No one could explain exactly how things had developed into this situation.
Makoto swore that while she had planned part of tonight’s events, when Clementine asked her if she wanted to touch her tail just now, what she had in mind was nothing more than a modest touch.
She even remembered to ask the other party if there were any precautions she didn’t know about before she started.
Clementine simply replied, “Ah, no, just do as you please, but be careful not to cut your hand.” Since the owner was so generous, Makoto did indeed give it a try.
Probably because her Elemental Power had recovered somewhat after some rest, golden lightning was now shining through from beneath the silver-white scales.
The scales, illuminated in gold, were closely arranged, and felt hard and slightly cool to the touch.
If she applied a little more pressure, she could feel a subtle warmth coming from beneath the scales, though she wasn’t sure if it was from the Elemental Power or somewhere else.
The sword-shaped structure at the tip was also composed of hard scales, with soft tissue inside.
The edges of the sword were very sharp, but the material itself wasn’t particularly hard—it was likely far from being able to cut through iron like butter, so its decorative purpose clearly outweighed its practical use.
Perhaps Clementine’s attitude made Makoto stop overthinking, so she simply asked a question.
“So the part behind your tail is also soft?
Then how did you manage to plunge the entire end half into the ground?
Doesn’t it hurt?” Clementine spoke with a hint of confusion: “If it weren’t soft, it wouldn’t be able to swing freely.
Then wouldn’t I be tripping over my own feet with every step I take while walking?
That would be pointless.” Considering that the other party belonged to a race without tails, the Thunder Dragon quickly convinced herself and explained a bit more.
“For me, the tail’s main function is to maintain balance, and it can also be used to pick things up—it’s mostly out of habit.
Both functions rely on it being able to fold and curl at will, otherwise, it would be like fighting with my own tail.
If that were the case, even if I were used to its existence, I would hide it when in human form.” Makoto compared this to the various Yokai she knew and found that everyone’s reasons for maintaining certain physical traits were similar, so she nodded to show she understood.
“As for combat, since that involves Elemental Power attachment, there’s no need to worry about whether I or the ground is harder.
Generally, no one would want to test that result anyway.” She really hadn’t thought it through when she asked just now; fortunately, the other party didn’t mind such things.
Overall, though it felt a bit strange to say, Makoto still thought the dragon tail felt quite nice to the touch.
Although it didn’t look thick, it actually had some weight when she held it.
Wait, weight?!
Makoto snapped back to her senses.
In her memory, she had only wanted to pick it up to see what the sword at the end was made of.
And right now, a portion of the tip was still in her hand on the further side.
Because of its length, even though the Thunder Dragon had quietly shifted her position, a part of the long tail unceremoniously passed through the gap between her hand and body, pressing down on her leg.
Now, it looked more like the entire tail was in her arms.
Seemingly noticing that she had realized this fact, the tip of the tail wiggled flexibly, avoiding the sharp parts and rubbing against her.
This situation was truly unexpected.
Makoto reflected on her actions and felt that she shouldn’t have had any dangerous thoughts about letting things reach this point.
For it to turn out like this…
anyway, it shouldn’t be the other party taking the initiative, since she was the one who started it.
Makoto felt a rare sense of guilt and didn’t know how to speak for a moment.
Clementine looked at her with an expression that suggested she wanted to say something but hesitated, then spoke before she could.
“It’s okay.” “If you give me a hug, I’ll forgive you.” Makoto clearly didn’t expect this reaction and subconsciously followed up: “Wait, why?” Clementine replied quite calmly: “You just hugged my tail, so now you should hug me.” While Makoto was shocked by this strange logic, a faint, hidden joy sprouted within her because the Thunder Dragon’s words held no blame, but instead revealed a sense of closeness.
Before her brainstorming could finish, the Thunder Dragon had already leaned over to collect her reward.
Only then did Makoto realize that, although she hadn’t noticed before, the Thunder Dragon was indeed a head taller than her.
Plus, with the other party leaning over while she was sitting, she ended up completely in the other’s arms.
It was actually quite warm.
Makoto’s thoughts came to a halt.
Clementine, having come over to claim a hug, didn’t think it was a big deal and asked with a bit of cheer: “Didn’t we say we’d rest early?
Should we sleep now?
I’ll go blow out the candles.” Makoto replied with a delayed “okay.” By the time she snapped back to her senses, the candles had been blown out, and she and the Thunder Dragon were lying on opposite sides of the bed.
There was indeed an element of intent on her part in this development, but the process didn’t go exactly as she expected.
After the Thunder Dragon’s actions, she was the one who ended up at a disadvantage.
Makoto couldn’t fall asleep.
She simply rolled over to look at Clementine on the other side.
The Thunder Dragon was lying on her side on the pillow, her head slightly tilted so that her backward-growing horns avoided the pillow.
Makoto wasn’t sure if the other party was asleep, so she just quietly observed without making a sound, complaining inwardly about how this girl still liked to hug her tail while sleeping, like a child.
For no reason, Makoto thought of Clementine’s serious tone when she said “should hug me” not long ago, feeling as though she had been outmaneuvered again.
Now she really couldn’t sleep.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
“And If you’re enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!”