It’s Wendy

It’s my redhaired team member, Wendy. She’s leaning with her back against a pillar while a guy from one of the other teams is talking to her. It’s Gerald, the son of that Marquis Latrine or whatever. Well, there’s nothing forbidding us from interacting with the other team members. If Wendy wants to spend time with Gerald, it’s not my place to tell her no. Though I would prefer it she didn’t fraternize with people that insulted Leona for who she is.

Yet as I walk past them, I suddenly hear Wendy call out to me.

“Darx, there you are.” The redhead says as she runs up to me.

I turn to Wendy just in time for her to hug me and press her lips again my own. Wait, what is happening?

When Wendy breaks the kiss, she quickly says, “You shouldn’t keep your girl waiting so long. Another guy might come in and steal me from you.”

Then she giggles and kisses me again.

As I look past Wendy, I see Gerald stare back with disapproval. Then he turns and walks away.

The next time Wendy breaks the kiss she whispers, “Is he gone?”

“Uhm, not yet. He’s leaving.” I whisper in return.

I then get a third kiss from her.

“Sorry about that.” Wendy apologizes after the third kiss. “He was simply not taking no for an answer.”

I see. Wendy pretended I was her boyfriend so that Gerald Latrine would give up on her.

“Don’t worry, Wendy. I’m happy I could help out.”

Wendy then leers at me with a naughty grin and says, “I’m sure you are.”

“Happy to help out a friend.” I specify, “Not getting your kisses.”

Wendy replies by pouting while saying, “Aww, you don’t like my kisses?”

“No, your kisses are fine.” I sigh after which I quickly ask a maid if I can get some food.

I then take a seat at a table while waiting for the maid to return.

“Sorry about teasing you.” Wendy apologizes while she sits next to me. “Anyways, how are you holding up?”

She must be referring to my D rank. After all, it’s the last that happened to me while she was here.

“Oh, much better.” I say as I pull out my adventurer card. Then I show her my new rank.

“Wait, I thought you were a D rank?”

I then tell Wendy all about my sparring match with Leona and then also about what Kiara told me. By the time I finish my story, the maid comes over with some leftovers.

“Really? Oh wow, that’s amazing.” Wendy says while she grabs some food from my plate and sticks it in her mouth.

“Did you also mis out on dinner, Wendy?”

“Nah, I ate together with them.”

“But you’re still hungry?”

“You remember that I grew up in a poor neighborhood, right? Because of that, there were plenty of days where I was not able to eat at all.”

For the next couple of minutes, Wendy tells me about her life. The difficulty of finding a job. Sharing what little food, she has with her parents.

“If you are really that poor, then how were you ever able to pay for the awakening ceremony?” I ask

“Easy. I turned 18.” Wendy answers. “There are certain things a girl can do once she reaches that age.”

“Like what?” I ask.

“It all started after my 18th birthday.” Wendy explains. “There was a guy trying to get attention from me. You know, like so many other. I quickly figured he just wanted me for my body. He wasn’t the first after all. Gerald too, mind you. There’s no way a guy from a noble family would be serious with a girl like me. So yeah, again thanks for helping out. Anyways, since the guy back then wasn’t accepting no, I suddenly just told him that if he gave me 10 copper, I’d give him a blowjob.”

Wendy of course just had to say that at the moment that I was drinking some water and left me **** on my drink.

“And then?” I asked.

“Then he gave me 10 copper, I gave him a blowjob, I bought some food and I shared it with my parents. So that’s the story of the first time I prostituted myself.” Wendy said casually.

“F-first time?”

“Oh yeah, there’s a lot of guys out there in search of a pretty girl just for some casual fun.” Wendy explains. “If they are willing to pay, might as well get paid.”

By the goddess. I knew there were people with worse lives then mine, but to be so poor that you casually whore yourself out like that. That is not how life is supposed to be.

“The girls in your village never did that?” Wendy asks as she takes some more food from my plate.

“No.” I reply. “At least, not that I know of. I mean. There was this one time where … where a girl I knew let a man ogle her chest to get a higher payment for a job she already did, but she didn’t flash him or anything.”

We have a short silence between us. Then Wendy says, “I think I would have liked growing up over there. I mean, it’s where nice guys like you are from.”

Wendy and I are both quiet after that. I silently eat from my plate, and she silently steals a few pieces. When we’re done, Wendy asks me if I could walk her to her room.

“Just to keep up appearances for Gerald.” She explains. The she playfully adds, “You can get some free kisses if you like.”

“You don’t need to buy me off with kisses, Wendy.” I smile at her. “I’m happy enough just helping out a friend.”

“Aww, that’s so sweet.” Wendy says, after which she comes in close for another kiss on my cheek.

We walk towards her and Shalia’s room while holding hands. Though to be honest, I would much rather be holding hands with Mia instead. What if 6 months ago I went with her to Riledo? Would it have made enough of a difference if I was closer? Or what if she waited half a year longer for her awakening. What would have become of us if only our lives had this one small change?

“Thanks, Darx.” Wendy says when I leave her at her room. “Not just for keeping Gerald off me by pretending to be my boyfriend. Also, for all your help during training.”

I shrug and say, “Helping each other out Is part of training.”

“Still, I feel like I should show you how much I appreciate it.”

Wendy then leans in close with a playful smile and says, “If you like, I could give you a blowjob for free.”