Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Waking from a peaceful slumber, Lily was unsurprised to find Vahn cradling her in his embrace. Any time she slept near him, she never experienced any discomfort or nightmares. Any negative feelings she had would seemingly vanish into thin air. In their place, comfort and security would envelop her like a warm, heated blanket in the dead of winter...
Noticing Lily's aura stir before promptly attempting to envelop him, Vahn gave her a light pat on the back, asking, "Feeling better...?" in a soothing tone.
Hearing Vahn's voice, Lily reconsidered her growing desire to pretend to be asleep. She didn't think he would mind, so, after a moment of deliberation, she closed her eyes and refused to answer. This caused an awkward smile to develop across Vahn's face, but, as Lily had anticipated, he didn't say or do anything to try and dislodge her. Instead, he waited patiently for Lily to 'wake up' and answer his questions of her own accord.
Fortunately, even in her borderline bereaved state, Lily was still the same kind, caring, and incredibly dependable girl she had always been. After around five minutes had passed, her guilt regarding the possibility she may be inconveniencing Vahn grew beyond her selfishness. She nuzzled against him one last time, and, after a final squeeze, sat a little straighter on his lap to answer, "I can still feel an ache deep inside my chest...but I am feeling a lot better..."
Nodding his head in approval, Vahn extended his hands to caress the sides of Lily's face, her scalp, and the base of her ears as he said, "That's good. Things like this happen every now and again. So long as you pick yourself up and keep trying, things will get better..."
Though she was initially leaning into Vahn's caress with a content smile on her face, Lily's expression quickly morphed into a sullen look as she weakly replied, "I'm not sure I want to keep trying..."
Slumping her shoulders, Lily brought her hands up to conceal her face. She couldn't even begin to describe the amount of guilt she was currently feeling, but, after trying for several months without any progress, she didn't think she could keep going. She didn't want to. If she had changed, it was because her relationship with Jin was slowly breaking her...
Noticing the concerning changes in Lily's aura, Vahn suppressed a sigh as he once again drew her close to him. She immediately returned his embrace, and, despite crying her eyes out previously, a fresh, seemingly endless stream of tears surged forth from Lily's eyes. She felt like she had just lost her best friend, and, though their relationship was less than fulfilling, she felt like she was somehow betraying Jin by refusing to try harder...
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"Hey, kid...you okay...?"
Raising his head, Jin looked up to find a young woman with bright red hair fashioned into two, inordinately long pigtails. She was dressed like a swordsman, and, though she had a somewhat grumpy expression on her face, it did little to hide the concern visible in her ruby-red eyes.
Surprised by how handsome Jin was, the red-headed woman was briefly taken back. She never expected that the young man she found sniffling in an alleyway would be such a pretty boy. His facial features and skin were somehow even fairer than hers and she spent more than an hour in front of the mirror each morning...
Shaking such thoughts from her mind, the red-headed swordswoman extended a hand towards Jin, saying, "Take my hand. I don't know what happened, but you'll feel better after we get something in your belly. You sure as hell ain't gonna fix anything by squatting down in an alleyway and crying."
Furrowing his brows, Jin refused the woman's outstretched hand, saying, "Leave me alone..." before hanging his head. This caused the woman's left eye to twitch, her outstretched hand balling into a fist as she resisted the sudden and intense urge to smack Jin upside the head.
"Damn brat..."
Leaving Jin to his brooding, the young woman disappeared from the alleyway in an apparent huff. A few minutes later, however, she came back with several piping hot meat skewers in hand before plopping down next to Jin and saying, "Here. Eat." in an authoritative tone.
Believing the woman would just go away if he ignored her, Jin neither accepted the meat skewer nor raised his head. Instead, he just continued to sulk for the better part of an hour as the woman finished off half the skewers before emulating his sulking. This caused Jin to feel more than a little annoyed, but, confident she would eventually get fed up, he continued ignoring her until the sky overhead began to darken.
"Hey...kid...you got someplace to stay? Like a Community or something?"
Hearing the woman mention Community, Jin's brows wrinkled. He was supposed to be the Leader of a Community yet here he was sitting in an alleyway and brooding. There was a good chance the others were waiting for him to arrive, so, after a lengthy period of silence, he reluctantly nodded his head and replied, "Yes..."
