Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Morning Drama
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Flutter, flutter.
Ekaterina blinked vacantly with a sleepy face still heavy with drowsiness.
The faint beam of light slipping through the slightly parted screen had roused her from what felt like deathlike slumber.
'So bright...'
She lay there in a daze for a while longer before realizing that her body, which had burned like a fireball, had finally cooled down.
That realization brought back the soft sensation against her head and the sight of those... enormous breasts she'd glimpsed just before fully drifting off.
The sudden image of those breasts flashing in her mind made her cheeks flush faintly.
'...They helped me.'
There was no way it could be the breasts themselves, of course.
But replaying the refreshing energy that had enveloped her body, it seemed safe to assume that the owner of those 'breasts' had come to her aid.
She'd have to confirm the details later, but the thought struck her as a bit absurd all the same.
After all, she hadn't seen the face, so she had to identify her savior by her breasts.
There was no option to ignore it. Even for her, owing someone her life wasn't something she could brush off lightly.
Not to mention the stabilized energy within her now.
She murmured inwardly and reached a hand toward the ceiling.
Feeling the energy naturally gathering, she compared it to how she'd been just before. There was a slight instability, but compared to then, it was like night and day.
A thrilling pleasure coursed through her, and she felt her eyes sting with tears.
...Will Mom be happy for me? Mother...?
Ekaterina took a deep breath to calm her swelling chest.
She had no leeway to return home just yet, so it was a distant prospect, but thinking back to the shock she'd felt that day made it hard to keep her breath steady.
Finally soothing her turbulent emotions, she noticed the ceiling above—both unfamiliar and strangely familiar.
'...By the way.'
Where... is this?
Still lying down, she carefully scanned her surroundings.
It was quite dark, save for the light crossing her face.
And that darkness seemed to come from the screen. The soft cushioning against her back suggested she was lying on a bed.
Putting the pieces together with her now-clear head, this place appeared to be the infirmary she'd only heard rumors about.
'...First time here.'
She'd never had reason to get injured before, so she'd never come in person.
She'd heard people visited for other reasons, but since it had never happened to her, it had always felt like idle gossip floating in the clouds.
...Not having anyone to share such stories with played a part too, but Ekaterina didn't dwell on it. No, she pretended not to care.
More importantly, was the person who saved her the rumored 'school nurse'?
That mattered most.
She was her lifesaver, after all—and right now, the only one who might know her condition.
Then.
She felt an itch near her tailbone, right on top of her buttocks, and sat up.
Her feet touched the floor, and she turned to find the source.
And then.
A heavy sensation hit her suddenly. Even after rising, she still felt the bed's softness.
"...Huh?"
Letting out a puzzled voice, she plopped back down onto the bed.
Something... something was off.
Startled, she tentatively pulled back the screen and checked what had happened to her body.
"Eh?"
Flap, flap.
"W-What's this!?"
A massive tail protruded from her buttocks. With scales and all, it was impossible to deny it was a tail.
Ekaterina fell into chaos.
Full-blown panic would be accurate. Her hands and feet trembled uncontrollably, her eyes shaking wildly like there was an earthquake.
The more she did, the more she felt a sensation similar to the burning she'd experienced near her heart before.
"Heek... Kk..."
Feeling that heat again, she collapsed once more.
As she panted for breath.
The screen a short distance away parted, revealing Iris with an equally dazed expression.
Ekaterina's gaze locked onto Iris at the clear sound echoing through.
'...Breasts.'
That's the one who helped me.
It was impossible not to recognize her.
Those were breasts too distinctive to forget. Realizing this, she forced out words in a strained voice.
"H-Help... me..."
Hearing her voice, on the verge of breaking, Iris jumped in alarm and hurried over.
"Uh, uh... h-huh? Are you okay?"
"...N-No."
She doesn't look okay...
So now what?
Iris had rushed over on instinct, but nothing came to mind, leaving her flustered. Then El's voice rang in her head.
-As expected, it didn't end in one go. Looks like the contractor will have to step in.
To her murmur, Iris whispered back so Ekaterina wouldn't hear.
"You mean what we did yesterday?"
-Exactly. This time, it's the contractor, not me. You handle it yourself. It'll be much simpler than yesterday. I'll guide you through it.
...Is this okay?
