Reverse Seduction?

Higashino Makoto looked down at the white head in his arms.

"Let go first, then we'll talk."

"Don't want."

You're hugging me too tightly.

"No, I absolutely won't let go this time."

Higashino Makoto sighed.

He reached out and scooped her up in his arms. She buried her face in his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck, just like she had done thirty years ago.

He walked into the courtyard, and the gate closed automatically behind him.

The yard wasn't big, but it was very clean.

On the stone table under the cherry blossom tree sat a cup of now-cold black tea, next to which lay a book, its pages turned by the wind.

Higashino Makoto carried her into the house.

Two pairs of shoes were placed in the entryway: a pair of women's leather shoes and a pair of slippers.

He changed into slippers, carried her down the hallway, and into the living room.

He placed Mio Takamiya on the sofa.

She wouldn't let go.

"Mio."

"Um."

"Let go."

"No."

I'm not going anywhere right now.

"You swear."

Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment, then gently patted her head.

"I swear, I really won't go anywhere."

Mio Takamiya raised her head, her pale blue eyes looking at him, her eyes red-rimmed, and tears still clinging to her eyelashes.

"Real?"

"Real."

She stared at him for two seconds, then let go of his hand.

Higashino Makoto sat down next to her, and she immediately leaned in, resting her head on his shoulder and clutching the hem of his shirt, just like she had done thirty years ago.

You've lost weight.

"No."

You've lost weight; your shoulders used to be broader.

"That's your misconception. My body will never change unless I want it to."

Higashino Makoto looked down at her.

Her long white hair was a little messy, and she had faint dark circles under her eyes, but you couldn't see them unless you looked closely.

Her skin was still fair, and her lips were still rosy, just like they were thirty years ago.

"You haven't changed at all."

Because I'm waiting for you.

Higashino Makoto remained silent for a moment.

"How are Maori and the others? Are they alright?"

Mio Takamiya's fingers tightened slightly.

"You want to know about them?"

"Um."

"I'm jealous."

You're jealous.

Higashino Makoto glanced at her.

"I'm a little worried about them. Thirty years have passed; they're just ordinary people, they'll grow old and die."

Although he knew it wasn't appropriate to talk about other girls to a girl who had waited for him for thirty years, Higashino Makoto still said it.

He didn't really want to deceive her.

Mio Takamiya remained silent for a long time.

They are all very good.

"What's the meaning?"

"Literally, they are all fine; they haven't aged, and they haven't died."

Higashino Makoto frowned; this answer was somewhat unexpected.

What did you do?

Mio Takamiya didn't answer; she simply leaned on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

"Rest first, and I'll tell you when you're rested."

I'm not tired.

You're tired.

"I'm really not tired."

I'm tired.

Higashino Makoto looked at her; her eyes were closed, and the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned.

He asked her several times what she had done, but she wouldn't tell him.

Higashino Makoto took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled.

He turned and walked back to the living room. Mio Takamiya was still holding him tightly, her light blue eyes looking at him with love.

After a long while, she finally let go of him and turned to face him.

Tea or coffee?

"Tea."

"Black tea?"

"You remember."

I remember everything about you.

She went into the kitchen, opened the cabinet, and took out a box of black tea.

The movements were practiced and skillful, as if they had done it countless times.

Higashino Makoto stood in the center of the living room, watching her busy figure in the kitchen.

Her long white hair was casually tied back with a hair tie, revealing her fair nape.

Her silver-white spirit dress accentuated the curves of her waist as she bent over.

He looked away and sat down on the sofa.

The sofa was very soft; sinking into it produced a soft sigh.

Mio Takamiya came out carrying a tray and placed a teacup in front of him.

She sat down opposite him, holding a teacup in both hands, her pale blue eyes looking at him.

"You still haven't told me what she did to Mana and Maori."

Mio Takamiya stood up, walked up to him, reached out, and grabbed his wrist.

Let's not talk about that now.

She took the teacup from his hand and placed it on the coffee table. Then she sat down, straddling his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck, and pressing her face against his chest.

You made me wait thirty years.

Higashino Makoto's hand landed on her waist.

"I know."

"I want to charge some interest."

What interest rate?

She looked up at him, her pale blue eyes meeting his.

"You."

She kissed him.

He reached out and put his arm around her waist; she leaned against him and closed her eyes.

The spirit dress gleamed silvery-white in the moonlight. She casually turned off the light, and the glow gradually dimmed.

She pushed him from the living room to the bedroom.

The bedroom door was not closed, and moonlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains, casting a silvery-white band of light on the floor.

He fell onto the bed, and she was on top of him.

Long white hair fell from his shoulders, brushing against his cheeks, tickling him.

"Mio."

"Um."

"You're doing it backwards."

"Right."

The corners of her mouth turned up slightly.

Don't you like it?

"Like."

She smiled and leaned down to kiss his forehead.

"Then don't speak."

That night, Mio Takamiya poured out all the longing she had held for thirty years.

She called his name over and over again, as if confirming that he was real, as if confirming that this was not yet another dream of hers.

Higashino Makoto didn't answer her question, but simply held her, his fingers running through her long white hair.

The next morning, sunlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains and fell on the messy bed.

Mio Takamiya lay beside him, her long white hair scattered on the pillow, her pale blue eyes half-open and half-closed, a satisfied smile on her lips.

She was wearing a white bathrobe, the neckline open, revealing a section of her fair collarbone.

"Honey."

"Um."

"Your skills have gotten worse in thirty years."

Higashino Makoto's fingers paused for a moment.

"..."

"Just kidding."

She buried her face in his chest, her shoulders trembling slightly. She was smiling.

"You bastard."

Higashino Makoto reached out and ruffled her hair.

She looked up at him, her pale blue eyes meeting his.

"Dad, do you want to see them?"

Higashino Makoto heard the word "father," he paused for a moment, a sense of guilt welling up inside him.

Mio, didn't she always call me "darling" before? Why is she suddenly calling me that?

Oh well, I don't dislike it anyway.

"Who?"

"Elf Kingdom, those children you mentioned to me."

Higashino Makoto's fingers stopped.

"Are they... still alive?"

"It's always been there."

She sat up, her robe slipping off her shoulders, which she casually pulled back up to cover them.

"Thirty years ago, after you told me about those Elf Kingdom, I divided the Spirit Crystal. I gave part to them and kept part inside myself."

"Why?"

"Because you like it."

Higashino Makoto looked into her eyes.

There was no hesitation or regret in those light blue eyes; it was as if they were stating something perfectly natural.

"You said you liked them, so I helped you keep them."

Aren't you jealous?

"I want to eat, but I want you to be happy even more."

Higashino Makoto remained silent for a long time.

"You..."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

He reached out and pulled her back into his arms.

Let me hold you a little longer.