I'm Kyoto Seinaru, a man in my twenties who lived in a small apartment while supporting my life by working as a sales assistant in a grocery store. I stared for a long time at the food I had prepared on the table while sighing heavily at it.
A cup of noodles.
"What a fate I have to only eat a meal like this every day..." (Thinking)
Although my heart felt heavy enough to eat the meal, it was the only one that allowed me to save the money that I had prepared for someone in the future. The sweet promise of a woman who had bound my life together since we parted at school flashed through my mind as soon as I thought of her. A woman with a sweet face and neatly tied blonde haired looked at me while saying in a soft voice,
"It's fine Sei-Kun. Although the distance separates the two of us, not the promise. Tomori will continue to wait for the moment we meet again in the future."
The girl smiled while looking at my face to comfort my heart which continues to grieve. Since I didn't want her to leave by looking at my sad face, I then put a smile back on her. I also hope that one day the time will come when I can live happily with her. I don't mind living in hardship as long as I can live comfortably with her. It's true that right now I can only eat cup noodles, but after this, my food will be cooked by someone I love and gently fed by her hands once in the future. I trusted it. However, deep in my deepest heart I wonder about something...
Will this wait come to an end...
Will I always have to eat this forever...
In the depths of my heart, I hoped that one day I would soon be able to eat a meal that is tastier and more varied than this.
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"LET'S GET COOKING!!!"
On second thought, I retract my words a moment ago. I put my head down on the table in exhaustion after working so hard to teach all the maids here how to cook. Despite that, I am only the one who is tired while surrendering to the fate that has befallen me at this time.
"Sei feels that Sei's soul just left Sei's body..." (Pale)
Honestly, I just taught them how to cook meat just by using fire which should be easy to do. Somehow this has already entered the third hour of me lecturing and guiding them one by one to cook but not a single piece of meat is ready to be served and even cooked. I felt like I wanted to cry from the depths of my heart. For a moment my reverie was stopped as soon as my back was gently patted by someone. I then looked back before seeing the face of the person who called me with a tired face.
"Mahou, don't give up Mahou!!! After all, we're not used to how to cook using a stove" (Enthusiasm)
Ena looked at me with enthusiasm on her face. I stared at her face for a long time before continuing angrily towards her. I shook her body while saying,
"THE PROBLEM IS ENA WAS USING FIRE MAGIC NOT KITCHEN FIRE... WE WANT TO COOK MEAT NOT KILL SOMEONE?!!" (Furious)
I yelled at her furiously. The main problem that bothered me right now was I had taught her in detail how to use wood as a tool to start a fire but she ignored it because she considered fire magic more practical. She then used fire magic to start a fire and then burn the wood and even the meat as soon as it was heated by it. I'm already aware of her great magic ability as an elf, but cooking meat doesn't require such a destructive magic power. I, who was furious, fell silent as soon as I saw Ena who regretted her actions.
"My bad..." (Sad)
Ena played her finger after realizing she was in the wrong. I, who didn't want to see her continue to be sad, quickly stroked her head to calm her down. Slowly, I motivated her to light up her spirit again.
"It's okay Ena. That's why Sei taught me how to light the fire so that Ena doesn't have to trouble creating a small fire magic"
I kept stroking her head while smiling to comfort her. I also realized that it was difficult for her to reduce her magic power to the extent of cooking meat because the magic used was usually to kill those who broke into the palace. I was suddenly startled as soon as Ena who was sad got back up while looking straight at my face again.
"Apologize, Ena, Mahou. Ena realizes Ena is wrong for thinking magic is more practical"
The sad Ena straightened her body again and put a stern face on me after realizing her mistake. I then breathed a sigh of relief since my guilt that had made her sad just now had disappeared. I continued to stroke my chest before being surprised by Ena who continued her speech again.
"Forgive Ena's arrogance, Mahou. Ena thought, why is Mahou so picky about uncooked food when Mahou is a succubus who should be satisfied with just a cu-"
I quickly covered her mouth with both of my hands. I understood what she wanted to convey when she saw that a succubus whose daily food was only 'water' could be fussy just because the meat didn't cook. However, I was being picky not without any reason.
In my previous life, I always ate cup noodles that were easily found in stores and easy to cook to save money. My tongue became numb with the cup noodles that I always tasted. Although my wait ended with the presence of Tomori in my life which made me use part of my savings to eat with her, it didn't end well. I, who hoped that her gentle hands would prepare my daily meals, was shocked as soon as I learned the fact that I had been thrown out of her life. However, I am lucky that I still have a second chance to live my life. That's why in this life of mine, despite living hard as a lowly noble, I went hunting in the forest early in the morning just to satisfy my appetite by cooking all kinds of dishes with just a piece of meat I got. I grinned at her face before replying to her in panic.
