Throwing Herself at Him

Higashino Makoto sat on a large rock by the river, holding a fishing rod in his hand, his golden eyes gazing at the calm water.

Akeno stood behind him, dressed in a red and white shrine maiden robe with orange ribbons. Her purple eyes were also gazing at the water, and a dignified yet cunning smile played on her lips.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto, did you catch any fish?"

Not yet.

"If you're clearly in the Air Force, why are you still sitting here?"

"Ha, how can you say that the fisherman's business is a sign of a short-selling attack?"

Just as Higashino Makoto was about to explain to Akeno the principle that "it's impossible to be an air force member, even picking up a stone doesn't count as being an air force member."

The swim bladder twitched.

Higashino Makoto lifted the fishing rod, and the fishing line drew a beautiful arc in the water.

A fish...

No, it's not a fish.

Its golden fishtail shimmered in the sunlight, its long, silvery-white hair clung wetly to its body, and its emerald-green eyes were filled with panic.

Her upper body was human; the beautiful female body was naked, with only a few strands of wet hair covering her vital parts.

Mermaids are a specialty of this New World.

"Oops--"

Akeno's voice carried a hint of amusement.

"You caught a mermaid!"

The mermaid was thrown onto the grassy shore.

She frantically propped herself up, her emerald green eyes looking at Higashino Makoto. Her panic turned into shyness, and her shyness turned into a strange excitement.

"You... you caught me. According to the rules, I'm yours."

Higashino Makoto looked at her.

What are the rules?

"The rule for mermaids is that whoever catches them keeps them."

She lowered her head, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Upon receiving this unexpected benefit, Higashino Makoto remained silent for a moment.

"... What's your name?"

"Lia."

"Lia, how old are you?"

Eight years old.

Eight years old?

Higashino Makoto stared at the woman's figure, which completely overshadowed the dark-skinned princess, and fell silent.

"In The Little Mermaid, are they adults yet?"

"... Soon."

Higashino Makoto let out a breath and shook his head.

"Let's talk about it when you're an adult."

He reached out, grabbed her by the back of the neck, and threw her back into the water.

With a splash, water sprayed everywhere.

Lia popped her head out of the water, her bright green eyes wide open.

"You... how could you?!"

"Come find me again when you're an adult."

"But--!"

"No buts."

Lia bit her lip, her golden fishtail slapped the surface of the water and sank back down, then poked her head out again.

"I won't give up!"

The ripples gradually subsided, and the river returned to calm.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto, why don't you want her?"

She's still a child.

"Weren't you with the Dragon King Princess in her young girl form before--"

Higashino Makoto felt that his reputation had been unfairly damaged, so he offered an explanation.

"That's different. Draudillon is an adult, just pretending to be a young girl, while she is a genuine minor."

Akeno looked at him, a gentle light flashing in her purple eyes.

You are so gentle.

Higashino Makoto didn't reply, put away his fishing rod, and stood up.

"Let's go, it's time to head back. Catching a mermaid doesn't count as going home empty-handed, right?"

Himejima Akeno covered her mouth, her eyes full of laughter.

"Hmm, no."

The two walked back along the path by the river. The setting sun cast long shadows of them on the grass as it shone from the west.

Then a figure staggered out of a roadside tavern, with a high black ponytail, blue eyes, and a voluptuous figure.

Wearing casual clothes.

She wore a white fitted top and a light blue skirt; two buttons of her shirt were undone, revealing a glimpse of her fair collarbone.

He wasn't wearing armor, nor did he bring a sword.

She bumped into Higashino Makoto's arms, her face pressed against his chest, her hands clutching his collar.

The aroma of alcohol wafted over me, mixed with the scent of a certain floral perfume.

"Higashino Makoto... Mr... you... you're here... ah~?"

Her voice was soft and weak, tinged with intoxication.

"Ultina, you've had too much to drink."

"No... I wasn't drunk... I just... just..."

"Just what?"

"I only... want to repay your kindness... you saved my country... save the people I swore to protect... I... have no way to repay you... I can only... I can only..."

She looked up, her blue eyes filled with a dreamy look.

Higashino Makoto looked at her.

"Only what?"

"I have no choice but to... repay him with my body..."

Higashino Makoto remained silent for a moment.

"We'll talk about it after you sober up."

"No... I want it now..."

You're not thinking straight right now.

"I am fully conscious... I am very conscious... I am... conscious..."

She lost consciousness in his arms.

Higashino Makoto looked down at the drunken face, his brows furrowed slightly, his eyelashes fluttering, and his lips slightly pouting.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto, what are your plans?"

"Take her back."

Does she know where she lives?

"Have no idea."

"Then you--"

"Send it back to the tavern."

He picked up Ultina and carried her into the tavern, booked a room, and placed her asleep on the tavern bed, covering her with a blanket.

The tavern owner walked over, looking at Ultina, then at Higashino Makoto.

"You are--"

"She's had too much to drink, let her sleep. When she wakes up, tell her that no matter the outcome, she shouldn't forget her promise."

"Are you Mr. Higashino Makoto?"

"Um."

The tavern owner's eyes lit up.

"You... you're the one... who saved us..."

"Um."

He turned and walked out of the tavern. Akeno followed behind him.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto, are you really not going to wait for her to wake up?"

"She'll come to me when she wakes up."

"Would you agree?"

Higashino Makoto thought for a moment.

"If she spoke while she was lucid, she would..."

"Why?"

"Because she's beautiful, has a great figure, a good personality, and can cook—she's a wonderful woman."

What if she doesn't tell me?

"Just pretend this never happened."

Akeno smiled.

"My lord, you are truly—"

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

The two continued walking forward.

The sun sank below the horizon, and darkness fell.

There is a small grove of trees by the river, and a stream flows deep within the grove.

The stream was crystal clear, shimmering with a silvery-white light under the moonlight.

A figure crouched by the stream, long white hair cascading over his shoulders, red eyes fixed on the water.

Her golden, tanned skin shimmered softly in the moonlight. She wasn't wearing the garment with the central opening, or rather—

There was nothing there.

Princess Lusha is taking a bath.