CHAPTER 429: ARC 6, CHAPTER 45: HEART OF THE MATTER, REVISED

There was a long pause. Neither knew what to talk about and yet knew there was something to talk about. Jotou glanced around the room.

It was very, ’adventure-y’—rustic one could say. These upper tavern floors hosted hundreds upon hundreds of adventurers. All the basic necessities were surprisingly not squashed into one room, but rather one liveable space.

’The wonders of magic—could solve a housing crisis.’ Jotou then was hit with a thought. Her eyes wandered over to the redhead, "You seem a lot happier here than you were in Dolpool."

"...Do I now?"

"It’s noticeable."

Hotaru muttered something under her breath. Her crimson ears bent down and found comfort against her head, "Can I admit something to you...?"

The blonde sat upright and cocked her head to the side. "Of course," she hushed.

"I, genuinely do not care about the case. I think it’s dangerously stupid with little to no benefit to us and the risk might actually be the end of us. So, yes, I’ve been a lot happier here.

I’m sorry my main priority so far hasn’t been about the case, but I will gladly take ’side’ quests to complete. I feel like an actual adventurer, like I wanted to be," she huffed as she got it all off her chest.

"Hasn’t all of this been an adventure to you?" Jotou queried back, her brows knitted.

The redhead’s eyes fell to the side. She sighed, like she had made peace with that fact. She lifted her chin up to say, "I was neutral about being in the Last Stand.

I want the war to end and the Regimes to stop attacking, sure and I’ll lend a helping hand if need be. But, being in the fray... is not something I especially, necessarily want to do. That’s something you want to do," her comment struck against the blonde.

Jotou backed her head away, a tad confused.

"I just wanted to live my life of adventure... However, I refuse to ever leave any of you, no matter how... compelling, that option is sometimes," she gave a little chuckle to lighten the mood. "I admire you, I really do.

I feel like you understand the heart of adventure better than I do. I love that you gave me a title and I’m revelling and adoring the fame it’s brought me. But I’m still unsure how to feel about how I earned that title.

Because, it paints me as this saint—a healer," her voice became less of a hush and more of a firm argument as her point became clearer, even to herself. "Why would I ever choose to heal bloody bodies day in and day out?

I’m not some healing saint or martyr. I understand you may see me as kind and caring, but my care is well, for all of you—the ones I hold dear.

I know how easy it would’ve been to be a magical doctor with my healing capabilities, but that’s not at all what I want. Even so, you sort of made me that during that time."

Jotou’s shoulders fell and realization hit her. Her eyes waned, "I’m sorry, I didn’t-"

"I’m not done," Hotaru interrupted. "You don’t have to apologize, in the slightest. I made my own choices and I would never take back what you did; thank you.

For a while now, that has been my thought—about the cult, about what it means to be an adventurer and did it all spawn from our argument. But being here, my perspective’s changed a little.

All these adventurers are

They say they’re adventurers, challenging things with a smile and fighting for honour and glory," she said with dramatic flair. "Inspiring people, saving them, boasting about it—how, selfish they all are," she said with a twinge of disgust.

"They all talk a big game, but look at where they are. They go from guild to guild, searching for the next big quest when they can be helping out with so much more, especially with the war going on.

Threats like the cult show up and yet they’re all here, barely even knowing what’s going on. So what if you’re qualified to clear the deadliest quest? It still doesn’t mean you have the gall to face greater dangers.

Compared to you or Meko, it’s just a stark contrast. You take it upon yourselves to go further beyond your capabilities; more than anyone would or should—to reach greater heights and to protect, to save, to help.

The fame, the fortune—I know you like those things, but I can’t help but feel like that’s been a secondary reason for you so far. Perhaps that’s the part of you I fell in love for the most. You’ve kept your priorities on the right path."

’I don’t know how true that is.’ Jotou blushed. "I try to, but I’m just as confused about it."

Hotaru’s fangs glistened and her eyes scrunched in slight joy, "You’re so... cute." Her ears bristled, "We’re much more than just adventurers. I always saw that, but I think now I accept it."

"If it makes you feel better, we’re way more famous than any of the adventurers here worldwide."

"It’s because we’ve made a real difference. And you’re more famous than me around here, but that’s because my work’s been more diplomatic," Hotaru giggled.

They watched each other in silence for a moment.

Jotou opened her mouth and took a pause before she spoke, "Has that been your gripe with me?"

The redhead’s ears fell, "It’s not the, sole reason evidently. But I guess you have been a part of it."

