Yorisou 寄り添う Means Cuddle ♡

Aesop

Ever since Norton announced we’re dating, everyone in the manor kept bugging me especially the girls. They were so fond of our relationship that they tail me almost everywhere, I was very nervous, they were popping out of nowhere and asking me shamelessly about my relationship with Norton even the explicit parts of it. Sure, I was very happy Norton is proud of us that he’s announcing how much he loves me to every survivor he meets at the hallway and every match he has with the hunters he keeps shouting whenever I'm being chased. 

Don’t hurt my boyfriend!

Knight in shining armor vibe and he doesn't even look silly doing that, he looks so handsome!

The female hunters often teased both of us and letting us off the hook while the male hunters cringing with Norton’s declaration of love and surrender than hear him say sweet nothings to me. Not Jack though whenever Norton does that he chaired one of us and let the other one bleed to death then Norton goes pissing him off telling him Naib will never like a grumpy old stick, earning a slap on the face with a fog blade. 

Seriously, Norton is giving me a heart attack.

Today, I was invited by Norton in his room. We often wait for each other during our matches. 

Apparently this match is taking longer than I thought with Dream Witch, Yidhra being the hunter and with this large map, Ever sleeping town isn’t helping us either. I was teamed up with Margaretha, Fiona and Eli. We haven’t been progressing well in decoding. I sighed exasperatedly.

DING!

Someone got hit already, we still have 5 ciphers left. I checked my detector who could be hit earlier in the game and it was margaretha. I crunched my brow in dismay, she could have been an asset helping us decode faster with her red music box, guess that leaves me, eli and fiona in decoding while margaretha kite. I just need to finish this one up and move onto the next machine quickly

DING!

Another hit? I checked my detector again, this time Fiona got hit. What’s up with them? I let out a breath and told myself. Focus Aesop, If ever they got caught we have Eli and brooke rose to rescue them, Eli is a good kiter and rescuer, leave this to him and focus on decoding. 

DING!

I'm getting bothered by the continuous buzzing sound and it's about time someone got hit and chaired. I didn’t check my detector this time and concentrate on the task at hand. 

Four cipher’s left...

This place sure is exhausting to roam around, the cipher machines are way too far from each other but I have no time to complain, I have to do my best for the team. I reached the cipher machine near the gate and then I heard a hooting sound. Another hit.

Huh?

Did Eli just used brooke rose to protect himself. I scurried my pocket and look at the detector. I blinked a couple of times and my face twitched of what I saw before me. Margaretha and Fiona are already chaired and Eli incapacitated.  

“We’re screwed” I mumbled. I shook my head as I watched Eli being carried by Yidhra’s minions and Margaretha got blast off to the moon, just a little more and Fiona will join Margaretha. I just stood there rolling my eyes as Eli keeps spamming. 

Don’t rescue me!
Get out of here!
Dungeon is here!

I scratched my head and decipher a little and popped this one to open the dungeon. Did Eli say the dungeon was there? I was so preoccupied in my thoughts, I'm slowly panicking being the last survivor. I hope I can at least escape. 

I think that’s the graveyard part of the map where Eli said the dungeon were. I’m not so sure. I’m practically shaking watching as Eli’s lifeline deplete from my detector. The crows will swarm over my head anytime soon. I dashed so fast to where that location might be and to my surprise the dungeon wasn’t there

“What the hell, Eli!” I remembered Eli said the dungeon was there when I haven't popped the 2nd cipher machine yet. Stupid Aesop. I wanted to surrender so bad but if Norton is watching me. I won't fail. I tried again and locate the dungeon, having myself thrown by the whirlwind. To designate me to another place. It's not in the open area too. I ran around nervously, while decoding a little, searching for the dungeon

AHA!

I found it in the middle of the two storey japanese houses and oh boy... why am I not surprised, Yidhra is already there. I slapped my face with my hand. Her attack will hurt a lot but I still need to try. 

It's go home or go big Aesop!

“No time to think!” I puff out my chest and sprint fast to the dungeon passing through Yidhra's follower. I was huffing frantically and dragging my feet to earn that sweet escape.

SLASH

The little follower slashed my side with her violent axe

“Ack!” I groaned but kept my balance. The hunter’s action got delayed. I took the opportunity to jump to safety.

