<Zuri>
Beauty was quite the unique curse.
“You damn pervert!” (Z)
Zuri pushed off Cleodora.
It was all slowly starting to make sense.
“Is that why you brought me this far?” (Z)
“N-No, I mean…. Yes, but not because of that!” (C)
Cleodora backed off and raised her hands.
“It’s a good place to raise kids!” (C)
“Who said I want kids!?” (Z)
Storming off into a random room, Zuri slammed the door shut and slumped to the floor.
Back to door.
“Goddamn it!” (Z)
Unfortunately, due to this body, this wasn’t exactly the first time someone had expressed such unsavoury desires. Ambitious foreign dignitaries, zealous world leaders and power-hungry madmen were all itching to get their hands on “Iron-Mouth” Princess. The so-called jewel of the Kitsune people. A beauty so bewitching it could charm anyone with but a single glance.
For such people, Zuri hadn’t needed to do much to defend himself.
The moment his family caught a whiff of those intentions, they would immediately throw that person out. They were quite the protective bunch after all… which made this current situation all the more bizarre. Did they suddenly forget his years of turning down would-be suitors? What made them think that he would change his attitude? Cleodora was a childhood friend at best. Not a life partner.
Knock Knock
Cleodora’s words replayed in Zuri’s head.
I’m going to make you pregnant.
His stomach twisted.
‘Who says that!?’
Ignoring the obvious lack of tact, the fact that it was possible for her to do so was disturbing.
Cleodora was a special type of human.
If it weren’t obvious enough by her title, then being a Child of the Sun made it undeniable. That fiery red hair of hers wasn’t just hair but a symbol of her blessings. Her blessings from the Sun God himself. It was why, despite being of low birth, she was granted close access to Zuri. From enhanced strength to insane mana reserves, the blessings she received manifested in many ways. One of these many ways resulted in the possession of two reproductive organs.
…You can imagine Zuri’s surprise the first time they bathe together when young.
Children of the Sun were rare, as they were widely praised for their abilities.
Knock Knock
Regardless of the matter, though, Zuri was not having children!
He may be in a female body this lifetime, but that didn’t change a thing. If anything, it increased his desire not to have kids. Nothing against kids, but Zuri found them a waste of time. You expend effort, energy and, most importantly, money for nothing! It was crazy, really. The life Zuri deserved, the life of relaxation and luxury, would not be accommodating of kids.
End of story.
“W-What do you think you’re doing!?” (Z)
The door Zuri blockaded with his body peeked open.
“…You weren’t answering. I got worried.” (C)
“I’m fine! Just leave me alone.” (Z)
Zuri was not left alone.
Cleodora kept pushing the door open until she could squeeze herself in.
She sat down beside Zuri.
“Ahem!” (C)
And gave a short cough.
“…I think my words may have come out wrong.” (C)
‘You think, huh?’
Zuri didn’t say anything.
He simply stared harshly at Cleodora.
“I love you, Zuri. And I would like to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to share every moment from now on with you. You make me feel different in a way no one else does. Every time I see your face, hear your voice, or touch your smooth skin, I’m reminded of why I want to be with you. I know this may be sudden, but I really want you to be my partner in life, my wife.” (C)
Wow.
Zuri felt his eyebrow twitch.
That little crybaby kid had grown into something quite sinister.
She was actually trying to make the moves on him.
If not for the fact she looked similar to how she did then, he could’ve sworn she was a different person.
Where did that snot-nosed, follower brat disappear off to?
“I will not be anybody’s wife.” (Z)
Zuri swatted away the hand that was sneaking to his head.
“But, if you want to play house, I won’t stop you. It’s not like I got much of a choice, Miss Hero. I can’t exactly go back now, can I?” (Z)
Zuri sighed.
With how enthused his family had been, if he showed up unannounced, they might just send him back.
“When are the workers coming?” (Z)
Feeling tired of the conversation, Zuri was in dire need of a massage, warm meal, and cool drink.
A small pick-me-up.
He couldn’t be more fed up with this person.
“Ah, right. About that….” (C)
Cleodora let out a dry laugh while rubbing the back of her head.
“They won’t be coming.” (C)
“What?” (Z)
A ghastly thought crossed Zuri’s mind.
‘No, no, no. Even she can’t be that stupid’
Gazing blankly at the fool he was burdened with, Zuri patiently waited for an explanation.
This could be quite the funny misunderstanding.
He shouldn’t jump to conclusions.
“I wanted to show your family I could take care of you… So, I turned down their offers of help.” (C)
With every spoken word, Zuri felt an invisible dagger stab a little deeper into his heart.
“Don’t worry!” (C)
A jolly Cleodora turned to him.
He tried his damndest to refrain from baring his teeth.
There was still a chance of good news.
“I still have some money back from my adventuring days. It should last us until I get a job.” (C)
A silence descended between the two.
…No support = no money, no money = work, work = suffering.
Zuri felt the color drain from his face. The grand tragedy of his new life was complete.
Cleodora, however, looked as if she’d just solved world hunger.
“Now with all that serious stuff out of the way….” (C)
She scooted closer, cupped Zuri’s face with one hand, and... kissed him.
Without warning, Zuri found his lips intertwined once more with Cleodora.
“Let’s make this day magical, my love.” (C)
Except, this time, she shoved her tongue directly into his mouth.
Zuri’s mind short-circuited as he failed again to comprehend the situation.
“You bum!” (Z)
The moment he did grab his bearings, though, he shoved Cleodora away.
His cheeks were burning something fierce.
That cunning monster had the nerve to try and sneak a hand up his clothes while he was distracted.
She really wasn’t the naïve old fool she pretended to be.
She had changed for the worse!
“How can you be thinking of such things now! Go get a job!! And don’t touch me ever again!!!” (Z)
Zuri stood up and stared down Cleodora.
Anger wasn’t enough to begin to describe what he was feeling!
Cleodora clicked her tongue.
She then gave an exaggerated sigh.
“Damn. I almost had you that time….” (C)
The joyful, bubbly atmosphere around Cleodora abruptly evaporated as she pulled out what appeared to be a small notebook. With a pencil she got from somewhere, she crossed one item on the list.
“I still got tongue, so I guess it’s not a total loss.” (C)
‘W-What the hell!?’
Cleodora swiftly stood up and pinned Zuri to the wall before he could react.
She smiled.
Her persona back on.
“Don’t worry, wifey! I’ll get a job in no time… but, in exchange. I want a little something from you.” (C)
She planted a kiss on Zuri’s head.
“Okay?” (C)
With those closing remarks, she shifted Zuri to the side gently before opening the door and leaving with a wink.
“I’ll be back soon!” (C)
Her voice trailed from the hallway.
Zuri stared at the open door.
‘What the fuck!?’