Chapter 71

“Is it about Felix? Or maybe, something happened with the others today?”

“Yeah… it’s… a bit of both. Lately, so many things happened, and it just got to me.”

Yeah, a lot has happened recently. Leon’s confession to Gazelle, Felix suddenly saying he needs some distance, and then the Demon King suddenly paying a visit. And on top of that, the recent incident with the man we were guarding, he turned out to be a traitor.

All these events piled up, and I was at my limit. I managed to hold myself together until now, but Gazelle’s comforting embrace and words caused everything to break down.

“…Really. Making Takumi cry… what the hell is he thinking? Maybe I should give him a good scolding.” Gazelle stroked my back while muttering with a mix of frustration and concern.

And then, in that moment…

“—Commander Gazelle, Takumi. Are you still awake?”

Right as the knocking sound reached us, Felix’s voice came from the other side of the door.

“!”

F-Felix… W-What should I do? Is there something urgent? First, I need to put on some clothes… No, should I ventilate the room first!? For now, I’ll wait in front of the room. Or should I ask him to wait for a moment…

“Hey, Felix. You can come in.”

Wait, Gazelle-san! Huh!? W-Why?!

With surprise and reproach in his eyes, I looked at Gazelle, whose arm was tightly wrapped around my waist. I was lifted up, and my back was against Gazelle’s chest as I was placed on his knee.

But, this position is even worse, isn’t it!?

“My apologies—”

As expected, Felix, who entered the room after opening the door, froze.

S-Sorry, Felix, for showing you something weird…! 

I hurriedly pulled the blanket to cover myself, but somehow, even that arm of mine was caught and stopped by Gazelle.

Not only that, Gazelle slowly stroked my lower abdomen with his palm, almost as if he were flaunting it to Felix. He playfully circled around my navel with his index finger, tickling me, causing my hips to jerk.

“Is something the matter, Felix?”

With me panicking and Felix freezing up, Gazelle’s attitude remained calm and composed.

Is he asking if something is the matter? More like, something is definitely wrong!

“So, the captured thieves and slave traders have been safely delivered to the capital as reported… So, uh…”

I was taken aback by Gazelle’s nonchalant attitude. Maybe Felix noticed it too. Without questioning the situation, Felix continued his words hesitantly.

But even in this situation, I think it’s impressive how Gazelle immediately closed the door behind him.

“I see, that’s good. Is that the end of the report?”

“Uh…”

Gazelle nodded casually, then looked straight at Felix. Felix blinked his amethyst-colored eyes, seemingly at a loss, and stood still.

“I-I, well…”

“If you’ve finished your report, you can go back to your room. Right, Takumi?”

“T-Tsu, ah, Gazelle-tsu…”

When Gazelle gently bit my ear with his lips, my body jumped once again.

Raising my head to feel his gaze, my eyes met Felix’s intense gaze. Blushing, Felix opened his lips.

He seemed like he wanted to say something for a while, but in the end, he struggled with his expression, his face contorted in discomfort, and he looked down.

Seeing Felix like that, Gazelle muttered softly, “Hmm… Is it still not enough, Takumi? Can I push him a bit more?” Then, he whispered again, “Sorry, Takumi, just a bit more, please,” before extending his hand to my chest.

“Ah! Ah, Gazelle-tsu, there, you can’t…!”

“Oh, you’re already hard. What’s wrong? Did you want me to touch you that badly?”

“Mmm, ah!”

Gazelle’s fingers twisted and pinched my reddening nipple on my chest. Still in a state of arousal, my penis, which had just ejaculated moments ago, reacted almost instantly.

“T-Takumi…”

Upon hearing Felix call my name, I knew my face had turned crimson. Due to the position of sitting on Gazelle’s knees, Felix, who was in front of me, could likely see my nipple being teased by Gazelle’s fingers and my erection beginning to form.

Ugh, this is so embarrassing…!

G-Gazelle-san!? I clearly understand from our previous conversation that he’s about to do something to Felix, so I didn’t resist, but… Can’t he give me a moment to recover!? Didn’t I just ask him to be a bit more gentle a while ago!? He heard me, right!?

“C-Commander G-Gazelle!”

Just as I was about to interject, Felix’s voice turned rough.

“Yeah, what is it?”

“Commander Gazelle, please let go of Takumi. It’s just… he seems to be uncomfortable.”

