Shuna, the strong-willed woman who always leads everyone, has a secret side she only shows in front of Rimuru. Her usual tough attitude is just a front she created to be useful to him.
One day, Rimuru visits Shuna's room because of a tiny scratch. But when they're alone, Shuna bursts into big tears. "When I'm with you, Rimuru-sama, I just can't keep it together." It's a special confession from her.
She's been holding back her pain, not wanting to show weakness. Rimuru gently holds her, strokes
By Rimuru's Side, You Cry, and Then You Smile - Banquet Brother and Night's Plea ~The Night I Could Say "Look Only at Me"~
A week had passed since that night.
The grand dining hall in the basement of the Central Office was, once again, a whirlwind of raucous celebration today.
"Gahaha! More sake! Bring more!"
The large man with wild, crimson hair and sharp, gleaming golden eyes plopped himself down heavily into a seat. His hair, like a blazing inferno, seemed to flicker and dance under the dim lights of the dining hall. This was Benimaru, Commander-in-Chief of the Tempest army. Shuna, seated beside him, couldn't help but sigh at his sheer boisterousness.
"Benimaru, could you not be a little quieter?"
Shuna brought the cup in her hand to her lips, but the sake barely wet them. Her lustrous black hair, which reached her waist, was tied into a single ponytail with a red braided cord today. She carried the same dignified air she always did during her official duties.
Tilting his own cup, Benimaru stared intently at Shuna from the corner of his eye.
"Shuna, the bags under your eyes are looking rough lately."
He was direct.
"I am simply busy with work. Please do not concern yourself."
Shuna replied flatly. Her narrow, wisteria-colored eyes stiffened just a little.
Benimaru set his cup down on the table with a thud. The sound was swallowed by the surrounding noise.
"Your complexion looks like death."
Shuna's fingertips trembled faintly.
(*Did he find out... about Lord Rimuru? About the nights?*)
Alarm bells rang in her head. But she was Shuna. Tempest's perfect advisor.
"My duties have piled up. I cannot afford to cause trouble for the other executives."
Benimaru stared at Shuna in silence for a moment. His glittering golden eyes seemed to peer into the very depths of her heart.
"That's what you always say when you're pushing yourself too hard."
His voice was low.
"I ain't talking about work."
Shuna was at a loss for words. Unable to say anything, she just stared at the cup in her hands. Her own face was reflected, distorted, on the surface of the sake.
Benimaru tilted his cup back and downed his drink in one gulp.
"If you've got something you wanna say, I'll listen. Doesn't have to be now."
Leaving only those words behind, he stood up to seek out more sake.
Shuna was left alone amidst the clamor of the banquet.
(*Something I want to say...*)
Her feelings for Lord Rimuru, the secret of the nights—she had pushed it all deep into her chest and shut the lid. There was no way she could say it. But still—she wanted to tell someone. That feeling seeped, warm and aching, from deep within her heart.
---
It was around the time the banquet was reaching its midpoint.
"Lord Rimuru! I stewed this especially for you!"
What Shion presented with a beaming smile was a black object on a small plate. Her rich, long purple hair swayed, and her large, strong-willed reddish-purple eyes sparkled.
The object was—jet black. And a fluorescent film had formed on its surface, which wriggled slightly with a bubbling motion.
The dining hall fell silent, as if a bucket of water had been thrown over it.
"Shion... what animal is that...?"
Benimaru paled and took a step back.
From the shadows, Souei appeared without a word. Expressionless, he placed himself squarely between the small plate and Rimuru. His golden, vertically-slitted eyes narrowed as if looking at a hazardous material.
Stroking his white beard, Hakurou cautiously prodded the object with his chopsticks.
"Hm, it's moving."
In that instant, everyone simultaneously pushed their chairs back.
"That's my love shining through! It's a little slimy if you touch it, but that's just love!"
Shion declared, completely undeterred.
Rimuru's face formed a stiff smile.
"No, I think love glowing is a little terrifying..."
As everyone around them froze, Benimaru secretly whispered into Rimuru's ear.
"Compared to this, Shuna's cooking looks divine."
The moment she heard that, Shuna couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Pfft..."
She covered her mouth, but it was too late.
"Ah! Shuna-san laughed! That's rare!"
Shion pointed a finger. Everyone's eyes gathered on Shuna at once.
Shuna panicked. Her face grew a little warm.
"It's nothing. ...I-It's nothing at all."
The mask of the dignified advisor slipped away, just for a moment. The true face that peeked through the gap was that of a girl her own age.
But—just for that one moment, the tension that had been weighing heavily on her chest melted softly away.
---
The banquet ended late at night.
On the second floor of the Crimson Pavilion, in a corner room tucked away at the back. Shuna had changed into her nightclothes and stood by the window. Moonlight streamed into the room. Documents were neatly arranged on her desk, and a small potted plant, a gift from Rimuru, sat by the windowsill.
Footsteps sounded from outside.
Shuna's heart skipped a beat.
(*It's Lord Rimuru.*)
She could tell just from the footsteps now. Before he could knock, Shuna opened the door.
"You were waiting for me?"
Rimuru smiled, looking slightly surprised.
Shuna said nothing. She simply pressed her forehead gently against Rimuru's chest. The small horns hidden beneath her bangs touched his clothes. Her complex about wanting to hide her horns melted away only when she was with Rimuru.
"What's wrong? Tired from the banquet?"
Shuna shook her head quietly. Then, grasping the hem of Rimuru's clothes, she led him to the bed just like that.
