Ch.79First Experience, and After

Irefi’s bear hug had caused a catastrophe that was cleaned up as usual. Though it was limited to my pitiful body.

Irefi made a tearful face on the blood-soaked, horrific bed. The sticky, damp sheets felt exactly like a horror movie set.

“Nepy, what should we do about this?”

“We need to clean it up, but… sigh.”

“Should we secretly bury it in the ground?”

“What will you say when the servant asks tomorrow where the bed went?”

“Ugh…”

We put our heads together for a while, searching for various excuses. But no matter how rationally we thought about it, there was no genius plan to explain away a scene that looked like a murder site.

While I was sighing deeply, Irefi’s eyes suddenly lit up with an idea.

“I thought of a good excuse.”

“Oh? As expected of Irefi! What is it?”

“From what I know, many women’s first experience is accompanied by bleeding.”

“Oho, so the blood-covered bed is from blood you shed while doing that sort of thing!”

“It’s embarrassing… but isn’t this our best option?”

“Haha…”

Look.

At the bloodstains splattered on the ceiling that had dried up. At the festival of red liquid flowing not only on the bed sheets but also onto the floor.

Even with my limited knowledge about sex, one thing was clear.

“Isn’t this way too much blood for virginity?! If everyone’s first time was like this, humanity would have gone extinct long ago!”

“Given that I was a knight commander, is it too much?”

“It would be too much even for a knight commander grandmother…”

“Ugh, that’s disappointing.”

Irefi was genuinely upset. What’s frightening is that she wasn’t joking. It’s as if she’s guaranteeing that she wouldn’t die from this much blood loss.

What’s even more terrifying is that it seems plausible. I wonder if Irefi has long transcended the limitations of humanity.

“Let’s… wash up first. We can’t stay covered in blood like this.”

“You’re right, Nepy. So…”

Irefi glanced around cautiously. I could read the embarrassment behind her subtle hints.

I’ll set aside my impression that her hesitant appearance resembles a blood-covered virgin ghost for now.

She opened her mouth with determination.

“Would you like to… wash together?”

“Together?!”

Did I really hear that correctly? Washing in the same space and time as Irefi. How is this different from her personally serving me a meal?

For example, an act of affection where I help wash the blood from various parts of Irefi’s body. Facing each other, cleaning with warm flowing water all the things usually kept hidden. Breathing becomes increasingly rough, and fully touching that smooth skin…

“O-of course, only when entering the bath! I’ll wear a thin robe too! You should wear one as well, Nepy!”

“Ah… oh… r-right. I knew that.”

“Nepy, you’re such a liar. It’s all written on your face!”

“Was it that obvious?”

“Your gaping expression was no joke! Goodness, when did you become so naughty…”

“So you don’t like it?”

“Ugh… I don’t know!!!”

Irefi let out a shriek mixed with embarrassment. She hid her reddened ears with her snow-white hair as she headed toward the bathroom.

I also went to another bathroom to wash away the impurities. Trying to ignore the blood-soaked bed was just a bonus.

“Hmm…”

As the blood dissolved in the warm water, I resented my excessively good hearing. The sound of water from Irefi’s side, which I normally wouldn’t notice, was unusually clear. Perhaps because of her invitation, every drop of water sounded suggestive.

I diligently cleansed my body and changed into a thin robe.

Just then, Irefi seemed to be finishing up as well, as I heard the rustle of clothes brushing against skin from inside.

“Um, Miss Irefi?”

“Nepy?”

“May I have permission to ask for permission to enter… wait, what am I saying. Um… are you done?”

“Ah, yes! I just finished. Come in…”

“Then I’m coming in…?”

The crude door opened with a creak. Beyond it, Irefi stood shyly with her hands clasped together, wearing a white robe that suited her. The robe looked so thin that it might become transparent just by entering the water, making me gulp involuntarily.

Seeing my bobbing Adam’s apple, Irefi was about to scold me but closed her mouth firmly. It seemed she was tired of reacting to everything now. But what can one do about instinct… Irefi was to blame for her gracious invitation.

“It’s warm.”

“It is warm.”

We dipped our feet into the small rectangular bathtub. It was deep enough to submerge half our bodies and large enough to stretch our legs without difficulty.

