“That store had quite a vast selection. Had my bag allowed it, I’d have bought every single color.”

“I see…”

“It goes without saying that every color suits Lithia. The pastel blue of the spring sky, the azure of summer, the orange of dusk, and the black of the night sky…”

“Thanks…

Within the dining room of the inn, Lithia’s heart was as tranquil as the dead sea with no undulations as far as the eye could see as she ate soup with Geo for dinner.

“Lithia, what’s wrong? You don’t seem to be well.”

—I’m not angry.

Yes, she wasn’t. Besides, it was her own fault. She had set herself up by having strange expectations.

“No, I’m fine. It’s nothing.”

When she saw how serious he was when he was choosing ribbons, she felt delighted. When he proudly presented some colorful ribbons to her and said that they suited her, the scars in her heart gradually healed.

“I’m just a bit tired. Don’t worry about it.”

Before the train even departed, he already mentioned needing stop at a general store. Therefore, she should’ve seen it coming.

“…If you’re tired, then it can’t be helped…”

“I’m fine, I swear!”

Although they were just moving to a new location, it was akin to their honeymoon. She didn’t want others to think that she was sulking over something so trivial.

Nevertheless, she was just a bit tired from misunderstanding twice in a row. Besides, she had learned her lesson. After sunset, they finally reached the inn. However, she wasn’t expecting much. He probably only intended it to be a place to sleep for the night.

“…Then, you should go get some rest. Before going to bed, feel free to take a bath. I’ll take one later.”

“Understood.”

The inn had a steam bath available for its guests. That night, there were almost no other guests besides Geo and Lithia, so they should be able to use it right away.

…An inn with a bath. Before they got off the train, Lithia would’ve soared upon hearing that. Unfortunately, she had learned her lesson. Geo probably chose an inn with a bath to relieve their fatigue. Incidentally, they were also sharing a room, but that was only natural since they were married.

Therefore, she shouldn’t be overly conscious about it.

 “I’ll go ahead, then.”

“…Okay.”

Even if nothing happened, sharing a room with Geo, lying beside him while talking about the future shouldn’t be that bad.

Lithia left to go get a change of clothes.

◆◆◆

“Lithia.”

“Geo! That was quick.”

Geo, who’d just gotten out of the bath, approached Lithia. Until then, she had been sitting on the bed staring listlessly at the moon through the window.

“…The moon is pretty.”

“It is.”

“Lithia is prettier, though.”

“Haha, I knew you’d say that.”

Lithia leaned against Geo who sat next to her.

He was the kind of person who’d say that out of the sincerity of his heart, and not as a pick-up line. Because of that, even someone as stubborn as Lithia believed it. With an unfaltering tone and a straightforward gaze, he’d say that she was beautiful.

“…Lithia, I’ll ask you for one last time. You won’t regret this?”

Geo’s voice sounded like a gentle lullaby.

“…Like I’ve said many times. I don’t dislike anything that Geo… Huh…!?”

As the sense of peace lulled her to sleep, something took her out of her drowsiness—

—her lips were sealed. By none other than her source of reassurance.

“Whenever you feel scared, just say it, and I’ll stop.”

“—Eh!? …What!?”

A flurry of kisses cascaded upon her cheeks, forehead, eyes, and before she could register anything, he softly pushed her down on the bed.

—I see, this must be a good night kiss. He put me in this position to help me sleep.

Before Lithia could convince herself, he licked her neck, eliciting a gasp.

“Ah—!”

“…Do you dislike it?”

 Geo, who seemed to take her cry as a protest, suddenly raised his head. In truth, she just couldn’t help it—not when he kissed on her neck.

“…”

With quivering lips, Lithia blinked.

Geo was towering over her, illuminated by the moonlight. Due to the darkness, his eyes appeared to be black, but she already knew from long ago that they were actually deep indigo.

A single drop of water dripped from his black hair, still wet from his bath.

“—T-thir…”

“…’Thir’? Or maybe, ‘ther’ from ‘father’—!? Or ‘mother’—!? Wait, there’s no need to ask your parents for help, if you don’t like it, I’ll stop.”

“…This is the third time.”

“Eh?”

In Lithia’s defense, her mental preparations weren’t ready. After all, she had abandoned all hope from the moment he took her to the bookstore. Now, when she was in such a defenseless state, he charged at her with an entire cannonball.

“—Lithia!? What the hell do you mean by the third time!?”

To calm herself down, she even took a long bath. In just a day, her excitement peaked not one but twice, albeit for two entirely different reasons. Her vision shook violently, and she couldn’t endure keeping her eyes open any longer.

“Wait, did you fall asleep…? Right now!?”

As she heard Geo’s unusually panicked voice, Lithia fainted.

—Next time, next time I’ll prepare myself for sure…!

• Author’s Note: Keeping Lithia’s words in mind, Geo was careful about the time (waited until it got dark), place (an inn with a bath), and to not be seen (the two of them in a locked room.)

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***T/N:

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