I'm Kyoto Seinaru, a man in my twenties who lived in a small apartment while supporting my life by working as a sales assistant in a grocery store. I stared for a long time at the food I had prepared on the table while sighing heavily at it.
A cup of noodles.
"What a fate I have to only eat a meal like this every day..." (Thinking)
Although I felt reluctant enough to eat the meal, it was the only one that allowed me to save the money and cut cost so that I could use it for someone in the future. The sweet promise of a woman who had bound my life together since we parted at school flashed through my mind as soon as I thought of her. A woman with a sweet face and neatly tied blonde-haired looked at me while saying in a soft voice,
"It's fine Sei-Kun. Although the distance separates the two of us, not the promise. Tomori will continue to wait for the moment we meet again in the future."
The girl smiled while looking at my face to comfort my heart which had continued to grieve. I forced a smile for her since I didn't want her to depart while looking at my sad face. I really hoped that one day the time will come when I can live happily with her. I wouldn't mind living in hardship as long as I could live comfortably with her soon. Right now I was only eating cup noodles but right after this, my food will be cooked by someone I love and gently fed by her hand once in the future. I trusted it. However, deep in my deepest heart I wonder about something...
Will this wait come to an end...
Will I always have to eat this forever...
In the depths of my heart, I hoped that one day I would soon be able to eat a meal that is tastier and more varied than this.
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"LET'S GET COOKING!!!"
On second thought, I take back my words from a moment ago. I place my head down on the table in exhaustion after working so hard to teach all the maids here on how to cook. Despite that, I am the only one who gets tired while surrendering to the fate that has befallen me at this time.
"Sei feel like Sei's soul just left Sei's body..." (Pale)
Apparently, I just taught them how to cook meat just by using fire which should be an easy task to do. Somehow this has already entered the third hour of me lecturing and guiding them one by one to cook but not a single piece of meat is ready to be served and even gets cooked. I feel like I'm really about to cry from the depths of my heart. For a moment, my reverie gets interrupted as soon as my back gets gently patted by someone. I then look back to see the person who has tapped me with a tired face.
"Mahou, don't give up yet Mahou!!! After all, we're not used to cook using a stove" (Enthusiasm)
Ena looks at me with enthusiasm on her face. I stare at her face for a long time before turning angrily towards her. I shake her body while saying in frustration,
"THE PROBLEM IS ENA WAS USING FIRE MAGIC NOT KITCHEN FIRE... WE WANT TO COOK MEAT NOT KILL SOMEONE?!!" (Furious)
I yell at her furiously. The main problem that bothers me right now is I had taught her in detail how to use wood as a tool to start a fire with but she simply ignored it as she considered fire magic was more practical. She then used fire magic to start a fire and then burnt the wood as well as the meat as soon as it was heated by it. I'm already aware of her great magic capability as an elf, but cooking meat doesn't require such a destructive magic power. I, who was furious, fall silent for a while as soon as I see Ena regretting her actions.
"My bad..." (Sad)
Ena plays her finger after realizing she is in the wrong. I, who don't want to see her continuing to be sad, quickly stroke her head to calm her down. Slowly, I motivate her to light up her spirit again.
"It's okay Ena. That's why Sei want to teach Ena on how to light the fire so that Ena don't have to trouble creating a small fire magic"
I keep stroking her head while smiling to comfort her. I do realize that it is difficult for her to reduce her magic power to the extent of safely cooking a meat because the magic was usually used to kill someone who broke into the palace. Suddenly, I get startled as soon as Ena who is being sad a moment, gets back up while looking straight at my face again.
"Apologize, Ena, Mahou. Ena realizes Ena is wrong for thinking magic is more practical"
The sad Ena straightens her body again and puts on a stern face after realizing her mistake. I then breathe a sigh of relief since my guilt for making her sad just now has disappeared. I continue to stroke my chest before being surprised by Ena who continues her speech again.
