The world has woken up yet again, the sun bringing the day as it closed the curtains of the night. With the stars fading slowly from the sky, clouds of gray and white revealed themselves clearer than ever, drifting in the vast sky of blue.

  A lone figure awoke in a rge room, on his back was a softness like the fluffy looking clouds and fort filled with warmth. He gazed aurned, a sile beautiful star greeting him by his side. It was Yuna.

  The young dy was still sleeping soundly, subtle snores fleeting in the air as her chest heaved up and down, ears twitg from time to time. The gentle sunlight seeping through the window only served to atuate her delicate beauty.

  "Cute..." ［Grey］

  Grey mumbled softly, lifting his body ever so slowly as to not disturb the sleeping princess. He reached out his hand, caressing her soft and supple cheeks, soon leaning closer and he drew his lips towards hers, his eyes burning fiercely with passionーOr so it should have been.

  But before he could even lean in for a kiss, he suddenly stopped, eyes wide open as if he had just seen a ghost. He was frozen, and the moment he moved, he drew back his hand, and got out of bed, soon heading out of the room.

  'Dammit! That was dangerous!' ［Grey］

  Dangerous, indeed. And it wasn't the first time it happened. In fact, it happens almost every m, and every time, Grey only mao stop himself just barely before it's too te. Every siime was a close call.

  There is nothing wrong with a good m kiss between couples, nothing at all. But Grey knew deep down just what kind of adult thoughts ran inside his mind at that very moment, one which wouldn't stop with just a kiss.

  Though there is nothing wrong with falling deeper and deeper for his beloved, the more he does, the greedier he bees. Now, he feels like a shameless, starvi who just wants to devour Yuna at any moment he could, his greed getting harder and harder to sate.

  'Haah... I really o yself down...' ［Grey］

  And cool his head he did. After making a quick breakfast for Yuna, Grey quickly took a shower and headed towards his workshop te some equipment. After all, what better way to clear one's mind than put it to heavy but rewarding work?

  With Grey's leave, the house has bee quiet once again, the leaves swaying softly by the whistling winds and the chimes ringing as they danced. It eaceful as one be, the sun tinuing to climb the high skies.

  Tap Tap Tap Tap

  Several minutes passed and the house ainted with life. A young elf desded dowairs, rubbing her eyes as she walked ever sily. She yawned and she stared off into the distance, eyes still sleepy as one be.

  Yuna had just woken up, and her very first instinct was to look around, searg for a certain figure. Yet no matter how much she turned her head and shifted her eyes, she didn't find who she was looking for, only a note by the tertop.

  ---

  Yuna, I still have some leftover work for the Bcksmiths' Guild. I'll be making them so I won't be able to join you for breakfast. Instead, I cooked a delicious breakfast just for you. I hope you enjoy it.

  ---

  Eyes still struggling to stay open, Yuhe note and her eyes swam left and right, soon shifting to the still steamy dishes atop the dining table. She hasn't seen them yet but she already knew she was going to enjoy eating them.

  Yuna tio read, and the more she did the more awake she became. The rest of Grey's note was simply well wishes for her and some reminders. If ohing stood out, it was the little folded the very end.

  ---

  P.S.

  I left some pudding for you in the refrigerator. There's a dozen of them so make sure you enjoy them. Eat well, my pretty princess. :)

  ---

  And there it was. Though it was a little that Yuna could breakfast with Grey like they usually do, seeing Grey's effort to make her feel loved and cared for was more than enough. A sweet smile soon bloomed on her face as she ate breakfast.

  It was like one would expect. The breakfast was delicious as one be, the main dish and sides varying greatly to make sure Yuna ehe meal the best she could. If Grey was eating with her, it would have been perfect.

  "Waah～! There really is a lot of them～!" ［Yuna］

  Of course, not just breakfast, but dessert as well. Just as Grey had said in his here were a dozen cups of puddi in the refrigerator, eae tempting and appetite arousing. Just a gnce was enough to make Yuna's eyes sparkle.

  "Mmn～! Delicious as usual!" ［Yuna］

  Skippieps cheerfully, Yuna brought out all the pudding out of the refrigerator and headed towards the living room. There, she enjoyed herself, putting her feet atop the couch as pyed with her magic.

  After all, unlike Earth, Merusia only has little in the way of eai. There is no television, no video games, no i, and no social media. Even the games they py are best enjoyed with many people. There is only so mue could do alone.

