Kiss and Tears

The colossal sun sank into the water, yet its lingering light grew even more magnificent. The rippling waters, along with the sprawling, layered sea of clouds, seemed to ignite, enveloping everything in a bright crimson glow. The entire world was adorned with a grandeur reminiscent of the apocalypse.

It was a breathtaking spectacle, one that would compel anyone to lose themselves in its beauty, marveling at their own insignificance before the divine craftsmanship of nature.

Anna’s words had struck Ewan like a barrage of military combat punches directly to his heart, leaving him still reeling with emotion.

Yet, amidst this stunning scene, Ewan suddenly turned his head to look at Anna.

“Is something wrong?”

Anna asked, a hint of unease in her voice. “Is it not beautiful?”

“No, it’s incredibly beautiful.”

Ewan’s praise was heartfelt.

“It’s just… I seem to have found a sight even more captivating than that sunset.”

Ewan gazed intently at Anna’s delicate face, his eyes burning with intensity.

Anna froze for a moment upon hearing Ewan’s words. Then, as understanding dawned, a blush bloomed across her cheeks, vibrant and dazzling like a field of blossoming flowers.

Her cherry lips trembled slightly, wanting to speak, but no words escaped her.

Ewan’s gaze fixed on Anna’s lips. They seemed to be coated in honey, shimmering with a faint luster, translucent and sweet, making him long to taste them.

Suddenly, Ewan’s heart accelerated once more. Unconsciously, his hands had found their way to her shoulders.

In that moment, a profound silence enveloped the entire world.

The wind ceased. The sound of waves died down. Even the fishermen’s calls fell silent.

Only the slightly erratic and hurried beating of the young man’s and young woman’s hearts could be heard.

The young man waited, anxious but patient, until the young woman, seemingly unable to bear the fervent heat in his eyes, shyly averted her gaze.

Her beautiful eyes flickered as they caught the magnificent sunset in her peripheral vision, but her gaze quickly returned.

She lifted her eyes to glance shyly at the young man, then gently closed them, her eyelashes trembling. It was an invitation, subtly veiled.

Ewan hesitated no longer. He leaned in and captured those sweet lips with his own.

The stimulating sensation of their membranes touching instantly sent a jolt through Ewan’s body, causing him to tremble as if struck by lightning. In his embrace, the young woman, offering her first kiss, also shivered delicately.

Her lips were softer and more beautiful than Ewan had imagined. Her sweet scent, carried by her breath, filled his nostrils, and his mind instantly felt as though it had plunged into a warm sea, swaying with the currents.

But Ewan was not yet satisfied. He gently parted her pearly teeth, his tongue deftly exploring the warm cavern within, hooking the shy little serpent. They intertwined, entwined, and rubbed against each other, greedily sucking at the sweet liquid.

Naturally, Ewan was far more experienced than Anna, who was having her first kiss. Soon, everything fell into his rhythm. Anna’s conscious attempts to resist were easily deflected. Instead, Ewan seized the opportunity, deepening the kiss little by little.

Anna’s beautiful eyes were half-open, filled with a hazy daze.

Ewan’s hands were not idle either. As the invasion deepened, they restlessly explored Anna’s delicate form, finally slipping beneath her dress. His large hand caressed her smooth skin, and then… felt a distinct coldness.

‘Hmm?’

‘Cold?’

Ewan suddenly felt a slight pain in his arm.

Anna, having somehow awakened from her daze, suddenly pressed down on Ewan’s arm and gently pushed him away.

Their lips parted, drawing out a voluptuous thread of saliva.

“That’s enough.”

Anna gasped softly, brushing away the stray strands of hair on her forehead that were damp with sweet sweat. “Now is not the right time.”

“My apologies.”

His gaze fell upon the black scales peeking out from beneath Anna’s disheveled dress, and the heart that had just soared with joy now throbbed with a sharp pain.

“I was too impatient.”

“This has nothing to do with you, junior.”

Anna suddenly straightened up, her still-soft, jade-like arms circling Ewan’s neck. She smiled lightly and asked, “So, junior, has your heart been stirred now?”

“Regarding that question…”

Staring at the charming Anna, Ewan suddenly lowered his head and pecked her lips again. Then, seizing the moment of her stunned, shy indignation, he took her small hand and placed it over his own chest.

“Now, do you feel it, Senior?”

“…Mm.”

Anna’s expression subtly changed.

There was no need to ask the question again; she already had her answer.

Even through flesh and clothing, she could clearly feel the intense throbbing of Ewan’s heart against her hand.

At that moment, Anna suddenly smiled sweetly, her fingers gently caressing the corner of Ewan’s eye.

Then, a crystalline tear appeared on her slender fingertip.

“Books say that when you kiss someone you like for the first time, you unconsciously shed tears. I never imagined it would be true.”

“Is that so?”

Only then did Ewan realize that the corners of his own eyes were indeed a little moist.

However, he covertly glanced at Anna’s eyes, only to find no moist liquid, just light eyeshadow and joy.

Ewan didn’t dwell on it, instead happily looking at Anna’s palm.

“Hurry and try it,” he urged, not having forgotten the true purpose of their date.

“Mm.”

Anna nodded gently, taking out the already prepared potion. Just as she was about to drip the tear into it, Ewan stopped her.

“What is this potion for?”

“It’s a universal potion that can amplify medicinal effects. I thought one tear might…”

“Serpentification isn’t an ordinary illness. If it can’t be cured, amplifying the effect won’t help, will it? And if the dosage isn’t enough, aren’t I here?”

Ewan advised, “Using potions recklessly might actually affect the outcome.”

“…You’re right.”

Anna considered his words, then put the potion away.

She then raised her finger, gazing at the glistening tear on its tip, and couldn’t help but ask, “Junior, will it really work this time?”

“It definitely will,” Ewan affirmed, nodding forcefully.

“Alright then.”

Anna’s eyes shimmered with light. She smiled. “I trust you, junior.”

With that, she carefully placed the tear into her small mouth.

Perhaps to achieve the best effect, Anna meticulously sucked on her finger. To Ewan, this scene appeared somewhat alluring.

However, this was not the time for such thoughts. Ewan intently watched Anna’s pretty face, nervously awaiting the result.

Time passed, minute by minute.

The sunset gradually descended, its final glow reflecting in Anna’s eyes, making the light within them shine even brighter.

As if sensing something, Anna suddenly rolled up her sleeve, revealing the unsightly scales to Ewan for the first time of her own accord.

On her fair arm, the black scales now showed a hint of ferocity.

Fortunately, those scales began to recede.

As their expressions grew increasingly joyful, the dark scales gradually dimmed, softened, and then merged back into her flesh, inch by inch, revealing her captivating fair skin once more.

“It… it succeeded!”

Watching this unfold, Ewan was ecstatic. He lifted Anna and spun her around several times, as if she were a goddess in his embrace.

“Senior, we succeeded!”

“Mm!”

Anna allowed Ewan to hold her so intimately. The worry that had plagued nearly her entire life was finally lifted in this moment, causing her to be overcome with joy and…

Tears?

‘Wait.’

Anna’s pretty face suddenly stiffened.

‘Crying?’

‘What is… crying?’