Chapter 34: I want to touch your chest

Was she calling me a pervert?

I was speechless. She’d molested me, and now she was making me out to be the strange one? It was so unfair I wanted to cry.

“I’m not a pervert! I never thought anything weird!”

I yelled, unable to contain my frustration. Linne winced, clutching her ears.

“Ow… If you’re not, then you’re not. Why are you yelling?”

“I’m not…a pervert…”

“Ugh, fine, I’m sorry. Don’t be mad.”

Linne tried to appease me, seeing my sullen expression. Her method, however, was unexpected.

“Here, Ellie, want to touch my breasts?”

That was ridiculous. Was she suggesting I…do the same thing she did? How indecent…

“R…really?”

“Yes, really.”

I studied her expression, making sure she wasn’t joking. She looked genuinely clueless, as always, so she was probably telling the truth.

Gulp.—

I stared at her ample bosom. It was…massive. Having touched them before, I could almost feel their texture again. Though my hands hadn’t been able to…fully grasp them.

Fine, this was…normal between friends. And she did give me permission.

I convinced myself and reached out, my hand moving as if drawn by an invisible force. I didn’t care about the drool trickling down my chin.

My fingertips brushed against the soft fabric of her uniform, sending shivers down my spine. Just as I was about to… fully embrace them—

Clap!—

“That’s all for today.”

The instructor’s clap signaled the end of class. I froze, as if doused with cold water.

Sara and Nina, who’d been standing behind Linne in a daze, seemed to snap out of it as well.

Linne, seeing my hand hovering near her chest, grabbed it.

“Oh well. Let’s go eat.”

“Oh…”

I was so close…

But it couldn’t be helped. I was being dragged away by Linne.

“What’s wrong, Ellie? Disappointed?”

“Ugh… No, I’m not! What do you take me for?”

What did she think of me? I had to make it clear.

“I wouldn’t touch your…perverted breasts! I’d catch your stupidity!”

“Sexual harassment is bad, Ellie.”

Poke—

Linne casually poked my lower abdomen. My sentence dissolved into a surprised gasp.

How dare she touch me so casually? She was clearly asking for trouble.

Why did she keep pushing her luck? I must have spoiled her. But her antics would end today. I’d put her in her place.

I glared at her, channeling my inner villainess.

Poke—

“Ugh… How dare you touch me, you filthy commoner?!”

“See this little bump here?”

Poke, poke—

“Eek?!”

I’d be merciful, just for today. I endured her ticklish pokes with a stoic expression.

****

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you hated it that much…”

“I didn’t cry! I told you!”

“Okay, okay. Here, blow your nose.”

“Snort!”

Linne’s pathetic attempt at tickling was over. It was barely a tickle.

She stood up and helped me up. I held onto her hand, my legs still a bit shaky, though I’d never admit it.

“Well, everyone’s here, so let’s go.”

Sara and Nina stood behind me, staring blankly, as if mesmerized by my overwhelming charm. But their attention was unwanted.

Linne held my hand tightly as we walked towards the dining hall, as if afraid I’d disappear. I told her firmly,

“You can let go of my hand now.”

I didn’t want to catch her perversion…or get pregnant.

But she ignored me. I tried to pull away, but her grip was like iron. She was ridiculously strong. I gave up and held her hand lightly.

Her hand was surprisingly warm.

****

The academy food was always extravagant. The only redeeming quality of this pervert-infested place.

“…So, Ellie, what are you doing this weekend?”

Munch, munch.

I wouldn’t normally touch vegetables, but the food here was…exceptional.

“Ellie?”

Chew, chew.

I still needed my meat, though. And it was delicious, as expected.

“Ellie.”

Poke—

“Hngh?!”

A gentle poke on my stomach startled me.

Who dared interrupt my meal?

“What do you think…”

I turned, ready to unleash my fury, and met Linne’s gaze. Her eyes were all I could see. I was momentarily confused, then I realized…

We were incredibly close, practically face-to-face.

She looked ready to pounce. Normally, I would have moved away, but I didn’t.

Was it because of her hand gently caressing my stomach? Or did I not want to draw attention to our…proximity?
I remained frozen, locked in a staring contest with her.

Her long eyelashes, so close I could almost feel them against my skin. Her deep brown eyes, usually so vacant, held a strange intensity. She was breathtakingly beautiful up close. I’d only seen her eyes before…how could I have thought that?

“Ugh…”

I felt…hot.
The dining hall was always cool.

I finally pulled away.

“Haa…huff…pant…”

Linne looked…normal. Embarrassed that I’d overreacted, I snapped at her,

“Wh…what are you staring at? Stop it, it’s creepy.”

“…”

She didn’t respond.
Did she think I wasn’t worth her time anymore? I felt a pang of sadness and said,

“…I…I must have been crazy. To think I’d…be flustered by you…”

“…”

She still didn’t respond. Something was wrong.

“Linne?”

I waved my hand in front of her face, but she didn’t react. I cautiously poked her nose.

“She’s not breathing!”

Her breath had stopped. Horrified, I shook her shoulder.

“Linne? Say something! Please?”

What was happening?
Was something…wrong with her?

Negative thoughts flooded my mind. I shook her frantically.

“Linne, wake up! Please! I’ll…I’ll be good, I promise! Just…”

Then, as if by magic, she gasped, her breath coming in ragged bursts.

“Gasp…! Haa…haa…”

I checked on her anxiously. She looked pale, but otherwise fine.

“Linne, are you okay? Sniff…I’m so glad…”

“Haa…Ellie, don’t ever do that again. I almost died…”

I froze.

Her words stunned me. What did I do? I saved her life, and she was blaming me?

Frustration tightened my chest. Tears blurred my vision.

“Sniff…you’re so mean…”

“Wh…what’s wrong, Ellie?”

“Sob…waaaah…!”

I burst into tears, overwhelmed by frustration, relief, and…embarrassment.

****

“You’re such a crybaby, Ellie.”

“Ugh…that’s…”

I couldn’t deny it. Even I thought I was being a crybaby. I would never have behaved like this normally. Had I lost my mind?

Even buried in Linne’s embrace, I couldn’t understand my own behavior.

“So, what are you doing this weekend? Are you free?”

“No, I’m spending it with my sister.”

I couldn’t remember what we were supposed to be doing. I’d heard something earlier…

It didn’t matter. I was going on a date with Sister anyway.

–Thud!—

Sara and Nina suddenly snapped out of their daze. They looked at me with an intensity that made me uncomfortable.

“Ellie, what did you just say?”

I jumped, startled.

“I’m going to be with my sister. I haven’t told her yet, though.”

They glared at me, but I wasn’t intimidated.

They were probably jealous that I’d monopolized Linne’s…chest. But I wasn’t sharing. It was a great cushion.

“Hee hee…”

“You look happy. Stopped crying immediately.”

“It’s…none of your business!”

“But…they’re my breasts…”

I ignored Linne’s nonsense.

So petty, considering what she had. We were complete opposites.

“If you’re that jealous, just touch them yourself.”

“You’re right.”

Was she serious? She hadn’t even considered that? They were right there. What was going on inside her head?

I moved slightly, giving her easier access. She reached out without hesitation and…

Squish.

She grabbed my breasts.