Late into the night…
Kamisato Ayaka flitted between two rooms, trying on one outfit after another, like a private model putting on a show just for Luo Qing. She went through several sets of clothes she had brought back, each one carefully selected.
Among them, Luo Qing particularly loved the sky-blue school uniform. On Ayaka, it exuded the vibrant energy of youthful innocence, igniting his enthusiasm and making his heart race.
In the end, he couldn’t bring himself to let Ayaka change back into her regular clothes.
Seated cross-legged on opposite sides of a long table, the two shared stories and anecdotes about recent events in Inazuma.
The room was dimly lit by a single candle on the table, casting flickering shadows that gave the space a faintly romantic atmosphere.
The clock had already ticked deep into the night.
Luo Qing glanced out the window, debating whether to leave or stay.
“Luo Qing, are you leaving already…?”
Ayaka’s soft voice broke his train of thought. She had noticed his gaze and spoke in a tone laced with reluctance.
“Maybe we should call it a night…”
“Hmm…”
Luo Qing looked her up and down, a playful smile tugging at his lips.
“Ayaka, do you want me to leave?”
“Eh?”
Ayaka blinked, startled. It took her a moment to process his teasing, and her cheeks turned pink as she fumbled for a response.
“I…”
She bit her lip before quietly suggesting, “There are extra rooms in the teahouse. If you don’t mind, you could stay…”
“No, what I meant was…” Luo Qing interrupted her, leaning forward.
Their eyes met. Ayaka’s expression turned puzzled, her head tilting slightly.
Luo Qing leaned closer, the tips of their noses only centimeters apart. He could smell the delicate fragrance lingering on her.
“Can I stay in your room tonight, Ayaka?”
“Eh?!”
Ayaka flinched, instinctively leaning back.
“So, that’s a no, huh?” Luo Qing chuckled and stood up. “Alright then, Ayaka, I’ll head back now.”
“No… that’s not what I meant!” Ayaka blurted, panic evident in her voice.
“Then what do you mean?” Luo Qing bent down again, looking at her intently.
Under the warm glow of the candlelight, Ayaka’s face was as red as a freshly ripened apple, making it impossible not to want to take a bite.
“Ugh…”
Ayaka lowered her head, too flustered to speak. She realized she had fallen right into his trap. In a small voice, she mumbled, “Luo Qing, you’re teasing me again…”
“Am I?” Luo Qing’s grin widened as he took a seat beside her.
He reached out and gently tousled her hair.
Feeling his hand on her head, Ayaka didn’t pull away. Instead, she kept her gaze lowered, sneaking glances at him from time to time.
This hesitant yet longing look didn’t escape Luo Qing’s notice. It stirred something inside him, a mischievous itch.
Should I kiss her?
Swallowing hard, he made up his mind.
His hand slid down, cupping her smooth, tender cheek. Their eyes met again, and Ayaka seemed to understand his intentions. A flicker of resolve appeared in her gaze as she slowly closed her eyes.
“Uh, this…” Luo Qing was momentarily stunned by her boldness.
After a quick glance around to confirm that no nosy relatives were about to barge in, he gently cradled her adorable face and leaned in.
Ah…
The softness…
The delicate fragrance and moist warmth of her lips…
Absolutely divine.
On the other hand, Ayaka, who had only ever read about kisses in light novels, had no practical experience. She closed her eyes, parted her lips slightly, and clumsily followed Luo Qing’s lead.
She didn’t understand why he was exploring her mouth with his tongue or the purpose of exchanging saliva, but since it was something Luo Qing wanted, she didn’t refuse.
The kiss lingered until they finally pulled apart, both slightly out of breath.
“Hah…”
Ayaka’s face was flushed, her breaths coming in soft pants. The long kiss left her jaw a little sore and her breathing uneven.
But her heart swelled with a powerful urge—to tell Luo Qing how she truly felt.
“Luo Qing…”
As she began to speak, he slid an arm around her shoulder, pulling her into his embrace.
“What’s the matter?” Luo Qing feigned confusion.
Most guys her age would have taken things further by now, but Luo Qing wasn’t like most guys.
He was, in his own words, a scoundrel.
And scoundrels never rush; they wait until the girl takes the lead.
Like now.
“Luo Qing, I like you…” Ayaka’s voice was soft, barely a whisper, but filled with certainty as she buried her face in his chest.
“Hmm…” Luo Qing gently stroked her hair, his voice equally tender.
“Luo Qing… do you like me too?” Ayaka lifted her head, looking up at him with shy anticipation.
“Of course, Ayaka. You’re so adorable; how could I not like you?”
“Hmm…” Her gaze dropped again, her cheeks glowing pink.
As if something had just occurred to her, Ayaka began to lift her head, only for Luo Qing to cut her off.
He cupped her face with one hand and kissed her again.
This time, their embrace was tighter, their bodies pressed even closer. Lost in the moment, they ended up lying together on the tatami floor.
Minutes passed as they kissed, their breaths mingling.
Then Ayaka suddenly felt a hand slide under her blouse, startling her into sitting upright.
She scrambled back, pressing her hands over her chest, her face a picture of panic.
“Luo Qing… that kind of thing should wait until we’re married…”
Inazuma, like Liyue, upheld traditional values, and as the daughter of the Kamisato Clan, which oversaw the nation’s cultural rituals, Ayaka had been raised with a conservative mindset.
In her view, certain actions were only permissible after marriage.
Her current outfit—a thin school uniform designed by Luo Qing—offered little protection. Beneath the jacket, there was only a light camisole, and under the pleated skirt, just a small pair of shorts.
If she had let Luo Qing continue, it wouldn’t have taken long for him to strip her completely…
“Ahem, sorry… I got carried away for a moment.”
“Carried away?” Ayaka pouted, her eyes betraying a hint of annoyance.
They had agreed to only kiss, but this guy had taken liberties!
Her thoughts wandered back to the skilled way Luo Qing had kissed her, prompting her to mumble, “Luo Qing… you seem awfully experienced at this…”
“…” Luo Qing froze, feeling the weight of yet another loaded question.
“Well, I…”
Before he could explain, Ayaka interrupted him.
“You’ve kissed other girls before, haven’t you?”
“…” Luo Qing’s silence spoke volumes.
Caught.
“Ayaka, let me exp—”
“It’s late. I’m going to bed.”
Ayaka stood, covering her chest, and moved to the door. Her expression seemed to say, You may leave now.
“…”
“Alright…” Luo Qing sighed inwardly.
Why couldn’t he control himself?
He blamed his time spent with the Raiden Shogun and Ei; it had made him careless.
“Goodnight, Ayaka. I’ll be off then…”
But just as he reached the door, he felt small hands wrap around his waist.
The next moment, something soft pressed against his back.
“Ayaka?”
“Hmm…”
She buried her face in his back, her voice muffled as she whispered, “Luo Qing, can you… only like me?”
“…”
Luo Qing hesitated, unsure how to respond.
“I see…”
Ayaka’s arms loosened as she stepped back, her face calm and sweetly smiling.
“Let’s end it here for tonight.”
“Goodnight, Luo Qing.”
—
T/N: heh deserved
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