Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 179: Arc 4, Act I, - 24: Dinner Party

Jotou climbed the stairs, as usual walking using the front of her feet, never landing her sole as she went up two steps at a time.

Hotaru sauntered down the northern hallway to the corner of east and north, with a resting smile on her face.

The two halted at their room door, noticing the other. Sweat dripped down Jotou’s face, each breath of hers exhaling through the mouth as strands of hair stuck to her temples.

Hotaru’s shoulders were a little slumped, her eyes a tad weary, "Funny seeing you here. What’ve you been up to?" her ears pricked.

"I had a little spar with Arabella," one which lasted a few hours. "Do you come here often?" Jotou smirked.

Hotaru splashed a rejuvenate spell on herself and her eyes brightened up, "Not too often. Though if you’re around, maybe I should swing by more."

The two shared a laugh before both hands reached for the doorknobs and both stuttered their hands back. "What are we, children?" Hotaru reached for and opened the door, "After you."

"Seems like it," Jotou rolled her eyes before walking in. ’When we’re playing this petty little game of who’s confessing first, it does feel childish.’

Hotaru let out a sigh as she closed the door, "How did the fight go?"

"Well, I’m not counting the first round since she cheated. The second round... never really finished. We kept going till the Royal Guard were coming back."

The dusk light glowed into the room; a warm orange with puffy white clouds whisked in the purple-glazed sky. "Hm, shame I missed it."

"What happened after I left?"

"Not much. Most of the council’s already gone, but there are some... We have to go to a dinner and a lot of the council’s attending."

"Ai, ai, ai..."

"After they realized the Thundering Blade would be attending, a lot of them requested to stay for dinner. And Daiyu couldn’t really say no."

Jotou moved the stray hairs out of her face, "I, almost forgot about today... The fight at least distracted me long enough."

"Well," Hotaru took out a couple of bobby pins from the depths of her hair, "As I said, I for one think you did spectacular. I knew you always had the knack for it."

"How?"

"You’re really stubborn and argumentative; need I say more?"

"Need you not..." Jotou glanced at her bed; the plush puppy sat comfortably in the pillows stared back with its one eye. "Where’re the other two by the way?"

Hotaru sat on the side of her bed, lifting her legs up from standing for so long, "They’re getting some help from the staff to find any other clothing in the palace for the dinner.

Which reminds me, Daiyu told me to mention that nobody should be bothering you at the dinner and through it. They normally mingle during desserts, so Daiyu asked you to escape before that."

"Alright; you better bring my dessert to our room then."

"If it’s something chocolate related, I make no promises that it’ll make it back here in one piece," Hotaru’s fangs glistened, taking her shoes off to wriggle her toes, "And you better wear something for dinner.

I know your adventuring armour looks good on you and all, but please choose something else?"

Jotou pouted... "Fine. I still have a few things we bought from the Raftings; that’ll do."

"Thank you," Hotaru pronounced. "It’s reaching seven, dinner’s at eight."

Jotou stretched a little, wiping what sweat was left away, till she felt something prick in between her shoulder blades. The blonde winced, "Uh, Aru? Would you mind healing a few muscle tears...?"

"That’s what you get for fighting for hours till a draw."

Jotou groaned in contempt.

Hotaru glanced from her bed, "Would you at least take off your gear so I could heal it quicker?"

"There’s... no real rush is there?"

"It would make my life easier," Hotaru’s eyes glazed over.

Jotou gulped, "Alright," she turned her back to the redhead. "Just my back; my arms and everything else feel fine," she exhaled taking her sword out and setting it aside.

She unbuttoned the buttons that blended in, down the centre of her chest, allowing Jotou to take off the sleeves; the yellow coat with white breastplates fell, leaving only the whites and black of her attire.

Translucent black sleeves that started from her wrists and that went up to her shoulders and below her chest, akin to a short crop top. It was close-fitting to her skin, as Jotou had to roll it off.

She was left with the sleeveless, collared white dress beneath. She held the hem of her skirt and pulled the dress all the way up over her head, leaving only her boots and leggings left.

Hotaru’s eyes widened and her tail wagged furiously upon the mattress she sat on. Her face went as crimson as her hair and her breath grew a little heavier. The blonde swung her ponytail forward, exposing her back.

By no means was she muscular, but the sweat danced under the dusk light, down her skin, glistening down the curves and grooves—shadowing and shading down every line of her toned back.

Hotaru could count the six or seven small flat moles on her pale skin as the blonde’s shoulder blades twitched under the black bra straps.

Jotou stood facing away, standing in her bra, leggings and boots left, "There, should be easier," she held onto her ponytail in front with both hands.

A little slack-jawed, the redhead’s ears flickered her back to reality as she regained her self-control. "Okay, just a few seconds," Hotaru shook her head and got up.

Hotaru hovered her hands over Jotou’s back and water formed in her hands. She began healing over the blonde’s aching muscles; the scent of sweat and the little moans of relief Jotou made only further reddened the wolf-girl’s face.

