The Princess's Unexpected Embrace
Seong Hyun-jin was deep in torment.
Was this really okay? Was this situation truly appropriate?
It was utterly unlike his usual self to agonize like this. The only other time he'd wrestled with such thoughts was when he'd secretly recalled his master's noble form and sought solace alone. Of course, even then, he'd faithfully indulged his desires—but now, he couldn't dare.
Sigh. Sigh.
The small, cute breaths kept tickling his ears. Their source was none other than Serena Eldark.
Just moments ago, Serena Eldark had dropped a bombshell: she wanted to share the bed with him.
Seong Hyun-jin wasn't an idiot, and with his memories of his past life intact, he knew exactly how that sounded. A man and woman sharing a bed? It naturally implied that kind of thing.
But recalling that Serena wasn't the type to suggest something like that, he forced himself to calm down and asked for clarification.
"...You mean share the bed?"
"Y-yes. And not in a weird way—just actual sleeping!"
Her reaction confirmed it: no ulterior motives, just literal sleep. But that brought its own problems.
"Come on, there's no need for that."
Two full-grown adults just sleeping together? It didn't make sense. One of them might lose control to their urges in such a dangerously tempting setup. If anyone found out, it'd spark misunderstandings—and good luck convincing people otherwise.
Seong Hyun-jin, who hated troublesome situations, said, "I can just sleep in the bathtub..."
"Th-then I'll take the tub! How could I relax knowing I've kicked the room's owner out?"
"What? No way! This is the men's shower room."
"Exactly. So... just sleep here."
Seong Hyun-jin scratched his head at her insistence. Serena was the type to stick firmly to what she believed was right. Having seen her true character during the class placement exam, he couldn't argue further.
'Guess I'll pull an all-nighter.'
No matter what she said, he couldn't lie in bed with her. He figured he'd just sit in the chair and kill time.
"You sleep. I'll sit in the chair."
"You have class tomorrow too. You need rest—didn't you say you barely slept last night?"
"...I'm serious, it's fine. I'm a guy, you know."
"...It's okay."
Serena looked at him and smirked.
"You're the type who only has eyes for your master anyway."
"..."
He couldn't deny it. His greatest obsession was his master, Hakodate Karin. But that didn't mean he felt nothing for other women—especially those with beauty rivaling his master's.
He hadn't paid much attention before, but when he'd faced her head-on earlier, he'd realized it clearly. Serena's breasts might be a touch smaller than his master's, but objectively, they were still ample. Her curves were gorgeous overall, and her thighs could stand toe-to-toe with his master's. The glimpse of skin between her pure white high socks and skirt was nothing short of devastating.
The thought of suddenly sharing a bed with a woman like that was giving Seong Hyun-jin a headache.
Misreading his turmoil, Serena reassured him. "If you're worried I might do something weird, I promise I won't. I swear on my honor."
"I wasn't thinking that, but..."
Seong Hyun-jin scratched his head, then finally nodded. If she was this insistent, refusing further would make him look suspicious—like he was the only one overly aware of it.
'She says she's fine...'
As long as he stayed careful, it might not be a big deal.
"...Fine. Just sleeping, got it."
"...Yes."
In the end, Seong Hyun-jin agreed to her proposal.
And so, the two ended up lying side by side in the same bed.
Seong Hyun-jin had made one last plea to sleep in the chair instead, but Serena stubbornly refused. That was how they'd arrived at this point.
When they first lay down, Seong Hyun-jin felt nothing unusual. Serena was next to him, sure, but it was just sleeping, nothing more. It felt like having a person nearby, reminiscent of crashing on a narrow bed with a friend from his past life during a sleepover.
...Though the faint fragrance wafting from her was definitely different.
'...Already asleep?'
Serena, exhausted, had drifted off almost immediately beside him. Wasn't she too relaxed falling asleep so easily with a guy right there?
'This girl really needs to watch out for men.'
If she acted this way around others, trouble was bound to brew. Just from the chatter among the combat department guys, plenty were eyeing her—and it was probably the same everywhere.
'...Not my problem, though.'
Come to think of it, he and Serena weren't anything special—just casually friendly. Close enough to call friends, but not at the level where he could meddle in her romantic life.
Deciding not to overthink it, Seong Hyun-jin closed his eyes and let sleep come. With Serena dozing so carefree, he relaxed too.
But sleep wouldn't come easily.
As Seong Hyun-jin shut his eyes, Serena stirred.
"Mm..."
Mumbling in her sleep, she fidgeted before suddenly flinging an arm over him—toward his back.
"...?"
More curious than startled, Seong Hyun-jin glanced over his shoulder. At first, he thought she'd just draped an arm over him, but then came an unfamiliar, soft sensation.
Looking back, Serena was still fast asleep. But her position was anything but normal. Like hugging a giant stuffed animal, she'd wrapped both arms around his torso, pressing her body flush against his back.
