Chapter 97

I walk towards the living room to tell Kuna and Anne that the treatment is over.

As I approach the room, I hear lively laughter.

When I slowly open the door, Kuna is just in the middle of talking.

"Soji is terrible. A fox's tail is very important, and I told him that if he touched it, he would have to take responsibility. But he immediately reached out to touch my tail! I dodged in a panic and asked him why he would do such a thing, and he said, 'If I grab your tail, I can take responsibility, right? I really want to take responsibility. Let's get married!'"

There they go, reminiscing about old times.

Indeed, that did happen.

"Listening to this, it seems like you really like Kuna. It's wonderful to be thought of so highly."

The one nodding in agreement is a beautiful elf woman who looks to be in her late twenties.

She is as beautiful as Kuna's mother, Kuu, to the point of being terrifying. She gives an impression of being somewhat childish, yet strong-willed.

"Soji is very straightforward in expressing his feelings to Kuna. Honestly, I sometimes feel jealous."

This time, Anne sips her tea and joins the conversation.

"It's good to get excited about gossip, but you should be prepared for the same treatment, Kuna. Why don't you tell them all about your amusing stories?"

I enter the room and speak up.

Then, all eyes turn to me.

"Soji-kun"

Kuna stands up and runs over to me.

I thought she would scold me for eavesdropping or try to stop me, but she just runs over with a worried look on her face.

"Soji-kun, did the treatment go well!?"

"Yeah, thanks to Cyril, I'm completely healed. In fact, I feel even better than before."

I roll up my sleeve to show my arm, where the burn and miasma marks have disappeared.

Kuna, with tears in her eyes, jumps into my arms.

"That's great, really, it's great that you're healed."

She buries her face in my chest and repeats that it's good.

I feel a slight coldness. She must be crying.

The two beautiful women look at Kuna and me with a smile. I feel a bit embarrassed.

I stroke Kuna's nape and let her have her way until she's satisfied.

◇

"Um, nice to meet you. I'm the leader of Elsie, Cyril's wife, and as you can see, an elf named Lucie. Nice to meet you."

"Let me introduce myself as well. I'm also Cyril's wife, a fire fox named Kuu. My daughter is in your care. Please call me mother-in-law."

The beautiful elf and the beautiful fire fox introduce themselves with a smile.

"Nice to meet you too. I'm Soji. I'm a student in the Sealed City. Lucie, Mother-in-law."

I don't introduce myself to Anne.

I remember that Anne and Kuna were already acquainted.

These two must know each other as well.

The moment I said "mother-in-law," Kuu smiled and said, "Oh, oh," and Kuna blushed.

"Lucie, I'm still surprised. For Kuna to be so close to a man like this..."

"Yeah, Kuu. This girl used to be so averse to boys because she was pursued so much."

Lucie and Kuu chuckle.

Well, if you're stalked by a guard, it's not surprising.

"So that's why you avoided me so much."

"Soji, if you were pursued that much, any normal girl would be put off, not just Kuna."

Anne is being rude on the side.

I was always gentlemanly, though.

"Stop teasing me, everyone!"

Kuna turns her face away and pouts.

Ignoring her, Kuu opens her warm smile.

"Anyway, since it's a celebration today, Kuna and Anne, please dress up nicely."

What celebration, I wonder.

The elf Lucie answers my question.

"That's right. We're having a big engagement party for Kuna. Since Kuna's fiancé has come to Elsie, it's a special occasion."

"Mother, you're just using me and Soji-kun as an excuse to have a festival! Everyone in Elsie loves festivals too much."

"‘That’s one way to put it’"

Kuna's question is easily affirmed by Lucie and Kuu.

I don't mind being the center of attention.

They are genuinely celebrating, after all.

"So, there's going to be a fashion show at Lucie's workshop. There are lots of cute clothes."

"Sounds fun. Both of you have good figures, so it should be fun to choose."

With that, the four of them leave, leaving me behind.

It seems they are going to Lucie's workshop, where Kuna's sister, who is a fashion designer, works.

"Oh, right. Lina asked me to pass on a message. She said to secretly watch the Kuna Guard's training. It will help you become stronger and understand Kuna better."

"Understood, Mother-in-law. I'll take a look."

I've already checked the skills of the Kuna Guard on the first day.

Besides, I have to take Kuna from them.

I want to know who I'm taking Kuna from.