Exhaling in relief, the woman picked up one of the now chilled skewers before holding up her free hand to produce a bright orange flame. She ended up burning the meat a bit, but, after checking to make sure it was edible, she proferred it towards Jin and said, "That's good. I wouldn't have minded letting you crash at my place but it ain't exactly prepared for guests."
Though Jin was tempted to refuse the slightly charred skewer, sadness and longing had a way of amplifying the feeling of hunger. He also felt guilty about ignoring the woman for the better part of four and a half hours, so, after staring at the meat for several seconds, he eventually reached out to accept it, muttering, "Thanks..." in an aloof-sounding but appreciative tone.
Waiting until Jin had bitten into the skewer, the red-headed woman nodded her head in approval before saying, "The name's Helena, by the way. I'm a Sergeant serving in the Salamandra Military Police. Mind telling me your name and what you're doing here in this alleyway? I'm not the best of listeners but I know it helps to talk about things whenever you're feeling down. It sure as hell beats moping about without any purpose."
Furrowing his brows, Jin countered, "I wasn't moping...I was thinking about how I could fix things..."
Snorting through her nose, Helena picked up one of the remaining skewers, biting into it as she said, "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say. First time I ever saw someone productively crying..."
Adopting a slightly hostile expression, Jin looked directly at Helena and asked, "What do you know? Do you have any idea what I just went through? How much pain I'm feeling!?"
Chewing the cold meat from the skewer, Helena didn't so much as twitch when Jin suddenly yelled at her. Instead, she continued chomping away at the skewer until he gradually lost his momentum and slumped back against the wall.
Finished with the skewer, Helena flicked it into a nearby trash bin before saying, "I don't know jack shit about you, kid. To be perfectly honest, I don't need to. All I know is I found some brat sobbing away in the middle of an alleyway so I decided to come over to see if he needed help. If you don't want to talk about what happened, so be it. Just don't go condemning others for not understanding things you refuse to talk about. You won't get anywhere in life expecting people to magically know your thoughts."
Feeling a little thirsty, Helena rose to her feet with the intention of looking for a stand that sold beverages. Jin followed her departure with his eyes, but, after hearing what she had to say, he was genuinely at a loss for words. He didn't know if their meeting was providence or something more but Helena's words resonated strongly with his current mental state.
Ever since Lily ran off, Jin had been seriously contemplating the root cause of the problems in their relationship. The conclusion he came to was the same thing Lily had been pressing him to do ever since they started dating. He simply didn't know how to properly express himself or talk about the things that were troubling him. He was so used to bottling up and compartmentalizing everything that he would actively shut out the people trying to help him...
Realizing the root cause was his self-esteem issues, Jin hung his head in shame, muttering, "I'm a terrible Leader..."
Though she should have been out of earshot of Jin's words, Helena stopped near the mouth of the alleyway, stating, "Only if you give up..."
Widening his eyes, Jin looked in the direction of Helena only to find that she was nowhere to be seen. He rose to his feet and ran to the entrance of the alleyway, but, even after searching left and right, he saw neither hide nor hair of the redhead that had appeared out of thin air to try and help him. She had simply vanished...
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Appearing on a roof several hundred meters away from the alleyway where she had encountered Jin, a somewhat annoyed expression developed across Helena's face as she muttered, "Now what? Do I join the Military Police or should I go exploring the Northern Plains?"
Though the question was directed at herself, Helena was unsurprised when a penetratingly deep yet comforting voice emanated from behind, answering, "That's up to you. If you'd like, I can even send you to the Actualized World your Template originates from."
Shaking her head, Helena stated, "Even if my abilities are currently limited, my potential far exceeds the standard of that world. Throwing a Tier 5 into a place where horses and wyverns are considered the fastest means of transport is simply ridiculous..."
Having made up her mind by the time she was finished speaking, Helena directed her attention to the North, adding, "I may as well check the plains to the North. There's supposed to be a bunch of Fae and other Spiritual creatures roaming about. Who knows, maybe I'll find some other lost brats in need of guidance...?"
Without waiting for the voice's, Vahn's response, Helena stepped off the edge of the rooftop before blurring into a red meteor that garnered a lot of attention before disappearing beyond the horizon. The character she was Templated from had a prideful and unyielding nature. Since Vahn had given her the freedom to choose her own path, that is exactly what she intended to do...
