SPGM Ch 19

Weather knew by now that Jester had enough strength and skill to lift him effortlessly, but what could one do against a group of people. With a grimly hardened expression, Weather paused the video. He looked fondly at the frozen image of ‘Louis’ with a smile on his face, then soon left their lodging.

🎥

Perhaps because of his exceptionally eye-catching appearance, finding Jester was not difficult. The man who said he was going for a light walk was strolling along the sidewalk of the shopping district, not the park. While lightly exchanging greetings with people he knew, he kept glancing around. As if he were searching for something.

What is it? What is he looking for? Was there something he needed? But it had only been two days since they went grocery shopping. He should have bought everything he needed then….

“…!”

In the middle of his thoughts, Jester abruptly turned his head. Whoosh, Weather ducked down and hid his body behind a trash can, holding his breath. The artificial heart pounded violently.

…Was I caught? Could he have seen me?

Weather, clutching the fabric over his heart, carefully peeked his head out. Thankfully, he had not been caught. It seemed a young man who lived near their lodging and knew Jester had greeted him. Jester offered a light smile to the person who approached him.

“…He smiles so prettily.”

Even though it was a formal smile, it was very pretty. Of course, Weather knew a smile that was even more radiant than that one. That was a privilege only Weather could see.

Anyway, where is he going? Suddenly, they began to walk side by side. Weather urgently got to his feet and followed them.

It seemed they were heading to the same destination, as they walked in step for a good while. The shorter young man looked up at Jester and opened his mouth, appearing to be in conversation. The young man then showed Jester his mobile device and began explaining something, and a look of interest flickered across Jester’s face as he looked at the screen. After exchanging a few more words, they parted ways at a fork in the road.

He was alone again, but only for a moment. A woman with her hands in the pockets of her orange apron, leaning against a wall and yawning, recognized Jester. He was a familiar figure to Weather as well, a kind employee at the grocery store where they often shopped. It seemed she had recognized Jester while returning to work after a short break.

Then, an unexpected situation unfolded. Contrary to Weather’s expectation that they would just exchange a brief greeting and part ways, Jester struck up a conversation with the employee. They usually had no particular connection, and had never spoken for more than three minutes.

If anything, it was Weather who enjoyed chatting with the employee. Jester was not the type to be interested in things like the quality of goods or new recipes.

Of course, Jester was adept at dealing with people. How could he possibly be compared to a humanoid who was only just now developing social skills.

However, in conversations that Weather initiated with his own will and focus, Jester would step back and watch rather than interject. Weather was aware of Jester’s consideration, but seeing him conversing separately like today felt quite unfamiliar.

It seemed the employee felt the same way. She, who had intended to return to work after a simple greeting, made a puzzled expression and then shrugged her shoulders. Soon, they were standing outside the grocery store, talking side by side. The three minute mark had long since passed.

“…….”

…What are they talking about that they’ve settled in for a chat? Did they even have any common interests to discuss? Since he had never seen the two of them talk, he could not even begin to guess.

Furthermore, he had never seen Jester like this before. Had he always mingled with people like this when he was alone? Ah… that was probably a given. After all, he was an actor loved by the world, so it was only natural for him to be surrounded by people.

Thump, Weather hit his head against the red brick of the alley and let out a sigh. It seemed he had not wanted to admit it.

“…Perhaps I was confining him too much.”

Weather only needed Jester, but Jester was someone who had originally lived his life surrounded by people. The disconnection from people—no, perhaps from the world itself—might have become a source of stress for him.

Given the nature of the situation surrounding them, he could not live in complete freedom but…. Still, shouldn’t he have given Jester some time to breathe once in a while?

“…I’m sorry, Jester.”

I was too lacking to realize it.

Weather looked dejectedly at Jester, who was still absorbed in conversation with the employee. The weight of his artificial heart should be the same, yet he felt as if another stone had been placed in his chest. Again, thump, thump, Weather hit his head and let out a long sigh.

Wallowing in sadness by himself would not change anything. On the contrary, wasn’t it a relief that he found out now? From today onward, he would not create situations where Jester had to bring things up with difficulty. He just needed to create some alone time for himself first, so that Jester would not feel self-conscious. Then Jester’s time would naturally be guaranteed. Weather steeled his resolve once more.

“Get a grip.”

Today’s outing was to protect Jester, not to spy on him. Wondering about the content of their conversation was crossing a line. Invading his privacy was not the mark of a good partner.

