Another current passed by.
Orly, gasping in her arms, soon quieted down and closed her eyes, slipping into sleep.
On one hand, it was a natural outcome. She had cried out countless times, moaning and convulsing for hours.
To avoid waking her, I slowly laid her back on the blanket and leaned against the sofa, catching my breath.
I had experienced a lot over the past week, but this was a different kind of irregularity.
It was overwhelming. It was burdensome. It was hard to endure.
But I got through it. The raging storm was fierce, but the gentle rain that followed was warm.
I was relieved. Truly.
Feeling burdened by fatigue, I looked down at her. There lay a fragile girl. Her hair was severely tangled, her skin was stained with blood, and her eyelashes quivered delicately.
She resembled a frail puppy.
She wasn’t usually like this. She used to be busy laughing like a clueless child. But now, it was worrying in a way.
Erica let out a sigh.
Then she reached out, gently stroking her abdomen. It was a trivial act of revenge.
How tough it was for me to take care of you.
I lowered my gaze.
I know. You must have had a hard time too.
If that’s the case, starting now, let’s care a little more, just a little.
Just until this relationship reaches its end, just a little longer.
Considering what you’ve done to me, my little whims should definitely be accepted.
My eyelids felt heavy.
A fleeting calm passed, and the calamity arrived.
When I awakened from the muddled state, the first thing I felt was my body clammy with sweat.
I opened my eyes and propped myself up. Nausea surged, making me gag.
I held my throbbing head with one hand and lifted my gaze.
Ah.
This is serious.
In the dimness around me, Erica was the first thing I saw, slumped over and dozing off right in front of me.
Suddenly, memories of last night flashed through my mind.
“Ha…”
When I opened my eyes, Erica was there, and when I came to my senses, I found myself cradled in her arms, crying like a child.
I wanted to be held, I was in pain, gasping and succumbing to my instincts like a beast without clinging to the fading rationality.
Her embrace was comforting. Her voice was so sweet. The touch of her hand as she stroked me was electrifying.
I gave up on myself.
I let out a sigh.
The spasms of my weak body were an irregular occurrence. It hadn’t been like this before. It hadn’t been this serious.
Yet why, as if it were deliberate. As if it were trying to push me into despair.
Right in front of her.
My head hurts. It feels like my brain is exploding.
My arm…
I glanced sideways. Fortunately, my arm had regenerated.
That’s a relief. It could have just remained permanently disabled.
I washed my face with one hand. This won’t do. I can’t proceed with my plans.
A faint groan echoed through my muddled thoughts.
“Ugh… Ah.”
Soon, pure white eyes opened, directing themselves toward me. Her face looked briefly tired.
“O, Orly? How’s your body? Are you feeling okay?”
“…I’m fine.”
Concern.
Is she worried about me?
Well, that’s true.
You are that kind of person.
Being too kind is the problem.
What are you going to do if something happens to you?
What if I end up using you?
I paused for a moment.
If that were to happen, my heart would surely be pierced by a knife.
In the unexpected silence, I averted my gaze.
“…Um.”
“Please speak.”
“I’m sorry about yesterday…”
If you’re going to apologize, at least bow your head. Using my frail state as an excuse to ignore basic etiquette?
“I’m sorry. Thank you.”
But I couldn’t do that. My body was stiff and unmovable.
“It’s okay.”
No further words followed. It felt as if she was deliberately holding back. Could this kindness exceed mere consideration?
I was fine either way.
With her warm voice lingering, suddenly.
It didn’t take long for my mind to spin in circles.
“But how did my house…”
“…”
I lifted my gaze. Erica was twirling her hair.
“Because you are… a bad person.”
I tried to meet her eyes, but she bleakly avoided my gaze.
“I didn’t know where you would be doing something malicious again, so I followed you.”
“…I see. Thank you.”
I was relieved to hear that.
How great it would have been if she could have unveiled everything until the end. If I could reveal all my faults and collapse on the floor while listening to her accusations, I think I could do anything.
I blinked wearily. It was a pointless thought.
My mouth emitted a sour smell from my damp clothes. Come to think of it, I hadn’t bathed since getting soaked in the rain yesterday.
It felt sticky.
“…Do you want to wash up first? You might feel dirty too.”
“Is that okay?”
I nodded and pointed to the bathroom at the end of the hallway.
“Or should we wash up together?”
“…Pervert.”
I gave a sly grin at her look of disdain. I was glad our conversation was thriving. I was worried she might completely change her mood.
I felt relieved. Truly.
