Veloti looked around and didn’t see Adelina or Bernice anywhere.
Great! I get to run into Felyn here, Veloti thought.
Terrible! Felyn thought.
Running into a former client in front of a current one—especially when that former client was the rapidly evolving Veloti!
She’s not gonna cling to me, is she?
“Veloti, are you here with your family?”
If she was out shopping with her family, she definitely wouldn’t cling to me.
And as for friends… unfortunately, Veloti had none.
Veloti shook her head.
As she did, Felyn caught a glimpse of the caterpillar plush she was hiding behind her back.
So she really did come back and buy that plush? Could it be...
I knew it wasn’t that ugly. Veloti liked it after all.
“Felyn, you’ve got two bottles of water,” Veloti said, eyes fixed on the ones in his hands.
Crap.
Felyn looked down at the two bottles and cursed himself for not hiding them sooner.
“This one’s for you, Veloti. I saw you from a distance just now and thought I’d grab a bottle for you, but by the time I finished buying it, you were gone.”
Quick thinking—he held out one of the bottles to her.
Perfect. Flawless cover!
Worst case, I’ll just go buy another one later.
But under no circumstances can Veloti find out I’m here with Daiyi.
I don’t care what Veloti thinks, but if she clings to me and Daiyi finds out… it’s game over.
Felyn handed her the bottle, and Veloti took it with both hands, saying a quiet thank you.
Her gaze landed on the label—peach flavor.
She didn’t like peach. Felyn knew that.
Which meant… this bottle wasn’t meant for me. It was for someone else.
A girl, maybe?
Who could it be?
Adelina? Bernice?
There couldn’t possibly be anyone else, right?
Ugh. Why are there so many girls around Felyn, all trying to take him from me?
Veloti’s hand slipped into her pink unicorn-shaped pouch, fingers brushing against a sigil charm.
No. If I use that, I’ll blow Felyn up too.
She stepped forward and gently tugged at Felyn’s sleeve.
“Felyn, I want to go shopping.”
“Mmhm, go ahead.”
“I want to go shopping with you.”
“Eh? I’ve got plans tonight, I can’t.”
“Is it with Bernice?”
“No!”
“I’ll let you touch my feet,” Veloti said, tilting her head up and closing her eyes, as if offering a huge sacrifice.
“I’m not touching them!”
This was exactly how he’d used to chase Veloti—clingy and persistent—and now the young lady had learned all his tricks.
Veloti puffed up her cheeks and let out a soft “oh.”
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll get going.”
Felyn didn’t want to waste more time here. Daiyi was still waiting for him.
He waved in front of Veloti’s face, but she seemed lost in thought and didn’t react.
One thought repeated in her mind.
He’s definitely going to see another girl.
I can’t let him go.
“Hey—Veloti, what are you doing?!”
She suddenly stepped forward and threw herself into Felyn’s arms.
Her arms clutched his waist so tightly he could barely breathe.
“Just for a little while...” she mumbled, lips pursed.
Veloti already drew attention wherever she went—this bold move drew even more stares.
Felyn tried several times, but couldn’t pry her off.
Where did she learn this?! I never forced a hug on you like this, did I?!
“…Fine. Just a little while. Ten minutes.”
He really didn’t know how to deal with her.
After all the tutoring help she’d given him, he couldn’t just coldly tell her to get lost.
He was still too young to realize that every “gift” from fate came with its own hidden price tag.
When Veloti heard his answer, she immediately let go.
Her face was nearly the same color as her pink hair.
Felyn’s body… smells so nice…
Only now did she fully register what she’d just done. Her calves were shaking from nerves and embarrassment.
She quickly turned around, forgetting the caterpillar plush she’d hidden behind her back.
“I’ll hold onto the caterpillar for you.”
The little hair strand on top of Veloti’s head practically stood upright.
“Where should we go?”
“Right here.”
She casually pointed to the shop next to the one Daiyi was in. As long as she could be with Felyn, the store didn’t matter.
Felyn blinked. If he wasn’t mistaken… wasn’t this a lingerie store?
“Veloti, are you sure you’re okay going into this store with me?”
She assumed he was about to make another excuse to leave.
“I’m fine.”
She regretted it the moment they stepped in.
Oh. So this was what Felyn meant.
From the outside, it looked like a normal clothing shop. Why was the interior designed like this?
Felyn noticed her frozen in place, cheeks turning a shade redder.
“Veloti, maybe we should go to another store.”
“No.”
She clung tightly to his sleeve, afraid that if she stepped out the door, he’d disappear.
Surrounded by daring designs, Veloti bit her lip, not knowing what to do.
She’d just wanted to try on some clothes so she could spend more time with him.
Felyn wandered around, noting that most of the lingerie here was too simple.
Isn't there any lingerie with locks? The kind that takes twenty minutes to unlock it? That’d give me time to go find Daiyi…
“Oh hey, they’ve got swimsuits too. Pretty well-stocked.”
Veloti followed his gaze—thank goodness, a one-piece swimsuit!
If it only shows my legs, that should be okay.
“I’ll go try this on.”
She stepped into the fitting room. Felyn, wanting to be polite, turned to leave, but she called out to him.
“Felyn, are you leaving?”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
She was worried he’d run off while she was changing.
“Then wait right outside.”
Felyn stood in front of the curtain, the only thing separating them.
Gotta admit… It was a little tempting.
He did his best to avert his eyes from the curtain.
But the sound of clothes sliding off her body was all too clear.
The sound of fabric brushing against a beautiful girl’s skin had a way of making one’s mind wander.
“Felyn, I’m done changing.”
“Oh. How does it look?”
There was a moment of silence.
“There’s no mirror in here. I can’t see. Can you check for me?”
No mirror? This store’s kinda weird…
Felyn placed a hand on the curtain.
Calm down, Felyn. It’s just a swimsuit—nothing’s showing.
He pulled the curtain aside.
Veloti stood in a light blue one-piece swimsuit, like a ripple of ocean in summer.
The swimsuit’s cut was elegant and modest. The neckline and back were conservative, yet it perfectly highlighted the curves of her young figure.
A thin white belt accented her waist, and the hem of the skirt fluttered lightly around her thighs like a soft wave.
Her pink hair spilled over her bare shoulders, making her pale skin glow even more.
Her cheeks were flushed, and her amber eyes couldn’t meet Felyn’s gaze. Her lashes trembled with embarrassment.
She tugged nervously at the edge of her swimsuit, making a soft snap sound.
That’s it!
Felyn had always thought the most enticing thing was when a shy girl tugged at her swimsuit with a soft snap.
“Ugh, come in already.”
Felyn hadn’t even noticed he was still holding the curtain open.
The tiny space was filled with the scent of the girl.
Felyn could almost picture water droplets sliding down Veloti’s pale shoulders by the sea… all the way to her ankles.
(End of Chapter)