Stealing the Saint's First Kiss
The Saint's lips were at a park in Uijeongbu. In this secluded spot, on a bench far from any foot traffic, I was studying the Bible with Adele. She was expressing her sulkiness with every inch of her body. She'd backed me into the corner of the bench, standing opposite me with her arms crossed, eyes wide like a warden keeping watch. The fact that she hadn't spoken a single word the entire way here was just the icing on the cake.
I glanced at her while pretending to read the Bible, then shifted my weight. The seat was getting uncomfortable. Adele's eyes immediately lit up as if she'd caught me in the act.
"Jihyeok, who didn't contact me for two whole days, should focus on the Bible with the same intensity he gave his business trip, don't you think?"
"My posture's just a little uncomfortable..."
"Your learning attitude is terrible!"
"...I've finished Genesis. Please give me Exodus."
At those words, Adele pulled a massive notebook from her bag and dropped it onto my lap with a loud thump.
"Here it is!"
Another handmade Bible, its clumsy binding screaming that she'd written it herself. The title Exodus was written in adorable handwriting. It was the second volume of the Rosario Church's scriptures, detailing how Rosario, after stabilizing countless planets and establishing laws, began spreading her doctrines in earnest.
I stared at the enormous book and shook my head in disbelief. "Can I take a short break before I start?"
"No!"
"I've been reading the Bible for four hours straight. Please, have mercy."
"Umm... Fine. I'll give you ten minutes."
"According to labor laws, it should be thirty minutes..."
"You can't be so calculating! Besides, Jihyeok, you're not doing manual labor! This is a class to help you rise to a higher position within the church!"
"Even classes have scheduled breaks..."
"Be quiet!"
"Yes, ma'am."
I clicked my tongue in mild disappointment, nodded, and leaned back against the bench. When I tried to spread my legs a little, Adele sat right beside me, thwarting the attempt.
"Adele, there are plenty of seats. Could you move over just a bit?"
She didn't answer. She simply sat rigidly, staring straight ahead. Eventually I gave up, stood, and started walking toward the convenience store. Adele hurried after me.
"Where are you going? You're not running away, are you..."
"I'm not running away. I'm going to the convenience store to buy some snacks."
"Then I'll come with you."
As she followed, Adele kept lightly brushing my wrist. It looked like accidental contact while walking, but she was clearly testing the waters, hoping I'd take her hand.
A fond smile crept across my face. I timed it perfectly—when her wrist bumped mine again, I grabbed her hand firmly.
"Ah...!"
Adele let out a short gasp. I stopped walking and pulled her closer to my side. Her tiny fist fit completely inside my palm. It was clenched tight and trembling with nerves.
To think these small hands could swing a hammer... The world really is coming to an end.
"Shall we go?"
"...Yes..."
The sulky girl from earlier had vanished. Now walking beside me was a shy maiden with her head bowed, blushing furiously. The way her attitude flipped in an instant was both amusing and incredibly cute.
Adele kept her eyes fixed on the ground as we walked. I looked at her and made a suggestion.
"Adele."
"What..."
"Want to do something fun?"
"Like what...?"
Grinning brightly, I pressed the side of my left foot against the outer edge of her right one. Then I lifted her foot slightly with mine and guided us forward so we stepped together. After a few steps, Adele caught on to the three-legged walk. She burst into giggles and matched my pace.
Hand in hand, we walked toward the convenience store—slowly at first, then picking up speed. Her anger seemed completely gone. As always, the best thing about Adele was how easy she was to read.
Maybe because I'd focused on the Bible for so long, my eyes felt strained. If I kept reading, it would turn into a headache, so I closed the book and gently shut my eyes. I wanted to tilt my head back, but I couldn't risk waking Adele, who had fallen asleep with her head on my shoulder.
Her hand had slipped down to my waist, resting just above my groin. Her delicate fingers still had that glossy white nail polish. I didn't know which salon she went to, but they clearly knew what they were doing. Sehwa had complained that hers peeled and chipped within a week... I'd have to ask Adele about it later and let Sehwa know.
I moved her hand onto my thigh and was lost in thought when she stirred. Eyes half-open, she smacked her lips, then turned and laid her head on my lap instead. She drifted off again. Her black bag, which had been near my shoulder, slid to the ground. I carefully moved it aside with my foot, then picked it up and placed it on the bench beside us.
What now...
I needed to tell Adele about the Device's charging method, but she'd fallen asleep and I'd missed my chance. Whatever. I brushed aside the strands of her hair that the gentle breeze had scattered. Her hair was impossibly soft, like touching microfiber.
"Mmm..."
A little later, Adele talked in her sleep. She shifted, turning her face toward my stomach, then slid her hand under my thigh as if mistaking it for a pillow and adjusting its position.
She's killing me.
Without thinking, I placed my hand on her forehead. Her face was so small my palm almost covered it entirely. As I stayed like that, her eyes slowly opened.
"Jihyeok..."
"Yes."
"It's heavy..."
