The Necronomicon's True Nature
When I woke up, just like yesterday, someone's face filled my entire field of vision. This time, however, I didn't startle. I calmly observed that face. Though I should have been used to it by now, the more I looked, the more new beauty I discovered—as if peeling an onion, her mysterious allure drew endless admiration.
Yesterday, we had clearly expressed and acknowledged our feelings for each other. I still couldn't imagine what changes this would bring, but one thing was certain: I would never cast aside those feelings. For now, that alone was enough.
...Thinking about it, this really is absurd. An Outer God and a human, mutually...
What slightly concerned me was how our relationship would develop from here. I didn't want it to remain just family. I wanted to move further forward. Then a sudden thought struck me.
.....Aren't husband and wife also family?
The moment that idea formed, the crown of my head burned hot.
Insane! We only confessed—we're not even dating yet.....huh?
Come to think of it, what exactly was our relationship now? The confession... I suppose we did it yesterday. We expressed our affection with our feelings, so if that wasn't a confession, what was?
...Since we both did it, does that mean we're already dating?
Damn it. This is why lifelong singles shouldn't exist. I couldn't find any certainty about relationships at all. In the end, I had no choice but to ask Lilith herself...
I glanced at Lilith, and yesterday's memories surfaced. Naturally, my gaze drifted to her lips.
...This much should be fine, right? She said she'd allow it if it was on the lips...
After a moment's hesitation, I made up my mind and slowly leaned my face toward Lilith. Her breath tickled the tip of my nose, making me pause briefly, but those crimson lips glowing in the morning sunlight seemed to beckon me closer.
—Kiss.
Unable to hold back any longer, I pressed my lips against hers. Fearing she might wake, I immediately pulled away and checked her reaction.
"Newaah.... newaah...."
Her breathing remained undisturbed. It seemed this much was acceptable.
....In that case.
—Kiss..... kiss..... kiss...
It was strange. Usually, fulfilling a desire would calm it, but the more I overlapped our lips, the more my heart swelled. Unable to contain the blazing emotion, I finally voiced the feeling that caused it.
"I love you."
"Newaah.... newaah...."
Lilith wouldn't hear it. Thinking that, my inner thoughts began spilling out one after another.
"I love you."
—Kiss.
"Not as family...."
—Kiss.
"I love you as a man, too."
—Kiss.
"...Honestly, I fell for you the moment we first met."
—Kiss.
After each word, I greedily sought her lips. Overwhelmed by my swelling heart, I impulsively said something I would never have said under normal circumstances—if Lilith had been awake.
"I love you, Lilith."
Just one ending particle had vanished from my usual speech, yet it carried an entirely different atmosphere. Intoxicated by that mood, I kept murmuring the words.
"I love you... I love you...."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I really lo—.....Uwaaah?!"
Lilith, who had only been moving her lips, slowly opened her eyes. A playful smile bloomed across her face.
"Hehe, I left you alone for a bit and you immediately climbed on top?"
...Left me alone—!
"Since when were you awake...?"
"Why, did you say something you shouldn't have let me hear?"
She was right. The heat that had risen in me cooled instantly, and a chill ran down my spine. Reason returned and scolded my actions.
You've really lost it. No matter the atmosphere, how could you speak so casually to Lilith?
"I'm sorry, Lilith...."
"Oh my, no need to apologize. It was fresh and nice."
"Ugh...."
No matter how honest I'd become with my emotions, I couldn't handle Lilith's words.
"And..... I told you yesterday."
Suddenly closing the distance, Lilith whispered right in front of me.
"She said she'd let it slide if it was on the lips."
The scene from yesterday flashed by like déjà vu, making my heart pound. We were close enough that Lilith's sweet breath brushed against me. If either of us moved even slightly, our lips would meet.
Just as the atmosphere heated up again and I was about to lean in—
"Let's eat breakfast!"
Lilith suddenly sat up and stretched like a cat that had just woken.
....Wasn't the mood different just now? Was I the only one expecting something?
Feeling hollow, I stared blankly at Lilith when something caught my eye.
Huh...? That's...
"Aah~ I'm starving. Arthur, for breakfast, like yesterday—"
When Lilith turned to look at me, her pupils widened. Because I had raised my body and was waiting with my face right near her shoulder, and when she turned her head, her lips perfectly overlapped with mine.
—Smooch.
After sucking on Lilith's lips once, I whispered near her ear.
"Your ears. They're red."
Where do you think you're running off to?
Lilith stared at me blankly for a moment before finally saying,
".....Me too, Arthur."
"Huh?"
"It's my answer to what you said earlier. I feel the same."
Earlier...?
"...You were listening after all!!"
"Puhuhu... How cute."
I gave up. It was hopeless. There was no winning against her.
----
"Then I'll be going, Lilith."
"Yeah. See you at lunch... or maybe even sooner."
"Pardon?"
"Never mind. See you later."
She seemed to be plotting something, but for now I waved at Lilith and left the dormitory. My steps felt lighter than yesterday, and as expected—
"Arthur!"
Letia came running... with a rather serious expression.
"I heard you got beaten up by Lewis yesterday!"
...Beaten up, huh. Well, it's not wrong.
"Looks like the rumor spread quickly."
"So it's true?! Are you okay?"
"....You already know the answer."
"Ah... I guess worrying about you doesn't mean much."
After looking me over, Letia nodded in understanding.
"Hmm.... By the way, you seem to have had a lot of good things happening lately? Your face is completely brightened up."
"You think so?"
"Yeah, you look like a completely different person. I wouldn't have guessed you got beaten up yesterday. What happened? Don't tell me it was because of your family?"
It was probably thanks to Lilith.