SURVIVORS LOOSE

Within a flash of light and the screen come to clear. I saw Eli running towards me, Looking apologetically,“Aesop! I’m so sor--”

“Eli! I thought the freaking dungeon was there!!!” I slapped Eli’s arm hard

“sorryyyy! I misclicked the dungeon is here and besides the dungeon is hidden when I send a message to everyone, I thought you'll ignore that one. It was supposed to be thank you then sorry” Eli scratched his cheeks awkwardly

“Why thank you?” I stopped and tilt my head in his direction

“I thought you’re going for the save”

“You dimwit! How will I save you!?”

“Beats me. I’m sure you're going to be terror shock right away so we can die together!” Eli flail his hands happily

“SERIOUSLY! ELI--!”

“Aesop” Both Eli and I stopped our banter and looked at where the voice was coming from.

A tall dark haired man with beautiful onyx eyes approached us.

“Norton.” I happily greet my boyfriend with a bright smile as soon as I saw him. I heard a giggling sound to my side

“Here comes your broom~”

“Broom!?”

“I mean groom! Why did I say broom?”

“I don't know Eli, I don't know.” I rolled my eyes at him

Norton's brow knitted perfectly, batting an eye at us. Why is that? Maybe he’s in a bad mood today. I was gonna whisper something to Eli but he placed a hand on my shoulder

“Gotta go Aesop. See you around.” In a haste, Eli left.

That was weird. 

I watched Eli disappeared from my view and turn to Norton. I saw his expression soften. 

“Hey Aesop can you wait for me in my room. I'll just do something really quick.”

“Oh? Sure.”

“Thanks” Norton smiled,“I love you, Aesop.”

Another one of his bold affection. I was so flustered, His actions gets me everytime,"Uh… a-ah… I… lo--love you too, N-n-n-norton!” I stammered, having my eyes fixed on the ground. Norton chuckled at my reaction.

“Goodness guys dont flirt here” Maragertha and fiona giggled. AHH!! They witness it again! I covered my face with my palm and hurriedly ran towards Norton's room.

"That was so embarrassing!" 

****

I was waiting for Norton inside his room, flopping in his bed while I fiddle with my phone,"I'm so bored! Where's norton???"

After a few minutes I was about to doze off then I heard a clicking sound from the door. It's about time! My boyfriend has arrived. I placed my phone at the table and greet him

“Welcome back”

“Hey Aes, you’re looking cute as usual” 

“Uhm...are you trying to kill me with your compliment? But thanks... I guess." I looked away shyly,"So, where have you been?”

“Just run a few errands and tire myself out.” Norton run his fingers through his hair as he makes his way to me.

“Take care of yourself okay? Some of the survivors at the manor are getting sick nowadays. You need to eat a lot and stay healthy. It’ll be troublesome if you play a match when you’re sick” I reached for his face, caressing it lovingly.

“True though and It IS getting cold.” Norton envelop his arms around my waist, nuzzling in my chest. I run my fingers through his dark tresses

“Especially in the morning” 

“Well, we can make it warmer” Norton looked up to me with a playful smirk,"Cuddle me, Aesop.” 

"What are you a baby?" I snickered wrapping my arms around him,"My big bear"

This is one of the moments I cherished being with Norton. Our cuddle time. We usually just hug each other exchanging sweet kisses.

"Aesop." Norton spoke in a serious tone

"Hm? What is it?" I croaked my head

"You don't like Eli right? And Eli don't like you too?" I fluttered my eyes at him with a perplexed expression. That question had me cringe

I leaned back and stare at his puppy dog eyes,"What's up with you people asking me if I like Eli. To answer your question, yes, I like Eli as a BEST FRIEND and besides Eli likes Naib and Naib likes Eli."

"Really?" I saw his eyes sparkle with my answer and asked curiously,"Why wont Naib court Eli then or Eli confessed to Naib?"

"Honestly, I want to help them." I pouted. Naib won't even make a move, he was way too anxious to tell Eli his feelings and Eli just want to stay casual with Naib

"Shall we?" Norton suggested. It made me very happy. 

I poked his nose,"Why not but FIRST…"

"Hm?"

"It's so cute you get jealous, Mr. Norton Campbell and starts cuddling me~ I should get you jealous more often"

"That's not a good idea…" Norton averted his eyes," I… kinda… threatened Eli because of that"

"YOU WHAT!?" I exclaimed

"I'll apologize later...sorry"

"Poor Eli. No wonder he left a while ago, He must have noticed your jealousy." I let out a breath and kissed Norton's forehead,"In any case. Let's continue to cuddle and talk to Eli later, I need to apologize too."

"Okay. I'll make it up for Eli by helping him with Naib"

I smiled at Norton sweetly and we fondle with each other. 

END OF CHAPTER