Chapter 48. Airsick
Footfalls suddenly rang out along the forest path leading to the beach, breaking the quiet that had settled there.
After crossing ocean and mountains, Kiana Kaslana finally arrived at the private beach she had been longing for.
Because the place was rather secluded, the taxi could only drop them at the nearest junction, and they had to walk the rest of the stone-paved path themselves.
But the lively group's mood was a bit subdued, all because of the person up front being half-carried along.
"Brother, hang in there a little longer. We're almost there."
Seele Vollerei supported Xander by the arm, with Bronya Zaychik helping on the other side, while Kiana Kaslana, Sirin, and Raiden Mei followed behind, all looking worried.
"Don't worry. I'm already much better."
He said that, but the spinning in his head and the stabbing in his eardrums still twisted his face with pain from time to time.
To think that his sterling reputation would be undone by an airplane.
Only after boarding did he realize he gets airsick.
The long international flight made it torture.
He couldn't sleep, couldn't vomit, and when he finally disembarked his muddled brain could barely keep him standing.
Only now was he starting to feel a bit more comfortable.
By rights, with how fit he was, he shouldn't be airsick at all.
And yet, he'd fallen victim to it.
The human body is mysterious, isn't it?
Seele and the others were badly startled by his condition.
The moment they left the airport they jumped into a taxi for their destination, just to get Xander lying down as soon as possible.
"Really? Brother, you're not allowed to lie to Seele."
"Of course not. It's airsickness, not an illness."
"That's good."
Seele felt reassured and gave a small nod.
The stone path wasn't long.
Soon they saw the iron fence ahead and the locked gate.
As Bronya Zaychik turned the key, the scene beyond opened up at once, just like in The Peach Blossom Spring.
The dense forest formed a natural barrier that enclosed the area in a huge semicircle.
The man-made beach was covered in soft fine sand that sparkled in the sunlight.
The blue sea, lit by the sun, shimmered with ripples, its horizon seemingly touching the sky.
Unfortunately, Xander had no mood to admire the view for now.
A fully equipped villa stood at the far end, away from the sea, and the group hurried inside.
Cocolia had already arranged for the villa to be thoroughly cleaned, and the tidy guest rooms were ready to move into.
They carefully helped Xander lie down on the bed, and only then did everyone breathe a sigh of relief.
The soft mattress did make him feel much better, and drowsiness even began to rise in his mind.
He looked at them and did his best to smile.
"Go have fun first. I'm feeling a lot better. After a nap I'll probably be fine."
"Really? Xander, don't try to tough it out."
Kiana Kaslana leaned in and tapped his shoulder.
When he'd gotten off the plane, his bloodless face had scared her half to death.
"I thought we'd agreed to a volleyball duel. I'm not going down before I beat you."
"Hm? I can't pretend I didn't hear that~"
Hearing that, and seeing that even though his voice was weak he had the energy to joke, Kiana relaxed, raised her hand, and patted his shoulder again.
"Then I'll be waiting for you to wake up so we can have our showdown!"
"That doesn't really need to be a competition," Bronya Zaychik muttered under her breath.
"Hey, same difference! You get the idea!"
"Alright, let him rest properly."
Seeing Kiana still wanting to talk—and even trying to go for a fist bump—Raiden Mei finally couldn't stand it and cut her off, and Sirin cooperated by dragging Kiana out.
"Then Brother should rest easy. If anything happens, don't forget to call Seele."
Seele had wanted to stay with him, but in the end Xander persuaded her to go.
It was just airsickness.
Since they'd finally come all this way, there was no need for Seele to waste time just keeping him company.
"Mm, have fun."
Soon the room was quiet, with only Xander left inside.
His mind was already going hazy, and before long he fell into a deep sleep.
...
"Woohoo—ocean, here I come~"
Once they were sure Xander was okay, Kiana Kaslana could finally play with an easy mind.
She changed into her swimsuit in a flash, burst out the door, and sprinted toward the empty beach.
The sun-heated sand was hot enough to make her yelp as she ran barefoot, and then she splashed into the cool seawater, letting out a satisfied groan.
She ran back and forth, as happy as a husky off its leash, frolicking to her heart's content.
Before long, Raiden Mei and Sirin were both dragged into the play by Kiana's handfuls of water, and the three of them were soon laughing and chasing each other, making quite a lively scene.
Seele, however, sat on a beach chair with a jacket over her shoulders, staring blankly at the sea as if lost in thought.
"Seele, aren't you going to play?"
The last to finish changing, Bronya Zaychik walked over and asked her gently.
Seele looked up.
Bronya's increasingly mature figure made her blink for a second, but she soon shook her head lightly.
Out in the surf, Kiana Kaslana waved both arms toward the two on the sand.
"Seele, Bronya, come play~"
Hearing that, Seele stood up and raised a hand in response.
"Sorry, Seele just remembered there's something she forgot to bring. You guys go on ahead~"
With that, she excused herself to Bronya Zaychik, then lifted her feet and trotted her pale little toes back toward the villa.
"Forgot something?"
Watching her back, Bronya Zaychik smiled and scolded under her breath.
"I'd say a certain someone's heart has already been left in a certain someone's room."
Seele didn't answer, but her quickening steps said it all.
Back at the villa, Seele first returned to her own room to change, then quietly opened the door to Brother's room.
Brother was already asleep on the bed.
To avoid waking him, Seele rose onto her toes, even breathing softly.
She gently closed the door again, tiptoed to the bedside, and looked at his still-pale face and faintly furrowed brow, a flicker of heartache in her eyes.
He looked so fragile.
It felt like it had been a long time since she'd seen him like this.
When she searched her memory, all she could see was Brother smiling as he stood in front of her, as if with him there, Seele never had to worry about any difficulty.
She bent down, leaned over the bed, and slowly pressed the warmth of her palms to his cheek, wanting to pass her warmth to him.
As if he really felt Seele drawing near, the crease between Xander's brows gradually smoothed out.
Seeing this, a faint delight rose in Seele's chest.
Then she simply slipped off her shoes, lifted the thin summer blanket, and slipped under it, gently and skillfully wrapping Brother in her arms.
His face was right there.
Brother's warm breath brushed softly over her ear, making it tickle, and her earlobes grew warm and red.
Then her sky-blue eyes fixed on his somewhat dry lips.
As the thought rose in her mind, her body moved on its own.
She leaned in and delicately enclosed those dry lips with her own moist ones, the nimble tip of her tongue slowly tracing, moistening them bit by bit.
Once both his upper and lower lips were thoroughly softened, Seele reluctantly pecked them again, then lifted her head to admire her handiwork, her flushed face unable to hide her shy delight.
At last she closed her eyes, pressed her forehead to Brother's, and whispered.
"Good night, Brother."
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 Release
Paid member can read 150+ Chapters Ahead of Release
Stories Available
Honkai? No, This Is Daily Life
Hogwarts Pet Master
Pokémon: Who Let Him Leave Pallet Town!
Scrolling Yu-Gi-Oh! Shorts