I’m Not Doing This With A Friend Chapter 101

 

Carson’s eyes fluttered. But he answered calmly, trying to reassure her.

 

“I’m not leaving.”

 

“…You were planning to leave.”

 

“I was going to fetch a maid. I need to change your dress into something more comfortable, and your makeup…”

 

Leen interrupted Carson, pushing herself up from the cushions. Then she walked over to him and leaned in close to his face.

 

“Caon.”

 

Carson’s throat choked as he turned to face her.

 

Leen loosened her grip on his cravat.

 

“Say it now if you don’t want to.”

 

For a moment, Carson’s body went stiff. After a moment, he pulled his hand away.

 

“You’re drunk, Leen.”

 

“Not so much that I can’t tell the difference.”

 

“…Do you realize how your words and actions affected me?”

 

“I am aware.”

 

The answer came as if he’d been waiting for it, and Carson was at a loss for words.

 

‘No, still, this wasn’t right.’

 

He had to compose himself, somehow, and soothe her.

 

“Leen. I don’t want to spend the night with you when you’re drunk.”

 

“If it’s not tonight…”

 

“Leen.”

 

Carson breathed in, trying to calm the raging desire.

 

“I want you to value yourself as much as I value you. This is impulsive, and you’re going to regret it.”

 

“Look in my eyes. Do you really think I said that on impulse?”

 

Carson pursed his lips, avoiding her gaze.

 

“Caon. I told you to look at me.”

 

Leen turned his face away, forcing him to look at her again.

 

“…If you doubt that, cast a purification spell on me.”

 

Carson’s eyes fluttered wildly.

 

Purification magic cleansed the body of dirt and mild toxins, and the alcohol had been detoxified to the point of nothing more than a mere trace.

 

She smirks and whispers seductively in Carson’s ear.

 

“You could easily manage that, couldn’t you?”

 

Because you’re an excellent mage.

 

The moment Leen’s sweet voice assaulted Carson’s eardrums, he felt his mind go blank.

 

Slowly, Carson reached out and placed a hand on her cheek. The trembling didn’t stop with nervousness.

 

A faint glow rose and fell from his palm. Carson felt Leen’s eyes widen.

 

But the smile at the corners of her mouth hadn’t faded.

 

“No excuses now, are there?”

 

He sucked in a breath. Even a cornered mouse wouldn’t be this breathless.

 

If he hadn’t put the control spell in place, he could have sworn he would have died of a heart attack a dozen times over.

 

Whether she knew it or not, Leen laughed softly and wrapped her arms around the nape of his neck.

 

“I want you.”

 

It was breathtaking. Carson couldn’t even tell if this was real or not.

 

“Just once, please. I want to make you all mine.”

 

Leen smiled, capturing him in her crystal-black eyes.

 

“I love you.”

 

Like a bolt of lightning, Carson snapped back to reality.

 

She said she loved me, Leen, herself.

 

Blinking slowly, he looked her in the eye.

 

‘No, this wasn’t a dream.’

 

“…Leen.”

 

His throat felt dry, and his voice scraped harshly. Carson’s eyes clouded over.

 

‘I wonder if you know.’

 

How much her words were driving him mad. Carson gritted his teeth and resisted the urge to press his lips to hers.

 

Then Leen’s enticing voice melted him once more.

 

“What are you waiting for, Caon?”

 

He barely held on to the strings of reason, almost giving in to his instincts.

 

‘No, I can’t.’

 

If I kissed her lips now, I wouldn’t be able to restrain myself afterward.

 

Carson pushed her away with a long, hard struggle, then added hastily, lest she misunderstand.

 

“…Not today. You’re not ready.”

 

How many children had been born in the Empire because of complacency, because they thought one night would be enough.

 

The last thing he needed was for her to be hurt by his desires.

 

Leen laughed softly at Carson’s squeezed eyes. He didn’t seem to realize how much she had prepared for this day.

 

“Shh, it’s okay.”

 

With that reassurance, she pulled him closer.

 

Their eyes locked so close she could feel their breath.

 

Their lips were about to touch.

 

Thump—

 

Leen’s eyes widened, and she quickly covered his lips with her hand.

 

A look of realization crossed her face.

 

‘You’re sobering up late.’

 

Carson smiled weakly, feeling a deep sense of emptiness. Her will was the most important thing. 

 

Then Leen’s face, which had been sobering even as she spoke words of seduction, flushed red.

 

She hesitated, as if embarrassed to speak, then said, “I… I didn’t brush my teeth.”

 

Carson was dumbfounded. He’d never imagined it could be for that reason alone.

 

How could thinking about it be so lovely.

 

“Leen, you know what?”

 

Carson smiled sheepishly, pressing his forehead against hers.

 

“Purification magic not only detoxifies, it cleanses.”

 

With that, Carson placed his hand on the back of her head. It was a gentle touch, not forceful.