"I-it's not that S-Sei being picky... but Sa-Saoto wants to eat c-cooked meat..." (Nervous)
I averted my face from looking at her face so that she wouldn't see my panicked face. However, I couldn't imagine what it would taste like to swallow that 'water' down my throat. With a thick and slimy texture, it's enough to make me nauseous just by thinking about it, let alone swallowing it like sipping regular water. I continued to daydream before finally being shocked by Ena, who had been silent since earlier, speaking again while holding both of my shoulders and grinning at me.
"It's so romantic that Mahou wants to cook for the person Mahou loves... Ena will consider that as an additional point to attract men" (Teased)
I was surprised to hear Ena's words and then covered both of my cheeks which were red from embarrassment. However, I did not deny what he said just now. I don't know why I feel too excited to cook for Saoto after he praised my cooking a while ago. Ena who wanted to see my face kept trying to open my cheeks to show her as if I was holding back hard not to show it to her. Finally, the tense atmosphere dissolved as soon as a maid came to us and brought something to show.
"Mahou, Mahou, is this one right?"
I looked at the face of the maid with a surprised expression as if I didn't believe what I just saw with my very eyes. A piece of meat was spiced and cooked and ready to be served brought by her while emitting a tantalizing aroma. My eyes lit up looking at the ripe meat with excitement.
"Ha... Finally, a good one!!!" (Sobbing)
I was so happy to see it that my eyes became watery. Suddenly, I shed tears after knowing that my struggle for three hours was not in vain. I then looked back at Ena's face with an irritated look.
"Rina-San, later please teach this old woman how to cook meat properly. Despite being old she is stubborn"
I whispered something to her without preventing it from being heard by Ena who was standing right in front of me. Ena who was surprised then pinched both of my cheeks before looking at me with furious.
"Ma-Mahou... What did Mahou just say about Ena earlier..."
I teased Ena, who had always teased me. I then let go of her grip before running while sticking my tongue out at her. I kept running while being chased by Ena who was furious at being called old by me.
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I was standing in the library where Saoto was reading this morning.
Saoto quickly got up from the table after having the meal before suddenly kissing my cheek. I, who was surprised then questioned his actions just now.
"W-why Sa-Saoto kiss S-Sei right now... It's oily?!!" (Anxious)
I was surprised to see Saoto kissing my cheek suddenly as soon as he finished eating. The smiling Saoto then looked at me and gently stroked my head before saying something to me.
"Saoto needs to leave for a while. With that oil, Saoto wants Sei to think that Saoto is always by Sei's side"
My cheeks then flushed as soon as I heard his explanation. I didn't think that every time he left he would kiss me first since he was worried that I would be lonely without him. For some reason, my heart was happy if it was like this. I then looked back at his face with a puzzled look to ask him something.
"Why does Saoto need to rush?"
Saoto kept stroking my head gently while smiling at me. I was calm in his caress and looked at his face with my full attention as soon as he wanted to say something.
"Saoto wants to deal with the problems of the people for a while. If Sei wants Saoto to teach about the way of life of a succubus, Sei can wait for Saoto at the library earlier this morning"
And here I am standing in front of it as I have been told. Without hesitation, I continued to step into it before I was stunned to see various books from various parts of the world found on all the shelves there. My eyes were then fixed on something that caught my attention when I looked around just now.
A table.
I then approached the table which is likely to be the table where Saoto does the reads daily. I was then surprised to see a book perfectly placed on it.
"How to make love with a woman..." (Read)
"EEH?!!"
I was surprised as soon as I saw the book on his desk. I pondered for a while after noticing that among many magic books that were available here, why that one book was on his desk at this time.
"Isn't he really busy as the Demon King... Why does he have time to read a book like this..." (Stared)
On second thought, Saoto himself looked like he had already mastered all the magic since he once used a lot of healing magic on me besides he was also a warrior who should have been well-taught in using magic.
My cheeks flushed as soon as I remembered that the book in front of me right now was a guide for him in treating me as his loved one all this time. For a moment, my head was full of embarrassment even though deep in my heart I wanted to know the contents of the book so badly. Slowly I dared myself to flip through it due to my overflowing curiosity. For a moment, I was startled to see the image on the page of the book that I was flipping through.
