Chapter 148 - クレアの今と、クレアの未来（クレア☆）
Morning practice ended, and I decided to stay back at the trading company. The trading company was located on the north side of the city, occupying a large plot of land. The area where we had trained earlier was a working ground for organizing cargo, and aside from that, there was a warehouse cum stable, as well as the trading post.
"Finally, we've finished sorting the cargo from the city of Flucht. Now, we'll start loading it onto the wagons bound for Migul."
Claire spoke with a touch of emotion. I wondered how much of that cargo had come from the city of Richelle. The cargo transported from Richelle was sorted in Flucht for redistribution to various destinations, mixed with other cargo, and then transported to this city by ship. And here, it was sorted again before heading to Migul. We headed to the trading post together. Mercedes had already returned to his duties, and the other members had gone to the beach near Longhorn Street to teach Mizuki how to swim. Just like the trading post in Flucht, the first floor was a bar cum space for business negotiations, the second floor was an office cum meeting space, and the floors above that were living spaces. Claire was staying in a guest room set up in the living quarters. The lower part of the building was made of stone, but the floors above the second were made of wood. From the first floor, the voices of lively negotiations and the sounds of people talking in hushed tones while leaning shoulder to shoulder filled the air. Everyone was drinking alcohol, but it was probably low-alcohol ale. Although this was a bar, its main purpose was business meetings. And, unlike the bars in inns, it closed with the sunset. We passed through the bar and headed to her room.
"Looking at the plans, we're scheduled to leave this city in three days. Should we continue entrusting Leene to the others during that period?"
"I suppose so…"
If she stayed with us, she would be with Shizuka, who she was most attached to. But I worried that during that time, it would become an irreplaceable experience for her. However, she needed a maternal figure, and changing that person frequently felt wrong. Among the members of Levante, Maira and Aira would be suitable as maternal figures, but I felt Aira would make a better mother to Leene. Maira was popular among children, but she herself could be childish, and it would feel like she was just coddling them. I was most worried about her inadvertently raising her to favor boys. Aira could draw the line in such matters, and she had a good balance of maternal instincts and mature sensitivity. But she also had a preference for women. I didn't know how the norms of this world viewed that, but I wanted Leene to grow up as Leene.
"Actually, I want Shizuka to raise her…"
Claire chuckled at my murmur.
"You're envious of her freedom."
"I don't mind it."
"She might not be as free as you think. Doesn't it seem like she can't act freely?"
"That's a good point… I wanted to ask, but has there been any news about Ko-kun?"
"Nope! Sorry."
Claire answered apologetically. Of course not. If they had found him, Mercedes would have reported it immediately. Ko-kun must have gone somewhere where Shizuka couldn't find him.
"Well, it'll be fine once we reach Migul."
"Perhaps, but my father, the real one, was a person who didn't care much for me. And the father who he assigned to me was Mercedes."
Claire said as she stood up and took the cup. She took a sip.
"It's bitter… Mash tricked me. He spoke so solemnly about coffee, but this is my first time drinking it."
"Sugar and milk make it easier to drink."
"Is that so? I heard people in the Demon Kingdom don't add such things. Then, in the style of the imperial nobles…"
She added sugar and milk and savored the taste. Then, she carried the cup to the window and took another sip while looking at the scenery outside. From this room, the mountain range beyond the ramparts was visible in bluish-black hues. It didn't seem very high.
"When you think about it, I've come so far. I never knew the world was so vast."
"It's just halfway through the journey."
"Yes, thanks to Mash."
"No, you brought me this far."
She smiled at my words. If she had ended up being married to someone elsewhere, she could have spent her entire life in Riglott. But from my perspective, thanks to her, I was able to travel as an escort for this caravan.
"Could Fam have been living somewhere in those mountains?"
She asked. Direction-wise, it was possible.
"Who knows? Do the lesser winged folk even have a homeland?"
"There is a winged folk kingdom in the northeast forest. A town with many lesser winged folk lives in part of that forest. But my mother was sold to Riglott, but she lived in the surrounding towns."
She gazed at the scenery with a faraway look while sipping her coffee. The small wings resembled angels. Like a beautiful painting.
