Volume 8 Side
Story 5
The
Ever-Changing Iris-chan Part 3
As he gazed at Shina, smiling in the moonlight, she peered into Nozomu's face and spoke.
"Are you okay?
Did you recover from your fatigue a little?"
"...A-Ah, yeah.
More importantly, what about the shop?"
"It's pretty
busy. I'm on break right now. The other two are still downstairs dealing with
customers, so you can relax."
Looking around, Mars
was gone before he knew it. From downstairs, a bustle louder than the usual
Ox-Head Pavilion echoed. Likely, many first-time customers had rushed over upon
hearing that Irisdina, Lisa, and Shina were serving.
"I wonder if Victor-san
is going berserk..."
Nozomu's concern was
the great noble for whom his daughter was his life. If any customer looked at
Irisdina with lewd eyes, he might cut them down on the spot. Even if not, it
was obvious he would cause a ruckus.
"It's fine.
Irisdina-san and the others are keeping him in check. Besides, even if he makes
noise, the customers won't mind that much in a tavern at night."
Apparently, the
Francilt family was still at the Ox-Head Pavilion. The image of Irisdina being
teased floated in Nozomu's mind, and he couldn't help but smile wryly.
"Fufu..."
Prompted by Nozomu's
reaction, Shina also let out a quiet chuckle. That was when Nozomu realized. They
were alone together in a room faintly lit by moonlight. Thump—his heart beat loudly. Whether she was aware of his agitation
or not, Shina brought her face even closer. Close enough that he could even
feel her quiet breathing.
"Wai..."
"Your complexion
looks a little better."
Nozomu had ended up
bedridden after being strangled by an out-of-control Irisdina, but the damage
had, for the most part, healed. However, his mind was not calm. The beauty of
the elf girl smiling before him was comparable to Irisdina. Such a rare beauty
was staring at him, her eyes full of relief and affection. It was impossible
not to be conscious of it.
"I-I'm fine now,
so could you back away?"
"Ah, sorry. Did I
make you expect something?"
"Wh-What do you
mean..."
"Like this.
Nn..."
With a meaningful
smile at Nozomu's question, Shina smoothly reached out with both hands and
hugged his head. A soft, cool scent wafted up. A smell reminiscent of a calm
forest stimulated his nostrils. Then, a soft sensation spread across his face.
Unlike Irisdina, modest but distinct swells were pressed against him.
"Wha!?"
Although stunned for a
moment, Nozomu hurriedly grabbed Shina's arms and escaped her embrace. While he
broke out in a cold sweat, the culprit, Shina, was smiling happily, her
beautiful white face dyed crimson.
"Sorry, I just
couldn't hold back."
"Couldn't hold
back..."
"Because the
person I love is so close, and so conscious of me, you know? Honestly, I wanted
to hug you tighter and kiss you."
"O-oi..."
"But if I kissed
you, it would be bad for Irisdina-san, and you would feel guilty too, right? I
don't want to do that."
While Nozomu was
confused by the direct affection directed at him, Shina pulled back smoothly,
stood up, and moved to a nearby table.
"You haven't
eaten dinner, so you must be hungry. I brought food too."
A tray was placed on
the table, with steaming plates and bowls on it. Ignoring the still bewildered
Nozomu, she brought the tray over. The contents were a simple stir-fry, soup,
and bread. At the scent tickling his nostrils, Nozomu's stomach growled.
Perhaps because so much had happened since morning and he hadn't had time to
eat, he seemed quite hungry. Despite what had just happened, Nozomu looked down
in embarrassment at his body honestly expressing its hunger.
"You're still
feeling unwell, aren't you? Let me feed you..."
"N-No, I can eat
by myself!"
"What a pity. It
was such a good opportunity, too... fufu."
Shina chuckled at his
state. She placed the tray on the lap of Nozomu, who was embarrassed by the
affection directed at him, and sat on the chair beside the bed again. While
bewildered by Shina staring at him with expectant eyes, Nozomu brought the food
to his mouth. First, the soup. Sipping the broth with finely chopped vegetables
floating in it, the light saltiness and vegetable umami combined exquisitely, dancing on his tongue.
"Delicious...
But, huh? The seasoning is different?"
While leaking a sigh
of admiration at the delicate taste of the soup, a question leaked from
Nozomu's mouth at the seasoning different from the usual Ox-Head Pavilion
dishes. Perhaps because it was a tavern, Ox-Head Pavilion generally had many
strongly seasoned menu items. However, the taste of the dish in front of him
was light, and it clearly didn't seem to be made by Dell, Ena, or Hannah.