His resolve strengthened, Weather peeked his head out. The employee was heading into the store, seemingly having just finished their conversation. Jester, after a brief stretch, also began to walk. Weather was also about to move cautiously.

Click—!

Suddenly, there was a sound. It was very faint, buried in the noise of the street, but it was unmistakably the shutter sound of a camera.

“…….”

Weather, who had frozen in his tracks, felt his expression turn icy. Was that sound just now aimed at Jester? An ordinary person who recognized Jester, or a paparazzo, or one of Mikhail’s minions. Besides those, the possibilities were numerous.

If it were the former, they would have a visibly excited face or be looking at their camera. They would have to check if the subject was recognizable in the shot. But looking around, there was no one who particularly stood out.

Weather, pulling the brim of his cap down low, slowly started to walk. There was no particular reaction from Jester, who was walking ahead. Weather increased the distance between them to be ready to respond to any potential commotion, keeping a close watch on the situation.

“…….”

The shutter sound had definitely only gone off once. If it were a paparazzo, they would not be satisfied with just one shot, so he could confirm for sure when Jester made another motion. In this case, he had to focus on the sound.

If the source of the shutter sound was one of Mikhail’s people, they would surely follow Jester’s every move to find out where he lived.

Thinking of the single photo as a confirmation to be sent to Mikhail made the pieces fit. He needed to be wary of any person who stood out more than once. For now, the most likely theory was that it was one of Mikhail’s people. Weather sharpened his senses and scanned his surroundings warily.

“…Huh?”

But suddenly, Jester was gone. His gaze, having lost its guide, wandered in the empty air.

“…Jester!”

His face turning pale, Weather rushed out frantically.

Click! At that moment, the shutter sound was heard again. The sound was not far. It was very close to Weather, and one thing was certain—it came from behind him, not in front. If he turned around right now, he might be able to identify the source of the shutter sound.

But Weather’s head remained facing forward. Jester had been walking ahead of him the whole time, and he had vanished in an instant. Assessing the situation ahead was the priority over the situation behind him.

Weather reached the area where Jester had been walking ahead in a single bound. Forgetting that he was in the middle of secretly tailing him, he looked around without restraint.

Where is he? Where did he go? What happened in that short time? The brim of his cap, obstructing his view, was annoying, and the moment he took off his hat, the object that had made his heart plummet in an instant, along with a click of a shutter, came into view.

“…….”

It was Jester.

Jester was beyond the glass of the butcher shop they had been frequenting lately. Jester, in perfectly fine condition, conversing with the butcher shop owner. He had merely entered the store, but Weather’s anxious heart had momentarily been engulfed by the fear that he had disappeared.

“Haa….”

…Thank goodness. Pressing down on his pounding chest, Weather turned around. His cold, sunken green eyes stared directly at a presence standing not far away. The figure, who had been following him so brazenly, pressed the shutter as if mesmerized by the face they met head on.

Click—

Click—

The figure knew. They knew they had to stop right now and run. But for some reason, their body would not obey. Feeling an elation akin to ecstasy, they could only stare at the screen filled with the subject. The finger pressing the shutter continued to move, and Weather in the screen slowly grew closer.

Click—!

When the final shutter sound finally rang out.

“Ugh!”

Thwack, the figure, grabbed by the collar, had their face slammed into the wall. The skin scraped against the rough brick stung enough to bring tears to their eyes, but they were not foolish enough to resist their opponent.

“What are you.”

Weather, having snatched the mobile device, checked the screen with a frigid expression. Today’s photo album was filled only with his own pictures; thankfully, Jester’s image was nowhere to be found. Flipping through the screen and checking even the relatively recent photos, Weather asked the gasping person.

“I asked what you are. Who sent you.”

“I’m just a fan, a fa, …am….”

“What?”

“A fan! I said I’m a fan…!”

The person with the squashed face shouted urgently. Weather, glancing over to confirm that Jester was still inside the butcher shop, pushed the person deeper into the alley. Only then did the person pull their face away from the wall, rubbing their nose, which was full of brick dust, and lowering their gaze.

“…….”

Upon seeing the person’s face properly, Weather loosened his grip. A rather complicated feeling washed over him, and he spoke with a sigh.

“Say that again.”

“…….”

“What did you say?”

“A fan. I said I’m a fan….”

Weather frowned.

“Of ‘Louis’?”

“No. Of Weather. You…. You saw the whole photo album….”

“…….”

Weather silently stared at the person. Dressed in a shabby plaid shirt and wide-leg jeans, he had assumed it was a man of small stature, but the person was a woman.

