BONUS: Shifting Tides (Explicit Version of Chapter 42)

***

Ravel has arrived at Fantasia’s apartment and knocks on the door, announcing his presence.

The door swing open, revealing Fantasia’s intimidating father standing before him.

“Who the hell are you?!” He shouts at Ravel.

“G-good afternoon, Mr. Swan! It’s me, Ravel, Fantasia called me here.”

“Oh, Ravel? You look different, hahah!”

No I don’t.

“Come on in! And I told you to call me Father, you brat!”

Mr. Swan allows Ravel to enter, pointing out his daughter is in her room.

When Ravel makes his way inside, he discovers Fantasia in her saggy home clothes, absorbed in her favorite Pokinon game, being louder than usual, mashing the buttons aggressively.

“Die, die, die!!! Hahaha! I’m the best tamer in the world, you filthy sorry excuse of a Champion!!”

“F-Fantasia?”

She gets startled by Ravel, abandoning her violent nature that she reveals only when she plays Pokinon.

“Babe, you’re here!!” She jumps off her bed and embraces him tightly.

So you did take after your father in some way after all.

Ravel squeezes her even tighter, “I’ve missed you so much, love.”

Oh, I can feel she’s not wearing a bra again.

Once they release each other from the hug, she looks into his eyes. “We’ve been apart only for two days, haha.”

“Two worst days of my life!”

“Aww, you’re so sweet. Come on, sit over there!”

He sits down on the bed, leaning his back against the wall, while Fantasia fetches another game console, identical to hers.

“Here!” She throws herself on the bed, lying down, resting her feet on his thighs. “This thing has a synchronize function so we can play together. Let’s have a battle!”

“But I haven’t played this game in years.”

“It’s gonna be fine~, or do you think you would even have a chance to defeat the Master?”

“You’re talking about yourself?”

“Hehe. Choose your fighters. Now,” she resumes her antihero persona.

“Okay, but don’t cry if you lose!”

“Hehehe, don’t worry about me, little boy.”

After a fierce battle of two tamers, Ravel emerges victorious.

“Whaaaat?? How could this be??” Tears well up in Fantasia’s eyes.

“I told you to not cry, little girl. Just because you’re my girlfriend, I wasn’t gonna go easy on you.”

“Ravel’s such a brute!! I don’t like him!” She pouts.

“Hahahah, you’re so cuuuute! I’ve never seen you like this!” He playfully tickles the soles of her feet, which makes her legs squirm.

“Stop it, you, you, you wanna-be tamer!” She throws a pillow at him, which bounces off to the floor.

“Awww, she’s ticklish!!” Ravel seizes her legs and starts tickling her feet even harder.

“Noooo!!!! Ahahah, stop iiiit, ahahah!” Her laughter is mixed with tears.

Mr. Swan knocks on the door and shouts through them.

“What’s going on over there?!”

Ravel freezes, realizing the potential misunderstanding.

“Daddy! Ravel is touching me on my intimate parts!”

“What?!” The Father’s voice turns furious.

Ravel feels a cold sweat on his forehead.

“Yeah, he’s tickling me on my feet!”

“Oh… nevermind, some work came up, so I’m gonna head out. I didn’t prepare any dinner so order some food.” Mr. Swan's footsteps faded as he left the apartment.

“You’re so insidious! Why did you say that to him?”

Fantasia chuckles, “Sorry, sorry! I’ll never do that again, I got carried away!”

“No, I’m sorry, I won’t tickle you anymore. Truce?” Ravel extends his hand, offering a handshake to Fantasia.

“Truce,” She accepts it and uses it to pull him towards her.

Ravel ends up lying on top of her, breathing heavily because of the ‘fighting’ that just transpired. With their faces inches apart, he looks directly into her wet eyes.

Fantasia touches his face with her hands and caresses him gently.

“S-so why’d you call me up?” His face turns red.

“I desperately wanted to be with you. No trips, no activities… just me and you, enjoying ourselves in this kingdom of mine.”

“I can’t feel relaxed with that scary man behind the door.”

“He’s gone now.”

“Oh… should we just…?”

Ravel didn’t intend to finish the sentence, but in a moment of sweet surrender, Fantasia pulled Ravel closer. With tender affection, their lips met in a passionate kiss.

