Chapter 31 – Dinner (2)
Bien unconsciously stretched out his arms.
It was meant to be hugged by anyone.
Starchis had never been greeted in Bienne like this, but he was not surprised.
Bien would occasionally make skinship with him by clinging to his arm or leaning on his shoulder.
In addition, I remembered Bien’s mood that Casey, whom I met during the day, had told me about, and I understood it a little.
Starchis leaned over and gave Vienne a light hug.
Starchis put her hand lightly on her back and she hugged him too.
Tuk tuk
Stachis asked, patting his back.
“How are you, Bien?”
Now that we have not seen each other as often or for a long time, I felt strange that even if we were separated for such a short period of time, the period felt long.
Bien, freed from the embrace, nodded his head instead of answering.
Starchis was relieved inwardly.
He didn’t seem to be so offended by Casey’s words.
Just subsided a bit.
“Come in.”
Starchis twisted his body sideways to guide Vien into the house.
Bien cautiously entered the room.
She was still nervous.
The sense of despair and fear she tasted then left a deep scar in her heart.
Every step, step deeper, every part of the room felt unfamiliar.
“The food is almost ready, Bien. If Russ or Lily noona comes, I think we can eat it.”
Stachis said and entered the kitchen.
But Vien was still trembling, and she was looking here and there.
And when she got far enough into her room, she saw her bed.
She bit her lip so Starchis, who had entered the kitchen, couldn’t see.
‘In that bed…’
Vien thought.
In that bed Starchis became a man.
The moan at that time echoed in her head.
Feeling nauseated, Bien turned her head away.
“Bien, can you put the tableware down?”
Stachis asked.
Bien did what he said.
In the hope that if I move her body, I won’t be reminded of it.
Stachis glanced at Vienne as they entered her kitchen.
“But you’re quiet today, Bien?”
Stachis asked cautiously.
She intended to relieve her mood by lightly finding out what had happened.
However, Starchis did not expect to be able to hear her concerns right away.
To these questions, only blunt answers such as “Don’t care”, “No part-time job”, “It’s okay” Always came back.
However, upon hearing this, Bien became grumpy on the contrary.
He hated Stachis for not knowing anything, and was frustrated with Bien himself for not being able to do anything.
And she wanted to return her attention, which had been directed to Elzain, back to herself.
So, an honest answer came out impulsively.
“Yes. Something bad happened.”
Took.
The atmosphere suddenly became quiet.
Even Bienne was taken back by the much bigger change than expected.
Starchis came up to her and asked.
“What happened?”
When he asked with a firm expression, as if he was genuinely worried, Bien was taken aback.
My heart started beating again.
Thump thump
“Uh? That, so…”
‘I heard you having a relationship with your girlfriend, and my heart hurts because I used to like you.’
Can’t say the same thing
Now that Stachis has a girlfriend, she has to hide her feelings even more as her Vienne.
Even if she revealed her inner thoughts, she would be kicked out. Even if she tried, she wouldn’t be accepted by Stachis, who sang pure love.
She finally fumbled.
“So… Casey! Fighting Casey.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Is it like that?” Starchis thought.
I thought the reason Casey bought her snacks for her was to reconcile her.
On the other hand, Bien said that she regretted it now and again.
Wouldn’t she have gotten a little more attention if she had come up with a better excuse? Do.
It’s no big deal, Starchis turns around and Vien squeezes her bean-kong head.
-Smart smart.
A knock was heard at the door.
Starches said.
“I will open it. Just keep preparing the utensils.”
“Uh..? Uh. Yes.”
Starchis then went towards the door.
Bien took the spoon and bowl and moved to her table.
-Kikkik
“I’m here, Chis.”
I heard Russ’ voice.
She sets down her dishes one by one as Bien shifts her gaze towards the door.
Russ and I met eyes.
Russ was looking over her shoulder at Vienne, hugging Stachis lightly.
Originally, a snowball fight should have ensued, but Bien gave up and turned her eyes away.
Even if the two of them had a snowball fight, it wouldn’t make any sense.
Starchis was already getting along well with Elzain.
Or, she could have already hugged herself, so it didn’t make her competitive.
And Bienne was envious of Russ.
