In This Other World, Hanbyeol is Actually an Adult

"...Hanbyeol. I want some water."

"Ah, go ahead."

"Ah—."

You have to drink just as much water as the alcohol you down. That's the only way to sober up quickly and take care of your health, at least a little—your stomach, your liver, whatever. Of course, if you're really thinking about your health, the best thing would be not to drink at all in the first place.

Leaning my cheek against Hanbyeol's shoulder, I opened my mouth, and water welled up into it. I must have aimed poorly because a bit splashed on my face, but I decided not to worry about it. It was magic, after all; a little miss like that was bound to happen. I tried to wipe it roughly with my sleeve, only to remember I was tied up and stared blankly around me.

Why am I tied up? And where is this? Hanbyeol... Hanbyeol is... Ah. She's safe. Thank goodness.

My heart, which had jolted for a moment, quickly grasped the situation and settled. Was this some kind of PTSD? I'd been imprisoned twice now. It was Hanbyeol who'd melted away that anxiety. The steady pulse transmitting through her back to me made my eyes grow heavy. Wait, you can't really feel a heartbeat from the back like that. So was this my own pulse, flowing through the veins in my chest? Whatever it was, it calmed me deeply, and I was grateful.

Only once my mind had quieted did my vision widen. We were on a roadside. My body was hot, the air around us cold. That shivery contrast of chill and heat made me tremble. I couldn't even remember the last time someone had carried me on their back. Had it really been when I was a kid? I think Mom or Dad used to piggyback me until elementary school. After that, there'd been no real opportunities. The closest thing was during military training, when I'd been the one carrying injured squadmates instead of getting carried myself.

"Hanbyeol... What do you want to do first when we get back?"

"When we get back? Hmm."

Hanbyeol's voice darkened briefly. Daesik had said she was a kid with a lot of scars. Maybe for her, staying here was better than going back to reality. But whether she stayed or left, it was her choice.

"Keep studying boring crap, take the college entrance exam, and go independent. I'd go to university on scholarships. But honestly, staying here wouldn't be bad either. Back home, it's all exams and dead ends, but here I could start earning my keep right away."

She's got a strong independent streak. Talking so casually about advancing to college meant she must've been a good student. Come to think of it, whenever a new raid dropped and we were progressing strategies, it was always Hanbyeol pulling off retries with her repetitive problem-solving. She'd mess up once, learn, nail the patterns, run her damage cycles perfectly. That's why she'd been a fixed member from the start. Smart people tend to be good at games too, so I bought it immediately. But that level of independence probably meant she was on rocky terms with her parents. I didn't pry and just nodded.

"I see."

"What about you, unnie?"

"Well, it depends on how much time has passed. If I've missed too much work, rent might be overdue... Ahaha. It's pretty daunting."

Maybe I should just settle here. Practical thoughts like that tempted me. Still, not seeing my parents again felt regrettable. They'd prepared for retirement, and I had savings... It might seem irresponsible, but with life insurance in place, they'd get some compensation. Honestly, this beautiful body felt better than my old average one anyway. No more work-induced back problems. As I aged, my creaky old frame had started to feel like a burden, so being a healer now seemed preferable.

"But it's not my body. I promised to give it back to Ivy."

A promise was a promise. Suddenly realizing Iris was with us sent chills down my spine. If I'd said I wouldn't go back, she might've threatened me about breaking my word. The thought sobered me instantly, and I furtively glanced around. Iris was right behind us, following with a gentle smile. Good—she seemed pleased with my answer. But Hanbyeol's voice dimmed a little.

"I see..."

She really prefers it here over reality, huh. Still, until we find a way back, she has plenty of time to change her mind. Whichever she chooses, I just want her to be happy.

"Oh, right. Won't Daesik worry about us?"

The realization hit after we'd done everything else, and I suddenly felt sorry for him. As the alcohol faded, reality was sinking in. Two days? Three? No word from us—he'd have every reason to think something went wrong.

But Hanbyeol's voice, brighter now, came back reassuringly. "Don't worry. I messaged him as soon as I woke up. Said you and I were on a little date and would head back soon."

"We're not even dating, and who goes on a three-day date?"

"Why not? Let's start dating today then."

"Hanbyeol, if we dated, I'd get arrested. And we're both girls."

"Unnie, you can't even joke."

Good, it was just a joke. With this body, the age gap looks like two or three years, but in reality, it's over twenty. And she's a minor, so if I'd nodded, it'd make me a total criminal.

Iris, who'd been listening to our banter, chimed in slyly. "Lady Saint, are you against relationships between women?"

"Pardon?"

Well, well. She was suspicious. Guess she and Ivy weren't just ordinary sisters. Maybe Iris was the one who'd made Ivy's body so sensitive. But if it was with Ivy and not me, I had no right to get mad. To them, I was the intruder.

