"Seeing someone you miss—even if you know it's fake, even if you know they're gone for good… when their voice and face are no different from the memories, how could you possibly bring yourself to strike?"
Shichen pulled Fern down onto the sofa and comforted her gently.
Fern sat on his lap, hugging him obediently. "Shichen-sama… you're not blaming me?"
"How could I ever bear to blame you?" Shichen kissed her on the forehead.
"Shichen-sama…" Fern smiled happily.
"I wasn't angry. If anything, I was glad."
"Glad?"
"Yeah. That's how a person should react. So don't blame yourself—you didn't do anything wrong."
"Is that really true?" Fern looked surprised.
"Of course. That's why I brought you along. You can be as soft-hearted as you want—I'll handle everything else."
"So that's why you didn't go solve it alone…"
"I did it for your sake. Once you've experienced it, you'll handle it better next time."
"But… you scared me to death back there." Fern clung tighter around his neck, her tone turning coquettish.
Now that she was sure he truly wasn't angry, her mood recovered quickly.
"Heh—so you do know fear. Let's see if you'll dare disobey me again."
"I won't, I won't." Fern shook her head and rubbed her cheek against his neck.
"That's more like it." Shichen smiled, stroking her back in satisfaction.
"Shichen-sama…" Fern's breathing suddenly grew heavier. She grabbed the hand that was stroking her back.
In Shichen's palm, there was a fullness he couldn't wrap in one hand.
"Fern, you…?" Shichen lowered his head and saw her gaze had gone hazy.
No way.
"You've got ideas already?"
"Mm." Fern leaned in and kissed his cheek.
Shichen couldn't help curling his fingers. Then he lowered his head and kissed her.
The two began trading breaths.
Fern was a little pervert—she liked taking the lead.
Even normally, she liked being the one to lean down and look at him from above.
After a long while they parted. Fern panted, eyes clouded like mist, yet burning bright.
"Shichen-sama… you smell so nice."
"…Don't push your luck." Shichen lifted his hand and brought it down.
A crisp smack rang out.
"Mm—" Fern let out a small, aggrieved little whimper, half-sulky, half-sweet.
Shichen's chest heated instantly. Fern was getting more and more seductive.
"Shichen-sama… can I make it up to you?"
"Make it up?" Shichen blinked.
"Yes—because I disobeyed today and made you worry."
"Is that so? How do you plan to make it up?" Shichen's curiosity was piqued.
"Like this…" Fern said, then slid down.
"You…!" Shichen suddenly couldn't find words.
He didn't stop her. Just in case, he also set up a barrier—soundproof, and sealing off Stark's room too.
Now it was foolproof.
Shichen closed his eyes, leaned back, and breathed slowly. He raised a hand and gently ran his fingers through Fern's smooth purple hair.
Her hair felt just right.
He didn't know how much time passed. Fern got hungry and went to find something to eat; Shichen only saw her throat bob a few times—he didn't even see what she'd eaten.
"Full and satisfied, Shichen-sama—shall we go take a bath together?" Fern asked with a bright smile.
Shichen opened one eye and glanced at her. "I'm guessing you're not satisfied yet?"
"Hehe~ Or is it that Shichen-sama can't do it anymore?"
"Don't cry later."
After saying that, Shichen scooped Fern up and carried her straight to the bathroom.
Before long, the sound of splashing water filled the bathroom, and soon a humming voice joined in.
Naturally—people like to hum when bathing.
But by the end, the humming somehow turned into crying.
And it didn't stop until night fell.
Afterward, Shichen carried the sleeping Fern back to her room. Then he went to the kitchen to cook, and also dispelled the barrier.
Not long after, Stark finally stumbled out of his room, weak as a wilted plant, and shuffled over.
"Shichen-sama…"
"What's wrong with you?" Shichen asked, baffled at his hunched, half-dead posture.
"I…."
"You?"
"I'm so hungry…"
"That's it?" Shichen stared at him, speechless.
"Boss, I've been hungry all day! I'm gonna die!" Stark looked like he was about to cry.
"It's only been a day. You won't die."
"My stomach's been growling forever—I've got no strength left."
"Hang in there."
"Where's Big Sis Fern? Tell her to cook already!"
"She can't. I'm cooking."
"Boss… you?" Stark froze, staring at him in disbelief.
"What—don't trust me?"
"No… I just… I've never seen you cook."
"Of course you haven't. Why would I cook for you? Who are you? Have you done anything that made me happy?" Shichen asked coldly.
"Boss…" Stark looked gloomily wounded.
"Just be grateful. It's rare I feel like cooking—treasure it. You might not get to eat it again."
"Wait—does that mean your cooking is actually amazing?"
"Look forward to it."
With that, Shichen kicked Stark out of the kitchen and started cooking seriously.
When the meal was ready, Frieren came out too. Without a word, she sat at the table like a well-behaved kid.
"Frieren, aren't you helping?" Shichen asked.
"Nope."
"Why not?"
"I'm kinda unhappy. You ignored me all afternoon." Frieren glared at him, puffing her cheeks.
"Fine. Stark—come serve the dishes. Time to eat."
"Okay!"
Stark was still the most useful.
Once the dishes were laid out, the three of them ate in silence—no conversation at all.
Fern didn't need to be there. She was still asleep, and she probably wasn't that hungry.
Even if she woke up hungry, Shichen could always make her something special as a reward for her "compensation."
He'd been fully satisfied today—completely.
Maybe because he'd been starving so long, and because Shichen's cooking really was good, Stark didn't say a single word the whole time—he just shoveled food into his mouth like his life depended on it.
Frieren was used to Shichen's cooking, but after going hungry all day, even she ate faster than usual.
Shichen made a lot of dishes—and somehow they got completely cleaned out, most of it ending up in Stark's stomach.
Well, he was young—still growing, after all.
That was why Shichen cooked in the first place. Stark was his little brother now, more or less.
Otherwise, Shichen would've just tossed him some snacks and called it a day.
Mainly, the kid listened.
After eating, Stark's belly was round as a drum and he couldn't move.
"Boss… your food is way too good!"
"Now you see how great I am?"
"Yeah! Boss, you're incredible! Can I eat this again sometime?"
"Don't count on it. I only cooked because I was in a good mood."
"Come on…"
"Just be content. Rest a bit. Then train for a while before you sleep—got it?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Frieren, let's go sleep."
"Okay."
Shichen ignored Stark, scooped Frieren up, and carried her back to their room.
Fern was still sleeping on the bed—her chubby cheeks rosy and warm.
Shichen set Frieren down, and she immediately stared at Fern.
"Why are you staring at Fern?" Shichen noticed.
"Curious."
"Curious?"
"Is it really that fun? Why is Fern already addicted?"
"It's just that Fern's a little pervert."
"…Is that so."
"You're interested?"
"Yeah. So when are you going to 'eat' me?" Frieren looked at Shichen, her gaze calm.
"?"
~~~
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