I Got Reincarnated as the Villain and Saved the World, but After the Ending I Was Betrayed and Exiled. I Just Wanted a Peaceful Life in the Frontier, but for Some Reason My Former Companions Started Chasing Me with Yandere Eyes… - 41

Chapter 41: Going to a Café With Ceres? A Date?!

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“What can I say…This place is just… Wow…”

“Yes, well, this is the VIP room. The other rooms are only fully private, but this room is completely soundproof, and it seems there are various other services as well.”

While I was voicing my surprise, Ceres began explaining, but none of it really sank in. I couldn’t help it though. The room was scented with some kind of mysterious incense, and in the center stood an overly luxurious table with a two-seater sofa—which was fine. After all, this place was supposed to be a stylish café. But for some reason… There was a huge bed! 

I mean, isn’t that weird? Why would a café have a bed?! What, are you supposed to take a nap after your meal?

As I was mentally throwing one sarcastic comment after another, I noticed Ceres looking at me with an apologetic expression.

“Phantom-oniisama… Could it be…You don’t like it?”

“Eh? No, that’s not it at all. I was just surprised at how unusual this café is. Let’s order something, shall we?”

She wasn’t used to exploring the city and had worked hard to find this place for me. In that case, I thought I should enjoy it to the fullest and opened the menu…

“Oh, this ‘Lovey-Dovey Pancake’ looks delicious. It’s a small heart-shaped pancake with lots of cream on top.”

“Ah… Yeah. It does…”

While Ceres gazed happily at the menu, I was staring in shock at it—and at all the other items.

The pancake she pointed to had a note saying, ‘By feeding each other alternately, your bond will deepen.’ The drinks were served in oversized cups with a heart-shaped two-person straw sticking out.

…This was clearly a place for couples or people with mutual feelings for each other.

Come to think of it, I vaguely remembered seeing an ads in my previous life saying, “In the next installment, we’re adding more events to get intimate with the heroine!!” and that there would be a surprise if your affection was maxed out…

“Hey, Ceres… This place is really—”

“Oh! This juice looks delicious too! I heard a rumor about it before, and I’ve always wanted to come here with you, Phantom-oniisama!”

Seeing her smiling radiantly with such joy, there was no way I could suggest leaving. She had brought me here, trusting me as her “older brother.” It would be rude to take it the wrong way. Yes… I just had to treat this as if I were here with Ange.

“Leave it to me! We’ll have the Lovey-Dovey Pancake, and this ‘Lovers’ Holiday’ drink!”

“Yes! I’m looking forward to it.”

And so, feeling slightly reckless, I called the waiter over and placed our order.

“Well then, shall we dig in, Phantom-oniisama? Here, say ahh.”

“A-ahh…”

The pancakes were set out before us, but…

Whoa, whoa, whoa, she’s way too close!! 

Sitting on a narrow two-seater sofa, our knees were pressed together. After saying a brief prayer, Ceres speared a piece of pancake with her fork and held it out to me. When I accepted it, she smiled adorably.

“I’m glad to see you enjoying it so much.”

I can’t do this. She smells way too good, and her chest is practically brushing against me. How am I not supposed to be aware of that?

On top of that, at some point the buttons at her chest had been undone, revealing the soft, pale cleavage beneath.

Trying to calm myself, I took a sip of the so-called “Lovers’ Holiday.” For some reason, I felt even more… Excited.

“Uuugh… Ceres is my little sister… Ceres is my little sister…”

“Ufufu, looks like it’s having an effect. I’ll have to make you even more conscious of me…”

“Hmm? Did you say something?”

“No, nothing at all. More importantly, could you feed me too?”

As I desperately repeated my self-hypnosis, I thought I saw her wearing a smile that all but said “just as planned”… But that had to be my imagination. After all, she was famous as a gentle saint. Someone like her wouldn’t make that kind of shrewd expression.

I speared a piece of pancake for her, and she accepted it with a blissful smile, eating it gracefully.

“Fufu, it tastes even better when you feed it to me, Phantom-oniisama. I’d like it if you always did it this way.”

“I don’t think the taste changes… You’ve got cream on your mouth.”

“Oh dear, excuse me. Um… Could you wipe it for me?”

“You’re really spoiled today, huh…”

I smiled at her cute request and reached for my handkerchief… But then noticed her tilting her head up, lips slightly pursed—as if waiting for a kiss. My heart started pounding.

“Ceres, you shouldn’t ask that of anyone but me. People could easily get the wrong idea.”

“What’s the matter, Phantom-oniisama? Your face is red.”

Without answering, she gave a knowing smile, and the demure air from before seemed to vanish—leaving her looking somehow… seductive.