"Sorry. Do you want to get up?"
"I want to sleep more..."
"Shall I take you home? It's almost evening, and it'll get cold soon."
"I'm fine for now. I'll go when it gets cold."
If I indulged her spoiled behavior every time, she'd only get worse...
"Understood."
With a satisfied expression, Adele changed positions. She turned to face me directly, looking up. Her rosy lips parted.
"I like you, Jihyeok."
Why was she saying this all of a sudden? Was she drunk on the sunset? Or was she still half-asleep and the words had slipped out? It didn't matter. Hearing Adele's sincere confession felt incredible. For now, I'd set aside all my calculated thoughts.
"...I've never felt this way before."
I asked, "What does it feel like?"
"It feels soft and warm inside."
I had no idea what exactly that "soft and warm" feeling was, but it was clearly something very positive. I stretched my lips into a wide grin and decided to follow this ripe atmosphere wherever it led.
I slowly stroked her bangs, then gradually lowered my head. Very slowly, like a caterpillar.
"....."
At first Adele simply enjoyed my touch, but as my face drew closer, her eyes widened. Her breathing grew rapid. I could clearly hear each exhale. The situation seemed so unfamiliar that she was scared.
Normally I would have stopped and asked for her consent, but... once the sword is drawn, you have to cut something. Right now, I would do what I wanted. She'd made me accommodate her so much until now; it was time for some compensation.
When our faces were nearly touching, I spoke in a low, deep voice.
"I like you too, Adele."
"....."
Her throat bobbed visibly. I could even hear the gulp. Since she wasn't stopping me even now, it seemed she'd made up her mind.
Without further hesitation, I brought my lips to hers. At the same moment, Adele's eyes squeezed shut. I barely held back a laugh as I kissed her.
This historic day when I first stole the Saint's lips. The sensation was simply... soft.
On the drive back to the house in Uijeongbu, Adele gripped her seatbelt with both hands and stared out the passenger-side window. I glanced at her and set up our next meeting.
"I'll stop by tomorrow evening. Come out when I call."
Adele didn't answer. She just nodded frantically, her face red all the way to her ears. She hadn't said a single word since the kiss... She must have been incredibly embarrassed. I wondered if she'd freak out and slap my cheek when I tried to use my tongue next time.
"Am I making you uncomfortable?"
She shook her head vigorously. I let out a small sigh.
"I'm driving, you know. What if I get into an accident while trying to check your reaction?"
"....."
"So don't answer with actions. Use words."
"...Okay..."
"What?"
"I said okay..."
Her voice was so tiny I wouldn't have heard it without straining. Well... at least she answered. That was something.
"Want some candy?"
"No... Yes..."
Was that a no or a yes? I'd just give her some. I opened the console box and handed her a mint candy I'd bought recently. Soon I heard crunching. From the sound of it, she had five or six in her mouth at once.
While I focused on driving in silence, Adele, having finished the candies, let out a long breath.
"Haa..."
The mint scent gently filled the driver's seat. It was as refreshing as my current mood. Adele sighed again and clutched the seatbelt tightly. Her trembling hands seemed to perfectly express what she was feeling.
Fortunately for Adele, the distance between the park and her house was very short. I parked in front of the annex and called her name.
"Adele."
"Yes...?"
"We're here."
"....."
Only then did she release the seatbelt and look at me.
"Jihyeok..."
"Yes, go ahead."
"What exactly are you planning to do with me?"
That was a question that could easily be misunderstood. And "planning"? Her word choice was strangely ominous. When I opened my mouth with a dumbfounded expression, Adele realized her mistake and quickly corrected herself.
"I-I said it wrong... What I meant was, what will happen between us from now on...?"
"That came out completely wrong, didn't it?"
"Yes..."
"I don't think I'll ever forget what happened today. How about you, Adele?"
"M-me too..."
"Do you regret it?"
"No..."
Adele's answer came without hesitation. I let out a pleased laugh and asked again.
"How did it feel?"
She flinched, thought for a moment, then answered.
"It felt good... No, it was good..."
"It was the same for me. If neither of us has regrets and we both felt good, then isn't that enough? Let's keep getting along well from now on."
Adele banged her forehead against the dashboard with a thunk. Her face was even redder than before. Her reactions were so pure. Even when I spoke vaguely, she got this embarrassed... Could she handle the important conversation I was about to have?
I gently stroked her back, thinking it was time to bring up the topic of Aether. Right then—
"I-I'm going now!"
Adele suddenly shouted, flung open the passenger door, and jumped out. She bowed quickly to me, then sprinted toward the front door like the tragic heroine of some melodrama.
Watching her retreating figure, I let out a hollow sigh. I'd planned to talk to her face-to-face... but now showing up at her house would be awkward. I'd followed the strange atmosphere, but things had gone off track.
No, actually, it was better this way. If I'd talked about the charging method before the kiss, she might have suspected my motives when I made a move afterward.
I shrugged, switched the car to autonomous driving mode, and tapped at my phone.