"Forgive Ena's arrogance, Mahou. Ena just thought, why is Mahou so picky about uncooked food when Mahou is a succubus who should be satisfied with just a cu-"
I quickly cover her mouth with both of my hands. I understand very well of what she's about to convey when she saw that a succubus whose daily food was only 'water' could be fussy over the uncooked meat. However, I'm being picky not without any solid reason.
In my previous life, I always ate cup noodles that were easily found in stores and easy to cook to save money. My tongue had become numb with the cup noodles that I always tasted. Although my wait ended with the presence of Tomori in my life which made me use part of my savings to go eat with her, things didn't end well. I, who had hoped that her gentle hands would prepare my daily meals, was shocked as soon as I learned the fact that I had been thrown out of her life. However, I am lucky that I still get a second chance to live my life. That's why in this life of mine, despite living hard as a lowly noble, I go hunting in the forest so early in the morning just to satisfy my appetite by cooking all kinds of dishes I could possibly make with the meat I got from the hunt. I grin at her face before replying to her in panic.
"I-it's not that S-Sei being picky... but Sa-Saoto wants to eat a c-cooked meat..." (Nervous)
I turn my face away from her so that she couldn't see my panicked face. However, I can't imagine what it would taste for me to swallow that 'water' down my throat. With a thick and slimy texture, it's enough to make me nauseous just by thinking about it, let alone swallowing it like sipping regular water. I continue to daydream before finally being shocked by Ena who has been silent since earlier suddenly speaking again while holding both of my shoulders and grinning at me.
"It's so romantic that Mahou wants to cook for the person Mahou loves... Ena will consider that as an additional point to attract men" (Teased)
I'm surprised by hearing Ena's words before covering both of my cheeks which turn red from embarrassment. However, I don't deny what she just said. I don't know why I feel so excited to cook for Saoto after he praised my cooking a while ago. Ena who wants to see my face keep trying to pull my hands off to show her my cheeks while I hold it back tightly, not to show it to her. Finally, the tense atmosphere dissolves as soon as a maid comes to us while bringing something to show.
"Mahou, Mahou, is this one good?"
I look at the face of the maid with a surprised expression as if I couldn't believe what I just witnessed with my very eyes. A piece of meat spiced and cooked into perfection ready to be served gets brought by her while emitting a tantalizing aroma. My eyes light up while looking at the perfectly cooked meat full with excitement.
"Hurmm... Finally, a good one!!!" (Sobbing)
I get so happy to see the cooked meat that my eyes well up. Suddenly, I shed some happy tears after knowing that my struggle for this past three hours was not in vain. I then look back at Ena's face with an irritated look.
"Rina-San, later please teach this old woman how to cook meat properly. Despite being old she is stubborn" (Smirking)
I whisper something to her without bothering to prevent it from being heard by Ena who is standing right in front of me. Ena who gets surprised then pinches both of my cheeks before looking at me with furious.
"Ma-Mahou... What did Mahou just say about Ena earlier..." (Irritated)
I tease Ena, who has been always teasing me. I then escape from her grip before running while sticking out my tongue at her. I keep running while being chased by Ena who gets furious at being called old by me.
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I am standing right in front of the library where Saoto was reading this morning.
Saoto quickly gets up from the table after finishing his meal before suddenly kissing my cheek. I, who was surprised, then question his actions just now.
"W-why Sa-Saoto kiss S-Sei just now... It's oily?!!" (Anxious)
I'm surprised to see Saoto kissing my cheek as soon as he finished eating. The smiling Saoto then looks at me and gently strokes my head before saying something to me.
"Saoto needs to leave for a while. With that oil, Saoto wants Sei to think that Saoto is always by Sei's side"
My cheeks then flush as soon as I hear his justification. I don't think that from now on, every time he wants to leave, he would kiss me first because he gets worried that I would be lonely without him. For some reason, my heart gets happy if it turns to be like this. I then look back at his face with a puzzled look to ask him something.