A plain woman with short, chestnut-colored wavy hair, droopy eyes, and freckles on the bridge of her nose that added to her gentle impression. It was true that he felt a momentary sense of relief at her guileless face, which seemed to hold no malice, but with humans, what you see on the surface is not everything.

Her photo album was full of ‘Weather,’ and he could not know what the essence of the subject she was looking at was. Weather asked her again.

“Of ‘Zero’?”

The person shook their head.

“No. Not ‘Zero’ but….”

“…….”

“‘Weather’….”

The person, who had been looking down, cautiously raised their gaze to meet his green eyes. A tremor was evident in their voice.

“The one I’m talking about is… Weather, you. I’m your fan.”

Weather’s face contorted. His sunken green gaze checked the back of his left hand. Contrary to his expectation, there was no change in the value. Just then, the person added.

“Because, because I’m… the same as you.”

“The same?”

“Yes.”

Before he could even ask what was the same, the answer came back.

“I’m a humanoid too.”

“…….”

“That’s why I can’t help but be your fan.”

said the person, Heather.

🎥

Jester, after leaving the butcher shop, headed to Alisa’s restaurant. It was their regular day off, but the diligent owner had the restaurant doors wide open for cleaning. Just as the owner was about to take a break on the outdoor terrace, Jester promptly sat down in the chair across from him.

The owner, who had a talkative side, brightly welcomed Jester, who had appeared just when he was feeling bored.

“By the way.”

“…….”

Weather ignored the whispering voice and kept his eyes fixed on the situation across from them.

“Why are you watching in secret?”

‘Jester’ is your lover! Heather said in a voice that could not hide her excitement. Weather finally turned to look at the person stuck to his back and glared.

“…I told you to leave when I was being nice.”

“I said I’d go if you give me back my mobile device…. A poor person like me doesn’t have the money to buy a new one. I deleted all the photos, so can’t you please cut me some slack? Hehe….”

Heather pleaded pitifully. Weather, glancing at Jester’s movements, let out a sigh.

“If I give it back, you’ll just take more pictures.”

“I won’t take them anymore. I really mean it. I promise. I’m satisfied with just seeing you in person. And… we even got to talk like this!”

Heather’s cheeks flushed red as she smiled innocently. It was a face that seemed completely unaware of things like ulterior motives or hidden agendas. Seeing that the value on the back of his hand remained unchanged, it seemed she truly admired Weather out of pure adoration.

“A humanoid, you say….”

“Hey now, I’m telling you! I really am a humanoid. You checked earlier too…. If you’re still suspicious, should I show you again?”

“No, it’s fine….”

The impatient Heather grabbed the collar of her shirt, pulled it wide, and stuck out her neck. Just as she said, behind the cascade of her chestnut wavy hair, on the nape of her neck, were a power button and a connector that one had to look closely to see. It was evidence that she was a very old model, or a humanoid made by a creator from a lower district.

In contrast, Weather’s skin had no such things as Heather’s. Instead, a top-of-the-line internal battery using a special substance was inserted inside his body. He could move for at least ten years on the built-in battery alone without separate charging, and charging itself was a simple matter of attaching a battery patch.

All this information was relayed to him through Jester. He had collected all of Weather’s data that Mana had stored.

Weather, who knew very little about his own body, listened as if it were someone else’s story and thought idly. That he wouldn’t have to worry about the battery for a while. Of course, since battery patches had not yet been developed in the lower districts, the day would come when he would need the identity of ‘Louis’.

In any case, all of this was possible because the person who made Weather was Mana. Although he had voluntarily secluded himself in C District, he was a renowned creator and a wealthy man even in A District.

He only worked based on his own interest, and the pretext for creation was more important to him than a client’s paltry sum. He never skimped on materials. For Weather, being created by Mana was nothing short of a lifetime of luck.

“Weather doesn’t have a separate power button, right?”

Heather asked, smiling as she straightened her collar.

“That’s right.”

“Oh. Then by any chance, were you awakened by a startup command?”

“That’s right.”

Weather nodded, looking at Jester. He was still in conversation.

“I see. That’s fascinating. As you can see, I opened my eyes with a button. But it’s not that noticeable unless you look closely, right? The battery gauge is also near my heart. As long as I’m not walking around completely naked, no one would know. Haha, they said they put some care into it. So it wouldn’t be obvious that I’m a humanoid. It’s no good being found out that something like me exists here.”

If it were discovered that one was a humanoid, even a small piece of skin tissue would be disassembled and sold for a high price. Weather looked at Heather without a word. She smiled sheepishly.

