Esmond:
Only a few days left until the festival starts. I already did the things I wanted, now it's time to rest. But resting isn't really my thing. I want some action, some fights going on and on.
I stared at the empty ceiling with nothing to do but think and think, and it's getting boring. So I went out of my room and went to the kitchen to grab some snacks.
A wise man once said, "if you're hungry, eat!" And that's what I'm doing. I happened to see Gesine in the kitchen. She was wearing an apron, and her hair was tied up. It appears like she's cooking something.
"What are you cooking, Gesine?" She was caught by surprise. She slowly turned back towards me with a reddish face, looking embarrassed.
"H-huh? Oh, uh, I'm cooking steak. The old lady next door gave me some."
"Oh, nice! Make mine really juicy! Medium rare, perhaps?"
She looked at the kitchen table and said, "Oh, you see, she only gave me one. She just happened to have an extra, so she gave it to me. Should I go out and buy one for you?"
She looked at me with the eyes of a cat that is acting cute. I'm honestly hungry for a steak, but I can't let Gesine waste any more money on me.
"No, it's alright. A beautiful lady needs to eat, so you can have it. Besides, she gave it to you, not me."
I turned back; I was heading back to my room. Ah, wait, I didn't grab snacks! But it's too late; I already turned around. I can't look back now, can I? I sighed. Damn pride and ego.
"Wait," Gesine called out, and I immediately stopped. Nice! If I turn back and have a conversation, then I can safely move forward, grab the snacks, and head back to my room!
"What is it, Gesine? If you want to give me the steak, my answer is already no."
I looked at her, and her face was blushing even more. "Uhm, Gesine, do you have a fever?" I tried to approach her, but she immediately backed away.
"I don't!" She was playing with her hair before she asked a question.
"Would you like to share the steak with me? I mean, it's okay if you don't want to, but I insist."
My face was as hard as a stone. A beautiful girl acting all cute in front of me. I'm damn lucky, aren't I? Where did that evil Gesine go? Is this another spirit using Gesine's body?
"I will gladly share the steak with you, that is if you don't mind!"
She smiled and chuckled, "Hahaha, you're so cute when you're flustered, you know that?" This was the first time I heard her laugh. Her voice and tone are different than usual. This might even make me fall for her.
"I will head back to my room now, there's something I need to check," i said with a smiling face.
I turned around and started walking to my room until she called for me again. My face turned really red. I don't really want to look back; it's embarrassing.
"Can you turn around and look at me for a few seconds?" Should I? This is dangerous. The more I look at her, the harder I might fall, but I have no choice, do I?
"Alright, I'm turning around now." As I did, I saw her face, which looked mesmerizing. She wasn't blushing this time; she had a kind yet serious look.
"You'd usually compliment me for this, so... where is it?"
My mind went blank. In the end, am I really just a simp? Was I desperate for a girl this entire time? I hate these thoughts. I thought they make me weak, really weak, but in fact, it was something I was really longing for.
"Cassius? Cassius! Are you okay?" Huh? What the hell just happened? I saw Gesine's face in front of me, and I feel something behind me. I'm laying down on the floor.
Something feels heavy. Wait, my body feels heavy. Am I having it again? I tried to move my hands and feet, and they moved, so what could it be then I realized.
"Uhm, Gesine? Why are you on top of me?" She was sitting on my stomach. She should've sat lower—I mean, why would she do this?
"I was just checking if you're alright." Her face was so close to mine that I could smell the scent of her hair, and she was still on me... Not my choice!
"Could you get off me now? And I think you better hurry."
"Hm? Why is that?" She still wouldn't get off. Was Gesine this thick-headed?
"I think my sword of light, Solais, is rising, so you better get off." Why does the sword have to rise in a moment like this? Just get off!
"Yeah, I don't know what you're talking about, but I think you should head back to your room and rest. I'll call you when it's time to eat," she finally got off of me and went back to preparing the steak.
"I'll go now, and do not disturb me for a while. I'll be in my room doing important business, okay?" She nodded, and I went back to my room. Now it's time for business.
I'm not grinding my wood, no. I have a deep thought again. I had the same situation back in the original world that I lived in. Some girl also did lovey-dovey things to me, and I thought that was a sign.
But I misunderstood deeply. She didn't like me at all. It was embarrassing. Like, how could I tell if someone likes me? I don't know if it's because of their kindness or love. So, don't get me wrong. I need a sign. I need proof of love.
These are some weird thoughts. I can't believe I'm liking a girl who I've traveled with for a few weeks! Wait, that's a sign she doesn't like me. What kind of girl would fall in love with a dude she traveled with for a few weeks? I'm hopeless with this. I never bothered to study about anything in this world, and it appears I'm dense even in love.
It's just slash, kill, be praised, slash, kill, get injured, rest, and repeat.
Then I heard knocking on my door. It's probably Gesine telling me the food is ready. Perfect timing because I'm hungry. I feel like I could eat anything.
So I went out of my room and headed towards the table and saw Gesine sitting down, so I sat down as well. Not gonna lie, I feel like I wouldn't leave anything for Gesine.
"You look like you wouldn't leave any for me," wait, did she just read my mind? A witch! Wait, everyone uses magic here.
"How did you know?"
"Oh, so you really are planning on eating the entire thing, and it's really obvious since you look like a hungry animal that's ready to eat anything."
"Well, I'm sorry. I'm just hungry, but don't worry, I'll try to hold myself from eating the entire thing!"
"There's no need." She cuts the steak, and it was a perfect medium rare. Then she sliced it into smaller parts and grabbed a fork. She is about to feed me.
"Open your mouth."
Eh? Ehhhh? Ehhhhhh?