"Yes, I tried
seasoning it like my hometown. The ingredients are different, but I think it
turned out pretty well."
"Eh? You made
this, Shina-san?"
"That's right.
I'm glad you like it..."
Surprisingly, this
dish was made by Shina. Perhaps she was very happy with Nozomu's reaction; she
put her hands together and wore a beaming smile. Escaping from her gaze of
delight, Nozomu brought the stir-fry to his mouth. Thinly sliced meat and root
vegetables, stir-fried together with roughly chopped leafy vegetables. When
chewed, a rich aroma spread throughout his mouth along with a crunchy texture.
She probably used some kind of fruit oil. There was no meat or gamey smell at
all, and perhaps because it contained a considerable variety of vegetables, it
had a rather refreshing texture. Honestly, this was also an incredibly
delicious dish. Given such a delicious meal, the hungry Nozomu naturally found
his appetite growing. Before he knew it, Nozomu had finished the served dishes
in less than ten minutes. And Shina continued to watch him show such a hearty
appetite with a smile.
"Thanks for the
meal. It was delicious."
"You're welcome.
Fufu, this is nice. Like this..."
"S-Something
wrong?"
"Like a family.
You know, I lost my family ten years ago, right? I haven't cooked for anyone
other than Mimuru, so I'm happy..."
"Ah,
right..."
Shina lost her family
during the Great Invasion. Driven from her hometown, even in life in the hidden
village, she felt out of place because she had lost her ability to communicate
with spirits. That was why she was unbearably happy to be with people who
understood her.
"But the reason
I'm this happy is probably because I was able to make it for you."
Nevertheless, Nozomu
couldn't help but feel bewildered by her manner of conveying feelings beyond
mere affection without trying to hide them. The beautiful, unpretentious smile
was directed right at him. Unable to hide his embarrassment, Nozomu
inadvertently voiced his true feelings.
"Uh... um, isn't
that too straightforward?"
"I can feel your
heart, but you can't feel mine. Then, it's unfair if I don't convey my feelings
properly, right? Besides, this makes you more conscious of me. Even now, like
this..."
Shina leaned in again,
placing her hand on Nozomu's cheek. Her touching hand seemed slightly hot.
Nozomu's heart beat loudly again.
"N-No, I'm happy
about your feelings, but I..."
"I know, the one
deepest in your heart is Irisdina-san. But continuing to think of you is my
will alone. I told you before, right? Besides, we even kissed."
"Th-That was from
you..."
"But you didn't
dislike it. Fufu, I'm happy about your feelings. I'm also happy to be with you
like this, you know...?"
Shina brought her face
close to Nozomu again. Her eyes filled with pure and deep love. And her white,
well-featured face and moist lips slowly approached. Nozomu instinctively
leaned back out of embarrassment, but the elf girl seemed happy even with that
reaction. Any more is bad. The moment Nozomu thought so, Shina suddenly pulled
away from him. Then, the door to the room was thrown open with a BANG!
"NOZOMU-----!"
"I-Iris... wait,
what's with that outfit!?"
The one who opened the
door was Irisdina, who was supposed to be serving in the tavern downstairs. But
for some reason, she was dressed in an outrageous outfit. A two-tone apron
dress based on white and black. She wore a frilled headband, and white, glossy
bare legs extended from her above-the-knee skirt. Although her chest was firmly
hidden by black fabric, it fit tightly, revealing the shape of her ample and beautiful
twin peaks. A maid outfit. And a very revealing one at that. At his lover's
stimulating appearance, Nozomu instinctively covered his nose and looked away.
"Ugh..."
"Oh my,
Irisdina-san, on break already? Or rather, why are you wearing those clothes?"
"Th-This was
forced on me by Mena... And when I left it in the back, Lisa-kun tried to take
it without permission... N-No, never mind that, Shina-kun, what were you trying
to do to Nozomu!?"
Irisdina, her face
flushed bright red, furiously pointed her finger at Shina. Shina, on the other
hand, tilted her head cutely. Because of her ethereal appearance, she looked
strangely adorable.
"What do you
mean...? I was just conveying my feelings, the same way I did before, you
know?"
"Be-Before!?
Wh-What does that mean!?"
At Shina's meaningful
words, Irisdina flared up.
"Don't
misunderstand. I conveyed my feelings to him before he became lovers with you.
And even then, he turned me down firmly."
"I-Is that so,
that's goo... n-no. Then why are you making moves on my Nozomu again!?"