Following the temperamental redhead's disappearance, Vahn manifested atop the roof with a wry smile on his face. Instead of chasing after or trying to call Helena back, however, he fixed his gaze on Jin, muttering, "There is only so much I can do for you, kid...if you can't overcome your personal setbacks, you have no one else to blame if Lily seeks comfort in another..."
Understanding that the person Lily was most likely to attach to was himself, Vahn couldn't help shaking his head as he turned around and vanished into thin air. He was doing his best to support them, but, understanding how much pain Lily was in, Vahn couldn't help wanting to comfort her. If Jin didn't get his act together soon, he would need to step in before she had a complete and utter mental breakdown.
Someone as kind and caring as Lily didn't deserve to suffer the anguish of a broken heart. She had already lost one family. If Jin couldn't become the pillar she relied upon, Vahn would willingly bear her burdens...
It was one of the things he was best at...
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(A/N: Alternate Titles: '*sad kitsune noises*...','Lending a hand...','When girls rebound to Vahn, they don't go back...')

After defeating a giant stone golem, a six-armed mechanical puppet, a fully outfitted blacksmith-turned-swordsman, and what appeared to be a thresher robot from an apocalyptic world, Yo had managed to secure her Community's participation in the Final 32 of the Battle of the Creators.
While most people had to struggle quite a bit during their matches, Yo quickly gained a reputation as the event's Black Horse after defeating each and every one of her opponents within the first two to three minutes of each round. She had gotten even stronger since her stay in the Game Board, as, every other day, she and Izayoi would battle it out in a specially prepared training room provided as a courtesy by Vahn.
Though she doubted she would be able to deal with the massive metal cube summoned by Vahn during her first moments in the Divine Realm, Yo was confident should would, at the very least, be able to shatter its surface and slow its fall. She could also escape from the side, but, understanding most foes would only use such an attack if there was something important at the impact site, Yo's goal was to become strong enough to destroy or prevent the cube's impact entirely...
Despite the conclusion of her final match, Yo elected to stay in her Vanargandr transformation. The sun had already descended over the 'horizon' so she actually felt even stronger than she had during the day. More importantly, however, was the fact it allowed her to track down Vahn.
After saying her farewells to the staff that had been very polite to her throughout the day, Yo made her way over to the entrance of the Royal Palace. A group of heavily outfitted Royal Guards barred her passage, but, upon confirming her identity, two of them split off to escort and show her to the Audience Chamber/Throne Room, aka the Chamber of Flames.
Stepping into the ornate red and gold chamber, Yo was surprised to find she was the only member of the No Names present. The moment she saw Vahn standing next to a young girl seated atop an excessively large throne, however, her confusion faded away as she exclaimed, "Vahn~!" in a happy tune.
Though it earned her a 'severe' look from the girl seated atop the throne, Yo, quite literally, leaped across the chamber in order to 'tackle' Vahn.&nbsp;
Despite Yo crashing into him, Vahn was able to thoroughly negate her momentum the moment she made contact with him. A wry smile developed across his face, not because he was concerned that Sandora may be upset, but because Yo didn't even try to moderate her actions. The faux tail behind her swayed like an excited puppy, her arms wrapping around him like a vice as she pressed her face, and, as a result, her rather ample bosoms against him.
Earning his own look from Sandora, Vahn returned Yo's affections by embracing her firmly enough to raise her feet from the ground. She enjoyed being picked up and practically smothered in a bear hug. It was one of her many quirks, but, considering there were women in his harem who enjoyed a number of extreme plays, Vahn didn't question it.
"I missed you..."
Rolling his eyes, Vahn set Yo down before ruffling her hair and saying, "It hasn't even been two days since our last encounter. Perhaps I'm spoiling you too much..."
Puffing out her cheeks, Yo maintained an adorable pout for several seconds before releasing it in the form of laughter. Then, with a friendly smile on her face, she turned to Sandora and said, "My name is Yo. Kasukabe Yo. You must be Princess Sandora-sama?"
Since it was pretty obvious Yo wasn't going to follow protocol, Sandora offered a curt nod before rising from her throne and answering, "Indeed. We are Sandora Doltrake, Northern Floor Master, Leader of Salamandra, and Crown Princess of the Salamandra Royal Family. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Kasukabe-san."
