Chapter 27: Awkward (Patreon)

"Silence—"

Inside the dimly lit room, the atmosphere was now filled with nothing but awkwardness.

Haru stood at the doorway, and Lukulazia lay on the sofa in the room. They looked at each other without a word.

One hadn't expected anyone to come, the other hadn't expected opening the door would bring such a "surprise."

In short, both were somewhat embarrassed and momentarily at a loss for words.

Should they act as if nothing happened and greet each other?

Or perhaps ask if help was needed?

Awkward. So awkward!

Even Lukulazia hadn't expected Haru to arrive at such a critical moment, leaving her completely unprepared.

She had been so engrossed that she hadn't paid attention to sounds or her familiar, failing to notice someone approaching.

What to do now?

This question arose simultaneously in both Lukulazia's mind and Haru's, standing at the door.

Under normal circumstances, Haru would definitely pretend he hadn't seen anything, at most uttering an "excuse me" before closing the door.

But the problem was his current mental and physical state!

He hadn't been satisfied earlier, and now he was witnessing such a "shocking" scene—how could he possibly remain calm?

Their eyes met. The somewhat embarrassed and awkward Lukulazia, after regaining her composure, looked deeply at Haru standing in the doorway for a moment.

Then, whether influenced by the atmosphere, frustrated by the interrupted conclusion, or simply very pleased with Haru...

After a brief moment of safety, her cheeks slightly flushed, she raised her hand and smiled at him.

"At a time like this, should I start calling you 'husband'?"

"Either is fine."

"Is that so? Then, Anata Onegai"

"..."

Why Japanese?

Well, he understood the meaning of that phrase anyway.

And, should he say, as expected of Lukulazia? So quick to turn the tables, even though she was the owner of this house.

If this were a game, several options would likely appear now.

One, close the door and leave.

Two, agree to her request.

Three, kick her off the sofa.

Option one was the normal reaction. Option three was for idiots and psychopaths.

As for Haru?

Needless to say, he, of course, chose option two!

Click~

And to avoid trouble or unexpected interruptions, after entering, he directly closed and locked the door. Then, like an emperor approaching his consort, he strolled over to where Lukulazia was and looked down at the mature witch.

Lukulazia, in turn, looked back at him openly and unabashedly.

"Your Japanese is that fluent?"

"Not really I learned it from films during my studies and travels years ago. Also, let me state clearly, I've never had a lover until now And now I'm yours~ Happy?"

"The honor is mine."

"Hey~ Do you believe in fate?"

"Hmm?"

"When I first saw you, it felt like I had found my other half, or like I had finally waited for the most important person. I suppose the Crimson Devil miss felt the same way That's why she... Hehehe"

"Fate?"

Nods~

"Really?"

"It's true The first time I saw you, it was like waiting for my beloved had finally paid off I dare say you will definitely be a man of grave sins in the future!"

"..."

So mysterious?

Even "fate" came into play.

But thinking about the Cult Leader sister, Erika, and the witch before him, Haru inexplicably felt there was some truth to it.

Alright, it could also be explained by him being too handsome, thus captivating them all!

While it might not be love at first sight, he was definitely deeply attractive and left a very favorable impression.

If this were a game, he'd probably have a built-in "extremely high favorability" status.

As for the witch's assessment of him?

Haru knew he was a passionate person, but he wouldn't be promiscuous or fickle.

Although he couldn't guarantee he wouldn't favor one over another, he would never neglect anyone close to him.

Of course, that premise only applied to those by his side!

The two chatted and laughed while their movements remained unhurried.

When Haru saw Lukulazia frown, his expression showed clear delight. He hadn't expected this mature witch to be the same as Erika in that regard!

Actually, even without this, he could tell whether what Lukulazia said was true or not.

He could judge simply from her cursed power. If she had been... with someone before, her cursed power wouldn't be so pure.

He had verified this earlier with Erika.

Erika's originally pure cursed power was now mixed with his aura, whereas Lukulazia's cursed power was still "clear," without any "impurities."

Well, he believed that would change soon.

Therefore, the purer the cursed power, the more it naturally indicated the state of its owner.

Conversely, if the cursed power and aura were turbid, even "defiled," then it definitely belonged to someone with many "friends" in certain aspects.

Relying on his own Qi (Cursed Power), Haru could completely judge good from bad, thus deciding whether to take action.

And clearly, Lukulazia belonged to the "pure" type, whereas his Qi had introduced some "impurities" into her cursed power.

Did this count as marking his territory?

Proving the flower had an owner?

"Mmm—"

A moment later, as Lukulazia stared dazedly at the ceiling for a while,

she came back to her senses and was pleasantly surprised to find that the injuries she had suffered from the Spirit Vision backlash had miraculously mostly healed.

Could that really have such an effect?

"Phew~ What's wrong?"

"Thanks to you, I seem to have recovered~"

"Recovered is good. Since that's the case, shouldn't you properly thank me?"

"Eek?! Dame Motto"

"..."

Under the night sky, the liveliness within the Witch's Cottage continued.