Charlie wiped the tears on Kei's cheek with his thumb.
"No, I'm not rejecting you, Kei. It's just that I'm not as good a man as you imagine."
Kei looked at him with eyes still sparkling with tears, full of doubt.
"That's not just an excuse to reject me, is it?"
In her eyes, Charlie was a figure capable of anything—an ideal man only existing in a girl's fantasy, like a fairy-tale prince descended into the real world.
"I'm human too... Humans are imperfect." Charlie sighed, his eyes briefly gazing into the distance. "That's why they pursue perfection, because perfection allows them to feel progress, satisfaction, and triumph."
Charlie pressed his hand to Kei's head, pulling her to lean against his chest. In his mind, there was only one truly perfect figure: King Solomon.
Solomon was born perfect. Whether it was magic, miracles, or great effort, everything was easily achieved.
But what is the meaning of such a life?
Thus, Solomon never felt satisfied, never fulfilled, and didn't even know the meaning of true hubris.
Of course, Charlie would not discuss this philosophical topic with Kei right now. He mentioned his flaws so that the girl would re-evaluate the ideal image she had of him.
"Kei, this might sound strange coming from me." He looked straight at her. "The truth is, I am not a faithful man. Besides Aishia, I also have more than one love interest. Not only that, before I entered a serious relationship, I visited brothels several times."
He paused momentarily, making sure every word sank into Kei's mind.
"In other words, I am a playboy, the type of man women dislike." Charlie smiled bitterly. "See? The real me is not the righteous man you've thought I was."
However, beyond Charlie's expectations, Kei's next words shook him. The girl detached herself from his chest, looking at him with a calm gaze, free of judgment.
"Charlie-san, I don't care whether you have a harem or not. To be honest, I've long speculated about it."
She continued with surprising logic: "How could a man as brave and great as Charlie-san not be popular with women? Moreover, polygamy was not unusual in ancient times. Even in the current modern era, there are still many countries whose marriage system permits a man to marry more than one wife."
"Charlie-san comes from a fantasy world of swords and magic. Even though I only know a little about otaku culture, I know that in isekai with medieval time settings, a harem is common for people in power."
Staring straight into Charlie's blue eyes, which were more beautiful than her own, Kei took Charlie's hand and placed it on her cheek.
"I don't mind being any number—the second, third, or even the last—as long as I occupy a little space in Charlie-san's heart. I will never regret it."
"..."
In the silence of that night, Kei's confession echoed louder than any shout. Charlie realized that standing before him was no longer an innocent teenage girl, but a woman who had fully and consciously decided her path in life, and she chose to walk by his side, regardless of all his imperfections.
What else could Charlie do?
If he continued to make excuses, even heaven (the readers) itself would punish him.
Before him stood a girl who bravely declared her deepest feelings, accepted all his flaws, and was willing to accept any position in his heart.
"For the last time, are you sure, Kei?"
"Mm. I love you, Charlie-san."
Generally, Japanese people tend to prefer using the word 'like' (suki) over the word 'love' (aishiteiru) to express romantic feelings, especially in the early stages of a relationship.
The word 'like' is a more common, safe, and culturally appropriate way to express romantic interest or affection in Japan, while the word 'love' is reserved for a deeper, more serious level of love.
Having delved into ACG culture in his youth, Charlie understood the implications behind Kei's sentence. The straightforward use of the word 'love' meant that the girl had reached her emotional limit and was truly serious about her feelings.
"Charlie-san..."
Kei closed her eyes, her face tilted up in complete surrender.
Unless he was an unfeeling, dense protagonist, Charlie knew exactly what he had to do.
Gently, Charlie bent down and pressed his lips against Kei's.
The first touch was light, full of caution, as if afraid of breaking something fragile. But with unexpected courage, Kei immediately responded passionately. Her warm tongue slipped into Charlie's mouth, her small hands tightly circled his neck.
"...!!!"
Charlie was surprised by Kei's lips and tongue that so genuinely desired him—something he never imagined would come from this intelligent and independent girl. But he immediately responded to the girl's feelings and switched to a passionate caress with the tip of his tongue.
He quickly responded with full attention. The tip of his tongue gently stroked, exploring every corner of Kei's warm mouth.
They licked each other's mouths, their tongues intertwining, exchanging and swallowing saliva. It was a long, wet kiss, a first exploration full of long-suppressed lust.
The kiss was finally forced to end when Charlie felt Kei starting to run out of breath; he pulled back to give the girl a chance to breathe.
"Hah... Hah... Hah..." Kei touched her still-wet lips, her eyes glistening. "So this is what a kiss feels like..."
Her face was flushed, her body trembling from the wave of emotions she had just experienced. For the girl who had only witnessed from behind the door, experiencing the sensation herself was far more overwhelming than she had ever imagined.
Charlie rubbed Kei's heated cheek. "How was it? No regrets?"
"None at all." Kei answered quickly, a small smile blooming on her still-swollen lips. "I want... more."
"As you wish, Kei."
Under Kei's surprised gaze, Charlie removed his own clothing. The shorts he was wearing fell to the floor, shamelessly exposing his muscular and sturdy body.
"Hiss..."
Kei took a deep breath, her cheeks flushed, but her eyes couldn't look away. Although this wasn't the first time she had witnessed Charlie's body from behind the door, seeing it from this close felt entirely different. His masculine aura felt so real.
"Take off your clothes too. Or does Kei want your first experience still wearing clothes? I don't mind either option." Charlie said in a low, teasing voice.
"I don't have any strange fetish like that!" Kei retorted, her voice slightly raised in embarrassment.
