IF. Epilogue. Future. (2)

I cleansed my body and changed into pajamas. Only one lantern remained lit in the room. I lay down with my back against one end of the bed. I pulled the blanket up to my chin, but sleep showed no sign of coming. Adelaide lay on the opposite side. The bed was plenty wide, yet the distance felt strangely alien. My heart pounded noisily. I wondered if she could hear it. Beneath the blanket, her body heat faintly transmitted to me. She was within arm's reach. Just knowing that made my body stiffen. I closed my eyes. What rose up were old memories. Her and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me, down in that basement. Back then, I straddled Adelaide, letting out moans. I yanked her hair to force her to keep pleasuring me. Listening to her sobs, I'd thought it enjoyable. Amazed that an NPC's reactions could feel so vivid. I clenched my fist until my nails dug into my palm. Did I deserve to lie next to Adelaide in the same bed? Even rewinding time wouldn't erase what I'd done.

I rolled over, pressing myself to the very edge of the bed. The brink where I wouldn't fall off.

"What're you doing."

"Nothing."

"You'll roll right off."

"...... Doesn't matter."

"Turn around."

At Adelaide's sudden voice, I slowly turned back. I no longer had the courage to refuse her. My dark-accustomed eyes took in her silhouette. Moonlight slanted through the window, illuminating her black eyes.

"Why ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠were you clinging to the edge."

"...... Just."

"It's not 'just.'"

"...... Remembering what I did back then."

"Now?"

"...... Lying like this."

Adelaide's gaze fixed solely on me.

"You're shaking."

"...... Won't fall."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Liar."

Adelaide reached out and grasped my hand. She pried my clenched fingers open one by one. This hand had once seized her. To stop her from fleeing. But now, it was the reverse.

"...... Aren't you scared?"

"Of what."

"Me. You know what I did. You remember. Everything."

"I remember."

"Even so......?"

"...... Because I remember."

Her words from before overlapped in my mind. That you're not scary to me—that's what's truly scary. From that night in Istius.

Adelaide inched closer. I swallowed at the warmth of her fingers brushing my cheek. Hands firm gripping a sword, gentle tying my hair. She swept back the silver strands falling over my forehead. The same motion as binding cloth on our journey. But now, no disguise—just a touch because she wanted to.

I cautiously grasped Adelaide's wrist. Gazed up at her quietly. On the bed, our eyes level, yet it felt like looking up.

"...... Can we stop midway?"

"If you don't want."

"I do, but."

"Then."

"...... I don't have the right."

Adelaide gripped my wrist and placed it over her chest. A steady pulse throbbed through the fabric. Perhaps a touch quick.

"I decide your right. Not you."

She brought her lips to mine first. A tentative brush, seeking consent. My body froze for an instant, but I didn't push away. Warm. Human lips are this warm. And soft. Plush. They parted, touched again. Deeper now, nibbling my lower lip—my breath hitched. The third time, I leaned in. Clumsy, awkward, but Adelaide met me. Snap. The long silver thread of saliva broke, leaving me breathless. Her face seemed flushed. Mine too, probably. I reached out. The difference from before: sincerity this time. Fingertips traced her jawline. At her blue hair draped over her ear, she narrowed her eyes.

"Tickles."

"...... Sorry."

"No. Keep going."

Adelaide's hair was soft. I'd never known before, but now I did. Imprint. Etch it in my mind's most vital place.

Meanwhile, her fingers reached my pajama's first button. Paused. Eyes on mine. I nodded silently. Voice wouldn't come—too shy to speak, but yes. One button undone. Night air grazed above my collarbone. Second—to my shoulder. Third. Each time, Adelaide paused, scanning my face before continuing. It felt like teasing, though unintentional. Past memories flickered again. But I let them pass. That was then; this is now. No need to chain myself forever. Right now, I wanted to face this purely. This feeling.

As pajamas slipped from my shoulders, fear stirred. Because of what this body had done. But no negativity in Adelaide's eyes. She lifted my hand, kissing each finger.

"...... This hand scared me once."

Thumb to pinky, one by one.

"Not anymore."

Peck, smooch. Nibbling tickled. Hot as fire. Lips trailed from hand to wrist, inner arm. Her hand at my waist—I flinched.

"Hng......"

"Okay?"

"...... Yeah."

"Stop?"

"...... No, more."

In the dark, fumbling her buttons, my hands trembled. She guided them, as always. From the second, I managed alone. Fabric peeled, baring her shoulder. Light gleamed on her skin. I traced the slender line to her collarbone.

"...... Tickles."

"Don't like?"

"Not that."

"Good."

Stroking on, she captured my hand, lips to it. Peck again. First time since possession this body felt mine. Sensing, reacting, moving as I desired. Not borrowed. Her heat seeped skin-to-skin. Hot enough to melt me. Lips trailed from fingers to neck, collarbone, lower. Slowly, so slowly. Then—slurp. Sucking hard at my breast's peak, fire exploded below. Couldn't stay still. Breath ragged. Vision flickering. Madness.

"Haaaah......!"

Good before too, but not like this. Upper body twisted; I gripped sheets fiercely—or I'd shatter. Her hand stroked waist-down, up inner thigh. Fingers at my most sensitive spot—a moan tore free.

"Haah......!"

"Okay?"

"U, uhn......"

"Sure?"

"Sure...... don't stop."

Fingers moved slowly. No rush, gauging reactions, adjusting pace and pressure.

"Relax."

"...... Hn, c-can't."

"Shh, okay. Slowly."

Whisper eased tension. Adapting, thin breaths leaked. Squish, squish.

"So lewd, Ailin."

"...... Don't look."

"You're showing me."

"Still......"

Fingers quickened. Clung to her arm unconsciously—or ecstasy would sweep me. Splashes grew obscene. Too erotic. Mind blanked before thought. Hips bucked. Convulsing, release built. Squirt, squirt. Liquid sprayed. Adelaide chuckled softly. Teasing my core, she held up her fingers. Blurry sight caught slender digits, glistening thread stretching.

"...... Don't."

"Why, cute."

"Still......"

Embarrassing. Eyes averted, she shed her pajamas fully. Her pale nudity so pretty—she overlapped us.

"Ailin."

"...... Mm."

Lips met mid-answer. Muffled moan leaked. Ownership hit late. Smooch—lips down ear, neck, breasts again. Fingers ravaged inside: slow-fast, shallow-deep. I became her moaning instrument. She whispered my name in my ear. Voice reignited fire.

"Hiyaaaaah——!!"

"Neighbors'll hear, Ailin."

"W-wait, just a moment......!"

"Don't mind."

"Just a bit, stop, hiyaaaaang......!"

Tears trailed my cheek. No crying awareness—just water from eyes. Adelaide paused. Thumb wiped it.

"Hurts?"

"...... Not that."

Licked the trail. Fingers resumed. Sensations converged. Breathless. Name half-choked. Hips jerked again. Long ragged breaths later, she drew blanket over us. Soft cloth on sweat-slick skin. She waited wordlessly till I calmed.

"Okay?"

"...... Yeah."

"Cold?"

"No. Warm."

Fingers threaded my silver hair, brushing slowly.

"...... Adel."

"Yeah."

"...... I love you."

First voicing it. No need for an NPC, I'd thought. Emotion or side effect? No right, I'd believed. Beyond excuses—one word. Adelaide's reply took time. Anxious silence, then:

"...... Me too."

Short. The night stretched long. We overlapped again and again. Hands clasped tight.