  So, to make up for such ck of eai, Grey and Yuna had been using magi their daily lives, pying with it like little children pying with toys. Not only would they get rid of their boredom, they also practice their trol as well, killing two birds with oone.

  Yuna waved her hands and a rain of snow swept all over the room, dang like ice skaters, and running around like little children. It may look simple at a gnce, but it was a task whieeded extreme trol.

  Owo, three, and four. More and more figures danced in the air. Five, six, seven, a. Cups after cups of pudding were also finished as the show went on. A smiling young dy's eyes sparkling along the snow.

  "Oh... Looks like I finished one again." ［Yuna］

  Said Yuna as she pced down her cup of pudding. She was about to reach out to another one, when her hands suddenly halted. She thought long and hard before finally pulling it back, waving her hand to disperse the snow.

  "No, let's enjoy these with Grey ter." ［Yuna］

  A sweet smile on her fad the snow fading to oblivion, Yuna skipped her steps towards the refrigerator and stored the remaining four cups of pudding ihen hopping away. She headed upstairs, humming happily to herself.

  The young dy soo back down, took a bath, headed upstairs again, and had a ge of clothes. It was the usual routine, and since Grey wasn't around, she will be heading to the Rabbit's Den to spend some time with Helen and pany.

  "ht! Before I fet..." ［Yuna］

  Of course, like Grey did, Yuna didn't fet to leave a note behind. He might have already calmed dower than before, but Grey was still a worrywart. She could only giggle to herself thinking how he'll panic if she didn't leave any.

  "And.... There!" ［Yuna］

  There was no time to waste. With her note finished, Yuna quickly headed out of the house and into the open city. She hummed to herself happily, still skippieps like aed little child as she headed out for the day.

  Yet again, the house was filled with silehe sun had now climbed fairly high in the sky and the city was now fully awake. Everyone was hustling and bustling as they went on about their daily lives, living life in the moment,

  The sun tio climb, and soon, the sed bell rang. Time passed some more, and finally, after hours upon hours of w, Grey finally came out of the "Sanctuary", drenched i and shirt full of grime.

  Like Yuna before her, he looked around the house for a certain young dy, but found nothing of the sort. There was only a note left behind, a gentle smile soon painted on his face as he pced it back down.

  "But well... I should probably take a bath, huh..." ［Grey］

  It wasn't just "probably", Gry really does need a bath. With all the grease, dust, and debris in smithing work, his shirt wasn't safe from the grime and dirt. He was dirty and sweaty, a severe trast to their and tidy house.

  Though he could simply use magic to himself, soaking in a hot bath was still much better. Not only would it himself, it would also wash away the fatigue in his body as if they were just but mere fleeting lies.

  Of course, as one would expect from our protagonist, after taking a bath, he sparkled like the stars in the night sky. With a beautiful face like one carved from marble, jade-like skin, sharp amethyst eyes, and a well-toned body, he was a sight for sore eyes enough to make dies drool.

  Topping it all off with a wet look fresh out of the bath, and boom, a perfect dy killing mae. Not even Yuna whom he's been with for almost four years could hahe heat. It was a sight only served for hers truly.

  A quick trip to the bedroom, and Grey grabbed himself a fortable set of casual clothing. He then headed towards the refrigerator to find himself a cool drink to cool himself down from the hot bath.

  "Oh?" ［Grey］

  But rather than a cold drink, what greeted him were four cups of sweet aable pudding. They were sparkling shtly, alluring to the eyes. Enough frey to grab some without thinking too much.

  "Did Yuna not like them?" ［Grey］

  Grey asked himself as he tilted his head slightly. After all, don't mention a dozen, Yuna could finish much more in a siting if she ever feels like it. Such a sight was just pin strange. Not an everyday sight.

  "Oh, well... I'll just be enjoying myself then." ［Grey］

  There was o think too much. With such sweet treats left for him, it would be bad mao dee the invitation. He may be fused, however, it doesn't mean he wo what's in front of him. It would be wasteful, otherwise.

  Not knowing what troubles it would spell, Grey simply and zealously took the puddings out of the refrigerator and headed to the living room to rex after a long day from work. A mueeded rest.

  "Yup. Pudding's the best." ［Grey］

  Calm and carefree as one be, Grey then sat down on the soft coud es fort to its fi. We used wind magiake the pudding float in the air, feeding it to himself without much thought.

  And as he enjoyed his free time, the phone suddenly came ringing. It was a call from Eliza, charting happily with him as she went on about what happened on her day. It has bee a daily occurrence, both happy to talk to one another.

