Chapter 177

It’s the day after Christmas.

So, today—the day after yesterday.

As soon as I woke up in the morning, I took a good, serious look at my current situation.

Not the part where I’ve basically become a Saintess, but rather, about what I did yesterday—seriously.

I went out on a long-awaited date in the mundane world with Ria—and well, she probably didn’t see it as a date, but that’s how I felt—and I ended up drinking way too much because I got caught up in the atmosphere.

Now, I’m not a lightweight. I don’t easily lose my memory or anything. But that doesn’t mean I’m completely unaffected by the potent psychoactive substance known as ethanol.

I was feeling good, so I had a bit too much to drink, which made me feel even better, and then I heard that in my hazy memory, I might have kissed Ria quite deeply, and that just elevated my mood even further.

Looking back, Ria seemed a little miffed about me possibly kissing someone in the future. I mean, Ria would have a ton of admirers if we’re talking popularity. A faithful beautiful knight always by the Saintess’s side. That’s got to be a bit exciting, right?

If she wanted to, she could date anyone.

…

No, wait.

Ria must have sacrificed her chance for a first kiss just to save me from something or another. Not saying a word until now, and then bringing it up—it might be her way of playfully getting back at me.

But what did I even respond to her about that?

Something about being unfair for not remembering my first kiss and then giving her a peck on the cheek?

Was it a little “smooch” I made to sound cute?

…

Ah, right.

Oops.

With those thoughts, I came to a refreshing and clear conclusion. Yup, I definitely messed up.

I curled up under the blanket. The only person who would have properly tucked me in after I collapsed on the bed was Ria.

Even in that situation, she didn’t lash out at me. Or maybe she did while still helping me out.

What to do?

How do I get out of this blanket?

Luckily, it seemed Ria woke up before me and was washing up; I could hear water from the shower room.

Should I get up and sneak out before Ria comes out? …But nah, I felt gross since I hadn’t washed up at all.

As I pondered such things while burrowed under the blanket, Ria ended up finishing her shower before I could come to a decision.

Suddenly, I heard her humming a tune. Thankfully, it seemed Ria wasn’t too upset. Perhaps she was considering my drunken antics as nothing more than just a slip from being tipsy.

I peeked my head out of the blanket towards Ria, then quickly dove back in.

…Ria was in just her underwear.

Oh right. Normally, we turn our backs on each other while changing clothes. Since I had to change too, it wasn’t that weird of a situation.

No, but I couldn’t shake the thought as I looked at Ria in just her underwear. My heart raced with unnecessary guilt.

I caught a glimpse of something sparkling on her chest. Oh, it was the necklace I gave her. She was still wearing it… What would I have done if she wasn’t?

There was a sound of fabric brushing against skin, then a soft fluttering noise as it stopped.

The humming from Ria also came to a halt.

“……”

Ria stood still for a while, doing nothing. I contemplated sticking my head out and checking, but I was scared that if we made eye contact, I’d freeze, so I remained quietly under the blanket.

That peculiar standoff continued for a while—

“Eek!?”

I suddenly jolted, feeling a weight pressing down on me. I tried to get out from under the blanket, but Ria had already pulled me in tightly with both arms.

What’s happening? What’s going on? A million strange thoughts raced in my head, only to scatter when Ria opened her mouth.

“Just how long are you planning to pretend to be asleep?”

My heart dropped at her words. Oh right. Ria had been trained as a hero and had gone hunting with hunters. Of course, she’d notice if a prey was hiding silently.

“You may say you don’t have any plans today, but can a Saint Candidate just sleep in this late? Huh? Huh?”

“Okay, okay! I’m awake! I’m awake!”

The fantasy that briefly danced in my head shattered and dispersed with Ria’s words, but being caught like this was still quite risky.

I wasn’t exactly sure what was risky, but it was risky nonetheless. Especially with the softness pressing against me.

With a puff, I turned my head to finally stick my face out from under the blanket, where I felt Ria’s breath nearby. Oh, right. She was hugging me tight.

