Chapter 46 - #46 Balcony illuminated by Moonlight (2/2)

'How could have I spaced so much to let someone sneak up behind me?! But...this kind of warmth is somehow familiar...' Ichika was surprised that Akashi dodged her sudden attack without any motion before it happened but she stopped struggling for a while when she sensed familiar warmth coming out of Akashi's hand wrapped around her body.

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”Isn't your guard too lax for a bodyguard, miss Ichika~? And what kind of welcome was that? Did you want to break my nose as a welcome?” I said with a teasing tone and a small smile on my face while forcing her head to turn at me.

”Yes, that's me.” I let go of her and took one step back to spread my arms and to fully show myself to her.

”...Young lord!” She exclaimed with a wet eyes and jumped on me, tightly hugging me and pressing her brėȧsts against me.

Eh? I didn't expect such a reaction...Was she that worried? But she looked completely fine when I left, on the other hand, Kurome was quite sad. Did she perhaps just act like she wasn't worried, trying to set a good example for Kurome?

I thought with a slightly surprised expression.

”Yeah, I am back. Don't you have any confidence in me?” I returned the hug and only when I put my hands around her, she stopped putting so much strength to her hug.

”Ha-ha, I-I know how strong Young lord is but...The battlefield is a chaotic place and anything can happen there, not to mention that Teigu user could have been there too. It is said that once 2 Teigu users meet each other in battle, only one can leave alive and sometimes even both will perish.” It was hard to recognize if she was laughing or crying, maybe both at the same time. One thing was definite, she was crying because she was relieved and happy to see me.

”...I wanted to follow Young lord but I was aware that I would be discovered by Young lord's abnormal awareness. And when I calmed down, I also recalled that I have to look after Kurome-chan and talk to her about the thing that happened in the warehouse. Then I realized that Young lord would be extremely displeased with my performance if I decided to follow and abandon my duties regarding Kurome.” She started explaining and amidst of her explanation, she was starting to calm down.

I would have never thought that it would be like this to such an extent...This goes beyond her duties as a bodyguard to care about me like that...It's the truth that we spent with each other numerous years while being most of the day together.

After seeing her reaction...hearing her rapidly beating heart...feeling her shaky hands...feeling her tears slowly wetting my clothes, I can finally say it for sure.

”You have done well, Ichika. You should go rest for now.” I said with a genuine smile while gently patting her head.

”Mm, yes, suddenly I am feeling quite tired.” She let go of me and took one step back while wiping away her tears together with flushed cheeks and a big smile.

”Let me help you~” I said and without waiting for her response, I took her into a princess carry while looking at the enormous moon in the sky with a small smile.

”Wha-? Young lord?” She didn't protest but she looked at me with a confused expression.

”Look at this beautiful moon for the last time, after that I will carry you to your bed” I glanced at Ichika while saying this with a smile before returning my gaze at the moon.

She looked surprised by my words but she still looked towards the moon. Her tanned face together with her long black hair tied up in ponytail swaying back and forth in the wind were illuminated by the moonlight. While she was looking at the moon with an enchanted expression, her violet eyes were shining brighter than ever, her eyes looked like a middle of the space being surrounded by many shining stars.

”Heh, as I thought your eyes are really pretty” I said with a small chuckle.

”Huh?” She turned at me with a surprised expression, not being able to say anything she just smiled and thanked me with her bright smile.

”Let's go back” I walked in her room and put her on the bed and put a blanket over her.

Then I went back towards the balcony to close the doors and put curtains down to block any light from coming to her room.

While I was doing that...

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'...Young lord is really charming, he would be able to charm any girl with his looks and gentle disposition. Thankfully, that gentleness is only directed to certain people or others would try to take advantage of him. I am glad that he can be ruthless while also kind...these kinds of people are rarest in this world.' Ichika thought while holding her blanket over half of her face to hide her blushing cheeks.

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When I was done I made my way toward the door leading to the hallway inside the mansion.

”Young lord?” Ichika called out to me while hiding half of her face with her blanket.

I put my hand on the handle of the door and then turned at her with a smile and waited for her to continue.

”...Thank you...for everything.” She said after a little pause.

”No need to do that, you can always depend on me. Good night, Ichika, may you have only beautiful dreams.” I said with a small smile and then quietly left her room through the door.

Thankfully my room is very close to Ichika's or I would have to sneak around many maids still ”working” but in truth, they are just guarding the mansion.

When I got into my room I immediately noticed that Kurome's bed was empty.

?

I looked around with a confused expression and then I finally understood.

She is sleeping on my bed...

Should I wake her up and greet her or...

”Zzzz, Nii-sama...Nee-san” Kurome was muttering in her sleep while she was sleeping in the curled up position, looking like a little kitten. The blanket wasn't covering her at all and it was visible that she was wearing only her undėrwėȧr.

What kind of sleep do you need to have to completely kick away the blanket? Anyway, I should not wake her up, I will wait until the morning and give her a different form of surprise.

I took off my military uniform and got into my bed right next to her and covered her with my blanket. I guess she will serve as an alarm if she will wake up earlier than me, heh.

I thought with a smile and closed my eyes.