— Lili...
— Luki-sama...
The silence stretched between them, a suffocating tension hung in the air, not from fear or anything negative, just that neither of them knew how to proceed.
That's what happens when you do things impulsively.
Luki cleared his throat.
— …This is getting awkward.
Lili flinched slightly.
— Y-yes…
He looked away, rubbing the back of his neck.
— Just so we're clear… I didn't do this for you.
Her shoulders tensed.
— Ah…
— Wa-wait! I mean... not like that. — he corrected quickly.
— I'm filthy too. Haven't had a proper bath in months. Figured I'd take advantage of the water while I'm here.
There was a brief pause.
— I see… — Lili murmured.
The tension didn't disappear, but it loosened.
Luki stepped back further into the lake, stopping only when the water reached the middle of his chest.
Without another word, he focused on the water instead, bending slightly as he washed himself, running his hands over his arms and shoulders in slow, practiced motions. The dirt and dried sweat came away easily, dissolving into the lake as if they had never been there.
Behind him, Lili watched in silence.
She didn't stare. She didn't look away either. Her eyes followed the small movements without really seeing them, her attention drifting elsewhere as her heartbeat gradually slowed.
The situation was still strange… but no longer unbearable.
Taking a deep breath, Lili let her thoughts settle.
She knew the conversation that would follow was inevitable. Whatever was said next would decide far more than just this moment. It could shape her place at his side, her future, maybe even who she would become.
And if possible… she wanted to avoid the worst outcome.
At least that much.
Splash
Luki surfaced abruptly, water cascading down his head and shoulders as he ran a hand through his hair, pushing it back. Droplets clung to his skin, catching the faint blue light of the cave and making his now-clean body gleam for a brief moment.
He straightened, water rolling down his chest as he exhaled quietly, shaking off the excess almost por reflex.
Lili swallowed.
For some reason, seeing him like that, freshly washed, made her chest tighten again. The earlier tension had faded, but in its place came a different kind of unease.
After finishing his bath, Luki walked back toward her and sat down at the edge of the lake, his back resting against the stone wall beside her.
They were close. Close enough that the warmth of his body was noticeable, close enough that a small movement would make their shoulders touch. And yet, it felt like there was a distance between them that neither quite knew how to cross.
Luki kept his gaze lowered, water dripping slowly from his hair as he stared at the surface of the lake, lost in thought.
Lili tried to look at him, she really did.
But each time their eyes almost met, she found herself looking away again, her heart tightening as if it couldn't decide what ir wanted.
— So… — Luki said, trying to break the ice.
— So… — she repeated.
That was it.
The silence slipped right back in between them, thicker than before.
— This is… quite a situation, huh? — he added after a moment.
— Yeah… — Lili replied quietly.
Nothing else came.
— Ahhh... — Luki let out a tired sigh, rubbing his face with one hand as if trying to shake off the uncertainty clinging to him.
— …Why, Lili?
She stiffened.
— W-what…?
— Why all of this. — He said it plainly, not accusing, just genuinely asking. — The request. This situation. You and me.
Lili opened her mouth, then closed it, repeating the action many times again. Words came out, but they didn't form anything coherent.
— I-I just… I mean, it's not like… — She shook her head, clearly flustered. — That's not… I didn't…
Her voice trailed off.
Seeing that, Luki exhaled again, softer this time.
— Lili.
Her name alone was enough.
She slowly turned her head toward him.
Their eyes met.
— Do you like me?
Lili's face burned instantly.
She turned her gaze away, shoulders tensing, but after a long second, she gave a tiny nod.
— …Uhm…
The word lingered between them.
Luki didn't answer right away.
Not because he hadn't expected it, but because hearing it out loud, hit differently than just knowing it ever could.
After all, it's not every day that a girl confesses her feelings to you.
— …I see.
That was all he said.
Lili's fingers curled against the stone beneath her, her face still turned away as if she couldn't bear to see his reaction.
— I'm sorry… — she murmured quickly. — I know it's stupid, I know I shouldn't-
— It's not.
She froze.
Slowly, she looked back at him.
Luki was watching her now, his expression calm but serious, eyes steady.
— I asked because I wanted an honest answer. — He paused. — And you gave me one.
Her heart pounded.
— Luki-sama…
— So I'll be honest with you too…
Lili waited in silence.
— You're wrong about yourself. About being weak. About being someone who should have given up a long time ago. After everything you went through… you're still here. You never quit, no matter how much you put yourself down in your own head. I think you're a very strong woman, Lili.
She swallowed hard.
— Luki-sama… you're exaggerating.
— I'm not. — He replied immediately. — And I know you won't believe me right away, but that doesn't make it any less true.
There was a brief pause.
— And it's not just that. — His gaze softened, lingering on her a second longer than before. — When I look at you… you just look good.
Lili froze.
— The way you are, your size, your shape. It suits you. There's something about it that draws the eye without trying.
As he spoke, Luki lifted a hand, slow and calm, stopping just short of her skin. His fingers traced the air beside her shoulder and down her arm, close enough to outline her form without contact, as if he were simply emphasizing what was already there.