Taking Sandora by surprise, Yo waved her hand in a dismissive manner, her smile brightening as she said, "No need for such formalities. Others might not notice it, but I can smell Vahn's 'scent' all over you. If you're close with Vahn, that makes us friends! Maybe even sisters~!"
Opening her mouth, Sandora tried to speak but found herself unable to do so. Instead, a faint blush crept into her cheeks as she lowered her head and attempted to smell herself...
Covering the rather silly smile on her face, Yo excitedly exclaimed, "Uooooooh~!? Isn't it illegal to be this cute!?"
Having spent a considerable amount of time in the Sage Dragon's Hearth, Yo nearly pounced on Sandora without asking. Fortunately, Vahn was there to grab the collar of her jacket, his voice firm as he said, "Don't go hugging people without permission."
While he wasn't exactly a paragon when it came to following such advice, Vahn knew that Sandora wasn't accustomed to interacting with strangers. She had gradually opened her heart but the only person allowed inside at the present moment was himself. If others attempted to trespass of their own accord, there was no way of knowing how she would react.
Dragons could be very temperamental...
Fortunately for Yo, Vahn had, very recently, explained their relationship. Sandora could also tell Yo wasn't a bad person, so, before the latter could apologize, she adopted a friendly smile of her own and said, "It's okay, Vahn. Though this is our first time meeting, it would not be accurate to say that we are strangers. Rather, as Yo pointed out, we are united through a common...interest. I am not so self-centered as to prioritize my personal comfort over maintaining friendly relations with the other members of your harem..."
Taken aback by Sandora's eloquent yet overly serious speech, Yo found herself at a momentary loss for words. When she did return to her senses, she zeroed in on Sandora's final statement, a look of incredulity on her face as she turned to Vahn and asked, "What's going on...?"
Though Sandora and Vahn were covered in each other's scent, Yo never expected that the little girl standing before her was a member of the latter's harem. From what Lily had told her, she, Sandora, and Jin were all around the same age. Yo couldn't really imagine the kind and caring Vahn laying his hands on such a small girl...
Ruffling Yo's hair, a helpless expression developed across Vahn's face as he said, "Don't give me that look. Though Sandora and I have recently become engaged, we haven't engaged in any of the acts you seem to be thinking about. Get your head out of the gutter."
Supplying a playful wink and sticking her tongue out, Yo managed to escape Vahn's hand before turning to Sandora and asking, "Can I hug you~?" with one of the most radiant smiles the young Princess had ever seen.
After a moment of deliberation, Sandora swallowed the knot forming in her throat before nodding in approval. In response, Yo practically pounced on her, a somewhat goofy smile on her face as she picked Sandora up, squeezed her tightly, and spun her around. Sandora might look like a relatively normal girl but Yo could tell she was something much, much greater. To that end, Yo really wanted to be Sandora's friend.
Though Yo's breasts were practically smothering her, Sandora did her best to remain calm even as the bubbly brunette remarked, "You're a little heavier than I expected but your skin is so soft. I can tell you've been spending a lot of time with Vahn, haven't you~?"
Waiting until Yo finally released her, Sandora took a moment to fix her outfit before answering, "A dragon's bones and muscles are a lot denser than a normal human's. As for your comment about me spending a lot of time with Vahn..."
Shifting her attention towards Vahn, a rather potent blush developed across Sandora's face as she muttered, "He hasn't left my side at any point in the last three and a half days..."
Though the actual time they had spent together easily exceed a week, maybe two, Sandora often lost track of time when she and Vahn were just lounging about or talking. During those moments, he would always slow time to a crawl. It was a little disorienting, but, at the same time, it gave her the impression they had all the time in the world.
Pressing her finger on her lips, Yo appeared genuinely envious as she remarked, "Wow...I think the longest amount of time I've spent alone with Vahn was around eleven hours? I can't imagine even begin to imagine how relaxing it must be to spend several days together..."
Directing her gaze to Vahn, Yo made it pretty obvious she would like to spend more time together. At the very least, she wanted to experience what it was like to have his full and undivided attention for a full day...maybe ten...
Seeing the 'longing' in Yo's expression, Sandora couldn't help recalling the circumstances Vahn had revealed to her earlier in the day. He had also informed her that he was currently looking after Lily, so, after a moment of silence, she stated, "You don't have to imagine it. Though I have only recently come to know Vahn, I know he wouldn't refuse if you wanted to spend time together. It may not be my place to speak, but I find your 'restraint' in this matter to be pointless. You shouldn't delay your happiness for the sake of others..."