"Not against, per se. I don't really care what others do. If they like each other, whatever."

Thankfully, I held back from saying I preferred women over men since I wasn't gay. If the alcohol hadn't worn off a bit, my mouth might've run. Saying that would've earned Iris's contemptuous glare and a chastity belt for sure.

Hanbyeol knew I was a guy originally, but Iris didn't. A man in her little sister's—or lover's—body? How disgusting would that be? Better keep my mouth shut.

"What about you, Lady Saint? Would you prefer a man?"

"Eek."

A straight ball I couldn't dodge. What to say? Saying yes in Ivy's body ignores the threats to stay a virgin. Saying women makes me a lesbian. Sure, I like female bodies and my mind's male, but I care about society's gaze too much to answer lightly. It was a trap.

"I-I don't think I'll ever date anyone."

I declared solo life, and Iris's face twisted. "Not even that kind of taste...?"

"Huh?"

"Which is it? Beasts? Or monsters?"

"No, no, no! I mean no one at all! How low do you think I'm gonna sink?!"

At my desperate denial, Iris smiled brightly. "Just kidding."

Not funny at all. Chills raced down my still-bound arms. She couldn't know about the possessed tree incident, right? Cold sweat trickled down my back. Having a woman like this as a guard... Would I even get alone time anymore? I didn't want to die, so I'd endure.

I started leaning back on Hanbyeol but felt guilty and said, "Hanbyeol, I think the alcohol's worn off. I can walk now."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. I ate and recharged."

"You barely ate a single serving of that..."

"I'm full, so it's fine."

Hanbyeol set me down and glanced at my stomach, starkly visible through the tight clothes. What'd I eat to bloat like that? Embarrassed, I peeked down too. Game character ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠correction held—no unsightly bulge. But Hanbyeol didn't seem convinced.

"Don't come crying you're hungry later."

"I never eat at night anyway."

"You're so annoying."

"H-hey, that tickles."

Hanbyeol pinched my belly skin playfully. I twisted to escape, but someone grabbed my shoulder from behind.

"Huh?"

Why Iris? I turned, and she was smiling at Hanbyeol, so I looked back at her too.

"When did you two get so close?"

She killed you. How? Did they talk at the bar? Or while I was out for two days? I'd only tolerated her company ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠for necessity, holding back resentment. But this betrayal from Iris made me fume. Still, against an inquisitor—a high-combat class—a bound priest like me couldn't resist.

"Kyahahaha! Ahahaha!"

The tickling aggravated my lingering muscle pain, turning agony into forced laughter. I felt betrayed. I'd confronted her threats for Hanbyeol's sake, yet she'd bonded with Iris. How could she click so well with someone who'd toyed with her life? This wasn't some hot-blooded shonen manga.

Suddenly, I recalled Hanbyeol saying she'd died to prove my innocence. What if even that was staged between them...?

"Haa, haa..."

They weren't trying to kill me, obviously. Once Hanbyeol backed off, Iris released me. As I wobbled without support, Hanbyeol steadied me.

"See? Can't walk alone. Here, link arms."

"Hanbyeol, you... did this on purpose..."

Panting, I had no choice but to link arms with her. Unlike before, when she'd clung to me, this felt like she was trying to seem reliable. It almost made me chuckle. Kids her age are like that—wanting to grow up fast, look cool. Smug, maybe, but no reason to scold.

I leaned obliquely on the arm she offered and walked. My stamina was too low to refuse. Despite similar stats, she supported me effortlessly. I almost asked several times but held back again.

Hanbyeol. How are you so composed after dying and coming back? I'm still scared of death.

I realized Hanbyeol wasn't that much shorter than me.

"Haa, I'm beat."

Even this short outing exhausted me completely. No major events, so it had to be my poor condition. Too drained to wash properly, I flopped face-down on the bed and cast Purify. Lying on a holy bed demanded cleanliness. The sensation of dust washing away always felt good. But my bound arms were inconvenient.

Still, though the alcohol was gone, its lingering haze tickled my chest faintly. Upper body on the bed, lower half dangling off, feet touching the floor. Trying to drag one leg up to climb on, the rustle of stockings against sheets felt cool and smooth—pleasurable. Instead of fully mounting, I slowly rocked my hips up and down. My damp panties from earlier—dried sticky now—pressed and released against the bed's edge between my thighs.

I noticed the torn stockings on my thigh. I'd gone out like this? But no one complained—maybe they saw it as fashion? Probably.

The priestess robe's hem draped between my thighs, exposing legs and hips in a lewd way even to me. I flicked my hips lightly. The rebound pressed my mound harder against the edge.

"Ahnt."

