"I will think about it."
Tristan's answer baffled me. No, surprising was the right word.
She turned around and ran away afterward, with a red tint across her face extending to her ears.
'Oh?' I looked at her with interest before running after her, leaving Rania and Lea behind.
This was an interesting development. Everybody changed over time. It was probably natural since Tristan said she had spent 12 years in this world and many years in the Sin Kingdom. Her common senses had changed slightly.
"Tristan!" I called out to her as she jumped toward the tall wall surrounding the training ground.
I followed suit and jumped over it at once. When I was in the air, I noticed her stopping to wait for me on an outpost, crouching over the edge.
Landing beside her softly, making no stir or even a sound, I looked at my best friend, who turned to me.
"What?" She tried her best to act indifferent, but her blush was still apparent.
"Your face is red," I smirked and teased her, sitting on the tiled edge.
"It's just the sun." She replied, throwing her face away from me.
How cute.
The situation between us suddenly turned to silence as Tristan recovered from her shyness. A strong girl was weak in an unexpected place. That just made her look cuter. I had fallen for her again, the first love I couldn't achieve in the past.
But… Would she be okay with the current me? The fact that she would think about it again when I expected her to refuse meant she had considered being with me.
We both knew our feelings for each other. In Lima Port City, we once again confirmed it. I loved her, and she loved me.
However… I hesitated. Only with her was I thought of it more seriously than the others. Unlike Eliza, Rania, Emilia, and the other girls, Tristan was from the real Earth, where she grew up in a different common sense.
'I didn't want to hurt her.'
A voice brought me back from my deep thoughts.
"Arthur."
"Yeah?" I answered casually, looking to my side.
I felt a soft push against my shoulder. A womanly smell, which was enhanced by her sweat, tickled my nose. Soft, long blonde hair falls onto my right arm. Tristan leaned her head against my shoulder.
"Let me be like this for a while."
I glanced to the side and noticed she closed her eyes.
"Don't misunderstand!" She suddenly raised her voice and buried her face against my neck.
Somehow, I knew what she would say next. According to my memories with her, her next words would be…
'I am not doing this because I want to! I only reward you!'
Or something along the lines. However…
"I didn't say what I said earlier because I hate you. I just… am confused by myself."
She chose to be honest and told me her feelings. I stayed quiet and allowed her to finish what she wanted to say first. I knew she wasn't done yet.
"You know that I love you, Arthur. And I have lived in this world for 12 years, far longer than my experience in Horizon Online."
Tristan's arms wrapped around my waist as she relaxed her head. I didn't feel any tug or anything. Her warmth was transferred, and her soft breath tickled my skin.
"People with high ranking in the Sin Kingdom practiced polygamy. Some peasants even had slaves… sex slaves that they abused. Living in such an environment, my train of thought had changed. I don't mind if my future partner has girls other than me as long as he loves me."
As expected, even she realized it herself. But to think she would say she didn't mind her partner having girls other than her just lifted something on my shoulders. That meant she was willing to share, in this case, me, with the others as long as I loved her equally, which I would certainly do.
Not long after that, she exhaled a long sigh.
"Hey, Arthur."
Tristan looked at me with her emerald green eyes. It sparkled, reflecting the sunlight.
Pedestrians outside the tall wall walked unknowingly. And the church knights on the other side of the wall continued their training. The sound of their weapons clashing against each other added a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
"I am worried. As Isabelle, I was cold and pushed everything away. You saved me once again, and I am really grateful. I felt sad to part away with my identity, myself, but… I want to change, you know? Just like when we all changed in Horizon Online, I changed once again in this world."
Tristan's voice sounded sad, but it was as clear as day what her intention was.
"I saw what you did to Vice-Captain Rania in that duel. I had also seen what former Captain Sophia did with you after that. I saw it all. Hahaha, even people in the church did that, huh? They are quite a pervert, but I know they wanted your child, the Paladin's child. And I know they love you too. You're a great guy."
I didn't deny it because that was the truth. They loved me, and I also loved them back equally.
"Arthur," Tristan called my name softly. "I won't be able to be your special one anymore, can't I?"
"No, Tristan," I answered seriously and shook my head.
Was she really worried about that?
"I did say I would love my girls equally. And I will be honest. So far, I have slept with 10 girls."
"I know."
"And I love them equally, besides one girl who I haven't spared yet."
"You're really kind."
"However… Even now, you are still special to me. Maybe… just maybe. If you are willing to, I will marry you right now. That's how special you're to me. I really love you and am willing to die for you. And as you know, we who came from Horizon Online can't revive in this world."
"Although I have no boobs?"
"Can you not say that when I am serious? And I can fix that in the future, I promise."
"I was just joking. I love my current self."
Tristan's reply came fast and destroyed the atmosphere. She giggled playfully and caressed my cheek gently.
"In that case, promise me something."
She suddenly pulled my face, and I felt something soft pressed against my lips. Because I didn't expect it, I was surprised and widened my eyes slightly.
A sweet taste and a clear flowery scent. That was what I remembered before the sensation was gone, and the blonde girl stood up, bent forward, and smiled softly.
"Make me your number one, okay?"
With the sun behind her back, she looked like an angel. I smiled back at her and pulled her this time, planting a kiss that took her by surprise, and hugged her tightly but gently as if she was fragile. Then, she closed her eyes and enjoyed our second kiss.
I didn't need words to answer that. My first love was always special.
It lasted longer than the first one, and when I pulled away, I noticed that her face was flushed as red as a tomato, and she panted slightly. Realizing it, she quickly used her hand to hide her lower face and looked away.
"Dummy." She muttered in a low voice.
Through the gap in her finger, I noticed that she smiled happily.
"You're the dummy one," I replied with a chuckle.
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