“If you’re not feeling well, perhaps some water—Kyaa!”

In her haste, she tried to give me the fruit-infused water we’d been served as an appetizer, but ended up spilling it.

“Hey, are you—whoa?!”

I reached for my handkerchief to wipe her clothes, but the spill was right on her chest. Unlike her usual habit of wearing a thick habit, the fabric today was thin and the black underwear beneath was clearly visible.

Huge. And… Ridiculously sexy.

The contrast of a saintess wearing black lingerie was already scandalous, but the sheer size made it worse. 

No—wait!

“Are you okay? We can’t use fire magic… Here, dry it with this handkerchief. I’ll go get a staff member—Ceres?”

“It’s all right, Phantom-oniisama… This is the VIP room, so there are provisions for such situations.”

“Huh?”

With a sweet smile, Ceres touched a crystal on the table. The wall rumbled open, revealing a hidden space.

“…That’s a bath!! This is totally a love hotel! I knew it! We’re leaving! If we stay, I won’t be able to control myself!”

“Phantom-oniisama… No, Phantom-sama. Do you remember what I said to Josef when you were exiled?”

“That… Well…”

Of course I remembered. She had said she’d never thought of me as her brother. Wait—Elena’s words had been a misunderstanding too. Then… Her true feelings were—

“That’s right. I never truly thought of you as a brother. And I wouldn’t do this sort of thing with just anyone. I’m doing these shameless things because it’s you. Do you understand what that means?”

I could feel her hand gripping me trembling. Her figure made me want to embrace her and go even further. And then, I…

“I finally found youuu! Ceres-san!! What are you doing the day after swearing before God?!”

“Ohh, this room’s filled with magic. And this incense… It’s using succubus body scent. Humans sure come up with all sorts of things.”

“…Tch.”

The door burst open, revealing Tia—furious—and Amon, looking like he was having a blast at an amusement park.

…Wait, did Ceres just click her tongue?

“Pardon me for a second. Holy Eye Jab!”

“GYAAAA!!”

Ceres covered her chest and jabbed her right hand—imbued with divine power—into Amon’s eyes. He fell to the floor, clutching his face.

“Amon!! Wait, what are you doing?”

“Even if he’s a demon, I can’t stand a man seeing me in my underwear. I’ve decided I’ll only show my bare skin to one person in my entire life.”

Not the least apologetic toward Amon, who was writhing on the ground, she replied coolly. This time, Tia spoke up, angered.

“What happened to your vow yesterday not to seduce or use drugs? This drink clearly had an aphrodisiac effect!”

“Oh my, I haven’t broken my vow. The water spill was an accident, and the drink and incense were provided by the shop—not by me.”

As the two argued, I thought to myself.

Wait, Ceres might have a lot more to her than she lets on… And if I wasn’t imagining things, she might actually like me… In that case, I’d have to give her a proper answer. But for now—

“Amon, are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’ll be fine. I’ll heal in no time. Too bad, though… If it had been Tia who gave me that eye jab, it would’ve been perfect…”

“…Gross.”

I let my honest feelings slip out at his grin. Suddenly, I felt very unsure whether this team could actually beat Ose.

★★★★

Henrietta sat before a magical communication device from the royal castle. Her expression was grim.

『It seems you’re feeling a little better. Cain-sama sent you some fruit. Did it arrive safely to your domain?』

“I shared it among the subordinates who worked hard in the last battle. Please convey my thanks.”

She forced herself to answer calmly despite hearing the voice of Josef—someone she didn’t even want to hear. The gift from Cain had included a letter, but it had been so creepy that she tore it up right here and there.

『Very well. Hero of the Demon Lord’s fall, Henrietta… I have another task for you. Come to the castle. We’ll be holding a meeting on countermeasures against the demons.』

“…That is…”

Henrietta was at a loss for words. Because…

“That demon didn’t come here to harm humans. They came to capture a traitor hiding in the kingdom. Just hear me out—”

Those were the words Phantom had said to her. But Josef’s next statement left her no choice but to agree.

『I hear a suspicious guest visited Ange Pail’s mansion. You may investigate if you like. But if she were to harbor a demon within her domain, we might need to strip her of her title.』

“…I’m not sure what you’re talking about. But as a citizen of the kingdom, I will participate in the meeting against the demons.”

『Good. That’s the right answer. I’ll be waiting. Do try to hurry.』

After confirming the call was cut, Henrietta let out a deep sigh and reread the letter she had received from Ange.

“It’s a relief Phantom is alive… But what should I do? Do I have to fight again?”

To destroy the evidence, she cut the letter into pieces and burned it with divine light. Then, with a heavy heart, she began preparing to head to the royal castle.

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