  Before long, yet another bell rang throughout the whole city, the sun finally reag its Zenith. A g and cck echoed in the, drifting along with an appetizing aroma as Grey prepared for lunch, a plethora of dishes dished out oer another.

  Creak

  With the advent of lunch, the young elf had finally returned home, a big, bright smile painted on her face as she headed ihe moment she saw Grey, her smile beamed even brighter, eyes sparkling like a casg creek.

  "Wele homeー Oh!" ［Grey］

  There was no response. Yuna simply rushed towards him, giving him a tight embrace from behind. It has only been a day and the young dy already missed him, ag all gy as she buried her fa his reliable back.

  "Hey, Yuna, we're going to get burns at this rate." ［Grey］

  "Mmn... It's okay. That much isn't going to hurt us anyway." ［Yuna］

  "Well, I 't deny that, but still... Then, how about you set the table for lunch? I'm about done cooking, so that would really help." ［Grey］

  ".... Okay～!" ［Yuna］

  Yuna thought long and hard, or rather, she savored hugging Grey before letting go. With aed smile on her face, she the off to do as Grey requested, setting the table, utensils, and dishes without much trouble.

  And just as she reparing the table, a sudden thought came to her mind. She remembered about the pudding she set away just this m, happily skippieps as she headed to the refrigerator with a big smile on her face.

  "Eh...?" ［Yuna］

  It was a smile which didn't st too long. The moment she opehe refrigerator, rather than happiness, what surprised her was fusion. The cups of pudding she left were o be found.

  She clearly remembered that she put the pudding in the refrigerator, yet no matter how she looked, she couldn't find them. There were ingredients, a few sweets, and some juices, but there was no pudding. They were simply not there.

  "Grey, have you seen the pudding I left here? There were four of them." ［Yuna］

  "Yeah, I ate them." ［Grey］

  "Eh?" ［Yuna］

  "Huh?" ［Grey］

  Two short noises and suddenly, silence filled the whole house. The fried ham and eggs tio sizzle as silently Grey and Yuna looked each other in the eye. One uffing her cheeks, pouting, while the other was at a loss.

  "Was... I not supposed to eat them...?" ［Grey］

  No, he was not, not at all. But it was already too te fret now. No matter what he does, the pudding (he thhly enjoyed) is now safely stored in his stomaot ing baytime soon.

  At the same time, Yuna's cheeks puffed as she pouted, looking at Grey full of i, not saying a single word as she simply turned her head away. The tter doesn't eveo ask. She was greatly upset.

  The dishes were soon cooked and lunch soon enced. But uheir usual merry and ughter-filled lunch, the current one was awkward as one be, only silening over the dining table.

  "Yuna, here, say ahh～!" ［Grey］

  "Hmph!" ［Yuna］

  Grey tried to lighten the mood by trying to feed Yuna, but rather than reciprog his as, the tter simply turned her head auffing her cheeks even more. The sound of gss breaking echoed in the air as his heart shattered a little.

  Time passed and the sun finally started their dest. The house was full of peace, quiet, and of course, awkwardness. A few hours already passed but Yuna was still pouting, not saying a single word to Grey.

  "Umm, Yunaー" ［Grey］

  "Vega～! e here, let's b your fur!" ［Yuna］

  "Okay～!" ［Vega］

  In fact, Yuna has been avoiding Grey so much that she let the familiars out simply so that she has a reason to ignrey. Every time the tter tried to talk to her, she would then talk with the familiars, ht denying Grey.

  Master, sorry... ［Vega］

  No, it's alright... Yeah, it's alright... ［Grey］

  Grey had never felt so defeated before. Though he knows Yuna would five him sooner or ter, seeing her reject him was still depressing. Ead every time she rejects him, he feels his heart breaking more and more. It ain, and a stinging o that.

  Time passed some more and the sky was finally dyed amber as the sun started to set. Silend awkwardness still loomed over the air as Yuna prepared dinner for the two of them. As frey...

  "Haah..." ［Grey］

  ... He was down for the t. He had already lost t of how many times Yuna had rejected his approaches and just remembering them was enough to make his heart scream in pain. Gloom and darkness loomed over him.

  In fact, it was so depressing that the familiars started soling him, patting his back with their little paws. Even the usually eic Vega aaurus were now well-behaved, pitying their master with the others.