"Why does Saoto need to rush?"
Saoto keeps stroking my head gently while smiling at me. I get calm in his caress and look back at his face with my full attention as soon as he is about to say something.
"Saoto want to deal with people's problem for a while. If Sei wants Saoto to teach Sei about the way of life of a succubus, Sei can wait for Saoto at the library earlier this morning"
And here I am, standing in front of it as I have been told. Without hesitation, I continue to step into the library before I get stunned to see the various books from all around the world gathered on all the shelves there. My eyes then get fixed on something that has caught my attention when I look around just now.
A table.
I then approach the table which is likely to be the table where Saoto does his daily reads. However, I get surprised to see a perfectly placed book on top of it.
"How to make love with a woman..." (Read)
"EEH?!!" (Flustered)
I get surprised as soon as I see the book on his desk. I ponder for a while after noticing that out of all magic books that are available here, why that one specific book is on his desk right now.
"Isn't he really busy as the Demon King... How come he has the time to read a book like this..." (Stared)
On second thought, Saoto himself looks like he had already mastered all the magic since he once used a lot of healing magic on me. Besides, he is also a warrior who should have been well-taught in using magic.
My cheeks then flush as soon as I remember that the book in front of me right now has become a guide for him in treating me as his loved one all this time. For a moment, my head gets full with embarrassment even though deep in my heart, I want to know the contents inside the book so badly. Slowly, I dare myself to flip through the page, unable to hold my overflowing curiosity. For a moment, I get startled to see the image on the page of the book that I just flipped through.
"Hmmph?!!" (Shocked)
My head is letting out smoke as soon as I see the picture of a man gently stroking his woman's head to calm her heart on one of the pages. The book also provides various details and circumstances so as not to make the woman flustered or feels uncomfortable. I get very embarrassed to find out that Saoto, instead of studying the various magics from all over the world, had spent his time 'studying' me and trying to capture my very heart. My head suddenly becomes smoky again with my tail wagging wildly while holding back the extreme feeling of embarrassment in my heart. I, who is still eager to know the contents of the book, then flip through to the next page before being surprised again by the picture displayed on the page.
"Huh?!!" (Embarrassed)
I get shocked to see a picture of a man kissing his partner in various places other than her mouth. Not only that, every place he kisses has its own meaning and intention to be conveyed by the kisser. My eyes then get focused on the picture of a couple doing a lip kiss on that page which is attached with great details so that the kissed one would feel satisfied and pleased. Unbeknownst to me, I touch my lips that Saoto had kissed earlier this morning as if to admit that the kiss I got at that time was very pleasing to my heart. I then get startled again as soon as I hear the sound of the door being opened alongside by a familiar hoarse voice in my ears.
Saoto's voice.
"Hmmph, Sei? What are Sei doing there?"
Saoto looks at me in surprise as soon as he sees my still-red face while standing next to his desk. I, who is still panicked then quickly close the book that has caught my attention before waving my hand at him to undo what I have done just now.
"I-it's nothing. S-Sei was reading the magic book on this table. S-Sei was thinking whose table it was and didn't expect it to be Saoto's table. Then, Saoto suddenly appeared and startled Sei" (anxious)
"Is that true?..." (Stared)
Saoto looks at me in disbelief at what I just told him. I then nod quickly to him while clenching both my hands down and putting on a serious face so that my reasoning would not be doubted by him. Saoto falls silent for a moment after putting on a surprised face before slowly approaching me. I then get shocked by him who suddenly grabs my head tightly before my forehead gets kissed softly by his lips, causing me to mutter a little as I don't expect his action. Saoto then looks at me again before saying,
"If Sei miss Saoto, Sei can just tell Saoto"
I fall silent as soon as I hear his words. My cheeks reddened for a moment because Saoto must has realized that I was thinking of him then kisses me on my forehead as a sign that he would always be on my side based on the book that I had read earlier. In an instant, I realize that Saoto is not fooled by the lies I told him a moment ago. However, for some reason, my heart feels so relieved as soon as Saoto gives me that kiss. I then lower my gaze to hide my redden face before slowly asking him about something.
