A Quiet Kitchen and Gentle Descent
"Hmm... it's so peaceful and nice here."
"Yeah, I didn't realize the kitchen could feel like this."
Counseling with Arachne had already covered everything I could offer as her counselor, so as promised, the rest of our time turned into a pleasant cooking class. Since she was on vacation, there was no need for her to rush around preparing meals even as dinnertime approached. The quiet, neatly organized kitchen felt strangely unfamiliar without its usual bustle.
"Thanks to you, I got to eat your cooking too. I'm very satisfied. This really is the best vacation."
Even if I get to rest... sitting here doing nothing alone feels worse than just cooking. But if we're together like this... oh no, I keep thinking I want vacations more often.
"Hearing that makes me happy. I guess everyone wants their own cooking to be enjoyed, huh?"
"Mm. Even though it's just simple, unrefined food, yours feels warm and nostalgic somehow... I find myself wanting to be treated like this more often."
"It's not difficult at all. But are you really okay with my cooking? I can only make a limited number of dishes, after all..."
By any measure of skill, I couldn't possibly surpass her even among the few things I knew how to make, yet she seemed to genuinely enjoy it, which made me happy too.
"I want to eat your cooking every morning...! But having it every day would probably be too much, right?"
Though I feel like I'd have endless energy if that happened... the counselor always looks so busy.
"If it's on a workday, I could probably make time."
"..Ah, no, no. These things are better kept occasional. The joy multiplies that way. I'll save it as a reward for when I'm tired."
Wait, saying I want his cooking every morning... isn't that basically a proposal?
The President's unnecessary meddling had me slipping into daydreams all day, but watching her like this made a silly smile tug at my lips. Unlike Harpy, whose cuteness was obvious from the start and made my heart race, Arachne tried so hard to hide her own charm that it was strangely endearing.
I... I only said it casually, but the counselor's answer was pretty positive, right? Yeah, this is easy. Nothing to it...
"Ugh..."
If he finds out I'm just sitting here having delusions and accepting my own confession... he'll definitely be disgusted.
No... disgust wasn't the reaction that came to mind. It was more like "how cute." But with her thoughts this transparent, I really couldn't reveal my ability anymore. The President must have deliberately avoided mentioning it too. She probably thought it would be more entertaining this way.
"How's your condition been since then? The test results came back normal, but I thought hearing it directly would be more reassuring."
"Ah... yeah, I'm really fine. Thanks to... you."
"I... see."
Her reaction... maybe I shouldn't have asked. On top of that, her saying it was thanks to me brought back vivid memories of that moment—the sticky, soft threads wrapping tightly around my entire arm, the sensation still lingering on my skin. And... that warm, thick liquid that had spilled across my face.
"About what happened then... could you try not to dwell on it too much?"
That guy... had to go and say something weird like "s-sticky"... just thinking about it makes my face burn...
..Sticky?
"Ah, right... I only did it because you looked like you were in pain. I wanted you to feel better. I didn't mean to embarrass you."
"Yeah... I know. Now that I think about it, I forgot to thank you properly."
"No, no, it's fine."
She looked embarrassed enough just remembering it—I couldn't possibly make her say thank you on top of that. If I heard her gratitude, I wouldn't be able to stand how hot my own face would get.
Just as I was steering the atmosphere back to something warm and comfortable through my invisible efforts, a voice crackled through the in-ear device.
"—Ahem, are you enjoying your time with Arachne?"
"Ah, Team Leader...? Arachne, just a moment."
The Team Leader's slightly uncomfortable voice came through. Judging by the timing, the meeting must be approaching.
"—Sorry for interrupting your private time, but you should start preparing and head to the usual meeting room. You remember where it is, right?"
"Yes, I remember. I'll be there right away."
I managed to answer the instruction without showing any reaction to the teasing. Arachne seemed to notice that my time was up, her expression clearly tinged with regret.
"I had fun today, Arachne."
"Me too... I really, really enjoyed it."
She kept repeating how much fun she'd had, almost desperately, as if worried her true feelings wouldn't reach me. Seeing how openly happy she was—both inside and out—lifted my own mood. I was grateful she could be this satisfied just by spending time with someone as awkward with words as me.
"W-Well then."
"Huh? Arachne...?"
She must have mustered her courage. This was...
"This way... no threads will stick to your clothes, and it's safer... so..."
"I... see."
Unlike when she'd wrapped me tightly in silk and pulled me up, or when she'd carried the chair up and down for our cooking lesson, this time Arachne used her own arms to support my thighs and shoulders, slowly lowering a thread as she descended to the floor with me in her grasp.
...A princess carry.
I felt like something similar had happened with another woman once, though that had been more of an accident. This felt different because Arachne was deliberately holding me. It was... how to put it... a little embarrassing as a man. Yet despite that awkward feeling, I couldn't deny how secure and reassuring it felt to be held like this.
"I'm not too heavy, am I..."
"It's fine. My upper body is... properly trained, after all."
Of course. She was the facility's one and only chef. Even just seeing the clear lines of her abs stretching smoothly across her torso made that obvious. She still wore nothing but her usual tank top on her upper body, but because of her characteristically pale skin, I rarely got the sense she was exposed. Being held like this, however, made it impossible not to notice.
The sensation against my shoulder right now... was her chest.
From the way her thoughts were filled with worry about whether I might find this unpleasant or uncomfortable, it seemed she wasn't particularly conscious of that part herself.
The time it took to descend on the web felt incredibly slow. She was deliberately taking her time, too.
"..."
If I just pull him in tight... that should be enough, but this feels a little different from what I imagined... I've already dragged this out so late trying to find the right moment... he probably thinks it's too sudden.
Ah, so this was the President's doing after all. I wasn't sure what "just pull him in tight" was supposed to accomplish, but this kind of close physical contact definitely made one aware of the other person's gender.
"..Arachne."
"..."
He's... going to leave like this. Then today's counseling will be over...
"Arachne...?"
"...."
I don't want to let him go like this... I don't want to send him away like this...
"Um, Arachne..."
"Aah?!"
A shiver ran down my arms as if my instincts had detected danger from her crimson gaze staring blankly at me.
"This position... is getting embarrassing, so could you put me down? We've already reached the floor."
"A-Ah, r-right...! Yeah, I must've spaced out for a second."
What... what was I just thinking...?
Startled by her own thoughts, she hurriedly set me down and placed both hands over her chest as if trying to calm it, looking up at me with flushed cheeks.
"Ah... um...!"
As I started to step toward the door, sensing something off, Arachne's hesitant voice caught my ankle.
"..Arachne?"
"..."
I want to... be like them too...
Them?
"...Yeah, it's nothing."
But still... I don't even know how the counselor feels yet. I don't want to cause him trouble on my own.
Her inner voice, which had been so noisy ever since she'd gathered the courage to carry me, gradually quieted as if sorting itself out—but now it had clearly split into two opposing sides. She still needed my help to sort through it properly.
"Your vacation definitely lasts until tomorrow, right? I'll come see you again then."
"Ah...!"
She must have been reluctant to let this peaceful, relaxed time together end, because the moment I promised to clear my schedule tomorrow, her expression softened instantly. Who knew what unexpected hardships tomorrow might bring, but for now, this would do.
"...Yeah! Then... I'll be waiting."
However, I had apparently underestimated just how starved for affection and connection she was after spending so long alone. Even a single day of waiting felt different to her.
Shortly after the counselor left the isolation room, a thin, strong thread extended from the tip of Arachne's little finger with a soft ping.
"...Still... if it's just barely not causing trouble..."