangerous intuition?
"Ah, here, here," Kourin said with a smile as we entered an alleyway near the Entertainment District.
She guided me to a brick dead-end wall.
As I looked at it, my mind had originally suspected she wanted me to figure out something. She moved backwards so now she was behind me.
I stared at the brick wall for a few seconds. But I don't seem to get anything.
I turned back and asked, "Kourin, what is it, are you—"
PUK!
Kourin's arms were wrapped around my body. I was a bit taller than her, so her arms were circling just a little bit below my shoulders.
She was hugging me in a tight embrace, and I could feel her warmth.
"Med... Tell me." Her voice was distant. "Did you miss me?" she asked.
My heart bumped.
[-10 Damage]
[Super Effective]
BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP.
"I... do..." I said nervously. My own arms were trembling as I slowly tried to wrap them around her.
It's weird. I am sure a few months ago, I wouldn't have felt this nervous.
What made me feel this way?
As I hugged her back, suddenly her grip on my body tightened.
"Then. I would like to ask." Kourin said.
"What is it?"
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Did you have fun touching other girls?"
My mind replays the scene where I piggybacked Killiar and held Illias in a princess-style carry. It was the scene that happened in the Funhouse. Where I thought I was fighting Decarabia.
Wait, but how did Kourin know?
No, wait, the real question is: how can she not know?
The movie was so viral. Due to Thalamik's crazy editing and marketing. I mean there's even a fan club for myself now because of what he had done.
Kourin's grip tightened again. "Hey. Are you listening?"
OUCH! THAT HURTS.
"Kourin, it was an accident. It was really an accident. Thalamik did—"
"That doesn't answer my question, Raymed," Kourin said. "Did.You.Have.Fun.Touching.Other.Girls?"
CURSE YOU THALAMIK!! WHY DID YOU HAVE TO DO THIS TO ME!!!
I calmed myself down before sighing and said, "Kourin, at the time, Thalamik used Alterity to make it seem we were up against a Demon Lord Envoy, there's nothing that happened that day which was enjoyable. I was constantly in fear since I don't know if I can face a Demon Lord Envoy without Mana. All that I did was an emergency. If it really was something a Demon Lord Envoy did, everyone else could've died."
Kourin chuckled. "Ehh... I see... So if someone were to die and YOU can help them by kissing them, would you kiss them?"
Er...
My mind is blank...
No, seriously, I don't even know what I should think about anymore.
Ummm.....
"Hey. Are you listening?"
"Yes... I... think... I would do it... Erm. It's just like a quick little kiss, right? I would do it..." I said with a noticeable hint of anxiousness.
Kourin leaned to my ear and said, "How about a French kiss?"
FRNECH
FRENCEHHCH
FRENCHHHHH
KISSSS?????
[-99 Damage]
[Super Duper Effective]
BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP.
"W-wh-what?" I said.
She retracted her arms, which were now on my shoulders. She looked into my eyes and said, "You do know what those are, right?"
[-999 Damage]
[Super Duper Ultra Effective]
BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP.BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP.
"I... erm..." I was flustered. I can't look her in the eye.
I don't know why I am so embarrassed. My eyes then tried to look at somewhere else but it drifted towards Kourin's lips.
Her sweet tinted lips.
WHAT AM I THINKING ABOUT!
I shake my head but I can feel the heat entering my cheeks.
"Wow, you're beet red, you know." Kourin spoke in a manner that is familiar to me. As if she had returned to being her usual self.
She then pushed me to the brick wall.
Her arms wrapped around my body once more.
She then leaned slowly.
[-9999 Damage]
[Super Duper Ultra MEGA Effective]
BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP.BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP.BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP.BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP.
IS SHE?
IS SHE////
AM I GONNA....
She came closer and closer. I can't look at her anymore, it's too embarrassing.
So out of shame, I closed my eyes.
I didn't feel anything.
But something sent shivers down my spine.
"What if you have to save me by French kissing me? Will you take my lips then?"
[-9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999 Damage]
[Super Duper Ultra MEGA OMEGA Effective]
BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP.BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP.BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP.BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP.BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP.BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP.BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP.BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP.BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP.BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP.BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP.BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP.BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP.BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP.BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP. BADUMP.
