Case 287: Love blossoms within lust.

Case 287: Love blossoms within lust.

''Whew... I'm excited.''

Yeah, I know you do, Hanako. You don't need to say it out loud like that, though. And what's with that motherly side plait hairstyle you're rocking today? Really? You want a death flag that badly...?

You know, I actively avoid this one solely because of this trope that I've seen. Maybe it looks nice and is comfortable. I don't know.

But what I do know is that both Hanako and Aris are going to become real women very soon. For a different reason, I'm also excited to see it unfold.

Now, since the old me is quite passionate, the schedule she chooses is packed. It is no different from what I used to follow as a young elf. Today—the first day—is for basic mana principal lessons.

As usual, Hanako exits her comfy little house, and Aris has already been waiting outside. The latter does this unconsciously, but it's probably because she looks forward to Hanako's companionship a lot.

After a brief greeting, they soon arrive at the royal palace, ready for a private meeting with the prime minister.

''Excuse me...''

Upon entering Sariel's office, a very different scent hits both Hanako and Aris. It isn't very suffocating per se, but it certainly isn't refreshing either. A more accurate description of it would be something like 'a calming, mature scent.'

Dazed by this, the two fail to notice the person herself sitting at the table, grinning meaningfully.

Man, I've only heard of these tactics from Sariel, but I've never seen her in action like this. Also, what's the deal with Aris, anyway? Isn't she supposed to be a goddess?

Why does she act like a clueless, naive woman...?

''Welcome, Your Holiness, Miss Hanako.''

''A-Ah, good day to you, Prime Minister.''

''Please call me comfortably. 'Sariel' is perfectly fine.''

There it is. The killer smile that probably seduced hundreds of women.

It's worse that I am actually in Hanako's perspective right now, so I can feel every thumping heartbeat of hers. Taking a glance to the side, Aris is also similarly blushing, albeit faintly.

Fortunately, the three soon shut off the strange atmosphere and begin the lesson for real.

Not that the lesson is any better.

''Since you have been decently exposed to mana by this point, I'd imagine finding them won't be hard.''

''Y-Yes...''

''Say, do you see blue, glitter-like mists floating around you in this room?''

''I d-do, but... erm...''

''Yes?''

''...Nothing.''

Hanako swallows a dry gulp, hands clenching uniformly on her thighs. She shuts off her eyes, avoiding the soft and alluring sensation enveloping the back of her head.

As if finding this reaction funny, Sariel pushes it further by gently cupping Hanako's cheeks from behind and pressing her chest forward even more aggressively. Hair meshes with hair, hard clashes with soft—the young woman seems almost intoxicated.

The innocent woman, seeing Hanako's steam filling the space, comes over and gently holds her hands, thrusting her worried face closer.

''Miss Hanako, are you perhaps feeling unwell?''

''I... e-erm...''

''Yes?''

Assaulted from both sides, the pitiful Hanako finally collapses—not literally, since Emy is still holding her. And—

Oh, I'm switching to Hanako's perspective.

Well, this certainly feels nice. Pretty woman on the back, pretty woman on the front—is there even something more satisfying than this?

Nevertheless, that day, Aris and Hanako walk back to their houses in total silence. It isn't as though the mood has suddenly become awkward between them—they simply don't know what to comment.

''Y'know. Those ladies...''

''Those ladies...?''

''They're dangerous.''

''...''

Aris glances at the clear, orange-ish sky and sighs. Somehow, she has that feeling, too.

'Dangerous' can mean several things. In this case, it doesn't describe destructiveness or harmfulness, which Hanako understands very well.

When she sits in the bathtub, mind drifting across the room, she suddenly sees herself in the mirror.

''...''

Naked. Without an ounce of protection.

She isn't an idiot, however her appearance might suggest. She knows what those women have been up to, yet she can't find a reason to be dissatisfied with their actions.

She likes it, in fact.

A yearning for somebody's flesh warmth... it's certainly a first for Hanako. Trembling, she puts her hand on the lower area of her stomach.

''So... around this length... h-huh? How would it even fit...?''

Unconsciously, she has begun to imagine herself doing it with the wolf-like women.

Greed, lust, and desires.

She wants more than just physical relationships. What's the meaning of romantic, blissfully sweet sex if the opponents act indifferently later, right?

So, bit by bit, Hanako's innocent mind starts to show signs of 'corruption.'

Still, her end goal remains 'love.'

In a sense, one can say that it is love blossoming within lust.