I can feel how sweet she is.

Their hearts beat in sync. Each kiss was a symphony of emotions as their tongues mingled in a slow, tantalizing rhythm, exploring the depths of their bond.

I want to feel her more. I can’t express my love enough.

In that blissful embrace, every worry and doubt melted away. They savored the taste of one another and the intoxicating blend of their breaths.

My body flares up, my mind goes blank.

Fantasia’s eyes got struck with a thunder of surprise as she felt a subtle, electric connection with Ravel, a silent declaration of his desire.

“Fantasia…” he whispers intensely.

“Ravel… I…” she speaks in a soft voice.

Fantasia's longing intensified. A fire ignited within her, as she yearned for intimacy with Ravel. Her soul was filled with anticipation, aching for the depth of their love to be expressed physically, uniting them in a way that words couldn't capture.

***

Lying next to each other in her bed, Ravel and Fantasia wear a comfortable expression on their faces as they continue battling against each other in the game of Pokinon. Fantasia’s unusually calm and focused, but they’re disturbed by a powerful growl released from both of their stomachs.

“Damn, we forgot to order something to eat!” Ravel gets up from the bed and reaches for his mobile phone.

“Why don’t we go outside?”

“Didn’t you want to just stay here for today?”

“I feel like we’ve had enough fun for now,” She grins mischievously at him.

“I’m dating a pervert!”

“But really, I’ve been craving that ostrich steak at the restaurant where we had our first ‘date’.”

“T-that one?? But Fantasia…” memories of the uncomfortable situations flood his mind.

“Don’t worry! I’m paying this time!”

“No, that’s not an issue… Besides, I should be the one paying!”

“Oh come on, sweetie, you’re just a poor student. I’m the one with a part time job.”

That hurt. But she’s right.

“W-well, if you insist…” Ravel reluctantly agrees.

I better order something cheap, that restaurant’s insane. But… is it really gonna be okay?

***

Entering the luxurious restaurant and making their way to the host, Ravel realizes it’s somebody different this time. He inquires about a table for two, the host’s gaze falls upon Fantasia.

“Absolutely, sir. Please follow me, I’ll lead you to a table for you and your lovely lady!” The host shows a genuine and distinguished smile.

“Here you are, sir, madam.”

The host seats them at the table, bowing his head respectfully.

I guess this is how a professional should do their work, unlike the guy we encountered last time.

Aware of the restaurant’s dress code, the couple still doesn’t match its tone, as they’re clad in their usual clothes they would wear anywhere else.

A waiter approaches their table, ready to take their order. Ravel’s eyebrows furrow as he recognizes the waiter from before.

That’s the jerk!

“Good evening, sir, madam! You look fantastic. How may I serve our young guests today?” The man asks attentively.

Ravel subconsciously glares at him, thinking back to all the horrible things the waiter whispered to him. It hurts him twice more today as it hurt him back then, since this time, the words that echo in his mind are directed at a girl he’s madly in love with.

“Is there anything wrong, sir?” The waiter spots Ravel’s discomfort.

“No, everything’s fine…” Ravel manages to relax his face muscles.

“Can I go with the ostrich steak? I’ve had it here before and it was super tasty!” Fantasia makes her order.

“Absolutely, madam. We’re happy to know that such a lovely young lady likes returning to our restaurant. And how about you, sir?”

What’s going on? Did he get yelled at for his inappropriate behavior? No, we never complained to anybody, so that’s not it…

“I’ll have… just chips with a sauce. I’m not that hungry.”

“No! Bring him also that special duck from your menu! He liked it the last time!”

Fantasia, what are you…?

“Shall I bring it for you, sir?”

“…sure.”

After the waiter bows his head in respect, he takes the menu from their table and departs to have the meals prepared.

“Do you take me for a fool? You haven’t eaten whole day and you want to have only some lousy chips? I said it’s on me and it’s fine! So why a girl shouldn’t take her boyfriend out and pay from time to time?”

Fantasia… your aura feels like that of a woman now.

And I would know.

After all, I too have just started to view the world around me as a grown up man for the first time ever.

CHAPTER 42: END