An incomprehensible amount of time passed. Jerry couldn’t tell how long, but it felt like forever.

The duo waited in the garden, setting up a well-laid structure they could rest their backs on while waiting for Jared to return.

Jerry knew he had to stick very close to Ciara—especially due to the darkened conditions of the area—so they were currently cuddling.

It reminded him of old times.

‘Still… am I not a bit sweaty? Do I smell? Is she just enduring it? Ah, this is so embarrassing…’

Still, the mere fact that Ciara was comforted by his presence made him, at the very least, feel a little better about himself.

The mission was a bust.

Not only that, but they were now waiting to be rescued by Jared.

‘I would have tried to scout the area… or perhaps look at the area from a higher ground, but…’

It was better to just wait for Jared. Not only did they have no idea where they were, but they also didn’t know how long it would take to get home.

Besides, with the dangers they were currently facing, staying put was the best way to ensure their safety.

But, after waiting for so long… Jerry was tired of simply staying in a single spot and waiting to be saved.

His heart tightened in dissatisfaction, and frustration coursed through his veins. He would end up being rescued… and he would also have nothing to show for it.

‘Am I really okay with this…?’

The only other option was Ciara’s suggestion. He didn’t know how feasible it was, but he considered it more now than ever.

‘What am I thinking?! Kissing Ciara? I would go that far to preserve my ego?’ Jerry felt more disgusted with himself.

Compared to their time in Ainzlark, Jerry felt like he and Ciara had gotten closer. Sure they still had their rivalry going on, but still… he didn’t feel all too distant from her.

That was precisely why he couldn’t think of using her.

‘M-maybe if she… suggests it again…’

As if Ciara was reading his mind, she stirred from her slightly dazed state. Jerry’s attention slowly shifted in her direction, and he saw how amazing she looked.

Her pursed lips were attractive beyond belief. He wanted to touch them, no doubt. Her face was also very cute… and Ciara had always been pretty.

Seeing her sleep the way she did, seeing her so vulnerable… it was indeed cute to Jerry.

‘She’s sleeping, so it’ll be less embarrassing. Should I try… it?’

Jerry felt ashamed of himself once more, but he couldn’t help thinking about it regardless. The possibility of ending everything with a single kiss.

In fact, wouldn’t it be selfish for him NOT to kiss her?

‘Why am I justifying failure due to my ethics? I should try to do what I can to win… even if I feel bad about it.’

The fate of the world was at stake. Why was he so hung up on his values?

‘Sometimes… compromises must be made.’

That’s right! For the greater good, he had to damn his conscience and do what guaranteed success—even in the slightest.

It definitely wasn’t because Ciara was an attractive young woman. Neither was it because she was cute beyond belief. No, that wasn’t it.

‘I just… want to complete the mission…’

With this thought ringing in his head, Jerry leaned closer to the girl beside him. He was so nervous he could cry. Still, he had made up his mind.

‘I’ll do it! I have to do it!’ Puckering his lips, Jerry drew even closer to his target.

‘Here I go!’

*

*

*

‘He’s coming! He’s really doing it! Finally!’ Ciara grinned within herself in excitement.

It took him long enough, but the girl somewhat knew that Jerry would break at some point. It had only been a matter of time.

‘That’s why I had to confiscate your Spell Card… not that it would have been useful, to begin with.’

The thing was that, unlike Jerry, Ciara was in perfect control of the situation. Not only had she masterminded the whole monster rush, but also Jerry’s card being lost.

It was all thanks to her mischief.

However, it wasn’t as though the girl wanted to torture Jerry intentionally. It was love. She simply did everything out of love!

‘He needed the push. And now, with how long we’ve spent here… he’ll finally go through with it.’

She could feel her partner’s body trembling as he drew even closer to her. His sweaty musk made her even more excited and she awaited the moment their lips would connect.

It took all of her willpower not to pucker up her lips or to swiftly connect her lips to his.𝑜𝓋𝑙xt.𝒞𝓞𝔪

‘No! None of those will be satisfying!’

She wanted him to do it himself. And finally, after waiting for so long… it was finally happening!

It was finally—

‘U-uh…!’

Jerry’s lips connected.

It sent shivers down her body, and the simple contact between them caused what felt like her body being electrocuted.

Of course, she controlled the external display, but her insides were in a state of excitement. It was thrilling!

‘But…’ Ciara thought to herself, half in disappointment.

Sure, his lips connected, and sure it could be regarded as a kiss. However, this wasn’t exactly what she’d had in mind.

‘… Why did you choose my forehead?!’

She wanted mouth-to-mouth, and Jerry must have known that. Yet, he chickened out at the last minute.

‘Jerry, it seems you have a long way to go in order to fully express your feelings. I understand. I’ll keep supporting you.’

Just like now, all Ciara had to do was create the ideal scenario for them.

‘Still, the forehead kiss was amazing. I… I’ll forgive you for today.’ She grinned internally.

Jerry did all he did because of the desire to change the narrative and obtain results. Ciara knew that much. Since he had performed his side of the deal, it was only right that she delivered her end of the deal.

‘I guess I’ll break us out of this illusory world.’