Kartellis - 3
Feeling another person's heartbeat. Thinking about it, it might not be such a big deal.
But right now, that simple act alone hit me with a powerful realization.
Everything Kartellis was saying and doing—it was all genuine.
"I really love you, Creator♡"
Thump.
Thump.
Once I knew the truth, my own heart started pounding in sync.
How could it not flutter? No matter how yandere she was, there was no denying she was a beauty. There probably wasn't a man alive who wouldn't fall for a gorgeous woman like this constantly declaring her love.
"Hehe, your face is turning red, Creator♡ Did I make your heart race, perhaps?"
Kartellis leaned in close, whispering in a low voice.
Then suddenly, her tentacles and arms wrapped around my neck.
Smack.
She yanked me in, our lips crashing together.
A fierce kiss, devouring each other's ragged breaths. She only let me go once I was on the verge of suffocating.
"So, how was that, Creator?"
"...Please, not in public."
"The NPCs won't remember anything in a week anyway, unlike us. No need to be so shy."
Kartellis flashed a sly smile and asked,
"So, how was the kiss?"
How was it?
It was embarrassing since everyone could see us... but of course, I didn't hate it.
"...It felt pretty good, I guess."
"Hehe♡ Your face says you've totally fallen for me already."
"No, that's not... "
"Well... if not, nothing I can do about it."
Kartellis pulled back a little, smiling again.
"But that's okay. Someday, I'll fuck you senseless until you surrender to me♡"
Not just make me fall, but conquer me...
And where the hell did she learn a word like 'fuck senseless'?
Her dizzying word choice made my head throb.
"...Let's move somewhere else, quick."
"Sounds good♡ How about the movie theater?"
Kartellis's tentacles coiled tightly around my arm.
We looked like a loving couple now, walking side by side, pressed together. People occasionally glanced our way with envious looks.
...This was way more intense than I'd expected.
"Kartellis, could you maybe loosen up a bit...?"
"Feeling shy?"
"Yeah... I'm not used to all these stares..."
"Hehe♡ I'd love to, but my tentacles are too smitten with your arm to let go♡"
You control your tentacles, you know. I wanted to say it, but she looked so blissfully happy on this date—the one she'd longed for—that I held back.
This moment was everything she'd dreamed of, after all.
"Ah, we're here."
Ten minutes from the central area, a massive gray stone building loomed.
About the size of a huge department store back in reality. Watching people come and go for a bit, Kartellis led me inside.
"Let's go in, Creator♡"
Following her, the interior unfolded in even grander splendor than the outside suggested.
The first floor hit us right away—a total shift from the underwater city vibe outside to something utterly modern.
I didn't have time to design the interiors in detail because of the deadline...
Good thing it turned out livable.
"The theater's on the seventh floor. I'll guide you myself♡"
"Got it. But... when are you letting go of my arm?"
"Not planning to for the whole week."
Kartellis grinned brightly.
"I'll stay stuck to you 24/7 so you can't run away while we're together."
"...What about the bathroom?"
"We'll sneak in. Besides, I dream of outdoor play with you someday...♡"
Her eyes told me every word was dead serious.
If this kept up, she'd be glued to me even for that. I had to find a way to shake her off at least then.
"Fine, stick around all you want—just give me space in the bathroom, please..."
"Hmm... If it really bothers you that much, okay."
I thought it was surprisingly easy to convince her, but...
"In exchange, since you okayed constant contact, I'll join you in the shower♡"
Her follow-up shattered that hope.
"...You're serious?"
"Have I ever lied to you, Creator?"
"If you're serious, how are you not embarrassed at all!?"
"Because it's you?"
Kartellis said it like it was the most obvious thing.
"You're the one I love. I'd give my life if you were in danger."
"No, that's... different from shame..."
"It's not."
She took my hand—not with tentacles, but her own two hands.
"It means I'd give anything for you."
"..."
"Love if you need affection. Comfort if you need solace. My life if you ask."
She met my gaze.
"I'd do it gladly."
Those beautiful golden eyes, holding only me. Staring into them brought a sharp question to mind.
Did I deserve love like this?
From someone I created but ultimately abandoned.
Forcing her to suffer endless ages without escape.
Could I really accept such undeserved love?
"...Kartellis."
"Yes?"
"Why do you like me?"
Instead of answering, she smiled and led me toward the escalator.
"I'll explain after our date♡"
"Not telling me now?"
"Where's the fun in that?"
She plastered herself to my arm again, still beaming with joy.
"Let's hurry up? We might not catch a movie at this rate."
"...Fine. But you have to tell me after, promise?"
"Of course. I always keep promises to you♡"
We took the elevator to the seventh floor after that.
But with so many people, the space felt cramped. Our bodies naturally pressed closer.
Or more like, fully mashed together.
"Sorry, Kartellis. It's a bit tight..."
"It's fine♡ Actually, being this close to you is great."
The doors slid shut.
Already narrow, now sealed in—it felt like we might get crushed in the crowd.
"Hoo..."
I breathed shallowly, glancing down to check on her.
...!!
A dangerously tantalizing sight hit me, and I whipped my eyes away.
I'd only glimpsed it for a split second, so details escaped me, but...
Our bodies squeezed tight in the confined space. Her ample breasts bulging against her clothes.
That image alone was enough to paint a dizzying picture.
"Creator, your face is flushed... Don't tell me you have a fever?"
"No... Just had some naughty thoughts..."
"Hehe♡"
She let out a playful hum, like she'd caught on, then slowly shifted her body, rubbing against mine.
"Were those naughty thoughts about me?"
"...No. Definitely not."
"Your face says otherwise, loud and clear."
She rose on tiptoe, resting her head on my shoulder.
"But... I like it. Knowing you had dirty thoughts about me."
"..."
"It means you want to do naughty things with me, not some other girl♡"
Dangerous.
Her swimsuit-thin outfit made every rub vivid. My own clothes were light too—the sensations were overwhelmingly intense.
Please, let a ton of people get off on the next floor!
I chanted endure in my head a million times, barely holding on.
Luckily, the fifth floor cleared out a crowd, letting us separate a bit. She latched onto my arm again, but hey, it was something. If I'd lost it there, it could've turned into a mortifying public scene.
"What a shame. It was the perfect chance to seduce you properly♡"
"Shh, quiet. People might hear..."
"So what if they do?"
She reached out, stroking my cheek as she continued.
"You're my whole world."
"...Enough embarrassing talk. Let's get off quick."
"You're so cute when you're embarrassed."
As we reached the seventh floor, I tried to hide my burning face and step out—
Then her tiny whisper slipped into my ear.
"...I just want to devour you♡"