"So," Hotaru cleared her throat, "You’re fighting again and you seem happier."

"Of course." Jotou smiled, "I guess this whole situation has me, hopeful."

"You always loved ranting about your old world. I remember you not even being used to being a woman. That conversation in the guild-"

"Right," Jotou recalled, "Sorry about that by the way; I know it might’ve been inappropriate."

"Don’t worry, I’m only remembering it now. Besides, it was funny really. Fumeko outing your habits was probably the icing on the cake," Hotaru chuckled.

Jotou simply pouted in embarrassment, her eyes facing the bed, "She was lying, I only ever did so in complete privacy."

"I believe you," Hotaru retorted. "You’ve been good as far as I’m concerned; thought it’s only been a day, so."

"Hey."

"Can’t fault you for your instincts now, can I?" Hotaru snickered.

Jotou groaned before Hotaru focused on finishing up her healing. Hotaru bit her lip, looking down to the leggings hugging tightly around the blonde’s waist.

"Yeah," Jotou spoke, drawing Hotaru’s attention back. "I did rant about my world a lot huh? Maybe that’s why I’m feeling hopeful.

We set off on an adventure through this world and I found a goal for myself, friends I share memories with and my best friend’s here.

It all seemed so gloomy; like life was just out to get me and now," Jotou took a breath, feeling her head clear up, "I see a path forward.

My other friends are in this world somewhere. I can be someone and help people. I feel motivated to do something, anything. It’s like a breath of fresh air after so many years of despair."

Hotaru’s blush slowly died down, listening to the blonde’s words. The corners of her lips rose and her eyes softened. Not the time—Hotaru shook her head and the thoughts away. "Done."

Jotou smiled and turned around to meet her gaze. Hotaru shifted a hand behind her back, pinching down the base of her tail to prevent it from moving.

"Thanks," Jotou uttered, pushing her blonde locks backwards. "Uh, you know what clothes I have left after the fire, right? What do you think I should wear?"

Hotaru tried not blush, "Hm... How about that red top with the V-neck and black buttons? And, the, long black skirt? You, don’t have any other shoes do you..."

"Eh, my boots will be fine, the skirt’ll cover it anyway. Might be hard to carry my sword though," Jotou’s eyes shifted to the side to see her blade.

Hotaru could not help herself from sneaking a glance down to the blonde’s breasts cupped in the black bra securely. The redhead turned her head a full one-eighty as shame grew across her face.

"No need to bring the sword to dinner Jotou," Hotaru walked back to her bed.

"I’ll figure it out," she shrugged.

Hotaru sat on her bed, "Why don’t you, uhm, go ahead and bathe first, I’ll go second."

Jotou stretched her arms, feeling the pain alleviated, "Alrighty." She stepped towards the walk in wardrobe. After they prepared and the hour for dinner had come along, the two left for the dining room.

_

The aroma of dinner fluttered into the hallways before they even stepped in. Dozens upon dozens filled the seats of the long table—guests and ministers alike for the impromptu dinner party.

The waiter to the side ushered Jotou and Hotaru along to their seats at the front—the same seats as breakfast. Hotaru wore a frilly black and white dress.

As they walked past, the two would get an occasional wave from someone at the table; practically a stranger, but they would wave back, unsure who the wave was for.

Chatter went back and forth across the table till the two were finally seated next to Daiyu, who was in less jewellery, in purple attire and her tiara.

"Ara told me about your fight," Daiyu whispered.

"Yeah, ended in a draw."

"She said she won the first?"

"Yeah, she cheated by using her affinity..."

Daiyu snorted. Feyan glanced up giving smiles as the archduke sat in the same seat next to him. They chose to speak in whispers, given when they speak at all which was rare with so many eyes and ears present.

The countess wore a blood-red dress, still in pearls her hair drifted down her left side; the count wore a simple black suit and a red tie. Just as Jotou turned, the two missing companions had arrived.

Asobi, still wore her usual magician’s outfit; perhaps deemed fit for most occasions that occurred in the palace. The brunette however...

Her hair had been done up in a large swirling bun and her face was filled with blush, mascara, eyeliner and the like. She wore a strapless golden gown that glimmered under each chandelier.

The most important thing she wore of course, was the sunken scowl upon her scrunched face. Oh if she could scream she would. But with Asobi keeping an eye, Fumeko boiled internally while she walked to her seat.

"Well, someone’s dressed up," Jotou smirked.

"I will stab you in your sleep..."

"You look beautiful, like a proper young lady," Hotaru added on.

Fumeko held a horrifying smile, about to snap any second... She glanced at the table, growling as the waiters poured wine into their cups.

Fumeko lightened up a little seeing the drink slosh; maybe the dinner was not going to be all bad. She surveyed the other cups of wine... Then she squinted...

She leaned closer and looked at her own cup, then another’s... Something about the cups just, seemed... off.