[Music Recommendation: "Tiptoe Thru The Tulips" by O'Neill Brothers (instrumental only)-available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in a loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this chapter ~

[Please note: This chapter is written in Hora's POV - after their steamy kiss (0///0)]

"Ahm, Hora. Do you know what happens after a kiss?" Verrill asked me.

Hmm… What a weird question. Was something supposed to happen after a kiss?

Confused by where he's going with his question, I answered, "Uuuuhhh… a hug?"

"Pft! Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!" he burst out laughing.

Now what did I do? Did I say something wrong? Was it supposed to be a joke? I didn't get it though. I tried to laugh with him but ended up laughing awkwardly. I blinked my eyes a couple of times, thinking why in the world was he laughing at me but nothing came to mind. At times like these, it's better to ask.

"Why are you laughing? Did I get it wrong?"

Verrill took a few minutes before his laughter died down and responded to me.

"You're really too cute," he said, "and innocent."

"Hmf! I don't understand so explain it plainly to me," I demanded.

But Verrill just smiled at me so handsomely and patted my head.

"I'll tell you when you're older."

"HUH?! What do you take me for? A kid? Hmf! Hmf!" I complained, with my face fuming in anger.

"Are you sure you want me to tell you? You're not gonna like it… I think," he smirked.

Tsk. So cheeky. Bad Verrill. Bad, bad! If I had pepper spray, I'm gonna spray you right now just to annoy you. Hmf! At times like these, I noticed he always turned into a naughty prince, being all cheeky on me, compared to his usual kind and perfect prince demeanor. It was like he suddenly grew horns on that little head of his.

Verrill probably noticed me pouting and sulking, he gave in and explained it to me—in his own way, I guess.

"Hmmm… How do I say this? I don't think I'm the one who should explain it to you but…"

"Oh, come on! Just say it! You're making me curious."

"It's really best explained by female friends, or maybe your mother or aunt."

"Do I look like I can wait for the next day to get answers? I'm already impatient enough with Silky's matter."

"Uhm, alright. If you insist."

'Yes! Finally! I'm not a kid so I'm prepared for whatever it is.'

My mouth stretched into a grin when Verrill conceded. I won AGAIN. He-he. It seemed that he was weak against my complaints and charms… I think. I got up and faced him, staring into his eyes, and eagerly waiting for the answer.

Verrill breathed in deeply before saying it to me.

"Ahm, you see…" he started, with his face slightly blushing. "You're familiar with the ah—reproductive system of a person, right? It's taught during grade school, it should be the same for your country, right?"

"Uuuuuhhh… yeah," I answered, hesitantly.

…

…

…

'Ohhh-Emmmm-Giiiii!!! Is this what I think it is? Is THAT what he meant? T-t-the thing husbands do to their wives? T-to have children?…'

My eyes widened in shock and my whole body froze up.

'I shouldn't have asked that! I shouldn't have asked that!'

Acknowledging my shocked expression, Verrill slowly nodded his head, probably telling me that whatever I'm thinking was right. Like his blushing face, mine went beyond that. How embarrassing! That's why he said it would be best said by a female friend or my mother or aunt! My goodness! I should have listened to him! Hora, why you gotta be so—AAAAAHHHH!!!

My whole face probably did a bunch of mixed expressions already seeing Verrill chuckled, looking at my face. He must have found it so amusing to watch my reaction. Hmf! Bad Verrill! Spray!

But then again… in school, we were only told about how the sperm and egg cells meet, and then it grows into an embryo and all that scientific stuff, until it becomes a baby. It was never specified how so the question still remained.

'What is it that goes after a kiss? Like what's the next step? I wouldn't get pregnant over a kiss, right? We've been kissing lots, too soooooo… Wait, no. I think there was something else in those textbooks. But I forgot.'

"So, do you understand now?" Verrill asked, bursting my bubble of thoughts.

"… Uuuuhhh. I think I get it now but…. I still don't know what exactly comes after a kiss."

Verrill's eyes widened, and his mouth hung open, trying to find the next right words to say to me. I'm so sorry. I really didn't know. Maybe I should just ask Sena or Crystal about it. I'm too shy to ask mom or Aunt Vora about that stuff.

"Ehem," Verrill cleared his throat. He touched the back of his neck and leaned a bit further from me. Was he feeling shy? "I think… we should end that topic here. I'm not really the best person to explain that to you."

"Oh, okay. I'll stop then."

"Or maybe it's better for you to not know until it happens," he added, smiling—wait, for a moment there I thought I saw his expression become… mischievous for some reason. Hmmm… Oh well. Whatever. This time, I'm listening to his advice and save the question for another day—for Sena and Crystal to answer.

Anywaaaaay, I was completely satisfied with our kiss. It's time to sleep. But me, who wanted to cuddle for a bit more with Verrill, asked him yet another favor.

"Uhmmm… Verrill," I called his name while he tucked my back to bed, and patted my head. "Can you, ahm…"

"Hm? What is it?"

"Come here," I said as I waved my hands.

Verrill came closer and I mischievously pulled him beside me. He-he-he.

"Ah—H-Hora, we shouldn't sleep together like this."

"Hm? Don't worry, it's fine. Or just stay there until I fall asleep. Pleeease?" I pleaded cutely. He wouldn't be able to say no to that, right?

The shocked Verrill sighed and smiled at me, in a conceding way.

"Alright. Until you fall asleep."

"Yaaaay!" I exclaimed in happiness.

Then, I jumped over him and hugged him tight, scooching into his arms.

'Aaaaah… so comfortable. I never thought I'd be this comfortable hugging a man.'

And just like that, I immediately fell asleep in Verrill's arms. It didn't even take me a few minutes. Good night world! This poor me shall retire for the night.