The Night Aeron Enters the Entertainment District
Orario's entertainment district was a shimmering slice of nighttime paradise—lanterns glowing gold, music drifting across the air, silks fluttering between balconies, and perfume hanging thick in the warm breeze.
Aeron walked calmly down the central street, eyes half-lidded, expression serene. Even here—where every gaze was hungry, calculating, or lonely—his presence turned heads.
Renards froze mid-dance.
Amazonesses whispered to one another.
Human courtesans exchanged looks of disbelief.
None dared approach.
It wasn't intimidation.
It was awe.
Aeron stopped in front of a familiar crimson doorway, guarded by two Amazonesses wearing black-and-gold collars.
They looked him up and down.
"You're… not from around here," one said.
Aeron smiled softly. "I'm here to see a yellow-haired fox girl."
The other guard blinked. "You mean Haruhime?"
Haruhime.
Yes.
A golden Renard with sad eyes and a gentle heart.
Aeron nodded.
The guards exchanged a look before one muttered, "Lucky fox…"
They stepped aside.
Aeron entered.
---
Haruhime Appears
Inside the softly lit parlor, the scent of incense and cherry blossoms filled the air.
Haruhime appeared at the far end of the room, carrying a tray of tea. Her golden hair glowed like sunlight in the darkness. Her fox ears twitched nervously as she walked, unaware he was waiting.
When she finally saw him—
She froze.
Her tray shook in her hands.
Tea rippled.
Her voice came out soft and trembling.
"…You are… not a regular."
"No," Aeron said, stepping closer. "I am Aeron."
She bowed automatically, head lowered in submission she couldn't control. "I am Haruhime."
Her voice was gentle.
Timid.
Beautiful.
"Please… forgive me if I disappoint you. I am—"
"You could never disappoint me."
Those words struck her like an arrow.
Her breath caught.
Her golden eyes slowly lifted to meet his.
Aeron held her gaze with warm patience.
Haruhime swallowed.
"…You are kind."
"I'm honest," he corrected gently.
She looked away, flustered.
---
They Talk — Deeply and Slowly
Aeron invited her to sit at a low table with soft cushions. Haruhime sat with perfect formal posture, tail coiled tightly around her legs.
He poured the tea she brought.
"You made this?" Aeron asked.
She nodded shyly. "Yes… but it is a simple blend."
"It's good," he said, sipping.
Haruhime's ears perked slightly—just a tiny flick of pride.
They spoke for a long time.
Hours.
About her old life.
About books and poetry.
About loneliness.
About how she felt invisible most days.
"You see people," Aeron said softly. "Truly see them."
Haruhime's hands trembled. "…I don't think anyone has ever said that to me."
Aeron leaned slightly closer.
Her breath hitched.
"You deserve to be seen."
Haruhime's face went warm—too warm.
She looked away, gripping her robes.
"I don't understand… why you're being so gentle."
"Because you deserve gentleness."
Her heart nearly broke.
---
The Romantic Misunderstanding (PG-13)
Eventually, Aeron stood up.
"Haruhime," he said softly, "may I ask something personal?"
She nodded shyly. "Y-Yes…"
"I want you to remove your outer robes."
Her cheeks flared scarlet.
"W-What…?"
"Only the outer layer. You'd still be fully covered."
Haruhime swallowed.
"Y-Yes… if that is your request…"
Hands trembling, she slipped off her outer kimono—revealing a more delicate inner layer, modest but soft, fitting her form gently.
Aeron stepped close.
Her tail puffed in panic.
"A-Aeron…?"
Instead of touching her, instead of anything inappropriate—
Aeron placed one hand gently on her shoulder.
She froze completely.
"Haruhime," he whispered, "has anyone ever held you without wanting anything?"
Her breath shook.
"…No."
He brushed a soft kiss to her forehead.
Haruhime's knees nearly gave out.
He leaned down again, kissing her cheek.
Gentle.
Warm.
Slow.
Not possessive.
Not forceful.
Not sexual.
Just tenderness she had never known.
Haruhime's legs went weak.
Her vision blurred.
And—
She fainted.
Straight into his arms.
Aeron caught her immediately, holding her carefully.
