When I woke up, just like yesterday, someone’s face filled my vision. But this time, I didn’t panic; instead, I calmly observed the face.
Though I should be used to it by now, every time I look, I discover anew beauty, like peeling layers of an onion, evoking admiration.
Yesterday, we confirmed and acknowledged our feelings for each other.
Though I couldn’t yet imagine what this change would bring, I was certain that I would never let go of his heart. I thought this was enough for now.
…Come to think of it, it’s really absurd. An Outsider and a human being…
The only thing that slightly concerns me is how our relationship will progress from here.
I didn’t want to just remain as family. I wanted to move forward.
Then a sudden thought came to mind.
…Isn’t being married also being family?
As soon as this thought crossed my mind, my scalp burned.
“No, I’m crazy! We’ve only confessed our feelings; we aren’t even officially dating yet… Wait!”
Now that I think about it, where exactly are we now?
Confession… I consider what happened yesterday as a confession. We expressed our affection filled with emotions; that was a confession, wasn’t it?
…If we confessed to each other, are we already a couple?
Damn, this is why being a lifelong singleton is bad. I can’t have any confidence in this relationship.
Ultimately, there’s no choice but to ask Lily herself…
When I glanced at Lily, yesterday’s memories resurfaced. My gaze naturally drifted to her lips once more.
…Would this be alright? She did say that lip contact would be fine…
I hesitated for a moment but quickly resolved myself and slowly leaned my face towards Lily.
Lily’s breath tickling my nose stopped me momentarily, but her glowing crimson lips under the morning sunlight seemed to beckon me.
-Kiss
Unable to resist any longer, I pressed my lips against hers, wary of waking her up, and checked her reaction immediately.
“Sweeet… sweeet…”
Her breathing hadn’t changed. It seemed this level was fine.
…Then, what about…
-Kiss…Kiss…Kiss…
It was strange. Normally, once a reward is obtained, the desire subsides, but each kiss only made my feelings grow stronger.
Unable to contain the fiery emotions overwhelming me, I blurted out the cause through my words.
“I love you.”
“Sweeet… sweeet…”
Lily wouldn’t hear this. Thinking so, my true feelings began to surface.
“I love you.”
-Kiss
“Not as family…”
-Kiss
“But as a man, I love you.”
-Kiss
“…Actually, I fell for you since the first time we met.”
-Kiss
With every word, I passionately sought Lily’s lips.
With my heart swelling beyond measure, I impulsively spoke words I would never have uttered had Lily been awake.
“I love you, Lily.”
Even though only a closing particle was missing, it carried an entirely different atmosphere. Enchanted by this mood, I continuously muttered the words.
“I love…I love…”
“Really?”
“Yes, really—I… Whoa?!”
When Lily, who hadn’t been moving only her mouth, slowly opened her eyes, a playful smile bloomed on her face.
“Heheh, leave you alone for a bit, and you start crawling, huh?”
…You were awake this whole time…?!
My inflated mood cooled instantly as a chill ran down my spine. My regained sanity scolded my actions.
‘You’re really crazy, huh? Even with the mood, did you have to talk casually to Lily?’
“I’m sorry, Lily…”
“Oh, no need to apologize? It was refreshing and nice.”
“Ugh…”
No matter how honestly I expressed my feelings, I couldn’t handle Lily’s words.
“And…didn’t I tell you yesterday?”
Suddenly, Lily closed the distance and whispered in front of me.
“I said I’d let you kiss me with your lips.”
The memory of yesterday flashed before me like déjà vu, making my heart race. The sweet breath of Lily, so close. The minimal distance between us—any slight movement would lead to our lips touching.
Just as the atmosphere heated up again, and I was about to approach Lily…
“Let’s have breakfast!”
Lily suddenly jumped up, stretching like a cat that had just woken up.
‘…Wasn’t the moment just right a moment ago? Was I the only one hoping for something?’
Feeling disillusioned, I blankly stared at Lily.
‘Hmm… Is that…’
“Ah~ I’m starving. Arthur, if you give me breakfast like yesterday—”
Pupils dilating, Lily turned to look at me. I was waiting with my face near Lily’s shoulder since I had already risen. My turned head’s lips naturally pressed against Lily’s lips.
-Smack
Having tasted Lily’s lips, I whispered into her ear.
“Your ear is red.”
Try running, will you?
After staring blankly at me for a while, Lily then murmured.
“…Me too, Arthur.”
-Said while whispering.
“Huh?”
“That’s my answer to what you said earlier. It’s the same for me.”
…You mean…
“…You really were listening the whole time!!”
“Hohoh… You’re so cute.”
I give up. There’s no way I can win against her.
—
“Then, I’ll be going now, Lily.”
“Yeah, maybe even before lunch we’ll see each other again.”
“Huh?”
“Nah. See you later.”
Though she seemed to be plotting something, I waved goodbye to Lily and left the dormitory.
With even lighter steps than yesterday, I walked only to encounter the inevitable.
“Arthur!”
Reeti ran up… looking extremely serious.