But then I could feel her touch fade.
She had let go of her embrace.
As I slowly opened my eyes, I looked at her who was walking away from me with a pout.
My only thought was, "Is she mad at me?"
But then what was that?
***
As we made our way back from the alleyway, Kourin changed direction. Now we are heading to the market district.
"Med."
"Yes?" I answered.
"Let's look at the market."
"Sure thing."
We walked together a few steps apart.
It seemed so awkward.
Then I finally saw a sign that looked a lot like a light signboard. It reads, "Aurelius Market."
"Mana guns!"
"Blade cores!"
"Self-repair cloth!"
…Self-repair?
I instinctively stopped at a stall with a matte white futuristic pistol. The clerk smiled like a salesman in a toothpaste ad.
A weapon of this caliber would easily qualify as an artifact and not a magic item.
So how can someone sell this weapon in a place where almost anyone can buy it?
Kourin nudged and said, "In case you are wondering, these are toy guns that are somewhat similar to what your world calls 'airsoft guns'."
Airsoft gun?
A weapon that looks this dangerous is equivalent to an airsoft gun.
Kourin looked to the seller and asked, "What are the specs?"
"B-Class Fire Bullets. Four shooting modes—"
FWOOSH. The seller tapped a rune on the futuristic gun.
He charged up as I could feel magical energy gather before blue flare bullets hit the target behind him.
"Whoa," I said.
That is indeed impressive. Just to imagine a gun using Mana is just amazing.
It reminds me of Arifure-
"The core is old, huh? You don't use the latest generation of Mana Lattice Cores. Even though the shots were indeed impressive, in the long run, the gun's ability to efficiently gather Mana will decrease."
The clerk blinked. "E-eh?"
The clerk was astonished as if what Kourin said was 100% true.
Looking at this I nodded and said, "She's right. I need something that is usable in the long run. Thank you."
To be honest, I have no idea if she's right.
I just do what I always do.
I mean Thalamik is usually like this too whenever I go shopping with him for magic items.
That reminds me, how is he doing, I wonder.
As I smiled, I could feel Kourin staring with an unsatisfied face.
"Erm... What's up?"
"Nothing."
Then we stopped in front of the stall selling an item I have always wondered about.
Self-Repairing Cloth.
SNIP.
A tailor cut a black jacket sleeve clean off in front of us. Then he tapped the collar.
TIK-TIK-TIK.
The seam zipped itself back like time reversed.
I think Thalamik once mentioned this kind of thing before. If I am not wrong, something like nanotech?
"Have you ever heard of nanotech?" Kourin whispered to me.
"Yes, I do. It can do something quite similar to this, right?" I said.
"It does. But the main thing about this type of clothing is that it can repair itself using Mana from the environment. And in a High Human Kingdom such as this where Mana is almost nigh unlimited,"
"It became a perpetual item that never needed replacement."
"Exactly. I am surprised you are well informed about technical stuff like this," Kourin said, followed by a smirk.
"Haha. I could say the same about you. It's usually Suiko who explains stuff like this."
Kourin stepped forward. "What is the ratio of Mana gathering from the environment in this clothing type?"
"Err..." The clerk seemed unable to answer. "Well, it should be 1:1!" the clerk said.
"That's not possible. It may be because there is much Mana here, but what if I were to use it out of this city? Or use it in battle where Mana is restricted in the environment?"
"Ah, well... It's actually 1:10, around 10% efficiency of absorption."
"I see..." Kourin looked at me with a smirk before walking back to me.
We both walked again looking at stalls from afar.
"So what have we learned?" Kourin asked.
"It feels like home. People back in my hometown in some market do stuff like this as well. Haha."
"Eh?" Kourin asked.
"Eh?" I asked back.
"That's not what I mean..." Kourin said.
"What? Oh... Umm, what did you mean?"
"I mean, Psytelier has the best magical items there are. Our quality is top-notch and so is our service. Just buy everything at our shop."
I laughed looking at her. "That's so true. Indeed my favorite shop is only Psytelier!"