As Yo had already declared them more than friends, Sandora didn't want to see the bubbly brunette make the same mistakes she had. She would feel sorry for Jin, but, knowing Yo and Lily were both in love with Vahn, Sandora couldn't help wanting to support them.
Blushing rather fiercely in response to Sandora's admittedly rational advice, Yo briefly exchanged glances with Vahn before quickly averting her eyes and responding, "I'll think about it..." in a soft, uncharacteristically meek tone. The thing that made this scene most impactful, however, was the bushy tail swaying behind her. Yo had never dropped her Vanargandr transformation. As a result, her bashful bearing was thoroughly shattered by the enthusiastic wagging of her tail...
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Though she had long since calmed down, Lily remained seated atop Vahn's lap for several hours. The notion she was wearing a mini skirt had crossed her mind more than once, but, unwilling to part with his warmth, she practically clung to him until he pat her back a few times and revealed, "Yo entered the Palace a short while ago. I imagine the others will be arriving soon..."
Raising her head, Lily's emerald green eyes searched Vahn's for several seconds before surprising him as she asked, "Can we stay like this a while longer? I'm feeling much better than before but I don't think my heart is prepared to see Jin...I...I would rather stay here with you..."
Punctuating her statement, Lily grasped the fabric of Vahn's yukata-like tunic while turning her eyes up at him in a clear attempt to incite his sympathy. At the same time, though there was no greater meaning behind it, she squeezed her legs together and leaned into him in a way that squashed her breasts against his chest. Were it not for his ability to sense and even interact with a person's aura, Vahn would have assumed she was making a very difficult kind of appeal. In reality, she just wanted to be as close as possible to his warmth...
Feeling a sense of responsibility towards both Jin and Lily, it was around this time that Vahn created the Template of Helena. At the same time, he held Lily so that her face and head were nestled into the nook between his neck and shoulder as he whispered, "I will stay with you as long as you need. However, at some point, you will need to face the outside. We both know you're not the type to run away from things like this...you're an incredibly strong and caring person, Lily. In terms of heart, you may very well be the strongest person I know..."
Though she was initially tempted to lose herself in Vahn's aroma, Lily couldn't help paying attention whenever he spoke. When she heard his remarks about how she was a strong and caring person, a wave of guilt immediately washed over her. Not because of the matter with Jin, but because she felt as though she was taking advantage of Vahn's kindness. In spite of this, she couldn't help herself. It was just so much 'easier' to entrust herself to Vahn than it was to make an effort...
Burying her face into the space between Vahn's neck and shoulder, a sour feeling began to spread through Lily's nose as she muttered, "Just...five more minutes..."
Caressing Lily's hair, Vahn's expression and tone softened immensely as he ran his fingers through her hair and said, "No...stay as long as you want. So long as you understand we'll eventually need to leave, I don't mind even if we stay here another five days, much less five minutes..."
Sniffling in response to Vahn's words, Lily tightened her embrace around him in a manner that made it appear as though she were trying to fuse their bodies together. She didn't know how she would face Jin and the others when they finally emerged, but, for the time being, the only thing she cared about was being as close as possible to the man that never failed to provide her with comfort and advice...
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(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Yo used tackle...! It's not very-wait a minute...it's super effective!?','Sandora is a very rational young lady...','If not taken in moderation, Vahn is like a very powerful drug...')

Matching Jin's expectations, people all throughout Kouen City turned their heads when he and Lily were passing through. Many didn't even try to hide the desire in their gaze, so, even though he was supposed to be enjoying the festival with his girlfriend, his expression didn't show it. If anything, he appeared upset.
"Come on, Jin. Don't worry about what other people think. Let's just have fun, okay?"
Though he wanted to do exactly that, Jin's expression darkened when a group of burly-looking men approached them with smiles lecherous grins plastered across their faces. Lily noticed them as well, but, unlike Jin, she radiated no hostility. Instead, she exhaled an exasperated sigh before pulling him into an alleyway and whispering, "Remember what you told the others? Even if those men approach us, try not to make a scene. Just knock them out and be done with it, okay?"
