Chapter 157 : Strange Way of Love
—Elucia's Thoughts—
...
Why was Elucia being so gentle with Lonis?
There was only one reason: she, Elucia, was absolutely not a tsundere!
Because if she were a tsundere, what she should be doing now was continuing to bully Lonis, making this guy not dare to resist her.
But Elucia didn't think she was a tsundere.
Although she wasn't particularly fond of Lonis, this stupid maid,
this didn't mean she could tolerate her liking other girls... Ideas like building harems everywhere in the past were absolutely unacceptable!
So Elucia brought this stupid maid to the Western restaurant, planning to let her enjoy the happiness of being a maid, being her follower~
As long as she made this stupid maid unable to leave her, she wouldn't mess around with other girls~
...
That's what Elucia thought, but she completely didn't expect that Lonis was about to cry.
Although she was holding back from crying, tears were clearly glistening in those crystal eyes... Her mouth curved up slightly, as if wanting to say something, but she couldn't speak clearly.
What was going on?
Had this guy really become an idiot?
...
Elucia thought briefly and soon understood the reason.
This stupid maid had been bullied by me quite badly usually, so now she was overwhelmed by unexpected favor?
So these were tears of happiness.
At the same time, Elucia could also feel... Lonis's heart was very anxious and uneasy, as if she was very afraid that this happy time would disappear.
Hmph, what an idiot.
It's just eating a steak. It's not like I haven't cooked for you before.
But well, this expression is quite cute, isn't it?
In that case, I'll continue teasing you so you'll never dare to flirt with other girls again~
That's what Elucia was thinking.
But she didn't know that in Lonis's heart, there was a completely different thought...
...
—Lonis's Thoughts—
...
Lonis knew that if it were for no reason, Elucia definitely wouldn't treat her this well.
So the only possibility was...
These peaceful days wouldn't last much longer.
The illness she suffered in Clear Temple hadn't been completely cured, and she might continue to risk getting sick at any time.
Even if she wouldn't die, she might have to lie in a hospital room forever, unable to travel with Elucia, right?
In that case, it seemed there had been signs all along?
Elucia had always treated her as a soft girl, so logically speaking, no matter what happened, she shouldn't have let her become a strong man now.
But because her time was running out,
Elucia wanted to let her be a boy one last time, to experience the beauty of being mighty once more.
Right, it must be like this!
Lonis remembered that whether it was last night or this morning when putting on the skin suit, Elucia's mood was good, and she didn't blame her at all.
But once evening came, after everyone had left, Elucia's mood became very strange.
This was probably because
Elucia was also very dejected, right?
She didn't know how to tell her about this, she was too embarrassed to comfort her, so she pretended to be cold and let her be a boy.
This way, if they would be separated in the future and not be together, her heart wouldn't become so dejected.
But...
In the end, Elucia still couldn't stop worrying about her.
Or rather, she was unwilling to miss this final opportunity... Because this was the Autumn Arts Festival, a time that should be happy.
No matter who it was, everyone should show genuine smiles on this night. Even if they would be alone in the future, they could treasure this memory in their hearts and store it preciously.
So...
Was that why Elucia was being so gentle with me?
If that's really the case,
I can't disappoint her expectations either, can I?
...
—Elucia's Thoughts—
...
Strange, now Lonis was giggling foolishly again?
But the emotions in her heart were very dejected, as if she was about to cry.
What was going on?
Could it be...
Was Lonis, this idiot, afraid of me?
Because she was worried I would suddenly bully her, so she was forcing a smile, hoping this atmosphere could continue forever?
Mm, it should be like this, right?
Because I can feel that Lonis is very guilty and insecure now.
But it's not that serious, is it...
I'm not a demon like General Kuru. Even when I usually bully this masochistic maid, I never felt her heart was very dejected.
Instead, she was very happy and excited. Her heart was clearly full of anticipation for being a soft girl, but she stubbornly refused to admit it.
Hmph, how troublesome.
But...
Lonis, my goal today is to make you happy!
So you must be happy for me.
Don't be afraid of me, don't have worries, just immerse yourself in joyful happiness!
...
—Lonis's Thoughts—
...
Looking at Elucia's figure, Lonis became even more anxious.
Although at first, she was still wondering if she was overthinking.
But soon, when she saw Elucia's expression clearly showing a trace of annoyance and distress, Lonis could confirm...
Just now, this black-haired girl obviously wanted to bully her.
But she forced down the dissatisfaction in her heart and just said gently to her:
"What's wrong, Lonis? Don't you like eating steak?"
"No, it's not that. It's just..."
"Then what do you like to eat, you little dummy?"
"Eh?"
"Consider it a reward for today's escape room being such a great success. Don't be polite, choose whatever you want~"
"!"
Being asked what she liked to eat was a first for Lonis.
(Actually it wasn't the first time. When Lonis was sick before, Elucia had also asked.)
Of course, this was partly due to the harsh environment before and the too-monotonous cafeteria food... But now, Elucia was being so gentle and caring toward her.
Didn't this represent that her time was running out?
Elucia wanted to take care of her as much as possible, not letting her leave with regrets.
Elucia really was a very gentle girl...
No, or rather, Elucia should have been like this originally, right?
If they lived in peaceful times, with me as the hero and her as the princess, we might have sat at the dinner table very amicably like tonight, eating delicious little steaks.
Exchanging our respective preferences, full of longing for a beautiful future.
But reality was incredibly cruel.
The pitch-black monsters took away all of Elucia's pride and also took away her gentleness.
Making this delicate girl only able to wear a tsundere mask to view the world, unable to truly let down her guard even toward her most intimate self.
No, actually...
It wasn't that reality was cruel.
It was just that she herself was too incompetent, wasn't it?
If only she could be as capable as King Ruowei Palace.
Then she could protect Elucia, then she could let her calmly accept all of this.
But now...
She was nothing more than a little softie protected by this black-haired girl.