Chapter 25
"Um... it's about time..."
"Oh, sorry, sorry."
I got so caught up talking that I'd completely forgotten to give MP any mana.
MP hovered at my face level, all four wings fluttering, and looked at me expectantly.
Fidgeting as if unable to wait any longer, MP was so earnest and endearing.
"So, what should I do? Is 【Mana Transfer】 okay?"
"That would work, but..."
MP's cheeks colored as if in embarrassment.
MP's cuteness made my heart flutter.
"If possible... I'd prefer direct contact~."
"Direct? Should I hold your hand or something?"
"No... if Master doesn't mind... here..."
MP pointed at their delicate lips with a slender finger.
My heart gave a loud thump.
"Huh?! Does that mean..."
MP didn't say the rest, but I understood perfectly.
"Yes~."
MP's hands were clasped in front of them as if in anticipation.
MP's eyes were closed as if they were entrusting themself to me completely.
MP's lips were puckered out ever so slightly, like a baby bird begging for food.
"...All right."
To repay MP for everything they'd done for me, I steeled myself and leaned closer.
MP's translucent wings stopped moving.
We were close enough to feel each other's breath.
My body was rigid with tension.
A soft floral scent drifted between us.
Calming my heart as it bucked like a wild horse, I closed my eyes too.
I thought I heard a drop fall onto a tranquil water's surface――MP's heartbeat.
I leaned forward and gently touched the peach-colored petals.
MP's warmth gathered at that single point and flowed gently into me.
My body knew what to do next.
I focused my awareness on my lower abdomen, gathered the flow of mana circulating through my body, then passed a small lump of mana from my lips to theirs.
"Ah."
MP let out a breath and writhed.
MP's cute, round head swayed, and strands of silver hair finer than silk gently tickled my cheek, making it tingle.
"Mmmmm..."
A soundless cry trembled in MP's throat; their wings, no longer under their control, fluttered wildly, their slight body rippled, and even their toes pointed straight.
That brief moment seemed to stretch endlessly, but when our lips parted, I realized it had lasted only an instant.
Then――MP began to fall like a marionette with its strings cut.
I stretched out both hands and gently caught MP――.
MP woke up about ten minutes later.
Lying on the bed, MP opened their eyes.
When our eyes met, MP's face flushed with embarrassment, and they shyly looked away.
"I'm sorry you had to see me in such an unseemly state~."
"Not at all. You were cute."
"Hakyuuuu~"
MP buried their face in the bed and kicked their legs.
After a while, seemingly calmed down, MP eventually turned toward me.
MP's face was flushed as if fresh from a bath, and their expression was utterly relaxed with contentment.
"Master's mana was the best~."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm happy too."
Hearing my words, MP flapped their little wings as hard as they could and darted over to cling to my face.
"Thank you, Master~."
A whisper in my ear and a light kiss on my cheek.
That was probably MP's way of thanking me.
"If it makes you this happy, I'll have to earn even more."
"Master..."
"All right, I've decided! From now on, I'll earn loads of mana and repay MP over and over!"
"Hauu~. The guilt of wasting mana that should be used for Master's sake on my own selfish desires... it's irresistible~."
Saying that, MP was utterly melted with bliss――.