Shina calmly told
Irisdina that she had been rejected by Nozomu. Irisdina seemed to calm down for
a moment at those words, but immediately after, she remembered Shina leaning
close to Nozomu. Leaning over the bed and reaching for his cheek wasn't normal
behavior. It was clearly the behavior of someone making a move.
"Why, you ask?
Because I still love him."
"L-I-S-T-E-N! I'm
telling you he is my lover!"
"I know without
you saying it so many times. He loves you, and you love him. But, it doesn't
matter if I continue to love him, does it?"
"H-He already has
a partner, you know!?"
"Yes. But who one
loves is for that person to decide."
To Irisdina's
interrogation, Shina replied in an unchanging tone. At her open and
unhesitating words, Irisdina was momentarily speechless.
"No, that's true
but... B-But, isn't there no need to continue an unrequited love forever?"
"It's not 'like'
(koi). I told you. I love (ai) him."
Shina, who had been
sitting in the chair, stood up smoothly. Bringing her hands together at her
chest, she smiled at Nozomu.
"Elf love is
different from humans. It lasts forever and ever. Even beyond eternity, we
continue to love."
A gaze translucent yet
carrying overflowing feelings. The smile she wore, with her pale cheeks flushed
crimson, combined with the moonlight streaming in from the window, was so
mystical that it left both Nozomu and Irisdina speechless.
"As long as this
connection exists... no, even if it disappears, I will surely continue to love
him. Fufu, saying it out loud like this is really embarrassing, but it makes me
feel so happy."
Shina, who had been
speaking of her feelings for Nozomu quietly but with heated emotion, returned
her gaze smoothly to Irisdina.
"Also, don't
misunderstand. I don't have the slightest intention of tearing you and
Nozomu-kun apart. I simply continue to think of him of my own will."
And while Irisdina was
speechless, she headed toward the door of the room.
"Since
Irisdina-san seems to be on break, I'll return downstairs first. Well then,
Nozomu-kun, see you later."
And with a light wave
to Nozomu, she left the room.
"U, uuuu!
Muuuuuuu...!"
"Bufu!?"
While Nozomu, left
behind, was dumbfounded, Irisdina, returning to her senses, exploded with
jealousy. Diving at Nozomu on the bed, she wrapped her arms around his neck and
went around behind him. And fueled by her own jealousy, she started squeezing
him with all her might.
"What is wrong
with her! She knows Nozomu is mine, right! No, not property, but still, too
close! And saying she doesn't intend to tear us apart while asserting herself so
strongly! Liar! Liar elf!! Saying she's pure but being totally impure! And you
too, Nozomu, I didn't hear you were already confessed to!"
"Well,
sorry..."
"Uuuu,
uuuuuuuuuuu~~~~!"
He was at a loss with
Irisdina glaring at him with teary eyes from point-blank range next to his
neck. It was true that Shina had conveyed her feelings. And she had declared
that she would continue to think of him even if Nozomu liked someone else.
Nozomu couldn't deny her feelings, nor did he have the right to.
(Come to think of it,
I hadn't told Irisdina about being confessed to.)
In a sense, it could
be said that this situation was brought about by Nozomu's lack of
communication. While feeling happy about her feelings—as she hugged him tightly
from behind, fearing he might be taken by another woman—he simultaneously felt
apologetic. He smoothly twisted his body on the bed and wrapped his arms around
Irisdina's back.
"Hup."
"Ah."
And picking up the
surprised girl in his arms, he guided her directly onto his lap. A so-called
princess carry. He peered up close into the face of the black-haired girl, who
was clad in a rather daring maid outfit. Irisdina's cheeks instantly flushed
crimson, and she shrunk her body. He couldn't help but smile at the cuteness of
the girl, who had instantly switched from "guard dog mode" to
"puppy mode."
"Iris, it's true
I was told of her feelings. But the one I confessed to myself was you. You were
also the one I wanted to kiss at that time."
"...Then, kiss me
no... Nn!?"
Before she could
finish, Nozomu sealed her lips. Quietly, as if conveying his feelings. Two
shadows overlapping for a while. Ten seconds, twenty seconds. And slowly, their
lips separated.
"Do you
understand now?"
"...Yeah."
Perhaps the flush in
her cheeks had increased, she was bright red like a boiled octopus.
"Sorry I didn't
tell you about her."
"No, I kind of
understood too. I figured she had probably already conveyed her feelings to
Nozomu."
"But I..."
"Even so, you
chose me. Yeah. I knew from the beginning too."
