Chapter 189

Chapter 18. Empathy and Understanding

I’m a rational and logical person, but that doesn’t mean I scoff at people’s emotions.

I know well how incredible it is to understand that “emotion.”

Well, I don’t think love is some magical thing that only humans can do, or a master key that perfectly solves all the world’s problems. Historically, love has caused quite a lot of chaos.

But still, emotions do a lot.

That’s why religion places such emphasis on the emotion of love.

Humans, unfortunately, evolved to want to monopolize the beings they have lust for. This feeling must exist in almost every creature on Earth—an urge to ensure that my genes continue through reproduction.

Sometimes people love the same sex and even things that aren’t human, but that desire for exclusivity remains largely unchanged.

Sure, some people are different, and many might argue it’s just an issue of education—but that’s not really important.

Emotions are a deeply personal realm. No matter how much I try to convey what I feel to others, they can never fully empathize. That’s why people impulsively want others to feel and understand their emotions.

Otherwise, it gets too lonely.

It’s irrational and unreasonable. Wanting something impossible is a form of arrogance.

But here I am, wishing for that.

My waist tightened a little more.

Ria had one arm wrapped around my waist and the other resting on my back. Pulling me slightly closer, she greedily sought my lips.

A soft, squishy kiss.

The feeling of our lips touching was quite lovely, I’d say. Perhaps if it had been just a light kiss, people watching wouldn’t think it was “strange.”

Maybe it could be seen as a gesture of affection?

I don’t know all the traditions of the world, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there were cultures that thought a simple peck meant nothing.

However, anywhere in the world, I doubt anyone would think it “normal” to accept someone’s tongue while keeping their mouth open.

Professional actors might do that. In a sexually liberated society, they might even think a same-sex kiss is no big deal.

But unfortunately, we’re in a place filled with religious folks.

And having lived fifteen years in a convent where such religious people gather, I can confidently say there’s no one as strict about rules as religious folks.

Religion is built on discipline and runs on it. Unlike laws that can be adjusted over time or with philosophical shifts, religion has parts that are “absolutely non-negotiable.”

Honestly, I’m not well-versed in the intricacies of religion to know exactly why this is the case.

Is it because they can’t procreate? Is sex without the prospect of children merely an obscene act? Mmm, either way, it seems plausible.

I closed my eyes.

And thought to indulge in that “act that exists solely for obscenity” just a little.

Why not? Ria had made this opportunity possible. She didn’t look particularly displeased, but just before the kiss, she had a very determined expression. She must have needed some mental preparation given how many times she checked in with me.

The sensation of our tongues meeting felt otherworldly. It was a bit shocking, like I was doing something I shouldn’t, causing my body to slightly tremble.

With our chests pressed together, I didn’t feel as much as I expected. Even though we were tightly intertwined to the point our shapes were morphing, we were still wearing underwear. It felt a little lacking when trying to appreciate each other’s silhouettes.

That’s why I strangely found the sensation of our bellies touching to be a bit intense.

Every time Ria squirmed, I could feel that intimate outline. Ah, right. I’ve seen that body before. Ria’s body, visible beneath her swimsuit, was beautifully toned.

“….”

So, it was nice.

What could I do? I was colliding bodies with someone I liked, sharing kisses. Regardless of the justification or reason, I couldn’t emotionally dislike it.

Thus, I hoped Ria felt the same.

I wished she could enjoy it as much as I was.

I knew that was an irrational thought.

Ria had no reason to like women. In the original story, she clearly liked men, and anyone who thought of the Saintess and Ria together got scolded in the comments for mixing a harem with yuri.

So, this act could be considered Ria’s sacrifice. Something that “damages” her so that I couldn’t take the place of the Saintess.

I was just glad it was Ria in that role.

The time that felt like it would last forever—no, the time I wished would last—came to an end.

Ria pulled back slightly. She still held my waist and had her hand on my back, preventing me from escaping, but her face pulled away.

With a pop, our already-wet lips disconnected.

It was a little messy, with saliva briefly connecting before breaking. The air felt cooler as it hit the spaces between us.

Ria was looking down at me.

Her face was bright red, and her eyes were a bit moist. The face of the person who just kissed me moments ago was quite alluring.

We exchanged a breath for a second.

I knew I had to stop here. Wasn’t once enough? Besides, our story would spread as that of nuns in love with each other.

We might be criticized for committing obscene acts in a convent. Though we hadn’t done anything like that, they would probably suspect.

Who would bear the brunt of it?

The situation I’d lured Ria into, or Ria’s action towards her charge.

I wasn’t sure.

My head wasn’t working right.

I simply—

I stood on my heels.

*

Anna’s face was flushed bright red.

She already had pale skin, so that flushed face stood out even more. But her beauty wasn’t diminished. Anna looked up at Ria just as she always had.

There were a few tears in her eyes.

I didn’t think Anna hadn’t understood Ria’s story.

I was merely worried if I might have gone a bit too far.

In the heat of the moment, I had bypassed just wanting to lightly kiss Ria to practically invading her mouth.

I wondered if she might have disliked it. Would she think it was excessive?

For a brief moment, Ria trembled waiting for Anna’s response.

That response was a bit shocking.

Anna went up on her toes again.

For whatever reason, it might have meant “not yet enough.”

If not, I figured Anna would be tortured by guilt. This silly nun showed mercy to everyone in the world as she did to Ria.

Our lips met again.

It didn’t take long for that sweet peck to transform into a sticky kiss.

Ria’s heart felt like it was about to burst. This wasn’t a kiss on the cheek; it was the very kiss Ria had given Anna moments before.

Anna’s arms wrapped around Ria’s neck. Clinging to her, she tried to brush her lips against Ria’s.

Warm, soft, and moist.

Anna’s tongue was different from what I had imagined. Honestly, until I actually tasted another person’s tongue, I wouldn’t have been able to easily recall what that felt like.

Just like Anna’s personality, it came haphazardly while still gently cradling Ria.

That little organ moving gently while touching each other created a strange sense of comfort.

This is bad.

I couldn’t let this become a habit.

Ria finally wrapped Anna up completely with both arms, hugging her from head to toe. Anna’s arms tightened around Ria’s neck as well.

Gently moving sideways as if to etch the shape of Anna’s lips in memory, Ria slowly pulled back.

With a slurp, a somewhat lewd sound emerged.

If so, it was a success.

The sound only came from the two of us.

Anna and Ria.

Only the raspy breaths of the two echoed hollowly in the room.

Not a single person dared to open their mouth. It seemed they didn’t know how to speak about this situation.

If so, that too was a success.

Ria laughed.

Seeing that face made Anna laugh too.

That too—was a success.

Ria relaxed her grip on Anna and let her go. Anna took a deep breath as if air had finally entered her lungs, but Ria had no intention of letting Anna rest.

Still holding Anna’s hand, she dashed off.

Anna, wearing her usual white dress with a veil on her head—

Ria couldn’t help but think she was escaping with a “bride.”

If God were a man, would it really have been something like this?

—What do you mean by that!?

Hearing that horrified voice, Ria couldn’t help but laugh.