Book 4: Chapter 55: Two People In The Cabin

The s.h.i.+p swayed slightly, forming ripples along the lake. Due to its constant shaking, creaking sounds suffused the entirety of the wooden boat, mixed with the gentle splashes of the water surface.

After the troublemakers were driven away, Lily and s.h.i.+mizu were able to regain their calm, but the interest in drinking tea was already interrupted.

s.h.i.+mizu gazed at Lilys somewhat worried eyes and asked, Lil Lily, whats the matter with you? Why have you been so sulky since Mizue left?

Eh? Lily wore an inexplicable expression, I only felt a bit disappointed when Mizue Miss Mizue left; nothing else. What Im thinking about is the Fujiwara family. Just what kind of family are they?

So you like mature and plump women?! Even if they are married and already have sons, right? s.h.i.+mizu got a little angry.

Ah? Sister s.h.i.+mizu, what are you talking about? I only treat Miss Mizue as an ordinary companion. We shared adventures and risks together after all. Isnt it natural to feel lost when they eventually leave? And I said before, I was just thinking about the Fujiwara familys affairs. Just the thought of interacting with the large and mysterious Fujiwara family was dizzying enough. s.h.i.+mizus outburst only added to her confusion.

Seeing the hints of anxiety and confusion on Lilys face, s.h.i.+mizus ire seemed to have rekindled. She smiled with insightful eyes, Is that true? But after Mizue left, you looked abnormally downhearted. Are you sure youre not subconsciously thinking about her?

While speaking, s.h.i.+mizu reached her hands toward Lily, directly forcing her into the corner. Her deep eyes gazed into Lilys own, Say, why arent you speaking? Is it that your body is already admitting it, but you havent realized it yet?

Their bodies were so close that it made Lily a little uncomfortable. After all, one of s.h.i.+mizus hands which supported herself from the ground was accidentally pressing the side of her thigh. She was also worried that her chest would brush against s.h.i.+mizus chin if she lost control of her erratic breath.

She tilted her head to the side and averted her gaze outside the window, staring at the drifting light-blue and white mist, Sister s.h.i.+mizu, dont make such jokes in broad daylight. Its just an ordinary menstrual cycle and has nothing to do with Miss Mizue.

Menstrual cycle? What is a menstrual cycle? Speak clearly.

Ah? Lily further cornered herself. Could she explain the menstrual cycle? The only thing she knew was that her period was around two weeks ago.

Suddenly, s.h.i.+mizus clear eyes shone brightly. Her scorching gaze swept over Lilys delicate body, Could it bethat

s.h.i.+mizu leaned her lips toward Lilys flushed ear and whispered a few tickling words.

Listening to the words, Lily instantly blushed, Wha no! Of course not! Sister s.h.i.+mizu, dont talk nonsense. We are about to arrive in Port Otsu; can we talk about more serious things?

Okay, then lets talk seriously, s.h.i.+mizu replied with a touch of jealousy in her voice, I want to ask you, when you go to Kansai, are you going to find Uesugi Rei?

Sister s.h.i.+mizu, I cant deny your suspicion. I must definitely look for Sister Uesugi. Shes probably on a dangerous path right now. This topic resurfaced the worry in Lilys heart and reinforced the mountainous pressure she was carrying it was just too much.

Whats wrong? Dont look so sad. In fact, you dont have to worry too much about Uesugi Rei. This woman is used to wandering around and braving risks.

But this time, she is crusading against Shuten Doji. Such a terrible existence is definitely something Sister Uesugi wont be able to go up against.

Hahaha, s.h.i.+mizu smiled, Lily, you worry too much about her. Do you think Uesugi Rei is a stupid woman? Shuten Doji is one of the top three demons of the Heian Dynasty. Fighting him by herself? Do you think she can rampage into Shuten Dojis lair and fight him alone along with his army of demons? If she was that stupid, she wouldnt have survived to this point. They must have spotted some kind of opportunity or joined an advanced crusader team in Kansai, for example, the strongest Ronin group of the Heian Dynasty: The Jinmu Legion of Eight. If they rallied their forces to crush Shuten Doji, wouldnt Uesugi just have to partic.i.p.ate in it?

Eh? Lily was taken aback.

No, dont tell me you havent thought about this possibility?1

Another pang of gloom hit s.h.i.+mizu, Hey, it seems that you really care about your Sister Uesugi so much that youd lose your mind in worry. Do you like her?

Thats not it, but I do worry about her.

However, after listening to s.h.i.+mizus a.n.a.lysis, Lily felt a little a.s.sured. The Uesugi family was a traditionally rich family in the East which was privy to various secrets of the Heian Dynasty. They should all know that Shuten Doji wasnt someone an ordinary samurai could afford to provoke. Even if Sister Uesugi is a righteous person, she wouldnt be so foolhardy as to plunge herself into death, right? Maybe they really joined some powerful team or discovered some other chance. Its impossible to think of challenging Shuten Doji head-on.

Sister s.h.i.+mizu, what you said isnt unreasonable, but I still need to inquire about the actual news in order to rest at ease, Lily said.

