Chapter 3: The Contrast Between Yururu and Arthur
Fei was walking through the royal capital, searching for Yururu. Unable to find her, he returned to the usual spot with three trees, where the recent battle had ended.
There, as always, he swung his sword. Constantly surpassing himself, he continued swinging with a fierce expression. Not because anyone had asked him to, but to fulfill his own beliefs.
Time passed as he focused solely on swinging his sword. Sweat beaded on Fei’s forehead and poured from his entire body.
Yet, his expression showed none of this. Even as his body neared its limit, even as his arm muscles protested further movement, he forced himself to move mechanically through sheer willpower. As if he had eliminated all other options.
His body, having surpassed its limits and gone even further, suddenly reached its absolute limit. Oxygen deprivation, physical exhaustion – only his spirit remained alive. But the fatigue of his body began to rob him of consciousness.
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Yururu Galestia knew about this. The fate of those who had abandoned everything to pursue a single path. Discarding everything, cutting away parts of themselves, losing everything before their eyes.
From there, life became fraught with troubles, and all they could do was forge their own path. The road was steep. There were those who comforted her, those who praised her as amazing, those who sympathized.
But there was no one who would walk the path alongside her.
So it should have ended. She should have met the same miserable end as her brothers, dying a wretched death.
But before she knew it, she had been saved. Saved by a certain man. He was suddenly behind her, silently holding her hand. When she thought no one was beside her, he was already there.
That’s why she fell in love with him. She had only been looking at her sword, her past, the eyes of those around her, and her anxiety about the future.
She hadn’t been seen either. But that person saw Yururu Galestia more clearly than anyone else.
At twenty-three, she fell in love with a fifteen-year-old boy. The age difference became irrelevant compared to how deeply she fell in love. She had given him her heart and body.
She doesn’t like being touched carelessly. She rarely initiates touch herself. Yet now, this same woman has placed the head of the unconscious Fei on her thighs.
It’s a bit chilly. A certain winter day. But such things became trivial compared to how her heart danced.
Looking down, Fei appeared honestly handsome and simultaneously adorable. She touched his hair as if stroking it. The soft, fluffy texture was unimaginable from the expressionless, intimidating Fei.
She could have kept watching his face from above forever. But it came to an end. Slowly, he opened his eyes.
Fei’s vision gradually cleared, and he realized Yururu was giving him a lap pillow.
“Good morning, Fei-kun.”
“…You’ve gone to trouble for me.”
In contrast to Yururu’s smile, Fei remained expressionless. He immediately tried to raise his head to get up. But she used both hands to keep his head from rising.
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“…What do you think you’re doing?”
“Just a bit longer, please. I’m sure you’re still tired. You need to rest.”
“Unnecessary. I’ve recovered enough. So get your hands off me.”
“…No. You need more rest after training until you passed out, Fei. This is an order from your master.”
“…”
Fei tries to lift his head in silence, but he’s held down and can’t move. Yururu smiles at the sight, finding it somewhat endearing.
“Hehe, too bad. When someone is held down here, they can’t use their strength. And although I can manipulate star magic energy essence, Fei, you’re still inexperienced, so you should just give up.”
“Tch.”
“Stop clicking your tongue at me.”
Fei knows he still can’t surpass his master. For now, he acknowledges this, though he plans to eventually surpass her, and Yururu believes he will too.
“I heard from True. You beat Glen and Fubuki, right?”
“…Seems like he has a loose tongue.”
“Come on, don’t talk like that.”
She gently scolds him as if lecturing a troublesome little brother. Fei turns away, ignoring her.
“True said you performed admirably. There’s a new technique you’ve developed, right?”
“It’s nothing impressive.”
“From what I heard, it’s some kind of intimidation? What’s it like?”
“…It’s easier to show you.”
Fei closes his eyes briefly to concentrate, then opens them. A tremendous intensity emanates from his gaze.
It feels like being doused with cold water, a sorrowful pull from happiness back to harsh reality.
(──Ah, those eyes… Like a whirlpool of incomprehensible desires, a lonely and sorrowful gaze.)
(…Deeper than my brother’s. Eyes full of yearning. It’s terrifying, like being swallowed whole. Fei…)
( will he end up with a sad fate like my brother?)
“…What’s wrong?”
“No… it’s just, I don’t like that atmosphere very much.”
“I see.”
“Yes, so I’m going to cover your eyes! Fei, it’s still nap time for you!”
With a forced, cheerful smile, she covers Fei’s eyes, hoping he won’t notice her unease.
“Hey… I’m not sleeping anymore.”
“No, no, you need to sleep! My thighs are soft, so it should be comfortable!”
“I’m not sleeping. I have training to do.”
“If you don’t listen, I won’t teach you the next technique in the Namikaze Seijinryu style.”
“…”
“Hehe, goodnight, Fei.”
Fei goes quiet, looking a bit adorable, bringing out a genuine smile from Yururu. Maybe it’s all up to Fei, she thinks.
She hides his eyes and strokes his head, with full of love hoping her feelings will reach him and change him.
Despite the cold air and uncomfortable situation, Fei soon falls asleep.
Yururu removes her hands and looks down at his face again, instinctively bringing her face closer to his.
With their foreheads touching, she whispers softly.
“──I love you… so much.”
Her words are carried away by the wind, heard by no one. She knows Fei can’t hear her, but she hopes her feelings reach him just a little.
Later that night, as she remembers the lap pillow and her confession, she writhes in embarrassment on her bed.
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[Athena’s Cut! Arthur’s Observation Diary!!]
Narration: Athena
Fei is swinging his sword furiously! It’s a winter day, and no one is watching him!
Fei’s training is intense, and eventually, he’s on the verge of passing out. But he keeps swinging his sword tirelessly!
On a day when winter is in full swing, Despite the biting cold, Fei’s body radiates intense heat, steam rising from his head!
Oh dear, Fei collapses from oxygen deprivation and overexertion!
Just then, Arthur, his rival, happens to pass by.
(…I came to watch Fei’s training, but he’s asleep? His head will get cold, so I’ll give him a lap pillow.)
Oh my, Arthur is so kind!
Arthur gently places Fei’s head on her lap.
(Ah, Fei’s hair is so soft, and his skin is quite firm and springy.)
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Oh my, Arthur is touching Fei’s hair and skin while he’s asleep. Human fingers can have bacteria like E. coli, staphylococcus, and Pseudomonas, which can cause pimples if touched too much…
But Arthur washes her hands and gargles daily. Her hands are clean!
By the way, she’s very tidy and keeps her room in order!
So, she touches him without hesitation. Maybe cleanliness is a basic trait of the light attribute.
Oops, Fei wakes up, possibly from being touched too much.
“…Hey, what’s the meaning of this?”
“I thought your head might get cold…”
“I see. Then stop it right now.”
“No, rest a bit longer.”
“…I don’t enjoy sleeping here.”
“Bad Fei, you need to sleep!”
Arthur tries to persuade Fei like a scolding older sister. But Fei, disliking this, tries to get up. However…
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