That night.

"Hey, Refi, can you drink?

　I asked Reffi, who was sitting cross-legged in front of me, groaning "Mmmm.

　The maids had already returned to their rooms and Iruna and Shi were also asleep, and next to their sleeping bodies, Reffi and I sat facing each other on a chess board.

　It has become a routine to play games before going to bed at night, and we usually play these board games together.

　By the way, I'm at a 50-50 handicap on the board now.
　I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to get a win.

"Hm? Well, I can drink. Dragons are all big drinkers to begin with. I prefer sweets, so I don't drink that much.

"Huh? Is that so?

"Mm. It's not uncommon for fools to attack a city just for the sake of drinking. Well, those who don't have the patience for that sort of thing will be taken down in a heartbeat.

　That's because ...... was a bit of a nuisance to some people.

What's this all of a sudden? I thought you didn't like to drink.

　Reffi, who has been staring at the board, looks up at you curiously.

"Oh, no, I don't dislike it. It's not that I don't like it. I told you that I went to King's Landing to help the king, didn't I? And ...... well, I got some expensive wine as a kind of reward for that. It's not a bad idea, but it's not a bad idea.

"How? If you say so, then it must be very good. Well, I'd like to taste it. Can I have one?

"Hey, I got it.

　At her words, I pick up the glass and wine bottle that I had prepared beforehand from the item box.

　When I uncorked the bottle, a nice sound could be heard and a rich aroma wafted out from inside.

　As you and Tok Tok Tok Tok Tokuaku pour the wine into their glasses, Leffi pours out a small amount.

Hmmm, a nice aroma.

Be careful with these because they're so easy to swallow and guzzle. Don't let me get drunk before you get drunk.

"How? Are you saying that I, the dragon race, the strongest and most powerful of them all, will be the first to get drunk? You're the one who made all these preparations and didn't go down easy.

　Leffy smiles wryly, and I reply with another grin.

You know what? LEFI. Those who are overconfident in their own strength always lose when they are undermined by their strength, you know?

"I'm telling you! If you insist, you'll win. You've got a big mouth, I expect you to fight hard.

"Huh ha ha! All right, I'll show you the power of the demon king.

　I clink my own glass against the one she extends to me.


　　　* * * *


"Oh, hey, you okay? Leftie

"Shut up! It's okay!

　The pancake is a great peach of a peach, and it's a great way to get your pancake to work.
　I'm sure you'll be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for, but I'm not sure if you'll be able to find it.

　You will be able to find out more about the particulars of the particulars in this article.

　...... Leffy, he was a very weak drinker.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for in a new product.
　At best, it's a little stronger than the average person.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about the newer version of the same name.
　You're not going to be disappointed.

　With a bitter smile, I fetch water from the kitchen and give it to Lephi.

Here, drink the water anyway.

"Mmmm ...... puh-uh

　After taking the glass from me and drinking all of its contents, Leffy shifts the glass and the chess board that was stopped in the middle of the glass to the side and rests her head on my lap as she falls down and scratches her cross-legged body.

　I can feel her warmth through the fabric of my nightgown.

What, you're giving up?

Playfulness. It's not over yet. Rest for now.

　The water must have sobered you up somewhat. This is a much steadier tone of voice than before.

　It's been like this since a while ago. You're quick to get drunk, but you also sober up fast.
　I guess this is a characteristic of the dragon tribe of heavy drinkers.

　I laugh at her and put a hand on her head and crumple her clear, beautiful silver hair.

"Hey, Reffi.

"Mm?

You've been pushing yourself lately.

　She chokes on her words as I say this and looks up at me.

"No, I'm not pushing myself. What's going on?

We've been together for almost six months now. You'll see in a minute how different you are from what you were a minute ago.

"............

　When Leffi is silent, I continue to speak.

"There's no need to push yourself. I don't know what Liu and the others said to you, but I enjoy watching you joke around normally, even if you don't have to. I'm happy to joke around with you. So just be your normal self.



"............ is not an overreach,

　A little embarrassed, she looked away from me and muttered, "You know, I'm sure I'm getting used to it.

Sure, I'm aware that I'm doing the breaking-in thing. But ...... it's not that I don't like it or that I'm forcing myself to do it. It's not something you want to do. It's just that ...... is so comfortable for me right now to be in contact with you.

　The refugee turns red and blurts out with a sly grin.

----

　Normally, her snow-white skin is dyed red like a ripe apple, but her expression is so beautiful and irresistibly lovable that you can't take your eyes off of Leffy, as if you're being sucked in.

　A little bit faster heartbeat.

...... Hmph, you look so dumbfounded. Okay, break's over. Now open the next bottle.

　Lifting his head from my lap, he gets down on all fours and returns to the position he was sitting in earlier.

"Oh, oh, ...... and, I mean, do you still drink?

　I asked with a deceptively dumbfounded look on my face, as if I had been fawning over it.

Of course. And we'll do the rest of the shogi.

"All right, all right, all right - you're going to get your face turned around before you know it! Now you've taken the liberty of moving your pieces!

"Huh, don't know what you're talking about? You didn't see me move it, did you? Or is it an excuse to surrender?

Good ....... It's about as good a handicap as you can get.

　I grinned at Leffy, who was still a little red in the cheeks, but had a winning grin on her face, and I took the next bottle out of the item box.


　--Then we spent the quiet of the night together until both of us were sobered up.