“Oh, really? Takumi, is it unpleasant for me to touch you?”

Upon Gazelle’s inquiry, I found myself at a loss for words.

Uhm, well… It’s not that I dislike being touched by Gazelle at all, but… in this particular situation, I’d really appreciate it if he could cut me some slack! And wait a moment, didn’t I just ask him to “please go easy” earlier!? Did he hear me!?

As I pondered this, Felix clenched his fist tightly. His eyebrows furrowed, and he wore an expression of distress.

Gazelle observed Felix quietly, a calm look in his eyes. However, even after a while, Felix remained silent, not uttering a word. Gazelle shrugged his shoulders as if to say “well, whatever” and slowly parted his lips.

“Felix… Your report was just a facade, right?”

Gazelle spoke to Felix in a gentle tone, as though advising a child. Felix returned his gaze, appearing puzzled.

“You see, I think your true concern was simply for Takumi, right? You and I are the only ones who know about the troublesome magic placed on him. So, you came here out of worry that Takumi might be suffering alone again, didn’t you?”

Oh, really, Felix? You were worried about me?

I stared at Felix with anticipation, but he continued to furrow his brows, his expression filled with distress. 

“…I-I am… I mean…”

“If you won’t admit it, then sorry, but I’ll just go ahead and have some fun on my own, okay? After all, Takumi’s still begging for more, isn’t that right?”

Wait a minute, Gazelle-san! Actually, I’m feeling the complete opposite!

“Takumi, you’ve already climaxed three times, you know? Just earlier, you were practically pleading with tears in your eyes… Haha, you were pretty cute. Come on, Takumi, spread your legs. I’m going to see how many times you can climax tonight.”

W-Wait, is that a new form of capital punishment or something!?

Hey, Gazelle! N-No, there… that’s really…!

“That… No, I won’t allow it!”

However, Gazelle’s hand never reached my lower body.

Just before that happened, Felix suddenly closed the gap between us and firmly seized Gazelle’s arm.

“E-Even if you’re my commander, I can’t let this go any further! I… I also… love Takumi! His feelings haven’t been decided yet, so you, Commander Gazelle, have no right to do something like this to Takumi!”

Unusually, Felix glared at Gazelle, his eyes narrowed in frustration. However, Gazelle’s attitude remained nonchalant.

“Well, then, why don’t you two make up?”

“Ugh!”

Gazelle didn’t appear bothered by his held arm at all. Instead, he showed a toothy grin, his lips curling upward.

“Felix, you understand now, don’t you? There are plenty of people targeting Takumi. Before it’s too late and you regret it, just stay by his side obediently.”

“But… do I have the right to do that?”

“The right?”

Felix slowly released Gazelle’s arm and drooped his shoulders, hanging his head.

“When I’m by Takumi’s side, my emotions are completely out of control. A never-ending desire to possess him wells up in me…”

Covering his face with his hand, he groaned his words out.

“I’m afraid that I might hurt him, even though I love him. I’ve never felt this way before, and I don’t know what to do…”

Felix, who was struggling with his words, is all too painful to watch.

…Felix… I didn’t realize he cared so much about me missing lunch… I always thought he was a serious and responsible person, but I never knew it went this far. What can I say to him, who is so troubled? “If you care that much, let’s go out for lunch together next time! On you, Felix!” or something like that?

No, but that would be a bit too pushy…!? But before I could say anything, Gazelle spoke first.

“Felix… Takumi is really your first love, huh…?”

He looked at Felix with a fascinated expression, as if he had seen something interesting. His words made Felix’s eyes widen in surprise.

“…Is… my first love…?”

“Yeah. What you just said isn’t something only you are struggling with. Everyone experiences the misalignment of feelings and hurting the one they love because they love them.”

Stunned, Felix silently stared at Gazelle.

“It’s natural to want to bind the one you love, or to want them all for yourself. It’s not that you’re immature. Falling in love in the first place isn’t something you can control, right?” Shrugging his shoulders, Gazelle spoke candidly.

Hearing Gazelle’s words, Felix appeared to be deep in thought with a calm expression.

I also sensed the mood and silently waited for Felix’s answer.

“Is that how it is? Even though I want to cherish Takumi, there are times when I cruelly treat him. It’s not because my heart is tainted… but something that everyone struggles with?”

