"Mom!" Bella shouted with tears in her eyes. "I know it's really good, but I can do better than this!" Bella said, puffing up her cheeks like a child.
"She's right. I'm not a professional. Besides, I spent an entire day to draw these, and they're not even colored."
"You did all these drawings in one day? Seriously?" Bella's face turned pale.
"BWAHAHAHAHA." Meteria laughed even harder. "Bella takes days to do just one cover, and you did all of these drawings in one day. You'd better find another job, Bella, he doesn't need you anymore."
"Mom! Stop saying that. Luan won't fire me, right?" Bella looked at me with tears in her eyes.
"Should I do that?" I said, joking. But Bella didn't take my words lightly and began to cry, begging me not to fire her.
"Please, no!!! I love this job! Please!"
"I'm just kidding, calm down."
"You promise?"
"Yes, I promise. I don't have time to draw all the covers and illustrations. Besides, I don't know how to color." If I tried, I'd probably manage it thanks to the "Drawing" skill, but it's better not to mention that.
"Phew~~" Bella sighed in relief. "If that were true, I think I would die."
"You're exaggerating."
"She's not exaggerating, Luan." Meteria wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes (she cried from laughing) and said, "She loves drawing the covers for her books. She talks about it every day and works really hard."
Bella's face turned red. "Mom, don't say things like that. I'm embarrassed…"
"Hahaha, it's nice to know she works so hard. That's why the covers are so beautiful."
Bella's face turned even redder, and she hid it behind the papers. "Please, stop saying those things!"
####
"Now I just have to wait for Bella to finish the arts," I said while walking down the street, heading back to the mansion.
But on the way, I found Mikoto walking alone in the streets.
I approached her from behind and tapped her shoulder.
Mikoto immediately reached for the hilt of her sword and turned to face me, startled. "Who!?" she shouted, getting ready to attack. I was surprised by her reaction, so I started laughing.
"Hahaha, what was that? Why are you so scared?"
"Luan!?" When she saw who it was, Mikoto's face turned red, and she started coughing. "Cough… Cough… It was just my instinct, sorry."
"It's fine. So, what are you doing here? It's far from the dungeon."
"Oh, I was just taking a walk."
"I see. Why don't we have lunch together? We can go somewhere after." I said, smiling.
"I'm not sure if that's a good idea..." Mikoto said reluctantly.
"Why?"
"It's just that I'm a bit tired, so..."
"Don't worry, it's fine. Shall we go?" I extended my hand for her to hold. Mikoto stared at my hand for a few seconds and then took it.
"Alright, but don't try anything perverted. We're just eating, okay?"
"Don't worry, everything will be fine~~"
Mikoto knew she couldn't escape after lunch, but she still agreed to eat with me.
I'm looking forward to doing this again with her.
####
We went to a nearby restaurant I'd never been to, and I ordered food for Mikoto and me. I also took the chance to have some drinks. While we ate, I talked a little with Mikoto about our training.
I made it clear that I wanted to continue it.
"It would be great. Since the time we trained together, I've improved a lot, especially avoiding attacks."
"It's great to hear that."
"But… I don't think it's a good idea to keep doing THAT in the dungeon… Urgh..."
"Takemikazuchi saw everything, didn't he?"
"Yes… And he asked me about you. I told him you were a friend and that I like you… That's why I did that…"
"I can imagine his reaction."
"He didn't seem to care too much about what happened. But he was worried you were using me somehow, so I explained to him that we're close."
"I see, I'm happy to hear that." I held Mikoto's hand. "Invite me to dinner at your house later, I'd love to talk to God Takemikazuchi."
"What? Are you sure?"
"Yes, of course."
"I'll talk to him about it." Mikoto seemed happy.
After we finished eating, it was time to leave. Of course, my plan wasn't just to have lunch with Mikoto.
I also want to have some fun with her during the afternoon. Mikoto knew that.
So even though she told me not to try anything perverted, from the beginning, she was already expecting it.
When we walked and arrived at the hotel door, Mikoto looked at me with a red face and said, "It's going to be the first time we do this in a room… In a bed. Plus, the first time was in the heat of the moment. I'm really embarrassed."
"You don't need to be embarrassed. We'll take it slow."
"Alright." Mikoto nodded, smiling cutely.
Then, we entered the hotel and got a room.
'Last time I didn't get to enjoy it much, but today I'm going to enjoy it.'
####
Read more chapters on my patr eon: patr eon.com/parodygirl
Next chapters: Chapter 189 - I'm suffering. +18 / Chapter 190 - Good smell... and good taste. +18 / Chapter 191 - Soma Familia. / Chapter 192 - God Soma / Chapter 193 - Soma accepted everything easily. / Chapter 194 - A bad idea. / Chapter 195 - Ishtar is annoying. / Chapter 196 - Ishtar is out of her mind. / Chapter 197 - Healthy sex with Ishtar? +18 / Chapter 198 - I'm not yours, you're mine. / Chapter 199 - Choosing skills after a long time. / Chapter 200 - He wants to meet Haruhime? / Chapter 201 - Symptoms of Pregnancy (Hestia's POV)