"Hmmph?!!" (Shocked)
My head was letting out smoke as I saw the picture of a man gently stroking his woman's head to calm her heart on one of its pages. It is also attached with various details and circumstances so as not to make the woman flustered. I was very embarrassed to find out that Saoto, instead of studying the various magics from all over the world, spent his time 'studying' me and trying to capture my very heart. My head suddenly became smoky again with my tail wagging wildly while holding back the extreme feeling of embarrassment in my heart. I, who still wanted to know the contents of the book, then turned to the next page before being surprised again by the picture displayed on its page.
"Huh?!!"
I was shocked to see a picture of a man kissing his partner in various places other than her mouth. Not only that, every place he kisses has its meaning and intention to be conveyed by the kisser. My eyes then focused on the picture of a lip kiss on that page which was attached with great details so that the kisser would feel satisfied and pleased. Unbeknownst to me, I touched my lips that Saoto had kissed earlier this morning as if to admit that the kiss I got at that time was very pleasing to my heart. I then startled again as soon as I heard the sound of the door being opened alongside by a familiar hoarse voice in my ears.
Saoto's voice.
"Hmmph, Sei? What is Sei doing there?"
Saoto looked at me in surprise as soon as he saw my still-red face while standing next to his desk. I, who still panicked then closed the book that caught my attention before waving my hand at him to undo what I had done just now.
"I-it's nothing. S-Sei was reading the magic book on this table. S-Sei was thinking whose table it was and didn't expect it to be Saoto's table. Then Saoto suddenly appeared and startled Sei" (anxious)
"Is that true?..." (Stared)
Saoto looked at me in disbelief at what I told him. I then nodded quickly to him while clenching both my hands and putting on a serious face so that my reason would not be doubted by him. Saoto went silent for a moment after putting on a surprised face before slowly approaching me. I then was shocked by him suddenly holding my head tightly before my forehead was kissed softly by his lips which caused me to mutter a little because I didn't expect his action. Saoto then looked at me again before saying,
"If Sei misses Saoto, Sei can just tell Saoto"
I fell silent as soon as I heard his words. My cheeks reddened for a moment because Saoto realized that I was thinking of him then kissed me on my forehead as a sign that he would always be on my side based on the book that I read earlier. In an instant, I realized that Saoto was not fooled by the lies I told him a moment ago. However, for some reason, my heart was so relieved as soon as Saoto gave me that kiss. I then lowered my gaze to hide my still-red face before slowly asking him about something.
"H-how does Sa-Saoto come to know..." (Embarrassed)
I asked him in wonder since I thought that I had done my best to hide my feeling just now. I didn't think he would still be able to tell it just by looking at me. He then released his grip on my head before answering my question while looking directly into my face.
"Even if Sei tries to hide Sei's feelings, Sei's tail doesn't hide it at all. Sei's tail will also be happy whenever Sei feels happy and sad whenever Sei feels sad."
I, who was surprised to hear his explanation then looked directly into his face who was putting such a serious face as if he had not lied to me. I then looked at my tail which suddenly tensed as if it realizing that I wanted to do something to it as soon as I looked at it with a sharp gaze. I then gripped it tightly with both of my hands since I was upset about something.
"You failed me... What's the use of me hiding my face if you keep showing my emotions-" (Stared)
I was suddenly startled by Saoto who suddenly hugged me tightly from behind. I was surprised and then tried to release his hold to ask about his actions. Saoto put his mouth close to my ear for a moment before whispering something to me.
"Sei, don't blame Sei's tail. Thanks to that tail, Saoto can know Sei's feelings towards Saoto"
I was speechless while listening to Saoto's words. I suddenly realized that my tail which often shows my emotions allows him to know my mood. My cheeks reddened again since I realized that it was thanks to this tail that Saoto was able to comfort me every time my heart felt restless and even made love to me. I then lowered my head in shame before asking him about that.
"D-Did Sa-Saoto thinks so..." (Embarrassed)
"Why is Sei doubting again? Did Sei need Saoto to prove-"
Filled with embarrassment, I quickly covered his mouth so as not to continue what he said. Even though I knew what he wanted to say and somehow really wanted it, I remembered that our purpose here at this time was none other than to teach me how to live as a succubus. I don't want to keep getting carried away at the moment since I'm worried that my progress won't go anywhere. I then told Saoto with a worried face to remind him of something.
"Sa-Saoto... We are here since Saoto wants to teach Sei how to live as a succubus. Stop t-teasing Sei..."