Punctuating her words, Lily grabbed the sides of Jin's face before giving him an unrepentantly deep kiss. His eyes immediately widened, but, before he could even think to break free, Lily separated her lips and added, "You're strong, Jin. Stop being so gloomy all the time..."
Before Jin could respond, the trio of men that had previously 'targetted' them simply walked past the alleyway. Two of them looked over, but, other than smiling with 'knowing' looks on their faces, they didn't say or do anything. They just went about their business like everyone else.
Seeing the men walk away, a look of confusion briefly marred Jin's face before he promptly averted his eyes and muttered, "Sorry..."
Forcing Jin to stare back at her, Lily offered a comforting smile as she said, "Don't be. It makes me happy knowing you want to protect me. Just do it when the moment calls for it. If you start viewing everyone around us as potential enemies, we'll never be able to have any fun."
Though Lily's words did very little to improve his mood, Jin forced himself to nod in understanding. At the same time, however, he couldn't help thinking she could at least dress in a less eye-catching manner. She was supposed to be his girlfriend. What was the point of wearing outfits that invariably drew the attention of others? Even if she were wearing rags or thick robes, he would still love her all the same...
Noticing the hint of suspicion in Jin's eyes, a painful sensation spread through Lily's chest. It didn't show on her face, but, every time he gazed at her in such a manner, it hurt in a way she couldn't put into words.
Offering a smile as mellow and relaxing as a warm hearth in late Autumn, Lily ran her fingers along Jin's cheek before combing through his hair. She wished he would just come out and say what was on his mind. Maybe then, she wouldn't feel so lonely all the time...
Relaxing a bit due to Lily's tender and loving behavior, a faint smile developed across Jin's face as he finally reciprocated her embrace. Her warmth had a calming effect on his mind, and, though it was a little musty and animalistic at times, he had long since developed a fondness for the fragrant aroma of her hair and ears. If the thought of her refusing didn't terrify him, he would have asked if he could smell her tail as well...
Sensing the increase in pheromones exuding from Jin's body, a tingling sensation spread through Lily's tails starting at their base. Since there was a very high probability that things would become awkward when they reunited with Sandora, Lily leaned further into Jin's body, her bountiful breasts pressing into his chest as she drew her lips close to his ear and purred, "If walking around stresses you out...we can always find someplace more private..."
Punctuating her words, Lily attempted to maneuver her thigh into the gap between Jin's before the latter immediately separated from her, a crimson hue extending all the way to the tips of his ears as he exclaimed, "Lily! There are people nearby!" in a hushed, audibly stressed tone.
Though her ears briefly flattened due to her frustration, Lily suppressed her urge to punch the wall next to Jin's head as she calmly replied, "That's why I suggested we move elsewhere..."
Pressing his hand to his heart, Jin did his best to calm his breathing as he turned towards the wall in an effort to conceal the front of his body from Lily's gaze. This caused her to squint ever so slightly, her voice becoming noticeable firmer as she asked, "What are you trying to hide? We're supposed to be boyfriend and girlfriend. There's-"
"Just stop! Please...!"
Though he immediately regretted yelling, Jin didn't look back at Lily. Instead, he balled his hands into fists, head lowered as he trembled due to a mixture of embarrassment, frustration, and, regret. In spite of this, he still managed to eke out, "What happened to you, Lily? You were never like this when we were kids. Why are you so...so eager to advance our relationship? Can't we just take things slowly? You know, like Izayoi and Asuka?"
"..."
Feeling a considerable amount of guilt, the frustration in Lily's heart turned to shame as she averted her eyes from Jin's back. She wanted to contend that he was the one who changed, but, fearing she would only make things worse, she elected to remain silent. When she finally did manage to speak, her voice was strained in a manner that made Jin's heart twist as she weakly replied, "I'm sorry I'm not the girl you fell in love with in your memories..."
Without waiting for Jin's response, Lily bounded up the alley walls in a zig-zagging manner before disappearing over the canopy of the rooftops. Jin turned to try and stop her, but, despite extending his hand towards her back and crying out, "Lily! Wait...!" his legs refused to obey him. By the time he recovered enough to manifest his magical aura and fly up to the roofs above, Lily was already long gone...
"What did she mean by the girl I fell in love with in my memories? Aren't you the same person...?"