“Of course. When I look at Takumi, I want to take care of him, but I also want to lock him up so he’ll only look at me. That’s what love is.”

“Is that so?”

Though he still seemed confused, Felix looked a bit more relieved than before.

Seeing Felix like this, Gazelle smiled gently and spoke in a calming tone, “Well, don’t overthink it. And hey, if you ever feel like you’re losing control, I’ll stop you, so don’t worry.”

“You will, Commander Gazelle?”

“Yeah. In return, if I ever seem like I’m going to hurt Takumi, you hit me from behind and stop me, okay? That’s fair, right?” Gazelle spoke cheerfully, and Felix suddenly let his cheeks spread into a smile.

“A tie… huh? Heh, then, filled with my everyday frustrations, I’ll punch you with all I’ve got when the time comes.”

“Haha, that sounds good. I’m looking forward to it.”

Listening to these two exchange words, I let out a relieved sigh at the sight of Felix finally showing a bright expression.

But still… from their conversation just now, I can’t help but feel a glimpse of the long years the two have built up as the commander and vice-commander of the Black-winged Knights. 

That unwavering trust between them is a little bit enviable.

Yeah, that’s right. The days they’ve spent in the Black-winged Knights are much longer than the time since they’ve met me… Ugh, I feel a little bit of jealousy. Just a little bit!

…But speaking of which,

Who in the world will stop them when these two run wild together? 

As I was thinking about that, Felix stared intently at my face, then bowed deeply. “Takumi… I apologize.”

“Felix.”

“I’ve been self-centered, and I’ve been toying with you. …If you’ll forgive me, may I have one more chance?”

I hurriedly asked Felix to lift his face. “No, I didn’t say enough either. I didn’t really mind at that time. I’m the one who’s sorry for causing a misunderstanding with Felix.”

“Takumi, thank you.”

Finally lifting his face, Felix smiled with relief. Seeing his beautiful smile, like a blooming rosebud, I finally relaxed my shoulders.

I’m glad I’ve made up with Felix—

I was ready to cling to Felix and wail when we returned to the royal capital, but it’s fortunate for both of us that it didn’t come to that.

I reached out and took Felix’s hand, squeezing his fingertips tightly.

“I’ve been very lonely… not being able to talk to Felix lately.”

“Ta-Takumi.”

Felix gently squeezed my fingers back and brought my hand to his lips. Then, with a careful gesture like handling glasswork, he gently touched my fingers with his lips.

With his eyes closed, Felix’s long eyelashes cast a shadow on his cheek, making him look just like a prince.

“…I was very lonely too. Without you, the world seemed to lose all its color and fade away.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. The days without you made me forget how I spent my days before meeting you.”

Felix whispered love unreservedly. It was a little embarrassing.

Ugh, should I express myself more like Felix?

Perhaps, “To me, the days without Felix were like eating eel without sansho pepper…”? No, this world doesn’t have eel rice bowls.

‘Like tasting sashimi without soy sauce?’

Oops, there’s no sashimi either!

Man, this kind of statement is hard. Felix is indeed amazing!

As I was admiring Felix, strong arms suddenly wrapped around me, and hot breath licked my ear.

“Hmm, Gazelle…?”

“Don’t pay too much attention to Felix; I’ll get jealous.” Teasingly saying that, Gazelle pressed his lips to my nape.

Ah. Speaking of which, I hadn’t thanked Gazelle yet for helping me make up with Felix.

“Gazelle, sorry for being late to say this… thanks to you, I was able to make up with Felix. Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it, just this much. If you guys look downcast, my rhythm gets thrown off.” Gazelle grinned, showing his white teeth.

That smile seemed familiar. After thinking about where I had seen it before, I suddenly remembered. It was the smile he gave me during the defense battle in Menonu City.

It was Gazelle’s reassuring smile that showed me the way in a world that had begun to follow a different path from the game.

Thinking back, it wasn’t just this time. Whenever I was lost or mentally cornered, Gazelle always lifted me up.

“Gazelle…”

“Hmm?”

I called his name softly, then turned my upper body and wrapped my arms around Gazelle’s neck, kissing him gently. Tenderly nibbling at his lips.

Overflowing with gratitude, at the same time an irresistible desire to kiss him welled up within me. Is this what they call “love” – having such feelings?

“Mm… Mm!?”