That answer clearly did not satisfy her.
The stubborn girl made a demand:
"Since you put it that way, then call me 'Teacher' right now."
"She" continued to smile gently, and Shade pursed his lips.
"All right—Teacher Danist."
He felt that since she had made the request, there was nothing wrong with addressing her that way.
But the girl, whose emotions were especially stirred tonight, clearly had not expected to hear that title so easily. She stared at his face in a daze, then suddenly leaned up and kissed Shade directly.
This was not a reckless kiss like the Elf Girl's. Their lips merely touched, and neither of them closed their eyes. They simply looked at one another.
Ever since the Time Curse had turned Danist Gustav eighteen in autumn, their relationship had advanced by leaps and bounds through story after story.
But only with this kiss was the last layer of candy wrapper completely licked away by the cat.
He saw himself in her eyes, and she saw herself as she was now in his. Shade suddenly felt that he understood the true reason for tonight's invitation. It was not for any single simple reason; perhaps she merely wanted some kind of answer from him.
After that brief contact, the girl was the one to pull away. But she said nothing. Instead, she gently kissed Shade's neck again and lightly bit through his skin.
Though it hurt a little, Shade did not object. The girl sucked at his warm skin, tasting his blood, but it also seemed like nothing more than an outlet for her dissatisfaction and grievance. Shade continued to hold her, and after that excessive gesture, she seemed to realize what she had done. A soft sensation appeared on Shade's neck, making him shudder violently.
She whispered: