Risk Level 5: Arachne (8)
With Mini Undine around, I figured everything would be fine, but out of concern for possible bacteria or viruses, I ended up getting examined too. It felt like a clear line had been drawn in how Arachne was being treated, yet it was also true that I had done something far from ordinary, so I went along with the process without complaint. Thanks to that, my shift ran longer than usual. When I finally stepped out of the art museum, the red car waiting at the entrance spotted me and started its engine.
"You're a little late today."
"Yeah, a lot happened... ugh..."
Still tired, I slid into the front seat. Before I could even exchange a word with Yerin, someone in the back reached out and pulled me into a tight hug. A glimpse of vivid red hair told me exactly who it was—Scarlet, of course.
"Scarlet, I'm a bit tired today."
"Did you do it?"
"What...? No, no. It's not like that."
I started to ask what she meant, then realized the answer was already decided and gave up. Sitting in the back with her meant getting devoured or tormented depending on her mood. Even sitting up front didn't spare me from being hugged from behind, but this was still preferable.
"I'll start driving, so put your seatbelt on."
Yerin, who had been touching up her makeup in the visor mirror, tucked her pouch into her bag and glanced back once before pulling away.
"Scarlet, sit properly too."
"What do I get if I do?"
"...I could pat your head. You like that."
I didn't bother adding that it didn't suit her.
"W-who does...?"
She knew it herself without me saying anything. She obediently let go soon after. I changed the subject before she recovered and hugged me again.
"By the way, Scarlet, where do you wait while I'm down there? You can't go below a certain floor, right?"
She hadn't mentioned what she'd been doing, so I took the chance to ask. As one of the main surveillance targets, her movements were heavily restricted.
"Mornings I do basic training with her. After that I get beaten senseless by that rude beast woman under the excuse of live combat drills. In between I get face packs and massages while they drill attack manuals into me."
"You sound busier than I expected."
The "beast" probably meant the Field Team Leader, though the President came to mind first.
"The food's good, so I put up with it. Today they threw out some trash, so I stepped out front for a quick bite."
"Ah..."
Even someone as picky and expensive as her acknowledged Arachne's cooking.
"More importantly, did something happen with that woman lately? She's been acting up. Looks like she's trying to take it out on me."
"Ah, um... I wonder."
It was probably from the witch's aphrodisiac incident. Her gaze had definitely grown sharper since then, but I decided not to mention it. Even if that was the trigger, I still didn't know the exact reason the Field Team Leader was angry with me.
"Sounds like you have an idea."
"...No, I don't."
Her arm around my neck gradually tightened. She had been working hard without complaining to me. Was she trying to relieve stress through me? Her stamina was incredible, so it made sense she'd still want me this energetically even after a tiring day. Lately she'd grown fond of the soft, ticklish empathy and was trying to be considerate in her own way. Even though she seemed dissatisfied now, she didn't drag me into the back seat.
Considerate... right?
"..."
Thanks to that, we reached home in relative quiet. Once we parked in the underground lot, Scarlet jumped out before the engine was off and stretched restlessly. I moved to follow, but—
Tug.
My sleeve was pulled back. I sat down again.
"...?"
Yerin was holding onto my clothes, her gesture somewhat timid yet firm. Did she have something to say?
"Wait, um... Last time, when I asked for time off... you told me to let you know."
"Ah."
Right. When I gave her the ring, her eyes had taken on that same suggestive glow the others showed. I had brushed it off then, but looking at the sparkling ring on the hand gripping me now, I couldn't do the same this time. Her appeals had been growing stronger lately, and I hadn't been responding.
"We've both been busy, so I understand if things got neglected, but..."
"Yerin, you..."
"I'm reaching my limit. Doing it alone is... ah."
Click. Thud...!
Fast. Scarlet, sensing the mood, had already returned to open the passenger door. Yerin immediately locked it with her left hand. But Scarlet's personality wasn't the type to be stalled by that.
"What are you two whispering about? Open this or not?"
In the past she would have punched straight through the glass. For now she at least asked. Yerin's voice quickened, probably worried about damaging her expensive car.
"I'm off this weekend. So... if nothing comes up then..."
"..."
"I've... prepared everything, so..."
Prepared. Right. Preparation was necessary.
"Please... take care of me... Master."
She barely managed to turn her longing gaze aside, cheeks flushing, and unlocked the door with her other hand. Scarlet, still yanking the handle, stumbled backward. Thanks to her reflexes she didn't fall.
"Ugh, you two... Fine. What were you talking about?"
"Nothing special..."
She looked offended that she'd stumbled over such a childish trick, but quickly shifted focus back to the conversation. Relieved, I tried to give a safe answer, but—
"A very special... date promise."
Yerin stepped out of the car wearing a strangely provocative smile aimed at Scarlet.
Really, both of you... let's not do this.
"..."
Scarlet's glare was sharp enough to hurt. Actually, it did hurt—she was pinching my side.
"...You. Be ready for your next counseling session with your sister."
"Please... show mercy."
"No mercy."
Greedy as always. Even with Yerin in the driver's seat, the number of times Scarlet had pounced on me... No, this was also my fault for not refusing properly. Anyway, once the three of us entered the elevator, the air grew suffocating beyond what the small space could explain. Both women linked arms with me, locked in a silent battle of nerves, while I stood in the middle, mind blank, acutely aware of the difference in the chests pressing against my arms. We finally arrived.
"...Then, see you then."
"Yeah, ugh...?"
Since Yerin had to go up another floor, Scarlet—jealous even of me answering her—dragged me out of the elevator. Still, thanks to the advantage of having secured a date promise, Yerin's expression stayed relaxed until the doors closed again.
"...I'm annoyed."
"Shall I pat your head?"
"No."
The refusal slipped out first because she was annoyed, but she quickly looked like she regretted it—exactly like a sulky child, which was cute. When it was just the two of us, her pride always compromised easily in front of me.
"...Just pat me after all."
"Yes, yes."
This time it took about ten seconds. For some reason, when I gently stroked Dorothy's head, Scarlet had seen it and demanded the same. At first she shook her head, claiming it hurt her pride, but now she loved it this much.
"Actually, I got asked this question during training today."
"...?"
When I paused, she gave me a look telling me to keep moving my hand while she talked.
"If a situation came up where one of us—you or me—had to die for sure... they asked what I'd do."
"Hmm..."
An extreme assumption, but given the scale of what's happening now, maybe not entirely unrealistic.
"But I think even if you survived, it wouldn't mean anything if I died. The opposite is true too. I'm living to receive your affection, after all."
She touched the kiss mark on her nape that I'd left this morning and spoke her honest feelings. It was very like her, yet I was curious about the answer.
"So... you couldn't answer?"
"No. I said I'd survive alone. Obviously."
"Huh..."
What? Obviously... why?
"Because even with a hole burned black in your stomach, you're still walking around fine. I'm tough too, but normally that would kill you. You'd find a way to survive, wouldn't you?"
"Wasn't the premise that one of us definitely dies...?"
I was starting to feel a little hurt, but—
"I don't care about that. Even if I have to give up an arm or a leg, we'll both survive somehow. Then we'll have lots of sex and you'll dote on me."
"Sec—cough, cough."
"I'm only putting up with the annoying training and boring education because I want to do that. I don't have to care about such stupid questions."
...I take back the part about being hurt. She trains every day, gets beaten by the Field Team Leader she hates, and sits through tedious education... The fact that she has never once complained to me must mean she has a clear goal.
"Once I'm stronger than I am now, I'll make that beast woman and the clown-masked one eat dirt at least once..."
"..."
"And... I'll protect you."
Her individualistic nature hadn't changed, but I could feel that she had.
"After that... I'll have lots of sex with you again."
Haha...