Extra 4: The boastful serenade of the avaricious snake (Yama x Belz)

“Belz, you’re truly a remarkable person. I’ve never seen anyone as gentle as you.” 

I wonder who said that about me. Probably one of my colleagues from when I was in the border military. He died in battle at some point. He must have reasoned well of me to say something like that, so we got along decently. But I can’t remember his name or face anymore.

It’s not that I’m uncomfortable being called that. They mean no harm, and they probably think they’re complimenting me. However, even as I smile and accept it, a faint thought lingers at the back of my mind.

There’s probably no one as narrow-minded and cruel as I am.

***

Since arriving in the capital, I’ve found the journey home each day delightful. I resist the urge to start humming absentmindedly as I briskly walk through the city during the twilight hours.

Speaking of which, I remember that Yama asked me to buy some vegetables for tomorrow’s breakfast. 

Thinking of Yama in his apron brings a smile to my face. It’s a shame our days off didn’t align, but coming home to the scent of warm soup filling the room and seeing Yama’s welcoming smile is heartwarming.

Honestly, a few months ago, when Vice Captain Goat and I were ordered to return to the capital to serve under the goddess and partake in this world’s turmoil, I felt thoroughly exasperated. The idea of fighting alongside a commander who needed combat knowledge and was essentially a novice in the art of war was a nightmare. While I had no intention of dying myself or letting Yama die, I anticipated that some of the squad leaders who came to the capital with us would likely lose their lives in this internal conflict.

However, contrary to expectations, the goddess who descended into this world was a competent and cold-hearted man. His ruthlessness gives off a strange sense of kinship. Leaving aside the fact that the goddess is male, having a competent superior is comforting. Yet, there’s just one thing that frustrates me. Yama has taken a liking to the goddess, even if only slightly. Despite his outwardly sharp attitude, I can see a hint of amusement in Yama’s eyes when he is given orders by the goddess. He’s enjoying the challenge the goddess’s orders present to his limits as a soldier.

Recalling how Yama gazes at the goddess, a slightly unpleasant sensation creeps in my throat. A murky, black something churns restlessly at the back of my throat, urging me to either spit it out or crush it with my teeth. I would slowly swallow the black substance and seal it away with a smile. I’ve always done that.

On my way back, I stopped by the market. The sun had mostly set, and there weren’t many goods displayed at the stalls anymore. Nonetheless, I purchased a few of Yama’s favorite vegetables.

“Hello, Belz-san, welcome!”

The greeting came from a woman working at a produce stand in the market. Her glossy white hair flowed down to her waist, and her plump lips gave her a charming appearance. Come to think of it, I’d heard that men frequented the market just to see her.

“Hey there, good evening.”

I replied with a neutral greeting and tried to pass by. However, the woman leaned out from behind the stall to strike up a conversation.

“You’re here late today. Are you coming back from work?”

“Yeah.”

“Thank you for your hard work. By the way, these are new fruits we got today. Please, have some as a bonus.”

I’m not buying anything from her shop, so what kind of bonus is she offering? I look at the red fruit she’s holding out and give her a vague smile.

“Is it okay?”

“Yes, of course.”

“It looks delicious, doesn’t it? Thank you. Well then, I’ll take you up on your offer.”

“You’re welcome. Please come again.”

With a slightly raised tone and a faintly moist gaze, her kindness was transparent, which irritated me a little. I’ve often been to this shop with Yama, but I wonder if she can’t see that he’s my partner.

“I’ll come again next time, with Yama-san.”

Leaving that remark with a laugh, she briefly showed a twitch in her expression. But she quickly masked it with a smile.

“Yes, please do come again.”

Listening to her words, I suddenly realized I couldn’t recall her name. However, that thought dispersed quickly. I never had any intention of remembering her name in the first place.

After finishing shopping, I saw a small light in the distance as I walked to the edge of the town. Every time I saw that light, relief, and joy filled my chest. That place is a world for only Yama and me.

Technically, soldiers are provided barracks when they return to the capital, but when Yama and I came back, we rented a small house for ourselves. Living in the barracks was a lesson learned during our time in the frontier forces. The walls were so thin that even flipping pages could be heard, making it impossible to be intimate with Yama. Opening the door and calling out, “I’m back,” Yama, who had been in the kitchen, turned around quickly.

“Belz, welcome back.”

Yama approached with a gentle smile. When I opened my arm, which didn’t hold any bags, he jumped into my embrace, fitting perfectly against my chest. Having him with one arm, I buried my nose in his hair. As I inhaled, a scent akin to milk enveloped me. “Please don’t smell me so much…”

Blushing with embarrassment, Yama lightly gripped me. Pulling him even closer, I said in a playful tone, “But you smell really nice.”

