Chapter 35: I miss you

“Ugh?!”

I shot up in bed, kicking off the covers. I looked around; it was my dorm room. I calmed myself, taking in the familiar surroundings.

I’d had a nightmare. A nightmare about being…violated, in various ways.

“Haa…that’s ridiculous…”

It must be the stress from dealing with those crazy lesbians. But still… such a disturbing dream.

My face burned as I replayed the events in my mind. It was just a dream, thankfully. If that had actually happened…

I shook my head, dispelling the unsettling thoughts.

That would never happen. I wouldn’t just let them…

And besides, there was no way I would…

“There’s no way I’d be attracted to that pervert!”

Absolutely not. Not even in a dream.

But the unsettling feeling lingered. I headed to the bathroom, hoping to wash it away.

****

“There, is this good enough?”

I checked my appearance in the mirror. It felt unfamiliar, but I was trying to…cater to Sister’s preferences.

I’d tied my hair back, remembering Sister’s comment about liking it that way. She seemed to prefer pigtails, but that was too embarrassing. She’d always tease me, pulling on them.

I’d also chosen an outfit I thought she’d like. A dress, of course. She loved dressing me up, and dresses were her favorite.

When I asked why, she’d give practical reasons like comfort, style, good ventilation, and…ease of removal. Such pragmatic reasons didn’t suit her sentimental personality.

“Isn’t this a bit…revealing?”

My reflection looked… suggestive. The light, thin fabric of the dress seemed almost transparent. What if Sister fell head over heels and asked me to…go out with her?

Knock, knock—

A sudden knock interrupted my thoughts.

“Who is it?”

Was it Sister? I’d visited her last time, so it was her turn to visit me.

“Sister!”

I rushed to the door and threw it open, expecting to see my red-haired sister…

“Hee hee, having a little sister like this wouldn’t be so bad.”

…but it was Sara, her blue hair shining.

“Eek!”

I slammed the door shut. Or rather, I tried to.

A hand stopped it. Despite my efforts, the door swung open, revealing Sara, flanked by two others—Nina and…

“Linne…”

…Linne, with a fresh handprint on her cheek.

“Ellie, about yesterday, I’m really so…”

She stopped mid-sentence, staring at me, her mouth opening and closing soundlessly, like a fish out of water.

Confused, I asked,

“What are you all doing here? I didn’t invite…”

“Ellie, marry me.”

Linne’s sudden proposal, and her hands grabbing my shoulders, made me flinch. My question died in my throat.

“Wh…what are you talking about? M…marry?!”

Did she think I’d be swayed by such a proposal? A marriage proposal from Linne was…insulting.

Thump!—

“Oh my, Ellie, your face is as red as a tomato.”

“Th…that’s not…it’s just…”

I was…flushed because it was a warm day. It had nothing to do with her…serious expression or my racing heart. My stomach growled.

Growl—

I noticed Nina glaring at me, and I snapped back to reality.

“Anyway! I have no intention of getting married before graduation!”

“Then I’ll wait until you graduate.”

“Ugh…Th…that’s…”

I felt myself getting flustered again, as if immersed in warm water.

I looked down, speechless. Linne stared at me intently. Then, she spoke seriously,

“Ellie, could you bend down a little?”

“Wh…what?”

“I think I see something…pink.”

…What was she talking about?

I couldn’t understand her. After a moment of confusion, I followed her gaze, and…

Slap!—

I ran. Or rather, I retreated to my room. Linne probably had another handprint on her face now.

“Are you still mad? I’m sorry…”

“Let go of me, you creep!”

I’d barricaded myself in my room, but they just walked in and sat down. Linne hovered behind me, apologizing profusely. I wasn’t going to forgive her, though.

She looked like a large, anxious dog, which was kind of cute, but I quickly dismissed the thought. She wasn’t cute; she was a creepy pervert who wanted my body.

Even though her warm embrace and the soft pressure of…something against my back felt nice.

“When did…!”

I hadn’t even noticed when she started hugging me. I would have struggled, but we were pressed together so tightly, it was impossible.

Or maybe I didn’t want to escape. Her warm breath against my neck, her body pressed against mine…it was intoxicating.

I must be going crazy. There was no other explanation.

“Are you okay now?”

“…Yes.”

Linne’s breath tickled my ear, and I responded involuntarily. I couldn’t stay mad at her, even though I was annoyed. I had no choice but to accept her apology.

****

“So, what are you all doing here?”

I looked at them, sitting in my room.

I was the only one on the bed. This was dangerous. Surrounded by crazy lesbians who’d broken into my room…anything could happen.

My suspicion grew; I glared at them.

“Are you planning to…do something to me? Hmph, don’t bother. You’re just annoying pests.”

I wasn’t lying.
The insects in the forest near my family estate were the size of humans. They were weak individually, but dangerous in swarms. Compared to them, drakes were cute.

Sara and Nina exchanged glances and nodded.
My exceptional mind-reading skills told me they were planning a coordinated attack. I discreetly reached for the sword I’d placed beside my bed.

I wasn’t actually going to use it, of course. I didn’t want to deal with a dead body in my room.

Linne just stared at me blankly. Her intense gaze made me feel hot. I needed to find an air conditioner, or something.

Sara finally spoke,

“Ahem. Ellie? The reason we’re here today is…”

I wasn’t interested. It would be another nonsensical excuse.

“No.”

“But this is for your own good, Ellie…”

“No.”

Sara’s smile widened, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

“Hee hee, Ellie, you need to change your clothes first. You can’t…do it in that outfit.”

“I told you, no.”

“Linne, could you wait outside for a moment?”

“Linne! Don’t leave me!”

But they weren’t going to let me go that easily.

“Ellie, don’t worry! Everything will be fine! Linne, just wait outside for a bit!”

Nina, looking strangely excited, pulled me away from Linne, their teamwork seamless. They should use their combined power for good, not…this.

Linne reluctantly agreed.

“I want to watch too…”

“Hee hee, we’ll show you soon enough.”

What did she want to watch? But that wasn’t important right now.

“No! Linne, help me!”

But the door slammed shut.

Click.

Nina locked the door, grinning.

“Sara, are you ready?”

“Of course, Nina.”

Sara held up a blue crystal ball, the same one I’d seen before…in my dream, the one that shattered.

“Now, Ellie, smile.”

I smiled sweetly at Sara’s request.