Though he was currently and understandably confused, it wouldn't take long for Jin to figure out what Lily meant. In truth, she hadn't really changed all that much. He simply wasn't there to see as she slowly developed from a young girl into a young woman. She had already been developing an interest in romance even before his entry into the Game Board. He just hadn't noticed it due to his single-minded focus on gaining strength. As a result, the version of Lily he yearned for throughout his long years of training was the same naive and innocent young girl that had supported him ever since they were children.
What Jin had failed to consider, despite Lily's warnings, was that their time apart had slowly altered the way in which he viewed even her past self. He had converted the memory of her into a near-perfect ideal, so, when she failed to behave in the way he expected, he couldn't help feeling as though there was something wrong with her. It didn't help that one of the first things he encountered when emerging from the Game Board was Lily behaving all 'lovey-dovey' towards Vahn.&nbsp;
Simply put, Jin wasn't in love with Lily. He was in love with the idea she represented. He wanted the always faithful and supportive girl that doted upon and always did everything she could to support him. This 'new', proactive Lily may as well have been a stranger that shared her memories. And now, because of his obstinance, he risked losing both...
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Though she very rarely trained, Lily was, on paper, the fourth strong member of the No Names. She could cover vast distances in a very short period of time, but, instead of attempting to escape to the other end of the city, she dropped down into the adjacent alleyway and simply waited.&nbsp;
Seeing no signs of Jin flying overhead even after several minutes had passed, Lily's ears gradually drooped until they lay flat against her head. After ten minutes, she had slouched against the wall, and, though she was wearing a short white skirt in an effort to catch Jin's attention, she paid it no mind as she pulled up her knees, buried her face into them, and complained, "Stupid Jin..."
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Having spotted Lily descending into the alleyway, two men loitering around a festival attraction kept their eyes on her for several minutes. In the beginning, they were simply curious, but, after seeing her slouch down and pull her legs up, they willfully repositioned so that they could get a better look. Upon seeing her pure white and intricate lace panties on full display, they exchanged looks with one another before placing their hands in their pockets, looking around, and making their way into the alleyway.
Despite a possessive and hungry glimmer deep in his green eyes, the bolder of the two men slowly approached Lily before asking, "Hey...you okay?" in an ostensibly concerned voice. In response, Lily didn't even bother raising her head as she warned, "Go away..." in a low, threatening tone.
Frowning in response to Lily's harsh tone, the two roguish-looking men moved to surround her as the same man from before asked, "What's with the tone? We were just worried. You know, a pretty young thing like you shouldn't be loitering around in the middle of an alleyway like this. Security is pretty tight due to the festival but there are still some less than respectable types roaming about..."
Snickering in response to his friend's words, the second of the two ruffians crouched down in front of Lily and added, "He's right, you know? How 'bout you come along with the two of us? We'll keep you safe, and, who knows? Maybe you'll feel so grateful you feel compelled to offer us a reward..."
Towards the end of his statement, the second man attempted to reach between the gap in Lily's thighs. As they got closer, both men were able to get a much better view of the contents of her skirt. Since she was so willfully displaying them, he figured he may as well sample the goods...
Without raising her head, Lily promptly squeezed the tiny crystal she had been holding in her left hand. Before the man's fingers could reach her, the space within the alleyway seemed to stagnate before an oppressive aura smashed both men into the ground. The one that tried to reach for her even had his hand and forearm crushed to a pulp as a far more handsome and reliable figure with aquamarine eyes and dark-brown hair manifested from within the void, asking, "Are you okay...?" in a far more concerned tone than either scoundrel could manage.
Springing to her feet, Lily practically leaped into Vahn's embrace before releasing the tears she had been holding back for the better part of twenty minutes. In response, he immediately wrapped his arms around her, one hand drawing her close while the other moved to caress her head.
Feeling a familiar warmth spread through her body, Lily preempted Vahn's attempt to ask about the situation, whimpering, "Please just hold me..." between silent sobs. This promptly quelled any desire Vahn had to press her for information. Instead, he hugged her closer before teleporting them to the suite he hadn't used since his first day in the Palace. Then, as Loi-chan carefully explained what had transpired, he did his best to console the crestfallen kitsune as a progressively conflicted expression developed across his face...
("Damnit, kid...how the hell did you mess things up this badly...?")
...
..
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(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Boya...','When brain big but confidence smol...','Vahn don't play...')

Chapter 2264: Breaking Point