"…Haruhime," he murmured with a fond sigh. "You're adorable."
He dressed her back into her outer kimono, careful and respectful.
Then he lay down on the soft bed, pulled the unconscious Renard gently into his arms—
And fell asleep holding her.
Warm.
Safe.
Protected.
---
Morning — Haruhime Panics
She woke first.
Her eyes fluttered open.
She saw his chest.
She realized she was in his arms.
Her tail puffed like a firework.
"I— We— Did we…?" she whispered, face completely red.
Aeron opened one eye.
"Good morning."
She squeaked. "D-Did we… d-do anything… inappropriate…?"
Aeron stretched lazily.
"No comment."
Her soul left her body.
"I— I— I— I—"
Aeron smiled gently.
"I'm teasing, Haruhime."
Her entire body melted into relief.
"S-Sir, that is cruel…"
"But you're cute when flustered."
She hid her face in her hands.
---
Breaking the Collar
Aeron's expression softened when he looked at the black choker around her neck.
"Haruhime," he said quietly, "do you want freedom?"
She froze.
Her eyes filled with tears instantly.
"I… I do… more than anything…"
He touched the collar.
It shattered like glass—without hurting her.
Haruhime gasped, touching her bare neck with trembling hands.
"I'm… free?"
"Not yet," Aeron said. "But you will be."
---
Visiting Ishtar — The Negotiation
Aeron walked into Ishtar's palace with Haruhime behind him. She walked close, tail tucked nervously, hands gripping her sleeves.
Ishtar descended the stairs with a sultry smile.
"Well, well," she purred. "You brought me quite the treat today."
Aeron stepped forward calmly.
"I'm here to buy her freedom."
Ishtar's eyes glittered. "Oh? And how much are you willing to pay?"
Aeron smiled.
"Pick any number."
Ishtar blinked.
Then smirked.
"Two billion valis."
Haruhime's heart stopped.
She paled.
She nearly fell to her knees.
"N-No—Aeron, that's insane—no one would pay—no one should—"
"I'll pay it," Aeron said, handing a spatial bag to Ishtar. "Immediately."
Ishtar's confident smirk faltered in shock.
"A-And why," she tested, narrowing her eyes, "would you spend more than the price of a noble estate… on a single prostitute?"
Aeron looked at Haruhime.
With warmth.
And certainty.
"She's worth every valis."
Haruhime covered her mouth as tears streamed down her face.
Ishtar swallowed.
"…Her contract is yours."
Aeron placed a gentle hand on Haruhime's back.
"Let's go home."
Haruhime cried into his chest all the way out.
---
Rumors Explode Across Orario
That afternoon, everywhere in Orario:
"Aeron bought a fox girl for TWO BILLION VALIS!"
"He paid HOW MUCH?"
"Is she secretly royalty?!"
"He just freed her on the spot!"
"He's insane!"
"He's romantic!"
"He's dangerous!"
"He's got pockets deeper than gods!"
"He paid more for her freedom than nobles pay for mansions!"
Aeron found it all amusing.
Haruhime nearly fainted every time someone whispered.
---
Haruhime Joins the Emporium
Aeron offered her a white dress with gold highlights—the official uniform.
"If you want to repay me," he said softly, "then work here. No pressure."
Haruhime pressed the dress to her chest, tears forming again.
"I… I would be honored… to stay by your side."
Aeron smiled warmly.
---
The Park Again — And Hephaestus Appears
That evening, Aeron walked to his park.
Families ate lunch on marble benches.
Children played by the lily pools.
Couples took romantic walks under golden lamplight.
Aeron stared at the sign he'd written, laughing to himself.
"It really was petty," he murmured.
"Oh, extremely."
Aeron turned.
Hephaestus was standing behind him—arms crossed, expression unreadable, red hair catching the sunset light.
She stepped beside him.
"You know," she sighed, "my Familia hasn't stopped complaining all day."
Aeron smiled. "I'm glad it's getting attention."
Hephaestus stared at him quietly before saying:
"You're dangerous."
Aeron tilted his head. "How so?"
"You change everything you touch."
Aeron answered with a soft smile.
"Is that a complaint?"
Hephaestus looked away.
"…No."
She actually blushed.