CH-53 Can I... kiss you?

[12Th March; 2:21 Pm]

"Iris, did you pack your togs?" Amelia hollered my moniker, perched on the bed's edge. Her tone was impatient and a tad nervous and grief, a opposite from her usual stoic demeanor.

"Aye, I'll be departing today. Ely has already vacated for her abode this morning. She'll assist me in shedding my surname, as per my request." Upon awakening, Ely had lent me a helping hand with utmost affection even though I was tiny… resentful.

Though I harbor disdain for Caucasian families, my sentiments toward her are… complicated.

She elucidated her absence from Mia's side, citing academic obligations. But…

'Ely not too dreadful…' I can hardly fault her in this predicament. And cannot forget how she aided me yesterday, even insisting I take respite.

Post tomorrow's incident, nary a soul questioned me, not the principal nor the pedagogues.

The constables came calling, but thanks to Gwen's intimidating men and connections, their queries were few. I wonder who she was. As one of the police, the chief, just shakes after watching her like he was about to meet a grim reaper.

'Mayhap, I shall draw a smidgen closer to Ely!' I seized my sole suitcase, containing my few meager wardrobe purchases, and beamed at Amelia.

"Let's go!"

"...Very well!" Amelia gave a slight nod as we reached the campus gates. Gwen had accompanied Ely to home while Luna graced us with her presence to bid me farewell.

Other scholars were also leaving the campus, mirroring my exodus.

In the distance, my golden gaze fell upon a resplendent BMW i8, with Arle waving vivaciously as she approached me with a car, And stopped a little distance away.

Its lustrous hue received many envious stares from students and citizens, even parents or some puppies from our campus.

'Heh! I'm aware this gilded i8 is a limited edition, with a mere eight in existence worldwide. Never envisioned Zeno would bestow such a treasure upon me.'

Earlier, I had requested Zeno to dispatch a conveyance with Arle, citing important business that necessitated my existence at home.

I neglected to specify a luxury vehicle... but who's quibbling? A touch of ostentation is warranted.

"Mother! You're nearly ten minutes tardy." Arle flinging herself into my arms as I patted her back motherly.

I chuckled, endeared by her childlike antics as she rubbed my cheek with her own.

"My apologies for the delay."

"... Huh? Mother?" Amelia's brow knit together in confusion, mirroring Luna's initial bewildered 'Ehh' exclamation before she recouped her equanimity.

Then Luna murmured in a low voice, coughed weirdly. "Ahem! Who is this young woman? Why does she address you as 'mother'?"

Since our rapport had improved, I took Amelia closer and divulged in hushed tones, exclusively for their ears.

"P-Please, preserve this secret. But... she is a female pure-blooded dragon. When I absconded from home, I rescued her in the forest where she dwelled alone. A few days prior, she commenced referring to me as 'mother' after I acquiesced."

"Oh!" Luna nodded in comprehension, though visibly astonished. She was cognizant of the rarity of dragons in this realm.

'I'm happy that she entrusted me with her confidence... Thus that means, I'm no longer an outsider to her. Perhaps, Iris has more tales to tell me in future.'

"Okie dokie." Amelia fixed Arle with an intense stare, causing the poor lass to squirm uncomfortably.

"Ahem!" I cleared my throat, and Amelia heaved a suspire before patting Arle.

"I thought the first person who will call her mother will be mine and her kid. But… seems like it is not the case."

Amelia proclaimed, her words igniting a blaze upon my cheeks. "Anyway, My moniker is Amelia, you may superscribe me as your 'mom.' Your mother is, after all, my main future girlfriend."

"H-Hey, you're being rather uncouth." I sputtered, swatting her shoulder in embarrassment. My cheeks were very hot at this point, like bubbles exploding in lava.

"Arle, dear, hop into the co-pilot's seat and wait for me."

"Okay, Mother!... Also bye aunty and um, Mom." Arle teased me, As she followed my orders.

I instructed, hoping to diffuse the awkward situation.

"Good bye, dear daughter." Amelia merely grinned impishly, clearly reveling in my flustered state. Honestly, this woman's brazen tongue would be the death of me!

"Anywho, do you possess a valid license?" Luna inquired with furrowed brows, eyeing my swanky ride skeptically.

"If not, be sure to ring me if Officer Friendly attempts to cuff you, is that understood? By the way, I had no inkling you were rolling in dough at such a tender age."

"Don't Worry, Luna. I procured my license upon turning sweet sixteen, just as required by law." I reassured her with a wave of my hand.

"As for my affluence, allow me to regale you with the tale once we're homeward bound. Let's just say a wise investment in a singular Bitcoin, coupled with some savvy trading in the stock sphere, provided quite the fortuitous return."

"Take care of your body." Luna flashed a brilliant smile before pulling me into a bear hug, then stepped back politely.

Amelia, ever the pragmatist, had already stowed our suitcase in the vehicle and stood before me.

"I will ignore you for taking the mickey in front of young Arle." I started to play with my hairs, between my fingers and looking into her shoulder.

"Hmmm… I said nothing wrong, did I, my waifu." Before I could protest further, Amelia embossed me in a couple-like position. My hands brought around her neck while hers settled at my waist.

How fast our bond had blossomed into such intimacy?

"Once we return home, I intend to beseech my father to cure your ailments." Amelia murmured, tightening our clinch.

Acting the part of a petulant child, I massage the head fondness into her neck, below the chin.

"I'm certain that old codger will move heaven and earth to find a remedy, knowing his daughter made the request."

"Mmmm!" I hummed contentedly, keenly aware of the rapid cadence of her heartbeat.

A satisfied smile danced on my lips, touched by her unwavering efforts to heal me even since we first became friends.

She always diligently researched potential cures, her determination inspiring equal parts gratitude and a pang of delinquency for not confessing the crush part that had grown in my heart.

'But it is her duty to confess, not mine, right?'

Tenderly, she brushed my bangs from my forehead to up before sowing a soft-centered kiss upon my forehead, then my closed eyelids, the tip of my nose, and finally my flushed cheeks.

'Oh my, my heart is positively racing! A kiss from one's crush is heavenly indeed.' I mused giddily, relishing her nearness as I brazenly snuggled into the crook of her neck.

Reluctantly, I extricated myself and saw her eyes… out stare at my… lips with unmistakable longing.

—Gulp!

"U-Umm, Iris?" Amelia faltered, cheeks adorably rosy. "C-Can I… Can I kiss you? On the lips?"