Chapter 194

EP.194 The Saint’s Lips

At a park in Uijeongbu.

On a bench in this sparsely populated area, I was studying the Bible with Adelle.

She was expressing her displeasure with her whole body.

She had cornered me on the bench, arms crossed, standing opposite me, glaring at me like a prison guard.

She hadn’t said a word since we arrived.

As I read the Bible, I shifted my hips, feeling uncomfortable.

Adelle’s eyes lit up as if she had caught me in the act.

“Mr. Jihyuk, who hasn’t contacted me for two days, should focus on the Bible as much as you focus on your business trips.”

“The posture is a bit uncomfortable…”

“Your attitude is poor!”

“…I’ve finished Genesis. Please give me the transitional period.”

Adelle pulled out a massive notebook from her bag and placed it on my lap with a thud.

“Here it is!”

It was another handwritten, messy Bible.

Titled [Transitional Period] in cute handwriting.

It was the second volume of the Rosario Church Bible, detailing how Rosario stabilized the planets and spread the doctrine after establishing the rules.

I whistled at the sheer size of the book.

“Can I take a short break?”

“No!”

“I’ve been reading the Bible for four hours straight. Please.”

“Hmm… fine. I’ll give you 10 minutes.”

“According to labor laws, it should be 30 minutes…”

“You shouldn’t act so calculative! And you’re not working, Mr. Jihyuk! You’re taking lessons to become a higher-ranking priest!”

“Even lessons have breaks…”

“Be quiet!”

“Understood.”

I clicked my tongue in disappointment, leaned back on the bench, and tried to spread my legs slightly, but Adelle sat so close to me that I couldn’t.

“Adelle, there’s plenty of space. Could you move a bit?”

She didn’t respond.

She just sat stiffly, staring straight ahead.

I eventually got up and walked towards the convenience store.

Adelle quickly followed and asked, “Where are you going? Are you running away…”

“Not running away. I’m going to the convenience store to get some snacks.”

“Then I’ll come with you.”

Adelle followed behind, occasionally brushing against my wrist.

It seemed natural, but it was clear she wanted to hold my hand.

I smiled and grabbed her hand when she tried to brush against me again.

“Ah…!”

Adelle let out a short gasp.

I stopped and pulled her to my side.

Her fist was so small it fit entirely in my hand.

It was clenched and trembling, as if she was nervous.

To think such a tiny hand could wield a hammer… what a world.

“Shall we go?”

“…Yes…”

The sulking Adelle from earlier was gone, replaced by a shy virgin with her head bowed.

Her sudden change in demeanor was both amusing and endearing.

Adelle walked while looking at the ground. Watching her, I made a suggestion.

“Adelle.”

“What…”

“Want to do something fun?”

“What is it…?”

I smiled brightly and placed my left foot next to her right foot.

Then, I lifted her right foot slightly and had her step down with my foot.

After a few steps, Adelle got used to this three-legged race and giggled as she matched my pace.

Holding hands tightly, we walked slowly at first, then picked up speed towards the convenience store.

Seems like her anger has subsided. Adelle is easy to read, and I like that.

**

After focusing on the Bible for a while, I felt pressure in my eyes.

If I kept reading, I’d get a headache, so I closed the Bible and shut my eyes.

I wanted to tilt my head back, but I couldn’t move because Adelle was sleeping on my shoulder.

Adelle’s hand rested on my waist.

Her delicate hand just above my groin.

Her white nails still shone with polish.

I don’t know which salon she goes to, but they’re good. Sehwa complained that hers chipped and peeled within a week… I’ll ask Adelle later and let her know.

I placed Adelle’s hand on my thigh and was lost in thought when she woke up.

She blinked sleepily, smacked her lips, then lay sideways on the bench and rested her head on my lap.

Then she fell asleep again.

Her black bag, which was near my shoulder, fell to the ground.

I carefully moved my foot to shift the bag and placed it beside the bench.

‘What to do…’

I needed to explain the device’s charging method to Adelle, but she fell asleep, and I missed the timing.

Oh well. I brushed Adelle’s hair, which was fluttering in the cool breeze.

Her hair was incredibly soft, like touching fine silk.

“Mmm…”

A while later, Adelle mumbled in her sleep.

She tossed and turned, facing my stomach, and adjusted her position, mistaking my thigh for a pillow.

‘This is driving me crazy.’

Without thinking, I placed my hand on Adelle’s forehead.

Her face was so small that my palm covered it entirely.

As I stayed still, Adelle slowly opened her eyes.

“Mr. Jihyuk…”

“Yes.”

“It’s heavy…”

“Sorry. Want to get up?”

“I want to sleep more…”

“Should I take you home? It’s almost evening, and it’s getting cold.”