"H-how does Sa-Saoto come to know..." (Embarrassed)
I ask him in wonder since I just thought that I have done my best to hide my feeling just now. I don't think he would still be able to tell I'm lying just by looking at me. He then releases his grip on my head before answering my question while looking directly into my face.
"Even if Sei try to hide Sei's feelings, Sei's tail doesn't hide it at all. Sei's tail will also be happy whenever Sei feels happy and sad whenever Sei feels sad."
I, who was surprised to hear his explanation then look directly into his serious face for quite some time as if he hasn't lied to me. I then look at my tail which suddenly tenses as if it realizes that I want to do something bad to it as soon as I look at it with a sharp gaze. I then grip it tightly with both of my hands since I get upset by it.
"You have failed me... What's the use of me hiding my face if you keep showing my emotions-" (Stared)
I'm startled by Saoto who suddenly hugs me tightly from behind. Surprised by it, I then try to release his embrace to ask the reason behind his actions. Saoto then places his mouth close to my ear for a moment before whispering something to me.
"Sei, please don't blame Sei's tail. Thanks to that tail, Saoto can know Sei's feelings towards Saoto"
I get speechless as I'm listening to Saoto's words. I suddenly realize that my tail which has often shown my emotions, allows him to know my mood. My cheeks redden again as I realize that thanks to this tail, Saoto is able to comfort me every time my heart gets restless and even makes love to me. I then lower my head in shame before asking him about that.
"D-Do Sa-Saoto think so..." (Embarrassed)
"Why are Sei doubting again? Do Sei need Saoto to prove-"
Filled with embarrassment, I quickly cover his mouth so as not to let him continue what he's about to say. Even though I've known what he wants to say and somehow really looking forward to it, I remember that our purpose here at this time is none other than to teach me how to live as a succubus. I don't want to keep getting carried away at the moment since I'm worried that my progress won't go anywhere. I then tell Saoto with a worried face to remind him of something.
"Sa-Saoto... We are here since Saoto want to teach Sei how to live as a succubus. Stop t-teasing Sei..."
Saoto falls silent for a while before releasing his arms from me. I then distance myself away from him a little while breathing a sigh of relief. If I'm just a little bit too late, I can't guarantee I'll still be able to control myself later. For a moment, I'm surprised again to see Saoto who extends his hand to me to lead me somewhere. I then grab his hand warmly before looking back into his face with a smile to comfort him who seems a little sad by my action. Saoto then smiles back at me before pulling my hand to sit in an open space inside the library.
Saoto and I sit on the floor while I'm watching him draw a magic circle on it. I keep looking at him carefully before asking him again.
"Uhm, Saoto. Is this a magic circle? Why do Sei need to learn magic?" (Wonder)
I ask him in amazement. Saoto then looks at my face again before explaining something to me as soon as he finished drawing the magic circle. I continue to wait for the man before he speaks up again.
"The demon's special abilities are not too different from the magic that humans utter. For example, this magic circle that Saoto just drew. This is just a basic magic to summon fire by channeling the mana possessed by the mages into the magic circle. As for the demon, they also have a magic circle that they can trigger but without draining any mana, making it impossible to be replicated by humans. That is why the human race has always considered the Demon as a threat. It's because they have a kind of 'magic' that they cannot use."
I get surprised to see a spark of fire coming out of the magic circle right after hearing Saoto's explanation. I never thought that my ability to change form all this time is also some kind of 'magic' because I never utter any spells to activate it. Not to mention, I also don't have any mana in my body which is why I've learnt swordsmanship in the first place. However, it does make sense that a succubus like me has a way of using my ability without any way of being imitated by other races. I nod slowly before looking back at his face to ask about something.
