Chapter 738: Love and Fear
Chapter 738: Love and Fear
*Rub* *Rub* *Rub*
Vanessa rubbed her cheek into Elysia's arm. She received lots of head pats and rubs. It was the best until she thought she could not live without her master's caress.
"Fufu, are you trying to leave your body scent on Ely, Vann? It's a pity because Ely's natural fragrance disguises it quickly." Rhea entered the hot spring carefully.
She wanted to relax like everyone else, but the water was deep enough to drown half her face if she sat down. Therefore, she stood up again and sat on Elysia's lap. "Please excuse me."
"Uhm, go ahead. I'm not leaving my body scent behind." Vanessa paused for a moment because of the arrival of a Goddess. She then sat leaning against the rock next to Elysia.
"Oh my, everyone gathered here? It's a pity that a devil girl became lazy and chose to be alone." Elena held her towel and got inside the hot spring. Her usual spot was to the right of Elysia, and she immediately sat there. The girls just chuckled in response.
"Wait, what? You can't do that to me. I'll wash my body first, okay?" Sylvia opened her eyes and was surprised to realize she was alone in the pond. She immediately got up and washed her body to follow the custom before joining the others.
"Meanie." Sylvia pouted and buried half of her face into the hot spring. She never thought the girls would leave her alone on purpose.
"Hehe, it's you to blame." Yuuki was happy to see Sylvia pouting.
"Relaxing time after a tiring day is the best. Anyone interested in sharing stories and opinions?" Elysia wrapped her arms around Rhea's waist and looked at the evening sky.
"That's interesting. What are the rules of the game? Someone will ask a question and everyone will answer based on their personal opinion?" Elena briefly peeked into Elysia's thoughts and told everyone about it, but it was not so obvious.
"Mm, count me in. That sounds like sharing opinions to determine what the other party thinks about a certain issue." Nell put a wooden bucket on the hot spring, filled it with water, and soaked in it.
"That sounds fun." Rhea put her hands together and leaned against Elysia's heavenly cushions.
The girls also expressed their enthusiasm for Elysia's proposal.
"Very well, it's only between us, girls. Who will be the first to start? No lies, deception, or secret leaks." Lifa looked at everyone to see their expressions.
"Me, let me have the honor!" Sylvia instantly raised her hand high.
"Good, you can pose a question for everyone to answer in clockwise order. But, you need to answer your own question before asking someone else to answer." Elena pointed her palm at Sylvia.
"Hmm-mm~ Let's see... Ah, that's it~ Everyone, is there someone you like physically and mentally? Tell me the name and the reason why you like that person. For me, it's Ely and her master. They are my first real friends, the first ones who were nice to me without any motive." Sylvia grasped her hand and closed her eyes. A tender smile graced her lively expression.
She then opened her eyes and emphasized her sentence to the fox girl next to her. "Then, clockwise, we start with you, Yuuki!"
"Eh, ah! You took me by surprise." Yuuki gasped in surprise. She then made a steeple of her fingers while glancing at Elysia several times. "My body and soul are for Master Elysia alone. It doesn't matter if I'm a pet or a contracted beast. Master Elysia is someone who understands me the most. She reached out her hand for me to get out of the loop of loneliness. At our first meeting, I knew she would be my Goddess. But, my master's master was a bit meanie then."
"???" Elysia glanced at Elena, but the latter only responded with a subtle smile.
"Ho? That's because you were a naughty snow little fox back then." Elena was amused to imagine Yuuki's pitiful expression during their first meeting.
"Uuh, I can't deny it. Next, Lynn." Yuuki nudged the fox girl next to her.
"For now, I don't have anyone I like about romantic interests. However, the one I love the most right now is my mother. She has gone through many difficult things alone, but not anymore. She is my everything." Lynn put her hand to her upper chest to express her feeling without hesitation. "Hehe, how about you, Eve?"
"Family love, huh... How nice. Apart from family, my best friend, Ely, is the closest person to me. I knew we would be spending a lot of time together since we became dormmates, but many things happened shortly after and led us to where we are today." Evelyn muttered with a dreamy expression. "Now it's your turn, Ella."
