episode_0045

Stepping outside the store and feeling the cool breeze continuously blowing, my condition improved slightly.

The pounding heart seemed to quiet down as if saying, “When did that happen?” and the heat in my body faded away, making me feel a bit more alive now.

Separate from that, a frustrating yet embarrassing emotion lingered in a corner of my heart, tormenting me incessantly.

“Ughhh…”

How… how could I ‘thump’ that perverted guy like that?

It was nothing special! He just responded to my prank, wiping the sauce off my face to prevent embarrassment…

So… so…!

“Ughhhhhhh…”

The more I denied it, the more my face flushed.

Even thinking about it myself felt pathetic. But I couldn’t bear to admit it.

It’s only been two months since the possession.

What if it’s been over 10 or 20 years since the possession, or maybe there’s a special reason for ‘female corruption’!

They say there’s no reason in love, but this is just too much!

Surely, being corrupted just because he patted my head a few times?

Don’t be ridiculous.

The heroines in the light novels I read before possession didn’t fall for such stupid reasons.

…Or did they?

‘You’re the first man to treat me like this.’ Or ‘I fell for you at first sight, senior.’ Seeing such phrases exist made it seem possible…

“But not me. How can someone steal my heart for such a stupid reason? Besides, I…”

I tried to speak as usual, but strangely, my words got stuck in my throat.

If there’s no way back, do I have to live as ‘Beatrice’ forever?

I haven’t read any TS genre material because it doesn’t suit my taste.

As far as I know, in ‘possession stories,’ there are more possibilities of staying in that world rather than returning to the original body.

Which means…

As I was trying to continue my thoughts, someone tapped my shoulder from behind.

Startled, I turned around to see Karl looking at me with a concerned expression.

He must have thought something was wrong with me, as he cautiously asked, examining my body.

“Are you okay? You don’t look too good.”

“I’m fine. Just got lost in thought for a moment. Sorry for running out suddenly.”

“I was worried something happened. If you’re having a hard time, just tell me. We can postpone the date.”

“…Alright, let’s start over from the beginning? Where did you sell your conscience?”

“Tsk.”

Seeing Karl express his disappointment by clicking his tongue, my confusing emotions and thoughts vanished neatly.

Right, now is not the time to worry about identity crises.

Instead of pondering on how to ruin the date or how to get back at him, I found myself engaging in self-reflection.

Stupid girl.

I glared at Karl with pursed lips.

Why am I looking at him with such fierce eyes, he chuckled, confused, but seeing him, anger inexplicably surged within me.

Disintegrate.

While some struggle to enjoy food properly, others indulge in gastronomic pleasures during tough times.

I felt an urge to sow seeds of annoyance and hardship on the face of the giggling lad.

To never mention the word ‘date’ again, to gift him only unpleasant memories.

What should I do to make him uncomfortable?

Since he made me uncomfortable, I want to reciprocate in kind.

After contemplating for a while, a rather good idea came to mind, and I grinned mischievously, taking Karl’s hand.

“Huh?”

He looked noticeably flustered when I held his hand.

His face turning red, not knowing what to do, his bewildered expression mirroring my earlier fidgety stance in front of the restaurant.

Smiling with repentance, I thought to myself.

Indeed, being unable to eat even when delicious food is laid out in front of you is the most agonizing way to suffer.

In the open temptation, yet unable to touch directly, wouldn’t that be the worst memory for that guy?

It might seem like a ridiculous thought, but in my view, this seemed to be the closest to the correct answer.

The reason I think so is… because he is showing exactly the reaction I anticipated.

“Hoo… Hoo…”

His face turning red as if it might burst, he continues to breathe heavily.

With a sinister gaze, he glances sideways several times, then shakes his head vigorously as if to say that’s not it.

Unlike his relaxed demeanor earlier, he looks quite unstable now.

Watching his pitiful appearance like that, I couldn’t help but let out a laugh unintentionally.

“Pfft…!”

If just holding hands has this much impact, how about going further?

He would probably struggle even more while groaning, right?

An evil thought crossed my mind, wishing for him to be in more trouble, but unfortunately, getting closer was still premature for me.

However, time was sufficient, and there were plenty of opportunities left to make him uncomfortable.

Now, it’s time to change tactics.

—–

Suddenly rushing outside without finishing the meal, Beatrice seemed to have transformed as if she had awakened.