“Ah, sorry. I didn’t mean to complain about my situation. What I mean is, despite appearances, I’m a creation made with great care, is what I’m saying. Hehe.”

“Despite appearances?”

Weather’s head tilted to the side. His face was still cold, but it no longer held the threatening glint it had at first. He simply faced Heather with a slightly puzzled expression. He looks surprisingly gentle. Heather, blinking blankly, opened her mouth.

“Ah, that, I’m plain…. For a humanoid, I’m plain, you know. Usually, humanoids are made to be extremely beautiful or as a replacement for someone, but I’m not like that and I’m just needlessly plain. Of course, I like that it makes me look more human, haha! Anyway, that’s what I meant. Isn’t that why you asked again?”

You didn’t believe me because a humanoid has an appearance that doesn’t look like a humanoid, right?

“No. I didn’t.”

Weather’s emotionless voice continued as he met her eyes.

“And I never asked again.”

“What? No, you definitely asked if I was a humanoid just a moment ago….”

“That wasn’t a question for you, it was me talking to myself to register the thought. And from the moment you showed me your neck, I never denied that you were a humanoid. I was just.”

Weather, choosing his words for a moment, let them out like a sigh.

“It’s the first time I’ve had a proper conversation with someone like me. It didn’t feel real, that’s all. If I made you misunderstand, I apologize.”

“Oh, uh, really?”

Heather’s face flushed bright red. It felt as if the color of the freckles covering the bridge of her nose had deepened. As Heather rubbed her face roughly, not knowing what to do, Weather opened his mouth. There was something he had wanted to say all along.

“And I think the phrase ‘despite appearances’ is a bit strange.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that….”

“I’m curious how you can be so sure of how you appear. It’s not like I can share my perspective with you.”

Stunned, Heather could not say a word. She could only stare blankly at Weather.

“What is plain to one person can be special to another.”

“…….”

“And a person who is nothing but dreadful to one can be precious enough to another to abandon the life they’ve lived for.”

Weather turned his head to look at Jester. He was pointing at the badge Alisa had given him and smiling sweetly.

“I admit that there are universal standards in the world, but universality doesn’t necessarily mean correctness.”

A faint smile touched Weather’s lips as he followed Jester’s, and he turned back to Heather.

“The you that I see has chestnut-colored wavy hair.”

“Ah….”

“It’s thick and curly, so I think it would be fun to touch. Someone might gently stroke it.”

Heather’s lips parted and then pressed shut. She had a bashful expression.

“Your eyes are clear and large, but the corners are turned down, so you look gentle and kind. The freckles on the bridge of your nose are like stars in the night sky. Like you said, the person who made you must have created you with great care.”

“…….”

“So don’t judge yourself by the standards set by the world’s universality. And don’t speak so easily of yourself like that. Wouldn’t they be sad? If the one who made you is a cautious and fragile person. That also means they are delicate, doesn’t it?”

And it’s painful when someone you love is sad, isn’t it, Weather added in a low voice.

Heather had revealed she was a humanoid and at the same time said she was Weather’s fan. Because she came to admire Weather, who fell in love with a human and ultimately won him over. She said that the moment she learned his story, she could not help but become Weather’s fan.

Because Heather, too, loved a human. Because she had developed the emotion called love for the human who had created her.

After coincidentally seeing the appearance of a popular humanoid model, Heather realized that her own appearance was not like theirs. An overly plain face. A daily life spent by her creator’s side, without any clear purpose. Suddenly, she felt that all of it was foreign.

So she asked. Why he had made her. And the answer she received to that question was.

“…It was just curiosity. Not a commissioned request with a purpose, but rather, what form would it take if I just created as my heart led me. What kind of being would be created, it started from that curiosity.”

Heather thought that the dark circles deeply settled under his eyes looked particularly red that day.

“As you can see… I’m not very good at making appearances pretty. You could say I lack the talent. I used to have a colleague who was famous for that kind of thing, but we parted ways because our interests didn’t align. When you’re blinded by flashy things, you sometimes ignore durability, and I really hate that.”

“Is that why I look like this?”

She certainly acknowledged the durability. Compared to humanoids made in the lower districts, Heather’s level of human-like movement and intelligence was exceptional. But it was true that she felt her appearance was inferior to theirs, so Heather asked again. At that, he opened his eyes wide. He looked surprised.

“You don’t like your appearance?”

“It’s not so much that… just, it’s a little plain, maybe?”

“But….”

