Meanwhile.

Hazuki stirred, stretching lazily as a long yawn escaped him. His eyes blinked open, still heavy with sleep.

He rubbed his face with one hand, looking around the room with a frown.

"…Huh? Why am I sleeping in Ellyn's room?" he muttered, his voice rough from sleep.

His brow furrowed, his thoughts still hazy.

"…Did I… drink too much?"

The sound of the bathroom door creaking open snapped Hazuki fully awake.

He turned his head, only for his eyes to nearly pop out.

Ellyna stepped out, her skin bare, the soft morning light brushing over her like a veil.

"What—!?" Hazuki's face flushed crimson as he threw a hand over his eyes… though his fingers betrayed him, parting just enough for him to peek.

"Ellyn! C-Cover yourself!" he stammered.

She tilted her head, unfazed. "Hnn? Cover?"

"Y-Yeah, cover!!!" Hazuki scrambled, reaching for the blanket that had been covering him.

He looked down.

"…Ehh!?" His whole body stiffened. He was naked beneath it.

Hazuki's eyes darted, panic written all over his face as he saw Ellyna's slow, uneven steps.

"W-Why are you walking like that!? No, screw it! Just cover yourself already!"

"Cover from what?" Ellyna grumbled, her cheeks puffing slightly as she inched closer to the bed.

"D-Don't come closer! I-I'm not wearing anything!" Hazuki flailed, clutching the blanket tighter.

"Hnn? I know."

His jaw dropped. "…K… know!?"

Her eyes narrowed playfully, her voice soft yet teasing. "Why do you think I'm walking like this, you beast~"

Hazuki's face turned scarlet, steam practically rising from his head, hands trembled as he pulled the blanket closer, just enough to peek under it.

His eyes widened. The sight on the sheet hit him like lightning.

His breath caught, his chest tightening.

Slowly, his hands moved to grab his head, fingers digging into his hair as if trying to push the truth away. His temples throbbed, his mind a blur, as he tried to piece together what happened last night.

Then his gaze returned to the mark again.

"I… I…" his voice cracked, a whisper. "I did it… with…"

His throat tightened, horror flashing in his eyes.

"…With a kid…"

Ellyna puffed out her cheeks, tapping her foot lightly on the floor despite her unsteady steps.

"How many times do I have to tell you!" she huffed, golden eyes narrowing at him. "I'm not a kid!"

Hazuki blinked, still holding his head, his face pale with panic.

"This—this can't—"

"This is the real me!" she cut him off, hands on her hips. "I only use a transformation skill to look like a kid! It's just a disguise!"

Her tail flicked behind her, her voice sharp with frustration.

"F…for…real?" Hazuki's voice came out small, raw with the question of a man who'd just learned half his life had changed.

"Yes!" Ellyna snapped, cheeks hot, but with no shame, only firm certainty.

"And don't forget, you were the real beast last night. Not stopping at one, but until dawn. You didn't even let me rest. Mou!"

Hazuki stared at her, colors draining from his face, then rushing back in waves. For a moment he said nothing, as if the world needed time to catch up. Then he exhaled, a single, shuddering breath.

"I… You're telling me… we… did… it?" he finally managed, voice unsteady, almost disbelieving.

"Yes!" Ellyna shot back, her cheeks puffed out in frustration. "Stop overthinking it already!"

Her glare pinned him in place, golden eyes burning while her tail flicked in sharp, impatient sways.

"Now move over!" she huffed, shuffling closer to the bed with a pout. "And let me rest"

Ellyn caught Hazuki's hand just as he tried to slip away, tugging him back down onto the bed. She pressed herself against him, forcing his arm to wrap around her.

"Don't you dare run after what you did last night," she said firmly, her cheeks flushed but her voice steady.

Hazuki swallowed hard, his arms around her. From behind, his voice came out low, hesitant.

"You… really not a kid?"

Ellyna sighed softly, then turned in his embrace. Her lips brushed against his, a gentle kiss that silenced his doubt for a heartbeat.

When she pulled back, her hand cupped his cheek, her eyes locked firmly on his.

"No… I'm not," she whispered. "Trust me. The childlike appearance you saw, it's just a transformation skill." Her palm pressed warmly against his skin, her gaze unwavering.

"Believe me… I'm not a kid."

Meanwhile outside.

Ridan floated lazily above the lake, circling with Syaria as the morning sun glimmered on the water's surface. The peace felt rare, almost too good.

Then a sudden shiver ran down his tiny form. He froze midair, eyes narrowing.

He let out a long sigh. Slowly turning, he spotted them. The two mysterious figures, waiting calmly, seated on the bench just outside the house. Relaxed as if they owned the place, like predators in no rush to strike.

"Damn it… these two again," Ridan muttered under his breath, casting a quick glance at Syaria.

She nodded beside him in silent agreement.

"We should go to them."

"Yeah, yeah, I know." Ridan's voice was resigned, body dipping lower toward the ground as he drifted toward the bench.

"Ridan, Ridan, Ridan~," the younger-looking man said with a smirk, waving him over as if teasing.

Beside him, the older figure stayed still, sipping tea as if this meeting were ordinary.

Ridan floated closer reluctantly, with Syaria trailing quietly behind. The moment he was within reach, the younger man grabbed him with one hand, holding him like a toy ball.

"Ugh! Let me go! I'm not a ball!" Ridan wriggled frantically, his tiny form twisting against the man's palm.

"Ahahaha!" the younger man laughed, rubbing his knuckles roughly against Ridan's round body. "Still so soft!"

"Eeekkk!!! Cut it out! Let me go, damn it!!!"

"Ahem."

The older man cleared his throat softly and raised a single hand.

The younger froze, his grin fading into a pout as he reluctantly stopped. The playful roughhousing stopped, leaving only the soft clink of tea being set back on porcelain.

Ridan gulped hard, his tiny body trembling as the older man's calm but piercing gaze settled on him, and then shifted to Syaria.

"Now, Ridan…" the older man spoke smoothly, quietly, with the weight of authority.

"Y…yes?" Ridan squeaked.

"It's time for him to continue his sightseeing."

"H…huh?" Ridan stammered, wobbling in the younger man's grip. "D-Do you think he'll listen once he finds out Ellyna isn't really a kid?"

The older man didn't flinch. His expression stayed calm, but his eyes sharpened into a glare that silenced Ridan instantly.

Ridan swallowed hard, bowed his puffball head. "…I'll see what I can do."

"Good. This is important."

( End Of Chapter )

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.