Irisdina was
perceptive to begin with. She had vaguely sensed that Sheena had confessed to
Nozomu simply from the atmosphere. However, because it was the first time she had
been shown Sheena's feelings for Nozomu so directly, she simply ended up
flustered. Conversely, it meant Shina's words and actions were powerful enough
to shake her this much even though she was somewhat prepared. Irisdina let out
a big breath, haa..., as if expelling
the sediment deep in her chest, and smiled with a refreshed expression. Nozomu
smiled back at her state.
"How should I put
it, I have to be firm too."
"...Eh?"
"I have to keep
conveying my feelings to you properly. Because I can't feel your feelings
directly like Shina can."
"Eh, um..."
Irisdina leaked a
voice of agitation. Nozomu hugged such a her tightly again. And bringing his
face close, he peered into her purple eyes. Her eyes wavered with rising
happiness and embarrassment.
"Those clothes
suit you. Though they're a bit too stimulating for me."
He was stirring the
feelings of his beloved. Prompted by such happiness, Nozomu spoke words that he
would absolutely never say under normal circumstances.
"H-How,
stimulating?"
"Well, in various
ways..."
In fact, Irisdina's
current outfit was a little too stimulating for Nozomu. Especially the
emphasized chest was lethal, and holding her like this and looking down from
above, the abundance of her twin peaks was clear. Her legs extending from the
skirt were white and slender, hardly looking like the swordswoman who had waged
war against that Vitora.
"I-If you want to
touch... y-you can? If you like... shall I become your maid right now?"
"Pfft!?"
Urged by the sweet
atmosphere filling the room, she also began to take actions different from
usual. With one hand, she undid the buttons closing the front of her chest. The
clothes hiding her chest opened, revealing a rich, pure white cleavage. As
Nozomu sputtered at his lover's unexpected action, Irisdina gave a sly smile
and seductively moistened her lips with her tongue.
"Eh, eh?"
"Nn..."
And, as if returning
the earlier favor, she pressed her lips against Nozomu's.
"Would you prefer
to be called Master? Or... Husband?"
His lover looked up at
him, her beautiful face illuminated by the moonlight streaming from the window.
Her purple gaze was seductive, yet somehow pleading. And struck by the sweet, fragrant
air, something snapped inside Nozomu's head. Lips drew closer, without either
one making the first move. For the third time, the two shadows became one. At
that moment...
"Kyaa!?"
"Whoa!?"
"Oh my,
my..."
The room door burst
open with a loud Slam! and three
figures came tumbling out, collapsing onto the floor. The gazes of Nozomu and Irisdina
met the three figures who were piled up with a heavy thud.
"Somia-chan,
Ena-chan, Mena-san. What on earth were you..."
"W-well, uhm...
We were just a little worried about Ani-sama's condition... And then, how
should I put it, we lost the chance to leave..."
"I was just...
p-patrolling to see if anyone was doing lewd things in the shop's inn..."
"I did it out of
pure interest and to record Ojousama's growth. So please, don't mind us and
continue..."
(L-Like I caaaaaaan!)
Everything had been
seen. Realizing that, Nozomu turned bright red and let out a voiceless scream.
Meanwhile, Irisdina...
"Somia... Mena..."
Before he knew it, she
had left Nozomu's lap and was standing imposingly before the three with a face
like a Hannya demon. Magic power
overflowing from her whole body was flickeringly shaking her black hair. Especially
the gaze directed at Somia and Mena was tremendous. She was scattering anger
from her whole body that would make even a dragon run away barefoot.
"I'll leave
Ena-san to her parents... but the other two need punishment. Especially
Somia."
"E-Ehh, um,
Ane-sama, are you angry? You're angry, right!? B-But for me too, as the next
head of the Francilt family, I thought I should learn about romance for future
reference... so Ane-sama."
Somia directed a gaze
seeking help at Nozomu, but this time, he didn't seem able to protect her.
Irisdina had been teased considerably since becoming a toddler, and seemed to
have accumulated stress especially toward her family. When Nozomu shook his
head quietly, his future sister-in-law wore an expression of despair.
"I-I'm
sorrryyyyyyyy!"
And Somia's scream of
apology echoed through the Ox-Head Pavilion.
***
"Nuooooooo! Let
me goooooo! Danger is approaching my daughteeeeeeer!"
By the way, the father
who seemed most likely to interfere first in this kind of situation had been
tied up by the hands of his younger daughter and attendant and hung in front of
the tavern. As an aside, due to the participation of this gentleman, who was a
center of attention despite being laughed at by customers coming and going, and
the beautiful waitresses, the Ox-Head Pavilion recorded its highest daily sales
ever.
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