Selphira - 2
The soft, plush sensation of her lips transmitted through my skin.
Maybe because she eats so many sweets usually. There was more sweetness than the saltiness of seawater.
Thump, thump, thump.
My heart pounded like it was about to burst, squeezing my chest tight.
Was it because her action was so unexpected? Or because Selphira was just too beautiful?
My mind went completely blank, white as a sheet.
"Phew... Your face is turning super red, Creator."
Selphira finally pulled her lips away and looked at me with a mischievous smile.
"I-Is this okay in a public place?"
"It's fine. There aren't many people in the cafe anyway."
Selphira leaned in close, still wearing that mischievous smile, and whispered teasingly.
"By the way... Did you like it?"
"W-What do you mean...?"
"What we just did. The kiss."
As if I wouldn't like it.
Selphira was the character I'd poured the most effort into creating. The one I cherished the most.
"...It was good."
"You didn't feel like it was lacking?"
She's so seductive. Every action, every expression, every word—pure temptation.
Especially that smile. It felt like she was dead serious about seducing me.
"......No comment on that."
"Hehe. Back when you first entered the game, you were so bold. But now you're all shy."
"When did I ever...?"
"You were super bold. You even told me you loved me, hugged me without hesitation, and that one time you logged in drunk..."
"Selphira, stop. You can stop now......"
As she listed them one by one, the memories all came flooding back. Telling her I loved her, hugging her. Especially when I logged in drunk...
"Looks like you remember everything now."
"Uh... I guess I did some pretty awful things..."
"Awful? No way."
Selphira pressed close to me with a somewhat serious expression.
"Those are precious memories to me."
"...Really?"
"Of course."
Thank goodness Selphira was such a good girl. If she'd reported me, I'd have been arrested for sure.
"So don't look so serious. Let's go out and have some fun."
"Got any places in mind?"
"Plenty. There's an amusement park nearby."
Selphira returned to her usual expression, placed her empty cup on the table, and grabbed my wrist just like when she dragged me here.
"Come on, Creator."
The grip on my wrist wasn't as strong as before.
But maybe because of the warmth transmitting through our touching skin. I naturally let her lead me out of the cafe.
***
Thanks to it being not far from the cafe, we arrived at the amusement park in no time. Luckily, there weren't many people entering, so Selphira and I got in without a long wait.
"What do you want to ride first, Creator?"
"Hmm..."
The first ride with Selphira... What would be good?
I pondered for a moment, then spotted a ride operating off to the side and suggested it.
"How about the rollercoaster? People usually ride those a lot at amusement parks."
"I'm all for it. It's thrilling."
"Great. Rollercoaster it is."
"Yay~."
Selphira grinned like a child and dashed toward the rollercoaster. Of course, she still had my wrist, so I was dragged along like a paper scrap in the wind.
We reached the boarding area in less than five minutes from the entrance.
The steep incline and impressive height meant screams from the first riders echoed down from the start.
"This looks dizzying, doesn't it?"
It hadn't seemed so bad from afar, but up close, it was definitely vertigo-inducing.
"Yeah, it does."
But I didn't want to look scared in front of Selphira, so I tried to sound nonchalant. In reality, I was terrified.
"You don't seem fazed by this stuff, Creator."
"It's more fun than scary."
"Hehe, you sound so confident. I'm getting excited."
Selphira beamed happily and headed toward the arriving rollercoaster car.
It wasn't a problem since we were riding anyway... but she went straight for the front seat.
"S-Selphira? If you just plop down in the front like that..."
"There are barely any other riders anyway. And the front seat is the most fun on a rollercoaster."
This was an unexpected development.
"Right, Creator?"
I couldn't back out now... So I dragged my reluctant feet and sat next to her.
"...Agreed. Front seat's the way to go on a rollercoaster."
"Knew it~?"
Honestly, I was freaking out.
Even on school trips, I'd always sat in the back because the front scared me.
"Y-Yeah... That's right..."
"I'm glad you think the same as me, Creator."
I desperately hoped for some accident to halt the ride... but my wish was ignored, and the rollercoaster slowly started forward.
Why did I suggest the rollercoaster first...?
No use regretting now. I just had to go with it.
...But how high does this thing go?
"Creator, is your face getting paler, or am I imagining it?"
"N-No, it's not? I'm totally fine."
"Hmmmmm..."
Selphira squeezed my hand and met my eyes.
"Doesn't look like it."
Her expression said she knew everything. She must have seen through me before we even boarded.
"Don't worry too much. I'm right here with you."
"...Then hold my hand tight?"
"Pfft, got it."
Selphira's eyes crinkled into crescents with a beautiful smile.
Just then, as we locked eyes, the coaster hit the drop and plunged almost vertically.
"Aaaahhhhhh!!!!!"
I'd always ridden in the back, so I never realized—the front lets you see everything, making the speed feel even more insane.
How long is this drop?!
"Wheeeee~!!"
Unlike my screaming, Selphira was enjoying it fully, hands off the safety bar.
"S-Selphira... When does this end...?"
I barely choked out the words over my churning stomach, and she grinned mischievously.
"You said the front was the best part, but now you look half-dead."
"Too fast... My stomach's flipping..."
"Rollerscoasters are supposed to be fast, Creator. And..."
She leaned her head on my shoulder and continued.
"The main section starts now~?"
"Oh......"
I hated my past self for choosing this. There were safer rides like carousels or bumper cars...
"Here we go again, Creator."
"Aaaahhhhh!!!"
I endured five more drops before finally escaping the rollercoaster.
***
"Bleeeargh..."
Right after getting off, I vomited up everything I'd held back during the ride. Felt like even yesterday's meal came up...
"You talked so confidently, but you really can't handle it."
Selphira patted my back as she watched me hurl.
"Sorry... No more front-seat rollerscoasters for me..."
"Well, everyone has their limits. But still..."
She crouched down, meeting my downcast eyes with a charming smile.
"I'm just happy I got to ride with you, Creator."
...Classic seductive Selphira.
She always slips in heart-fluttering lines when I'm off guard. Almost made me swoon.
"Vomiting too much isn't good for you, so next ride, I'll pick something you can handle."
"Like what?"
"Hmm. Giant's Drop? Haunted house...?"
"......You really picked those thinking of me?"
"Kidding, kidding."
Selphira giggled and took my hand.
"This time, somewhere light and fun."
As she led me slowly along, the scenery I'd seen so much while developing the game felt different now.
With smells and textures in this reality, it made my heart race even more than back then.
Especially since the one leading me was Selphira.
...Maybe I should enjoy at least one day here before trying to get back to reality.
Lost in that happy thought amid the blissful time.
"......?"
Something strange approached before my eyes.
Black, mud-smeared creatures shuffling slowly toward us. They looked just like zombies from a movie. As I freaked out, Selphira gripped my hand hard and shouted.
"Run, Creator!"
"W-Wha...!?"