Chapter 275

It is a world where people can live comfortably.

Lately, it has been a thought I haven’t entertained for a while.

It’s understandable. How shallow the connections around me are.

Now, I don’t think that way anymore, but in the past, I lamented my despair at not having meaningful relationships.

That is not the case now.

“Hmm… Hoo…”

Sofia Sub-priest exhaled evenly and rubbed her face against the fabric of my chest. The act of inhaling my scent was a bit awkward, but we had become close enough that it felt silly to hide that, so I let it be.

“Hmm… Hmm…”

As I gently stroked her soft blonde hair, her breath became more regulated, and I could tell she was quietly drifting off to sleep.

I watched vacantly as her silky hair separated between my fingers, feeling the warm and rhythmic breath against my chest.

It has been a full day since I confessed my true feelings to Sofia Sub-priest.

There wasn’t much that happened. Confessing my heart to Sofia Sub-priest, kissing her, embracing each other passionately, and before I knew it, it was evening and we had shared dinner…

Only then did Sofia Sub-priest return to her dorm room.

With some time to reflect, I found myself unable to sleep at night, tormented by various daydreams.

Fortunately, I was not overwhelmed with negative thoughts.

Yesterday, both Sofia Sub-priest and I had been briefly shaken by changes in our feelings, but we soon managed to hold onto each other and endure.

Life is like a wave, they say. I was grateful that Sofia Sub-priest and I could be breakwaters for each other.

So, after nearly a sleepless night, along with the familiar tiredness, I officiated the Sunday worship service with Sofia Sub-priest and returned to the dorm at this very moment.

I just finished my lunch a little while ago. It was yet another meal shared with Sofia Sub-priest in my dorm room.

Sofia Sub-priest was coloring my daily life at a frightening pace. Having restrained herself for so long, she seemed to be saying she wouldn’t hold back anymore.

“Head Priest.”

Sofia Sub-priest called my name. I snapped to attention and noticed that she had opened her eyes and was looking at me.

“Do you know what kind of smell you have, Head Priest?”

With a smile, she asked, and I gently shook my head. People typically do not know their own scent, and I was no exception.

“You smell refreshing with a hint of mint. There’s a subtle woody scent as well… and a smell like vanilla…”

Am I starting to smell like a beverage?

I started to reflect on my own scent, but I still could not pinpoint any distinct smell.

What filled my nostrils, however, was the faint orange fragrance from Sofia Sub-priest. After finishing our meal, we had eaten oranges for dessert, which made that smell all the more vivid.

“So, every time I smell you, I feel incredibly relaxed. Just having you by my side makes me… Hoo—! Ah…”

As I listened to Sofia Sub-priest’s words, which sounded like a dog sniffing, I wondered how many times I had gently stroked the back of her head.

Sofia Sub-priest suddenly lifted her head and spoke to me, who had been quietly enjoying the moment.

“But, Head Priest. I want to make this clear.”

“What is it?”

“Do you see your students as potential romantic partners?”

“…?”

I was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected question. As I remained bewildered, Sofia Sub-priest gazed at me intently and urged me to respond. I slowly shook my head.

“No, I do not.”

“Not at all?”

“…They are students, after all. I am thirty now.”

“Isn’t your birthday still ahead?”

“…I’m twenty-eight.”

After living for several years, I still struggled with counting my age. This must be what is considered normal.

“Even after your birthday, you’ll still be twenty-nine; is there really a need to draw a big distinction between yourself and the students? Ultimately, those students are at the age of soon becoming adults, which simply makes them part of the same twenties as you, doesn’t it?”

“One might think that, but still, seeing the students I taught as romantic partners… I have my doubts about that.”

“Isn’t it possible? Second-year students will be adults in two years.”

“And in two years, I’ll be thirty.”

“…Age difference doesn’t really matter, does it? I’m twenty-two now.”

“Not at all, Sofia Sub-priest.”

I corrected Sofia Sub-priest’s mentality. I explained what it means when there is a significant age gap and why I accepted Sofia Sub-priest regardless.

“Sofia Sub-priest is an adult after all. Although there is nothing against a cleric marrying and having children according to church doctrine, I believe that viewing students who are still quite young as romantic partners is ethically questionable.”

“Hmmm……”

Sofia Sub-priest seemed to be in thought as she let out a hum. I continued to look at the ceiling while gently stroking her hair.

“Then, what about Professor Esther?”

And Sofia Sub-priest continued with her unusual questions. I stopped looking at the ceiling and looked at Sofia Sub-priest.

“What are you saying?”

“Do you not see Professor Esther as a romantic partner? She is also an adult.”

“…….”

Suddenly, I recalled Professor Esther gently resting her hand on my shoulder and looking at me.

In the Main Building Courtyard, I remember sitting on a bench, nervously sweating. Professor Esther had approached me, worry evident in her eyes, before resting her hand on my shoulder.

The first person I met was Professor Esther.

“Head Priest?”

Sofia Sub-priest urged me for an answer. I anticipated an immediate denial, but I didn’t respond.

“…So, Professor Esther also… had somewhat of those feelings for me?”