I was envious of her not knowing that her first experience with Starchis had already disappeared.
So far, Russ had never liked everything related to Starchis, but Vien decided to keep this a secret.
Because it seemed too cruel to tell this.
I know how painful that wound is, but no matter how close we are, it was too merciless to inflict that wound as a human being.
Vienne silently set down her bowls and utensils.
Russ came over and said.
“Hello, Vien.”
“… Hi.”
Russ unsheathed her sword from her waist and put it down, helping Vien put down her cutlery.
Russ glanced at Starchis’ bed.
She checked to see if there were any traces of herself that she hadn’t identified, or that Starchis had noticed.
Nothing seemed to have changed, and there seemed to be no trace of himself.
“What have you been doing, Russ?”
Russ, whose nerves were focused elsewhere, was taken aback by Stachis’ words.
Russ caught her breath in a way that didn’t show her surprise.
She opened her mouth to answer, but no words came out.
I masturbated in that bed, or I cried every day, or I was looking for a girl with pink hair and pink eyes.
“… Russ did you hear me?”
Starchis asked back, and Russ said calmly.
“Yes? What did you say, Chis?”
“What have you been doing? Haha.”
“I was just taking care of my body.”
It was half serious, half lie. Except for the time I was crying or looking for Elsaine, I took care of myself.
But that time is overwhelmingly less.
But Stachis, who had no way of knowing that fact, felt better.
“Oh, yes? Good job. Mind is relieved If you’re in good shape, I’m strong too.”
Instead of answering, Russ smiled.
Widely.
The last tableware and cutlery are placed.
Starches came and even set the drinks and glasses.
As soon as the food was placed, the preparation was over.
“I just need Lily to come. Let’s sit down and wait.”
After a brief break, Russ and Vienne found a place to sit.
Vien, who was looking around, cautiously went to the bed and sat down, while Russ waited and took the seat next to Starchis.
Russ was watching Vienne’s actions.
Strangely, when someone approached Starchis’s bed, his heart was pounding.
Vienne carefully stroked the quilt on her bed, then slightly clenched her fist.
Step by step she was facing her own horrifying memories.
Russ, who watched her carefully, had a hard time holding back her words.
“What’s wrong with Bien?”
“Uh?”
Russ’ words startle Vienne.
“I want you to stroke the bedspread. Do you have anything?”
“Ah. No.”
“Looks like Bien is tired. She had a fight with a friend. She can lie down for a bit.”
Starches added.
It wasn’t at all, but this little consideration, as if she was thinking of herself, touched Vienne’s heart.
It was good and it was painful.
-Smart smart.
A sound came from the door again.
The last guest has arrived.
It was the perfect timing for the steak to be resting.
****
Everyone sat down at the table.
Russ sat next to Starchis, Bienne sat across from him, and Lily took the rest.
When she was seated, Starchis went into her kitchen and called for them.
“Would you please come over here with a bowl in front of you one by one?”
He set aside the lid over the grilled steak.
A delicious scent and steam rose.
‘It’s well-baked.’
Stachis thought with satisfaction.
It felt like it was going to be a good dinner as the food was made the way I wanted it.
Russ came first.
“Ruler.”
He put the meat on Russ’ plate.
She handed her plate to Bien, who was waiting behind her.
“…Why are you giving it to me?”
Vienne asks Russ.
“I will continue to receive it next to Chis. It’s uncomfortable when everyone comes and goes.”
“It’s okay. I’ll take mine.”
“No. Now that I’ve heard it, I think you’d better do what Russ said. Go ahead and sit down.”
Stachis said to Bien.
Vien glered at Russ without Stachis’ knowledge, then went back to his seat.
Lily also had a displeased face.
Actually Starchis thanked Russ.
“Thanks for your help, Russ.”
“What. We’re eating together, so that’s enough.”
Starchis put the meat piece by piece in the bowl Russ gave him,
Russ passed the empty bowl to Stachis.
After putting the last portion of starch on the bowl, Russ and Vienne returned to their seats.
Location had changed.
In the seat next to Stachis was Bien, and across from her was Lily.
Russ clenched his teeth.
Lily said.
