Holy Mo?ther (2)
Holy Mo?ther (2)
Outside was still bustling with people.
That was only natural, since it had been less than an hour since the canonization ceremony ended.
Of course, thanks to the perception obstruction magic, no one could recognize Lee Ha-sol, the very person being canonized.
[Ha-sol, didn't we agree to sightsee together later...?]
"The plan changed a little."
What kind of plan did sightseeing in a city need? And why would even that need to change?
I tilted my head at the unanswered questions, but Lee Ha-sol just smiled brightly and led the way, still holding my wrist.
As we kept walking, the crowd gradually thinned.
We had entered the area reserved for the faithful, where civilian access was still restricted even now, right after the canonization.
[Ooh...]
The place we arrived at was a five-story building.
Its style featured a white base with simple exterior ornaments, identical to the buildings stretching to both sides.
[Is this the place you used to stay, Ha-sol?]
"Yes. I spent a long time here studying and training."
Lee Ha-sol looked up at the building with a steady gaze, as if reminiscing.
She must have stayed here for a few years at least, so of course, there would be memories attached.
"Sorry for making you wait. Alright then, let's go inside now."
[You can look around comfortably, though.]
"Hehe, I don't miss it that much, so it's fine."
Laughing playfully, Lee Ha-sol stepped into the dormitory.
The building's interior matched my imagination.
An entrance lobby with an attached manager's waiting room. As Lee Ha-sol looked around, her gaze landed on a middle-aged woman sitting beyond a glass window.
The woman was also wearing the Tower Faith clerical robes.
"Ha-yul."
[Yes.]
I nodded and released the perception obstruction magic.
At the presence we no longer concealed, the middle-aged woman beyond the glass looked up.
"...Huh?"
Drawn as if by gravity, she stared at me first and then went rigid.
Her gaze then followed the hand gripping my wrist upward, and seeing Lee Ha-sol's face, her eyes flew wide open.
"Ha-sol, my... ahem."
The middle-aged woman, who had been about to spring to her feet and greet her, abruptly stopped talking.
She straightened her clothes with a few pats, then made the sign of the faith and bowed her head respectfully.
"I am in the presence of a holy one and a great one."
"Ah, I knew it."
Lee Ha-sol smiled awkwardly and shook her head.
"I won't say anything about it in official settings, so please treat me comfortably when we're alone like this, in private."
"My goodness, how could I possibly do that to a holy one..."
"If even you act like this, Sister Susan, I'll be really upset."
The middle-aged woman... Sister Susan looked troubled.
But when Lee Ha-sol asked for a third time, she let out a sigh, as if she had no choice.
"...Oh dear, I did suspect you'd say something like that, child, but really, what am I to do if you act this way..."
She hadn't given a direct answer, but I could see acceptance in her attitude.
Yet her tenseness remained. As if she dared not even meet my eyes, Sister Susan glanced fleetingly at my feet.
"...Uhh..."
[It's a pleasure to meet you, Sister Susan. I'm called Lee Ha-yul, and I stayed at the same orphanage as Lee Ha-sol...]
"Oh my...!"
Since she seemed to be someone close to Lee Ha-sol, I bowed my head to her.
At that, the flustered Sister Susan flinched as if she'd been struck by an unwarranted bolt of Heavenly Thunder.
"Please don't be like that, Sister. Ha-yul is treating you comfortably because this isn't an official setting either."
[It's just because you're an acquaintance of Lee Ha-sol...]
"...Having a way with words is a real curse, I tell you."
"Bueeeep..."
Lee Ha-sol, who had frozen for a second, grabbed my jaw with her other hand and kneaded my cheek firmly.
As sounds leaked from my puckered lips, sticking out like a fish's, Sister Susan's expression grew distant. She looked back at Lee Ha-sol with a faraway gaze.
"...Is this child really, truly the one you said was..."
"I told you, she's the most lovable person in the world."
"Surely anyone would think that was an exaggeration..."
Sister Susan shook her head and pressed her forehead as if dizzy. Lee Ha-sol giggled softly and pointed upstairs.
"We can catch up on other things later. For now, I'm planning to head up to my old room and stay there for a bit. That's possible, right?"
"How could we clear out a holy one's room...? Of course, it is just as you left it."
"Mm, that's good to hear."
Lee Ha-sol nodded in satisfaction.
Sister Susan, who had been watching Lee Ha-sol with unfathomable eyes, checked my reaction, then glanced cautiously toward the back door.
"Should we perhaps empty the building..."
"...There's no particular need for that."
After a very brief moment of thought, Lee Ha-sol turned toward the stairs. I bowed once more to bid farewell to Sister Susan, then trotted after Lee Ha-sol.