Kourin smiled proudly.
As we moved there was a floating screen with a broadcast of highlighted scenes about the movie. To my surprise, the movie is titled, "The Hero and Saint Against the Demon Lord!"
In that clip, I was sprinting with Killiar on my back, and Illias in my arms, carried in princess style.
The audio was blaring, "THE FIRST HERO OF THE UNITED FRONT IS FIGHTING AGAINST A DEMON LORD ENVOY! WILL HE BE ABLE TO RESCUE THESE BEAUTIFUL DAMSELS FROM HARM? FIND OUT IN THE HERO AND SAINT AGAINST THE DEMON LORD!"
I looked to my side to where Kourin was standing.
Her arms were crossed and her expression was distasteful.
"Now let's hear a few words from the President of Raymed Fan Club! None other than Mermaid Princess Derashina from the Demi-Human Region!" the announcer on the floating screen said.
Now almost everyone was murmuring as they saw the broadcast.
If I remember correctly, Derashina the mermaid princess was promoting this movie to the whole world as she was indeed a fan of mine. She helped market this movie using her own funds, which made Thalamik instantly agree to do it.
"As much as I like to praise our Hero, it is a fact that the movie we see is but a fiction. Yet this movie represents the meaning of 'Hope' for us. Since Med the Hero is the first ever to be acknowledged by everyone and is the very personification of Hope itself. He fights for everyone and a lot of us admire that. He also was the cornerstone of victory when fighting against Focalors and Vepar. So through this movie, I would like to promote 'Hope'. I would like everyone to remember that 'Hope' exists, and by supporting our Hero, Raymed, we can win against the Demon King!" Derashina spoke in a very convincing way that even the crowd of High Humans beside me were applauding.
She is indeed really talented in public speaking.
"I heard you met Raymed at his graduation ceremony? Did anything happen between the two of you?" the interviewer asked.
Derashina blushed as she shook her head, "Um, yes! B-b-but I was just substituting for my father who couldn't make it to that party."
The interviewer smiled and said, "But I hear you had some alone time with him when—"
"Next question, please!" Derashina said.
"Princess Derashina, what are your thoughts on marrying Raymed the Hero? I believe you two are a perfect match!"
Derashina became flustered once more and said, "I-I-I..." She coughed, regaining her composure. "It is not my duty to decide that. Raymed is a Hero that aims to garner world peace. Thinking of having him for myself in times like this is very egotistical."
I can hear Kourin starting to tighten her grip on her upper arm.
"Raymed the Hero is striving for us all. So we mustn't put unrealistic expectations on him. We must support him with all that we can, instead of demanding things over and over again. We can never call ourselves of the fan club true fans if we don't remember this principle. I wish that the people who also support him know this," Derashina said.
The crowds began to murmur again.
"That mermaid girl seems correct."
"Yeah, she has very good common sense despite being a princess."
"Lastly, Princess Derashina! If everything is said and done, will you be interested in marrying Hero Raymed?"
Derashina got flustered once more and sighed. "Gosh, enough with this question. I mean who doesn't want to marry him!"
The crowd began to cheer and murmur.
"Yeah, now she is showing what she is really like!"
"HAHAHA she got embarrassed."
The interviewer on the screen asked again, "But what if you can have him only if you share him with a couple of mistresses? I think the Demi-Human race has that kind of tradition, right?"
Derashina smiled, still beet red, saying, "Yes, we do. A bunch of our kings share mistresses and multiple spouses. I mean, if my only chance of being with him is to be the second option, even then I wouldn't mind. No. Even if I were the 100th chosen, I wouldn't mind. Okay! That's all, no more questions please!"
The crowd cheered in happiness at how entertaining it was for the interview.
But my attention was on her.
Kourin.
She walked away from me slowly.
I put my hand on her shoulder. "I am sorry, don't go..."
"Idiot," Kourin said as I could see she gritted her teeth.
"I am sorry..." I said it again.
"ENOUGH!" Kourin shouted.
I was taken aback at her anger. I don't fully get what she is angry about. But I get, to a certain degree, how she felt.