— Your hair frames your face nicely. Even when it's messy, it only makes you look more… you. And your eyes... they're easy to get lost in.
His hand rose once more, hovering near her cheek before drifting away, each movement mirroring his words, restrained and unintentional yet precise enough to make the meaning impossible to miss.
Her breath hitched.
It was ridiculous. Just a short while ago, he was literally running his hands all over her body, reaching one of her most intimate parts, and now he wasn't even doing that.
And yet her skin reacted, a warmth rising throughout her body as if she could feel his soft, gentle touch on her once more, but now it was different, in a way she couldn't understand, more... obscene.
— L-Luki-sama~~~ — his name slipped out of her lips softly.
The sound made her freeze.
Her own voice had betrayed her, and the realization only made her even more embarrassed.
Luki blinked, clearly startled, his hand dropping back to his side.
He didn't seem to realize what he had done. The gentle tone, the steady gaze, the small gestures, none of it was intentional. He wasn't trying to charm her.
If anything, his body was acting on its own, contradicting his own restraint.
Slowly, pretending as if nothing had happened, refusing to acknowledge what he had just done, he withdrew his hand.
Something that made Lili unsure whether to be happy or sad that he had done it, secretly longing for more.
So, to break up this awkward situation:
— You're just… a mess right now. — He added dryly, clearing his throat.
— H-hey… — She let out a weak, flustered sound.
— Temporary. — He added calmly. — Once we get out of here, you'll be fine. Back on your feet. I'm sure of it.
She looked away, face burning, torn between wanting to protest and feeling strangely comforted.
— And yeah... I think I like you too. — Luki continued, this time without joking.
Lili turned to him in one swift motion.
Lili turned to him so fast it almost hurt. Her eyes widened, mouth opening before closing again, words refusing to come. Then, slowly, a smile formed, bright and shaky, too full of emotion to hold back.
Then the smile came.
Before she could think better of it, her body moved on its own.
— Luki-sama, I love you t-
She was stopped mid-motion.
Luki caught her by the shoulders, firm enough to halt her, but gentle all the same, preventing her from closing the distance. The impact that never happened left Lili frozen, confusion flashing across her face.
— Hey. — His voice was calm. — Easy.
He guided her back with care until her back met the edge once more. Only then did he let go, taking a small step back.
Lili blinked a few times, unsure of what to think, her face still burning.
Moments later, they sat side by side again, just like at the start of the conversation.
This time, the silence between them felt a little lighter
— I like you. — he repeated, softer now.
Lili stared at the water, fingers trembling in her lap, heart still racing.
— I wanted to go out with you. Talk. Learn about you. Your likes. Your favorite color. Stupid things like that.
Hope crept back into her chest before she could stop it.
Then he exhaled.
— ...But I can't.
Her breath hitched.
She looked at him again, eyes wide, fear slipping in between the lingering joy. She didn't interrupt. She forced herself not to.
— There's someone else.
The word hit harder than she expected.
— Her name is Hestia. She's my goddess, in more ways than one. We've been together for a while and I love her with all my heart, even though we were apart for a few months, I haven't stopped thinking about her for a moment, not even now with everything that's going on between us... betraying that would make me a complete scoundrel.
— And I don't want that, I don't want to be the kind of guy who steals a girl's heart and plays with it until he gets bored and looks for someone else.
Lili lowers her head, her hair falling in front of her, hiding her expression.
— I understand how you feel. And I'm grateful for it. Really. But something between us was never possible.
He hesitated, then added:
— I didn't did any of this. — He said, pointing to himself and to her, making it clear that he was talking about their nudity and the intimacy that had just occurred. — Just to toy with you. I just didn't want to lie. Or disappear and hurt you even more. So if you hate me now… I get it.
Then Luki turned to her fully, gaze steady, serious in a way that left no room for doubt.
— But listen to me. I will get us out of here. You'll leave this Dungeon. You'll see the sunlight again. — His hand rested briefly on her shoulder.
— I won't abandon you. No matter what. Even if it costs me my life.
— When this is over… you'll be free. You'll live the life you always wanted. Far away from Soma. From everything that hurt you. Then you can look for true love with another guy who deserves you more than I do...
Silence followed.
Luki didn't move.
He remained seated where he was, his posture unchanged, hands resting loosely on his thighs, gaze lowered toward the water. He made no attempt to speak again or to react, simply staying there as he was.
Beside him, Lili remained motionless.
Her head stayed bowed, her hair falling forward and obscuring her face, casting her eyes in shadow. She neither spoke nor shifted her position, giving no outward sign of what she was thinking, if she was thinking at all.
There was no tension in the silence, just the absence of sound.
Then, quietly, something touched his arm.
Luki glanced sideways.
Lili had leaned over, resting her head against him. Her expression was calm; she wasn't forcing anything, as if she had made a decision and found some peace in it.
— Lili… — he called softly.
No response.
So he stayed still.
Time passed like that. No one said a word. They simply shared the quiet presence of another person beside them.
Only after a long while did she finally speak.
— Was it true…? — her voice was low, steady. — When you said you like me.
— Yes.