“But?”

He caressed his thin cheek and whispered in a low voice.

“When I was making you, no. Getting to know you… I couldn’t do it like other creation requests. It was difficult. Because there wasn’t a set standard. This time, I had to be the one to set that standard. And because of that….”

“Because of that?”

“…I ended up thinking about the elements I felt were good. For example, the color chestnut. It’s a dark color, but it gives off a warm light when it catches the sun.”

“…….”

“Curly hair is also one of the things I usually envy. It looks healthy and vibrant, I guess. As you can see, my hair is just limp and droopy.”

That was not true. His hair was simply the type that settled calmly with a soft feel. Whenever she saw his long hair, she always wanted to bring her fingers to it. But Heather did not add any words. She just quietly waited for the words that would follow.

“If the corners of the eyes droop a little, it creates a gentle impression. Then you can easily gain favor with people. I’ve lived my whole life hearing people ask if I’m angry because of my impression, and that became an unexpected source of stress. Hmm, and the freckles were something a kid who lived next door when I was young had…. She hated them, but I liked her freckles. They looked lovely. Like the footprints of the sun or the Milky Way in the night sky. So….”

He told Heather that, though she might not have known, the period when he created her was the most dedicated period of his entire life. And he added that he would never be able to do it again, nor did he have the desire to.

Facing him as he smiled sheepishly, Heather understood the meaning of the word ‘lovely’ for the first time. That was how the emotion began. Although the feelings he had for Heather were closer to the affection one has for a friend or family.

Troubled by the unbridgeable gap in their hearts, Heather left his house. She thought that if she left this small, cozy world and experienced a larger universe, her feelings might change. When she said she wanted to leave, he tried to dissuade her but ultimately let her go. He just told her to come back anytime, smiling awkwardly. That was the kind of person he was.

A plain face and an easygoing personality allowed her to mingle easily with people. There were many hardships that followed her independence, but the value of experience also accumulated. But Heather still thought of him. The end of all her thoughts always reached him, the one for whom she had felt love.

That was why Heather liked that Weather, a humanoid like herself, was in love with a human. She hoped his love would last forever. Perhaps she wanted to live vicariously through his love, to find some sort of satisfaction.

In the midst of that, Weather appeared before her very eyes. It was a golden opportunity to witness the existence of the love she had dreamed of, so how could she not follow him. Truly, even now, as she faced Weather like this, it felt like a dream.

“You’re right, Weather. I’ll have to be careful from now on. I don’t want to make him sad in that way.”

The face that broke into a smile was flushed. After a moment’s hesitation, Weather handed back the mobile device he had taken. Heather’s face lit up as she quickly accepted it.

“If you take a picture one more time, I’ll really break it.”

“Thank you, Weather! I absolutely won’t. I promise!”

“I don’t need your promise. Just go away now.”

Because of the unexpected variable named Heather, he could not fully concentrate on Jester. Waving his hands dismissively, Weather peeked his head out slightly to watch ahead. He could see Jester, still conversing with the owner. Peek, Heather, who had also stuck her head out, asked with a puzzled look.

“I asked this earlier, but why are you watching from afar? Did you fight with ‘Jester’?”

“…I told you to go.”

Even though his sunken voice was clearly weary, Heather paid no mind.

“Hehe. I’m going. I am going but…. It’s fate that we met like this, so could you give me your number?”

She said that as fellow humanoids who had broken free from oppression and were navigating the world with their own will, shouldn’t they become friends. Sorry, but he was not moved at all. Weather, looking back at Heather impassively, refused flatly.

“No. I don’t need it.”

“Weather…. Don’t answer so coldly and think about it. Don’t you think having at least one friend or colleague would be a comfort in living through this harsh human world? It would be helpful too. Who knows? A day might come when you need my help?”

Of course, he knew that there are days when one needs someone’s trivial help. However, separate from understanding it with his head, he felt a resistance to forming connections. Even a light connection could transform into a factor that creates a storm of consequences later on.

A passing connection was better for Weather. It went without saying, but Jester was the sole exception to passing connections.

“Friends and colleagues sometimes stab you in the back, you know.”

“Aren’t you talking about me like I’m a potential traitor…?”

Pouting her lips, Heather protested grumpily. Weather saw Jester looking as if he were about to end the conversation and got to his feet. The restaurant owner somehow had a bewildered expression. Soon he opened his mouth to say something, but Jester walked away with a relieved look on his face. He was getting closer. A sense of urgency laced Weather’s voice.

“Because there’s only one person I can trust.”