Should I turn my head towards Ria? Or would it be more natural to keep avoiding her gaze?

As I debated—

Something super soft touched my right cheek.

Smooch,

And there was even a weird sound.

It didn’t take long for me to realize that Ria had lightly kissed my cheek.

“Ria!?”

“What? You did it yesterday too.”

Ria said this with a flushed face, leaving me momentarily speechless.

Well, it did happen! I was caught up in the atmosphere and tipsy! And to make matters worse, Ria didn’t drink a single drop yesterday. She knew what she was doing after drinking!

Of course, she remembered everything I did yesterday, too.

…Did she drink something in between? I couldn’t smell any alcohol on her.

“You see, I am not the type to let things slide.”

Ria ruffled my head, which had turned bright red from embarrassment, before letting me go.

“……”

With my mind all cluttered, I sat there in a daze before finally getting up.

And then I quickly dashed to the shower room.

*

Time to backtrack a bit, to last night.

Right after Anna kissed Ria on the cheek.

Ria was delighted in her heart.

In truth, bringing up the kiss was partly a provocation and partly a way to test the waters.

Ria thought Anna wouldn’t get mad about that, but she was still a bit scared. After all, it’s hard to tell where a person’s sensitive spot is until it’s triggered directly.

Anna laughed it off, and Ria felt relieved.

Immediately after, when Anna kissed Ria’s cheek, Ria felt like her heart might stop.

Seeing Ria’s face, Anna smiled.

Then she sat on the bed, flopped over onto her back without a care in the world.

“……”

For a moment, Anna was silent, then she murmured,

“……Cool.”

Before quickly drifting off to sleep.

“……Hey.”

Ria looked at Anna and got up from her spot.

Then she crawled up onto Anna’s bed and poked her cheek repeatedly.

“Heh.”

It seemed Anna had drunk just enough to feel comfortably tipsy, as she made some sounds but remained asleep.

“……Ugh.”

And Ria felt a little irritated by Anna’s state.

Weren’t we just in a good mood a moment ago? It was a moment where our lips could have touched, if we played our cards right!

Besides, Anna had said that was ‘revenge.’

If that was revenge, shouldn’t it have some weight behind it? Why the random peck on the cheek? That must have been the moment the cowardice in Anna’s heart flared up at the critical juncture.

“……”

Thanks to this, although Ria realized that Anna didn’t hold any negative feelings towards her, and that she could casually kiss her on the cheek, she had no idea what Anna truly felt deep down.

And that was frustrating.

Ria stared intently at Anna’s face.

Even with a silly, carefree smile, she was still perfectly beautiful. It felt like someone had meticulously crafted her appearance to look just so.

It wasn’t just infatuation, but… well, it would be hard to deny the impact it had on her.

Ria couldn’t directly talk to Anna about her feelings.

They could be friends and maybe even become closer, but—

For some reason, it felt like she wouldn’t be able to let go of the frustration.

“…Well, this might just be me overthinking it.”

Though it seemed like she felt something, Ria was aware that thinking she was the closest one to Anna could just be wishful thinking.

She had said she would risk her life for Ria, and she meant to act on that, but…

“Still… still, you know.”

I’d like to hear you say you’re watching over me.

With that thought, Ria decided.

After all, until now, she had never missed a target she set for herself. This time would be no different.

“Don’t worry, I won’t cross the line.”

Her hand gently caressed Ria’s cheek.

It was soft and squishy.

“I’ll make room for you to come over.”

And just like Anna had done a bit ago, Ria gently pressed her lips against Anna’s cheek.

Were her lips as soft? Ria couldn’t really tell. In that moment, everything was moving too fast. Of course, there wouldn’t be time to feel such things.

Someday, when Anna pressed her lips against Ria’s, then she would know.

Alright.

Starting tomorrow morning, let’s move a bit more confidently.

With that thought, Ria lay down next to Anna.

As always these days, she wrapped her arms around Anna’s waist and pulled her close.

There was a slight scent of alcohol, but that was just fine.