A Confession Under the Stars

“It’s truly been a long time, Tang.” Karamanda blinked their beautiful eyes, gazing intently at Tang Wenxu.

“It’s only been a little over ten days, isn’t it? Saying ‘a long time’ is quite an exaggeration.”

At that moment, they were dining in a small yet exquisitely luxurious tavern in Komi City. Karamanda was enjoying the Four Seasons Pastoral Main Course Set, while Tang Wenxu had ordered fried sausages with beef-filled cheese.

“How is it? Is it delicious?” Karamanda inquired.

“It’s excellent.”

“I’m glad you like it.” Karamanda smiled. “Cheers.”

The glasses of sweet ale and lemonade clinked together, and both of them drained their contents.

The fried sausages were perfectly seasoned, the cheese was of premium quality, and even the meat filling had been marinated in red wine. To be frank, Tang Wenxu had always scoffed at the cuisine of other worlds before this, but today’s meal forced him to retract all his previous prejudices.

Upon closer inspection, most of the patrons dining here appeared to be people of status. Their attire alone offered a clear indication: there were men who looked like generals, elegantly dressed noblemen and women, and even some individuals in flowing magical robes.

Their clothing revealed that this was a dining establishment for high society, which certainly explained the exceptional quality of the food.

“How much does this meal cost?” Tang Wenxu asked.

“Guess.”

“A hundred gold coins?”

Karamanda shook their head, holding up a number with their hand.

Tang Wenxu’s jaw nearly dropped when he saw the sum. That amount was enough to purchase a sizable property in Komi City’s outer ring.

“If you find it delicious, I can bring you here to eat every day,” Karamanda said with a beaming smile.

“I’m not that brazen.”

“I know, I was just saying.”

“You really are mischievous.”

Karamanda’s words made Tang Wenxu smile despite himself, but after a moment, he suddenly sighed without warning.

“What’s wrong?” Karamanda asked, a hint of concern in their voice. “Is something troubling you?”

“Nothing; I just feel it’s a pity that only I get to eat such delicious food. I truly wish she and the children could also enjoy such exquisite meals. Everyone else usually only gets potatoes or sweet potatoes, while I’m eating such expensive food,” Tang Wenxu said, his expression filled with sorrow.

“She?” Karamanda suddenly became incredibly inquisitive. ‘Tell me quickly, do you have a girl you like?’

“Eh?” Tang Wenxu froze, realizing his slip of the tongue. He quickly added, “You must have misheard.”

“Don’t try to play dumb.” Karamanda declared assertively, “If you don’t explain yourself clearly, I absolutely won’t let you off today.”

The two stared at each other for a full twenty seconds, but Tang Wenxu ultimately succumbed to those beautiful, ruby-like eyes.

“Alright, I’ll tell you. She’s my younger sister.”

Upon hearing the words “younger sister,” Karamanda was stunned for a full half-minute.

“Just a younger sister?” they asked, a hint of distraction in their voice, feigning a smile. “You referred to her as ‘she.’ Have you never thought of her as a lover, or anything of the sort? Confess truthfully.”

“No,” Tang Wenxu said, engrossed in his own thoughts, completely missing Karamanda’s crestfallen expression. “My feelings for her are more like those for a sister. She’s the person I love most in this world, and if I could, I’d want to stay by her side forever.”

“Isn’t that the feeling of a lover? May I ask if she’s your biological sister?”

“She’s not my biological sister. It’s just emotionally, I see her as one.”

“Damn it, you idiot! This feeling is affection, it’s love; do you understand? Go express your feelings for her tomorrow—no, today, right now. Please, confess to her today,” Karamanda said, a note of urgency in their voice.

Tang Wenxu shook his head.

“I can’t articulate that kind of emotion. I do like her. But if there were a man in this world who was better than me and loved her more, I would gladly bless them from afar.”

“Aren’t you afraid she might be swept away by another man and leave you?” Karamanda said softly.