“Huh? What did you say? I couldn’t hear you well.”

Weather’s eyes narrowed. Seeing that Jester had checked the time and stood up, it seemed he would head straight back to their lodging. To avoid getting caught for tailing him, he had to arrive at the lodging one step ahead of him.

Jester stepped briskly onto the sidewalk where Weather was and walked ahead with fast steps. Weather suppressed the urge to run out right away and occupy the spot next to him.

“I have to go.”

Calculating the alley shortcut in his head, Weather rushed off in a hurry.

“Oh, Weather? Wait a minute! Let’s go together…!”

Heather, who started running in a flurry, followed after Weather. But no matter how much she ran, she was no match for his speed. The difference in their leg length and strength was enormous.

Oh, whatever. It’s not like I can catch up anyway. In the end, Heather gave up running and shouted towards the retreating Weather.

“Weather!”

The man with ash-gray hair, who had forgotten to even put on his cap, did not look back. She could not know what kind of situation had befallen him, but she still felt that there would be nothing wrong with his love.

Because the expression on his face as he looked at his lover was so very fond and tender. For some reason, at this very moment, Heather desperately wanted to see the tired-looking woman with the deep dark circles.

“Weather!”

Heather called out to Weather again and shouted.

“If we happen to run into each other again, we have to become friends then, okay! I need to get relationship advice from you!”

And she had a feeling that their next meeting would come soon. Heather, scratching her chestnut wavy hair, crinkled her freckles and smiled.

🎥

“Weather, I’m home. Come and see what I bought.”

The vibration of his excited footsteps echoed on the floor. His voice was also full of laughter. Weather, who had already guessed by the smell even before seeing it with his eyes, also grinned. Turning his body, he rested his chin on the back of the sofa and said confidently.

“I can tell it’s pizza without even looking. ”

“Then guess what kind of pizza it is, too. I thought a lot about what to get.”

Recalling a memory from some time ago, Weather gave a light shrug of his shoulders.

“It would be disappointing if it’s not the classic, Jester.”

“I can’t disappoint you, Weather.”

Jester, revealing the pizza box he had been hiding behind his back and giving it a light shake, strode over.

“Actually, I didn’t think about it much and just bought the classic. Is that okay?”

“You’re stating the obvious.”

Weather, letting out a faint laugh, reached his hand toward the pizza. Just before he could grab the box, Jester pulled his body back and shook his head. Though his eyebrows drooped as if in disappointment, the corners of his mouth were raised high.

“Don’t you think the order is wrong? Surely you’re not greeting the pizza before me, are you?”

“Unless I’m crazy, how could I?”

“Then hurry up and greet me, Weather.”

Thump, Jester set the box down on the floor and spread his arms. Haha, Weather burst out laughing and got up in one motion. Stride, stride, stride. In three steps, Weather was in front of Jester and hugged the warm body tightly.

After his new life began, the things Jester came to love increased one by one. The strength with which Weather hugged him so tightly it felt suffocating was one of them.

Unable to control the ticklish feeling, Weather lifted Jester’s body slightly. Jester, who had been burying his head in the crook of Weather’s neck, giggled. As soon as his heels touched the floor, he continued his playful teasing, nuzzling his nose into Weather’s ash-gray hair.

“Hmm?”

“What’s wrong?”

Jester, who suddenly met Weather’s eyes, asked with a puzzled look.

“Did you go outside?”

“Uh, no? I was in the lodging. Why?”

“Your hair is warm.”

“Is it? Maybe it was a little hot inside.”

“Hmm.”

Jester looked around and nodded his head.

“Ah, you’re right. It does seem a little hot. Should I lower the temperature?”

“Okay.”

While Jester adjusted the indoor temperature, Weather set up the pizza on the sofa table. Jester, who had stopped by the kitchen to grab two cans of beer, was just sitting down next to Weather. At that moment, the screen set up in front of the sofa came into view. The old video of ‘Louis’ that he had turned on before going out was paused.

“Was the video not fun?”

“Huh?”

Weather had a puzzled expression. Click, Jester, opening a beer can with one hand, gestured towards the screen with his chin.

“It’s paused at the beginning of the play. I was wondering if it wasn’t fun?”

“Ah….”

Weather, who only turned his eyes to check the screen, spoke in a calm tone after a very brief silence.

“How could that be. Of course it was on continuous play. Then I paused it for a moment when I heard you coming.”

“You were watching it on repeat?”

“Yeah. It was fun, you know?”

“Really? What part was fun?”

