My Childhood Friend Is An Archmage Chapter 121
Translated by d6y (ko-fi)
Chapter 121
"...."
I stare at him, dumbfounded by his declaration.
Lancer…. His face looks like a ripe tomato, ready to be picked.
I can only blink at him. I've never seen him blush like this before. I open my mouth, trying to say something, but nothing comes out.
"Let me be by your side forever, Skyla." Lancer bows as low as he can. He might be doing that to hide his reddened face, but it's no use. I can't still see his expression from here.
"...."
I find it hard to respond. I don't know what to say, or how to react, or what to do. This situation has rendered me clueless.
For a moment, the suddenness of this makes me embarrassed. And then happiness overwhelms me.
I don't even have to look in the mirror to realize it. I can feel the joy in my face. A smile etched into the corners of my mouth that wouldn't budge.
But then the wave of elation washed away.
"...What's with you all of a sudden?"
I'm confused. I don't get it.
He asked if I wanted the capital, and if I wanted to move elsewhere…. I'm puzzled by him asking these questions no one's ever asked me before. But why is he suddenly proposing to me now? Like this, too?
Memories of the past floods back. When Lancer told me he liked me, I was so happy and excited until I found out he didn't understand what he said himself.
And when I realized the affection he held for me back then wasn't the kind I wanted.
The bitter memories of that time replayed in my head.
No.
This time will be different.
This time, he likes me the way I like him.
With the same depth and passion that I do….
Thinking to myself, I turn my attention back to Lancer.
Red to the tips of his ears, he has calmed down enough to catch his breath.
"Answer me, Skyla." Lancer, still with his hands on my shoulders, says slowly. "Skyla, please...."
"Lancer, what are you thinking?" I interrupt. I want to make sure. That he shares the same sentiment as I do….
His eyebrows arch upward. "What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I mean. What are you thinking right now? Please don't lie to me, tell me the truth."
"Well, I…. Skyla too much?"
"Not that."
"I love Skyla so much it's driving me crazy."
I can't believe he can say these embarrassing things so casually.
I clear my throat. "Other than that, what else are you thinking about?"
"I want to kiss Skyla."
"...Anything else?"
"I want to do more than kiss Skyla. Like, uh, well...."
"That's enough." I interrupt again, unable to stop my mind from churning.
This is reality, right?
Can I trust him?
Can I… really?
"Skyla." Warmth overwhelms my skin as Lancer cups my cheek with one hand. "I've never lied to you, not once."
"...."
Despite my surprise, I don't dare to push him away. His hand is warm and cozy and reassures me enough.
"My mind always goes blank in your presence. I want to say something cool and romantic, like how people usually would. I want to be great in front of you, I want you to do things worth bragging about. But when I'm in your presence, I only blurt out everything I want to say like a child."
"...."
"Sometimes I feel like I'm made stupid by you."
"...."
I remain silent.
"I think I know what you're concerned about right now."
"...."
"But it's okay. Don't worry, this time I'm not going to let you down, because...."
Nothing more was said.
Lancer bends his head toward me.
I know what that small, delicate gesture means.
I close my eyes as his face draws closer, a gentle smile on his face….
"Ack!"
"Ouch!"
The moment our lips collide, an excruciatingly painful sound escapes both of our lips. I got ahead of myself with my approach, and now it wasn't his lips that crashed onto mine, but his teeth.
Teeth, you clueless bastard......!
"My lips...." I make a pained noise, covering my mouth with one hand. I can feel the tender flesh beneath my lips tingle with pain.
"I'm sorry… I didn't do a good job…."
Lancer stares at me in disbelief. I reassure him, unable to cry or laugh. "No, it's just because it's our first time, so don't feel too bad...."
"Yeah, but this isn't our first time."
"Don't get too hung up on the number."
Yeah, it's only the second time…. I can't kiss perfectly like a pro….
I'm berating myself for never having been in a relationship, when Lancer bends down to my eye level.
"I'll make it hurt less."
"How?"
"Open your mouth."
"Like this...?" My mouth drops open. I didn't expect the gentle Lancer to say things like that.
Once again, he carefully lowers his head toward me. "Kissing it will help heal fast."
"Huh? That's a superstition—ack!"
His warmth is unfamiliar as his pursed lips meet mine. The pain in my lips disappeared in an instant.
As my lips are parted, Lancer takes this as a chance to move his own further.
"...!"
A foreign sensation washed over me.
…We're kissing so passionately on the open top of a clock tower.
What if someone sees us?
Wanting to maintain a minimum of dignity as a noble, I hastily push him away. He blinks and glances at me. He likes his lips, as if he's been wanting for something more.
"Was that enough?"
"No, wait! I mean, Lancer, doing this here is a little...."
He doesn't seem to understand. "What's wrong with kissing here?"
"We're outdoors! What if someone sees us?"
"There's no one up here."
Uh, looking around now, there really is none.
I nod and take his hand in mine, completely convinced by his retort. I'm moving as though I'm mesmerized.
"Skyla, you're so pretty." Lancer smiles sweetly and lowers his head slowly to me.
"I know." I mutter softly.
"Skyla, you're so pretty…. I'm afraid I’m not good-looking enough to match your beauty."
…?
Is this Lancer speaking? This is the most absurd thing I've ever heard.
“What? You don't need to worry about that.”
"...Am I handsome?"
"You just realised? Look in the mirror," I huff, getting on my tiptoes. This time, my movements aren't as rushed or urgent. With lips as soft as the first snow covering the earth, Lancer leans in.
"...What are you doing?"
A voice comes from behind me.
I whip my head around.
There, standing at the foot of the stairs, is Hubert, ten skewers of grilled meat in his hands.
Ah, right. I forgot Hubert is hanging out with us.
Lancer and I are still holding hands. Hubert's pupils are shaking in a way reminiscent of an earthquake as he looks back and forth between us.
"Guys, I know you're at your prime…, but can you at least think about how I'd feel watching my own flesh and blood brother exchange saliva?"
"Brother Hubert." Lancer calls quietly. "Don't just stand there cluelessly, leave us alone."
Hubert's eyes widened. "Huh? Wow, for the life of me, I can't believe you're calling me clueless!"
He grabs a skewer in disbelief and begins to chew vigorously. "Hey, Lancer, you bastard! Is it okay to treat your brother like this just because you have a girlfriend now? Is Skyla that much better than me?"
"Yeah."
"Fine! You're right. You can create another brother, but you can never create another girlfriend. I'm out of here. I hope you guys are happy!" He stomps down the stairs, huffing.
"Don't you think you were being too much?"
"Yes, but it's not my brother I want to spend this moment with, it's you, Skyla."
Lancer squeezes my shoulder.
"I love you, Skyla."
His warm breath closes to mine, and in time, the clock tower bell chimes. The tones from the bell spread throughout the interconnected iron pipes and organs. The touch of his lips on mine. Something in my chest prickles. I like us just the way we are, immature and clumsy.
Right now, being closer to Lancer than ever before makes me happier than anything else.