Chapter 368: Side Story — Pregnancy (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 368: Side Story — Pregnancy (1)
As I stepped out of the tent, a cool breeze gently caressed my skin.
The interior had grown stiflingly hot, so I used my magic to circulate some cool air and lower the temperature. Inside, Kaya lay fast asleep, tucked naked beneath the blankets. She had passed out from exhaustion at some point during the night.
It felt as though her moans and cries were still ringing in my ears. She had fluctuated between her usual self and her more ravenous persona while pouncing on me. It had been quite the intense exchange.
Before I knew it, the sky was beginning to brighten. I let the morning breeze wash over my bare body before rinsing off in a nearby stream. Afterward, I pulled a spare set of clothes from my magic pouch and got dressed.
Should I go grab some breakfast?
Chrrrk!
I transformed my body into a mist of cold air, melding seamlessly into nature.
Once I reached the shopping district near the academy, I pulled my hood low over my face. If the students recognized me, things would get noisy fast. I stopped by a shop, bought some food, and returned to the campsite.
“Eden, come forth.”
Ssss…
Light brown mana rose into the air, coalescing into a small rock golem. It was my familiar, Eden.
[Kyuuu!]
Eden raised its short arms, greeting me with a cheerful expression.
“I’m getting breakfast ready, so give me a hand.”
[Kyuuu, kyuu!]
Eden gathered mana, layering more rocks onto its body until it grew to my size.
Kugugu.
I used rock magic to fashion a sturdy table and chairs, while Eden set out the food. Sensing a shift in mana, I knew Kaya was about to wake up. She likely felt as if she’d worked herself to the bone all night, but she needed to put something in her stomach first.
“Isaac…?”
“You’re awake?”
Sure enough, Kaya stepped out of the tent, clutching the blanket around her to cover herself. Her legs wobbled slightly, and her face was still heavy with sleep.
I walked over to her, gave her a light kiss, and reached into my magic pouch to hand her the hooded robe I had prepared.
“Eat a little to settle your stomach, then you can get some more sleep.”
“Haaaa…”
“Hm?”
Kaya’s face turned a brilliant shade of crimson, and steam practically rose from her head. Even her eyes and lips were trembling.
I hadn't expected such a reaction from a simple morning kiss. Considering everything we had done throughout the night, this was nothing.
“D-did we… did we really do… that kind of thing?”
She seemed unable to believe it.
“We did.”
“I… with you, Isaac… really…?”
“Let’s eat, Dear.”
“Kugh…!”
At my small show of affection, Kaya suddenly stiffened like a statue and collapsed backward.
“…?”
Isn’t that a bit of an overreaction?
*
I went to say my goodbyes to my classmates, who had been drinking the entire night. They grilled me about what had happened, but since it involved my fiancés, I kept my answers vague.
Before leaving the academy, I met with my other fiancé, Snow White.
“Senior Isaac, are you leaving already?”
White had come to see me off, accompanied by her escort knight, Merlin. Beside me, the white dragon, Frost Dragon Hilde, stood summoned and waiting. Kaya and Merlin were occupied with their own conversation nearby.
“I have to head out now. I only came for the reunion.”
“Ah…”
White ran her fingers through her snowy hair for no reason, her head lowering slightly. A hint of regret clouded her features.
“When will I see you again…?”
“Soon. Your graduation isn't that far off, is it?”
“Time is passing far too slowly…”
“If you keep enjoying the spotlight like you did when I arrived, time will fly by.”
“Huuu, don’t tease me…!”
As I flashed her a bright smile, White let out a shallow gasp, her eyes growing misty. I leaned in slightly, kissed her cheek, and gazed at her warmly.
“I’ll come back. For now, focus on your studies. Got it?”
“You still treat me like a child, Senior Isaac…” White whimpered in frustration. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to steady herself. When she opened them again, her gaze was sorrowful as she stretched her arms wide. “Hug me. So I can endure the time until we meet again.”
“Of course.”
I pulled White into a tight embrace and held her for a long moment.
“But Senior Isaac.”
“Hmm?”
“Why can’t Senior Kaya walk?”
Kaya was currently floating in the air, supported by wind magic. Seeing this, White looked genuinely puzzled.
“Well… a lot happened,” I answered with an awkward smile.
After that, Kaya and I climbed onto Hilde’s back. I deliberately seated Kaya in front of me—just in case she needed support. After last night’s exertion, I was worried she might be feeling the physical toll.
“I’m going! See you again!”
White waved her arms vigorously while Merlin bowed politely.
As Hilde flapped her massive wings, a cold gale kicked up. We ascended into the sky, soon soaring through the clouds. I spread a thin layer of telekinetic force in front of us to shield us from the wind.
We made our way leisurely toward Düpfendorf.
“…?”