An involuntary moan escaped, and I glanced at the door. Hanbyeol had just said "Unnie, rest well" when we returned, so probably no one outside? Iris and Hamill needed sleep too as guards. Still, to be safe, I bit the blanket and resumed grinding my crotch against the bed corner. My unfree arms, courtesy of them, only heightened the thrill. Hot breaths snorted from my nose. Recalling my panties soaking earlier hardened my nipples.

"Aah, I shouldn't..."

I knew better, but the alcohol-fueled fantasies overwhelmed me. Hanbyeol's long golden hair tickling my nape, her slim waist steadying between my thighs as she carried me, the firm pelvic muscles felt with each step, the invisible magical hands gently supporting me from all sides, fingers subtly stroking my thighs... And that fresh lemony body scent. She hadn't meant to caress me, but those brushes over my stockings were undeniable arousal triggers.

"Hngh, Hanbyeol... Unnie's sorry..."

Couldn't stop the delusions. Without the booze, maybe I'd have quit and endured. Who knows. I'm the worst. The girl I revived after death worries about me, feeds me, carries me out—and here I am, fantasizing about her while masturbating. That taboo thrill made me grind harder against the bed.

"Aang, hngh, ha, Hanbyeol..."

"Lady Saint. I've heated water. Would you like to bathe before bed?"

Iris entered without knocking right as climax neared. I yanked my thighs away and tried to sit up, but without arms, I just rolled back down. My pounding heart chilled at the interruption yet still raced. Busted. Would she see me as a lowly pervert? Terrified to look, I peeked—her usual gentle face gazed at me kindly. Hadn't she noticed?

"The bindings must be uncomfortable."

"Y-yeah..."

"Sorry, but please bear with them a bit longer. Until we craft defensive gear to keep you safe."

She really hadn't noticed? Relief flooded me. Pay attention to presences outside next time. I awkwardly sat up, careful not to reveal too much and expose my soaked panties.

"Wh-where's the bathroom?"

"I'll show you. Purify keeps you clean, but nothing beats soaking in warm water. Don't you agree, Lady Saint?"

"Y-yes. Absolutely."

Heart still racing from shock, but relief let me act natural. Stumbling ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠off the bed, she turned her back as if oblivious and led me. It wasn't far—past two empty rooms, right across. I'd expected a simple shower and tub, but it was a public bathhouse level. Changing area partitioned off, foggy glass beyond revealing multiple tubs and shower hoses. Just snug for groups, oddly.

Maybe designed for individual tubs with chat across them?

"If you hadn't tried to harm yourself, you wouldn't be bound..."

I hesitated, realizing I couldn't undress alone, and Iris murmured sympathetically. Blame me why don't you, I grumbled poutily.

"...It's your fault. I hate pain too."

"We're truly sorry. But understand it was necessary. Shall I help you undress?"

Principled types overdo it. But she hadn't abandoned conscience, submitting humbly to atone. No reason to refuse, so I nodded—then flinched back. My wet panties...

"What's wrong?"

Still smiling gently, Iris asked.

"N-no, just... untie me? I can wash alone."

"As I said, Hanbyeol and I don't want you hurt."

"I won't self-harm!"

"Suicide's easier the second time for those who've done it once. Sorry, I can't."

"Ah, aaah!"

Iris was fast. Slipping a hand under the side-slit robe, she hooked my panty side-string and yanked it down. The center transparently soaked with sticky fluid was starkly exposed. My face burned. Ruined. She'd seen. Worse than wetting myself. Head bowed in shame, drowning in humiliation, unsure how to salvage—then Iris casually loosened the ropes as if blind to it.

"No need ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to be embarrassed. Bodily functions are natural."

"Wh-what...?"

"Sorry for roughing you up in the interrogation room, but a woman's pleasure is precious. As long as it's not in front of others, masturbation's nothing to shame. It should be encouraged—safely, without injury."

"Iris..."

Was she the real saint? Speaking so kindly, she unbound me, stripped off my robe, and rebound me. Briefly free, I accepted the restraint, touched by her consideration. Naked and tied, I let her guide me to a tub. Of the empties, two steamed invitingly—only those heated at this hour.

"You joining?"

"Yes. That's why two."

Shedding her red priestess robes in the changing area without hesitation, she helped me into the tub. Warm water enveloped feet, calves, thighs, butt, waist, breasts. Shoulders submerged, a herbal scent wafted. First time in a bath like this. Clear water but scented—fascinating. I watched my black hair undulate loosely. My body relaxed like it. Lingering muscle aches eased in the heat.

Iris entered the opposite tub, eyes closed. Her figure was violently voluptuous, but it no longer stirred me. Just a woman. Would men excite me now? I'm not gay. The unpleasant thought made me close my eyes, head on the tub's rest. Sleep beckoned any second.