She brushed past me with a pinch on my cheek. I heard her footsteps recede, and soon the sound of the door closing.
I glanced around. Only one light illuminated the black living room.
The traces were tragic. Blood filled the floor, and belongings were haphazardly scattered around in a filthy mess.
Was my house in this state?
Well, it was. I didn’t have the energy to care. The only place I could regain my vitality was the association office, nothing more.
This place was merely somewhere to get a decent sleep, nothing more, nothing less.
Squish.
Soon the space distorted, and a small crack opened up.
[ Orly. ]
I roughly ignored it and leaned my head back against the sofa.
[ …If that’s how you feel, then I won’t say anything. ]
“Just kidding.”
The last image was of forcing Bloody into a void. It seemed upset since that.
“Where’s Seran?”
[ Still the same. ]
Inside a glass bottle emerging from the void was a small robe figure. That would need to be addressed later.
[ You looked worse than before. Are you okay? ]
“Aside from throwing up blood, a little. A bigger issue has come up.”
Bloody hesitated to say more and turned her head toward me.
“Erica is in our house right now.”
[ …What? ]
I halted my explanation. Thinking about it, this was a very odd situation. A hunter from the association is washing her body in our bathroom.
It was subtle when she came into the house, but she hadn’t passed through. Looking back, it was an obvious method. I had infused her body with magic power through my blood suction.
It’s not strange that a solid iron door wouldn’t open.
“It just… turned out that way.”
[ …As long as you’re alive, it seems there’s no major issue. ]
“She must be washing up right now. The two of us were both drenched in rain.”
Bloody blinked.
[ Do you have clothes to give her? ]
“I do, but…”
Since our body shapes are similar, I could probably hand over some loungewear from the house.
As I thought of it, I rose. Opening the drawer wedged in the corner, the first thing I noticed was a hoodie.
When I touched it, it was soft. If I gave her this, I think she would feel good when worn and hugged.
Perfect.
I chose pants that were cotton. Unfortunately, there was no skirt. But it would be better to wear something comfortable at home.
Cradling the clothes, I approached the bathroom. Standing in front, I could hear the sound of water.
I hesitated for a moment.
Imagining Erica showering with my ear pressed against the door didn’t seem too bad.
I twirled my hair around.
But if I got caught, I might end up being looked down upon from the other side.
I laid the clothes down at the door and returned to the living room.
As I turned on the small lamp sitting on the table, I soon heard the sound of the bathroom door opening.
I don’t know why, but my heart raced. Is she going to wear them? Will she dislike it?
But wearing that uniform must feel uncomfortable.
Footsteps could be heard. I turned my head.
“Whoa…”
“…Why are you looking at me like that?”
Her hair, likely dried, flowed with luster, and her skin looked definitely vibrant.
In a slightly loose-fitting yellow hoodie and cotton pants, she was undeniably cute.
She wore it for me.
Caught in her purely white gaze, a lovely scent tickled my nose.
“As expected, I just want to tie you up somewhere and keep an eye on you.”
“You’re really intense.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“That’s not a compliment.”
Is it not?
“…I’m all done showering, so you can go in now.”
Her words rushed out.
“Right. It’s a great opportunity to catch a whiff of Erica’s scent after she just got out of the shower!”
“…Ah.”
I quickly stood up and tried to pass her. Before my nape was grabbed.
“Wait, wait a moment. Just hold on a little longer before you go in.”
“I don’t want to. Let me go.”
“Just five minutes, ten minutes!”
“I don’t want to! No! Please, don’t do this!”
I shook her off quickly and dashed into the bathroom. I faintly heard a sound of “Ugh…!” from behind.
When I closed my eyes under the pouring cascade, I thought how warm the shower’s liquid felt.
I glanced at the mirror beside me. My eyes were filled with vitality.
My hair, soaking in water, was messy yet lush. My skin wasn’t pale but instead glowed with a reddish hue.
My chest felt fluffy.
This is nice.
Having Erica in our house. And by my side.
Being able to talk comfortably, to hold her close, to look at each other.
I was spending time with her. Just that was too wonderful.
I squeezed body wash onto my skin and rubbed it in, creating foam. Did Erica use this?
I squirted shampoo into my hands and lathered it into my hair. This was also something Erica had used.
“Hehe.”
I guess your words are right. This is quite severe.
I rinsed my body one last time and turned off the faucet.
I wiped off moisture with a towel from every nook and cranny.
When I emerged, warm and dressed, into the living room.
I saw Erica, demurely sitting on the sofa, glaring at me.
I smiled slightly.
Soon after, a third phrase began to combine in the air.