"Yeah. Thanks to my family."
"That's great. They must be really good people?"
"....More than I deserve."
"Hee~ If Arthur says that, they must be amazing. Good for you."
Letia scrutinized my face from various angles.
"One thing I'm curious about. Do you love your family? O, X."
"O."
It wasn't even worth thinking about.
"Wow.... I've never seen Arthur like this before. You must be completely smitten......Wait, that person was a woman, right?"
"That's right."
"How old?"
".....A bit older?"
It was true, but..... I'm sorry, Lilith.
"Really? That's a relief."
....What is?
Letia seemed to be in a better mood for some reason and kept asking questions about my family. I answered as sincerely as I could while avoiding anything about Lilith's true identity. We chatted like that until we arrived at the classroom.
"Oh right! When are you going to look for the book?"
Ah, there was that.
"Letia, there's a problem. Books from the restricted section can't be borrowed."
"What?! You should've told me that yesterday!"
I was going to, but you collapsed screaming and I forgot, remember?
"Then we have no choice. We'll have to activate Plan S..."
"I've been wondering since yesterday... What exactly is Plan S?"
"Isn't it obvious? Plan Sabotage, also known as the 'Explosion is Art' operation."
"What kind of plan is that?!"
"Hohoho, I've already secured some magic catalysts for Plan S. If I combine them properly, I'll make a pretty powerful bomb."
This was insane. I needed to get out of here.
"Where are you going, Arthur? You promised to help, so you have to see it through."
"I said I'd help you get the book. I never agreed to help with terrorism!"
"Terrorism?! It's sabotage, okay? I'll detonate the bomb where no one is around. While everyone's attention is diverted, you grab the book—"
"The headmaster already cast anti-theft magic. It'll definitely fail."
"What?! That damn old geezer! If he's senile, he should just crawl into his coffin!"
This girl was seriously crazy. I should mention again that voice-recording magic was installed throughout the academy. She was definitely going to get caught someday.
"Listen here, student. Get a grip and let's go to class quietly."
"Kuuugh! Is there really no other way?!"
She really didn't know how to give up. In many ways, she was a respectable friend..... Wait, respectable?
I had said that yesterday.... When was it?
While entering class with Letia and trying to recall yesterday's memories, I finally remembered.
Respectable... respectable..... respectable....... That's it! Those perverts!
Recalling as much as I could, I drew the octopus-human from the smut book (presumed) I'd seen on the bookshelf yesterday in the corner of my textbook. Then I tapped Letia's shoulder and whispered.
"Letia. Have you ever seen someone who looks like this?"
Letia grimaced at the drawing of the octopus-human.
"You..... Is that your preference or something..."
"No! I saw it on a book cover in the restricted section yesterday!"
(whispering)
"Really? They have books like that too? Then I guess 'Childhood Friend' must exist as well?"
"No, forget that. Have you seen this?"
"Hmm... I've never seen this design before. But I've seen similar designs plenty of times."
"Really? Where?"
"Smut books. Ever heard of tentacle stuff?"
"....The abyss?"
The abyss was Letia's slang. According to her, it referred to something seriously depraved, even among the lowest of the low...
"Yeah. Pretty bad."
If Letia said that, it must be seriously messed up. I felt nothing but unease, but honestly...... I was a little curious.
Smut involving Outer Gods.... Don't tell me Lilith is in there too?
"Is the theme.... something like Outer Gods?"
"Huh? It's astral, yeah. I happen to have one in my room. Want me to lend it?"
"No. That's not it."
What did she take me for?
"Why, aren't you curious?"
".....I am curious, but."
"I'll bring it during lunch. Hehehe, it'll be pretty hot."
"No, hey..."
"Mheheheheh, the chance to corrupt the pure Arthur has finally come—"
Ignoring Letia as she started muttering strange things again, I tried to focus on class...... but couldn't.
What if Lilith appears in that book? I-I should close it right away. Or..... for research purposes—
I immediately raised my hand and slapped my own cheek with all my strength.
—Smack!
"Wh-what are you doing, Arthur?!"
The professor, Letia, and all the students turned to look at me. I couldn't lift my reddened face.
Research, my ass. Have I lost my mind?
----
The next class was one I didn't share with Letia. While blankly listening to the boring lecture, something occurred to me.
I reached into the magic pocket of my uniform and pulled out a pitch-black book.
Necronomicon. Right, I had this!
If this was the translated version, wouldn't it be easier to understand? After glancing around to check the other students, I carefully turned the cover.
After flipping past a memo with the table of contents, pages followed where unknown sharp script and the translator's handwriting were recorded together.
—I, Abdul Alhazred, received their revelation...
Ah, the introduction.
I skipped it. It probably wasn't essential for understanding the content.
When I turned the page, the first thing that caught my eye was an illustration. The sketch of something with a grotesque form evoked disgust in the viewer.
Ugh... Is this an Outer God? It's really ugly.
I was reminded once again of how extraordinary Lilith was. She was probably the most beautiful among all Outer Gods.
Below the illustration was a long description.
—Name: Chaugnar Faugn. Ruler of Y'kari, God of Toads.
.....Wait. Was this really smut?
As I slowly read through the text, something felt off, so I turned to the next page.
—Name: Gbogeg. The Twice-Spoken.
—Name: Bokrug. The Great Water Lizard, Destroyer of Sarnath.
Huh? Illustrations and detailed descriptions... Is this actually an encyclopedia?
I scanned the translator's table of contents memo again.
1. Great Old Ones and Outer Gods
2. Their History
3. Summoning Methods
4. Sorcery
5. Black Magic
6. Apocalypse
.....No matter how I look at it, this isn't smut, is it?