For some reason, smoke seemed to be rising from the top of Kaya’s head. Even from behind, I could see that her neck was bright red.
“Kaya, are you okay?”
“Hyaa…!”
When I leaned in close and whispered into her ear, she let out a strange squeak and flinched.
“Y-yes…!?”
Kaya whipped around to look at me, then immediately averted her eyes. Her round green eyes were spinning in circles.
“W-what do you mean, okay…?”
“You’ve been acting strange for a while now.”
“I’m sorry… It’s just hard to look at your face right now…”
It seemed the aftermath of the night had finally hit her full force.
“Hmm…”
In that case, special measures were required.
“How about this?”
“Eeek…!”
I wrapped my arms around Kaya’s waist and rested my chin on her shoulder. Completely trapped, Kaya let out a strangled groan and went rigid.
“I-Isaac…! If you do this…! M-my heart…! I’ll die!”
No matter how hard her heart raced, she probably wouldn't actually die.
“You won’t die. You just need to stop resisting.”
“Khuk…!”
When I chuckled and squeezed her tighter, Kaya looked like she was about to cough up blood from the sheer embarrassment.
[You rascals!]
At that moment, Hilde’s displeased voice echoed in our minds.
[What do you think you're doing on my back!? My back is not a place for such lewdness!]
“I’ll hold and pet you like this later too, Hilde.”
[Then I have no complaints.]
Hilde backed down instantly.
Kaya remained stiff as a board until we reached Düpfendorf. Once we arrived, she collapsed like someone who had lost their very soul.
…Maybe I went a little too far.
*
“President!”
“Dorothy!”
Swoosh.
The moment I saw Dorothy, I buried my face in her ample chest. It was heaven—soft, warm, and welcoming. Dorothy, as if she had been expecting this, wrapped her arms around the back of my head.
“A-ah…!”
As I leaned my weight forward, Dorothy panicked and tumbled backward onto the bed. Her long, light purple hair fanned out across the sheets.
I stayed there, pinned on top of her, taking deep breaths with my face still buried in her chest.
“Nihihihi, as expected, you’re such a pervert, aren't you? You really do love my chest~”
Dorothy giggled, stroking my hair affectionately. When I teasingly ran my fingers over her smooth skin, she let out another giggle, protesting that it tickled.
“Where’s Kaya?”
“She came back with me. For some reason, she passed out. I took her to her room, but she’s fine.”
“Did you push her too hard? Even I struggled a lot at first, you know?”
“That was… inevitable. Where’s Luce?”
“She’s probably waiting for you to go to her first. She seemed a little upset.”
That sounds like her.
“That’s why I deliberately waited for you in your room!” Dorothy declared triumphantly. “In the meantime… I mean…?”
She let a suggestive tone trail off.
I lifted my head and looked down at her. Dorothy was smiling slyly, her cheeks flushed. Perhaps because she had been feeling my warm breath against her skin, she seemed to be heating up as well. Judging by her state, I figured it would be fine if I pounced on her right then and there.
Hmm?
I was quietly gazing into Dorothy’s starlit eyes when she suddenly averted her gaze, as if something had just crossed her mind. She couldn't look me in the eye. Her pupils shifted nervously, and her lips hesitated.
It seemed Dorothy had something to say that went beyond her usual excitement.
“Something’s up, isn’t it?”
“Huh?”
“Tell me.”
“Nyahaha… I guess I’ve stalled long enough, huh…?”
Dorothy cleared her throat awkwardly.
“You see… I wasn’t sure for a while, but I think it’s for real. I was wondering how to tell you…”
“Yeah?”
Dorothy forced herself to meet my eyes.
“I think… I’m pregnant.”
My eyes widened in shock. For a moment, my mind went completely blank. An indescribable whirlwind of emotions surged through me.
Dorothy looked away momentarily before cautiously glancing back at me.
“President…? W-why are you making that face!? Was it too sudden!?”
She was visibly flustered by my silence.
“No, it’s just… it was unexpected. I’m a bit overwhelmed.”
Memories of Dorothy’s death in the past timeline surfaced in my mind. Even after losing everything, she had managed to survive. Even after finding a reason to live, she had been forced to sacrifice everything once more. The woman before me had, in the end, faced death with a bright smile.
Now, she had become my fiancé, and she was going to be the mother of my child.
As that reality settled in, my vision blurred. I couldn't help but smile.
Thank you. I love you. Truly.
With those words echoing in my heart, I showered Dorothy, the woman I loved so dearly, with endless kisses.
Life was too short for anything but love. I would devote my entire life to loving this woman with everything I had.
For a long time after that, a grand celebration was held in Düpfendorf. Every day, I imagined life after our child was born, talking about the future with Dorothy and sharing countless laughs.
Truly, a lot of laughs.