Sister Uesugi, why on earth do you want to fight Shuten Doji? Why didnt you tell me beforehand? Maybe its just as my Sister s.h.i.+mizu said, but Im still worried you wont play the cards according to common sense its your style after all. In any case, when I arrive in the Heian Region, I want to find your whereabouts as soon as possible

, Lily thought in her heart.

s.h.i.+mizu looked at the dazed Lily with a tinge of bitterness. She got up and sat facing the other window, You obviously have me by your side but your thoughts are all over other women

Huh? No, no, its because Sister Uesugi is in danger, right?

Arent we in danger ourselves? You yourself are being hunted down by the forces behind the curtains. Have you never thought about me? Wouldnt I, who is by your side, be in danger as well?

s.h.i.+mizus words left her speechless.

No, its not like that. Sister s.h.i.+mizu, If it wasnt for you, maybe I wouldnt have been able to escape from Witch Momijis clutches. I will do everything to protect you, Sister s.h.i.+mizu, and I also need your protection Lily said while approaching s.h.i.+mizu.

I dont want that s.h.i.+mizu bowed her head.

Eh?

She then looked back up, Is it just protection that you want from me?2

Lily looked at her Sister s.h.i.+mizu with a bewildered face. What was especially puzzling was that she didnt know what to say next. She couldnt understand her own heart.

In the room, two people exchanged quiet gazes, trapped in their special moment. It would be false to say that Lily didnt harbor any strange thoughts, but whether it be Sister Uesugi or Sister s.h.i.+mizu, she knew that she couldnt accept them.

She couldnt do anything that would harm her Senior Sister.

Couldnt be done? Have I not done a lot already?

Lily recalled Uesugis kiss and couldnt help but feel guilty. What qualifications did she have to pretend to be innocent; to pretend to be infatuated?

But, even so, that wasnt a reason to give up on herself, right?

After my mistakes, I will confess to Senior Sister and ask for punishment and forgiveness from her.

Moreover, Lily had always adhered to several bottom lines. These bottom lines were reserved for her Senior Sister. If one day, the Senior Sister woke up, anything she wanted could be taken at any time without needing consent from Lily.

However, she also had to be mindful of other people.

s.h.i.+mizus heart was also very sensitive. When she saw how Lilys mind wandered off, she reevaluated their close relations.h.i.+p. Wasnt she attractive enough?

This thought plummeted her mood.

But to break down in front of Lily, turn around, and shed tears? She didnt want Lily to see her in such an image.

A woman like Lily doesnt know what she wants

, s.h.i.+mizu said to herself,

No, she is a touchstone. A woman who doesnt have enough determination and aura can only pa.s.s her by. Lily may be very determined and persistent, but she is a submissive woman! The reason why Uesugi could take the lead was because of her fierce offense.

s.h.i.+mizu suddenly felt that she couldnt go on like this anymore. Just showing her sincerity to a woman like Lily wasnt enough to conquer her heart. Instead, she would only wander in shame and ambiguity forever, bringing pain to both herself and Lily.

What she doesnt want to do isnt necessarily what would make her happy. I want Lily to be happy; not to go along with her wishes, because her conscience and innermost secrets will only make her heart more painful3so I will help her.

At this moment, she seemed to have made up her mind.

Lil Lily, look up.

Uh? Lily, who was lost in her thoughts, raised her head subconsciously.

s.h.i.+mizu took the opportunity to lean in for a kiss, pressing Lilys soft and slightly moist lips against her own. Suddenly being kissed sent an electric shock through Lilys body, jolting her mind and causing her head to blank.

After she was released, her rationality returned to her.

Sister s.h.i.+mizu, dont dont do this. Lily turned her head, gently covering her mouth.

Lilys reaction made s.h.i.+mizu both angry and happy.

She smiled to herself,

Can you even call this a rejection? I kissed you, yet youre rebuking me so lightly. Are you rejecting or seducing me? Youre playing with fire. Your puny resistance is only testing my degree of pa.s.sion, and the ability to control a woman like you

, s.h.i.+mizu thought to herself4.

She grabbed Lilys wrist which was covering her coveted treasure and pulled it away without hesitation. She then pinned Lilys arms against the wall with one hand and pinched her chin with the other. Her thigh pushed forward, squeezing between Lilys legs. s.h.i.+mizu then dove in for another kiss, devouring the flowery softness.

Lily was pinned against the cabin wall with nowhere to escape5.

No

, Lily protested in her mind but couldnt speak, *Sister s.h.i.+mizu should not have much experience in kissing. That time in the barracks, she told me it was her first kiss. Knowing her character, she shouldnt have gotten intimate with other girls. But why is she so skilled, or is it that I am particularly *

Robinxen: OhOkay I forgive you author, youre not totally dumb.

Robinxen: Her behaviour is odd here even for her. I think the author is forcing the issue a bit too much.

Robinxen: Fair play here though, fairly accurate a.n.a.lysis. Sadly because of the writing I can only read this as the author putting thoughts into her mind rather than the character coming to the proper conclusion.

Robinxen: Its getting hoooooooot.

Robinxen: s.h.i.+mizu is like going for overkill when you remember Lily is still raging with a nice dose of bedroom sake.