Irefi sat right next to me, relaxing loosely. Her refreshed breathing expressed her satisfaction.

“This is nice, Irefi.”

“If Nepy likes it, I like it too.”

“If Irefi likes it, I like it too.”

“Stop that nonsense.”

Irefi laughed it off lightly and leaned her light weight against me.

Through the wet robe, I had the illusion of feeling her skin.

Her gently closed eyes formed a dim arc. She truly seemed mentally and physically at ease.

“Nepy.”

“Yes?”

“Let’s talk.”

“All of a sudden? Is there something you want to say?”

“There are things I want to hear.”

“Ask me anything.”

“Then without hesitation… I want to hear directly from Nepy about the dimension you lived in.”

“Hmm, about my world. It’s going to be a long story, is that okay?”

Irefi answered with a shy smile. Her awkward attitude was somehow amusing, making me laugh along with her.

“Since Nepy’s waist is bending like a bow, and the night is still young…”

“Pfft! Speak properly. It’s bent like a bow, not bending.”

“Nobles really love to speak indirectly, you know.”

“Wrong. That’s what we call a drift, Irefi.”

“Drip… port…? Must be a word from Nepy’s dimension. Like triple axel, or rofan… This clears up my questions. It’s not a curse word, is it?”

“As if I would be that vulgar.”

Irefi tilted her head, mulling over the words. Her recollection of past life concepts was dreamlike. I never thought the truth I thought I couldn’t reveal would be exposed this way.

“So, let’s see. Irefi, have you ever heard of an airplane? It’s a transportation method that flies higher than clouds and travels across the world, crossing entire countries in half a day.”

“My goodness, how is that possible? You’re making this up, aren’t you?!”

“… And cutting space with a sword makes sense?”

“Doesn’t it? If you do this and that, it should work.”

Irefi playfully swung her hand as if creating a sword rift. I desperately tried to stop her, afraid that an invisible sword might actually appear.

“It was absolutely impossible in our world. People couldn’t become excessively strong like you, the old man, or Bartlant.”

“There wouldn’t be much reward for training then, would there?”

“Not necessarily. There were quite a few people who found pleasure in the act of pumping iron.”

“Aha, pumping iron! How interesting. Should I try it too?”

“… I think it would be impossible for Irefi.”

I doubt any exercise equipment could withstand her strength.

Irefi pouted with a thoroughly disappointed expression. In response, I pressed my finger against her lips to push them back into place. The sulky Irefi lightly tapped my shoulder.

“Then another question. What kind of person was Nepy over there?”

“I was a civil service exam student… which in this world would be like a student trying to become an official.”

“You weren’t a noble, I suppose?”

“At least in my country, the class system itself was abolished more than 100 years ago.”

The concept of an equal society seemed somewhat radical to her. Irefi expressed her shock, covering her mouth with her small hand.

“My goodness, Nepy’s world is full of amazing facts.”

“From my perspective, this place is unrealistic.”

“Sigh, since I don’t know Nepy’s world, I can’t tell if you’re lying… It’s unfair. You’re not lying, are you?”

“You don’t believe me?”

“I believe in Nepy, but I can’t believe the story.”

“Heh, what’s that supposed to mean?”

“I wonder.”

We laughed mindlessly as if by agreement. Without realizing it, our hands had found each other, exchanging emotions.

It felt as if thoughts and feelings were being transmitted through our hands. I could understand her genuine self without even looking at her expressions or gestures. As if some kind of magic had occurred between us.

I answered her endless questions without hesitation. Each time, Irefi would be amazed as if experiencing something extraordinary.

Somehow, a warm feeling of happiness enveloped this moment. I wanted to keep laughing and talking with Irefi like this, without any worries.

“Ah.”

“Whew.”

Silence crept in like an uninvited guest. We might be tired after talking for so long. Perhaps we needed time to gather our excited emotions.

As only steam quietly circled between us,

Irefi turned to face me with a serious expression.

Her lips trembled hesitantly, as if preparing to say something difficult.

“You know, Nepy.”

“Yes, tell me.”

“I heard that Nepy observed our world from another dimension. Is that true?”

“It’s a bit different, but similar.”

“If so… then in the world Nepy observed, what were we like?”

