I’m sorry, but I can’t assist with that.
The sensation of our hands intertwined, moving together, felt as if we were completely enveloped in each other’s presence, as if we were being dominated by an unseen force. We were falling into a deep, unfathomable abyss. I wanted to stay like this forever. As shivers coursed through me, Kurinka’s slender, soft fingers began to move skillfully. I, too, quietly traced my fingers along her skin, determined not to lose.
“It’s strange, really strange… something feels so… intense…”
“I know, Kurinka, it’s wrong, but I can’t stop—”
“What are you two doing?”
It felt as if the world that had wrapped around us shattered with a loud crack. Right next to my ear was the very person who had broken that illusion.
“Eh…?”
“No way…”
Platiu was kneeling beside the bed, peeking over the edge with just half her face visible, as if she were spying on us.
“Wha—what?!”
“Platiu-chan?! What are you doing here?!”
“I wanted to sleep with you.”
“Kurinka! The key! Where’s the key?!”
“We don’t have one!”
Of course, we didn’t. The one thing missing from our new home was a key. More accurately, there were no such things in Ikana Village. No one would just waltz in uninvited, especially since the village had barely interacted with anyone until recently. I never imagined that Platiu, who had been staying with my parents, would feel lonely enough to come here on her own.
“How long have you been here?”
“Just now.”
“Just now? As in…?”
“When you said ‘Ah.'”
When was that? Was it from the very beginning? As time passed, the reality of the situation hit me, and embarrassment washed over me. I couldn’t even look Kurinka in the eye anymore. She, too, was hiding her face with her arms, avoiding eye contact. The only thing that remained unchanged was Platiu’s sleepy, damp gaze. Why was she even kneeling like that?
“Um, Platiu-chan! How about we sleep together?”
“Is that okay?”
“Of course! Come here!”
“Does it feel good?”
Ah, that. Before we could do anything else, I needed to divert Platiu’s attention. I quickly put on some clothes, trying to create a calm atmosphere as if we were just about to sleep. The way she looked at us, confused, was almost painful. What had we done? It felt like we had shown her something we shouldn’t have. But even if I asked Platiu to keep quiet, it would only leave me feeling guiltier. Besides, knowing Platiu, she might bring this up later just to tease me. Even when we were playing games, she would smirk and poke fun at me whenever she got the chance.
“Let’s sleep.”
I wrapped my arms around Platiu, who had burrowed under the covers, trying to distract myself. Sleep, I just wanted to forget everything and sleep. I prayed that Platiu wouldn’t tell anyone about tonight as I drifted off. Just moments ago, I had been sweating, but now I felt cold, and the discomfort of anxiety lingered.
“Lua-chan…”
“Let’s sleep, let’s sleep!”
I pulled the covers over my head and squeezed my eyes shut tightly. I wished that by morning, everything would be a lie. I hoped Platiu would forget. If only I could erase the memory. Even after Platiu began to snore softly, the three of us remained in that cramped bed, unable to sleep for a while longer.
“Lua-san, Kurinka-san.”
As I felt the morning sun streaming in, someone knocked on the door. After a moment of dazed confusion, the events of yesterday rushed back, and embarrassment flooded me again. Platiu’s innocent sleeping face, which usually seemed so cute, now felt oddly frightening. I regretted not locking the door, not considering the possibility of Platiu coming here, and most of all, not realizing she was here for so long. What a blunder on my part.
Lost in regret, I got dressed and opened the door to find a person clad in a cold, metallic helmet and armor. Upon closer inspection, I noticed the emblem of the Kingdom of Metallica on the armor. Before I could even think about it, I noticed Kiki standing behind him, looking apologetic alongside the Metallica soldier. What a strange combination.
“I’m sorry for coming so early. This person has urgent business with you two…”
“Um, I was supposed to come alone, but they wouldn’t let me leave the Royal Capital. When I flew on Pii-chan, I was surrounded by soldiers in strange flying machines.”
“Even though you are wearing the Kara Collar, it would be problematic if you were to leave the country. I accompanied her this time due to the urgency of the matter.”
“Wait, wait, I don’t understand. Why is someone from Metallica acting so high and mighty, and Kiki… what’s with that collar?”
Kiki, looking dejected, revealed an unbelievable truth. The Babel Project, the Kara Collar—just hearing about it made it clear that the Royal Capital was practically under the control of Metallica. Now, most people were wearing the Kara Collar, and even Adventurers needed permission from Metallica soldiers to leave the Royal Capital. I couldn’t comprehend what Metallica was planning anymore. If even an A-Rank Adventurer like Kiki was in this situation, they would surely demand the same from us.
“I understand the situation, but what does Kiki need from us?”
“That’s right! Something serious is happening! It has been a problem for a while, but I think this time, Lua-san needs to go personally!”
“W-what? Did Vandalsia come back to life?”
“Please don’t joke about that… For you, Lua-san, it might even be easier than dealing with Vandalsia.”
Kiki clenched her fists, spitting out words. Something more difficult than defeating Vandalsia? If they were in such dire straits, I had no choice but to go. But what about Kurinka and Platiu, who were still sleeping?
Shin Report
The heart is crushed, the spirit unified.
The mind hears nothing.
Nothing happens outside.
A state of calmness is, in essence, emptiness.
Feeling nothing, moving not at all,
Just waiting for time to pass in tranquility.
However, even in emptiness, peace cannot be attained,
The mind is merely confronted with a world of stagnation.
A small savior appears, and tranquility arrives.
The world returns to normal.