"Even though Thalamik forced you, even though it's not your fault... why are you apologizing?" Kourin said. "Why are you apologizing for something that you don't even think is a 'fault'?"
"Because I feel that you are hurt, because of my actions," I said. "I understand that much. I understand that I hurt you, and that I don't want to do that to you."
"Tell me, Med. To you, what am I?"
"What you are...?"
As if everything stopped.
My memories flooded me.
I remember our first meeting, the way she looked at me.
I remember how she revealed herself to me in the crowd.
I remember how happy I was to see her the first time.
I remember how angry I was when I fought her.
I remember how many times I went to Psytelier just to look at her.
I remember those days spent on helping her find pieces of herself.
I remember how amazed I was when she rescued me.
I remember too many things that I can't describe with mere words.
But Kourin is asking me now.
I have to answer.
"Kourin you're..."
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
But my mouth stopped.
I abruptly stopped.
My mind went everywhere as I searched for the correct words.
But I couldn't say a word.
I stood there not being able to speak my mind.
This had never happened before.
What is happening?
Kourin turned her back to me and ran away, disappearing. As she ran, my body was still frozen as if my body was a machine that encountered a bug.
I could only stretch out my hand and call her name, "Kourin!!!"
As she disappeared, the crowd circled around me.
"Wait, you are Raymed the Hero, right?" A man said.
"Yeah, I think he is Raymed the Hero! Can I take a photo?" A woman said.
I looked down.
I am not in the mood for this.
Then I noticed.
Why I hadn't been seen until now except for people that we talked to.
It was because of her.
When she murmured out of nowhere the first time, she must've cast a spell so that people wouldn't notice who I am.
"I am sorry. I have to go somewhere." I said before jumping high away from the crowd.
I have to find Kourin.
***
Raymed had been searching for an hour, yet he can't just seem to find her anywhere.
The clock was now at 4 p.m., he knows because every stall in the marketplace has a clock of some sort.
Where should I go in a time like this?
Wait, that's it!
He ran once again to a store that he knew and loved.
Of course by first asking the citizens about it.
"Excuse me, sir! Where is Psytelier?" he asked as the man pointed toward a direction.
RING RING.
The bell of Psytelier rang as Raymed entered.
"Ara~ Raymed. It's been a while!" Suiko greeted Raymed with a wave, and upon looking at him alone and seeming tired, she instantly understood, "I see..."
But Recca, who suddenly appeared, spoke her mind, "Aren't you with Kourin? Where is she?"
"Long story short, when we were together she ran away from me. I searched the Marketplace and Entertainment District. Where should I go?" Raymed said with a hopeless tone.
Suiko smiled knowingly and said, "Well, there's probably only one place that she would go. She has frequented that place ever since we settled here."
Raymed knelt to the ground and said, "Please tell me where it is!"
Suiko was startled, followed by a smirk. "You don't need to do all that. But there's something I wanted you to know first..."
As Raymed heard what she had to say, his eyes widened.
***
The concept of Heroes isn't foreign to High Humans.
I myself have studied everything I could about the many foreign concepts in High Human society.
After being granted an amnesty by Morgwynevere and asked to be instated here in preparation to become a helping hand to the Hero Raymed, with the help of Suiko I have been learning continuously. High Human history, the progenitor of High Humans, the original concept of Heroes. The first heroes, the meaning behind what it is to be a High Human, the eternal conflict with Demonfolk.
Yet the only thing I was captivated by in the end.
Is but a simple story.
Many sources said it was an anecdote.
But many people said it to be true.
There was once a Hero who had immeasurable strength.
His name was Gaelus, titled 'The King of Men'.
Though the title says Men, Gaelus was one of the High Human heroes that has the power on par with Demon King Ars. He fought one on one with the Demon King Ars. It is said in that battle, Gaelus—Ars himself said, "If it weren't for my barrier, you would've won." Gaelus was the pinnacle of all heroes even though he lost to the Demon King.
But what captivated me wasn't the fact he lost or how much power he had.
It was what he said to the Demon King on his dying breath.
"Mark my words, Demon King. You who fight for nothing will eventually lose...."
