The remaining days in the Grimgar world slipped by faster than Drake expected.
He spent them exactly the same way he had spent the first: hunting, grinding, training, pushing every skill he had as far as it would go. Sometimes he hung out with Haruhiro's party after fights, but he always hunted alone. Joining a full-time party was impossible for him—he would vanish back into another world at random intervals. He couldn't risk dragging a whole group into his chaos.
And now, the final night had arrived.
The sky above the Grimgar continent was vast and dark, studded with glittering stars. Drake lay back on the grass, resting his katana on his chest.
"Status Window."
The familiar holographic screen appeared.
[Status Window]
[Name: Drake Curtis]
[Age: 16]
[Gender: Male]
[Race: Human]
[Class: Thief (Ordinary)]
[Stats:
Strength: 26 (F)
Agility: 29 (F)
Vitality: 25 (F)
Intelligence: 6 (F)
Charm: 40 (F)
Luck: 20 (F)]
[Active Skills: Pick Lock (Lv. 62), Slap (Lv. 32), Backstab (Lv. 26), Swat (Lv. 25), Stealth Walk (Lv. 17), Shatter (Lv. 11), Widow Maker (Lv. 7)]
[Passive Skills: Sword Mastery (Lv. 69), Heightened Senses (Lv. 35)]
[Trait:Swordsman (Common)]
Compared to twenty days ago, he was completely different. His raw stats hadn't skyrocketed—but his skill levels had. That alone made him at least forty to fifty percent stronger. Enough to genuinely shock Urokodaki when he would return. The Corps' entrance exam would be a piece of cake.
He exhaled slowly, letting the cool night air fill his lungs.
"System… take me ho—"
A soft rustle interrupted him.
Someone sat down beside him.
Drake turned—and froze slightly when he saw Shihoru. She was red from cheeks to neck, unable to look him in the eyes. Her robe tonight was a little looser, showing off her smooth neckline and the gentle curves she tried (and failed) to hide.
"S-Shihoru?" Drake asked.
She nodded faintly.
"D-Drake… um… d-do you like stars? You always look at them at night…"
Her voice was a trembling whisper.
Drake let out a breathy chuckle—soft, warm.
For once, he wasn't being perverted. Even with her being unintentionally revealing, he didn't pounce. That alone was surprising.
"You know…" he said slowly, eyes drifting back to the sky, "before my mother died, we used to watch the stars together."
Shihoru stiffened.
"A-ah… I… I'm sorry…"
"It's fine." Drake smiled a little. Then pointed upward. "See that bright one? My mom used to call it the Star of Cupid. Said it represents love. She told me she met my dad underneath it."
Shihoru followed his finger, then turned redder than a boiling kettle.
"L-Love…?"
Drake looked at her—really looked at her.
She panicked under his gaze, her brain short-circuiting.
Then he spoke gently:
"Shihoru… these past days, I've grown fond of you. I know I'm a pervert. I love your body—hell, I won't lie about that. But I also love you as a person. You're kind, shy, thoughtful… cute."
Her heart skipped.
Her breath hitched.
And in the faintest voice—
"I… l-like... y-you t-too, D-Drake…"
He reached out, cupping her cheek. Her eyes widened as he leaned in—
Their lips met.
Soft. Warm. Surprisingly sweet.
When he pulled back, he whispered:
"That was my first kiss."
Shihoru blushed even harder.
"M-mine too… I… I think…"
Before she could hide her face, the system chimed.
[Ding!]
[Hidden Quest Completed! — Have your first kiss!]
[Reward Obtained: Trait — Sweet Lips (Rare)!]
[Sweet Lips (Rare)]
[Your lips are as sweet as a candy. Once someone tastes them, they'll crave more.]
Drake smirked internally.
'I love you, System.'
Then—because he is Drake—
He opened his mouth and destroyed the atmosphere.
"So… can I touch your boobs now?"
SLAP!!
