Chapter 186. Elysia: I'm Going to Run Away With Xander!
In the pin-drop-silent room, time ticked by second after second.
Elysia sat in the chair.
At first, a faint smile played at the corner of her lips, but gradually her expression turned serious.
Her reading speed slowed more and more, until, by the end, it felt like she was looking word by word.
The document clearly wasn't thick, but whether from nerves or something else, Xander felt as if Elysia had read for a very, very long time before finally stopping.
She placed the papers on her lap and lifted her head to look at him.
"Elysia?"
Seeing that she didn't speak, Xander ventured a call.
"It's nothing.
It's just that the amount of information here is a bit much, and I'm having trouble processing it."
For the first time, he saw a complex expression on Elysia's face.
"Phew~"
After a few seconds, Elysia took a deep breath.
A smile returned to her face as she gently shook her head.
"Xander, this really is quite a gift."
Then she pursed her lips in mild displeasure.
"But pulling it out so suddenly—were you trying to see me lose my composure?
How mean."
"No, no.
I only got this slot during dinner tonight.
I couldn't hold back and came straight to you, Elysia."
Scratching his head with a smile, Xander spoke.
"That text from the evening?"
"Mm, that one."
After speaking, Xander paused.
He looked at Elysia and asked, a little nervous, "So, what's your decision?"
In that instant, the air seemed to go quiet.
The pounding of his heart grew ever more intense, ringing clearly in his ears.
"Decision?
I think there shouldn't be any reason to refuse such a good thing, should there?"
"Really?
That's great!"
Seeing the little puzzled look on Elysia's face because of his question, Xander realized he had overthought it and let out a sigh of relief.
His reaction made Elysia blink, then she couldn't help but laugh.
She rose from the chair, took two light steps to his side, and clasped his hand.
Her fingertips brushed his slightly rough palm as she spoke with a helpless smile.
"Don't add too many filters when you look at me."
With her other hand, she poked his cheek, making him turn his gaze aside in embarrassment.
"After all, Elysia has been my idol since I was little…"
"You, you~"
Her voice grew even gentler.
Elysia withdrew her hand and cupped his face with both palms, so that the pink crystal of her pupils reflected those dark eyes.
Her bright smile bloomed like flowers.
Holding his gaze, she spoke softly.
"There's no such thing as some fairy untouched by the world.
I'm just Elysia who likes Xander, that's all."
The feeling carried in her voice drowned Xander in an instant.
His throat clogged, and he couldn't get a word out.
As her words fell, Elysia's hands pressed lightly.
Their bodies closed the distance and embraced.
Just holding him like that, her voice rose again by his ear.
"Do you remember what I said by the sea?"
"Mm."
Xander nodded lightly.
Breathing in the heady fragrance of flowers, he buried half his face in Elysia's neck and closed his eyes.
The scene from back then surfaced in his mind—an unforgettable trip to the seaside, a beautiful memory he would cherish for life.
"Now, my wish back then has already come true~"
Rubbing her cheek against Xander's, Elysia continued softly.
"Elysia's lonely journey ended a year ago.
Now, her hand is being held, and there's another set of footprints by her side.
Xander, will you let go of my hand?"
"Of course not!"
His firm reply filled Elysia's face with smiles.
She hugged him a little tighter, her expression flowing with tender attachment.
"So then, why did you think I would refuse?
Do you want a future where everyone at home is still young and beautiful, but only Elysia looks old and out of place, getting strange looks from everyone?"
The playful tone made Xander hastily shake his head.
"No, no, no—how could I think that?
I want Elysia by my side, always."
"Then that's fine~"
Lifting her arms a little, Elysia gently stroked his hair and closed her eyes, leaning close to his ear.
Xander heard a soft murmur.
"Our lives have blended together, no longer yours and mine.
My time, my youth, my everything—I'm willing to stop for you and linger at this most beautiful moment."
"Because I love you."
Those simple three words made his breathing turn rough in an instant.
"Elysia, I…"
Their bodies parted slightly.
The words that had reached his lips were lightly pressed back by a slender, pale finger.
She closed her eyes and tilted up her chin just a little.
There was no need to say anything more.
Only, the two already sunk in sweet affection completely forgot there was another person in the room.
Sitting not far from Xander, Kaguya watched this scene in silence.
No—springing this on her all of a sudden was really awkward.
She couldn't leave, couldn't stay, stuck rigidly in place and having to listen to those rather sultry sounds.
When the two began tugging at each other's clothes, Kaguya finally understood she had to make a decision.
Get up and leave immediately, or…
Choose to join?
Honestly, they'd been discussing the serious matter of how to carry out a gene adjustment a month from now.
How did it turn into this?
With a sigh, Kaguya's face flushed.
