For I Am A Side Character - 77: A Confession to the Paternal
A few days has passed since then and after Cecil’s investigation on the spreading of the drugs, he was able to come by in the location where the incident took place.
As he walked into the abandoned factory, he was able to observe the entirety of this place like it a was a book.
‘Hmm, 40…no maybe 50 men with the scent of a demon’s allure…how strange. With how this place is already abandoned, I doubt the police took proper measures with taking care of the evidences…and they left a mark of battle…different weapons, but the only blood drops I can smell only leads with the scent of a demon’s allure…if this is right, it must mean that whoever fought here must have been capable enough to take on a battalion of demon worshippers.’
As he looked around more, he found traces of a dark element residue on the walls and on the floors. It was small but he was able to locate this category with just his scent.
As Cecil walked in deeper, he found a crater that was heavily damaged. Curious, he took a closer look at it.
‘Hmm, heavy strikes…heavier than the others…it has no traces of magic at all. So that must mean that whoever took action here must mean that they were physically capable of taking on the demons without magic…or at least the minimum of it.’
“..!?”
All of a sudden, he felt something in the distance. There, he could see a door at the end…and from it, he took his investigation forward.
As he moved closer, he was starting to smell something similar to ash. As if something had burned.
When he got through the door, he was able to find the sight of burnt marks on the walls…and most of all, the lingering scent of a demon was strong here.
“…This must be where the final fight took place.” he said.
As he looked around, he can tell that this room was more beaten and scarred than the outside.
He could see the burned marks on the walls, so he could only assume that a fire attribute was involved…but the burned walls left something that caught his attention.
‘…hmm, why does it feel so familiar to me?’ he thought hard, but none came to mind.
With that, he could also sense something similar on one spot.
‘Hmm, here…there was a heavy slash strong enough that it tore through the floor…but its leaving some familiar scent like those in the burned walls.’
But as he got a close sense of it, he felt something that instantly clicked with his senses.
“T-this is Holy Magic…and its more potent than anything I have dealt with before…so this must be it. This was how they were able to kill off the high-ranking demon….and if I’m right, some aspects of this holy element is also mixed in those burned walls…So either the church was involved or something else is that is a variable all together.”
“Hmm, but strange, there isn’t a single lurking scent of a dark element anywhere…compared to the outside, the dark element lingering here I nowhere to be found…”
‘…Wait, its possible that the holy attributes of this single attack surrounding here must have erased the dark elemental residue. Since they are complete opposites, its not hard to count this off in the same fashion. ‘
Knowing that he was able ot get every information he could, he soon left the area and made his way back to the school.
“Hmm…if I’m right, there were three people who fought the demon organization. One using the elemental fires, one who could use the dark element and one who could use the holy element. If that is the case…no it can’t be. There is too much to consider to have him involved in this. And even if he did, what reason could Soril have had to attack the Demon Organization?”
Being left curious…Cecil continued on.
***
After I had dinner with the Young family, it was finally time to tell them the reason for me being here…and seeing how nervous Jessica was, I couldn’t help but feel just as nervous as she was.
Being the successful family that they were, with their reputation and prestige, they were able to reserve an entire floor of the resort under their name. From here, they had access to anything the resort could offer.
Still, from what I was seeing, the Young Family could only be described by one thought. They were very close of a family whose tradition simply grew up under the words of value that signifies that Family is always first.
Oliver Young raised his children right, seeing as how they were all under the path of supporting his family name…their name. The sons made it right to go and learn the ways of business just to support the name of being a Young. Jessica was the same with how she would one day create a guild under their family name and raise it in the standards of the Family’s motto. Family is always first.
Now, after the fine dinner we had, it was time to put myself in front of them and tell them that I love their daughter…and that I wanted their blessing to continue on loving her…
It’s a weird feeling how love can make me feel nervous despite all the situations I went through as a hunter. And I feel dedicated to a point where I would put my life on the line for her…I had no doubt that I love her…
As I could see that the Julian and Mac were playing a video game on their consoles in the living room, while Eric and Jane were out on their own rooms simply enjoying their own time… Oliver was with Eveline outside the balcony with Jessica…it was planned out this way that Jessica would create a moment for her parents to enjoy the moonlight outside the balcony and I would walk in to talk to them privately.