  "Everyone, dinner's ready." ［Yuna］

  Now, Yuna doesn't eveion his was the most pitiful that he has ever been. If Julius were to see his current state, he would surely be ughing his ass off until tears formed in the ers of his eyes from ughing too much.

  Depressed as one be, Grey headed to the dining table, weled with silend awkwardness as Yuna doesn't even want to look at him. Only the sounds of spoons and forks hitting the ptes echoed in the air.

  "Hey, Yuna... Are you still mad at me?" ［Grey］

  Uo bear the sileny lrey finally asked the question. And hearing it ring in her ears, Yuna's hands suddenly stopped, finally looking at Grey in the eyes after several hours of ign Grey, still pouting.

  "Look... I'll ouch your sweets again, and tell you what, as an apology, I'll make you a ton of pudding ter, alright?" ［Grey］

  Grey tried tain and promise, but Yuna didn't budge an inot uttering a single word and pouting even more than before. Though there wasn't any hatred ner in her eyes, it still stung Grey's heart a little bit.

  "Grey..." ［Yuna］

  "Y-Yes, ma'am?!" ［Grey］

  "It's not the fact that you ate my pudding, it's the fact that you didn't ask me first... I wao enjoy them with you, you know..." ［Yuna］

  And that was the final blow. Hearing Yuna's words, a rge arrow stabbed Grey's heart and sce, rendering him uo retainst her. To top it all off, Yuna's pouting face turned into a sulking face. He was guiltier than ever before.

  Though it may be petty, Yuna was really looking forward to enjoying them with Grey, even telling it to Helehey chatted with one another. Yet the thing she looked forward to for the whole day was suddenly broken. She has every right to be upset.

  "Umm... I'm really sorry about it... I promise to never do it again... Won't you give this poor man a ce for fiveness, My Lady? I promise I'll do anything." ［Grey］

  "Anything...?" ［Yuna］

  "Yeah, anything." ［Grey］

  A fatal question, but Grey's got no other choice. Though Yuna would probably five him sooner or ter, he couldn't bear to see such a sulking expression on her face. It was just far too much for his sce. He is just a fool in love, after all.

  And hearing Grey's words, Yuna finally wore a different expression on her face. She slowed doweps as she ut into deep thought, tilting her head downwards as she thought, only looking Grey in the eyes as she found her answers.

  "Spoil me..." ［Yuna］

  "Hm? Huh?" ［Grey］

  "I said... I want you to spoil me... For the rest of the day... " ［Yuna］

  It was a bit ued, but Grey could finally smile at her words. Even if Yuna didn't say it, he was already pnning to do so anyway. Now that he heard it directly from her, he couldn't be any happier to oblige.

  "Hmm... I don't think I do that..." ［Grey］

  "Eh? But you said you'll do anything..." ［Yuna］

  "That's because I don't want to spoil you just for today. I'll be spoiling you rotten the whole week so you better be prepared, yeah?" ［Grey］

  From pouting to sulking, and now to smiling. Yuna's expressions greatly ged from oo another as her face beamed with radiance. Her heart now beat and thumped hard, a bottomless happiness surging in her heart.

  "Un..." ［Yuna］

  It was a short and simple response, but strangely enough it tained a myriad of emotions not even a whole statement could express. The mood was finally back to how it usually is, full of warmth and happiness.

  And now that their little argument has been resolved, there was o hold bay longer. Yuna then put her utensils down and stood up from her chair, soon sitting on Grey's p with her cheeks blushing furiously.

  She may be the one doing the ign, but she was also the one who suffered the most from her own as. After all, she was quite the gy one, not wanting to do anything of the sort anytime soon. She just wants to be with Grey.

  "Umm... Yuna...?" ［Grey］

  "I 't...?" ［Yuna］

  "No, no, that's not it..." ［Grey］

  It was a tad bit embarrassing, but Grey couldn't deny Yuna's request. After all, he did say he would spoil her rotten for the whole week. Now that the tter was actively engaging in skinship, he now wonders if his heart would be able to st long.

  "Umm... This is actually quite embarrassing, isn't it?" ［Yuna］

  "Yeah... You say that again..." ［Grey］

  Well, their positions didn't st long as they soon came back to their senses. Rather than sitting on Grey's p, Yuna simply sat by his side and they had a normal diogether, chatting merrily and happily.

  The curtain of the day long over and the orchestra of stars reigning over the nds. The sweet symphony night drifted along the cold, nightly breeze, whispering ever so softly as it ran around the town. The day has ended yet again.

  CHAPTER 255 END