kscans

Chapter 92 - Holding the Crying Cat

I opened the tower door ever so gently.

Should I just leave the water and go, or should I apologize first... no, what should I do?

Second floor, not here. Third floor, huh? Not here....

(I’m sure she went in, right? Where is she?)

I was about to search outside in a panic when I happened to look up at the fourth floor.

No way....

...There she was.

In the pitch-black room, curled up with her knees to her chest next to the wooden boxes.

"Mireille?" I called out softly, as if approaching a hissing cat.

"What is it! Just leave me alone!" See, she hissed.

But seeing me soaking wet seemed to calm her down a little.

"...I’m sorry, for throwing water on you."

"Yeah, it was a bit of a surprise."

Silence.

"Can I ask why you were angry?" No reply.

I sit down next to her. The moment I tried to touch her shoulder, my hand was slapped away with a pashi.

(So it’s no use...)

But immediately after, Mireille’s shoulders began to tremble, and tears started to fall one by one.

"L, Leonhard-san, you’re so... hk! You tell me not to work!"

(But I didn’t say that!)

"You said we should make time to be affectionate!"

(That’s why I held back so you could rest!)

"And even so, you hug me and then disappear! And you tell me to be alone! It makes no sense!"

It was a complete mess. But she was so cute I couldn’t stand it.

"So what, you want me to hold you for your entire break?"

Leonhard asked, sounding troubled. But her next response was unexpected.

"Why... why won’t you stay by my side!"

Her tear-streaked face pleaded with me, and my mind went blank.

Umm...

"...Can I hold you?"

"D, don’t ask!"

She pounded my chest with her fists. I caught her hands and, on impulse, touched her fingertips with my tongue like a cat.

"...Hk!" Her shoulders trembled, and her movements stopped.

I pulled her closer and stroked her head. This time, she didn’t resist. In fact, she entrusted her feverish body to me.

I kissed her forehead, then let my lips slide down her cheek and sealed them over hers. A light touch wasn't enough to satisfy me, so my tongue lapped at the taste of her tears.

"Nn..." Mireille’s hoarse voice and my sealing lips were simultaneous.

The moment my fingertips traced the nape of her neck, her breath hitched. And with each small touch, our breaths intertwined, and the heat between us grew.

"...The reason I can do my best... is because you’re here, Leonhard-san. Because you pat my head and hold me... it makes me feel safe. Don’t take that away..."

Ah, I see.

I was trying to let her rest. But for Mireille, physical affection with me was her greatest source of mental comfort.

Once more, I kissed her deeply. Our breaths mingled, and when I gently pulled my lips away... her trembling and her anger had subsided, and she was nestled perfectly in my arms.

She really is like a cat. Sulking, crying, and then calming down when she’s petted. I almost burst out laughing.

"From now on, I’ll be sure to spoil you without holding back. Let’s do our best together." I whispered, and Mireille, her face bright red, gave a small nod.