Chapter 139: Dragon Witch EX
The pale moonlight drifted slowly across the river's surface. Under the gaze of the waning moon, the fragile night seemed like a thin mist that could be blown apart, and Eikou was still holding Jeanne Alter's hand tightly.
"Jeanne Alter, can I get a little closer to you?"
He asked in a voice full of sincerity.
"U-uh..."
The refined, cold face of the Dragon Witch turned red in an instant.
"W–what are you even saying!"
"Haha, I've already said this much, and you still won't be honest." Eikou smiled and released her hand. "It's fine. We can just go at your pace, slowly."
"Idiot..."
The girl turned sideways, burying half of her flushed face against her knees. Her beautiful golden eyes shimmered faintly with the haze of intoxication.
Her cheeks were burning hot — she didn't know if it was because of the atmosphere, or the lingering effects of the alcohol.
"…So, you really are going on a date with Marie?" she asked again.
"Umu. It's a promise I made, so I shouldn't break it."
As he spoke, he opened another can of beer, then smiled warmly and leaned in closer.
"But, or maybe you want me to go on your behalf? For example, if you really don't want me to go, if you want to monopolize me, I could consider changing my mind for you."
"Hey, don't say such embarrassing things, just speak normally!" Jeanne Alter blushed.
"Hahaha, who told you you always look so easy to tease?"
"You damn virgin! Usually other girls lead you around by the nose, so why do you act so differently in front of me, huh? Do you think I'm easy to mess with?!" Jeanne Alter shouted in embarrassment, clenching the hem of her shirt as if she could hardly bear it.
"I already told you,"
Eikou gently stroked her head, as if pampering a slightly unruly stray cat,
"That's because I really want to get closer to you. I think you're very adorable, that's why I act this way. Would you really hate me treating you like this, Jeanne Alter?"
"..."
The Dragon Witch lowered her head silently. Her ears glowed red, lips puckered in frustration, yet she didn't pull away from his hand stroking her hair.
[Jeanne Alter's affection for you increases significantly.]
[The relationship between the two of you makes clear progress.]
[You sense Jeanne Alter's emotions toward you becoming increasingly difficult to control...]
Jeanne Alter raised her head slightly, her beautiful golden, alcohol-tinged eyes meeting Eikou's gaze.
Seeing Eikou's smiling face, she gently bit her lip and exhaled a warm, liquor-scented breath — as if in that moment she had made a bold, decisive choice.
Boom!
The next moment, Eikou let out a shout, taken by surprise.
The Dragon Witch, like a stalking leopard, suddenly pounced onto Eikou, pinning him down on the grassy riverbank.
"Jeanne Alter...?"
Eikou's head rested on the soft grass as he looked up at her, utterly bewildered.
Under the thin, veil-like moonlight, Jeanne Alter's beautiful face blazed red, her eyes blurry from alcohol, breathing uneven, her short white hair falling softly over her shoulders. Her delicate hands gently moved away the ones gripping hers.
"Eikou..."
She exhaled warm, sweet-scented liquor breath, pressing him down, a hint of reproach in her tone:
"Could you… not go on a date with Marie?"
Eikou froze at her words.
He had never imagined he'd hear that come from her own mouth.
From her golden, intoxicated, almost misty eyes, it was clear she was so drunk that she had left behind all her usual barriers.
"Eikou..."
Jeanne Alter held Eikou's hand tightly, their fingers interlaced like lovers.
"I've always listened to you, always kept my promises to you... I agreed to try my best in my studies for you, so I worked hard for this exam..."
The Dragon Witch spoke, her flushed, beautiful face inching closer to his,
"Eikou, I've listened to everything you've said… so you should also listen to my request a little, right..."
Eikou's eyes widened in shock, his heart suddenly pounding.
Jeanne Alter's face drew ever closer, the warmth radiating from her skin, the gentle scent of alcohol from her breath, all palpable, and in her eyes was a deep, passionate love.
Unexpected—no, it was predictable—Jeanne Alter had such an adorable, lonely side!
"Hey... what's with that look? Did what you just say make me feel strange?"
Seeing his frozen, speechless expression, Jeanne Alter couldn't hold back her frustration.
"It's nothing," Eikou smiled, "or rather… I really like it."
"Umu..."
Her face flushed even deeper, yet she leaned closer, nearly pressing lips together, her gaze increasingly hazy.
"The strange things I say… are all your fault, entirely your fault..."
When their faces were only inches apart, the soft lips of the Dragon Witch pressed against his.
They kissed.
In that single moment, Eikou felt the cheerful river sounds amplified infinitely, the hum of summer insects, the fresh scent of the grass, the warmth and softness of the young woman's slightly tipsy lips, his own heartbeat—all sensations became vivid and alive, conveying with exquisite subtlety just how real and beautiful life could be.
"Mmm… mmha..."
It started as an innocent kiss, the shy, tentative kiss of a boy and girl.
At first, Jeanne Alter tried to act reluctant, but soon grew bolder and more greedy, seeking the kiss, while tightening her grip on his hand.
"Eikou, I like you..."
As if Eikou was trying to comfort her lonely heart, he held her hand tightly, returning the kiss with more maturity.
"I want to stay like this with you, want to be spoiled with you..."
[You feel the intense love of the Dragon Witch toward you.]
[Your relationship with Jeanne Alter has improved significantly, nearly reaching its peak.]
[You have acquired the new skill 「Dragon Witch EX」]
[「Dragon Witch EX」: Increases your own and your allies' power, while enhancing effects for allies with the Dragon trait. In social interactions, provides advantages in checks with Servants of the Dragon trait and improves friendliness.]
By the quiet riverside in the forest, the two held hands and kissed, forgetting everything else, savoring the sweet, intimate moment.
Not far away, Tomoe Gozen, also out to enjoy the night air, hid behind a tree, her face flushed as she watched the enraptured couple.
Her beautiful face deepened in redness.
[Unfavorable evidence against you +1]
[If the situation with Tomoe Gozen isn't resolved quickly, it could become a serious problem.]