Gon's Harem System
Chapter 145: Surpise surprise

Chapter 145: Surpise surprise

Lira’s eyes widened for a split second, caught off guard by the question, and then she giggled, a sound so unexpected it threw him off balance

It was light, unguarded, and for a fleeting moment, she seemed like she might let the moment pass with nothing more than that laugh

She tucked her chin, her fingers twisting a blade of grass as if debating her next move

Gon watched her, his smirk growing inwardly, wondering if she’d back down

But then she surprised him

Lira’s giggle faded, and her expression shifted, something bolder flickering in her eyes

She leaned forward, closing the small distance between them, her movements slow but certain

Gon’s breath hitched as her face drew near, her lips parting slightly

Before he could process it fully, she tilted her head and pressed her mouth to his

The kiss was soft at first, tentative, like she was testing the waters

Gon froze for a heartbeat, his mind catching up to the warmth of her lips, the faint scent of the grass and the tree mingling with her closeness

Then he leaned into it, his hand lifting to rest lightly on her arm, returning the kiss with a quiet intensity

Her fingers brushed his jaw, a fleeting touch, and the world seemed to shrink to just the two of them beneath that tree

It lasted only a moment, a handful of seconds that felt both endless and too brief

Lira pulled back first, her cheeks faintly flushed as she settled against the trunk again

She didn’t say anything right away, just looked at him with that same unreadable glint in her eyes, though now it was tinged with something warmer

Gon exhaled, a slow grin spreading across his face as he leaned back on his hands, the grass cool beneath his palms

"Well," he said, his voice carrying a playful edge, "that’s one way to answer."

He tilted his head, studying her reaction, still half-expecting her to deflect with a shrug or a quip

Lira smirked, brushing her hair back with a casual flick

"Seemed like the best option," she said, her tone light but her gaze steady

She didn’t giggle again, but the amusement lingered in her expression, daring him to push further

Gon chuckled, shaking his head

"You’re full of surprises," he muttered, though he didn’t mind one bit

The tree’s shade cocooned them, the grass soft beneath their feet as they sat in the aftermath of the kiss

Gon’s grin lingered, his eyes tracing Lira’s profile as she leaned against the trunk, her expression a mix of amusement and something unreadable

The air was still, the rustling leaves above the only sound, until a flicker of movement caught their attention

On the horizon, a figure emerged, clad in the dark tunic of a guard, striding purposefully toward them

The sight sent a ripple of recognition through them both

Lira shifted, her gaze sharpening as she watched the guard approach

Gon followed her line of sight, his grin fading into a knowing look

They didn’t need to speak to understand, this meant they were being summoned back inside

And if they were being called, it almost certainly meant Lira’s mother was preparing to leave

The realization settled between them, a quiet end to their stolen moment

Lira rose first, unfolding herself from the grass with a stretch that was almost feline, her arms arcing overhead, her back curving as she rolled her shoulders

The motion was fluid, deliberate, and Gon couldn’t help but watch, caught by the grace in it

She dropped her arms and turned to him, her eyes glinting with a teasing edge

"I hope you weren’t expecting that kiss to lead to anything more," she said, her voice light but pointed, as if testing him one last time

Gon stood too, brushing the grass from his hands as he met her gaze

"Of course not," he replied, his tone smooth and casual, though inwardly he smirked at the lie

He had wondered, hoped, even, if the kiss might spark something further, but he wasn’t about to admit it

Not when she was looking at him like that, daring him to fumble

He kept his expression steady, playing her game right back

Before she could respond, the guard reached them, his boots crunching on the dry earth

He stopped a few paces away, his face stern but neutral

"Lira," he said, his voice clipped. "Your mother’s leaving. She’s expecting you back inside."

His eyes flicked to Gon briefly, then away, as if he didn’t care to linger on whatever he’d interrupted

Lira nodded, a faint sigh escaping her

"As expected," she muttered, more to herself than anyone else

She glanced at Gon, her smirk returning for a fleeting second

"Guess that’s my cue."

Gon shrugged, shoving his hands into his pockets

"Yeah, looks like it," he said, his tone easy despite the twinge of disappointment he felt

They left the shade together, the coolness of the tree’s shadow giving way to the fading warmth of the late afternoon sun

The guard led the way, his strides long and purposeful, while Gon and Lira trailed behind, their steps slower, less urgent

The horizon stretched out before them, the town’s walls looming closer with every pace

As they neared the gates, Lira’s posture shifted, the feline grace giving way to something more guarded, more practiced

Gon noticed it, the way she seemed to slip back into that timid act she’d mentioned earlier

The castle’s corridors echoed faintly with Gon’s footsteps as he made his way back from the gates

Lira was gone now, whisked away with her mother in a flurry of farewells and clattering hooves, leaving him alone in the fading light of the evening

The air felt cooler inside the stone walls, the bustle of the day settling into a quiet hum as he headed toward his room

His boots scuffed against the floor, a steady rhythm that matched the thoughts turning over in his mind.