Trace coughed out water, he tired to get out of the pond but Rae was pushing him back. His head went inside the water again, the vision blurred. A deep gasp sounded once more. To save himself, he used the walls of the pond to make a great spring away from Rae. But instead of launching away like a cannon, he floated away slowly.
Water rushed in his lungs and he swallowed water. Coughing did not help, no air, only water remained. His feet touched the bottom and he made another spring, this time, straight up. Luckily, the pond was not deep, his face jumped out of the water. But soon enough, flowed back inside.
Even Rae panicked at this point. She only wanted to keep Trace under water to express her anger. But seeing Trace struggling in the pond made her heart shudder. Before she could react, sound of rushing footsteps made her look backwards.
Noelle was running towards them. She had a notebook and a pen in her hands. Throwing them aside she directly jumped inside the pond and swam towards Trace. The pond was about 8 feet deep, it was originally a pool. It didn't take long before Noelle pulled Trace to land.
Trace was on his knees coughing water. Noelle gently patted his back and soon he calmed down. Trace shivered when the soft wind blew over his body. Rae was towards the side, her hands were shivering. She also moved forward and patted on Trace's back.
"I am sorry…" Rae's voice was quieter than before.
"It's okay, I am fine," Trace sat up and straight and said.
The cold winds were chilling but at least nothing happened to his body. The clothes are wet now, I will fall sick again, Trace thought. He stood up and squeezed water from his clothes.
"I have to go now," he said.
"Sir, please use our guest room to change, you can wear guest robes until your clothes are dry," the maid among them said.
Just hearing one sentence washed away all of Trace's worries. He looked towards the maid and Noelle to thank them. He also thanked Rae who was still patting his back.
A Level 2 Sorcerer would have no trouble getting out of the situation, Trace sighed in his mind. All day, he had been getting into situations which could be easily solved if his body had strength of Level 2.
Noelle walked beside Trace and followed the maid. Rae's mood was better after Trace thanked her and she also trailed the party. They went inside the mansion from a different door. It directly led into a hallway, with first room as the guest room. The maid bowed after opening the door.
Trace walked inside and the sisters followed. The room and everything in it was bigger. Noelle pointed towards the almirah at the side. Rae squinted her eyes, then rushed forward. She took out a bathrobe and handed it over to Trace.
"Wear this after you bath," she pointed towards the door at the end.
Trace accepted it and walked towards the bathroom. He opened and door and was surprised to see the big space. It had everything, from towel to scrub, tub to shower. He locked the door before proceeding.
…
"Sister," Rae looked towards Noelle. "He thought you were a boy all along. If you love him, this is your chance, show him."
Noelle was taken aback by Rae's words. A knock was heard of the room and Rae gave her sister a deep look before calling in the guest. The maid from before entered the room and put a towel around Noelle and gently rubbed her hair.
Noelle knew her sister always sprouted trouble but Rae only wanted to have a conversation. She thought deeply about it and looked towards the bathroom. Rae caught on the expression and said.
"I will not let him leave. Take a bath sister and do it," Rae's monotonous voice resounded again, she had a grin on her face now.
Listening to her sister, Noelle made her mind. She quickly ran towards her room. If Trace always thought of me as a boy then I have a chance, I won't lose to her, she thought.
…
Trace changed into the white fur bathrobe and walked outside with a basket full of his wet clothes. When he saw no one was present in the room, he felt relieved. This was his first time wearing a bathrobe, let alone an expensive one. He tried to get outside the room but the door did not budge.
Even after knocking on it, there was no response. Looking around the room, Trace found a note on the bed. It said, 'Wait for my cute sister.'
Only a minute later, the door opened. The figure that entered had long pink hair with deep pink eyes. Shining bangs covered her forehead. A ribbon tightly wrapped, highlighted her fragile curves.
This was Trace's first time seeing Noelle's with untied hair. He looked at the figure carefully but noticing a glass in her hands made him wary. Before he could say anything, Noelle took a sip and locked the door. The glass fell from her hands along with her robes.
"Trace, I am a girl, alright?," a sweet voice left Noelle's mouth.
Her face showed signs of red and she took a step forward. At this time, Trace had seen everything left for him to see. The tender snow like figure walked closer to him, one step at a time. Pink highlights of on Noelle's body made Trace's face turn red.
"I am leaving Koyoko tomorrow and we won't meet for a long long time," Noelle said putting her hand on Trace's cheek.
"I would've left after that incident but I was waiting," she gently stroked Trace's cheeks.
"Don't forget, okay? It was me who loved you first," Noelle was extremely close to Trace now.
But her body didn't touch his. She stared into Trace's eyes and waited. All this time, she had been waiting for Trace to come find her but it did not happen. I don't accept it, she screamed in her mind when she thought of the girl in Trace's room. This was what she feared, Trace getting close with another.
"You are my first friend, how can I ever forget" Trace said.
"Don't stop me if you mean it," Noelle closed her eyes and advanced her lips towards Trace.
It was as if the softest substance touched his lips. Trace took a step backwards but the naked angel; followed suit. Her hand didn't leave Trace, nor did her lips.
Noelle was immersed in the feeling but when Trace took another step back, she stepped on Trace's leg. And pulled back her lips and pouted. I have to make this more memorable, she thought.
"Trace, kiss me," Noelle said.
"I-can't."
"Don't be pushed back then. Open you lips a little, I will only kiss you once more," Noelle held Trace's arms and pulled him towards herself.
…
Noelle led Trace to the bed. She properly sat on it with her back touching the headboard. Trace was on his knees above her legs. Spur of the moment made her forget how little to none was covering her body.
On the other hand, Trace was fully aware. His heart was beating loudly. Noelle's face was now below his.
"Noelle, it's enough," Trace resorted in a low voice.
"Only last kiss, we won't see again for years after that," Noelle's sweet voice said.
Under the affects of the wine, she was feeling pretty confident. She held Trace's face with both hands and titled her head a little. Closing her eyes, she made her move.
Trace's mouth was open a little and Noelle's lip pressed on. A sweet taste entered his mouth followed by a little tongue. The little devil licked insides of his lips and knocked for entry inside his mouth. Breathing heavily, Trace pulled his head back.
"Kiss me Trace, or I won' let you leave today," Noelle said, also breathing heavily, her hands left down and grabbed Trace's waist.
"What are you doing Noelle, this is enough for a kiss," Trace said.
"You didn't like it?" Noelle's expression lessened.
"No-" Trace blurted out, he wanted a peaceful parting unlike last time.
"See you again Trace, make sure-" Noelle felt the effect of wine lessen.
Without wasting any moment she pushed her head forward for an intent to kiss. Trace also closed her eyes and let his mouth be invaded. The touching of tongues, the taste of Noelle, the hot slippery feeling. It wasn't something he would forget for long.
…
Rae stepped into the room after Trace left. She quickly closed the door, not letting the maid peek inside. Her sister was on the bed with face buried between pillows. The pale legs was moving up and down slamming on the bed.
"You did it sister," Rae said picking up the robe but left it when she realized it was wet.
"Poor Trace ran outside after losing it to my sister," Rae rejoiced.
She moved towards the almirah and took out another robe. Seeing her sister's butt made her giggle but she reluctantly covered it.
"Leave the rest to me, sister. I won't tell any girl snatch Trace from you," Rae said in her monotonous voice and smiled with a smug face.
Noelle couldn't lift her head up from shame. She only realized that she was naked all along when Trace's cold hands touched her waist. But this stop her smile. At the end of the day, her facial muscles were hurting because of how happy the day way.