“I really.. really.. don't.. don't do this here..”
Really? Your reaction clearly suggests.. or—
The Man suddenly stopped his movements, his tongue curling over his earlobe. "Are you recalling what Arthur said to you at this moment? Do you want to know what kind of robust muscles a man like him possesses, someone who can display such strength even through a mere handshake?"
—Ah?!
Wood was shocked by his words, his body, which was currently locked in a struggle at a high position, suddenly tensed up like a drawn bow, then—
..
Um.. I just.. I actually.. I actually..
Wood, gradually relaxing, trembled in speechlessness; he never imagined that he would actually—
So you truly have sexual expectations for him?
No! It's not that!
Wood said with extreme embarrassment, "When the Boss suddenly brought him up at a time like that, I.. I would, of course.. would.."
I know.
Master soothed his still-agitated body and said Amiably, "If you decide to give him a try, I won't mind, but afterward, you must recount every single thing you did with him to me in detail and truthfully."
“Why?”
Wood did not understand.
Because I want to know your true needs.
Real needs..
Wood was somewhat bewildered.
.. Even though every instance between us is based on consent, our relationship began with a partial abduction, an imbalance of power still exists to this day. This means it is difficult, almost impossible, for you to show your truest self to me—I want to understand your true thoughts, I want to grasp your true needs.
But this.. this has, Mister Arthur.. and..
Because..
Master lowered his head and bit his earlobe: "The body reaches the essence of the Soul more profoundly than language or thought."
Nnh.. mmm..
..
..
By the time things were finished, it was already late at night.
His body, half-lit and half-shadowed, lay in the dim light. The surroundings were deathly silent, filled only with glass display cases containing either eerie or ancient exhibits. Immersed in this setting, Wood couldn't help but shudder.
I feel, I feel like..
Cold?
I don't know, but I always feel like—
Whimper..
In the corner, Little Anubis suddenly let out a grievance-filled whimper.
Wood looked at Master, who gave a slight nod.
Wood then waved to call Little Anubis, upon hearing the call, the Puppy ran out from the corner with quick, small steps and rushed over to lick Wood's foot.
Don't, don't do that!
Wood felt an itch in the soles of his feet as it licked him, struggling to make it stop.
Just then—
Regarding the matter between Merlin and Lancelot—when do you plan on telling him?
（..）
Wood froze for a moment, then looked up and told Master, "Boss, I'm not spacing out because of Mister Arthur; it's actually because of a strange thing I heard earlier today."
What happened?
Master Merlin and the Knight of the Lake, Lancelot.
Oh?
It went something like this..
Wood told Master everything he knew about Master Merlin, who had suddenly appeared in the Glastonbury area, the young man Merlin treated as Lancelot, including the strange conversation he heard in his ears when he saw the photos of the two.
.. Boss, why did this happen? Is there some special connection between me and them?
You want to know why?
Mm.
Wood said distressfully, "I want to know the truth, but my subconscious thinks that knowing the truth wouldn't be a good thing for me.. Little Anubis also told me not to accept that old man Jason's invitation to go on a business trip to England on the company's dime.. As I walked out of the office area, I felt very conflicted, then when I returned to you, Boss, I ran into.. Even though it was our first meeting, but.. especially Lancelot with me, Mister Arthur with me.. I always feel like there is a special relationship between us.."
You want to know what kind of relationship exists between you all?
I..
And you're worried that losing my protection will put you in danger?
I think.. I am certain now that I should stay here..
Wood said in a trance, his will gradually being replaced by another self.
Little Anubis sensed the danger and quickly moved away from Wood.
The exhibition hall, which was already quiet and cool, became exceptionally oppressive and freezing.
Why.. why is That Guy here?!
Wood" looked up and asked sharply, "Do you have a connection with Him—
Arthur and I are just ordinary friends.
What about Merlin and Lancelot?
Merlin's seal will naturally be released when the time comes, it's only natural that Lancelot doesn't want to admit he is Lancelot—the way they acted back then was truly unsightly.
—You know that what I truly want to ask is not these things.
Oh? And what is it you want to ask?
Master was clearly playing dumb.
Wood" saw through Master's perfunctory response and announced coldly, "Since you are unwilling to give a clear answer, That Guy has shown a great deal of interest in me, I think I should make a trip to England! To uncover the truth!
..
..
.. Ah, ah, ah!
After a splitting headache comparable to a severe hangover, Wood's vision gradually cleared. He looked around and found himself lying on a guest bed in an unfamiliar hotel. A mobile phone was charging on the nightstand, a black suitcase sat in the corner. Mold was growing on the cheap, gaudy wallpaper.
(W-what is going on? Why am I.. I..)
(I clearly.. I clearly was, also.. also..)
Thinking of his debauched behavior with Boss, Wood couldn't help but blush.
But this only made the situation even more chaotic.
At least, for Wood, the whole thing had become somewhat incomprehensible.
(The Boss hasn't grown tired of me yet, so it shouldn't be.. so it shouldn't be that.. but I.. could it be—)
Thinking of a certain possibility, Wood jumped up from the bed in excitement, walked into the bathroom, wiped the moisture off the surface of the mirror: golden hair, green eyes, cheeks still flushed, thin lips, a pointed chin..
His gaze gradually drifted downward. Because of the low pigmentation, his skin was even fairer than that of an average person, across his body, various traces of intimacy of different depths could be found on his skin, which turned a pale pink more easily due to congestion, even.. even..
Even though I don't know exactly what happened, the face in the mirror is clearly mine, my body..
Wood muttered to himself, his anxious heart calming down somewhat.
At that moment, the phone rang.
Wood returned to the bedside and picked up his phone.
Boss?
("I am sorry, some unexpected things happened at dawn—are you alright now?")
A gentle, slightly apologetic voice of a Man came from the speaker.
I.. I.. I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing..
("Why?")
Because..
Wood gave a brief introduction to the current situation and said with a mournful face, ".. I don't even know where I am!"
("Do you have money and identification on you?")
Money? ID?!
Wood snapped back to his senses and hurriedly searched the room, opening the suitcase placed against the wall, but inside—
Nothing! No cash! No ID! My phone is working fine!
("No clothes either?")
The Man's voice carried a hint of teasing.
Wood glanced at the suitcase packed with clothes: "One suitcase of clothes."
("Open the curtains now and take a look outside—")
“Yeah.”
Wood pulled back the curtains, looking out at the slightly gloomy sky, the rolling green hills in the distance, the signpost across the street, blurted out, "Glastonbury?"
("Glastonbury?")
Yes, I seem to.. well..