“I am. Of course, I’m afraid. But in this world, I am a true good-for-nothing. I’m not worthy of staying by her side; I would only drag her down. She can only be happy if she leaves me. As long as she’s happy, it doesn’t matter how much pain I endure.” Tang Wenxu spoke with his head bowed, but tears suddenly welled up. “Yet, I love her so much.”

“Don’t cry, there, there.” Karamanda pulled Tang Wenxu into a hug, letting his tears soak their expensive formal wear. How desperately she wanted to tell the boy in her arms that she was the “she” he spoke of, and that she loved him deeply too, but she couldn’t.

“If only I were strong enough, I’d want to be with her forever,” Tang Wenxu choked out. “But how can a coward like me, who can’t even hold a sword, protect her? Am I worthy?”

After a long while, his emotions slightly stabilized, and Tang Wenxu murmured to himself.

“I deeply despise this cowardly self.”

“But I believe everyone must like you just the way you are; you are so gentle,” Karamanda said earnestly. “So, you need to be a little more confident. I know you are stronger than anyone.”

“Thank you, Karamanda.”

Tang Wenxu nodded. Fortunately, he had met these people; it was only because of them that he could float in this sea of sorrow without drowning.

Yet, in this vast ocean, he would never catch sight of the continent of hope.

The handsome youth before him made him feel at ease, a sensation he had only ever experienced with Nao. However, he remained unaware that the person before him was none other than Kuroki Nao.

Watching Tang Wenxu become so emotionally overwhelmed when speaking about “her,” Karamanda felt a slight surge of secret delight, but mostly profound heartache. Thus, they decided to change the subject.

“By the way, what kind of work are you doing now?” Karamanda asked.

“Freelancer.”

“What’s that?”

“…No job.”

“Everything will be fine, Tang.”

“I hope so.”

Tang Wenxu sighed, then suddenly called out to the bar, “Bartender, another mug of ale!” He then turned to Karamanda and said, “My friend, tonight we drink until we drop!”

“Alright,” Karamanda said, momentarily surprised, before revealing a mischievous, impish smile.

Though that smile struck Tang Wenxu as somewhat peculiar, he believed that when socializing with a true friend, drinking alone was disrespectful. So, he resolutely picked up his glass, convinced that Karamanda was a friend worth getting thoroughly drunk with.

They talked about many things, which only deepened Tang Wenxu’s fondness for the refined noble youth before him.

“Karamanda, if you were a girl, I would definitely fall in love with you.” Tang Wenxu was already quite drunk. Though he had been sad initially, he was truly happy now.

It turned out alcohol could be so delightful. Under Karamanda’s gaze, Tang Wenxu continued to gulp down drink after drink…

‘Mother, I have a true friend now…’

Finally, he succumbed to the alcohol and passed out.

After paying the bill, Karamanda helped him out of the tavern.

The waiter, clearing the table, was startled to find the wrapper of a sleeping potion lying on it.

Beneath the beautiful starry sky, Kuroki Nao supported Tang Wenxu, walking step by step towards the church.

“Master, you can no longer escape,” she whispered softly to the unconscious youth, but he couldn’t respond.

Back in the church room, she settled Tang Wenxu on the bed, removed his clothes, and meticulously wiped every inch of his body clean with a towel. Her gaze upon the boy, smelling of alcohol, was complex.

After a long while, as if having mentally prepared herself, she lowered her head and kissed him, greedily savoring the taste of the alcohol from Tang Wenxu’s mouth with her tongue, then drawing out a silver thread from between their lips.

Perhaps due to the lingering alcohol, her pretty face was flushed with a faint blush.

“You fool, how could I ever leave you? We are together now, never to be separated.”

She slowly shed her own clothes and untied her hair, letting her loose black tresses fall to cover every inch of his skin. She bent down, wrapping her slender arms around his back, her fair body pressing tightly against Tang Wenxu’s chest, as if to encompass his entire being.

She gazed at the youth’s face with deep affection, a smile of successful plotting gracing her lips.

“It’s fine, isn’t it? After all, Master, you like Nao too…”

Soon after, loud splashing sounds emanated from the room. Though she felt pain, she was also ecstatic.

‘See, you silly boy? Being together is simple; it’s not as complicated as you thought, right?’