Over at Eric’s house, Kevin felt an icy chill run down his spine as he sneezed several times.
“Ugh, um, maybe… perhaps… eventually…”
Christine had the distinct feeling that what Lindsay really wanted to say was, “not a chance in hell.”
Dinner continued in relative silence. Mr. Diane didn’t speak, he merely finished his meal and set his plate in the sink before leaving. Mrs. Diane also said nothing—at least not until she, too, had finished dinner. She offered them both a good night, and told them not to come into the living room. Christine didn’t know why she would give such a warning, and part of her feared knowing.
After they’d both taken a shower and donned their sleepwear, she and Lindsay sat together on the tomboy’s bed. While her pajamas were black like everything else she owned, Lindsay’s looked like someone had taken a Midgetet of neon orange paint and dunked them in it. Oddly enough, Christine thought those bright clothes suited the girl.
“What do you think about our new Social Studies teacher?” Lindsay asked from where she lay on her stomach, elbows on the bed, chin on the butt of her hands, and her feet kicking in the air.
“You mean Professor Collins?” Christine absentmindedly flipped through the pages of her book. “He’s alright, I guess. I’m just glad he’s not some crazy secret service agent who’s in the habit of kidnapping teenage boys.” A pause. The flipping stopped. “At least I hope he’s not.”
“Hehe, yeah Me, too. He’s not Asian, though, so I think we’ll be okay.”
“Hn.”
Lindsay rolled onto her back and looked at the ceiling. Christine remained seated with her legs crossed, a book titled “Ten Things You Need to Know About Men” in her lap.
“Reading another one?”
“Of course.” Christine flipped another page. “If I want to get Kevin to l-l-l-l-lo―like me, t-then I need to know how he thinks.”
“Can’t you just say love?”
Christine felt her face burn a fierce blue. “Wh―l-love―I could never―who’s in love?! Just because I have a small, teensy, tiny crush on someone doesn’t mean I love him!”
“Okay, okay, no need to get so defensive.” Lilian raised her hands in a calming gesture, then lowered them back to the bed when it looked like Christine wouldn’t verbally rip her head off. “Anyway, I’m not sure if those books are gonna help you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that I’ve known Kevin for a long time, and in that time, I’ve come to learn a few things about him.”
“Like what?” asked a curious Christine.
“Like if you can’t even admit you love him, then you’re never going to get anywhere,” Lindsay said bluntly. “Do you know why Lilian managed to earn Kevin’s affection even though he had a crush on me?” A blushing Christine shook her head, too intrigued for her tsundere protocols to activate. “It’s because I never did anything. I sat on my laurels, expecting that one day he would finally pluck up his courage and confess to me. And he did, but by then it was already too late, and Lilian had gained a foothold in his heart.“
Her soft smile held a trace of bitterness.
“It wouldn’t have been fair to either of us if I had accepted such a half-hearted confession. I didn’t want to accept Kevin’s feelings when I knew they were split between me and someone else. I expect any boy I’m dating to have feelings for me and only me.”
Christine swallowed. “I think you told me something like that a while ago.” She thought about Lindsay’s words. “So, you’re saying that if I really want to be with Kevin, then I need to con-con… tell him how I feel?”
“Honestly, I don’t think you can be with Kevin anymore. He’s not like other boys who’ll have random flings with whoever he wants. He’s a hopeless romantic who reads way too much manga and wants that kind of fairytale relationship.” Lindsay paused for a moment, as if not quite sure about the veracity of her statement, but then just decided to roll with it. “He wants that fairytale ending; where he becomes the hero, sweeps the heroine off her feet, and they both ride off into the sunset.” Another pause. “Or, you know, the anime version of that, where he and the heroine team up and defeat some giant robot or whatever, and then ride off into the sunset.”
The book seemed to groan as Christine gripped it between her hands. “What exactly are you trying to say?”