The hit echoed like a gunshot.
Drake held his cheek, blinking.
Shihoru puffed her cheeks, half-angry, half-flustered.
"Y-you're such a pervert!"
He leaned in again slowly.
Shihoru slapped again—but this time he caught her wrist gently.
"I'm not gonna do anything inappropriate," Drake murmured, his lips ghosting hers. "Not yet."
Her breath trembled.
He kissed her again.
This time, Shihoru melted completely. She wrapped her arms around his neck, legs around his waist. Drake's hands settled on her hips, pulling her closer. Her body trembled against his.
When he finally pulled away, Shihoru tugged him back by biting his lip.
"W-where are you going…? Come back…"
"Oh?" Drake grinned. "Look at you Shihoru. Where did you shyness end?"
She buried her face in his chest in embarrassment.
"N-no… it's just… your lips… taste like candy…"
Drake chuckled softly.
"Yours aren't bad either."
Shihoru squeaked and hid her face again.
...
Morning light spilled over Ortana, warm and soft.
Drake stood outside Haruhiro's inn, exhaling slowly. He had delayed returning to the Demon Slayer world just for Shihoru. He couldn't disappear on her after last night. Not without saying something.
Because when he confessed… he meant it.
The girl was simply too cute.
Way too cute.
Dangerously cute.
He knocked on the door.
Footsteps shuffled inside.
The door swung open to reveal Haruhiro, fully geared up and blinking sleepily.
"Oh—Drake. You finally decided to come hunting with us?"
Shihoru peeked from behind him… and instantly turned the color of a ripe tomato the second she saw Drake. Her hands flew up to her cheeks as the memory of last night hit her like a truck.
Yume, behind them, tilted her head.
Drake rubbed the back of his neck.
"Ah… no. I'm not here to hunt with you guys."
Shihoru froze.
Drake continued:
"I came to say goodbye."
The entire group blinked in confusion.
Shihoru's embarrassment evaporated instantly.
Her eyes widened.
"Goodbye?" Manato stepped forward. "Drake, where are you going?"
"Just a little trip back to my old village." Drake answered casually.
Before anyone else could react—
Shihoru suddenly rushed forward and threw her arms around him.
"Wha—?!" Yume yelped, nearly dropping her bow.
Ranta choked on his own spit.
Moguzo just stared, wide-eyed.
The whole party was stunned into silence.
Shihoru buried her face into Drake's chest, trembling.
"C-Can I… come with you…?"
Drake blinked. The others blinked. Shihoru's voice was so soft it barely existed.
He gently removed her mage hat, and placed a hand on her head.
"I'm sorry, Shihoru… it's dangerous where I'm going. My old village was destroyed by monsters. A lot of them are still roaming around."
Her grip tightened desperately.
Drake reached under her chin and lifted her face a little.
"Don't worry, Shihoru."
He leaned in—
—and kissed her.
Full on the lips.
The entire group exploded.
"WHAAAAT?!"
"SHIHORU?!"
"DRAKE?!"
"MY EYES!" Ranta screamed dramatically.
Even Moguzo whispered, "…Sugoi."
Yume lunged forward and shoved Drake hard.
"PERVERT! GET OFF HER!"
Drake stumbled back, laughing.
Shihoru was frozen, hands to her lips, face glowing like a lantern.
"I'll be back soon, Shihoru," Drake said with a smile. He flipped her mage hat and sent it flying into the air—
—and it landed perfectly onto her head.
The party stared.
He turned and walked away without looking back.
"Drake…" Shihoru whispered softly.
Then she noticed the entire group staring right at her with open mouths.
She squeaked loudly.
"D-D-DON'T ASK ME ANYTHING!"
And she bolted down the hall to the room she shared with Yume, slamming the door behind her.
To be continued...
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How was this chapter? Liked it?
Did this little romance seem a bit forced? You know, I didn't want to make it any longer, I don't want this to be that much of a romance novel.