“It’s fine for now. I’ll go when it gets cold.”

If I indulge her like this, she’ll get spoiled…

“Understood.”

Adelle, satisfied with my answer, changed her position.

She sat upright, facing me directly.

Her crimson lips parted as she looked up at me.

“I like you, Mr. Jihyuk.”

Why is she saying this now?

Is it the evening atmosphere? Or is she still half-asleep and blurting out her feelings?

Whatever it is, it doesn’t matter. Hearing Adelle’s honest confession felt amazing.

Let’s not overthink it now.

“…This is the first time I’ve felt this way.”

Adelle continued.

I asked, “What kind of feeling?”

“A soft, squishy feeling.”

I had no idea what that meant, but it was definitely a positive feeling.

I smiled and decided to go with the flow.

I gently stroked Adelle’s forehead and bangs, slowly lowering my head.

Very slowly, like a snail.

“….”

At first, Adelle just felt my touch, but as my face got closer, she opened her eyes wide.

Her breathing quickened, and I could hear her exhale.

She seemed scared because this situation was so unfamiliar.

Normally, I would stop and ask for her consent, but… once you draw the sword, you must cut.

I’ll do what I want now. I’ve compromised enough for you.

When our faces were almost touching, I whispered, “I like you too, Adelle.”

“….”

Adelle’s throat moved visibly.

I could hear her gulp. Since she didn’t stop me, it seemed she had made up her mind.

Without further hesitation, I pressed my lips to hers.

At the same time, Adelle tightly closed her eyes.

I barely held back a laugh as I kissed her.

A monumental day, stealing the saint’s lips for the first time.

It felt… soft and squishy.

**

In the car on the way back to Uijeongbu.

Adelle was gripping the seatbelt tightly, staring out the passenger window.

I glanced at her and made plans for our next meeting.

“I’ll come by tomorrow evening. Answer when I call.”

Adelle didn’t respond.

Her face was red to the ears, and she fidgeted nervously.

She hadn’t said a word since the kiss… she must be really embarrassed.

I wonder if she’ll slap me when I try to slip my tongue in later.

“Am I making you uncomfortable?”

She shook her head quickly.

I sighed and said, “I’m driving. If I keep checking your reactions, we might get into an accident.”

“….”

“So don’t answer with actions, use your words.”

“…Okay…”

“Huh?”

“I said okay…”

Her voice was so soft I could barely hear it.

Well… I’m grateful she answered at all.

“Want some candy?”

“No… yes…”

Do you want it or not?

I’ll just give it to her. I opened the console and took out some mint-flavored candy.

Soon, I heard crunching sounds.

It sounded like she had five or six pieces in her mouth.

As I focused on driving, Adelle exhaled after finishing the candy.

“Phew…”

The faint mint scent filled the car. It felt as refreshing as my mood.

Adelle sighed and gripped the seatbelt again.

Her trembling hands seemed to reflect her feelings.

Fortunately for Adelle, the distance between the park and her house was short.

I parked at the entrance and called her.

“Adelle.”

“What…”

“We’re here.”

“….”

Adelle finally let go of the seatbelt and looked at me.

“Mr. Jihyuk…”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“What are your intentions with me?”

That’s a question that could easily be misunderstood.

And intentions… what a choice of words.

I opened my mouth slightly, looking bewildered, and Adelle quickly corrected herself.

“I, I misspoke… I meant to ask, what happens to us now…”

“You really messed that up, huh?”

“Yes…”

“I don’t think I’ll ever forget today. How about you?”

“I, I feel the same…”

“Do you regret it?”

“No…”

Adelle answered without hesitation.

I smiled happily and asked, “How did it feel?”

Adelle shuddered and thought for a moment before answering.

“It felt good… no, it was good…”

“I feel the same. If neither of us regrets it and it felt good, then it’s fine, right? Let’s take care of each other from now on.”

Adelle banged her forehead on the dashboard.

Her face was even redder than before.

Her reactions are so pure. Even with vague words, she’s this embarrassed… can she handle what’s coming next?

I gently stroked Adelle’s back and thought about bringing up the topic of Aiter.

Just then,

“I, I’ll go now!”

Adelle suddenly shouted, opened the car door, and got out.

She bowed to me and ran towards the front door.

Watching her tragic heroine-like retreat, I sighed in frustration.

I wanted to talk face-to-face, but now it’s awkward to visit her at home.

The mood was strange, and things got out of hand.

No, not out of hand—it turned out well.

If I had talked about the charging method before the kiss, she might have doubted my intentions when I made a move.

I shrugged, set the car to autopilot, and tapped on my phone.

To be continued―――――――――――――――――――――

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