Saoto was silent for a while before releasing his arms around me again. I then ran away from him a little while breathing a sigh of relief. If I'm just a little bit too late, I can't guarantee I'll still be able to control myself later. For a moment I was again surprised to see Saoto who extended his hand to me to lead me somewhere. I then greeted his hand warmly before looking back into his face with a smile to comfort him who looked a little sad. Saoto then smiled back at me before pulling my hand to sit in an open place in the library.
Saoto and I sat on the floor while watching him draw a magic circle on it. I kept looking at him carefully before asking him again.
"Uhm, Saoto. Is this a magic circle? Why does Sei have to learn magic?" (Wonder)
I asked him in amazement. Saoto then looked at my face again before explaining something to me as soon as he finished drawing the magic circle. I continued to wait for the man before he started speaking again.
"The demon's special abilities are not too far from the magic that humans utter. For example, this magic circle that Saoto drew. This is just basic magic to summon fire magic by channeling the mana possessed by the mages into the magic circle. As for the demon, they also have a magic circle that can be triggered without draining any mana causing it to be unable to be recreated by humans. That is why the human race considered the Demon as a threat because it has a kind of 'magic' that they cannot use."
I was surprised to see a spark of fire coming out of the magic circle after hearing Saoto's explanation. I didn't think my ability to change form all this time was also some kind of 'magic' because I never uttered any spells to activate it plus I don't have any mana in my body and that made me learn swordsmanship. However, it did make sense that a succubus like me has a way of using my ability without any way of being imitated by other races. I nodded slowly before looking back at his face to ask something.
"But Saoto, elves are long-lived. What is Ena's special ability as an elf if that's the case?" (Excited)
I asked him out of curiosity. I'm not surprised if I have some kind of magic that I can use to change the form, but for the elves, that long lifespan has become a characteristic of their race and is far from a special ability. Saoto then looked at me again before answering my question while smiling at me.
"Sei does think about Ena, right? Did Sei think that a long lifespan is all beautiful?"
I pondered on his question. On second thought, Ena herself had trouble finding a partner since she complained about her long age being an obstacle for her. I then shook my head while looking at Saoto's face before he continued his words again.
"That's the reason as an elf race, Ena can set her age's appearance as she pleases. That's why despite having a long lifespan, they didn't seem to become old as time passed. For Ena, she already made up her mind to become a maid in her full in the castle. But as for Sei, what do Sei want?"
Saoto asked me while waiting for my answer. I was silent as my cheeks reddened as soon as I thought of the answer I would give him. I then looked into his face again before saying something.
"Sei wants to remain useful for Saoto. That's why Sei expects Saoto to teach Sei right now"
I looked into the eyes of the man in front of me with passion. It doesn't mean I don't want to be his partner but I want to be a useful and worthy person as his partner. For someone who has been at the peak of magic like him, I didn't want to be a burden for him as well so that I could continue in this form and be able to be lovely with him. I then asked him again to make sure of something.
"But Saoto, how does Saoto want to teach Sei? As long as we walked around the town yesterday, Sei did not see any people of Miltia who were succubus like Sei"
I asked him because as far as I remember I didn't see any succubus in this area that could be a reference to him. In a moment I looked at him again with an irritated look after realizing something.
"Sei didn't kill all the succubus here, right... And then leave Sei alone so that Saoto can manipulate Sei's heart..." (Stared)
I looked at his face full of doubt. I don't believe what I concluded but that's the only conclusion I can draw right now as soon as I remember that he was a warrior. Saoto, who had been silent since earlier and did not react for a moment then exhaled heavily before opening his mouth again.
"If Sei wants to know, the succubus race has long been extinct from this world. More precisely, since the Great War a thousand years ago..."
"Eeh?!!" (Shocked)
I was shocked as if I couldn't believe what I just heard. For a moment, tears flowed out of my eyes before Saoto hugged me tightly to calm me down. My head was slowly placed on his chest before he then gently rubbed my head to keep me calm. I didn't think that I was the only succubus living throughout history while the succubus I knew was a lowly demon that should be plentiful and easy to find. I continued to hug his body tightly while feeling the warmth of his body to keep me calm at the time.
"Sei don't be afraid. Whatever happens, Saoto will always be by Sei's side"
I was surprised to look at Saoto's smiling face looking back at me to comfort me. However, deep in my heart I felt very happy as soon as I heard his assurance. Saoto then went back to wiping my watery eyes before going back to tease me so I wouldn't continue to be sad.