Lindsay finally sat up and faced her friend. “That Kevin’s not going to stop dating Lilian because you like him. Those two, I don’t know, they just work. Kevin gets Lilian. He understands her in ways I can’t even comprehend. And Lilian is dedicated to him; I mean really, REALLY dedicated to him. I don’t think I need to tell you just how strongly she feels for Kevin.”
“No,” Christine begrudgingly admitted, “you don’t.”
She knew that Lilian loved Kevin. She had seen how the kitsune acted with him. It wasn’t just how they held hands or how they stole kisses at school. There were times when those two would look at each other, and everyone around them knew they were holding a silent conversation that none of them would ever be privy to. They also shared a love for video games and anime, and she had caught them reading manga together several times during lunch. She didn’t want to admit it, but seeing how they acted toward each other never ceased to leave her feeling envious.
“Exactly. Now can you say that your feelings for Kevin have the same depth and strength as Lilian’s?” When Christine said nothing, Lindsay rolled onto her back again. “Before you think about trying to get between Lilian and Kevin, perhaps you should examine your own feelings first.”
The rest of that evening was quiet. They talked for a bit, but conversation remained stilted. Eventually, the two girls crawled under the covers and went to bed.
***
After Eric recovered from being sent into blissful catatonia via Kotohime’s tail, the group decided on their next course of action. Kevin, Eric and, surprisingly, Lilian, were all for helping Heather Grant. Kotohime disagreed and Iris didn’t care. Kirihime had been neutral on the matter and only stuttered incoherently when they asked for her opinion, and Camellia… they didn’t even bother asking for her opinion. She probably didn’t have one anyway.
With a three versus two vote in favor of helping Heather, the group began their preparations for whatever danger they would face. None of them knew what had wounded the blond woman so grievously, but they figured the best idea was to prepare for the worst case scenario.
The group then split up. The boys went to set up the extra beds in the guest rooms, while the girls went to take a shower.
“I can’t believe I’m stuck here with you while all those gorgeous babes are frolicking around in the shower, doing who knows what to each other.” Eric bemoaned his fate—and then remembered who he was talking to. “No offense, My Lord.”
“Oh, shut up,” Kevin grunted. “Just so you know, girls don’t actually grope each other when they take baths together. That only happens in anime.”
“My Lord, you are wise and amazing when it comes to building your harem.”
“I don’t have a harem!”
“But, you clearly know nothing of women.”
Kevin’s right eyebrow twitched. “Who’s the one with a girlfriend here?”
“Allow me to educate you on the elusive and mysteriously sexy creature known as the female, My Lord. Women are creatures with an undeniable need to touch each other; groping, squeezing and caressing each other’s boobs is their panacea.”
“You’re completely ignoring me, aren’t you?”
“They love playing together and comparing sizes by squeezing each other’s jugs.”
“Yep, you’re ignoring me.”
“I bet you those girls are having a great time groping each other’s titties right now.” Eric’s cheeks stained red. He also started drooling. “Hehehe… I bet you they’re moaning in delight as they caress each other’s bodies…” His breathing became a deep, heavy rasp reminiscent of an old man whacking off to
porn. Kevin actually saw steam blowing out of Eric’s flaring nostrils.
Kevin sighed and resisted the urge to facepalm. He knew what was coming next.
“Boobies, here I come!”
Kevin was running almost before Eric could even bolt for the door. He stretched out his left hand―
“You can see some boobs… in hell!”
―and used it to clothesline Eric. The licentious teenager crashed into the ground with a harsh thud. Dark eyes bulged in asphyxiated agony, as his hands went to his throat, from which the sounds of hacking and wheezing emerged like the ribbets of a bull frog.
Kevin clapped his hands together. “I’ve always wanted to do that,” he admitted, smiling. The smile left, replaced by a stern expression. “Eric, this is a law from your lord.” Eric stopped choking. “You will not peep on those girls. To do so is a sin against your lord, and I will not stand for it. Do you understand?” Eric nodded. “Good.”
Several minutes after―hopefully―beating some sense into Eric, Kevin stepped into one of the guest restrooms, a towel slung over his shoulder.
