Gentleness (3)

Another current passed by.

Orli, who had been gasping in my arms, soon quieted down and then fell asleep with her eyes closed.

On one hand, it was a natural result. For several hours, she had been crying out countless times, groaning and convulsing her body.

So as not to wake her, I slowly laid her back down on the blanket and leaned against the sofa myself, catching my breath.

Though I had experienced many things over the past week, this incident was an irregular of a different nature.

It was overwhelming. It was burdensome. It was hard to endure.

But I endured it. The raging storm was fierce, but the drizzle that fell afterward was warm.

It was fortunate. Really.

Weighed down by fatigue, I looked to the side. There was a fragile girl. With severely disheveled hair, skin dirtied by bloodstains, and faintly trembling eyelashes.

She was like a delicate puppy.

She wasn’t usually like this. She was always busy smiling like a child who knew nothing. But now, she really makes me worry for no reason.

Erica sighed.

Then she reached out and gently caressed her stomach. It was a small revenge.

Do you know how hard it was for me to take care of you?

She lowered her gaze.

I know. You must have had a hard time too.

Then from now on, let’s care a little, just a little more.

At least until this relationship reaches its end, just a little more.

Considering how much you’ve done to me, you should naturally accept my childish whims.

Her eyelids were heavy.

A moment of silence passed, and drowsiness came.

When I awakened my sticky consciousness, the first thing I felt was my body drenched in sweat.

I opened my eyes and raised my upper body. A dry heave came with the oncoming nausea.

Holding my throbbing head with one hand, I raised my gaze.

Ah.

This is a big problem.

In the dim surroundings, I first saw Erica dozing off right in front of me.

Suddenly, memories of last night flashed by.

“Ha…..”

When I opened my eyes, Erica was there, and when I came to my senses, I was crying like a child in her arms.

Asking to be hugged, saying it hurts, gasping and degenerating into a beast following only instinct without grasping broken reason.

Because her embrace was cozy. Because her voice was so good. Because her stroking touch was thrilling.

I gave up on myself.

I sighed.

The seizure of my sickly body was an untimely irregular. It wasn’t usually like this. It wasn’t this severe.

But why, as if it was planned. As if to plunge me into the abyss.

Of all times, in front of her.

My head hurts. It feels like my brain is bursting.

My arm.

I glanced to the side. Fortunately, my arm had regenerated.

Fortunate indeed. Why don’t I just become permanently disabled?

I rubbed my face with one hand. That can’t happen. I won’t be able to push forward with future plans.

A faint groan was heard from my tangled mind.

“Ugh….. Ah.”

Soon, snow-white eyes opened and turned towards me. She looked tired at a glance.

“O-Orli? How, how’s your body?”

“…..I’m fine.”

Worry.

Is she worrying about me?

That’s also true.

Because you’re that kind of person.

You’re so kind it’s a problem.

What will you do if something happens to you?

What if I use you?

I pondered for a moment.

If that happens, my heart would be pierced by a sword.

In the untimely silence, I averted my gaze.

“…..Um.”

“Go ahead.”

“Yesterday….. sorry.”

If you’re going to apologize, you should at least bow your head. Are you going to abandon even the minimum courtesy under the excuse of being sickly?

“Sorry. Thank you.”

But I couldn’t do that. My body was stiff and wouldn’t move.

“It’s okay.”

There were no follow-up words. She seemed to be refraining on purpose. Is this kindness beyond consideration as well?

Either way was fine.

With that warm voice ending.

Suddenly.

It didn’t take long for my brain to idle.

“But how did you….. find my house?”

“…….”

I raised my gaze. Erica twisted her side hair.

“You’re….. a bad….. person.”

I tried to look into her eyes, but she coldly refused to meet mine.

“Because you might do something wicked somewhere again, I tracked you.”

“…..I see. Thank you.”

I was glad she said it that way.

How nice it would have been if she could have exposed everything to the end. It felt like I could do anything if I could reach the point of hearing her condemnation while collapsed on the floor with all my flaws exposed.

I blinked weakly. It was a meaningless thought.

A sour smell rose from my damp clothes. Come to think of it, I hadn’t washed since getting rained on yesterday.

It was sticky.

“…..Do you want to wash first? You must feel uncomfortable too.”

“Is that okay?”

I nodded and pointed to the bathroom at the end of the hallway.

“Or should we wash together?”

“……Pervert.”

I smiled slightly at her sidelong glance. I was glad we could have a conversation. I was worried that her mood might have completely changed.

I was relieved. Really.