I remembered our weekend outing with Professor Esther. We walked around with our arms linked, looked at goods in the market, entered stores while playfully picking things out together, and enjoyed a delicious dinner…

In hindsight, wasn’t that a date?

The image of Professor Esther, shyly smiling while wearing my coat, came to mind. That smile was undoubtedly from a genuine place.

I guess the source of that smile might be somewhat similar to Sofia Sub-priest’s. I carefully predicted.

Even if I were to scrutinize it as a bit of self-consciousness, I had no rebuttal. The image of Professor Esther that floated in my mind was unwaveringly that of her blushing smile as she linked her arm with mine.

It was absurd. What a shameless brat I am.

“…No, I don’t.”

So, it would be hard to openly say such things in front of Sofia Sub-priest. The expression on her face indicated disbelief as she looked up at me. Her dark green eyes locked onto mine.

“Are you really telling the truth?”

“…….”

“You’re lying.”

Her words were sharp, yet her expression and actions were soft. I had no idea what her underlying meaning was. I stared at Sofia Sub-priest without hastily nodding my head.

“During today’s Sunday worship service… Professor Esther kept glancing between you and me.”

“…….”

“After the service was over, she approached me separately. It seemed she sensed something unusual between us.”

I had no idea what a woman’s intuition entailed. I was hopelessly lost regarding these things.

“She cautiously asked if there had been any progress between you and me, and I answered her honestly.”

“…What did Professor Esther say?”

“She responded that it was good.”

Sofia Sub-priest’s face twisted a bit—a feeling of discomfort over something being chewed over.

“Head Priest. I feel a bit cowardly saying this, but… does Professor Esther not have a chance?”

“Sofia Sub-priest, that cannot be.”

“No. You cannot say that, Head Priest.”

“…What do you want me to do?”

As I tried to cut off Sofia Sub-priest’s question, she buried her face in my chest and murmured.

“I don’t know either. You have to sort it out.”

“…….”

“However, if you make any choices… I will accept anything, except being cast aside.”

Sofia Sub-priest smiled brightly. Her warm breath tickled my chest.

Being in such a situation made me feel absurd.

“…It seems the tables have turned.”

“Pardon? Me?”

“I wasn’t talking to you, Sofia Sub-priest.”

It wasn’t something meant for anyone’s ears, but thus, the words lost their meaning and wandered before vanishing into thin air.

It could not remain. There was no vessel to contain it.

The spring day outside was clear. The clouds drifting in the vast sky floated leisurely.

I had thought for a long time. While no one knows what will become of a person’s future, I wish to live a life as carefree as those clouds.

Amid the slowly flowing clouds, rays of light intertwined.

It was warm sunlight.

*

Sofia Sub-priest fell into a deep sleep.

When she awakened, the world was already covered in the thick darkness of night.

She checked the clock. The hands had already long since passed nine in the evening.

“…I dozed off.”

It was no wonder, as warmth enveloped her entire body. She had fallen asleep clinging to the large body of Professor Antorelli.

Furthermore, she had been busy moving the bread that she received early in the morning to prepare for the Sunday service, and hence was tired. Sofia Sub-priest looked out the window, where the reddish hues of the sunset had vanished and stars were beginning to twinkle in the night sky.

The late evening vista of the city was always glamorous, as the shining lights reflected the starlight above, making it even more beautiful.

Thinking about returning to the Academy tomorrow made her slightly anxious. Having spent half a day sleeping, how would she manage sleeping tonight and enduring tomorrow?

However, it seemed Professor Antorelli felt the same way. Sofia Sub-priest gazed quietly at the closed eyelids of the man she was nestled against.

In the past, she had felt shy to look at his face like this. For some reason, meeting his eyes was not easy, and any slight physical contact would always startle her.

But that was no longer the case.

Sofia Sub-priest was quite cultured. While the church does not have a problem with a cleric getting married and having children, she knew that spending all day holding each other like this may raise some eyebrows.

‘But, so what?’

This was of no meaning to Sofia Sub-priest. Clumsy as it may be, if their love could grow strong enough to bear fruit, that was all that mattered.

Professor Antorelli, soundly asleep, sometimes stirred, slightly burdened by Sofia Sub-priest’s weight, yet he slept well. Occasionally, the expression on his face as he twitched looked oddly cute to Sofia Sub-priest.

She directly buried her nose into his neck. The scent of oak, mint, and the sweet scent of vanilla mixed together, teasing her nostrils.

And Sofia Sub-priest held him even tighter.

Professor Esther’s face came to mind.

“I don’t mind what decision you make, Head Priest….”

Burying her face in his neck, Sofia Sub-priest slowly parted her lips. As if to taste the sweet and refreshing scent of his skin, her movements were unreserved.

“Mmm… If you neglect me, chu… I don’t know how I would behave. Hehe….”

There was a bright red mark left behind. Sofia Sub-priest smiled contentedly.

Having slept for half a day, with satisfactory results before her eyes, drowsiness washed over her once more.

Sofia Sub-priest gradually entrusted her body to Professor Antorelli’s embrace.

Though it was still early in the morning, it was more than enough to enjoy her little paradise.