Iris looked extremely uneasy.
For a modern person like her, even commanding spirits was alien enough—let alone handling energy.
She'd felt its reality, sure, but it still felt a bit off-putting.
Moving energy around.
Isn't that straight-up qi gong or something?
Sensing her anxiety, El chuckled lightly.
-I could step in, but... this is separate from yesterday, so I'd need a small new payment. That alright?
At El's words, Iris's face hardened. With a resolute expression, she muttered.
"...I'll try. It's safe, right?"
-Of course. I don't lie. If... it gets dangerous, I'll intervene.
...Please, no need for that.
"Hic..."
-Hesitate too long, and it might turn out like yesterday.
Iris let out a deep sigh and tried to lay down the panting girl, but unlike yesterday, the huge protruding tail made it impossible.
It felt weighty; swinging it around could hurt quite a bit.
-Do it with her sitting. First, expose her bare skin. It'll help you too.
Hesitating briefly, Iris gently removed Ekaterina's clothes as instructed—not all, just enough to bare her chest.
Smooth, swelling breasts came into view.
They seemed a bit larger than yesterday.
Feeling like she was committing a sin, Iris blushed but placed her hand on the soft chest as El directed.
"Heek... Hek."
Closing her eyes to sense the energy and leaning close, Ekaterina's hot breaths tickled Iris's body.
Feeling a strange, illicit sensation, she shook her head inwardly and focused.
Thump... thud, thump.
Soon, Ekaterina's irregular heartbeat reached her.
-Focus more.
Focusing harder, she detected a sensation like water leaking from a punctured bottle.
Iris blinked at the odd feeling.
-Once you've found the cause, imagine gently plugging that leaking energy spot.
El spoke as if manipulating energy was something anyone could do naturally.
Iris sighed inwardly, about to ask how, when.
She sensed energy within her own body, just like Ekaterina's.
'...It works?'
It felt similar to when Undine had drawn out her energy.
So that's why El thought she could do it.
Amazed it wasn't baseless confidence, Iris looked at El anew and moved her energy.
-What's with that irreverent face.
The energy flowing from Iris's body caught the spreading heat in Ekaterina's and guided it back to her heart.
-Don't let it leak out again—keep concentrating.
Gathering the heat near her heart, Iris carefully patted and pushed it back in.
Slowly... slowly.
As the heat returned to place, Ekaterina's ragged breaths evened out bit by bit.
Once the body-wide heat was contained, El whispered again.
-Good. Now, feel like you're patching the hole...
Patching the hole...
Was it because of last night?
Suddenly, an image of a pillar plugging a mouth-shaped hole popped into Iris's mind.
Her face burned, self-loathing and irritation surged.
...But the mental image worked wonders.
She felt the leaking hole filling up.
-Hmm, you're following along splendidly, just like my contractor. What a shame... heh heh.
Shame about what, seriously.
Recalling last night, Iris shuddered. She never wanted to go through that again.
At least, the 'payment' value had lessened, so maybe no repeat performance... That vague hope lifted her mood a bit.
-Mm, almost done. You can stop now.
...I know.
Pouting with pursed lips, Iris withdrew her energy.
"Hoo..."
As she exhaled.
"Mm..."
A faintly lewd breath sounded right in front of her.
Opening her eyes slightly, Iris found Ekaterina somehow lying on the floor, with herself straddling atop her.
With the heat subsided, Ekaterina lay drenched in sweat, breathing softly: hoo... hoo...
Her red hair clung messily here and there... a bit erotic.
Iris stared blankly for a moment, and in that time, Ekaterina regained her senses and opened her eyes.
Their gazes met in the close air between them.
Ekaterina inhaled sharply, and Iris flinched at those jewel-like red eyes.
It was then.
Bang!
The door flew open.
Irene entered the infirmary. Leona followed behind. Irene, face full of worry, spotted the two sprawled on the floor and—
"Teacher, are you oka— Eh...?"
"Ah."
She let out a dumbstruck voice.
Her face looked incredibly awkward as she collected herself, carefully closed the door, and left.
Soon after.
Knock knock.
She knocked on the door.
As if saying she hadn't seen a thing.
"...It's Irene, Teacher."
Finally realizing the misunderstanding, Iris scrambled up, shouting it was a mistake as she opened the door.