 

Leen gladly allowed herself to be pulled in by the gentle pull.

 

Then their lips met, their breaths mingled.

 

It was a moment that confirmed the love they’d felt for each other for so long.

 

A burning, hot, ecstatic sensation coursed through their bodies.

 

How long had it been?

 

“…Hah.”

 

Leen gasped, already exhausted, even though their lips had only touched.

 

Carson’s gaze locked onto Leen’s, insistent. He was already at the boiling point of his temper.

 

He couldn’t begrudge Leen her exhaustion. The night had been long, and he had the magical ability to replenish her stamina.

 

Carson spoke in a low, growling voice, like a predator closing in on its prey.

 

“You brought this on yourself, Leen.”

 

🍃

 

The feel of sunlight on my closed eyelids jolted me out of a short sleep.

 

Instinctively, I knew I’d overslept, but I didn’t want to get up.

 

The feel of my bare skin against the duvet was always nice. Plus, the pillow I was hugging was warm.

 

“Mmm…”

 

I curled up and burrowed in, wanting to savor it some more. Then I felt a hand patting my back.

 

“Get some more sleep.”

 

The touch was gentle, the voice honeyed and sweet.

 

Wait a minute. A pillow talk? And even warm?

 

I sat up and stared at the pillow I had just been hugging.

 

“…Ah.”

 

It was Carson.

 

As soon as I saw him, my mind snapped out of its daze and I realized what was going on.

 

That’s right. I was with Caon yesterday…

 

He smirked at my dumbfounded expression. Gently brushing back my stray hair, his eyes flutter open.

 

“Are you awake?”

 

He hadn’t bothered to cover his bare chest, I narrowed my eyes at the sight of him.

 

That way I could see him better. Even in the morning, the sunlight streamed down his face without a trace of embarrassment, revealing his toned chest and abs hidden beneath his shirt.

 

It was a sight that made me think I was lucky to have been born.

 

Then I heard Carson’s timid voice.

 

“Leen, it’s embarrassing when you stare at me like that.”

 

I snapped out of my reverie and gazed into Carson’s face. 

 

His face had turned bright red. His pupils were uncoordinated, and he kept looking at me, then burying his face in his hands, then repeating.

 

It was a little ridiculous. With such an innocent face…

 

I couldn’t help but say to myself, “Nice face, not so nice manners.”

 

Suddenly, I saw a few strands of my hair and his hair on the bed.

 

Black pink…

 

After what seemed like an eternity, Carson turned to me, feeling a little more relaxed.

 

“Leen, are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?”

 

“Ha? If you have any conscience, you shouldn’t be saying that…”

 

Just as I was about to say no. Strangely enough, I felt perfectly fine. In fact, I felt lighter and more refreshed than usual.

 

“Huh…?”

 

Carson chuckled at my confusion.

 

“I’m glad to see you’re okay.”

 

Ah, the magic. I felt clean, like I hadn’t bathed and had just passed out.

 

This was the same man who had been casting restorative and other buffing spells on me whenever I showed signs of exhaustion.

 

The aftercare service was solid.

 

After a moment of admiring his attentiveness, I realized it was time to head back to my dorm.

 

I could see the heat and regret in his eyes that hadn’t yet been extinguished.

 

No, he doesn’t even have a healing spell on him like I do, so how does he look so fresh?

 

His stamina wasn’t human. But even I knew that if Carson was determined to seduce me, I would fall for it.

 

That was the case last night.

 

Just when I thought it was time to sleep…

 

He seduced me with his irresistible face, his voice, his body.

 

I couldn’t even remember how many times it happened. I took a deep breath and quickly threw off the covers and sat up, then quickly dressed for him to see.

 

Furthermore, I quickly put on my underwear and was left with my dress, which made things a little awkward.

 

It was a difficult dress to wear alone.

 

Carson, who had finished dressing first, approached me.

 

“Leen, wait.”

 

I thought he was trying to help, but instead, he kissed me on the forehead.

 

My eyes widened in surprise.

 

After the night we’d just spent together, I shouldn’t have been surprised, but this was a real surprise.

 

He’d been so careful to ask my permission even to hold my hand, and now he was kissing me without saying a word.

 

After a moment, he parted his lips, his face looking like it could explode at any moment.

 

“Get some rest.”

 

And he disappears right before my eyes. 

 

With him gone, I realized that the place where I was standing had changed.

 

I found myself in my dorm room. I went straight to my bed and slammed my fist down on my pillow.

 

“Aaaaahhh!”

 

“Isn’t it cheating to be that cute, to do everything and then be shy with one kiss!”

 

“How can I not fall for that and live to tell the tale!”

 

I huffed, pulling the covers over me to cool off. I regretted that I hadn’t thought of the aftermath of my affair with him.

 

Likewise, I’d succeeded in carving out a lasting memory with Carson, but I knew it would leave me with more regrets.

 

“How else am I supposed to handle him until graduation, really….”