Chapter 73: Akira's Possessiveness

"...Great. Now I don't even have the guts to sleep in the same room as Maryuu tonight." Akira let out a long sigh. If this incident hadn't occurred, Akira might've continued deluding himself—telling his heart that he was merely being used as a convenient pillow. But with everything that had happened recently, with emotions bubbling and boundaries blurring, his resistance to temptation had quietly but unmistakably eroded. "I don't want to keep relying on magic to calm myself down tonight. Whatever happens... I'll just let it happen." With that resigned yet determined thought, Akira shrugged helplessly. He turned and quietly returned to his room. By the time night had fallen, the entire house was wrapped in a serene stillness. One by one, the members of the Astraea Familia drifted off to sleep. Alone in his room, Akira opened his drawer and retrieved the pocket watch given to him by Astraea earlier that day. The ornate pointer, crafted from a special enchanted material, shimmered faintly as it aligned with the Roman numeral "X"—ten o'clock. That was the promised time. His heart quietly thudded in his chest. Taking a steadying breath, Akira stepped out into the corridor, each footstep quiet but carrying a hint of tension. He arrived before Maryuu's door, the simple wooden frame now carrying a weight far heavier than usual. He raised his hand and knocked softly. A faint shuffle sounded from inside. Then, slowly, the door creaked open. And there she was—Maryuu. Her gentle face was bathed in the soft moonlight pouring through the window, a calm smile lifting the corners of her lips. Her voice, low and warm, was laced with amusement and tenderness. "Haha, Akira is indeed a trustworthy child. Come in, quickly." Akira's heart skipped. "Why does this feel like I'm sneaking around having an affair?" He thought with a touch of panic, even as he obediently stepped inside. His gaze inevitably landed on Maryuu. She was wearing a loose-fitting set of pale, comfortable pajamas, modest in design but soothing to the eye—almost reminiscent of the nightwear Astraea preferred. It made sense. Among all the members of the familia, only Maryuu's sense of justice could be said to rival Astraea herself. Taking his hand, Maryuu guided him toward the bed and gently sat him down. She knelt beside it in a relaxed, duck-sitting posture, carefully tidying up the quilt and pillows. Her plump yet graceful figure moved naturally, exuding both cuteness and maturity. When everything was arranged, she lazily leaned back onto the bed, like a content cat curling up in its den. With a faint smile playing on her lips, she opened the quilt invitingly and patted the empty space beside her. Her expression was calm, but her eyes shone with expectation and warmth. Akira blinked. "What else can I do at this point?" He smiled wryly in his heart. He had already made up his mind. With smooth movements, he slipped into the bed beside her. For a while, the room was filled only with the quiet rustle of blankets and the sound of steady breathing. Eventually, Maryuu spoke, her tone light and cheerful, "You and I share the same wish, don't we? To live together peacefully, quietly." She smiled at him, her gaze unwavering. She said, "Even though you joke about turning everyone into your concubines, I know that's really just your possessiveness speaking. You care deeply. You just don't know how to express it." Akira winced slightly, a faint hint of embarrassment crossing his face. Yeah... she saw through me. He opened his mouth and spoke honestly, "Although I say I want to monopolize everyone, that desire comes from a darker part of me... my possessiveness. It's not a good thing." Maryuu didn't flinch or mock him. Instead, she smiled gently and shifted even closer, shortening the already tiny distance between them. Her breath was warm as it brushed against his skin. She reached out, her fingers gently stroking the pointed tip of his ear. "You really are a strange half-elf." She whispered. "To admit your desires so frankly... That takes courage." After a short pause, Akira spoke again, "Originally, I planned to wait longer... to tell everyone about my background only after spending more time together. But I've already told Astraea-sama, so it's fine if you know too." He looked directly into her eyes and said, "Maryuu, I'm not from this world. I came from a different place... a world without gods." Maryuu was startled for a moment, but her expression quickly softened. Though she didn't quite grasp the full meaning of his words, she understood the core of it. Akira had been forced to leave his homeland behind. "I see... So that's why Akira values us so much." She murmured. "You just don't want to lose your precious ones again, right?" Akira was quiet for a moment. Then he nodded solemnly amd said, "Even though I now have power close to a Level 5 or Level 6 adventurer... I still can't guarantee everyone's safety." "No one can." Maryuu replied, her voice steady. "That's why we must cherish what we have now. Adventurers aren't blessed with peaceful lives, but that doesn't mean we can't try to protect one another." "...Yeah. I know." Without another word, Maryuu moved into his arms and rested her head on his chest, embracing him tightly. "I'm not a strong adventurer." She whispered. "I don't fight on the frontlines. All I can do is heal wounds and support from behind... But I hate being the one protected all the time." Akira gently stroked her back, comforting her, "Maryuu, supporting everyone is not a trivial thing. That's your strength. Just like everyone has their own way to protect what's important." Time seemed to freeze as the two of them held each other close. Eventually, Akira raised his head and asked quietly, "If I truly want to monopolize you... to keep you by my side forever... would I be able to bring you happiness?" Maryuu blinked in surprise. But soon, her gentle smile returned. She reached out and softly caressed his hair. "Akira... don't you understand?" She looked into his eyes, her gaze filled with warmth. "From the moment you came into our lives, you've already brought us so much happiness. As for monopolizing us... what matters most is your heart." "Because love isn't something you demand or claim. It's something you build together. You understand that, don't you?" Akira took a deep breath, calming his racing heart. Then, in a voice full of determination, he asked, "So... if I really make up my mind to gather everyone's hearts and never let go—will Maryuu still love me?" Maryuu's cheeks flushed lightly, but her gaze never wavered. She firmly said, "...I already like you, Akira. Ever since I found out everything you've done for us... I've admired you, and slowly started to fall for you. I believe... everyone probably feels the same." A soft smile spread across Akira's lips as he said, "I see... Then I know what I have to do now. Thank you, Maryuu." As long as no one hated him... as long as their feelings were real... Then he had nothing left to fear. "Alright, it's late. Let's sleep." Maryuu whispered, her voice as gentle as a lullaby, her expression filled with affection as she looked at him.