Despite Lara's wild and spirited nature, she was no match for Kazuki's boundless stamina. In the end, she could only lie limply in his arms, catching her breath.
At the same time, the system's notification chimed in Kazuki's ear.
[Ding! Progress made on the Perfect Romance Mission. Current progress: 5/10. Captured: Delia Ketchum, Melanie, Officer Jenny from Maiden's Peak, Sabrina, Lara!]
Kazuki smiled in satisfaction as he saw that the Perfect Romance Mission was already halfway complete.
By then, Lara had slowly recovered her strength. She tilted her head and said to Kazuki, "Kazuki, hand me my little blue pantie, will you? I need to get dressed. We should probably head back soon!"
"Otherwise, Misty and Suzie might start worrying about us!"
"We've been gone for over two hours already!"
As she spoke, Lara took out a handkerchief from her clothes bundle and wiped herself down.
"They're probably too distracted by the food to think much about us. We can take our time heading back," Kazuki said, handing her the clothes beside him.
"Even if they aren't overthinking it, I still need to come clean with Misty!" Lara was bold and unashamed—she had already thought about how to confess to Misty while resting earlier.
"After all, Misty and I are going to be sisters from now on!"
"Who knows? Maybe we'll even team up to please you sometimes!"
"If we don't clear things up now, it'll be so awkward when we're together later!"
Once dressed, Lara immediately shifted into the role of a devoted wife, tending to Kazuki with gentle care.
Kazuki affectionately patted her head before taking her hand and leading her back toward the banquet.
By the time the two returned, the celebration was already winding down. After searching for a while, they finally found Suzie.
"Hey, Suzie, where's Misty?"
The moment Suzie heard Kazuki's voice, her heart inexplicably raced, and her cheeks flushed hot. She took a deep breath before turning around.
Even though Kazuki was fully clothed, Suzie couldn't help but recall the sight of his towering presence under the moonlight.
"U-Um… Misty got drunk! I just took her back to Lara's place to rest!"
"Hahaha! That little lightweight!" Kazuki chuckled, shaking his head.
"Misty's drunk? Then I'll talk to her tomorrow morning!" Lara said before turning her gaze to Suzie.
When their eyes met, Suzie instinctively clenched her thighs together.
"Hey… Suzie, there's something I want to tell you."
"Y-Yeah? What is it, Lara?" Suzie nervously fiddled with the hem of her clothes, looking even more flustered than Lara.
"Well… I'm Kazuki's woman now!" Lara suddenly grabbed Suzie's wrist, her fingertips burning with excitement.
"From now on, we can be the best of sisters!"
"C-Congratulations!" Suzie blurted out, nearly biting her tongue in the process—completely missing the implication of Lara's "sisters" remark.
A thin layer of sweat formed on the back of her neck as her mind replayed the moment she had accidentally glimpsed Kazuki's chiseled body under the moonlight.
"You two… really suit each other."
"Hey, Suzie! Why's your face so red?" Lara suddenly leaned in, whispering playfully in her ear.
"Ah! W-Well, I… I had a little to drink earlier! That's why! That's all!" Suzie stammered out a clumsy excuse for her blush.
"Oh? Is that so?" Lara mused before grinning. "No worries, Suzie! Once I finish learning the clan's affairs, we sisters can work together, okay?"
"Y-Yeah! Sure!" At that moment, Suzie's mind was entirely occupied by Kazuki's imposing figure, so she nodded along without fully processing Lara's words.
Seeing Suzie's awkwardness, Kazuki knew she was still embarrassed about peeping on him in the fields earlier. To ease the tension, he smoothly joined the conversation.
As the night deepened, Lara and Kazuki—both exhausted from their earlier escapades in the hay—decided to rest.
Suzie, however, remained alone on the veranda, letting the evening breeze cool her thoughts.
Gazing at the white flower bathed in moonlight, she suddenly recalled Lara's words about "sisters working together." A delayed realization hit her, and her ears burned instantly.
Sigh… Lara is such a bold and straightforward girl!
If I had even half her courage, I wouldn't need to go that far—just getting close would be enough!
For the rest of this journey, I'll be braver. I'll confess my feelings to Kazuki first!
Yes! That's what I'll do!
Under the gentle moonlight, Suzie steeled her resolve to take their relationship further.
The next morning, the aroma of mushroom soup roused the hungover Misty from her slumber.
Rubbing her eyes, she sat up—only to find Lara smiling as she handed her a glass of honey water.
"Huh? L-Lara?" Misty blinked groggily, eyeing Lara in confusion. "Why're you here so early?"
"Suzie said you were drunk, so I brought you honey water in the morning. Drink up first—I have something to tell you!"
Still riding the high from last night's passion with Kazuki, Lara had boldly confessed everything to Suzie. But now, after a night's rest, she felt a little shy again.
"Oh! Okay, thanks!" Misty took the honey water and sipped before asking, "So, what's up?"
Lara sat down solemnly on the edge of the bed, hands resting on her knees.
"I'm Kazuki's woman now. From now on, we can serve him together!"
Misty's pupils dilated, and a knowing smirk spread across her face. Then, in a flash, she threw off the covers, leaped up, and dashed straight to Kazuki's room across the hall.
"Kazuki! You took Lara down?!" she shouted excitedly at the half-dressed Kazuki.
Kazuki tapped her forehead lightly. "Isn't saying 'took down' right in front of her a bit rude?"
Realizing her blunder, Misty glanced back at Suzie before rushing over to link arms with Lara.
"Lara, I didn't mean it like that!"
Lara just laughed. "It's fine! I like the phrase 'taken down.' I'm happy to be taken down by Kazuki! What about you, Misty?"
Misty, ever the lively one, matched Lara's straightforwardness instantly.
"Me?" She rolled her eyes playfully. "I like it too—but I'm the one who'll take Kazuki down!"
"Oh? Is that so?" Kazuki smirked as he finished dressing and strode toward her.
Misty squealed and darted away.
Laughing and teasing each other, the three of them headed out to the fields together.
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