"My whole being is dedicated solely to the Goddess of Blessings. I am also blessed with some good friends I can trust, no matter our differences. It's like a dream come true, and this is what I've longed for." Ella clasped her hands in prayer.
"Fufu, I guess I'm next. My lovely daughters are the most important. I don't need a reason to give my love to my children, is it?" Lifa covered her mouth and glanced at Rhea, but she also looked at Elysia and Elena secretly.
"Hm, this can be a tricky question, but it's just between us, got it? My closest ones are my big sister and Elysia. What I love the most are peace and prosperity. Everyone will be happy if that can be achieved." Nell looked up at the twilight sky with a subtle sigh.
"Next is you. Although, I already guessed it." Nell raised her palm towards Elena.
"Fufu, what are you saying, little one. If my answer is predictable, can I miss my turn?" Elena closed her eyes.
"No, that would be unfair to this game." Sylvia was curious. She could guess it too, but she wanted to know the truth.
"Well then, that's my precious Ely and her good friends. You may be wondering about many things, but I've been there since Ely came into existence." Elena leaked a bit of info that left almost everyone gaping.
"Woah, a chosen one... You are indeed a chosen one, Ely. Your Goddess master was appointed you as her disciple even when you were a baby!" Sylvia clapped her hands together in admiration, but that only created water splashes.
"Mm~ I feel so blessed and lucky. I don't know what the universe's destiny desires for us, but my master is my everything. The current me is all thanks to my master, who is always there when I need her. If it wasn't for my master, I don't know if I'm still alive or have fallen into an abyss of darkness." Elysia grasped Elena's hand with a sweet smile.
Elena blushed slightly at that. However, she didn't look away and stared back into Elysia's beautiful purplish-blue eyes.
Several moments passed in silence, but no one spoke or disturbed the atmosphere. Elysia then broke the silence and turned to the little girl on her lap. "How about you, sweetie?"
"Hm? The most important ones in my existence are my family. I will do anything for my family. There is no one better than my family." Rhea repeated a similar sentence three times in a warm tone. She put the highest priority only on her core group members, her family.
While the others thought it was a cute and heartwarming answer, the two girls looked gloomy because of it.
"We are also a family, right?" Elysia whispered into Vanessa's ear, but her voice traveled for everyone to hear.
"Mm, we are one!"
"Family!"
Vanessa and Yuuki looked cheerful again and relieved just to hear Elysia's statement.
"So, who's next? Everyone will get their turn now or later~" Lifa continued the game in the warm atmosphere.
"Me!" Rhea raised her hand. She would use this opportunity very well.
"Oh my, all right." Lifa invited Rhea to continue. Although, she didn't expect Rhea to be so enthusiastic about taking this opportunity for something.
"This might serve as a reminder if you have a demon heart or just a worry. What kind of thing are you most afraid of if the impossible were possible? A thing you would avoid or prevent at all cost. For me, I am afraid of losing my loved ones. Therefore, I will protect them at all cost." Rhea closed her eyes and relaxed her body in Elysia's arms.
"..." Elysia could understand the meaning behind Rhea's words very well. It was genuine from Rhea's heart, and she could feel it through their spiritual connection.
The girls reconsidered what kind of answer they would say to that 'tricky' question. They were fully aware that they might have a heart demon and had to defeat it with their own power. The first step they needed to take was admitting their fear to become stronger.
Vanessa was afraid of losing her family, and so was Yuuki. For Sylvia, she was a bit slow in responding. Still, she concluded she was scared of losing her comfort and happiness. Everyone in this group gave him immense pleasure in many ways. Because of that, she didn't want to lose it. Their answer was literally similar to Rhea's if summed up. Evelyn didn't want to lose her loved ones, and Lynn was the same.
However, Ella was shockingly afraid to be left alone in the dark. Her reason was a bit vague.
In the end, the rest admitted that they feared losing their loved ones and would protect them at all costs. Despite that, Elena and Elysia glanced at each other secretly shortly after. Their utmost fear beyond anything was actually losing their 'other half'.