The Professor's Unexpected Visit
I had waited in silence for days after Morphe's senior demanded accountability for stealing her virginity in that unexpected accident. She never gave me any hint about what decision she would make.
Then, after that endless wait, it was Morphe herself who came looking for me instead of some formal report.
“So it was you. The one who took my niece’s first time.”
The professor of basic education for first-year students at the Cradle, and Morphe’s aunt, Morgan, burst into the club room.
She warned me with a frozen expression to take responsibility for my family’s forbidden fruit.
“Even if it was an accident… don’t tell me you’re planning to take a woman’s purity and then pretend nothing happened?”
The white-blue eyes burned with arctic cold, sending a shiver all the way down to my pores.
“Auntie! What are you doing here?!”
Morphe arrived a beat late and tried to stop her grandmother, but Morgan just snorted and turned to her niece.
“It’s for the best, really. I was worried sick about you sticking to alchemy all the time, and your brother too. Might as well try dating a guy while you’re at it.”
“Please, please, Auntie…”
“No need to be embarrassed. This guy’s not bad at all. Smart head and common sense for a man—your future husband would be lucky to have someone like him.”
Even the idea of husband sent a fresh wave of panic through me.
“Professor, I already have someone I’m dating…”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
Morgan muttered dismissively.
“As long as you have ability, it’s fine to date multiple people. Besides, our sweet niece seems to really like you, so I’m sure she’ll gladly open her legs. Don’t worry.”
“Aaaaah—!!!”
Morphe screamed when her own grandmother casually revealed her hidden feelings, but Morgan paid her no mind and continued with me.
“I won’t say anything about getting married right away, but you’re responsible for Morphe.”
Whether convincing my girlfriend or secretly meeting my niece, I was stuck.
I tried using Thought Encroachment on Morgan anyway, but it didn’t work at all on the walking mana blob.
And the orders didn’t end there…
“I hate seeing you slinking around, so go on a date with her soon.”
“Huh?”
“If you refuse, I’ll take back every drop of the Stamina Booster research you’ve taken.”
I knew exactly what she meant and couldn’t refuse.
“And don’t forget to report back after.”
Morgan dropped the ridiculous command and left.
After the storm passed, Morphe sat with me at the table and lowered her head.
“Sorry…”
I had no idea what kind of magic she used, but Morgan had obviously found out I took her niece’s virginity and questioned her immediately.
I didn’t blame her at all. What could a single person do against the Cradle professor walking around like a walking disaster?
Instead, I decided to tackle a different problem.
“Professor… you said you like me…”
“A-ah… um…”
The moment I brought it up, Morphe’s mouth twitched like a broken machine, then her face flushed bright red as she buried it in her hands.
I didn’t even need a reply for the meaning to come through loud and clear.
Morgan hadn’t been bluffing, after all…
Still, it’s embarrassing.
What did I even have to offer someone like me?
I felt grateful, but the thought of Nadia made my head spin.
Given her personality, she wouldn’t say empty words, so if I didn’t go on a date with Morphe soon, I’d lose the entire Stamina Booster supply.
…No choice.
For now, I decided not to tell Nadia about our relationship.
Telling her right away would only create unnecessary conflict, and in the worst case, I might have to give up the Stamina Booster completely…
I knew it was a disgusting thought, but I figured staying silent was better than that.
***
Days later.
Following Morgan’s promise, I set a date with Morphe and met her at the crack of dawn on the weekend.
I soothed her repeated apologies and said,
“Shall we go?”
“…Yeah.”
I had told Nadia I was gathering alchemy ingredients today, so we slipped out of Tomeron in Morphe’s carriage to avoid prying eyes.
The carriage took us to the lakeside spot I had visited once before—the secret place only Morphe knew.
No one else would come here.
It was already a place she loved, and perfect for a secret date.
We spread a picnic blanket on the grass beside the lake and sat down.
Whenever our eyes met, we both forced awkward, mortified smiles.
“W-what about lunch first?”
Morphe pulled a basket from her bag and started unpacking various dishes.
Each bite was surprisingly delicious, far better than I expected.
To break the awkward tension, I praised her cooking.
“I had no idea you were such a good cook. No wonder alchemy skills carry over to food…”
“Huh? We bought all of this with money.”
Morphe shook her head in denial.
“Why would I waste time cooking when I can just buy it?”
“Ah…”
It was ridiculous, but somehow it felt very her.
Conversations came and went, and since alchemy was our shared obsession, the topic naturally shifted there.
It was less sweet couple talk and more like two otaku swapping information, but
She seems happy, so it’s fine.
I thought that to myself when a small bird suddenly landed on my shoulder.
“What a shameless bird…”
As I tried to shoo it away with my hand,
—You were told to go on a date, yet you’re playing house.
“……?!”
I jolted at the low, familiar voice echoing in my mind.
Morphe noticed my reaction and tilted her head.
“Why are you so jumpy?”
—Control your expression. You’ll give yourself away to Morphe.
The voice clearly belonged to Morgan, riding on the bird.
I forced my face calm and told Morphe,
“It’s nothing. I need to use the bathroom for a bit…”
I carried the bird into the bushes with me.
“…Was that Professor Morgan?”
—Yes. I sent my familiar to check if you two were really on a date.
I shuddered at the thought of the wet, slimy contact, but instead of disgust I had to endure her scolding.
—I already know your levels. Disappointing, as always.
“Huh?”
—Two grown people in a secluded place and the only topics are eating and alchemy talk. Even the street kids in Tomeron would be wilder than you two.
“…What exactly do you want from me?”
—Don’t speak out loud. I can talk to you through this familiar.
Convinced, I immediately tested it.
—Can you hear me?
—Perfectly.
I was amazed at how Morgan made telepathy possible, but she quickly moved on to her own business.
—Go back to your seats and do exactly as I say.
I headed back to where Morphe was sitting.
“You’re back.”
“Yes.”
As I answered and turned to sit, Morgan’s voice rang again.
—Why are you sitting so far away? Don’t you have any date awareness? Get over here and sit right next to Morphe now.
“……”
I sighed inwardly and moved beside her.
The moment I sat close, Morphe’s cheek twitched in surprise.
I smiled as naturally as possible and thought,
—What now?
—What do you mean? Follow your instincts.
Morgan gave an irresponsible answer wrapped in bravado that didn’t help at all.
I instantly snapped.
—I’m not some animal…
—Taking your niece’s virginity like an animal and then pretending otherwise?
—It was mutual fault, right?!
—Now you’re trying to dodge responsibility?
—Mutual fault my ass—wait, no, that’s not what I meant…
—You’re totally forcing the issue!
While Morgan and I bickered through telepathy,
thud.
Morphe cautiously took my hand.
When I glanced sideways, her face was flushed as she stared at the lake.
I stopped the argument, realizing Morgan had probably been disgusted by her own pure, loving niece and the contrast with my current self.
“……”
I turned my head and stared at the lake like she did.
Hand in hand with a girl who liked me, watching a scenic view, a strange tingle spread through my chest.
It was pathetic that I was enjoying this while secretly cheating on Nadia, but the guilt from all the degenerate acts I’d already committed was almost gone.
Maybe it was the beginning of my internal triangle becoming a circle.
—That’s enough for today.
flap!
The familiar on my shoulder flew away.
For some reason, there was satisfaction in Morgan’s final voice.