Jester, taking a bite of pizza, sparkled his eyes with anticipation.

“Your face was the most fun.”

I was only looking at you, so I didn’t even notice anything else, to be honest, Weather added with a grin. It was something he had heard to the point of exhaustion from people once upon a time, so it could have felt childish, but it was different when Weather said it. It just felt as new and heart-fluttering as if he were hearing it for the first time.

Jester put down the slice of pizza and wiped his hands and mouth with a wet wipe. Thinking that it might have gotten cold and tasteless, Weather was about to check the pizza, but Jester gently pulled the back of his neck and kissed him. Mwah, an alluring voice flowed from between the lips that had lightly touched and parted.

“Are you very hungry?”

The gold between his dense eyelashes deepened in color. Weather, who had been meeting his gaze intently, asked back in a low voice.

“What do you think is the advantage of my body?”

“Advantage? There are too many. First, the lines are firm yet lean and beautiful. Being sturdy and healthy is also a big advantage. Especially since your limbs are long, the way my whole body gets squeezed when you hug me tight is so nice….”

“…Stop.”

Thump, Weather lightly bumped their foreheads together and whispered with a laugh. Thanks for seeing me in a good light, but the words I was trying to lead you to were….

“That I’m insensitive to hunger, you idiot.”

“That’s right, Weather. That’s exactly what I was about to say.”

Jester chuckled and rubbed their foreheads together. Soft breaths mingled where their noses naturally brushed. A warm palm traveled over the nape of Weather’s neck and rummaged through the hair at the back of his head.

When he pulled him gently just like that, their lips met and their bodies overlapped. Jester, embracing the familiar weight, leaned back, and Weather naturally lay on top of him, kissing the tip of Jester’s chin. A playful succession of kisses, avoiding only the lips, continued without a break.

“You’re so mean, Weather. My lips are feeling left out.”

Jester, who had been caressing the small of his back inside his t-shirt, cupped Weather’s face and pulled him in to bite his lip. It was retaliation for the mischievous teasing, but unlike the lips that nibbled and gnawed, the hand cupping his cheek moved gently.

Jester, smiling as he looked at the mark his own teeth left on the lip, devoured Weather’s lips so that not a single breath could escape.

It was something he always felt, but when it came to Weather, his body was so easy. Seeing how his breathing became this messy and ragged just from a kiss.

And it was the same for Weather, too. His body kept jolting from the aftereffects of his ragged breaths. As their swollen groins rubbed together, his skin became so sensitive it felt like it was on edge. Weather, pulling away from the slickly clinging lips, sat up. As soon as he relaxed his lower body, which was straddling him, the bulk of Jester’s volume pressed heavily against him. A dense breath flowed from below.

“…Rub it just like that, Weather.”

Jester whispered, grabbing Weather’s hip bones and slipping his pinky finger into the gap of his pants. Staring intently at the feverish eyes, Weather moved his hips in a slow, grinding motion.

Slipping in his ring finger as well, the fingertips that had been caressing the skin beneath the fabric slowly traveled up the body. The wrinkles of the t-shirt that rolled up following his touch. The line of the body revealed beneath it had now become something he could draw even with his eyes closed. Jester, who had been stroking the area around his navel with his thumb, moved his hand along the finely-wrought curves.

“Ha, ah….”

Press, as he firmly pressed down on the hard nipple, Weather’s breath deepened. He gazed intently at the disheveled face while gently caressing the area around the nub with his thumb.

He suppressed the desire to lift his upper body, bury his face, and suckle to his heart’s content, and instead stuck out the tip of his tongue to wet his thumb with saliva. He then rubbed the nipple again. When he mischievously pinched it, then gently swept the surrounding area, the body, which had become sensitive to sensation, would flinch and jump.

“Ngh….”

Weather’s upper body leaned back. His two arms, stretched out behind him, grabbed Jester’s thighs. Weather, tilting his head back at an angle, looked down and stared at Jester.

Aroused by the metallic rasp he could feel between their breaths, Jester shot up his upper body in one go. He stripped off the t-shirt caught on his fingers and licked the shell of Weather’s ear. Weather supported his own neck, which was hot enough to burn, with one hand and pulled him in the direction he wanted. It was his left breast, where the red scar trailed down.

“You didn’t, …touch here.”

Jester, hearing the voice from above his hair, smiled languidly and nuzzled his nose over the scar. He then sucked hard on the skin of the chest and said with a heated exhale.

“Mmhmm. …I was holding back for this.”