"But Saoto, elves are long-lived. What are their special ability as an elf if that's the case?" (Excited)
I ask him out of curiosity. I'm not surprised if I have some kind of magic that I can use to change the form, but for the elves, that long lifespan has become a characteristic of their race rather than a special ability. Saoto then looks at me again before answering my question while smiling at me.
"Sei are thinking of Ena, right? Do Sei think that long lifespan is all beauty?"
I ponder on his question. On second thought, Ena herself has had trouble to find a partner as she complained about her long age being an obstacle for her. I then shake my head while looking back at Saoto's face before he continues again.
"That's the reason as an elf race, Ena can set her appearance as she pleases. That's why despite having a long lifespan, they don't seem to become old as time passed. For Ena, she already made up her mind to become a full-time maid in the castle. But as for Sei, what do Sei want?"
Saoto asks me while waiting for my answer. I fall silent while my cheeks redden as soon as I think of the answer that I would give him. I then look into his face again before saying something.
"Sei want to be useful for Saoto. That's why Sei want Saoto to teach Sei right now"
I look into the eyes of the man in front of me with passion. It doesn't mean I don't want to be his partner but rather I want to be a useful and worthy person first before becoming his partner. For someone who has been at the peak of magic like him, I don't want to become a burden for him if I could turn back to my male form. I also want to remain in this form and be able to be lovely with him. I then ask him again to make sure of something.
"But Saoto, how can Saoto teach Sei? As long as we walked around the town yesterday, Sei didn't see any people of Miltia who is a succubus like Sei"
I ask him because as far as what I remember, I didn't see any succubus in this area that could be a reference for him. After some time, I look at him again with an irritated look after realizing something.
"Saoto didn't kill all the succubus here, right... And then leave Sei alone so that Saoto can manipulate Sei's heart..." (Stared)
I look at his face full of doubt. I don't believe on what I just concluded either but that's the only conclusion I can draw right now as soon as I remember that he is also a warrior, capable of fighting demon. Saoto, who has been silent since earlier and doesn't react for quite some time then exhales heavily before opening his mouth again.
"If Sei want to know, the succubus race had long been extinct from this world. More precisely, since the Great War launched by The Kingdom a thousand years ago..."
"Eeh?!!" (Shocked)
I'm shocked as if I couldn't believe what I just heard. Spontaneously, tears flow out of my eyes before Saoto hugs me tightly to calm me down. My head gets slowly placed on his chest before he gently strokes my head to keep me calm. I never thought that I am the only succubus living throughout the history despite the succubus I had known from my previous life was a lowly demon that should be plentiful and easy to find. I continue to hug his body tightly while feeling the warmth of his body to keep myself calm at the time.
"Sei don't be afraid. No matter what happens, Saoto will always be by Sei's side"
I'm surprised to look at Saoto's face as he is smiling at me to comfort me. However, deep in my heart, I feel very happy as soon as I hear his assurance. Saoto then wipes my tears that have been flowing before going back to tease me so I wouldn't continue to be sad.
"It's fine, Sei. If Sei want a friend, we can work on it. Our children will have the blood of Sei who is a succubus. Plus the handsomeness of their father"
I, who was very sad immediately become so embarrassed as soon as I'm being teased like that by him. However, my heart feels much relieved once I know that a succubus like me still has a place to live in this world. I also don't hate being teased like that by him maybe since I can no longer feel the instinct of a man inside me. I then keep resting my head on his chest before telling him something again.
"T-thank you, Saoto. Sei's heart is much calmer now..."
Saoto continues to stroke my head gently for quite some time before letting go of his embrace once I'm really calm and looking directly at my face before returning to say something.
"Even though Saoto has never met face to face with a succubus other than Sei, it doesn't mean there are no direct records about them. According to the available records, a succubus can change their form according to their desires"
"Their desire?" (Wonder)
"That means that Sei can change form as long as Sei imagine it with a strong desire in Sei's heart"
I fall silent as I'm listening to his explanation before thinking about something again. For a moment, all my memories throughout my journey with him flash through my mind.