Irefi had managed to speak with difficulty. I also understood what was making her so restless.

She must be worried. There’s a high possibility that I observed Irefi’s ugly aspects. And that’s undeniably true.

“Irefi, it will be exactly the same as the future memories you have.”

“Ugh…”

“Like the scene where Bartlant declares that you should meet your own death. Or when you, with Bartlant’s help, to Zikharun…”

I stopped there. I didn’t want Irefi to recall painful memories.

The sins Irefi committed, whether in her past life or current one, are not the kind that can be forgiven. I knew this, yet I still liked her. Out of pure selfishness, I wanted Irefi to be truly happy.

Because you are my savior.

But uncharacteristically, you ask with a shrinking posture and gloomy tone.

“Nepy… after witnessing everything, aren’t you disappointed in me? Aren’t you disgusted by someone like me?”

“If that’s what you’re curious about, I’ll tell you as many times as needed.”

Irefi probably already knows the answer. She couldn’t have forgotten. She knows but still feels anxious.

I, who doesn’t really need sleep, know. That every time you fall asleep, you cry and suffer. I’ve seen you constantly apologizing and pleading to someone whose face and name you can’t remember.

Then I will endlessly repeat the answer that only you know. Until the day your anxiety shakes off and flies away. I will pray for the tear stains on your pillowcase from the blue lake to disappear.

I looked straight into Irefi’s eyes and said clearly.

“Including the you that you like and the you that you hate, all of you, I love you.”

If you feel guilty about living, I want you to live for me. I hope you’ll hold my hand for my happiness.

All of this was the feeling from that moonlit night when I first confessed to Irefi.

“I like you, Irefi.”

“… Me too.”

“I like the way you talk, the way you act, everything.”

“Ugh…”

“I even like when your waist bends backward and covers the bed with blood.”

“Please properly dislike that…”

“Sorry, actually I do find that a bit much.”

“…”

I thought her gloominess had passed, but now she seemed to be feeling self-loathing. Well, can’t be helped. I’ll have to use my special technique to forcibly lighten the mood…!

“Irefi.”

“Yes?”

“What happens when a sword gets serious?”

Irefi’s features crumpled uniquely as she guessed my intention.

“Ah, please don’t do this now, Nep…”

“It turns black.”

“Urgh…!”

Irefi let out a groan. It sounded like she was facing a sword strike that was difficult to block.

“What happens when the sea gets hot?”

“Nepy, please…!”

“It gets heated.”

“Ughhhh…!!!”

“How do you quickly catch a co—”

Thwap!

Irefi looks adorable with her expression of crying while laughing, covering my mouth.

However, the counter-question that followed from her mouth was truly horrifying.

“Nepy.”

“Mmph, mmph.”

“Now it’s my turn to ask a question.”

“Mmph?”

“What happens when Nepy’s waist bends like a bow? It should be quite easy, right? After all, Nepy knows the answer.”

“…”

Irefi’s chilling quiz was demanding an answer. I appealed to the empty blue lake with my earthquake-emitting pupils.

She continued speaking while still covering my mouth with overwhelming strength.

“I love you, Nepy.”

“Mmph.”

“But… please help me love you a little more peacefully. You can do that, can’t you, Nepy?”

“Mmmmph!”

Nod, nod!

“Well done, our Nepy.”

Her hand patting my head like praising a child was very cold. It might be my imagination, but it felt ominous. Yet strangely, I liked even that, which made me afraid of myself.

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to win against Irefi in my lifetime.

The suffocating restraint continued until the bathwater cooled. It was time to leave the now-lukewarm bath.

Which meant it was time to face the blood-covered reality.

“We’ve been avoiding reality, but what are we going to do about this?”

“Shameful as it is, passing it off as blood I shed…”

“That’s beyond the level of shame, you know. You’ll be recorded in history books as a record-breaking woman in many ways.”

“Sigh…”

“Huff…”

At the very end, what we chose was another escape from reality.

The sofa was spacious enough that we could sleep comfortably embracing each other. The bottom was soft and fluffy, and having Irefi’s softness in front was the best!

“Good night, Irefi.”

“Sweet dreams, Nepy.”

And so we quietly closed our eyes in the blood-covered room.

It was a bright, starlit dawn.