Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: That Thing
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I woke up feeling refreshingly clear-headed that morning, but something felt different from the usual.
Then it hit me—I'd fallen asleep while hugging Michelle. I quickly glanced around the room.
My bed was visible over there, so it looked like I'd woken up in hers.
I'd only fallen asleep because I had no choice, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd done something awful.
But what could I do? It wasn't like I'd started it; she was the one who wouldn't let go.
Best to just think of it as a pleasant experience for both of us and move on.
As I wriggled around trying to get up, a fragrance I assumed was Michelle's natural scent tickled my nose.
Having slept in the same bed, it felt like her scent was emanating from every inch of my body.
It stirred up my mood in a strange way.
This was par for the course in the events with beastkin heroines from lily games.
Glancing down subtly, I noticed soft fur—probably Michelle's—clinging to my chest.
It was likely from her ears, which had been flapping against my chest.
Or maybe from her tail, which had been perking up near my hips.
Sitting there any longer was starting to feel weird, so I shook my head and slipped out of bed.
For a moment, I wondered if Michelle might still be around, so I scanned the room.
...Fortunately, she'd apparently left early; there was no sign of her.
If she'd caught me sitting blankly on the bed, sniffing around, I might've died of embarrassment.
Anyway.
Since nothing like that happened, I could just head to work as usual.
A somewhat dazed morning.
After washing up roughly and changing my underwear, I stared at it for a moment.
Feeling the odd contrast between top and bottom, I tossed it into the empty laundry basket out of the two available.
Along with the gym clothes that had rolled around on Michelle's bed.
...I considered asking Undine to handle it, but the sensation when Michelle had entrusted them to me had felt so good that I decided to do the laundry myself.
It also felt a bit much to keep burdening her with trivial chores, and it was a way to conserve even a little more mana.
Call it my foresight in anticipating busier days ahead.
Thanks to that, I had to wear the thin sweater and knee-length skirt again today, but I figured it was worth it.
...Though to be fair, forcing myself into them had made it somewhat habitual.
After changing clothes and checking the mirror, I saw a woman who looked somewhat intellectual.
Dressed like this, I had to admit the style suited me pretty well.
There was something that threw off the balance a little, but as a man, it was a gratifying sight, so it didn't feel like a flaw.
...Of course, under the assumption that it wasn't actually my body.
Come to think of it, since Michelle liked it too, women apparently appreciated large breasts just as much.
The urge to get rid of them quickly clashed fiercely in my mind with the thought that keeping them might bring benefits.
It was especially intense because I had a personal attachment to the custom build I'd made.
Realizing I was having such random thoughts first thing in the morning, I shook my head and grabbed the laundry basket.
Evelyn would make the breast-shrinking potion eventually anyway, so I could decide later.
I picked up the laundry basket and left the room.
Recalling what Michelle had mentioned, I headed toward the laundry room.
Judging by the name, I figured it'd be in the dorm building, but it wasn't.
It was somewhere between the students' residence and the staff dorms.
...Though actually walking it, it seemed a bit closer to the staff dorms.
I fumbled my way to the laundry room like that.
Unlike what I'd vaguely imagined, the laundry room was part of a larger facility that handled all sorts of miscellaneous services.
But something felt off.
The place was bustling unusually early in the morning, or so it seemed.
The other areas were quiet, but only around the laundry room was crowded.
A student who looked like the receptionist was taking in laundry with a completely deadpan, sallow face.
Since the baskets were stuffed with underwear and such, I felt a bit embarrassed and waited patiently until the other students had left.
Unlike the girls who were in a hurry, I had plenty of time.
Once the line cleared, I cautiously approached the counter-like area.
The dead-eyed student greeted me.
Feeling somewhat apologetic, I gave an awkward smile and handed over the laundry. She looked from the basket to my face with those lifeless eyes.
"Huh?"
Her face lit up with surprise and admiration.
"Health teacher...?"
"Ah, um... yeah, that's me. H-hopefully you do take laundry here?"
"No... I mean, yes. So... you're Plumeria Teacher, right?"
"Yes."
She knew my name.
It made me feel warmly pleased, and as I looked at her, she seemed vaguely familiar.
But before I could place her, she'd finished the check-in and vanished somewhere, so the thought slipped away.
Since she didn't come to mind right away, she probably wasn't anyone to watch out for....
No point standing there blankly pondering, so I leisurely made my way to the infirmary.
There, as if she'd been waiting for me, Michelle was standing in front of the door.
"...Teacher Iris."
"Instructor Michelle."