Sister Susan's face, watching my back, had grown incredibly complicated.
.
.
.
The dormitory room where Lee Ha-sol had stayed was on the third floor.
[Oooh...]
I took off my shoes at the entrance and stepped inside, letting out a soft exclamation of wonder.
A living room and kitchen of a decent size. There were three usable rooms in total, with a separate bathroom and shower room.
The evening glow was slowly creeping in through a balcony at one side of the living room, where I imagined you could see the garden installed in the center of the C-shaped building.
[It's not as big as I expected?]
It was a very spacious place for a single person to live.
But by the standards of superhumans who earn a fortune, it wasn't exactly an impressive home.
It was actually worse than the first dormitory I'd stayed in at Siyoram.
Then again, comparing anything to Siyoram was a ridiculously high bar.
"Since we're a religious group, we do try to be mindful of frugality. Besides, all the rooms here are private ones anyway, so they're not cramped, and you have everything you need for daily life."
[Ah-ha.]
That was certainly true. Most of the furniture was good-quality magic tools, and both the above-ground and underground facilities were well-equipped.
"This is the bedroom."
[!]
[Anticipation.]
I had been briskly wandering around the room, but at the word "bedroom," I spun around immediately. Lee Ha-sol giggled and led me inside.
The bedroom was ordinary, too.
A bed big enough for two to lie in comfortably, with a drawer beside it.
A cabinet and a wardrobe against the wall. On the desk, a hologram projector and some miscellaneous tools were neatly arranged.
"This place is exactly the same, too..."
After taking off her outer coat and hanging it on a hanger, Lee Ha-sol ran her fingers over the pale green curtains.
Meanwhile, I moved briskly around the bedroom, my eyes bright.
It was just an ordinary room.
But the knowledge that this was a place where Lee Ha-sol had lived instantly stirred my curiosity.
'And there are plenty of traces.'
It was also rather fun searching for the traces Lee Ha-sol had left behind in the room.
Small signs of everyday life were densely observed everywhere, and a mana signature that felt both unfamiliar and familiar was the mana Lee Ha-sol had possessed before she manifested the Gale.
The Observation Authority located traces, combined them, and fitted the records of the past together like a puzzle, deducing what had happened here.
"Do you really have to pace around like that, even while looking around with Observation?"
[If we're going by efficiency, I should be spending most of my life lying down.]
I pouted slightly and turned around. Before I knew it, Lee Ha-sol was perched on the edge of the bed, resting her chin in both hands and watching me.
Lee Ha-sol's eyes curved like pretty crescent moons.
"Then did you observe over there too?"
[Where?]
"Left dresser. Second drawer from the top."
I hadn't checked inside since I didn't have permission. I tilted my head and observed the dresser, and a blush crept up my neck.
[...It's underwear.]
[Embarrassed]
"Heh heh, don't most people keep their underwear in the bedroom dresser?"
That was true, but the sight of Lee Ha-sol laughing with her shoulders shaking for some reason annoyed me.
Wasn't that her intention from the beginning—to tease me?
I puffed out my cheeks and let my sulky mood show, but instead of feeling sorry, Lee Ha-sol just looked at me like I was cute.
When I didn't back down and put strength into my brow, Lee Ha-sol suddenly dropped her head low and her shoulders trembled.
Even with her head bowed, the sight of her silently laughing face was completely observed.
[......]
[Displeased]
[Clinging disguised as a tantrum— oogk]
[...A tantrum]
"Are you upset because I teased you?"
After wiping her tears, Lee Ha-sol's lips twitched.
"I'm sorry for teasing you too much~ Your reactions were just too cute."
I didn't answer.
I just puffed out my cheeks, stood still, and silently voiced my displeasure, and Lee Ha-sol rounded her eyes as if she were looking at a child playing pranks.
"Hmmm... what should I do to make you feel better..."
Lee Ha-sol murmured as if she clearly wanted me to hear, then opened her arms.
She had taken off her outer coat, but she was still wearing the outfit from the canonization ceremony. Voluptuous lines were clearly visible through the loose clothing.
"Hmm... what to do... how should I hold you so that Ha-yul will like it...?"
[......]
It was an extremely blatant temptation.
And of course, I couldn't resist that temptation.
I approached briskly and perched gently on Lee Ha-sol's thighs, and as if she had been waiting, she pulled my head into her arms and cradled me against her large chest.
[So soft...]
[Squishy]
The flesh of her thighs was fluffy like clouds, and the chest where I buried my face was soft and warm like freshly steamed rice cake, spreading comfort through me without effort.
When I wrapped my arms around her waist in return and burrowed into her embrace, my whole body rubbed against Lee Ha-sol's soft form.