And the plan was underway…now, all it needs now is me facing them on with the words filled with truth.
So here I go…
As I opened the door towards the balcony, Jessica’s father quickly noticed me and invited me to drink with them.
“Oh, you’re here. Come on, lets drink together.” he said as he invited me.
“N-no thanks, I”m still underage.” I said.
“Hmph, its funny how you kids can kill off monsters in the dungeons at your age but you’re not allowed to drink wine. Hahaha, its crazy.” said Oliver as he took a sip of his wine.
“So, what brings you here Soril? Was there something you need?” asked Eveline as she had this somewhat perceptive smirk on her. I can already tell that she knew where this was going.
“…I…Um…I came here to ask you something.” I said as my voice croaked for a bit.
“…” Jessica was a bit worried as she looked my way…but she trusted me, so I had to follow through with the plan.
“…Hmm? What is it? Is this about how Jessica told you that we were planning on making a guild under her name and you wanting to be a part of it? If yes, then we can already put your name in as one of the leading members of the guild. That itself has a lot of benefits.” he said.
“No Mr. Oliver …I wanted to say that your daughter is a very beautiful and special person…”
“Hmm, I’m glad you noticed it. Half of her was made from me and the other half was from her mother, genetics and all that. So obviously, she is a beauty. hahaha” said Oliver as he laughed quite confidently.
“So I was wondering…as someone so special and so beautiful, I’ve come to you not as a stranger seeking permission, but as someone who already holds your daughter’s heart in his hands.”
“What…?” hearing my words, I could see that Oliver slowly turned my way with a rather strong gaze and he puts down the glass of wine from his hand.
There, he soon stood up from his seat and crosses his arms as he looked to me with his cold gaze.
My heart beated quite nervously simply from his unwelcoming expression.
“D-dad?” Jessica tried to call out to him, but he didn’t get swayed and simply remained staring at my direction.
“…I know…I know that you’re dating her. Its not that hard to figure out when Jessica rarely brings a friend over to an outing along with her family, and out of everyone, she brings with her a boy. But I gotta ask…is that all you saw in her? Is she just beautiful? Because if you ask me, there are many beautiful women out there…is she any different?” he asked.
“…she is different. To me at least…”
“…”
“If you ask me who I cherish more in the world even with my life on the line, I would easily think of her and no one else…I would risk my life for her in any situation…be it right or wrong. Because to me, she’s already claimed my heart.”
To these words, I meant them with all the value that I could present.
And hearing this confession, Jessica can’t help but blush in a manner that made her hard to look at me straight.
“Hmm, I’m in the same way…not just for her, but for my entire family. I’ll do everything I can to support them even when in return, their work and their efforts aren’t directed to me. If they can live their lives with no harm done, I can sacrifice anything simply for their sake. That is what it means to love unconditionally…”
“…”
“I can see it in your eyes that you are serious for her and she’s lucky to find someone like you, but I have to ask again. What do you intend to do from this confession? Because to me, I believe in a confession that should last for a lifetime…because in my experience, I’ve only ever confessed to one woman…to the woman who I came to marry. We started off rough, but in the end, she’s now my lovely wife…is it the same for you?”
As he asked this…I instinctively turned to Jessica and I was met with a similar expression. An expression of halt.
…but I didn’t hesitate any more than I should.
Instead, I gave a soft smile towards her way and she gratefully understood my intentions…
She knew what I was thinking…and in response, she couldn’t help but tear up a little.
“…She’s already taken my heart…So I hope in the future, I could take her hand in return.” I said to her father.
“Hmm…” Oliver turned to her daughter and witnessed the very pure expression she gave as I said those words. She smiled and tried to hide her embarrassment, but it was clear to everyone in the balcony that she was just as willing as me.
“Oh my, you’re a very lucky girl.” said her mother as she was giddy from this moment.
“Haa, you’re still pretty young, so I think you shouldn’t rush it…maybe at the age of 20, you can finally receive my blessings towards marriage, but for now, you can have my permission to have her as your partner in your youthful days.” he said as he smirked my way.