"Could it be, is it Cat-Cat-Now?"
I asked. Claire spat out her coffee and coughed violently.
"No way! Who would name their country something so strange! It's Nestgrat! Mash, that name is awful!"
It was a more intense reaction than I expected. I knew she had acted calm and reasonable, but I hadn't realized it would be that different.
"Did you hear that from Elven Mo-something?"
I asked.
"Hmph… so that elf told you such a thing… I thought you were unbiased toward other races, I'm disappointed."
She said in a low, suppressed tone. Her eyes were fixed on mine. There must be things each race cherished. Especially since they called it a comfortable nest. That place must be a holy place for lesser winged folk and winged folk. Cats would surely collapse from the comfort.
"Wait, Mo meant no harm. He just didn't remember correctly. He did know about the 333-meter tree."
"The current height of the sacred tree is 334 meters… but, if Mash says so, I'll forget it."
I felt like I had poured oil into the fire. It was dangerous to continue this topic. I glanced and saw coffee spots on her clothes. I started taking them off.
"W-what are you doing!"
Claire exclaimed, resisting and holding onto the hem of her clothes.
"...Don't you like it?"
"You're trying to anger me and lower my guard, aren't you?"
"Seriously? I thought you wanted this too?"
"Hah, that's true!"
She remembered her mission.
"Now then, I'll undress you."
"B-but, that was the part that was bathed in the morning light!"
She said. I was confused by the sudden development.
"Clothes only, don't worry."
"Absolutely not! You have a full-body cleaning spell, Mash!"
She was right.
"You caught me. But what's the problem if it's like Claire imagined?"
"Doesn't it feel a little too bright in the room…? Never mind."
"Careless of you. This is what happens when you invite a man into your room."
"You invited me."
"Why… why did you say all those things? And… delete that too!"
"It depends on you, Claire."
I said, touching her clitoris.
"Aah!"
She moaned. I moved my finger, feeling her reaction. Claire tried to move her body to escape the movements, but I held her down tightly.
"M-Mash, it feels, you're so good at this…"
"You've always felt good by yourself, haven't you? It never gets this far when I do it, ah…"
She sought salvation and embraced me, seeking a kiss. I responded to her request and kissed her. This time, she proactively tangled her tongue. And her hand touched mine. After stroking the glans, she wrapped her palm around the shaft and started moving it up and down. Her movements were clumsy. But that clumsy movement excited me even more. I sped up my fingers and tongue in response to her movements. Claire arched her body backward. Our lips separated. I sucked on her neck.
"Mash, ah, I feel too good… I feel like something strange will happen…"
Hearing that voice, I stroked her nub harder. Claire trembled.
"Aaaahh──……!"
After reaching climax, she sank into the bed, gasping heavily. I couldn't ejaculate in her hand, but I was satisfied just seeing her disheveled state. As I was thinking that, she slowly got up. Then, she brought her face close to my crotch.
"This is… Mash's…"
She gaped, then licked the drop hanging from my glans.
"It might be easier to drink than coffee…"
While saying that, she put my thing in her mouth. And she began moving her mouth and hands up and down. The sticky sensation of her tongue and the constriction of her mouth and hands felt very nice.
"Hey, you don't have to force yourself."
"When will we… kiss while you do it…"
As if she felt I was about to ejaculate, or maybe she was just excited. I embraced her from behind and turned her around, then kissed her. We tangled our tongues passionately, seeking each other. I thrust my hips strongly, and then poured my desires into her vagina.
"Mashh, me toooo, aaaaaaaah……!"
I held her tightly until I emptied everything inside her. Only our rough breathing could be heard in the room. Claire lost her strength and collapsed onto the bed. As power left me, my thing slipped out of her vagina. I covered her.
"Mash, please, from now on…"
She closed her eyes, seemingly tired. Her breaths became soft. Lost in her soft breathing, I fell asleep alongside her, holding her.
And so they lived happily ever after. It's a lie. Thank you for reading! Your likes, bookmarks, and ratings are very encouraging. Thank you very much for pointing out errors.