“That’s just your imagination, Belz…” Yama retorted softly, his face faintly tinted red. His expression now was a far cry from his stern demeanor outside. People who knew the usual Yama might think he was a completely different person seeing him like this. The Yama at home and the one outside were worlds apart. His expression turned as hard as a stone when he exited this house. The furrowed brow, the sharp eyes, the lips pressed in a straight line – he became the epitome of a strict soldier.

But the moment he came home, his expression softened. He smiled a lot and blushed easily; at night, he melted into sweetness and tenderness. More than just being at home, it was only when he was in front of me that Yama showed such a side.

Thinking this, I felt a vague, dark feeling of superiority. Knowing the current Yama only belonged to me made me feel overwhelmed with emotion.

“Let’s eat before the food gets cold.”

Yama stepped away, his gruff tone hiding his embarrassment. Peering into the bag that I still held in my arm, I grinned.

“They’re all my favorites.”

With a dazzling smile, he stood on tiptoe and lightly kissed my cheek. I almost dragged him to the bedroom with a strong urge, but I held back my impulsive desire and carried the dishes we had prepared together to the dining table. Today’s menu included a warm cream soup, herb-infused bread, and steamed white fish generously topped with butter.

“All my favorites.”

I remarked, and as we sat at the table, Yama’s lips curled into a shy smile. Each time I saw that shy smile, my heart raced uncontrollably. I first met Yama when I was seven. He stood timidly behind his mother as they greeted our family, who had recently moved nearby. At that time, Yama was much shorter than the other girls our age, and he was timid.

When I greeted him with a “Hello,” he looked at me with large eyes. But when I tilted my head in confusion, he suddenly smiled bashfully. It was like a bud that had been tightly closed, suddenly revealing a small petal – a reserved and adorable smile. From that moment on, my world was filled with nothing but Yama.

As long as Yama was with me, I didn’t need anyone else in my world, and I wanted Yama to look at no one but me. As long as Yama lived, it didn’t matter what happened to others. The mindset I had as a child remains unchanged to this day.

People call me kind, but it’s only because I have no interest in anyone other than Yama. Because I lack interest, my kindness is superficial and pretentious. I did not realize this was fortunate for others and convenient for me.

The creamy soup filled my mouth with its smooth flavor.

“It’s really delicious. Your cooking skills have improved.”

“Is that true? Today, I tried adding new spices.”

In response to my words, Yama, sitting beside me, smiled genuinely. His usually straight, upward-slanting eyes were now tracing gentle curves.

I lightly kissed those eyes and said with an energetic voice.

“Having a skilled cook as a partner makes me a lucky man.”

With a soft chuckle, Yama looked down shyly. I could see his pale cheeks turning a faint shade of pink.

“We’re not partners yet, just engaged.”

While averting his gaze, Yama muttered with a dazzling expression. I wrapped an arm around his shoulder and exhaled softly in response to his words.

“War is over and all, so it doesn’t matter. I just want to marry you soon, Yama.”

“It does matter, you know.”

“It doesn’t matter. I want to show off to everyone around the world that Yama is mine.”

Leaning my cheek against the side of Yama’s head, I softly rubbed it against him. Instantly, Yama clamped both hands onto my cheeks. His large blue eyes gazed up at me intently.

“I feel the same way. I want to make it known to the world that Belz is mine.”

Burning jealousy swirled deep within Yama’s eyes. Every time I saw this, a sense of excitement, almost akin to joy, crawled up my spine.

Yama looked away to the side and muttered with a growl-like voice.

“That clerk from that store.”

“That store?”

“The one at the market’s produce section.”

At those words, the image of the female clerk from earlier flickered briefly in my mind. Despite meeting her just a while ago, I could only vaguely recall her face.

Yama continued, his nose wrinkling like a threatening dog’s snarl.

“That clerk has an interest in Belz, It’s clear from her eyes.”

At Yama’s somewhat dismissive words, my brows slightly furrowed. Yama was sharp. He was susceptible to the aura of those who held favor towards me.

“Even though Belz is my lover, I don’t like the way she’s looking at you with such a materialistic gaze.”

“I don’t have any interest in her.”

Or anyone else, for that matter. I’m not interested in anyone except Yama.

“I know that. But it’s still annoying.”

A faint growl, like a low rumble, could be heard from the depths of Yama’s throat. It was a growl reminiscent of a feral dog baring its teeth at an enemy trying to steal its food.