With the feeling of my cheek being pinched, she passed by me. The sound of footsteps faded away, and soon I heard the door closing.

I looked around. Only one lamp was brightly illuminating the dark living room.

The traces were miserable. Blood covered the floor, and luggage was tangled and strewn about, making it filthy.

Was the house this bad?

Well, it was. I didn’t have the energy to care. The only place regaining vitality was the Association office, that’s all.

This place was just somewhere to get a good sleep, nothing more, nothing less.

Crack.

Soon the space distorted and a small rift opened.

[ Orli. ]

I roughly ignored it and leaned my head on the sofa.

[ …..If that’s how you’re going to be, I won’t say anything either. ]

“I’m joking.”

The last image was of me forcibly putting Bloody into the subspace. He seems to have been sulking since then.

“How’s Seran?”

[ The same. ]

In a glass bottle that came out of the subspace was a small robe doll. That will need to be dealt with later.

[ You looked very unwell. Are you okay? ]

“Other than coughing up blood, a little. But something bigger happened.”

Bloody was about to say something more but stopped and turned to me.

“Erica is in our house right now.”

[ …..What? ]

I stopped as I was about to explain. Come to think of it, this is a very strange situation. An Association hunter is washing in our bathroom right now.

I hinted at her entering the house, but she didn’t fall for it. Thinking about it, it was an obvious method. I injected my blood-derived magic power into her body.

It’s not strange that the solid iron door didn’t open.

“It just….. happened that way.”

[ …..Since you’re alive, it doesn’t seem to be a problem. ]

“She should be washing now. We both got wet in the rain.”

Bloody blinked.

[ Do you have clothes to give her? ]

“I do have some but…..”

Since our body types are similar, I could give her indoor clothes from home.

With that thought, I got up. Opening the drawer stuck in the corner, I first saw a hoodie.

Touching it lightly, it was soft. This would feel good to hug her in when she wears it.

Good.

Perfect.

I chose sweatpants for the bottom. Unfortunately, there’s no skirt. It would be better to wear something comfortable at home anyway.

Hugging the clothes, I approached the bathroom. Standing in front, I could hear the sound of water.

I pondered for a moment.

It might not be bad to put my ear to the door and imagine Erica showering.

I twisted my side hair.

If I get caught doing that, I might be despised in a different way.

I put the clothes down in front of the door and returned to the living room.

As I was turning the small lamp on the table on and off, I soon heard the sound of the bathroom door opening.

For some reason, my heart was pounding. Will she wear it? Will she dislike it?

But it would be uncomfortable to wear that uniform as is.

I heard footsteps. I turned my head.

“Oh…..”

“…..Why are you looking at me like that?”

Her hair seemed dried and was glossy, and her skin looked fluffy and certainly more lively.

The slightly loose yellow hoodie and sweatpants definitely evoked cuteness.

She wore it.

To the point of staring at her snow-white eyes, a nice fragrance tickled my nose.

“I really want to just tie you up somewhere and watch you.”

“You’re seriously ill.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

“It’s not a compliment.”

Is that so?

“…..I’m done washing, so you go in now.”

My thoughts raced quickly.

“That’s right. If I go in now, it’s a great opportunity to smell Erica’s scent who just finished washing!”

“……Ah.”

I quickly stood up and tried to pass by her. Until my nape was grabbed.

“Wait, wait a moment. Go in after a little while.”

“No. No. Let go of this.”

“Just 5 minutes, 10 minutes!”

“No! Don’t! Stop it!”

I quickly shook her off and ran to the bathroom. From behind, I heard a small groan going “Ugh…..”

When I closed my eyes to the pouring water, I wondered if the shower liquid had always been this warm.

I looked in the mirror beside me. My eyes were full of life.

My wet hair was disheveled but blue. My skin wasn’t pale but had a reddish glow.

My chest fluttered.

It’s good.

That Erica is in our house. And that she’s by my side.

That we can talk comfortably, that I can hug her, that we can face each other.

I’m spending time with her. Just that alone is so good.

I squeezed out body wash and rubbed it on my body to create lather. I wonder if Erica used this.

I squeezed out shampoo and applied it to my hair. Erica used this too.

“Hehe.”

I think you’re right. This is a serious condition.

After rinsing my body one last time, I turned off the faucet.

I wiped off the moisture from every corner with a towel.

When I came out to the living room after changing clothes in a steamy state.

There was Erica, sitting demurely on the sofa and glaring at me.

I smiled slightly.

Soon, the third sentence began to form in the air.