“Starchis, come quickly and sit down.”
Stachis didn’t really care who he sat how, so he sat down roughly.
Russ also hesitated, and she went to the remaining seat.
As everyone sat down and put the food in front of them, Stachis noticed and said.
“Okay, then let’s all eat-“
“-Previously.”
Lily cut her off.
Lily smiled seductively.
It wasn’t easy with a broken heart.
“Previously. Starches. As a leader, please say something.”
Of course, this place is not an ordinary banquet hall.
In a way, it is also a time for unity.
Everyone has a big schedule waiting for them tomorrow.
“I’m ashamed…”
“I have to do it at a time like this. You are the leader.”
Stachis was shy, shy, then scratched his chin, looking for something to say.
“… Now, everyone. It’s not that there weren’t any crises while rolling C and D ranks for several years, but everyone did a good job. That hardship is over. It may be risky, but we can do it. Then you’ll get a better location, better rewards, and better food for what’s left. Starting tomorrow, we are already a class B party. Absolutely succeed. Oh, if you feel unwell tomorrow, just tell me.”
Even the slightly unfamiliar tone of voice and the use of cheeks became reddish.
“Let’s keep going like this, for a long, long time.”
At that, the three flinched.
‘…All the way?’
‘.. Like this?’
‘…For a long long time?’
I wanted to last a long time, but no one wanted to last this long.
They hide their trembling hearts under their faces.
The three of them were gradually learning how to hide their feelings over the next few weeks.
“Come on, party barefoot, fighting!”
There’s no such thing as a drinking glass. When Starchis clenched his fists, everyone responded by hiding their emotions.
“Be happy, Chis.”
“Nuna will continue to work hard.”
“Go for it..”
Bien then slightly thrust her fist into Stachis.
Starchis laughed and punched Vien’s fist with his fist.
Russ slightly regretted holding on to the seat next to Starchis in the kitchen.
“Now, everyone, eat.”
At his words, everyone grabbed forks and knives and started eating.
He cut each bite into small pieces and everyone praised his cooking skills.
He didn’t do anything in particular, and the meat was good, so he was a compliment that had nothing to do with himself, but he was a starch that made him feel proud.
He too cut a piece of meat and put it in his mouth.
The gravy came out like fruit juice and the flavor was deep.
It was soft, like bread, melting in your mouth.
After one or two bites, he looked up from his plate.
Stachis, who was about to get his words out, was slightly started.
I almost heard Sareh.
For the three women were all looking at him.
As he flinched and giggled, the three women also came to their senses and averted their gaze casually.
-Dalgrakdalgrak
The sound of cutlery hitting the bowl was heard.
“… What did you put on my face?”
He touched his face his. He had nothing to bury.
“… No, it’s Chis.”
I wondered if he was joking, but he turned off his interest.
Everyone was so focused on the food that it didn’t seem like they would answer even if I asked.
And there was something more important to say.
“Guys, so the request I’m going to go to tomorrow is-“
“-Let’s talk about that tomorrow Starchis.”
But Lily cut him off.
“.. It’s enough to talk about tomorrow, right? Today, I want to hear from you guys.”
In fact, Lily wanted to hear Stachis’ story rather than ‘you guys’.
Starchis realized that Lily had been a little hasty.
Since it’s a B-class request, I wanted to talk about it first, but Lily is right. Work is work, and rest is rest.
Now, it is a dinner party for mutual unity, but there is no need to come here to talk about work.
“Your sister is right. I also wonder how everyone is doing.”
“…We’re done, how are you and your girlfriend?”
Bien asked with her stone fastball.
Once again, Russ and Lily stop moving.
However, Stachis did not like the arrows directed at him again.
Even if they didn’t want to do it these days, it seemed that the three of them would only lie about asking about her girlfriend her.
In addition, even this place opened for unity made me feel more uncomfortable than usual to lie.
She said let’s put down all the guilt and stuff, but that didn’t make sense.
“… I’m fine. But I’m done talking about my girlfriend.”
Russ, Vienne, and Lily’s sister draw attention.
He found a good subject to turn the story around.
“Nuna or you, what do you have? Like a guy you like.”
Sighing, Starchis smiled.