How should I put it?

From a naive and shy appearance to a bold and charming one?

I feel like she might be a witch.

Her action of grabbing my hand first was too provocative, making me repeatedly recall the warrior’s oath written in the Imperial Swordsmanship Manual.

Otherwise, I felt like I might just take her to the inn right away.

“Hoo…..”

Whether she knew it or not, the pure witch in front of me kept teasing me with her innocence.

She might be doing it knowingly, but what can I do about it?

I can’t act recklessly until she confesses her love first.

Even though she plays such a demanding prank, all I can do is endure it.

Touch her wrongly and she might leave, leaving everything in ruins, right?

Yes, I know I shouldn’t touch her, but…

Soft –

The soft sensation felt distinctly from her hand was paralyzing my senses.

So gentle and soft, it felt dizzyingly seductive, and its addictiveness was overwhelming.

“K-Knife…?”

“…”

“C-Can you please let go… Kyaa?!”

Unintentionally continuing to touch, I ended up creating a mess.

“…”

“…”

The warm yet tingling atmosphere turned cold in an instant.

Knife, you idiot.

You should have stopped touching at the right moment.

What’s the point of continuously fidgeting like a pervert when I allowed you to touch?

I weakly released Beatrice’s hand and distanced myself quietly from her.

Then, I bowed my head slowly and asked for forgiveness from her.

“Sorry.”

“…”

“Your hand was so soft, and the feeling was so nice… I kept touching without realizing.”

“Oh, no. I said you could touch. Should we move somewhere else for now? Standing here might make others uncomfortable, don’t you think?”

“Sure, let’s go over there since they’re doing magic tricks. Judging by the crowd, they seem quite skilled.”

Thinking that changing the location might dissipate this awkward atmosphere, I briefly entertained that casual thought.

As we moved closer to watch the magic, whether it was a goddess’s prank or not, suddenly people swarmed in, trapping Beatrice and me amidst them, forcing us to be pressed tightly against each other.

What’s the problem with that, you might ask.

Soft –

This time, a different softness tested my patience.

A soft touch on the lower chest area, not the back.

The gentle softness of the hand and the tremendous cushioning sensation sent tingles all over my body.

“Hoo… Hoo…”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m more than okay, I’m perfectly fine. Don’t worry because I’m in the best state.”

“It doesn’t seem okay at all…”

Under such intense stimulation, I couldn’t gather my thoughts at all.

This is dangerous.

If this stimulation continues, a truly embarrassing situation will likely arise.

The one thing that even on the edge of reason I couldn’t control.

The moment it stirs, the date is highly likely to end in failure.

Considering the worst-case scenario, I might not be able to meet Beatrice after today.

I didn’t want that.

Losing out to mere instinct and wasting all the quiet times ahead was something I couldn’t accept.

No matter how many times I reconsidered, that much was unacceptable.

“Phew…”

In the end, I overcame the turmoil with superhuman patience and, at the same time, subtly laid a faintly threatening aura around me.

To make the citizens feel a suitable chill and sense of fear, so they could quickly return home.

Did my intention work?

The crowd gathered in front of the magician slowly began to disperse, allowing me to create distance from Beatrice.

I’m sorry to the magician, but I really had no choice.

If I had continued to stick around, some kind of trouble would surely have ensued.

Quietly apologizing to the magician who looked dejected at losing a potential customer, I silently gazed down at the now subdued Beatrice.

She turned away from me, intermittently trembling.

Carefully checking her face, I saw anger present there, with tears welling up slightly.

Oh, things have really gone south, haven’t they?

“Haha…”

Was I laughing in disappointment, mixing in a sigh?

Just as I was about to give up everything and ask for forgiveness from Beatrice, I could hear her muttering.

“Is… this guy seriously a pervert? Or maybe gay?”

An abrupt accusation.

Before I could even tilt my head in response, her cutting words continued.

“How can he not get excited when touching breasts…? If this isn’t gay, then he’s closer to being a pervert?!”

Could it be, is he really a pervert?

Upon hearing those words, I quietly approached Beatrice and placed my hand on her shoulder.

Then, I softly whispered into her ear, which was as stiff as a rock.

“Want to find out for yourself if I’m a pervert or not?”

Beatrice flinched like a frightened rabbit.

“…H-hey.”