A Sweet and Bitter Kiss

Os helped Karl, who was already unsteady from blood loss, to a table in the inn.

He continuously replaced the paper towels that were stained crimson from Karl’s incessant bleeding.

“Os… Lady Soronna… truly lives up to the one we serve,” Karl murmured, his voice trembling.

“She suppressed Lady Domu, a goddess, leaving her utterly defenseless…”

He weakly extended a hand, gripping Os’s arm tightly.

“Big Brother Karl… wuwuwu… please don’t speak anymore… you need to rest…” Os gently held the hand of his most respected elder brother, tears welling in his eyes.

“Os… don’t tell the Prime Minister about this… after all… we have already sworn allegiance to Her Highness Soronna… I… Karl… support Her Highness Soronna’s choice… although… it’s a bit of a pity…” Karl closed his eyes, yet his grip on Os’s hand tightened as he spoke in a serious tone.

“Yes! Big Brother Karl, actually… I also deeply respect Lady Domu… Although our time together was brief, I genuinely sensed Lady Domu’s wisdom and power. To forge such a living legend in such a short period of time—what immense wisdom that person must possess…

“Moreover, if Lady Domu and Her Highness Soronna were to unite… they would undoubtedly support Her Highness Soronna without reservation. And Lady Dora, as a divine child, would certainly stand with our Norachi Kingdom!”

Upon hearing Karl’s words, Os cautiously articulated his own analysis, then wrapped both hands around Karl’s, speaking with a hint of excitement.

“Uh… Os… I can’t believe… you’ve thought this through so thoroughly. Excellent, truly worthy of being my deputy!” Karl’s mouth fell open in surprise as he glanced at Os.

Karl had not even considered such possibilities. Yet, what Os said was undeniably logical.

If Her Highness Soronna and Lady Domu became companions, then both Lady Domu, the goddess, and young Lady Dora, the divine child, would stand with the Norachi Kingdom. ‘Os, well done!’ Karl nodded at Os, praising him.

****

Just as Os and Karl were sharing a moment of mutual appreciation, the bathroom door swung open.

Two figures, clinging tightly to each other, emerged from within.

Lady Domu, now fully dressed, wore magnificent, pure white full-plate armor, complete with a faceplate. With her beautiful face concealed, the already slender Domu appeared remarkably handsome and imposing.

To Os and Karl’s astonishment, Soronna, clad in a white nun’s habit with her pink hair tied into adorable twin pigtails, clung to one of Domu’s arms like an affectionate spouse.

Her entire weight seemed to rest on Domu’s arm, her cheeks flushed as she gazed tenderly at Domu’s armored head, her eyes conveying a sweetness that could melt anyone, as if she could see Domu’s eyes through the helmet.

“Domu, really… you were making such a cute face just now… why were you in such a hurry to put your helmet on?” Soronna pouted, completely oblivious to Karl and Os’s gazes, as if Domu was the only person in her world.

“So… Soronna… don’t talk nonsense… I… I didn’t… and… Karl and Os are watching us…” Domu’s voice remained a gentle, melodious feminine tone, though it now sounded unusually nervous and somewhat uncomfortable.

“Don’t mind them! Do you remember what you promised me just now, Domu?” Soronna continued to ignore Karl and Os entirely, swaying Domu’s arm back and forth with an expectant tone.

“Soronna… I still have work to do today… and… as for tonight… let’s talk about it tonight…” Observing Soronna’s playful demeanor, Domu helplessly scratched her helmet with a finger.

‘Ah… what should I do… It seems Soronna has truly entered a “fully real” state. Everything Soronna is doing now is a true reflection of her inner self…

‘Though being depended on so much by a girl doesn’t feel bad… but thinking about what Soronna did… those… those… indescribable… things to me in the bathroom just now… I’m sorry… Mom and Dad in heaven… I, your son, have brought shame upon you…’ Domu felt her face inside the helmet growing hotter and hotter. ‘Why is my body so sensitive… I’m clearly a boy.’

“I don’t care… I want to go with Domu. I absolutely don’t want to be separated from Domu all day today! Take me, take me! Take me, Domu! Please!” Soronna ignored Karl and Os, whose faces were contorted in shock at her playful display.

She simply clung to Domu’s arm, whining like a child.

‘What should I do…’ Given Soronna’s current state, Domu dared not take her out. Domu knew perfectly well that those in a “fully real” state only cared about what was on their minds.

‘Once in this state, they see nothing but what they care about, just like Big Brother Kase back then… even when Sister Momo stood by, looking at me with… with the eyes of a mistress… Big Brother Kase still clung to me tightly and wouldn’t let go…’

“Domu… do you not love me anymore? Clearly… clearly I gave you everything… clearly we…呜…” As Domu pondered, Soronna suddenly released her arm, clasped her hands over her chest, and looked at Domu with a heartbroken expression, uttering words that invited misunderstanding.

“Wa… wait… clearly…” Startled by Soronna’s reaction, Domu was about to refute her.

“Clearly you made me… made me bleed…” Soronna uttered another statement that utterly shocked Karl, Os, and Domu.

Even Billy, who was gnawing on a carrot at the table, turned his head in astonishment, completely oblivious as the carrot slipped from his paw to the floor.

“Lady Domu… even… even if you are a goddess… this is… this is too much!” Os abruptly stood up from his seat, his head bowed, his hands trembling as he accused Domu.

“Indeed… Lady Domu… don’t you know… what that means to a girl…? Moreover… moreover, Soronna is…” Karl, usually irreverent, had his nosebleed start again, yet he spoke righteously to Domu even as blood streamed down his face.

“Soronna… fine… I’ll take you, won’t I? Now hurry and explain this clearly…” Domu never imagined that the usually serious and proper Soronna would become so mischievous because of her “fully real” state.

Domu surrendered. Today, she would just have to try her best to fulfill all of Soronna’s requests, hoping it might make her behave a little more properly.

“Yay! That’s wonderful! I knew Domu was the best to me~ I love you~ Domu!” Hearing Domu’s words, Soronna jumped for joy.

The aggrieved and sad expression she had worn vanished instantly, replaced by one of pure elation.

“La… Lady Soronna… that… what was that about bleeding?” Os, finding it hard to process Soronna’s rapid change, stammered out the question.

“Oh~ that? I’ve already cast a healing spell, so it’s fine now~ I just accidentally went a bit overboard with Domu in the bathroom, and my hand got a little scraped.” Soronna tightly hugged Domu’s arm, then extended her right hand, spreading her fingers and wiggling them at Os.

“…” Os and Karl exchanged a glance, remaining silent.

****

Walking through the streets of Morgan City today, Domu felt a significant difference from her usual routine. The most striking change was Soronna, who clung to her arm, beaming with a sweet smile. Equally impactful were the gazes from the surrounding residents, which made Domu blush profusely.

From the moment they stepped out, Soronna had held Domu’s arm tightly, refusing to let go no matter what she did.

Domu somewhat regretted bringing Soronna along…

****

‘You can’t, Domu. No matter how much you like her, you can’t fall in love with her. Just keep treating this as a game.’

Domu suddenly felt her eyes moisten, and tears uncontrollably slid down her cheeks, reaching Soronna’s lips.

“Domu, it’s strange. Why does this piece of candied hawthorn taste a little bitter?”