She stared at me intently, rambling about how well the clothes suited me, then held out what she was carrying.
"It's a bit shabby as thanks for last night... but I'd be happy if you'd accept it."
"Sure."
I didn't know what it was, but I took it anyway. A nutty aroma wafted up—it seemed like food.
"Well then...."
Apparently that had been her errand; she turned and strode away without a backward glance.
Only her tail, swishing side to side, betrayed her pretty good mood.
Was she acting distant to avoid misunderstandings?
Ugh, my heart was all aflutter.
With a pleased smile, I entered the infirmary and unwrapped it. Inside was a sandwich that seemed familiar, like one I'd eaten before.
I hadn't had breakfast, so it was perfect. I brewed some tea to go with it.
A leisurely morning.
It'd be even better with some music.
That's when it happened.
A small sound broke the quiet.
I turned to see the door opening smoothly. The only person who enters without knocking... Charlotte was the first who came to mind.
Sure enough, Charlotte's face appeared.
But something was off.
She usually had a dazed look in the mornings, but today she was surprisingly neat... though still a bit gloomy, relatively put-together.
"Ah, Teacher Iris."
"Good morning, Student Charlotte."
"Ah, uh. Yes."
What had happened to her?
With a fidgety expression, she came in—not toward the bed, but sat at the table where I was.
I took a bite of the sandwich while watching her, then spoke up.
"Do you have something to say, by any chance?"
"Ah, uh... well... yes. I, I have one q-question...."
"Really?"
That was unexpected.
Did Charlotte have something to ask me?
I'd played the game hard, but I wasn't exactly an expert on its theoretical elements, so I felt a bit flustered.
All I really knew were things like the elixir from groping between thighs last time... or the spot with the highest confession success rate... stuff like that.
Maybe some general strategy tips at best?
Like sweet-talking Evelyn with praise.
Finally, Charlotte's small lips parted.
"Um... i-is it true that d-doing th-that makes a b-baby?"
"Uh, um...?"
What did she mean by "that"?
"If you mean that...? Ah, um... even if you put Undine's thing in, no baby."
Probably this.
She must've overheard a snippet of yesterday's sex ed lesson somewhere.
Watching her pure innocence gave me chills for some reason.
It felt like I was imparting knowledge I shouldn't.
As I shuddered and swallowed some tea, Charlotte shook her head and continued.
"N-not that... um...."
Her face red like a boiled sausage, Charlotte raised her fingers.
One hand formed a circle with thumb and index finger; the other extended just one finger.
She thrust the straight finger into the hole made by thumb and index.
"Pfft!"
"Th-this one. Ah, au!? T-teacher? A-are you o-okay?"
"Cough! Cough! Ah, um. Yes. Uh... I'm fine."
Where the hell did she learn something like this?
I felt dizzy. No, very dizzy.
Who the hell taught my sweet Charlotte something like this?
"Who told you about that?"
"Ah, um... n-nearby, I overheard people talking... but I couldn't make out the words...."
...Kids these days, huh.
It was... pretty intuitive, to be fair.
A pillar shaped like a mushroom going into a hole.
Should I be grateful Charlotte wasn't fully corrupted?
"Um... you'll learn this in class someday, Student Charlotte... but doing that doesn't always make a baby."
"R-really?"
"Yes. It's not as simple as you think... no need to worry about it."
Because you shouldn't anyway.
...Though getting pregnant from dry humping was fair game.
At my explanation, Charlotte let out a sigh of relief, though her face still looked complicated somehow.
But seriously, why was Charlotte interested in this?
No way... right?
"Um... Student Charlotte?"
"Y-yes, Teacher."
"By any chance, with someone─"
"Ah, Teacher Iris!"
"Yes? Yes."
Like she'd suddenly remembered something, Charlotte flailed her arms and rummaged in her pocket, pulling out a new massager.
"Ah, y-you must be t-tired, so I m-made an i-improved version!"
"Oh?"
"Yes! P-please use it!"
She placed the massager in my hand, bowed her head deeply, and dashed out.
All that remained where she'd been was a strangely shaped massager.
I stared at it blankly, set it down, and stroked my chin.
...Probably just overheard it nearby and got curious?
Surely she hadn't gotten into some mishap like Michelle?
If that were the case....
This situation might be more serious than I'd thought.
My heart pounded wildly.
No way... right?
Please let it be.
I calmed my nerves with Michelle's sandwich and the brewed tea.
Somehow, my premonition wasn't good.
It felt like something unexpected was about to explode.
That kind of vibe.