— And when you said you wouldn't betray her? Were you speaking the truth?
— Yes.
— If Hestia didn't exist… would you go out with me?
Luki didn't answer.
But apparently, that was enough for Lili to reach a conclusion.
Splash
The water shifted as Lili tried to stand.
The moment the adrenaline from that emotional whirlwind faded, a sharp pain shot through her muscles, making her falter mid-movement. Her knees nearly gave way.
Luki reacted on instinct, moving his arms to support her.
— Stay. — she said quickly, stopping him.
He did.
Without another word, Luki remained seated at the edge of the lake, watching quietly as Lili steadied herself and did what she intended.
She took one, then two careful steps toward him.
Then she lifted her leg and stepped over his, positioning herself directly in front of him. Slowly, she lowered herself down, settling onto his lap, her hands coming to rest on his shoulders for balance.
Luki stiffened.
— Lili, what are yo-?
Luki was speechless; in the position they were in, their genitals were practically kissing, it's worth remembering that both of them were naked.
Lili, however, showed no sign of embarrassment.
She simply leaned in slightly and called his name.
— Luki-sama.
At the sound of his name, Luki finally looked straight at her.
He was still flushed with embarrassment, his body tense, unsure of where to rest his eyes—but the moment he met her gaze, he froze.
Lili was staring back at him with an intensity he had never seen before. There was firmness there. Certainty. Paired with the determined expression on her face, she looked like a soldier standing on the edge of a battlefield, fully aware of what awaited her and ready to move forward regardless.
When he had praised her before, Luki had said it was easy to get lost in her eyes. At the time, he might have been exaggerating.
Now, he wasn't so sure.
— Luki-sama. — she called again.
He swallowed.
— I'll only say this once. — Lili continued calmly. — So now… it's your turn to listen.
Still shaken, Luki nodded in response, signaling that he understood.
— I love you.
The words fell cleanly between them.
Before Luki could react, before he could even draw breath, she continued.
— I love you. I love you more than anything. — Her voice didn't shake.
— I love the way you treat me like a normal person. I love how you take care of me as if I matter to you. I love how you get lost in your thoughts so easily and make stupid faces without even noticing. I love how your ears twitch when you're happy… and droop when you're sad.
— I love how determined you are. How you never waver, no matter the situation. That's why I haven't given up yet. If it weren't for you, for you reminding me every day, every night, that things would be alright, I would have broken a long time ago.
Her hands tightened on his shoulders unconsciously, as if she had remembered something unwanted.
— You treated me better than anyone else in this world. When my parents gave up on me. When my Familia stopped seeing me as a person. When my god turned his back on my suffering. When Lili was betrayed and had already given up on everything… it was you, Luki-sama, who saved me.
She took a breath, steady and controlled then looked atright at his eyes again, with even more certainty.
— That's why I won't give up. I won't give up on you. We'll get out of here. I know you'll save me, like a knight saving his princess, and we'll reach the surface together.
— When that happens, I'll leave the Soma Familia. I'll live by your side. Whether as a supporter… or even just as a servant. I won't abandon you.
— I'll become an adventurer. Not for money. Not for power. But so I can walk beside you for the rest of my life.
There was no hesitation when she said the next words.
— I don't care if some little goddess stands in the way. If she truly loves you, she won't abandon you either. And neither will I.
She leaned in just enough to make sure he couldn't look away.
— So, Luki-sama… — her voice softened, but her resolve didn't — Would you allow this small thief to remain at your side, no matter what happens?
Luki shook his head slowly, still reeling, both from the position they were in and from the weight of her words.
Before he could gather himself, she pressed on while the moment was still burning hot.
She tilted her head slightly to the side, a soft, bright smile forming on her lips, along with tears that welled up in the corners of her eyes, conveying boundless happiness.
— Thank you.
Lili didn't give him time to question what that meant.
Her hands slid from his shoulders up to his cheeks, warm and steady. She closed the distance between them even further until their foreheads touched, breath mingling in the narrow space they shared.
Luki froze.
He didn't know what to do. Didn't know what was expected of him.
So his body chose for him.
Almost without realizing it, his arms wrapped around her waist, holding her there.
They stayed like that for a while.
Two heartbeats, fast and uneven at first, slowly finding a calmer rhythm. The fierce rush of emotion settled into something quieter, still intense, but softer.
Then Lili spoke, her voice low, almost coaxing.
— You know, Luki-sama… — she murmured — in Orario, it's not unusual for strong men to have more than one lover...
His eyes widened.
One word flashed through his mind instantly.
Harem
Lili lifted her gaze to meet his, her expression gentle, affectionate, like a girl hopelessly in love and no longer afraid to show it.
— So… — she continued softly.
— Would you allow me to be selfish? Just one more time?
She leaned in just enough that her lips brushed against his, close enough to feel each other's breath, warm and unsteady.
Luki didn't answer.
He stayed silent for a long time.
But neither of them moved. His arms remained wrapped around her slender waist, while she kept smiling at him the entire time, patient and unwavering.
Finally, he spoke.
— Yes… — he said quietly. — You can.
— Luki-sama… — she whispered.
And then their lips met.