Setting the towel on a rack, Kevin stripped out of his clothes, and then turned the shower on to a mildly hot setting. Steam soon rose into the air, clinging to the walls and fogging up the mirror by the sink.
Kevin was just about to step into the shower when someone knocked on the door. Thinking it was Eric coming to pester him, he opened the door while giving a mild glare—only for it to vanish when he saw familiar bright green eyes and a vibrant smile.
“Lilian?” Kevin needed a moment to register that, indeed, Lilian was standing before him. “What are you doing here? I thought you were taking a bath with the others.”
“I was going to,” Lilian admitted, “but then I realized that my mate and I haven’t been able to spend much time alone together because my family kept getting in the way, and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity for us to bond.”
“Bond?” He studied the girl, and eventually realized that she wasn’t looking at his face. Feeling a sense of unease growing in the pit of his stomach, Kevin looked down.
His face grew red.
He let out a loud “eep!” and tried to cover himself with his hands.
“Ufufufu,” Lilian chuckled. “You’re still too cute when you get embarrassed like that.”
Kevin tried to glare at her, but the blush on his face lessened the effect. “It’s got nothing to do with being embarrassed and everything to do with common decency,” he insisted, lying through his teeth. “Most people don’t stand around in the nude while someone else is present, not even if they’re dating that person.”
“Most people aren’t mated to a kitsune.”
“Ugh…”
She had him there.
“Kevin” Lilian’s eyes were warm and so incredibly earnest that Kevin was unable to look away, “you are my mate; the person I love more than anyone else in this world.” Delicate hands reached up and cupped his face. “This isn’t some random person wanting to see you naked. This is me, your mate, who wants to become more intimate with you. If it helps, I promise not to touch anything below the belt.”
Staring at the girl with an uncomprehending gaze, Kevin’s mind became a warzone, a battle the likes of which no one had ever seen before—mostly because it was all happening in his mind.
***
The desolate wasteland spread out for miles, its borders traveling far beyond the distant horizon. Cracks traversed the ground like a myriad system of interconnecting spiderwebs. There was no flora or fauna in this wasteland. It was the perfect place… for war.
Two forces stood on opposite ends of each other, armies of nearly equal might. Multi-segmented plates clicked together as figures moved and jostled each other. Horned helms adorned the many heads, their faceplates masking their identities. Hands gripped massive halberds with leaf-shaped blades that gleamed like a thousand suns. The army on the northern border wore white armor, while those in the southern quadrant wore red.
A moment of silence swept through the clearing. A tumbleweed rolled across the ground. It was the unspoken signal for the battle to start, and the two forces rushed in toward the center, yelling out their battle cries.
“For Lilian!!”
“For chastity!!”
Thunder struck the earth as these two titanic armies fought. Bodies were thrown into the air with impunity. Halberds clashed, the sound of metal on metal, steel ringing against steel, rang out in a symphony of chaos. Sparks flew and shouts accompanied the maelstrom of combat. It was, indeed, a battle worthy of being placed within the annals of history.
A third party soon entered the fray. From one of the many cliffs surrounding the battlefield, an army appeared. Unlike the two forces duking it out down below, this army was bereft of nearly all their clothes. Wearing nothing but simple loincloths and bandoleers similar to Tarzan’s, the group of individuals looked identical. Messy blond hair framed bright blue eyes that glared down at the battlefield. With nary a thought, this force surged down the cliff, their own battle cry echoing across the land.
“DEATH TO THE CHERRY!!”
And so more chaos was unleashed upon the battlefield.
***
“Kevin? Earth to Kevin? Hello? Anybody home?”
“Wha—eh, what?” Kevin blinked several times, his focus returning to the real world. “I-I’m sorry, did you say something?”
Lilian frowned at him, but reiterated her question. “I asked if you would let me take a shower with you, remember?”
“Ah, r-right, so you did…” he blushed and looked at the ground, silently coming to a decision. “I… I suppose it would be alright… if we… you know… showered together…”
“Really?” The way Lilian’s eyes lit up like fireworks on the Fourth of July was a sight to behold. The girl practically radiated happiness.
