Going Forward

We spent a little more time alone in the room together, but we soon went out into the lounge room, meeting up with both Charlotte's mother and aunt.

"Oh? You two done already? That was fast" Her mom is the first to speak, sitting at a table with Luna, drinking something from a cup.

"There was nothing to be 'done' mom. You're jumping to conclusions." Charlotte ended up sitting down at the table. I was going to remain standing until Charlotte pulled out a seat next to her as I end up taking it, sitting at her side.

"Hmmm, that's not how I see it."

"Auntie should've already told you our situation, so could you not take it out of proportion?"

"Fine~ Fufufu." Her mother sips at her cup, a sweet aroma gradually building up in the air.

"Here you go, Charlotte."

"Thank you." Luna then proceeds to fill Charlotte's cup with a hot beverage, the same kind as her mother's. But this time, as I'm right next to Charlotte, I'm able to see what's inside it. It looks mostly red, almost like blood, but is a lot more watered down. The smell is also unlike the blood I know, so I could be wrong.

"Hmm? Does Shiro wants some as well?"

"..." Charlotte pondered for a few moments before looking to her side, facing me. "Do you want to try it?"

"S-sure." It does smell nice, so I am curious. But is it really okay?"

"Mom. Could you help if something happens?"

"Kayy~" If something happens?

In the next few moments, Luna pours me a cup for me, filled with the same bloody red color before taking her seat by Charlotte's mother. I end up picking up the cup as all eyes were focused on me. It's honestly a bit nerve wracking being looked like this, but I gently put the cup to my mouth.

"Mmm?" In that moment, as the bloody red liquid passes my lips, entering my mouth. I'm hit with such a strong taste, much like the alcohol I had that day at Lisa's. Only this didn't have the wave of warmth that quickly spread through my body, but instead a fluttery feeling arose inside me, almost like my body's grown lighter than usual.

"Shiro?"

"It's good." I end up taking another sip at Charlotte's words, but before I knew it, it was all gone. "W-what is this?"

"It's blood tea. This is dragon blood, yes?" Charlotte directed her question to her aunt which she immediately nodded.

"Yes. It's very rich in mana. I'd only ever serve the best for Mell, hehe."

"Fufu, you think too highly of me, Luna."

"N-not at all!"

I'm still a bit shocked at all that has happened recently. Luna speaks highly of Mell, Charlotte's mother, and I can see why. She's the first person who was able to look at me without dying. Even now, I can't help but look at her. Wondering how she did it.

"U-uhm! Charlotte's mother."

"Hmm? Yes?" She answers me, focusing her eyes on me, but the pressure I felt from her earlier is nowhere to be seen.

"H-how did you look at me?"

"Fufu. Well it sure wasn't easy. I felt like I could seriously die if I wasn't paying attention." Her words frighten me for a moment as I clench my hand around the now empty cup.

"I'm sorry..."

"Don't be. Your mana has been suppressed for such a long time that it has a mind of it's own. Like a rabid dog." She uses a term that I'm unfamiliar with, but I more or less understand that she's saying I have no control over my powers. "You just need a place to properly vent it."

"And you took it upon yourself to do that, mom?"

"Fufu. Well I wouldn't want you trying that. That power sure is terrifying, but I think I managed to calm it down somewhat. You felt it too, didn't you Shiro?"

"Y-yes..." Looking back at it, it did feel like the scorching pain coursing through my body was calming down, but it was so slight that I wasn't sure. But apparently she was able to tell...

"H-how long do you think it'll take for her mana to stabilize?" Charlotte voices a question to her mother, full of anticipation.

"Hard to say... There's so much bottled up that it might even take weeks. I don't have that much time on me, but I don't mind helping out when I can."

"You don't have to do that, mom..."

"Fufu. But you obviously care for her, right? I want you to be happy, so this much is nothing for me. Plus I feel like we're past the hard part, but I think it's important to go at Shiro's pace."

"O-okay..."

Wait, then does that mean that her mother will be helping me control my powers? Will it be the same as before where she looks directly in my eyes? I was scared at first, but now that I know I won't kill her, I feel a bit more calm about the situation... Actually it might be more accurate to say that I 'couldn't' kill her...

"How long will you stay here?" Luna probes Mell with the question, prompting both Charlotte and I to look their way.

"I can spare three more days. We can continue this tomorrow. For now I think it's better for Shiro to rest."

"Thanks, mom."

"Don't worry about it~ I'm also curious about your girlfriend."

"L-like I said, she's not my girlfriend." Wait, huh?

"I'm not Charlotte's friend?"

"Eh? N-no, you are!"

"Pfft, fufufufu." Charlotte's mother ends up giggling away at Charlotte and I, but I'm so confused.

"But you said, I'm not?"

"My mom meant something else."

"Something else?"

"W-we'll talk about it when we get back, okay?"

"Hehehe~" Luna also joined in with the giggling as the two of them smiled at the both of us. What just happened? I'm still so confused.