Chapter 25: Hungry beast

“Oh, little one, what are you doing here?”

A senior student stopped me as I entered Sister’s dormitory. I hadn’t even realized she was talking to me until she blocked my path.

Little one? How could she call me that?
What part of me looked…little? Was she blind?
I’m average height.

Average according to my own standards, of course. I couldn’t measure everyone in the capital. I was normal; she was just tall.

Did tall people ever consider that they were the unusual ones?
I kept the thought to myself; pointing it out would only highlight the height difference.

I was getting breathless. The long walk and the rising heat in my body made my breathing ragged.

“Huff… pant…”

My head felt light and feverish. I couldn’t think straight.
I instinctively rubbed my thighs together.

“Haa…I just wanted to…see my sister…”

“Wait, are you okay? You look unwell.”

“Don’t touch me!”

Slap!—

I couldn’t let my guard down for a second in this place.
She tried to touch me without even asking.

I swatted her hand away, but I was at my limit. My vision blurred, and my mind felt hazy.

The senior student’s image tripled. I closed my eyes, overwhelmed by dizziness.

“Hey, are you alright? Wake up!”

A frantic voice called out, barely audible over the ringing in my ears. I stumbled, losing my balance, and someone caught me.

Then, everything went quiet. I saw glimpses of different places as I drifted in and out of consciousness, too fleeting to recognize.

I needed to see Sister…

****

Sniff…kiss—

“Mmm…”

A tingling sensation spread through my body. I instinctively raised my hand, but it was stopped.
I opened my eyes, seeing a familiar cascade of red hair.

“Sister…?”

“Ellie, you’re awake?”

A gentle, soothing voice brought me back to reality. Kind, slightly drooping red eyes looked at me with concern.

Sister always had a comforting aura.
Soft and gentle, without a sharp edge.

With such a vulnerable demeanor, anyone could take advantage of her. I worried about her naivete. What if she followed some cute girl blindly, just because they showed her some affection?

I wished she’d only show me this gentle side, reserving her coldness for everyone else.

‘That’s impossible, though.’

I couldn’t imagine Sister being cold to anyone.
She’d never say anything harsh. She was always kind and warm.

But if she showed this much affection to someone else…and I witnessed it… I would…

I shook my head, stopping the thought.

‘What am I thinking…?’

It was the fever and dizziness. These were not my normal thoughts. Just a fleeting delusion.

I suppressed the dark, possessive feelings and focused on Sister.

Seeing her hovering over me raised questions.

‘Are we in her room?’

What was that sound earlier? Like…sucking.
What was she doing on top of me?

I had to ask.

“Um…Sister, what are you…”

“I’m so glad you’re okay! I was so worried, Ellie…”

Sister interrupted me, hugging me tightly. She smelled like sweet cherries today.

I’d had something to ask, but
Sister was more important right now. I hugged her back, burying my face in her hair, reassuring her.

“Sister, I’m fine. Really.”

I actually felt better.
The dizziness and fever had subsided. Perhaps the rest had helped.

I patted her back, comforting her. My chest was damp with her tears. I felt guilty for worrying her. I held her gently until she calmed down.

“Um…Sister, why are my clothes like this…?”

I finally asked, my heart pounding. I’d seen it earlier, but I couldn’t believe it.

My attire was…scandalous, rivaling even Linne’s.

I had to ask.

I examined myself carefully.

My uniform was half-undone. My blouse was missing.
My shirt was unbuttoned, exposing my stomach and underwear.
And between them…something I shouldn’t be showing peeked out shyly. My underwear was askew, failing to serve its purpose. I quickly adjusted it, hiding the pale pink flesh.

‘Did…Sister do this?’

It couldn’t be.
Sister wouldn’t do something like this.

It was more plausible that I’d undressed myself in my sleep. Sister thought for a moment, then said,

“Ellie, were you with another girl before you collapsed?”

“Before I collapsed…?”

I remembered one person.
The girl who called me “little one.” Her eyesight must be terrible.

But she seemed kind. I’d snapped at her because I was feeling unwell and irritable.

I felt a pang of guilt. She didn’t seem like a bad person.

“Yes… But why?”

“Ellie, that girl…she did this to you.”

Sister’s words were a harsh reminder.

The girl was a predator. She’d taken advantage of me while I was unconscious. Sister had saved me, witnessing the scene by chance.

She didn’t seem like that kind of person…
A shiver ran down my spine.
I felt sick. If it weren’t for Sister, I’d be…

“It’s okay now. I took care of her.”

“Sister…!”

I was overwhelmed by gratitude and relief. I clung to her.

She was too good for me. I was ashamed for doubting her. I held her tightly, apologizing profusely.

“So, you came here for my healing magic?”

After calming down, I explained my symptoms. Sister seemed to understand immediately.

As expected of her. She was so reliable and knowledgeable. It couldn’t be the only case she’d encountered. I’d just told her I felt feverish and dizzy.
She knew exactly what was wrong.

Sister was more divine than any goddess.

“Yes…Sister, please.”

“Then you have to go on a date with me next time.”

“A date…! I’ll go!”

I blurted out, my eyes shining. Sister probably didn’t mean it like that, but I couldn’t help but feel excited.

She was healing me and taking me on a date? She was too good to me. I hadn’t done anything for her.

“Hee hee… Now, let’s get you ready for your treatment, Ellie.”

Right. Ready.
I wasn’t just here for a visit.
Sister’s words calmed my racing heart.

Her healing magic required a…special procedure.
It might seem strange to others.

But I didn’t find it strange.
There were many different healing methods.

And it was effective.

I never doubted her. Who would I trust if not my saintly sister? That would be blasphemy. I couldn’t question her.

“Ellie, what did I tell you to do when I heal you?”

“Um…take off my clothes and lie down.”

I had to undress for her to examine me properly.

“Now, take off your clothes and lie down.”

“But…”

I was embarrassed. I didn’t doubt Sister, but I couldn’t help feeling shy. But I calmed myself and started undressing. It helped that Sister had seen my body countless times.

I removed my already unbuttoned shirt and skirt, leaving only my underwear.

Gulp.—

As I reached for my underwear, I felt a burning gaze on me, like a predator eyeing its prey.

“Gasp…!”

I turned around and saw the predator staring at me, its eyes full of hunger.
Sister’s red eyes blazed intensely.