Unable to speak properly, Kevin merely nodded.
“Thank you! I promise you won’t regret this!”
What followed their conversation was like something out of a dream. After allowing Lilian into the restroom, she stripped off her clothes and joined him in the shower.
The shower/bathtub was large enough to fit four people comfortably. It also had a bench and a detachable shower head.
Lilian had Kevin sit in front of her as she lathered her hands with soap and began washing his back. Kevin’s stomach twisted itself into knots as Lilian’s tender hands roamed over his body. His heart thumped in his chest like the roaring engine of a 1965 Camaro as her delicate fingers ran through his hair. His entire body felt like a live wire. Every touch, every caress, the feel of her thighs touching his, of her breasts as they rubbed against him, sent his mind into a dizzying fit. Only an effort of sheer will on his part kept Kevin from passing out. After Lilian finished washing his back and hair, it was his time to return the favor.
“Make sure to wash every inch of me, okay?” The words were said so innocently that Kevin could do nothing but nod dumbly.
Okay, Kevin. You can do this. You and Lilian have done plenty of stuff together. This is just the next step up. Don’t lose it now.
Lilian sat between his legs. Her long red hair hung over her shoulder, exposing her back and rear end to him. His gaze followed the curve of her spine; her perfectly straight posture drew his eyes invariably to the hint of her shapely butt. She sat so close that her scent addled his mind, and while not close enough that her backside was pressing into him, he was keenly aware of her thighs touching his. A pleasant shudder ran through his body.
Oh, God! I think I’m gonna die!
“Kevin?”
“Y-yes?”
“You’re not washing my back.”
“R-right… sorry…”
Hesitant at first, he placed a single hand on Lilian’s back, right between her shoulder blades. A jolt shot through him. Her skin felt so soft, so incredibly soft.
He ran his hand up and down her back, slowly moving in greater and vaster sweeps. His ha
nd would travel from the nape of her neck down to her tailbone. Her tail wasn’t out right then, but a part of him wished it was.
“K-Kevin,” Lilian moaned.
“Hmm?”
“Y-you forgot the soap.”
Kevin needed a moment to process those words. “Oh, so I did. S-sorry.”
“Mm,” another delicate moan, “that feels really good, so it’s okay.”
After lathering his hands in soap, Kevin began the process of washing his mate’s sublimely stunning back. He burned the feeling of his soapy hands mapping the contours of her body, of her perfect, unblemished skin becoming covered in soap suds. He swept his hands over her skin in soft, gentle movements; transitory caresses that caused the young female kitsune to emit a dangerous moan.
Kevin had become entranced. His body was burning up from the intense visual stimulation, and his mind had blanked out some time ago. What little remained of his higher thought processes could do nothing but congratulate him on not passing out.
The process of “you wash my back and I’ll wash yours” eventually ended. Rather than get out of the tub, Lilian proposed the great idea of lounging in a hot bath together.
“In Japan, the act of bathing together is very important for increasing intimacy between couples. I think it’s called skinship.”
“You do know this isn’t Japan, right?” Kevin surprised himself by speaking. He hadn’t believed himself capable of speech.
Lilian pouted, but didn’t let his words deter her. “Regardless of which country we live in, I think it’s important for us to do this so we can bond as mates. I want to grow closer to you. I want us to be more intimate.”
Kevin didn’t know if it was her words, her smile, or the way she looked at him with those radiant eyes of hers, but he found himself unable to deny her desire for physical intimacy..
“All… all right. We can, um, we can take a bath together, too.”
“Yes!” Lilian pumped a fist into the air. “Beloved and I are taking a bath together!”
“Do you really have to say that so loudly?” Kevin grumbled.
After filling the tub with hot water, Kevin leaned against the wall while Lilian rested against his chest. If he thought washing Lilian’s back had been torturous, that was nothing compared to having her naked body conform to his.
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