The story said the Demon King Ars only laughed at the remark and said, "Who will I lose to?"
"Someone who is fighting for their beloved."
Gaelus wasn't known as a sentimental man. He was known for his arrogance. His overwhelming power. His lust for power and hate for the Demon King.
Yet what people don't know is that he, too, had loved a woman.
What he said in his dying breath gave everyone the key to becoming stronger.
To become like a hero as strong as Gaelus.
One must have something to fight for. Only then will you become stronger even to the point of dueling the Demon King.
Gaelus was fighting for his love life.
At the night before his battle with Demon King Ars, he met his love at this tree beside the Urel River. Back then the tree was still small. But now, the tree was a colossal tree. Couples frequent this place, young and old.
Gaelus said to his love life, "The reason I am strong is because of you. I wish you will always remember me despite my bad sides."
It was a truly beautiful story.
It's nothing I have ever heard of.
To be strong for someone.
To be stronger for the sake of protecting someone.
I believe Raymed and I are alike in that sense.
But....
I don't think I am the reason Raymed gets stronger...
What that girl Derashina said is right...
Raymed is fighting for all of us.
That's why he is this strong.
To want him all for myself is unbelievably selfish.
I bit my lip as I saw the scenery.
To want him to only look at me...
Will it ever be the correct thing to do?
"THERE YOU ARE!" Raymed said. His breathing uncontrolled. It was as if he was on the verge of passing out. "Kourin... Ko-kourin... I have been searching everywhere!" he said.
"I am sorry... it took so long!"
I looked to the side and said, "I wasn't expecting you to come anyway. You don't have to feel sorry."
"Look, I am sorry... For everything... And..." Raymed was still speaking while trying to catch his breath.
"And?"
"Thank you for everything..." Raymed said with a smile.
"What do you mean?"
He walked close to me. We were now standing on a large stone bridge above the Urel River overlooking the tree where Gaelus last spoke to his love life.
"Suiko told me about your trip to my hometown and about you meeting my uncle. His name was Ilyas; do you remember?"
Of course I remember him. How confusing it was to have a family name with 3 people in it with the same nickname.
"Yes. Around 4 months ago..." I said.
"Thank you... I didn't know anyone would do that kind of thing to me."
"What do you mean? If anyone had the chance I had, anyone would easily take it."
"No... I don't think you are right about that part."
"Kourin. I wanted to thank you for reals."
"To me you are an irreplaceable person in my life."
.
.
.
.
.
My heart, which had been pressured by darkness, suddenly felt light.
"I-I see..."
"I mean... seriously. What are you, my wife? I don't think there's anyone who would want to do that for someone like me! I mean we're talking finding information straight to my uncle here. Hehehe. You know what, let's go somewhere!" Raymed spoke with sincere happiness.
While I fell down to the floor.
"KOURIN! ARE YOU OKAY!"
**
I feel myself blacking out for a few seconds and managed to get back up with his help.
"Kourin, are you feeling okay?"
I tried to concentrate, but everything is fuzzy, but I just smiled and said, "Yes, I am fine."
"As I said before, Kourin, you are the only one..." He said before blushing and asked, "Can I guide you somewhere?" he asked.
I smiled and said, "Promise not to go anywhere weird?"
"I won't bring you to an alleyway, I promise!" Raymed said.
I don't want to remember that scene again, I don't know what came over me. But I guess my jealousy got the better of me back then.
As we walked slowly I understood where he was going to take me.
"This is..." I blurted.
Raymed had led me to the tree that we had overlooked. The 500-year-old tree.
"You asked me before in the alleyway, and I wish to answer your first question: my answer is yes."
Wait, what?
Raymed swiftly leaned.
His lips were touching my forehead.
A warm feeling I never felt before.
My heart was fluttering everywhere.
My cheeks became red.
Then Raymed spoke again, "For the second one, it is also a yes."
He put his hands on my shoulders and leaned in for another one directed at my lips.
"Me-Med!"
His tongue entered my mouth as we smooched each other with a cuddly embrace below the tree.
When did he become this bold?
It was as if I were dreaming right now.
He escaped my lips and said, "For your last question... to me, Kourin..."
