Chapter 91

SIDE: Deputy Commander Felix of the Black-Winged Order

Upon meeting Takumi, I encountered for the first time in my life a smoldering passion, a kind of intense affection I never knew existed.

I had always considered myself indifferent to sexual desires, but it became apparent that I was not.

Each time I was gazed upon with his obsidian-like eyes, a boundless love would surge from within me. This was a different kind of love than that which I held for my family.

Just a smile from him would fill me with a warm sense of happiness. At the same time, I found myself wishing that smile were meant for me alone.

Such feelings were a first for me.

And for the first time, I felt a repulsion, a hatred towards someone. Recently, Takumi mentioned meeting a girl at the perfume shop.

From the distinctive features of the girl and their conversation, it seemed she also came from a “different world,” just like Takumi.

However, she apparently ran away when he spoke to her.

Takumi seemed concerned about her, and he wished to see her again. When I heard this, I was out of Takumi’s sight, clenching my fist so tightly that faint traces of blood where my nails had dug in were left on my palm.

Yet, I made sure not to let Takumi realize how I felt—instead, I showed him a cooperative facade. Without saying a word, it seemed that Commander Gazelle shared my displeasure towards the girl.

While pretending to be cooperative to Takumi, Commander Gazelle actually schemed to keep him away from the perfume shop

 …After the recent event, Takumi was endowed with immense magical power by the Demon King. If the ritual of return were prepared, he could go back to his original world at any moment.

But I couldn’t allow that. When Takumi asked me to gather information about the ritual to return to his original world, I considered confining him instead.

The thought of Takumi returning meant an eternal farewell to me. I wanted to chain him down on my bed, lock the room, and keep him from going anywhere.

…But if I did that, he surely would never smile at me again.

I didn’t want him to hate me, and just the thought of being disliked by him was enough to make my heart feel like it was tearing apart. So, at the very least, I kept Takumi away from the perfumery. When he tried to ask about the ritual or the girl, I gently deflected his questions.

Each time he intended to act on the ritual, I felt a burning jealousy towards a girl I had never met, worried that she might have captured Takumi’s heart. Against my expectations, Takumi never brought up the girl or the ritual again.

After some time, I realized that Takumi must have been aware of my ugly feelings all along. He knew, yet he never said anything.

“Hehe, you’re not very good at lying, are you? Takumi, you’ve never asked Gazelle, the commander, or me about the progress of the return ritual investigation, have you? You knew about us from the beginning, didn’t you?” When I dared to ask, Takumi fell into an awkward silence.

Lying on the bed, bodies intertwined, he indeed knew of my sordid schemes.

I was struck with awe at his magnanimity and, at the same time, deeply ashamed of my own immaturity.

Takumi was aware of my ugliness but did not blame me for it; he accepted me as I am.

But what about me?

Buying a luxurious mansion to forcibly create a place for him, keeping the information he desired out of reach—such cowardly tactics I’ve employed. Could I, of all people, truly match up to this honest young man?

The answer was clear without even questioning it.

Reflecting upon it, I was so obsessed with finding ways to keep him tied here… yet, I had not once confronted him with my true feelings directly.

How could a man who couldn’t even do that be a match for him?

“Please. Stay by my side in this world, Takumi,” I said, my resolve firm, my overflowing emotions opening up. My voice trembled disgracefully. “If there’s anything that could hurt you, I will keep it all at bay. I have never been so nervous, even when concocting any scheme. It’s my wish. Please…!” I pleaded. “If so, I will give you everything. So, please—.”

Takumi was silent after hearing my words. During that silence, my heart pounded loudly. Feeling like a sinner standing on the scaffold, I waited for his lips to part.

“Yes.”

“What if I decide to stay in this world… Will you stay with me no matter what?”

After a while, Takumi spoke hesitantly, and I thought his words were nothing short of a miracle. I wanted to grasp him by the shoulders and demand whether his words were true, but I marshaled all my rationality to suppress that impulse.

“Of course. Even if you refused, I doubt I could let you go,” I said sincerely.

“Really? You say that, but you won’t lose your affection for me along the way, right?”

Takumi laughed with a hint of worry at my words.

Such a thing could not happen, even if the world turned upside down.

“It’s impossible. On the contrary, I’m thinking that I must devote myself wholeheartedly to ensure that I’m not the one to lose your favor,” I replied.

“After our earlier conversation, I’ve realized that I am considerably less perceptive and more obtuse than you think, Felix. And I have many other flaws. Therefore, I can hardly believe that I am worthy of Felix saying such things to me. But still… Mmm!!!”

I couldn’t hold back any longer.

Overwhelmed by his adorable vulnerability, I pressed my lips against his, following the urge his words inspired. After that, regardless of Takumi’s bashful resistance, I indulged in his body. I couldn’t help it—his blushing face, his tear-brightened eyes while enduring my caresses, they undid me completely.

Looking up at me with such adorable eyes, I couldn’t help but feel a little reflective.

…However, unfortunately, Takumi has not clearly promised to stay in this world.

But his feelings seemed to be quite shaken.

The other day, when Commander Gazelle, had a conversation alone with Takumi and they shared their emotions, I heard that Takumi’s resolve to return to his original world was faltering.

There was an unspoken rule between me and Gazelle, that we would not engage in sexual activity unless the three of us were together. But, to prevent Takumi from returning to his original world, we couldn’t adhere to that, and in the end, we shared our emotions with each other like this.

Honestly, I am not just chagrined that Gazelle got ahead of me; what’s more important now is to keep Takumi tied to us. And we’re just one push away.

With one more push, he will fall into our hands.

We must not let our guard down until that moment.

For that purpose, I would use any mean trick, and offer him anything he wants, be it love or money. If he wishes, I would not hesitate to give up my life for him.

***