Tonight, Shuna was different from usual.
Her movements weren't assertive or passionate, but somehow clinging. Her eyes gazed at Rimuru, desperately seeking something.
Rimuru let his lips fall to Shuna's shoulder, her collarbone, and then her chest.
"Nn..."
The front of her nightclothes was loosened, and Rimuru's fingers touched her bare skin. Shuna's body trembled faintly with every touch.
Rimuru's tongue gently toyed with Shuna's nipple.
"Ah... Lord Rimuru."
Shuna offered her hips to him of her own accord and parted her legs. The gesture was far more honest than the previous three times. But—there was a desperation to it, as if she were being cornered by something.
Rimuru's fingers traced Shuna's lower abdomen. It was already wet and slick there. As his fingertips touched her secret place, a small, squelching sound was made.
"Shuna, you're incredibly wet."
At Rimuru's whisper, Shuna's reason melted away.
Rimuru pressed his hard, erect penis against Shuna's pussy. The tip touched her entrance, slick with syrupy love nectar.
"I'm putting it in."
"Yes... come, Lord Rimuru."
With a wet sound, something hot entered her.
"Nn-aaaah...!"
The sensation of being filled deeply pierced through Shuna's entire body. Her vagina clenched tightly around Rimuru's penis. Their breathing echoed in the quiet room.
Rimuru's hips began to move.
Slowly, but surely, reaching deep inside.
"Hah... aaah... Lord Rimuru, Lord Rimuru..."
Shuna let out her voice while looking up at the ceiling. The pleasure gradually built. Every time the inside of her vagina was rubbed, shivers ran thrillingly down her spine. Her hips moved naturally, even without her conscious control.
Deeper. Even deeper.
Benimaru's words, the embarrassment of Shion seeing her laugh, the night in Chapter Three when she couldn't get her answer—it all remained in her head.
But right now.
Just for right now.
"Lord Rimuru..."
Shuna wrapped both arms around Rimuru's back.
"Please... look only at me."
For the first time, she voiced her plea aloud.
She knew her voice was trembling. But she couldn't stop it.
It was a wish more urgent than the question she couldn't ask in Chapter Three.
Rimuru's movements stopped for a moment.
And then.
"I know. Only you."
Rimuru wrapped his hands around Shuna's hips and moved deeply, deeply.
"Aaaaaah...!!"
Shuna's body was seized by a powerful spasm.
Rimuru's penis thrust up to her deepest point, and her vagina clenched tight. In that instant, she felt Rimuru's hot semen pumping thickly into her womb. Shuna's whole body trembled at the sensation of the cloudy white fluid filling her depths.
"Ah... ah... Lord Rimuru's, inside me..."
Waves of pleasure raced from the top of her head to the tips of her toes.
---
After the climax.
In Rimuru's arms, Shuna stared at the ceiling. Rimuru's breathing deepened, and soon turned into the steady rhythm of sleep.
The room fell silent.
(*Only me...*)
She repeated the words she had just received in her head. Rimuru had definitely said, "Only you."
But—why was it?
Something unfulfilled still lay sunken deep in her chest. It sat at the bottom of her heart like a heavy stone.
(*How long will the words "only me" remain true?*)
Holding a question she couldn't voice, Shuna slowly closed her eyes.
---
Before dawn.
Rimuru quietly sat up and dressed without a sound. As he was leaving, he stroked Shuna's hair just once.
The sound of the door closing.
Unable to sleep, Shuna sat by the window and gazed at the morning dew in the garden. The plants, wet with night dew, glittered and sparkled in the dim light.
"Only me... is it?"
She murmured softly in the empty room. No answer came back.
---
The hallway in the morning.
She was on her way out of the Crimson Pavilion, heading towards the Central Office.
"Did you get some proper rest last night?"
Before she knew it, Benimaru was walking beside her. He asked only briefly, and said nothing more.
"Yes. I'm fine."
When Shuna replied shortly, Benimaru gave a small, satisfied snort.
"I asked Geld to handle the cleanup after the banquet. Don't push yourself today."
Leaving it at that, he strode away with large steps. Watching his broad back retreat, Shuna thought.
(*If I confided in Benimaru... would I feel a little better?*)
That thought crossed her mind for just a moment.
"Good morning, Shuna-san."
A voice came from behind her.
Turning around, Shion was standing there. It wasn't her usual energetic smile, but a somewhat quiet expression.
"Did you get your answer last night?"
It was a continuation of the question they had exchanged in the courtyard in Chapter Three.
Shuna's feet stopped.
(*Answer...*)
The words wouldn't come.
Shion gazed intently at Shuna's silence for a moment, then eventually smiled faintly.
"I haven't gotten mine yet, either."
Saying only that, she walked past Shuna.
Left alone in the hallway, Shuna stood rooted to the spot.
(*I got it. I'm sure I got it, but—*)
Yet, the heavy stone in her heart was still there.
When she looked up absently, she could see the Central Office building from the hallway window. The lights were still on in the third-floor window, where Rimuru's office was.
(*Ah... again.*)
She wasn't fulfilled. The words she was sure she had received somehow didn't reach the depths of her heart, floating in mid-air.
Shuna let out a small sigh.
She had a feeling that the anxiety in her chest was about to grow even larger.
That night.
Late at night in the Central Office. In a hallway that should have been empty, faint footsteps echoed. A single figure emerging from the office was illuminated for just a moment by the moonlight—.
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