To see you urge me on. Jester, who whispered so, tormented the skin voraciously. In his excitement, he could not control the force with which he buried his face. Weather’s body kept tilting, so he wrapped his arms fully around his waist to support his balance.

He buried his face in the firm chest and mindlessly smeared saliva, nuzzling his nose and sucking on the skin. He liked the low moans that flowed between the slick sounds. He liked the force that clutched his head and the sensation of his earlobe being nibbled. His pants had long since been soaked through.

“Ah, Jester, …stop, haah…. Stop it now.”

The chewed-on skin was swollen and puffy. The scar, made of delicate lines, was also blurred by the bite marks, turning red and losing its original shape. Weather looked down at his messy chest, then shifted his gaze to Jester’s ear.

Though not as bad as his chest, it was still a mess of saliva and bite marks from being constantly nibbled and sucked on. He somehow felt like laughing. Even dogs’ mouthing probably wouldn’t be this bad.

“Sorry, Weather. Did it hurt?”

“What do you take me for. This much just tickles. And I think the one in pain isn’t me, but this over here.”

Weather, who had let out a small laugh, rubbed Jester’s thigh. The heat of the erection, hard enough to be painful under the fabric, lingered in Weather’s hand. Haa, Jester, letting out an excited breath, reached out and covered the back of Weather’s hand that was on his center, pressing down firmly.

“It doesn’t hurt. It feels good, actually. Press harder.”

Weather stared, mesmerized, at the face consumed by ecstasy, then kissed the flushed cheek. He undid the pants buckle and zipper and gripped Jester’s hard, swollen erection.

The heat of the penis felt in his palm and the heat of the hand covering the back of his own. A face stained with lust, yet with a somehow pitiful aspect to it. All of it heightened his senses. Weather whispered lowly.

“Should I put it in?”

Jester, the corners of his eyes flushed red, smiled as if he were blooming. Yeah. I’d like that, he whispered, supporting Weather’s waist and head and carefully tilting his body. He placed a cushion under Weather’s head and crossed his arms to throw off his shirt. He paid no mind to Alisa’s badge. Weather, who was lifting his hips to help him take off his pants, was flustered.

“Wait, didn’t the badge get torn?”

“It’s fine. He’ll understand. He’s a big-hearted friend.”

And even if he’s not, what can I do. Jester, who had brought the gel from the nightstand, shrugged his shoulders. And taking his position while stroking the straightly stretched legs, he slowly lowered his body.

He rubbed his lips against the tip of the rigidly erect penis and took it in. As he swallowed it deep into his throat in one go, Weather twisted his upper body. He hastily reached out his hand and cupped Jester’s face.

“Jester, that’s enough. Just put it in.”

“Why? You like it.”

Jester, who had released the penis due to forcefully lifting his head, wore a disappointed expression. Weather, who had propped himself up at an angle on his elbows, wiped Jester’s saliva-slicked lips.

“Because I don’t want to come right now. I don’t think I have the confidence to hold back today. I want to come while we’re doing it.”

At those words, Jester smiled somewhat shyly, planted a quick kiss on the tip, and sat up.

“Yeah. I understand, Weather.”

He immediately applied gel and carefully parted Weather’s inner walls. Perhaps because they had done some light insertion this morning as well, the inside quickly loosened up and became soft. The gel, melted by the heat of his fingers, evenly coated the inside.

As the slick noises grew louder, his mouth became bone dry. As he was gnawing on his dry lips, Weather whispered, come here. Jester, continuing the movement of his fingers, lowered his upper body. Weather leaned his head forward and took Jester’s lower lip, marked with teeth imprints, into his mouth.

Every time he added a finger, the suction on his lower lip grew stronger. Their breathing became ragged as their hot breaths intertwined. When his veined neck began to tremble, Weather spoke without parting their lips.;

“Now, put it in.”

Jester withdrew his hand and pushed his erection in at once.

“Ha, ah…!”

“Hngh…!”

The sense of volume pushing through the inner flesh and the feeling of the inner walls clinging tenaciously created a sharp pleasure. Jester gripped the hard hip bones and pulled him in tight. As the penis was swallowed to the root in one go, Weather’s body twitched as if in a seizure. The inner walls tightened as if to squeeze the penis. A beast-like groan escaped on its own.

“Hh, ngh…!”

Even though he knew it could not go any further, Jester put his weight into it. Weather, embracing the body pressing down heavily, grabbed Jester’s shoulder blades. Jester, reveling in the pressure that squeezed his entire body, began to thrust while still inside.