Chapter 36: Sky as the Bed

There were still a few hours left before noon, and Shichen, carrying the homemade bento box he'd prepared, left the café with Tohru.

Chisato, misunderstanding and assuming Shichen was going out alone with Tohru to say his goodbyes, didn't even ask any questions—she just waved them off cheerfully.

Tohru herself had no idea why Shichen had brought her along. She'd more or less forgotten the promise they'd made before. After all, she'd been living happily and peacefully lately, feeling fully content.

As they walked along, Shichen held Tohru's hand, strolling at a leisurely pace toward the foothills behind the town. Tohru swung their joined hands gently, visibly in high spirits. She didn't mind where they were headed; what mattered was that Chen-dono was holding her hand, and they were out together, just the two of them.

Yet she did have a strange feeling, so she couldn't help asking, "Chen-dono, where are we going?"

"See that mountain there? Remember it?" Shichen pointed to a distant hill with his free hand.

"Of course I remember it." Tohru beamed. "That's where I met Chen-dono for the first time. How could I ever forget?"

"I see. Wanna go back and have a look?"

"Sure! But why?" Tohru asked curiously.

"What do you mean, why?"

"I mean why the sudden trip there, that's all."

"You'll know when we get there."

"Oh… gotcha…"

They walked neither too fast nor too slow, greeting various locals along the way—most of them café customers who mainly came to eat. Not so many office workers passed by in this part of town.

Shichen and Tohru were quite famous in the neighborhood—the handsome youth and the adorable girl were a striking pair, not easily forgotten. And Tohru also wore her "dragon maid" outfit, after all. Many middle-aged people and older ladies had come to see them as a couple; every time they spotted the two of them together, it inexplicably lifted their spirits.

Perhaps the older you get, the more you enjoy seeing the romance of the younger generation.

Tohru had also forged good ties with the locals, often shopping for groceries and chatting, so everyone had grown fond of her. Indeed, a charming young lady received a warm welcome, especially from middle-aged folks.

"Tohru, where are you off to now?"

"Going on a date, are you?"

"Do your best!"

"Hehe, thank you, everyone!" Tohru responded cheerily, not bothering to deny they were out on a "date."

Shichen just smiled back and nodded in greeting.

He felt relieved that Tohru had blended in so well with the neighbors.

Eventually, they left the town and followed a mountain trail. The hill behind it wasn't that big, so soon they reached the very spot where they'd first met. It was still a mess, looking exactly as when they'd left it—though it had only been a little over a month, it still triggered memories.

Shichen felt nostalgic seeing the wreckage, whereas Tohru felt slightly embarrassed remembering the attitude she'd had at the time—rather harsh, though it was mainly to urge Shichen to leave safely.

"Chen-dono," Tohru said, "can you tell me now what's going on?"

"You have no sense of romance, do you?" Shichen sighed, shaking his head.

"Romance?" She didn't follow.

"This is where we first met. Doesn't it make you feel anything?"

"Er… just that I was a bit rude, I guess." Tohru fidgeted.

"Is that so?" Shichen asked lightly. "What about this?"

Still holding Tohru's hand, he gave a small tug, pulling her suddenly into his arms.

"Eh?" she gasped, her face landing against Shichen's chest. She raised her head, blinking at him in confusion.

Shichen met her golden eyes with intensity, then slowly leaned in.

Tohru never expected him to act so boldly. Her heart thumped wildly, and she went stiff with nerves. But as his breath brushed her cheek, she closed her eyes.

Then came the gentle contact of their lips.

It wasn't their first, but Tohru still felt a jolt all the way to her soul, sinking into the moment.

Shichen didn't rush; the two remained in that sweet kiss for over ten seconds before he slowly pulled back.

Tohru opened her eyes. Her golden irises glimmered with a faint moisture, her cheeks flushed, slightly dazed.

"Remember I told you I'd teach you something 'more impressive' than before?" he reminded her.

"Mmm…" she nodded hazily.

"Well… let's do that now," Shichen said, leaning in again.

"Mmm…!" Tohru's eyes flew open.

This time, it was more than just a shock to her soul—it was a euphoric, transcendent feeling. She realized a kiss could be this way, too.