Then, she took off her thin sleeveless shirt. Since she wasn't wearing a bra, her young breasts were immediately freed, bouncing slightly. Then, she pulled down her hot pants. Her slender, smooth, and beautiful white body immediately appeared before Charlie.
"Ugh... This is embarrassing..."
Kei reflexively covered her sensitive areas with both hands, trying to hide her crotch and breasts.
Charlie looked at her with admiration. "So beautiful... With Kei's natural beauty, you must have many suitors, right? Let me guess, you must have received love letters in your shoe locker."
"Mm." Kei nodded, not denying it. Her eyes remained fixed on Charlie, as if she couldn't believe this moment had finally arrived.
Charlie reached out, grabbed Kei's waist, and pulled her onto the bed. He gently laid her down on the sheets.
"Relax, Kei. Your body is too tense. This is your first time, so I'll do some warming up first."
"I leave it to you, Charlie-san."
Kei closed her eyes, fully resigned to letting Charlie do anything to her body. Just let a professional do his job.
Charlie started by kissing her forehead, then slowly moved down to her temples, cheeks, and finally her lips. This kiss was deeper and more emotional than the previous one.
"Nnngh..." Kei let out a small, soft moan.
Charlie then moved downward, his hands caressing Kei's breasts. He didn't immediately grasp them roughly but rubbed them with the back of his fingers, mapping their contours and softness through light touches. Slowly, he grasped the breasts, massaging them carefully.
Kei arched her back, the new sensation cutting off her breath. "A-ah..."
"Sssh, just relax." Charlie whispered when he felt Kei's body was still somewhat stiff.
Charlie then lowered his head, his mouth seeking the peak of Kei's breast. He sucked gently.
"Ahhh! Charlie-san!" Kei cried out stifledly. It was an intense sensation, far exceeding anything she had ever felt from her masturbation.
Charlie smiled, feeling Kei's passion beginning to form. He started leaving trails of wet kisses on Kei's flat, smooth stomach. His large hand moved down to Kei's soft inner thigh.
His fingers gently parted Kei's tightly closed thighs, making the girl jump slightly. Charlie ignored the small panic. He touched Kei's sensitive area, which was already wet from long-suppressed desire. He began stroking her with a slow, steady rhythm.
Kei could no longer restrain herself. The pain of resisting the touch vanished, replaced by a wave of heat flooding over her.
"Please... Charlie-san..." Kei pleaded, her hands trying to pull Charlie closer, no longer knowing what else to ask for.
Charlie ignored her request momentarily, focusing on Kei's sensitive spot with his tongue. The damp, hot sensation made Kei's body tense up.
"Ahhh! AHHHHH!!"
Kei screamed, her body shaking violently. It was her first orgasm caused by another person—stronger, more intoxicating, and more complete than her masturbation. Tears stained her temples, not from sadness, but from the overwhelming release.
After Kei calmed down, Charlie raised his head, smiling with satisfaction. "Are you relaxed now, Kei?"
Kei could only nod, her breath ragged, her eyes glistening as she looked at Charlie. She was no longer afraid, only filled with a burning desire.
"Now, let's continue."
Charlie positioned himself, and then, with a steady thrust, he penetrated Kei.
A sharp, unexpected pain struck Kei, much more intense than the pain she had imagined from watching Aishia.
"Ah~"
A stifled scream escaped Kei's lips, and her body tensed, clutching Charlie's shoulders tightly. The hymen she had kept intact for 18 years finally broke.
Red blood, the symbol of the girl's first night, immediately stained the white sheets beneath them.
Charlie paused for a moment, kissing Kei's forehead. "Hold on for a moment, Kei. It will be over soon."
It wasn't long before the pain was replaced by a wave of unmatched pleasure that flooded Kei's senses. She groaned, hugging him tightly, urging the man to move.
Charlie understood the signal. He began his rhythm. The bed creaked every time his hips moved, and the thrusts caused Kei's breasts to shake violently, moving back and forth as if dancing.
For a moment, the only sound echoing in the bedroom was the heavy, rhythmic sound of their breathing. Kei, now completely immersed in the sensation, could only comply with Charlie's every thrust.
As their first climax approached, Kei suddenly hugged Charlie tighter.
"Charlie-san, please! Ejaculate inside! Today is my safe day!"
It was a lie.
In fact, through menstrual cycle calculations, Kei knew very well that it was her fertile day; she wanted Charlie to impregnate her.
Charlie, unaware of the truth, believed Kei's words calling it a "safe day." and sighed in relief.
He obliged Kei. With a deep moan, he expelled hundreds of millions of tadpoles swimming to compete to occupy a pool that could only hold one of them.
Trembling from the overwhelming pleasure, Kei felt the heat flowing from her cervix, her whole body beginning to twitch with orgasm. Gently touching her own stomach, she smiled, imagining her belly growing larger.
Of course, Charlie was not satisfied with just one round. After their breath subsided for a moment, he looked back at Kei with unquenched desire.
And so, he started the next round.
The sound of their bodies rubbing against each other became increasingly intense, their breaths heavier, and their bodies hotter.
As they hugged and swayed their hips, kissing so hotly that it seemed to burn sugar, their eyes were filled with love as they gazed at each other. Sweating from their intense movements, they licked each other's lips and tongues as they reached their second climax.
"..."
They only stopped after an intense hour. Charlie lay beside Kei, exhausted but satisfied.
After all, Kei was not Aishia, who was a Spirit and could handle the physical strength of a Level 6 adventurer. Kei was human, and Charlie had to make sure the girl was not injured.
In the remaining silence, Kei smiled, satisfied and happy. She was finally no longer an observer, but a participant. She had earned her place, and perhaps, the seed of new hope.