Chapter 10.4 – Some Gods are Like Cockroaches in Your Isekai Life

When Mizuki asked Nina to join him in his scheming with the elves, she reveled in thoughts of what delightful surprises awaited her. She was all too happy to accept his offer, and she also took the opportunity to secure a favor in exchange. She had no specific request in mind, but she knew it would bring her even more entertainment.

After Mizuki secured Nina's help and she noticed him preparing to depart, the crushing loneliness from before began to reemerge. She was shocked to admit that she dreaded his impending absence. Furthermore, when she considered the possibility of never seeing Mizuki again…she despaired. After the enjoyment of Mizuki's visit, Nina couldn't bear the thought of returning to her isolated existence.

Fueled by a fear of this outcome, Nina implored Mizuki to delay the end to their time together. She was fearful when he rejected her request to accompany him, but relieved when he offered to stay with her in the forest longer. To her surprise, he also promised to spend a later day with her doing whatever she desired. Nina was overcome with joy by the guarantee that they'd see each other again, and she hugged him on impulse.

When Mizuki later expressed an interest in acquiring her so called 'thought communication', she recalled the Dragon Bond. Normally, Nina would have already formed the bond with her mate. The bond was not romantic in nature, per se, but it was almost exclusively used by mated dragons. However, she had no interest in the male dragons on Azura, and therefore no prospects for such a mate.

Imagining the constant connection between two people that the bond offered, Nina eagerly proposed the so-called 'contract' to Mizuki. The thought of being able to communicate with and visit him freely brought Nina a rush of happiness, and she also rejoiced at the strength she might acquire.

To her surprise, Mizuki seemed nervous about the bond. Now that she'd considered all the benefits, she loathed the possibility of not being able to make it with him. When he finally agreed, she was overcome with relief, and compulsively embraced Mizuki out of gratitude.

As they prepared for the bond's ritual, Nina was filled with anticipation. Though it wouldn't be with a mate, she was ecstatic about finally making the bond with someone, and the constant companionship that it would bring. However, as she sat down across from Mizuki and studied him closely, Nina was struck with a realization.

She found Mizuki…appealing…physically. She was shocked and confused by the inclination. She'd never even considered such a thing for a human before, but she realized she didn't really view Mizuki as human anymore. His absurd strength, entertaining personality, and kindness…at some point in their brief encounter, he'd earned her respect. She viewed him as an equal, just like the other Elder Dragons.

Nina simply pushed the confusing feelings from her mind and proceeded with the bonding ritual. During the mixing of their magic, she felt Mizuki's warm aura embrace her, and the sensation reassured Nina to her core that she'd never feel loneliness again as long as he lived.

Along with this sensation, Nina felt an inexplicable familiarity towards Mizuki take root as she looked at him, like he'd been a fixture in her life for decades instead of hours. Amidst those new feelings, Nina was reminded of her previous attraction towards Mizuki, and found that it had intensified and no longer confused her.

Staring at him, as the Dragon Bond strengthened their connection, Nina had felt an increasing curiosity about him as a potential mate. As the ritual concluded, and Nina's curiosity about Mizuki peaked, she'd kissed him in the heat of the moment. Mizuki's inference that it had been premeditated was, in fact, incorrect.

Breaking away from the kiss, Nina had been deeply satisfied with the experience. After tens of millennia without any romantic interests, this development with Mizuki was exhilarating. She was uncertain about whether he could be her mate, but she had no doubts that she wanted to explore her attraction to him more.

Nina was a little surprised to find that Mizuki didn't seem as enthused by their kiss as she did. However, she was not too concerned about his lack of enthusiasm, and she was quite confident in her appeal. So, she dismissed the kiss as a part of the ritual to avoid pressuring Mizuki, confident in her ability to pursue him later.

Content with the day's developments, and her new connection with Mizuki, Nina had sent him on his way happily. After his departure, while their bond prevented the feeling of loneliness she'd once endured, she wasn't immune to boredom or an impatience to see him again.

To distract herself, she resorted to training and testing the new power she'd acquired from her bond with him. That was the source of her determined emotions that Mizuki felt before his meeting with the elves.

Later that night, she was waiting impatiently to hear from Mizuki after his meeting. She passed the time by reading his emotions through their connection, and she noticed Mizuki's strong attraction to another woman. Sensing this, Nina felt doubt erode her confidence about her newfound connection with Mizuki.

She knew that he wouldn't have viewed the Dragon Bond as a romantic declaration. Upon reflection, he'd never even demonstrated attraction towards her in their time together. Neither when he saw her naked after their battle, nor when they kissed. Moreover, she hadn't considered that he might already have a mate…she'd never asked him.