"I’m sorry-"

"Don’t," a breath escaped, in what almost sounded like a chuckle. "It’s not on you. I should’ve said something sooner, but instead I went along with it. I was worried that you all were going to do it anyhow, whether or not you had my input."

Jotou took the wolf-woman’s hand, "You’re a part of this party too. Whatever made you think that we wouldn’t regard your input?"

"I know, I know. I also know you all would’ve convinced me too. The cult issue is bigger than us and I also realize, like I said, we’re more than just adventurers and can do something about it.

With all that in mind, I do forgive you," she had not pulled her hand away yet. "I’m sorry I haven’t done it sooner. I’ve been so, petty and selfish and, needlessly forceful-"

Jotou leaned on captured her lips in a kiss.

Hotaru jerked in surprise at first, but closed her eyes and gave in.

As their lips met and foreheads bumped, the two stole a much yearned for kiss. The blonde smiled as her tongue darted past the redhead’s lips and jolted her with a tiny spark.

Hotaru flinched and hissed quietly, recoiling her head back. Her eyes were about to open, but her lips were taken into another kiss.

Jotou sunk her teeth into the redhead’s bottom lip, sending a little electrical shock from her teeth, making Hotaru’s breath hitch with a squeak.

’Just tiny little sparks Aru~’

They fell—sideways onto the bed. Without interruption, they nuzzled and kissed for a while. Hotaru climbed atop the blonde while Jotou wrapped her legs around the redhead.

The blonde’s arms wandered across the figure and under her garments, letting her fingers graze and firmly press the wolf-girl’s supple skin. Arcs of electricity bounced in between her fingers, sending playful sparks across her form.

Hotaru squirmed and raised her head, whimpering with little moans in between. "Are you trying to boast how well your spell’s control’s getting?"

"Maybe~" The bits of lightning made the redhead shiver and flicker her crimson ears. Her hairs stood on end as goosebumps rose from where Jotou would touch with a bit of spark.

"Mmh, I like it, keep going," the redhead cooed as Jotou squeezed around the small of her back. Hotaru could not help but grind her body gently against the blonde, her tail stiff.

"Well that makes me worried," Jotou said with a half-smirk.

"Worried~?" her fangs glistened.

"Of what new thing you’re gonna do to me in retaliation."

Hotaru leaned down to peck the blonde’s ear, "I’m sure you’ll love it~"

"Oh no, I gave you more experiment ideas," Jotou contently replied with her eyes glazed over.

The two glanced at each other, one from above and the other from below—eyes intertwining. Firmly cuddling into each other, the blonde spoke first, "Where are we...?"

Hotaru’s aroused smile diminished. "We’re fine... It’s just a little hard. I think I’m ready to be over the whole ordeal. I do wanna simply be done with it and move on, but I’m just scared..."

"Scared?"

"Of us not lasting..." her brilliant blue eyes darted away.

...

...

Jotou exhaled audibly out of her nose. "I think it’s obvious our honeymoon phase is over."

"I suppose. I know most adventurers’ lifespans aren’t too long, but we’re both still pretty young... I’m afraid of a year down the line, two, ten, thirty more..."

Jotou’s legs wrapped tighter around the redhead for comfort, "You’re afraid of making that true commitment?"

"Aren’t you?"

Jotou chuckled to one side.

"Don’t laugh it off. You think things won’t change between us over time?"

"Isn’t that kinda the whole point? We’re gonna keep changing every day. I’m sure our thoughts might disagree at times. But in the end, I’d rather do that all with you than not," the blonde gave a smile.

Hotaru gazed, her eyes flickering a sprinkling of blue rainwater. She pressed her forehead against Jotou’s and kissed her softly.

"I think I feel the same. Although, I feel embarrassed considering everything we’ve said about us being together in the past..." Hotaru awkwardly beamed.

Jotou tilted her head on the sheets, "It was nice in the moment, but things are always bound to change. For example, there’ll come a time down the line where you’ll decide not to bend me over and spank me."

"Hm, we’ll see about that," the redhead shut her comment up with another kiss. She then raised her head and narrowed her eyes seductively, "You little minx~ Trying to put the idea in my mind for me to do it, are you?"

Jotou stuck her tongue and gave a wink before tightening her thighs around Hotaru’s form. The redhead cupped the blonde’s behind in her hand and squeezed, hopping to be released.

Jotou simply continued to shift her sparking hands, sending shivers down the redhead’s skin. Hotaru seized her golden blonde hair and the two tumbled and tossed in the sheets, cheerfully so.