Chapter 75: First Kiss

The carriage slowly came to a stop.

Outside the window, familiar scenery greeted my eyes.

The cozy little buildings still radiated a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

“We’ve arrived.”

The orphanage.

My, our home.

“Wow…”

Liel’s eyes sparkled with awe.

She gazed out the window for a moment, and then, after stepping down from the carriage, she stood still, taking in the surroundings.

“Even though it’s been a while, I can still feel that warm atmosphere.”

“Yeah. It’s always like this.”

I replied with a light smile.

The air here was a stark contrast to the battlefield—this place was peace itself.

Meanwhile, Alex let out a deep stretch.

“Finally, I can breathe.”

He grumbled, rolling his shoulders.

“Traveling back and forth through war zones has taken a toll. Guess I’m getting old. Hah…”

He paused, taking a breath.

“I think I need a break.”

I chuckled and looked at him.

“Are you heading back first?”

“Of course. From now on, it’s your time.”

“Our time?”

He said it with a knowing look, his words heavy with meaning.

He gave me one last meaningful look before closing the carriage door and patting me on the shoulder.

For a moment, I stood there, a little confused.

To be honest, I didn’t fully understand what he meant, but I assumed it was his way of saying goodbye.

I awkwardly smiled in response.

“Alright. Take care of yourself, Alex.”

“Of course.”

He puffed his chest out proudly before leaving with Ellie in the carriage.

I slowly gazed up at the building.

“Everyone… let’s go inside.”

I spoke softly as I slowly walked toward the door.

Liel, Harp, and Sua followed behind me in silence.

The orphanage door creaked open.

The familiar scent of wood and the warm air flowed out from inside.

It felt almost like a dream, the time spent on the battlefield seemed so distant now—this place was still filled with peace.

“It’s been a while.”

I inhaled deeply, letting out a sigh of relief.

But just then—

“Miss Eve~.”

Sua’s slow voice called out to me.

“What is it, Sua?”

“Um…”

Sua gave me a knowing smile and grabbed my arm.

At the same time, Harp gently took hold of my other arm.

“Miss Eve.”

“W-What’s going on? Why are you both acting like this?”

Harp smiled softly, naturally wrapping my arm in hers.

Her gaze was quiet as always, but there was something peculiar about it.

“With the war over, I think it’s time for you to get a proper reward.”

Liel, too, smiled as she slowly approached from behind.

The atmosphere felt strange.

“What’s going on with you guys?”

I instinctively tried to step back, but both my arms were already held tightly.

And behind me, Liel was getting closer.

“So much has happened. And now, finally… we have the time to ourselves, Miss Eve.”

Liel whispered playfully, gently pushing me forward.

“Miss Eve, you must be exhausted from being called everywhere lately, right? We’ll help you rest.”

“No, I don’t need—”

“Yes, you do, Miss Eve. We never had the chance to talk properly on the battlefield… now we can finally take our time.”

In Sua’s bright smile, I saw something sharp flicker for a moment.

“Wait, wait… You’re not—”

“Shall we go, then?”

Harp spoke gently.

“Wait! Where are you taking me?!”

I looked at the children with uneasy eyes.

The orphanage still had its familiar scent and warm air, but somehow the current atmosphere felt more threatening than a battlefield.

“Um, kids? Come to think of it, I’m a bit tired, so, uh, I think I need to rest…”

I tried to make excuses, but then noticed my arms were already firmly held.

Sua smiled sweetly as she applied pressure, and Harp looked down at me with a mysterious gaze.

“Teacher, that’s why we’re going to let you rest.”

“That’s right. You must be very tired, so just lie still. We’ll make you comfortable.”

“No, that’s not what I…”

I tried to hurriedly make excuses as I sensed something strange in the atmosphere, but my feet had already touched the bed.

And then.

“Eh?”

In an instant, my body floated lightly before being laid down on the soft bed.

Sua came close as if mounting over me, and Harp sat at my head with a smile.

Liel stood by the bed, quietly looking down at me.

“Now we’ll really let you rest comfortably, Teacher.”

“…What exactly are you planning to do?”

My voice trembled slightly with anxiety.

However, the children slowly leaned toward me as if they had planned this.

“We couldn’t do this properly at the Northern front.”

“That’s right. It was too chaotic then.”

“So, finally now…”

All three pairs of eyes were fixed on me.

Something, something is strange.

I instinctively flinched and tried to back away on the bed.

But.

“Teacher, don’t think about running away.”

Sua gently pressed down on my arm.

And then, Liel and Harp naturally moved closer to my side.

I gulped while looking at them.

“Now, slowly.”

“We’ll really make you comfortable, Teacher.”

“Be… be gentle…”

At those words that unconsciously left my mouth, the air suddenly froze.

“……”

The children’s movements stopped abruptly at hearing those words.

In that moment, all three of their expressions changed strangely.

“…What did you just say, Teacher?”

Sua asked, slowly tilting her head.

Harp held a small smile on her lips, and Liel looked at me with apparent excitement.

“Ah, th-this was a mistake—”

“No, Teacher.”

Sua whispered as she leaned over me again.

That look in her eyes had somehow become much more intense than before.

“You definitely just said it, didn’t you?”

“That’s not what I meant…”

“Should we be gentle with you?”

Harp quietly laughed while softly stroking my hair.

Liel let out a small laugh and brought her fingertips close to my face.

“Then, we should grant Teacher’s wish.”

“W-wait!”

My voice was suddenly cut off.

I instinctively curled up.

But there was already no chance to escape.

“If that’s what Teacher wants…”

Sua whispered lowly as she moved her fingertips.

Her gaze was playful, but there was something else contained within it.

The same was true for Harp and Liel.

“Teacher, at times like this, you should trust us.”

Harp smiled gently as she lightly wrapped her hand around mine.

The warmth from her fingertips was strangely comforting.

“Leave it to us.”

Liel quietly smiled while adjusting my collar.

That look in her eyes was so deep and affectionate that my mind went blank for a moment.

“Oh, geez…”

I tried to make excuses, but I unknowingly relaxed at their movements.

Since falling into this strange world, many things had happened.

I couldn’t have a moment’s peace, and even when problems were being solved one by one, I was running around frantically.

But now.

“Don’t worry, Teacher.”

“We’re just…”

Sua brought her face close.

At that distance, I could feel her slight breath.

“Going to treat you preciously.”

In that moment, my heart fluttered.

It wasn’t just simple nervousness.

It was a moment filled with clear emotion that could no longer be dismissed as a joke.

“Oh…”

Somehow, I gulped.

The saliva going down my throat felt thick.

And then.

A gentle touch brushed my cheek.

And the warm presence of all three drew even closer.

From now on, this was no longer a joke.

I was flustered.

No, more than just flustered – my mind went completely blank.

“Wait… what are you all—”

“You said it yourself, didn’t you, Teacher?”

Sua came close to my face with a bright smile.

Her eyes sparkled with a mixture of anticipation and playfulness.

“To be gentle.”

With those words, Sua carefully cupped my face.

“…!”

In that moment, my heart pounded heavily.

And then.

“Huh?”

Sua’s face drew closer and closer.

I reflexively tried to avoid it, but my arms and legs were already held by the other two.

“Teacher, you shouldn’t be so tense.”

Harp sat at my head with a gentle smile.

Her fingertips lightly brushed my cheek, transmitting warm heat.

“Just stay still for a bit.”

“Harp, you too— ah,”

Liel gently held my hand. I could feel her fingertips trembling.

In that moment, Liel’s eyes shone intensely.

And then.

“Wait—”

As my words trailed off, Sua leaned down without hesitation.

Her soft lips lightly touched my mouth…