Captivated by Yama’s gaze filled with jealousy and anger, I couldn’t help but be entranced. It brought me immense joy when Yama openly displayed his possessiveness over me. It was a powerful affirmation of his deep love for me.

Perhaps noticing the grin on my face, Yama wrapped both arms around my neck. He pulled me in, and our foreheads touched. With my eyes locked onto him, Yama let out a sigh-like sound.

“I want Belz’s child soon…”

His pleading tone made my throat tighten momentarily. The melting gaze from Yama, which reminded me of our intimate moments in bed, caused my voice to unconsciously become hoarse.

“Me too. I want a child with you, Yama.”

“After this civil unrest is over, we should…”

Yama nuzzled his cheek against my neck in an endearing manner. The faint scent of Yama’s body washed over me, making my lower abdomen throb even though we were in the middle of a meal.

If only I hadn’t been assigned to the border guard, we would’ve been married much sooner. Our relationship, blessed by our parents since childhood, was officially engaged as quickly as we reached adulthood.

However, just when we were about to consider getting married, Yama was given orders to join the border guard. I immediately followed him, but by then, the situation had deteriorated to the point where marriage seemed like an impossibility, let alone having children.

And now, after finally returning to the capital, I find myself assigned to the front lines of the Goddess’ brigade. The gods don’t want us to marry.

I wrapped my arms around Yama’s waist, and he pressed his body tightly against mine. I could feel the warmth radiating from his body.

Even Yama’s sighs held a hint of desire, moist and laden with lust. As Yama’s lips lightly touched my collarbone, he gazed up at me from beneath his lashes.

“Can I reheat the food later? Pretty please?”

When I begged like a child, my feeble resistance soon crumbled. My restraint snapped itself, and my body moved on its own.

Pulling Yama’s body closer, I swiftly rose from my seat and lifted him up. Instantly, Yama surprised me by clinging to my neck.

“Feels heavy, doesn’t it?”

Yama let out a strained voice. In reality, Yama’s body, resembling a mass of muscles, was far from light. However, for someone like me who had trained my body solely to be able to lift Yama, I didn’t think of it as heavy at all.

“It’s the best feeling to be the only one who can carry Yama.”

As I whispered that, Yama lowered his gaze again, seemingly embarrassed. Despite being skilled at pleading, Yama’s awkwardness, unable to completely shed its innocence, made me even more captivated.

Pressing his lips against my neck, Yama exhaled a warm breath.

“Is it alright if I leave a mark today?”

Looking down at his inquiring voice, I saw a faint smile tugging at the corner of Yama’s mouth.

“I’m going to show everyone who you belong to.”

I understood without thinking twice about whom those words were directed toward.

“Sure. If you let me leave one on you too.”

“Even if I let you, there’s no one to show it to.”

Yama chuckled softly. I returned the smile to his voice, but I could feel something sticky and viscous welling in my chest. Yama claimed no one to show the mark to, but he was famous. His sword prowess and stubborn honesty attracted more than a few. Unlike me, who received shallow and broad affection, he was likelier to receive deep and passionate emotions. Mainly from other men, almost bordering on sadistic tendencies and lust. Yet, Yama remained oblivious to this fact.

Or rather, it could be because I was taking care of things behind the scenes before Yama could realize it. Currently, only Vice Commander Goat was aware of my actions. He had noticed that I was methodically and relentlessly crushing each man with their sights set on Yama. With a grin, Vice Commander Goat remarked:

“Oh, how scary. You look so kind, yet you’re like a snake.”

Vice Commander Goat was just as snake-like as me, if not more so. I knew the depth of his attachment to something he once favored. I also knew where his gaze was directed at this moment. Whether or not Vice Commander Goat’s feelings were reciprocated was none of my concern. While still holding Yama, I carried him into the bedroom. I gently laid him on the bed, and he immediately covered himself with the sheets.

“I want to see proof that you’re mine, not to show to anyone else.”

Whispering that, Yama’s cheeks brightened with joy.

“Even without proof, I knew from the beginning that I belong to Belz.”

“I know, but it’s still not enough.”

More. Even though I should have everything I want, I still want more.

I pressed my lips against Yama’s neck, feeling the tremor of his carotid artery.

“I want to swallow you whole.”

Yama laughed softly at my somewhat darkened voice as if he’d heard a joke. But it wasn’t a joke; it was my greatest desire.

“Don’t say things like a snake.”

His words were met with a soft chuckle.

Unaware that the man before him was trying to consume him, Yama reached out to me. As his hands clung to my back, I slowly kissed his lips as if each breath was a gulp.