Seong Hyun-jin panicked a little. The sensation he'd felt was her breasts squishing against his back. She'd taken off her jacket in her sleep, leaving just her shirt, so the feeling was vividly clear.
"Uh...?"
His eyes snapped open. Sleep fled in an instant as he stared at the girl clinging to him.
Human night vision wasn't great in the dark, but he could make out someone this close. Serena's princess-like sleeping face was serene—contrasting sharply with the erotic press of her crushed breasts against him.
The sheer intensity of it left him rattled. It was a sight that could make anyone lose their reason.
'Crazy...'
He was shocked at himself for not being able to look away. He'd never expected to feel this way about any woman's body but his master's.
But she was pressing in so close—even he was just a man, and inevitable feelings stirred.
"..."
After staring at her for a long moment, Seong Hyun-jin sighed and turned his head back.
'What do I do...?'
They were so close he could hear every tiny breath. Was this a habit from hugging pillows? She showed no sign of letting go.
'No signs of waking either...'
It was pure torture. If he hadn't checked what was touching him, it might've been fine—but now that he knew, his mind kept wandering back.
How had things ended up like this? He should've refused her offer to help from the start.
But then he wouldn't have fixed everything today. He'd have pulled another sleepless night like yesterday.
Yet here he was, facing the same fate. With no choice, he considered waking her—but hesitated at her peacefully sleeping face.
'...Tired from helping me out.'
If she just slept through and woke up none the wiser, it'd be fine. Waking her might make her self-conscious and ruin her rest.
Seong Hyun-jin sighed. Turning away again, he squeezed his eyes shut, trying his best to ignore her embrace.
But Serena was a restless sleeper. Hugging him tight, she wriggled this way and that, rubbing something soft and yielding against his back over and over.
Each time, Seong Hyun-jin clenched his eyes tighter, chanting inwardly to block it out.
'This isn't Master's body. It's not her, so endure. Not Master...'
"Mm..."
Her eyelids fluttered open with a rustle. The red eyes beneath gleamed dully.
'When did I... fall asleep?'
Serena blinked, still groggy and dazed. It took her a moment to register the person right in front of her.
"?"
And another to realize she was hugging them.
Serena usually slept hugging a large pillow. This wasn't her room, but deep in slumber, she'd acted on habit—mistaking Seong Hyun-jin's body for her pillow and clutching him tight.
Stunned by the realization, she stared blankly at his back before feeling her breasts pressed against it and bolted upright.
"!!!"
Unable to calm her shock, her fingertips trembled.
"I-I must be crazy...! What did I do in my sleep!?"
She blurted it out loud, then glanced nervously at Seong Hyun-jin beside her. Fortunately, he seemed deeply asleep, undisturbed.
'...He must've known.'
There was no way he hadn't noticed. Being suddenly hugged from behind would wake anyone.
Yet he'd never once roused her. It must've been uncomfortable.
'...He was being considerate?'
Gazing at his sleeping face, Serena shyly covered hers. She appreciated the thought, but she'd rather he'd woken her. Then she wouldn't be facing this embarrassment first thing in the morning.
Still, she understood why he hadn't. Better for him to suffer a bit than disturb her rest—that was his kindness.
She gauged the time from the morning light. It was about time to get up, or they'd be late for class.
"S-Seong Hyun-jin..."
Shaking his shoulder gently, she watched his eyes flutter open.
"Yaaawn."
He stretched with a massive yawn, blinking as he sat up.
"Uh... sleep well?"
"...Yes, thanks to you."
Serena glanced at him sheepishly before apologizing first. "You must've been uncomfortable last night. Sorry."
"...Oh, that?"
Rolling his stiff neck, Seong Hyun-jin replied casually. "I just figured you talk in your sleep a bit."
"I usually hug a pillow to sleep... so I must've mistaken you for one."
"Isn't the size different?"
"It's a big pillow. Felt just right... Uh, never mind."
Seong Hyun-jin nodded as if understanding. "At first, I thought you were attacking me."
"Wh-what!?"
"It was that intense. You should be more careful around other guys."
He added, "Wouldn't want any trouble."
At his advice, Serena gave him a subtly odd look and murmured almost to herself.
"...I don't do that with other people."
"Huh?"
Seong Hyun-jin turned, asking what she'd said, but Serena brushed it off and changed the subject.
"...Nothing. Anyway, I should head out soon."
"Oh, right."
Seong Hyun-jin shrugged on his jacket from the chair. "I'll check the hall first. Wait here—better to slip out when no one's around to avoid misunderstandings."
"Got it."
While Seong Hyun-jin stepped out to scout, Serena lingered in his room, replaying his reactions.
Her cheeks flushed slightly as she whispered to herself.
"...He didn't hate it, did he?"