Chapter 2276: Compromise

Though they each had rooms of their own, Asuka, Yo, Lily, and the tiny Earth Spirit chose to stay in the same suite. The bed within was large enough to accommodate ten people comfortably, so they just needed to be careful of rolling onto Lily's tails or inadvertently squashing their little faerie friend.

Thanks to a bushel of golden apples and a functionally bottomless teapot provided by Vahn, Asuka had quickly overcome her nausea. She had also gradually come to terms with the events that had transpired earlier in the afternoon but still felt compelled to ask, "Yo, about what you said before. You know, the thing about you loving me..."

Adopting a beaming smile, Yo leaned her head back against Asuka. The latter had been brushing her hair, so Yo was able to conveniently recline against Asuka's breasts as she answered, "I meant it. I don't think we can become lovers, but I never want us to separate. You're my first and best human friend, and I want us to remain together always."

Exhaling a sigh, Asuka adopted an ostensibly helpless expression as she reached up to gingerly caress the sides of Yo's face, a faint smile on her face as she said, "I also want us to stay together. However, I'm not sure how things will work out with both of us loving different men. Izayoi may be a perverted brute, but he is also reliable. Ever since he saved us back in the Game Board, my heart has followed him wherever he goes. Unless he went out of his way to betray me, I don't think I could ever stop loving him..."

Recalling the incident Asuka was referencing, Yo simply nodded. Izayoi had stepped in when the two of them were being accosted by members of the Apollo Familia. Apollo had taken an interest in their abilities pretty early on, so he conspired to try and forcibly recruit them. Izayoi stepped in, and, as a result, he ended up being forced to flee the city after wiping out the Apollo Familia.

Following Izayoi's departure, Asuka had worked tirelessly to increase her influence and clear his name. She ultimately failed in her goal of becoming Governess of Orario, but the experience had all but solidified her views on the rather roguish hero...

Having been paying close attention to the conversation, Lily chimed in to say, "I think you may be overcomplicating things, Asuka. I can't really see Vahn-sama or Izayoi-san becoming upset even if you and Yo entered into a relationship. Vahn-sama only wants the people around him to be happy, and Izayoi-san is more likely to joke about it than take offense."

Furrowing her brows, Asuka remarked, "That may be the case. However, it is the principle of the matter that concerns me. If Izayoi were to cheat on me with another person, be they man or woman, I'm not sure I could ever forgive him. As fond...as much as I love Yo, it would be hypocritical of me to hold him to a higher standard than myself..."

Though Asuka's words caused her to feel a little empty inside, Yo could understand what she was saying. It wasn't that Asuka didn't want to be together with her; she just didn't want to hurt Izayoi.

Thinking of solutions, Yo briefly humored the idea of asking Vahn if it was okay if she entered into a relationship with Izayoi. She got the impression he would be okay with it, but, at the same time, Yo felt a strange feeling of anxiety just thinking about being with someone other than Vahn.

Dismissing the idea nearly as quickly as she had thought of it, Yo rose to a seated position before half-turning to face Asuka as she said, "So long as we can be together like this, I'm happy. I just don't want us to grow apart and be unable to share things like we do now. Even if we both got married and started families, I would rather we raise our children together than be separated..."

Feeling her heart melt, Asuka muttered, "Oh, Yo...even after all this time, you're still so precious. Come here..."

Inviting Yo into her embrace, Asuka gave the comparably busty brunette a firm hug as she quietly added, "I can promise you this...no matter what happens with Vahn and Izayoi, our bond will remain eternal. You are like a little sister to me...no, something much, much more..."

Though she didn't go for the lips, Asuka planted a chaste yet lasting kiss on the nape of Yo's neck. Her feeling towards the latter were nearly as strong as Yo's towards her. She just didn't have what it took to abandon her principles and live a life without inhibitions. In that respect, she and Yo were polar opposites. It just so happened that opposites attracted...

...

..

.

After stepping in to prevent her from being captured by Izayoi, Maxwell, the Demon Lord of Thermodynamics, hurled the body of the scantily clad blonde in front of a petite demoness with short purple hair, saying, "Keep your pets in line. The Game hasn't even started, but one of your members nearly got taken out. Our Master will not tolerate a second mistake."

Squinting her blood-red eyes, the petite demoness began to discharge a hazy black mist from the inordinately large and frilly sleeves adorning her slender arms. She, like most people, had never