"It's fine, Sei. If Sei wants a friend, we can work on it. Our children will have the blood of Sei who is a succubus. Plus his handsomeness of his father"
I, who was very sad immediately became so embarrassed as soon as I was teased like that by him. However, my heart was much relieved once I knew that a succubus like me still had a place to live in this world. I also don't hate being teased like that by him maybe since I can no longer feel the instinct of a man inside me. I then rested my head on his chest again before saying something again.
"T-thank you, Saoto. Sei's heart is much calmer now..."
Saoto continued to stroke my head gently before letting go of his embrace and looking directly at my face before returning to say something.
"Even though Saoto has never come face to face with a succubus, it does not mean that there are no direct records about it. According to the available records, a succubus can change form according to its desires"
"Its desire?"
"That means that Sei can change form as long as Sei imagines it with a strong desire in Sei's heart"
I was silent listening to his explanation before thinking about something again. For a moment, all my memories throughout my journey with him flashed through my mind.
I was with him in the forest when I went out with him to Miltia, where he ruled. In the middle of the journey, I accidentally changed back into a man and added the burden to him who was lifting unconscious me at that time. I then thought about the reasons that made me change at that time before realizing something.
I was very guilty of him at that time since I had betrayed the complete trust he gave me to the point where I felt I was no longer worthy to stand by his side. On the other hand, I also turned into a succubus again as soon as I made up my mind to be his lover no matter what the situation was when I got drunk at the bar with him that day. I then caught Saoto's words and understood that my strong feelings at that time could affect my appearance even though somehow it only happened when I fell asleep. I then nodded slowly to him before being shocked by Saoto who suddenly hugged me tightly next to him while saying something to me.
"It's good if Sei already understands it. Let's get started then. Saoto will help"
Hour after hour then passed. However, I still did not succeed in any of my attempts to change my form at least into my male form again. I then laid down my body after a lot of energy that I put in didn't give any definite results from it.
"Why is it so easy to change form when Sei was sleeping..." (Complaining)
Saoto, who was grinning while looking at me then gently stroked my head before saying something to me again.
"Sei, just try again but this time, Sei imagined that Saoto was in danger and the only way for Sei to save Saoto was to change Sei's form to be more agile"
I then looked at Saoto's face with a surprised expression. I couldn't think of such an excuse during the several hours I tried just now. I then got back up and tried again as what he said. In an instant, a deep red magic circle was etched on the floor and ignited before being followed by a cloud of vision-obstructing red smoke surrounding my body. My chest felt hot for a moment as if something had happened all over my body before I was startled as soon as I saw my new appearance after the smoke that blocked my vision gradually disappeared. The dress I was wearing was torn apart revealing my muscles that I hadn't seen in a while. I finally breathed a sigh of relief after my attempt finally paid off. I then said in wonder since my clothes didn't change alongside my appearance.
"Hmmph? Sei guesses the ability only allows the user to change the appearance..."
Saoto suddenly approached me and slowly patted my head before saying something to me again.
"It shouldn't be like this tho. Bet Sei needs to be more determined for it to happen-"
I was startled by Saoto who suddenly stroked my head gently to cheer me up. Unexpectedly, the puff of smoke reappeared again alongside a dark red magic circle that was lit up on the floor. I then looked back at my body which had changed again just by the touch of his hand. For a moment, I was surprised because not only did my appearance change but so did my clothes too. What made me even more surprised was that I was no longer wearing the torn dress, but instead just a pair of underwear that showed my entire body shape clearly to him. I then bent my body and ran it away so that it would not be seen by his eyes.
"I-It's not like what Saoto saw... S-Sei just"
I was panicked at him since I tried my best to reduce my affection for him earlier so that I could focus on my attempts. Suddenly, I was startled by Saoto who was kissing my neck from behind causing me to let out a strange noise from my mouth that was hiding my very affection before being covered tightly by his hand. Saoto then placed his mouth on my ears again before whispering something to me.
"If Sei doesn't hesitate to show Saoto that Sei wants Saoto, Saoto will not hesitate to show back what Saoto wants"
Saoto continued to kiss my neck gently as a sign of 'I want you' that I learned from the book. I, who could no longer think straight after feeling a weird sensation of his kiss then continued to be carried away by it. Despite being embarrassed, I couldn't deny that my body had already reached my limit to hold my affection for him. I then continued to enjoy his warm touching mouth for a while. From a distance, there was a book that stood out a little compared to the other books on a shelf that looked as if it had just been placed after being read by someone.
How to seduce a shy succubus.