Tohru learned fast; only moments after Shichen guided her, she took the lead. Shichen himself wasn't all that experienced, and a few seconds later he found himself on the defensive, short of breath.

"Hah—! Hah—!" Shichen finally tore himself away to gulp down air.

Meanwhile, Tohru's face was rosy but her breathing steady; she licked her lips, a hungry gleam in her eyes.

"Chen-dono, one more time," she insisted.

"C-calm down!" Shichen muttered, fighting the urge to gasp for air.

"Heehee, that really was even better! Can we do that a lot from now on?"

"Sure, eventually. But not next."

"Huh? Why not?"

"Because… I'm planning to leave for a while." Shichen exhaled, his expression turning serious.

"Eh?" Tohru froze, stunned. "You're leaving? Where to?"

"I'm leaving to gain power," he explained gently.

"Power…?"

"I told you before I'd help you get revenge, punish those gods who hurt you… that wasn't just talk." He gave her a light smile.

"I always knew you were serious, Chen-dono… but why so suddenly?" Tohru asked, flustered, reaching for him like she couldn't bear to let go.

Shichen grabbed her hand, entwining their fingers. "The time's come, that's all. Don't worry—I'll be back soon."

"I don't want you to go at all! Waaah—!" Tohru burst into tears, hugging him tightly.

"Don't cry," Shichen said soothingly, aching at her distress. "I'm not about to leave you in tears."

She looked up at him, tears glistening. "Why would you leave me if you truly like me? I'm fine without revenge if it means you'll stay."

"Of course I like you, Tohru. I'll always like you," Shichen said, wiping away her tears. "But I must do this. I'll be back soon, I promise."

"I can't bear even a moment apart… sob… sob—!" Tohru's tears flowed freely.

Shichen's heart ached to see how deeply she cared for him. "I won't let you cry… say, remember that promise we made earlier?"

"Revenge?"

"Not that—our one-month arrangement." Shichen gave her a pointed look.

"One month… oh!" Tohru's eyes went wide, and her tears halted abruptly.

"You said we'd wait a month, right?" Shichen reminded her with a grin.

"That means… you're suggesting…?" Tohru's face lit up.

He flicked her forehead playfully. "All good, right? If we take care of that, it's fair for me to head off."

She giggled. "You pervy dragon," Shichen teased her.

"Mmph…" she pouted. Then her tail flicked swiftly. "Let's go back right now!" Tohru said eagerly.

"That won't work. If we do that, Chisato will definitely interrupt," Shichen pointed out.

"Oh! Right. Then what do we do?"

Shichen glanced skyward. "Do you have a way for us to stand on clouds?"

"Of course. I can just make them solid enough."

"Then… let's do it in the sky."

"Tohru soared with excitement. She glowed white and swelled into her fearsome green dragon form.

Shichen climbed onto her back, raising an arm, "Off we go!"

"Right!"

With a quick invisibility spell, Tohru spread her wings and shot into the sky. Shichen felt no wind buffet him, only calm stillness—apart from her scales, which were quite hard, it was no different from sitting in bed.

Once they reached a suitable altitude—far from human sight, with buildings mere dots below—Tohru said, "We're here, Chen-dono," and settled onto a bed of clouds.

Shichen hopped off, finding the cloud underfoot soft, like a bouncy mattress.

"Not bad," he remarked.

"Told you," Tohru replied.

She glowed again, shrinking back to human form, revealing her true appearance… wearing absolutely nothing at all.

For a second, Shichen's breath caught—he couldn't look away. Her skin was smooth and snowy white, outshining the clouds themselves, with a faint rosy hue accentuating her beauty. Her full bust, toned abdomen, long legs… he couldn't tear his eyes away.

"Chen-dono…" Tohru showed no shyness. She walked right up to him, then fell into his arms.

Shichen wrapped her up without hesitation. Her body felt silky, impossibly pleasant.

"All right, let's get started," Tohru whispered.

"Mm," Shichen agreed. He had no reason to refuse.

Up above the clouds, limitless white… below them, that same vastness.

While some walked on the ground bathed in scattered light, others soared on cloud tops bathed in direct sunshine, you in me, and me in you.

~~~

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