She reached out and started unfastening her buttons.
Sighing, Kaguya, her face slightly flushed, began unbuttoning her clothes.
…
"Why aren't you resting?"
On the third-floor terrace, Kaguya walked over in thick pajamas and looked at Elysia on the chair as she asked.
Elysia was holding a cup of hot tea, staring blankly at the bright moon, and hadn't even heard Kaguya approach.
"Couldn't sleep.
Kaguya, you know girls sometimes have a lot on their minds~"
Kaguya's voice finally brought Elysia back to herself.
She put down the cup, turned her head, and when she saw who'd come, she showed a sweet smile.
She scooted over, freeing up a spot on her recliner for Kaguya.
"Kaguya, come on, sit here."
There were clearly several open chairs, but Elysia patted the spot beside her with crisp little slaps.
Such intimate closeness…
Kaguya froze for a moment, then shook her head, walked over, and sat down beside her.
They had even done that kind of thing pressed together just now.
Compared to that, this was nothing.
Soft warmth in her arms, Elysia smiled even more happily, hugged her, and nuzzled.
"Kaguya, your figure is really nice."
Kaguya's face flushed for an instant, and she gently pushed away Elysia's face rubbing against her chest.
"Too crowded."
"Come on, we're good sisters who get stacked together by Xander.
Don't be so reserved.
Be a little closer~"
Feeling those cheek-rubs again, this time Kaguya didn't resist.
She sighed helplessly.
After cuddling for a while, Elysia, fully charged on girl power, finally lay back lazily and asked, languid, "Kaguya, why did you come?
Where's Xander?"
"I came to see where you'd gone.
As for my husband, he's exhausted and still sleeping like a rock."
At that, Kaguya suddenly felt a bit guilty.
Using the excuse that her husband needed rest, she had tricked Bronya and Seele into going to her room to sleep, and then she and Elysia had ended up pilfering together while on watch.
"I see.
I heard gene adjustment can also specifically enhance that aspect of ability.
Is it true?"
The curious voice by her ear made Kaguya even more embarrassed.
She laughed dryly and nodded.
"It should be true."
"Gene adjustment, huh.
It really does feel like a sci-fi story."
With a sigh, Elysia looked into the boundless night sky.
"But it's nice this way, too.
No need to worry about growing old quickly, no need to fear the marks of time.
There'll be more time to stay by the one you love.
I was even planning for us to take a spontaneous trip when we got old.
Looks like it won't be necessary."
"Travel?"
"Yeah.
Xander can't make games his whole life.
He'll retire someday.
When that time comes, I was planning to set out with him to every beautiful—"
"Then why not go now?" Kaguya asked curiously.
"Dummy, because we're not old yet~"
Hearing that, Kaguya blinked, then smiled.
"You're right."
Then her tone shifted.
"Mind adding one more travel companion?"
"Of course I don't mind, but only after Xander and I travel alone together for three years!"
Holding up three fingers, Elysia hummed and grinned as she spoke.
"Three years?
Aren't you afraid Seele and the others will protest by then?"
"It's fine.
I'll leave you all a letter at that point and just run away with Xander~"
"You…"
They glanced at each other and couldn't help laughing.
Reclined on the chairs, they laughed to their hearts' content.
The night wind was still a little chilly.
Kaguya poured herself a cup of hot tea.
With one warm sip in her belly, she felt much better.
Letting out a long breath, Kaguya lounged comfortably on the recliner and looked at the bright moon.
Suddenly recalling Elysia's dazed look when she came over, she asked curiously, "Elysia, were you thinking about something just now when I came?"
"Mm?"
Elysia blinked and smiled in reply.
"It's nothing, really.
I just suddenly remembered some childhood things.
Don't you get that, Kaguya?
The occasional childhood memory."
"...No, not really.
For me, childhood was indifferent relatives and strict teachers.
There isn't much worth remembering."
But those less-than-pleasant memories were ones she could face calmly now.
After all, she was happy enough.
She often wondered if the hardships of the past were all so she could meet her husband.
If so, then those old memories were gilded with a soft glow.
"I see…"
Elysia's expression shifted for a moment, then bloomed into a smile again.
"Then, Kaguya, would you like to hear a little story?
A little story about Elysia."
At that, Kaguya smiled and nodded.
"I'm all ears."
Enjoyed the story? Support me and get access to early chapters by joining my Patreon!
Find me at: Patr*eon*.com/Resium
Free members can read 10+ chapters ahead of webnovel
Paid member can read 150+ chapters ahead of webnovel
Stories Available
Honkai? No, This Is Daily Life
Hogwarts Pet Master
Pokémon: Who Let Him Leave Pallet Town!
Scrolling Yu-Gi-Oh! Shorts