Cliff Harbor Pier.
After spending so many days in Septimont, Ray and Carlotta had finally decided to return to Ragunna.
Carlotta had originally planned to use this time to thoroughly win him over, but family affairs had kept her preoccupied she'd been busy negotiating with Septimont's Vulcan Mining these past days and simply hadn't been able to focus on her schemes.
But that was fine.
She gazed at the receding pier outside the porthole, a confident smile curving her lips.
Once they were back in Ragunna, she would naturally continue what had been left unfinished that night.
The first time, after all... needed a little atmosphere, didn't it?
As for Ray?
He wasn't thinking about it at all.
During these days while the Second Young Miss worked, he'd been having a great time exploring Septimont with Lupa. They'd visited nearly every corner of the city, giving him a much more complete and vivid understanding of this completely unfamiliar city-state.
Right now, he was busy showing off the photos he'd taken these past few days to others on his terminal.
Especially to Zani and Luno.
Zani: [...Are you sending these to show off?]
Ray: [Sigh, I'm just enjoying life. Why do you think so badly of me?]
Zani: [You really... ah, forget it. I can't be bothered arguing with you. Anyway, when are you coming back?]
Ray: [That depends on when the Second Young Miss decides to let me go.]
Zani: [Fine, enjoy your vacation. But don't forget while you're away, who's carrying the weight for you?]
Ray: [Isn't that a bit much? How about I treat you to a meal to make up for it?]
Zani: [Just one?]
Ray: [As many as it takes. Until you're sick of it.]
Next was Luno's reply.
The young woman's response was concise, but carried her characteristic blend of willfulness and charm:
Luno: [Trying to annoy me on purpose? Hmph, I'll remember this! If you can't indulge my whims in the future, I'll show you what real moodiness looks like!]
Then, Phoebe.
Phoebe: [Capitoline Hill City is that magnificent? I'd really love to see it for myself someday. But I've heard they don't welcome priests of the Order of the Deep there.]
Ray: [That's fine. I'm quite familiar with the Ephor of Septimont. Next time, Phoebe can come with me.]
Phoebe: [Oh, really? Can I?]
Ray: [Of course you can.]
Phoebe: [That would be wonderful, Mr. Ray. By the way, when will you be back in Ragunna?]
Ray: [Already on the boat. Probably arriving this evening.]
Phoebe: [Then... Mr. Ray, do you still remember that pizza day I mentioned before?]
Ray: [Of course I do. What about it?]
Phoebe: [Actually, it's tomorrow.]
Ray: [No problem. I'll come.]
Phoebe: [Mm, I'll be waiting for you!]
As for Phrolova?
Playing it cool, read but no reply.
Although, this was within Ray's expectations.
But...
For some reason, he felt like Phrolova was acting strange, though he couldn't quite put his finger on why.
Could it be that Phrolova was actually part of the Fractsidus?
But such an unfounded suspicion didn't feel right.
After all, he had no solid evidence.
Sigh, forget it. What if it was just a ploy to drive them apart?
"Cat's Eye." Carlotta picked up a sugar cube and gently dropped it into her coffee. The silver spoon chimed crisply against the rim of the cup.
Ray put down his terminal and looked up to meet her meaningful gaze. "What is it, Second Young Miss?"
Carlotta gently closed her eyes, lifted the coffee, and took a small sip. "Have you forgotten something?"
"Forgotten something?" Ray paused, then thought for a moment. "I don't think so? I've got all my things. Didn't leave anything behind."
"You—!"
Carlotta bit her teeth lightly, struggling to suppress the anger in her heart, maintaining that final shred of elegance. The light illuminated her face, cold and pale as paper, yet carrying a faint smile capable of slaughtering worlds.
"Have you forgotten the answer you owe me?"
At these words, Ray suddenly remembered something very important—
The Second Young Miss... had confessed to him.
"Uh..."
"You idiot! I really can't control myself with you!"
Carlotta slammed down her coffee cup, abruptly stood up, and straddled his lap, looping her arms around his neck to force him to look at her.
Their noses almost touched. Her warm breath fluttered against his lips like butterfly wings.
The young lady's face was flushed red. It seemed that making such a move had used almost all of her courage.
"Such an important thing... and you couldn't care less. Do you have any idea how much courage I had to muster to say those words that night!"
"In short, you no longer have the right to refuse!"
Ray was about to explain, but she suddenly pressed lips silenced his unfinished words.
The soft, warm touch carried the lingering fragrance of coffee, shattering all his thoughts in this unexpected kiss.
Her mouth parted slightly, tongue slipping past his lips in a bold, teasing glide that tasted of sweet bitterness and pent-up want. She explored him with hungry insistence, drawing a low sound from his throat as heat bloomed between them.
After a long moment, the young lady pulled back slightly, her forehead still resting against his. She panted softly, the warm breath intertwining between them, her chest rising and falling against his.
Ray was dazed. Though this wasn't the first time, her sudden assault still caught him off guard.
And just now, the Second Young Miss had definitely used her tongue, swirling it deep and deliberate.
"Second Young Miss, I—"
Ray started again, but the moment his voice left his lips, Carlotta pressed close once more, silencing his unfinished words again.
This time was fiercer than before. Her tongue delved in with raw need, tangling with his in slick, rhythmic thrusts that mimicked something far more intimate. She ground her hips down subtly, the thin fabric of her skirt riding up her thighs, pressing the heat of her core against the growing hardness in his pants.
All words melted into silent intimacy, leaving only the fading sound of waves outside the porthole echoing their pounding hearts. Her fingers dug into his shoulders, nails biting skin through his shirt as she rocked against him, breath hitching with each slide of friction.
Then again, parting, and again, drawing close.
Each one grew wetter, messier, her saliva trailing between their lips as she sucked gently on his lower one, then nipped it sharp enough to sting.
After several rounds of this, Ray began to get stirred up, his body responding with a insistent ache straining against his trousers.
No way!
He had his pride too!
This kind of enjoyment no, this kind of "humiliation", couldn't just keep happening again and again!
He had to take the initiative!
So, steeling his resolve, he suddenly rose and reversed their positions, grabbing her wrists and gently pressing her against the edge of the table.
This sudden counterattack made Carlotta tremble slightly. A flicker of panic passed through her eyes, yet it was also mixed with a faint, shimmering anticipation.
Probably due to their earlier contact, the young lady's clothing was already somewhat disheveled, blouse tugged open at the collar, exposing the lacy edge of her bra; skirt hiked high enough to reveal smooth thighs and the damp shadow of her underwear clinging to her folds.
She bit her lip lightly, struggling symbolically a few times, trying to maintain a final shred of dignity, but ultimately just turned her face away, letting her scattered hair cover her reddened ears.
Her legs parted instinctively under him, one hooking around his hip to pull him closer, the heat radiating from between her thighs soaking through both their clothes.
She hadn't said anything, yet it seemed like she'd given silent permission for everything.
"So... is this your answer?" Carlotta's voice was barely a whisper.
Ray looked down at the disheveled young lady beneath him and let out a soft sigh. "When the Second Young Miss has gone this far, what room do I have to refuse?"
"...Then let go of me first."
"There's no such thing as an emergency landing now." Ray didn't loosen his grip; instead, he held on tighter, one hand sliding down to cup her breast through the thin blouse, "Since the Second Young Miss lit the fire, she should see it through to the end."
"I-I know." Carlotta naturally understood his implication, her cheeks growing even hotter as she arched into his touch, a soft whimper escaping her lips. "It's just that this place is too plain... Once we're back in Ragunna, let's continue, alright?"