The night air enveloped Tristan as he sat on a park bench beside Loraura, its chill a stark contrast to the warmth of their conversation.
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"What do we do now?" Tristan pondered aloud, his thoughts consumed by uncertainty, oblivious to the goddess's silent empathy beside him.
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"I'm sorry, Mr. Cunningham," Loraura murmured softly.
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Tristan's brow furrowed in confusion. "Apologize for what?" he inquired, his gaze fixed on her.
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Loraura lowered her eyes, a shadow of regret crossing her features. "For bringing you only sorrow," she confessed.
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A gentle smile tugged at Tristan's lips as he chuckled, scratching his head in bemusement. "Don't blame yourself, Ms. Loraura," he reassured her. "If anything, it's my own fault for making such an unreasonable wish," he admitted.
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Rising from the bench, Tristan clapped his hands together, determination lighting up his features. "Let's focus on finding a place to stay for now, Ms. Loraura," he suggested, extending a hand to help her up.
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Loraura's smile widened at his gesture as she rose to her feet, facing him. "Agreed," she replied warmly. "And please, Mr. Cunningham, just call me Loraura," she added, her eyes sparkling with hope.
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Tristan met Loraura's joyful gaze, his heart lightening at her enthusiasm. With a slight nod, he accepted her agreement.
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"Okay, Loraura," he repeated, the name feeling more natural on his tongue with each utterance. "Well I guess you can just call me Tristan than." he added, extending his hand towards her.
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Their hands met in a warm clasp, and Tristan's smile widened at the connection. "Let's take care of each other, alright?" he proposed earnestly.
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Loraura's eyes sparkled with newfound resolve as she tightened her grip on his hand, a radiant smile spreading across her face. "Yes," she affirmed, her voice filled with sincerity and hope.
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Tristan led the way down the bustling street, Loraura trailing behind him, her eyes alight with curiosity as she took in their surroundings. Meanwhile, Tristan's mind churned with thoughts, pondering their next steps.
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Surveying the apartment complexes they passed, Tristan couldn't shake the concern over their high rents. The weight of responsibility settled on his shoulders as he considered their limited options.
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Lost in his contemplation, Tristan's thoughts briefly drifted to his classes at Flowerwell College, scheduled for the day. However, the presence of Loraura by his side made him hesitate. He couldn't bear the idea of leaving her alone, vulnerable amidst unfamiliar surroundings.
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"Are my clothes truly strange?" Loraura's voice cut through his reverie, her gaze fixed on him expectantly.
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Tristan turned to face her, a hint of surprise flickering across his features. "You read my mind again?" he queried, a blush creeping up his cheeks.
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Loraura nodded, her expression unapologetic.
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Tristan sighed inwardly, resolving to adjust to this newfound aspect of their bond in due time. "Your clothes are beautiful," he affirmed, meeting her gaze with sincerity. "But they do stand out in this town, Loraura," he admitted gently, hoping to reassure her.
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Loraura glanced down at her attire, a determined glint in her eyes. "Alright," she murmured, closing her eyes briefly.
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Tristan's eyebrows shot up in surprise as Loraura's form began to emit a radiant glow once again. Though he had witnessed her abilities before, the sight never failed to astonish him.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Cyi6HfvME
As her transformation unfolded, Tristan observed in awe as Loraura's ethereal white robes shifted seamlessly into a more mundane ensemble—a simple white and blue dress that flowed gracefully to her knees, paired with sandals that adorned her feet.
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Breaking free from his trance, Tristan scanned their surroundings cautiously, ensuring no prying eyes lingered on them.
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Loraura turned towards him, a bright smile lighting up her face as she gestured towards her new attire. "What do you think?" she inquired eagerly.
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Tristan hesitated, his concern etched on his features. "It looks wonderful, Loraura," he replied, his tone gentle yet apprehensive. "But using your powers in public... it could attract unwanted attention," he cautioned.
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Loraura's brow furrowed in confusion. "But why?" she questioned, her innocence evident in her earnest inquiry.
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Tristan's words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of caution and concern. Loraura's brow furrowed in contemplation as she absorbed his explanation.
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"People fear what they don't understand," Tristan elaborated gently, his gaze softening with empathy. "Using your powers openly might attract unwanted attention and make others uncomfortable."
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Loraura nodded slowly, her expression reflecting understanding mingled with a tinge of sadness. "I see," she murmured, her eyes downcast.
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Tristan reached out, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "It's not that your powers aren't amazing," he reassured her, offering a small smile. "It's just that not everyone is ready to accept them yet."
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Loraura fell silent for a moment, her gaze drifting downwards as she pondered the implications of her powers in this new world. "I understand," she murmured, lifting her eyes to meet Tristan's with a faint smile.
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"It's remarkable how much this world has changed," she remarked softly. "If my abilities only serve to complicate things for you, then I won't use them."
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Tristan's smile widened at her considerate gesture. "Thank you, Loraura," he said warmly, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over him.
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Tristan's voice carried a hint of melancholy as he spoke. "It's time to head home," he said, his smile fading slightly.
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Loraura furrowed her brow, sensing the change in Tristan's demeanor. "Home?" she echoed, her gaze searching his face for clues.
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Tristan nodded, his expression tinged with a mix of longing and resignation. "Yes, home," he confirmed softly.
***
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As the vibrant hues of the sunset painted the sky in shades of orange, Tristan and Loraura stood before a towering wooden gate adorned with the inscription "Cunningham Residence."
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Loraura gazed up at the imposing structure, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "Is this your home?" she inquired, her voice soft with wonder.
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Tristan's shoulders sagged slightly as he regarded the gate with a mix of weariness and resignation. "No," he admitted with a weary sigh. "This belongs to my father."
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A wistful chuckle escaped Tristan's lips as he confessed, "I had hoped to avoid coming here if I could help it. But it seems I have no choice in the matter."
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Turning to face Loraura, Tristan offered her a small, apologetic smile. "Welcome to my family's estate," he said, his voice tinged with both nostalgia and apprehension. "Welcome to Kami Oni No Ken."
***
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Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
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