Chapter 20: Unforgiving hand

A bright, sunny morning chased away my gloomy mood.

The academy grounds were bursting with colorful flowers.

Even I, who had no interest in flowers, couldn’t help but notice.

A climbing red rose caught my eye.
It wasn’t rose season yet. Perhaps it was a different flower.

The pristine red bloom reminded me of Sister, getting ready for a social gathering. Her bright smile as she twirled in her pretty dress… I was captivated by her beauty that day, even more radiant than the flowers.

Of course, Sister was even more beautiful now, her allure in full bloom. But even then, her budding charm had captivated me.

Lost in thought, I walked past the rosebush.
I paused my sentimental musings about Sister and looked around.

Flowers of all shapes and colors bloomed in clusters.
My gaze settled on a lone yellow flower, standing tall and proud amidst the others.

It reminded me of Lena, standing gracefully in the moonlight.

The brief but intense encounter left a lasting impression. I doubted I’d forget her easily.

I’d forced myself to sleep last night,
managing to regain some composure.

Lena had clearly made a significant impact on me.

I reassured myself that I’d see her again someday, since we were both in the capital. I steeled my resolve.

I hoped to spend more time with her next time.

Though a lingering sense of longing remained, I pushed it aside, focusing on the future.

****

“Are you still upset, Ellie?”

A voice interrupted my thoughts.

I turned and saw Linne looking at me with concern.

“Linne, hurry up and try it. I’m sure it will work.”

Sara was with her, a look of anticipation on her face. Her expression made me uneasy. What was she planning?

As I hesitated, Linne grabbed my hand.

“Let me borrow your hand for a moment.”

“What? Whoa…!”

My hand was caught before I could react. I tried to pull away, but Linne’s grip was too strong.

“Let go! I don’t want to!”

Linne ignored my protests. I was too weak to resist.

Was she going to tie me up?
I imagined myself bound and helpless, subjected to all sorts of… indignities.

I shuddered.
The thought of the countless violations I might endure filled me with dread.

Get a grip, Ellie. Even if you’re captured, you can escape if you stay calm.

I looked directly at Linne, my eyes fixed on hers.

It was important to stay composed and assertive in situations like this. I wouldn’t be intimidated. I glared at her, trying to project an air of authority.

“Sniff…please let me go…”

But my body betrayed my strong will.

This wasn’t my fault. It was all Ellie’s.

Linne ignored my plea, pulling my hand closer.

I closed my eyes, unable to watch.

Squish—

Gasp, this feeling…

My breath hitched. I couldn’t open my eyes.

A wave of…something spread through my arm, starting from my hand. A pleasant tremor.

Gulp.—

I swallowed involuntarily.

It was so large, my small hand couldn’t contain it. My face burned as I imagined its shape.

Why was she doing this?

I pushed aside the question and focused on the sensation, etching it into my memory.

My heart pounded. If I died again, Linne would be the culprit.

“How do you feel? Better now?”

The soft, yielding fullness left my hand.

I opened my eyes and saw Linne looking at me expectantly.

“Better? What…?”

Confused, I responded, trying to make sense of what just happened.

My hand felt empty. A sense of longing made me clench and unclench it.

“That’s strange. She said you’d like it…”

Linne looked at Sara doubtfully. Sara just smirked.

“Hee hee, you never know until you try. What do you think, Ellie? Did you not like it?”

“I…it wasn’t…bad.”

I responded blankly, still dazed. I stumbled and sat down, my legs weak.

“See? Ellie liked it.”

“She said she’d be happy if we let her touch our breasts… She was right.”

“Hee hee, I never lie.”

I couldn’t focus in class after that. Even lying face down, the lingering sensation prevented me from sleeping.

During lunch, I mechanically chewed and swallowed the food Linne fed me, my mind elsewhere.

I kept glancing at Linne. Not because I liked her, of course. That would never happen. Who would like a perverted ditz like her?

I was staring at…her chest, where my hand had been.

Nina, seeing my gaze, finally snapped,

“Hey, where are you looking?! Can’t you see Linea doesn’t like it?!”

“It’s fine… Don’t friends show each other their breasts?”

Linne blinked, saying something bizarre.

“As expected of you, Linea. Nina, don’t be so uptight.”

But I ignored Nina’s barking and Linne’s nonsense.

I had other things on my mind.

I hadn’t noticed it when I hugged her before.

It was almost as big as Mother’s. Though Mother’s was still larger, of course.

I never thought I’d see another chest comparable to Mother’s. Perhaps all blondes were…well-endowed. Lena’s was impressive too.

I wanted to…bury my face in them again.

I shook my head, dispelling the thought. My long, ash-gray hair swirled around me.

“Ugh, Ellie, don’t move so much, it’s dangerous.”

Linne stopped me, and I relaxed, stilling my movements.

“She looks like an angel.”

I stared at Linne, captivated by the gentle sway of her body.

Hugging her again was too dangerous. I wouldn’t be able to go back.
I might become obsessed, forever seeking her touch, never satisfied with anything less.

“Ellie? Are you going to stare all day?”

I snapped back to reality. Sara sat across from me, her beautiful blue eyes, like a clear ocean, reflecting my image. Her radiant presence calmed my racing heart.

I realized Sara was stunningly beautiful.

Seeing the uniformly beautiful students of Lily Academy reminded me I was in a novel’s world.
But even among them, Sara’s beauty was exceptional.
I’d almost lost myself in her gaze earlier.

If she wasn’t currently manhandling my cheeks, I might have fallen for her.

“Mmmph?!”

“Hee hee. You’re cute when you’re quiet, but I prefer it when you react.”

Her hands were surprisingly strong and…impolite. Her fingers pinched and pulled, teasing and tormenting.

My cheeks were stretched and squished mercilessly.

A sharp pinch brought tears to my eyes.

“Ugh…stop…”

She showed no signs of stopping. I tried to push her hands away, but
she’d already anticipated my move and withdrew them.

“Oh my, that was dangerous.”

“Hee…hee…what was…that…”

The strange sensation lingered even after she let go.

I looked down, following the unfamiliar feeling. An arm snaked around my waist from behind, reaching inside my shirt.

I finally realized the source of the strange sensation.

A hand caressing my waist.

Linne.

“L…let go…!”

I tried to get up and escape, but my legs flailed uselessly. I was trapped in Linne’s embrace.

When did this happen?

What was she planning, holding me captive like this?

Was I about to be…ravaged, like in the novels I’d read?

I didn’t want to be brainwashed into a pleasure-seeking pet.