An Indelible Ecstasy
"Aaaahhh……."
I still remember it. No, I could never forget it. How could I?
A mere human, overwhelming her—a being chosen by the gods among elves—with sheer, dominating power.
That ecstasy... even now, I couldn't forget it for a single moment.
No one else could possibly understand this feeling. No, they shouldn't. Only I could comprehend it!
"Haaaahhh……."
Ah, no. Not yet. Not now.
I wanted to savor my private time, but I had to hold back.
Trembling like a drug addict, she rose and slumped down at her desk.
She pulled out a sheet of paper and gripped the pen with shaking hands.
"Memories... I have to remember……."
All she had to do was draw his face. They'd meet soon enough, but she had to endure until then.
Her hand began moving swiftly across the page.
The papers sticking out from the sheet she'd grabbed came tumbling down. With an irritated flick, she smacked them away.
Great Forest Exploration Plan × Sky Academy
The important document rolled across the floor like a cold corpse.
"Ugh. Now that I think about it, it feels so gross. Especially the way she looked at you……."
"Like running into a pervert on the subway."
"Ah! Exactly! That vibe. Ugh, the spot she touched feels nasty."
Jenella scrubbed my hand vigorously with a wet wipe.
"Why're you wiping my hand?"
"Just 'cause?"
"I didn't even hold hands with that woman."
"But you touched the door earlier."
That was why……?
I glanced down at my hand. Goosebumps had prickled up along my wrist, peeking out from under my robe.
Me, getting goosebumps? What the hell was that woman's deal?
...She saw right through my identity, so she's no ordinary priest elf.
Actually, no. Elves have long lifespans, so the odds were high that one of my predecessors—a priest who'd felt the War God's divine power firsthand—was still around.
Even so, was that final burst of madness something a normal elf could have?
What if that's just average for elves?!
Bzzz!
My sword vibrated in its sheath. Like it was saying, No way! Or maybe that was just my imagination?
Elves... scary race…….
But she didn't figure out I'm a guy, right?
Better if she mistakes me for a girl.
At least that'd keep my info under wraps…….
Was that actually good?
What a weird-ass day all around…….
"I'm beat……."
"Me too……."
Jenella, utterly limp, wriggled with her forehead planted on the desk.
Somehow, every date got tangled up with weird shit.
Last time with Ashy, it was black mages from the underground market screwing things up. This time, some crazy elf killed the mood halfway through…….
"Wanna head back?"
"Yeah…… But today was still nice."
Jenella lifted her head from the desk and stared straight at me.
Her purple eyes gleamed with a strange light.
"How about you?"
What an odd question.
I could brush it off as overthinking, but in moments like this, every word hit differently.
I could've just said, Fun, right? But asking how was it for you??
So I answered deliberately.
"It was fun for me too."
I didn't say "nice." On purpose.
What difference did it make? Probably none. But "nice" and "fun" weren't quite the same, were they?
At my words, Jenella's eyelashes fluttered down slightly. Her eyes looked almost sad.
I felt bad, but I couldn't take it back.
"Yeah. Fun for me too. Ready to go?"
"Sure."
We headed back to the restaurant.
We'd thought about grabbing dinner out, but with everyone else busting their asses, it felt wrong ditching just us.
Dinner rush hit, and the place was packed—guys and girls crammed in, on the verge of bursting at the seams.
"Why're you two back?!"
Adria, who'd been hustling plates, shrieked the second she spotted us.
Uh, wha?
Shouldn't she be like, Come help quick!?
"Get outta here, both of you!"
Eodukshini came dashing over mid-dishwashing, shoved us out, and slammed the door shut.
Bam!
"……Should we just grab food outside?"
"……Yeah?"
Should've done that from the start!
"Aghhh…… My back……."
"Good work……."
For once(?) not heading to Eugene's dorm, Adria and Jenella gathered at Adria's room.
As Adria sprawled on the bed groaning, Jenella sat beside her, thumping her back lightly.
Didn't look like much force, but after classes and training, Jenella packed real strength in those fists.
"Ooooh…… Feels good……."
"You sound like an old man……."
"You'd get it if you tried it. These groans just come out. Ow, this position sucks."
Apparently uncomfortable face-down, Adria rolled over.
Her curves stood out prominently, making Jenella glance down at her own chest.
What if mine were like Adria's……?
Whether she sensed it or not, Adria patted the spot next to her.
"You worked hard today too. Lie down!"
"M-Me too?"
"Don't act like we haven't before."
"Oh... right?"
Jenella cautiously lay beside her. Adria rolled back over, propping her chin to gaze at Jenella.
She was pretty every time she saw her, but damn.
And he doesn't fall for this? Eugene that punk—is he impotent or something?
Eugene would've yelled, Fuck, I'm fully loaded!!
Still, Ashy had yielded her time so they could date. There had to be some progress, right?
"How'd it go? Make any moves?"
Jenella's cheeks flushed at the question.
Aww, so cute!
To Adria, who'd survived the predator-filled entertainment world, this pure innocence was adorable.
Like looking at a wholesome junior.
"H-Hand……."
"Hand? That's it?"
"We ate... t-together……?"
"You little fool!"
No wonder she was frustrated seeing her fumble romance.
Not some stranger—Eugene, her longtime playmate-crush.
Heartbreaking!
"Why no progress? I told you! During the play, when it gets dark, sneak a kiss at least!"
"K-Kiss……?"
"Aigoo, aigoo!"
"But Adria."
"Yeah?"
"You're single too……."
"……."
Ouch, right in the bone.
"Urk! Ow, that hurts……."
For that crime, Adria yanked Jenella's cheeks, pouting as she spoke.
"I've seen way more romance than you, okay? How long was I in the industry?"
"S-Still……."
"Anyway! Even following my itinerary, the vibe tanked. And why'd you come back for dinner? I said don't come back!"
"W-Well……."
Adria rapid-fired, and Jenella hung her head like a criminal.
Her reaction was off.
...No way?
"You got caught?!"
"Uh-huh……."
"What then?!"
The date was blasted to Mars the instant they got busted.
Adria clutched her neck and flopped back dramatically.
"Ugh... aigoo, you frustrating girl…… Dinner? What'd you eat? Somewhere romantic?"
"Soup kitchen……."
"You idiot!!"
Eugene that jerk, Jenella this fool!
Adria excitedly grabbed Jenella's cheeks again, stretching them like mochi.
"Ow, hurts……."
"Not hurtin'! Quit whining! Aigoo, so cute, so cute."
If Jenella were younger, she'd have planted a kiss on those cheeks.
"Fine! Big sis'll help. I'm good at reeling guys in."
"You have?"
"Nah?"
"?"
Then what're you good at?
Jenella gently pushed away the clinging Adria.
That massive something pressing against her was a bit much.
"Whatever. Don't fall for Eugene."
"Pfft. Me?"
Adria snorted like it was ridiculous.
"That face? Never. Don't worry."
……Really?
For some reason, Jenella feared exactly that.
Classic cliché…….