The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 6 (Light Novel)

you hate me so much?” he asked, his face now less like a wild dog and more like a puppy. Love, hate—some people wanted the world to be so black and white. Why wouldn’t he give her the choice of a gray area?

“I suppose I don’t hate you as such,” she said. She might even think of him favorably. Certainly, she regarded this noble more positively than she had back when they’d first met.

Jinshi pursed his lips, not very pleased with this evasive answer. Maybe he was hoping she would come right out and say she loved him, but quite frankly, Maomao wasn’t at a point where she could bring those words to her lips. The best she could manage was that she wasn’t without a certain affection for him.

He didn’t want to relinquish the sensation that still lingered on his lips.

Jinshi first heard this story when he was more than ten years old, after Gaoshun had seen him teasing Basen for trying to keep his distance from the ladies-in-waiting.

“Women are such fragile creatures,” Basen said. “I think it’s too soon for me.”

What could Jinshi say to that? There was nothing. Instead, he held out his cup, silently asking for more juice.

She wished it could stay this way.

Just when she was expecting to feel a rush of wind against her body, she felt a pressure against her belly instead.

I’m not certain I can control my strength—but may I hit you?”

Wanna know something, mister? Freckles here can’t stand it if you swipe your finger along her back. It’s a hoot!”
Maomao, wondering why the hell Chou-u would bring up something like that at a moment like this, raised a hand to knuckle him in the head.
Jinshi, however, said, “Is that so?” and grinned. Then he pulled out his purse and put a fat silver piece in Chou-u’s hand, far more than any kid needed for pocket change.
“Huh? What’s this about, mister? What’s going on?” Chou-u asked.
“Oh, I’d just like you to run a little errand for me. Take your time about it.”
Maomao’s eyes became dots.
“Wow! You’re the best, mister!”
“Yes...take all the time you like.”

“Ah!” she said. “That’s right. You don’t have to choose a flower. I guess I was mistaken.”

took Basen’s chin with his free hand and pressed his thumb to his lips.

jumped up to follow him, but she felt a tingling along her spine.
“M-Master Jinshi...”
“Well, I’ll be! It really works.” He was smiling triumphantly. “And I’m not done paying you back.”
No young man had ever looked more mischievous than he did at that moment.