.
.
.
.
.
"You're my everything, Kourin; let's get married."
I can hear as if the bells are ringing.
"Kourin.... Kourin...."
**
"Kourin.... Kourin.... Hey Kourin!"
I opened my eyes and saw that I was in front of a karaoke parlor. Raymed was carrying me on his back.
"Med? Were we?"
"Ah, you fell down after I asked you if you want to go somewhere. But when I checked you were just asleep!"
I did what?
Oh, back then.
When I was too embarrassed to hear that Raymed had found out about my visit to his uncle's house.
I....
I...
fainted...
THEN THAT MEANS....
As if the previous dream of me and Raymed had suddenly crashed into a thousand pieces.
I sighed and said, "Thank you for carrying me, Med. Sure, let's sing a few songs. I have a lot of songs I wanted to sing to you."
Inside the karaoke place, Raymed seemed to be amused to see that everything was very high tech and powered by Mana. As he went to check the songs.
"HEY HOW COME THEY HAVE THIS MANY SONGS FROM MY COUNTRY IT'S SO COOL!" Raymed said.
"That's just how great High Human Technology is. But unfortunately they don't have a term like copyright or that kind of stuff so... you can guess where this is from..."
"Okay, I don't want to think about it then!"
Kourin then rose up and said, "I'll sing first."
The music starts in an upbeat way.
"Wait, I know this song!"
"GAK GAK GAK KUAT GAK GAK GAK KUAT! AKU GA KUAT SAMA PLAYBOY PLAYBOY!"
"I KNOW THIS SONG!! HOW DID YOU KNOW THIS SONG KOURIN YOU'RE AMAZING!!!" he said like a child.
As I looked at him again with a different look, he seemed to get what I meant.
He went on to make an awkward face and looked away, scratching his head.
But that feeling of jealousy soon died down.
We began to sing along together.
Particularly, we sang a lot of Sheila7 songs.
He also sang 'terhebat' by CJr.
After we had spent our time, he was initially confused about where to stay and I said he could stay at Psytelier.
We do have a spare room that we don't use. There's plenty of space. If it turns out there is none, Recca could just sleep on the couch.
As we walked through the entertainment streets again, the screens were again showing the scenes from his movie and interview with Derashina.
But somehow, I didn't feel all that bothered anymore.
"Kourin... about your questions at the alleyway!"
.
.
.
What?
Is he?
He said, "Kourin, you are the most precious person I have ever had. Even Thalamik or Carmilla may never take your place. You are just that special!" Raymed stopped as he blushed. "No one can take your place, Kourin...."
I looked down.
No, the question should be...
Do I deserve you?
Can an egotistical person like me be with someone like you?
But in the end.
I only want you to look at me.
To pay attention to me.
Because, to me you are....
"Also!! About the other question..." Raymed spoke again. "I-I...."
What was the question about again?
"I-I would probably do it! Only if it were a life-and-death situation though!" he stopped speaking any more words. Clearly embarrassed.
"I see... I would do the same as well, for you." I said to him.
Only for him to blush again.
"Why are you so embarrassed anyway? Have you never kissed someone other than your parents before?"
"W-W-WHAT? Of course... I have never." Raymed looks down.
Wait.
Does that mean?
Suddenly I realized something that made me smile.
"Hey, why are you suddenly so quiet? Did it make you remember your first kiss?" Raymed asked.
My first kiss....
My first kiss was...
-~
Kourin's vision tunneled; the world wobbled on the edge of blackout.
I beg of you, Med...
She braced one trembling hand against Raymed's cheek and leaned in.
A soft sensation that explained how affectionate she had become towards him.
She moved from his lips and whispered softly to his ear.
"It's time to wake up, my hero," she breathed.
-~
"Hey Kourin!!! Do you hear me? It must be a very nice kiss if you dozed off so suddenly!" Raymed said.
"Um... sorry..." I looked at him before looking away. "Yes. It was a very meaningful kiss."
"Ah, I see!" Raymed said. "So you did have your first kiss already, huh?" Suddenly he looked sad.
Gosh. If only he knew.
Please now and forever only look at me, Med.