“R-really?” I asked.
And in response, he passed me a glass of wine.
“Here, drink. If you’re this willing…then that means that you’re practically a part of the family.” he said.
“…” but before I could even reach for the wine, Jessica leaps on me and gave me the warmest hug she could embrace. And from it, I couldn’t help but struggle in the moment.
“Kyaaahh!! I love you! I love you! I love you! I love you! I love you! I love you! I love you! I love you! I love you! I love you! I love you! I love you! I love you!” she kept repeating her words as she continued to embrace me down on the floor.
And I couldn’t do anything but remain stagnant until she would tire herself out.
And when I turned to the inside of the resort, there I found that all the brothers and jane were found staring at us with happy smiles. It seems like I didn’t have to worry about their permissions at all…seeing as how they accepted it.
****
About an hour passes by and I was now walking with Jessica by the sandy beaches that night with the only thing lighting our way was the bright full moon.
Under the soft glow of the moon, the beach stretched out like a canvas of silver and blue, the waves whispering secrets to the night. The salty breeze carried the scent of the ocean, mingling with the faint fragrance of Jessica’s hair as we walked side by side along the shore.
Walking hand in hand, she couldn’t stop smiling from what happened an hour before. I stole glances at her as she kicked off her shoes, the sand embracing her feet like a familiar friend. There was a certain magic in the air, an unspoken connection that seemed to grow stronger with each step we took.
“…The Moon really is beautiful tonight, isn’t it?” Jessica’s voice broke the silence, her gaze fixed on the horizon where the sky kissed the sea.
“Yeah, it is,” I replied, my heart pounding in my chest.
“I’m glad that Dad accepted your confession.” she said as she got close to me, with her arm touching mine, making this moment even more intimate.
“Yeah, me too. Although, I didn’t expect for him to actually ask me that last part.”
“Well…my dad was always the romantic, sorry if I didn’t tell you this beforehand.” she said.
“…no its okay. I would’ve prepared myself more if you did, but its fine now.”
We walked in comfortable silence for a while, the sound of our footsteps blending with the rhythm of the waves. After a while, she then spoke again.
“Well, I was really happy with what you said…” as she said this, she walked on ahead of me and she turned to me with a vulnerability in her eyes that took my breath away.
From here, we were looking at each other with nothing but the sound of the waves altering our emotions. With her shy figure standing by…the way her blue hair was reflected in the moon’s light, I couldn’t help but skip a beat…
“Can I tell you something?” Her voice was barely a whisper, carried away by the wind.
“Of course,” I said, my heart racing with anticipation.
“I’ve always admired you,” she confessed, her words hanging in the air like a delicate promise. “I’ve never met anyone quite like you. And although I said this a lot before…but I love you Soril…I really do.
And then, without thinking, I reached out and gently cupped her face in my hands, my thumb brushing against her cheek. Our eyes locked, and in that moment, I felt like I could see straight into her soul.
And then, as if drawn by an invisible force, our lips met in a soft tender kiss…
As we pulled away, the world seemed to stand still around us. And like our kiss, the sound that was gentle enough to broke our silence was the lapping the waves against the shore. And in that moment, I wished it could have lasted longer…
I wish I could take her right here…right now…
Embrace her as she was…
We were the only ones in the beach this night…and seeing as she red from the kiss…we were both thinking of something that would probably go against the idea of wholesome…
And from the way she was breathing…it was hard and heavy…
“…” without saying anything, she pulled something from her pocket…and she pressed it against my chest…
“…M-mom gave it to me before we left…”
And as I looked to her hand, I saw a piece of product that only made me blush even more. It was a condom.
“…T-there’s another resort just a bit further from here.” she said…
And from there, I knew…
-
- she was inviting me…
“O-okay…”
And I couldn’t deny it.
And from here, she grabbed my hand and lead me on.
With how tight her hand was and how red her ears were, I couldn’t help but follow instinctively under her request.
That night we would cross beyond the boundary of being simply girlfriend and boyfriend…we would become lovers.
Author’s note:
So, what do you guys want me to do from here on out?