Such a cozy and familiar embrace.
Being held against that warm chest that had embraced me since childhood filled me with comfort all on its own.
[It's nice...]
[Happy]
"That tickles."
When I nuzzled my buried face against her chest, Lee Ha-sol let out a soft laugh and stroked my head.
How long did I cling to her like that?
Suddenly, a pale-green wing of cloth gently pressed down on my head.
When I peeked my head up from nuzzling her chest, Lee Ha-sol's hand cupped my chin softly and tilted my head back.
She looked down at me with eyes dripping affection like honey, then pressed her lips to my forehead.
- Smack
[Ehehe]
A silly laugh escaped at the affection pressing down above my bangs. Lee Ha-sol smiled brightly and kissed my face in succession.
- Smack, smack, smack...
The bridge of my nose, my cheek, my temple.
- Smack...
[Hyik]
The corner of my mouth.
I trembled slightly at the dangerously close spot and tightened my arms around her waist, and Lee Ha-sol's body trembled as well.
"Nnn... haaah..."
A breath, light with excitement, touched my face. Her eyes curved even more softly, as if she was satisfied with the pressure wrapping around her waist.
"...Smack."
[Huh-hek]
This time, just above my lips. Next, beside that spot. A ticklish sensation kept alighting on the area right around my lips.
[Nnnnnng...]
[Impatient]
"What's wrong?"
But they didn't touch.
When I squirmed at the contact that stayed maddeningly close without touching, Lee Ha-sol laughed as she tucked my hair behind my ear.
[Hurry...]
"Hmmm... I wonder why? Is there somewhere that feels uncomfortable?"
It was a mischievous, playful smile. Lee Ha-sol stopped her kisses there and just patted my innocent bottom.
Even as my face automatically relaxed under the touch patting my bottom with just the right strength, I deliberately puffed out both cheeks.
Just like before, Lee Ha-sol only looked down at me cradled in her arms with fond eyes.
Her intention was clear.
I exhaled the air I'd been holding in a puff and gently raised my head.
The space between our faces folded. The moment Lee Ha-sol smiled softly and closed her eyes, my lips met the ones that had only been tickling my skin.
- Smack...
My eyes opened.
My vision and soul wavered.
The Curse of Beauty's Brief Life, the innate curse I was born with. And the Curses of Silence and Solitude, the acquired curses clinging to that Curse of Beauty's Brief Life.
- Woooooong...
Among them, the Curses of Silence and Solitude partially crumbled, and through that gap, a viscous connection stretched toward Lee Ha-sol.
"...Puh-ha..."
When our pressed lips parted, the mist before my eyes scattered instantly in all directions.
"Wow..."
I saw a pair of wide, round, pale-green eyes.
Overcome with emotion, Ha-sol trembled and looked fixedly into my eyes with a rapt expression.
She stroked my cheek carefully and cautiously, as if touching a treasure.
"You're so... beautiful..."
"...Ha-sol, you too. Really beautiful."
"Ah..."
My voice had opened.
My gaping mouth let out a voice. Ha-sol smiled brightly with tears still clinging to her eyes.
"Your voice is so beautiful too..."
"If you could... say it's cool... nnf... mmph..."
The hand that had been so careful suddenly gripped my cheek with surprising roughness, and pressed our lips together with a smack.
As I docilely accepted the touch and inhaled, Ha-sol's scent, which surrounded me, entered my lungs.
A fresh and fragrant smell. And a smell intimate and cozy, as if my body had remembered it from long ago.
"...sniff sniff."
[Milk]
Among those, one scent stood out intensely.
From the large chest that practically propped up my chin, a sweet and savory smell of milk wafted up gently.
* * *
[Player Correction System: Affection]
Lee Ha-yul → Lee Ha-sol
●●●●●●●●○○(89/100)
｢Affection｣ ｢Mom｣ ｢Cozy｣ ｢Snug｣ ｢Security｣ ｢Guardian｣
▼Dramatic Change▼
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♡(89▷90/100)
｢Love｣ ｢Affection｣ ｢Mom｣ ｢Milk?Cow｣ ｢Guardian｣ ｢Cozy｣ ｢Snug｣ ｢Soft｣ ｢Security｣
[Player Correction System: Pioneering Progress]
[Quest ｢Lee Ha-sol｣ Achieved]
[A large number of Points are accumulated.]
...
[The lifting conditions for ｢Curse of Silence｣ are partially satisfied.]
[｢Curse of Silence｣ is conditionally (Lee Ha-sol) weakened.]
...
[The lifting conditions for ｢Curse of Solitude｣ are partially satisfied.]
[｢Curse of Solitude｣ is conditionally (Lee Ha-sol) weakened.]