I was with him in the forest when we were about to head to Miltia, a place where he ruled. In the middle of the journey, I accidentally changed back into a man and had been a burden to him who was lifting unconscious me at that time. I then think about the possible reasons that had made me change at that time before I realize something.
I was very guilty of him at that time since I had betrayed the complete trust he had given me to the point where I felt I was no longer worthy to stand by his side. On the other hand, I also turned into a succubus again as soon as I made up my mind to be his lover no matter what the situation was when I got drunk at the bar with him that day.
I then catch the meanings behind Saoto's words and understand that my strong feelings at the time could affect my appearance even though somehow it only had happened to me when I fell asleep. I then nod slowly before being shocked by Saoto who suddenly hugs me tightly next to him while saying something to me.
"It's good if Sei already understand it. Let's get started then. Saoto will help"
Hour after hour has passed by. However, I still haven't succeed in any of my attempts to change my form at least into my male form again. I then lay my body down after a lot of energy that I've been putting in doesn't give any definite results from it.
"Why is it so easy to change form when Sei was sleeping..." (Complaining)
Saoto grins at me. He then gently strokes my head before saying something to me again.
"Sei, just try again but this time, Sei imagine that Saoto is in danger and the only way for Sei to save Saoto is to change Sei's form so that Sei can be more agile"
I then look at Saoto's face with a surprised expression on my face. How come I couldn't think of such an excuse during the several hours of my attempts earlier. I then get back up and try to change my form again as he suggested. In an instant, a bright red magic circle gets etched on the floor and ignites followed by a cloud of red smokes surrounding my body. My chest feels hot for a moment as if something just happened all over my body before I get startled as soon as I see my new appearance after the smokes that have been blocking my vision earlier gradually disappear. The dress I'm wearing gets torn apart, revealing my muscles that I haven't seen in a while. I finally breathe a sigh of relief after my attempt finally pays off. I then mutter in wonder since my clothes don't change alongside my appearance.
"Hmmph? Sei guess the ability only allows the user to change the appearance..." (Stared)
Saoto suddenly approaches me and slowly strokes my head before saying something to me again.
"It shouldn't be like this tho. Bet Sei need to be more determined for it to happen-"
I'm startled by Saoto who suddenly strokes my head gently to cheer me up. Unexpectedly, the puff of red smokes reappear again alongside the bright red magic circle that suddenly lights up on the floor. I then look back at my body which has changed again just by the touch of his hand. For a moment, I turn surprised because not only did my appearance changed but so did my clothes too. What makes me even more surprised is that I'm no longer wearing the torn dress earlier, but instead just a pair of underwear that reveals my entire body shape clearly to him. I then bend my body down and turn it away so that it couldn't be seen by eyes of the man next to me.
"I-It's not like what Saoto thinks... S-Sei just" (Panicked)
I'm panicked while answering him since I've tried my best to reduce my affection for him earlier so that I could focus on my attempts. Suddenly, I get startled by Saoto who starts kissing my neck from behind, causing me to let out a strange noise from my mouth that has been hiding my very affection before being covered tightly by his hand. Saoto then slowly places his mouth next to my ears again before whispering something to me.
"If Sei don't hesitate to show Saoto that Sei want Saoto, Saoto will not hesitate to show back what Saoto want"
Saoto continues to kiss my neck gently as a sign of 'I want you' which I just learned from the book. I, who could no longer think straight after feeling a weird sensation emerges from his kiss then continue to be carried away by it. Despite being embarrassed, I can't deny that my body has already reached its limit to hold my affection for him. I then continue to enjoy his warm touching mouth for a while. From a distance, there is a book that stands out a little compared to the other books on a shelf that looks as if it has just been placed right after being read by someone.
How to seduce a shy succubus.