“You got knocked out by Louis yesterday, right?”
“You were…knocked out, right? Is your body okay?”
“…You know.”
“Ah, so worrying about you doesn’t really mean much, huh.”
After checking me carefully up and down, Reeti nodded as if satisfied.
“Hmm… Anyway, it seems you’ve had some good things happen recently? Your face looks bright.”
“Hmm?”
“Yeah, you look completely different. I wouldn’t have thought you were the one who got knocked out yesterday. What’s up? Could it be your family?”
It’s probably thanks to Lily.
“Yeah, thanks to my family.”
“Good. It seems you have a good family.”
“…Beyond what I deserve.”
“Hooh~ That’s impressive if Arthur says so. It’s great.”
Reeti’s gaze scrutinized my face thoroughly.
“One more thing. Do you love your family? O, X.”
“O.”
It’s not even worth considering.
“Wow… It’s the first time I’ve seen Arthur like this. You’re completely head over heels… Wait, is that person a woman?”
“Yeah.”
“How old?”
“….A bit older?”
It might be true… Sorry, Lily.
“Is that so? That’s a relief.”
…What exactly?
Reeti, seemingly in a better mood, continued asking about my family. While dodging questions about Lily’s identity as much as possible, I answered as sincerely as I could in my own way.
When we arrived at the lecture hall after chatting.
“Ah, by the way! When will you go find the book?”
Ah, that’s right?
“Reeti, there’s a problem. The books in the prohibited section aren’t allowed to be checked out.”
“What?! You should’ve told me that yesterday!”
I tried to, but you collapsed and started screaming, so I forgot…
“Then there’s no other option. We’ll have to activate Plan S…”
“What? What exactly is Plan S?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Plan Sabotage. In other words, the operation—Explosion is Art.”
“What the heck is that plan?!”
“Hohoho. I’ve already gathered the magical catalysts for Plan S. Combining them will create a powerful bomb.”
This is insane. I need to get out of this.
“Where are you going, Arthur? Since you promised to help, help me all the way.”
“I promised to help get the book. I didn’t promise to help with terrorism!”
“Terrorism? It’s sabotage, not terrorism! The bomb will explode where no one is. While everyone’s attention is diverted, you can take the book—”
“The Chancellor has already placed theft-prevention magic. It’s bound to fail, right?”
“What?! That old man! If he’s senile, he should just go to the grave already!”
…This girl is really crazy.
Let me remind you again. Microphones are installed in various places across the Academy. One day, she’ll get caught.
“Listen, student. Pull yourself together and let’s go to class.”
“Kuh! Is there really no way at all?!”
You’ve got some nerve not to give up. In many ways, I admire this friend… Wait, admire? Did I say that yesterday? When was that?
While recalling yesterday’s memories as we entered the lecture, I finally remembered.
‘Admire…Admire…Admire… Got it! That pervert!’
I drew what I remembered from yesterday’s erotica (suspected) I saw in the textbook corner.
Then I nudged Reeti, who was sitting next to me, and whispered.
“Reeti. Have you ever seen someone like this?”
After seeing the octopus-human drawing, Reeti’s face twisted.
“You… Do you have a taste for…”
“No! It’s just a cover I saw yesterday in the restricted section!” (whispering)
“Really? There are such books? Then there must be one about ‘childhood friends,’ right?”
“No, forget that. Have you seen this somewhere?”
“Hmm… I’ve never seen this kind of design. However, I’ve seen similar designs a lot.”
“Hmm? Where?”
“In erotica. You’ve heard of tentacle stories?”
“…Deep stuff?”
“Deep stuff” is a slang term Reeti uses, referring to something truly severe at the bottom of the bottom…
“Yeah. It’s quite intense.”
If Reeti says it’s intense, it must be very serious. I was uneasy, but honestly… I was a little curious.
“Erotica about Outsiders… Could there be one about Lily?”
“By any chance, is it about the Outsiders?”
“Huh? It’s something astral. Oh, I do have one in my room. Want me to lend it to you?”
“No. It’s not that.”
What do you take me for?
“Why, aren’t you curious?”
“….I am curious.”
“I’ll bring it at lunch. Hohoho, it’ll be super steamy.”
“No, wait…”
“Hohoho… Finally, the chance to corrupt pure Arthur—”
I ignored Reeti, who began muttering strange things again, but couldn’t concentrate on the lecture…
‘If Lily is mentioned in that book? Should I flip it closed right away? Or perhaps…as preliminary research…’
In one motion, I slapped my cheek hard.
-Zap!
“What are you doing, Arthur?!”
The professor and Reeti as well as all the students turned to look at me, and I couldn’t lift my reddened face.
‘Preliminary research? What nonsense. Are you crazy?’
—
The next class was separate from Reeti.
Absently listening to the boring class, I eventually thought of something.
I put my hand into the magical pocket of my school uniform and pulled out a black book.
‘The Necronomicon. Ah, that’s right! I have this.’
If anything, this is a translated version, so it should be easier to understand, right?
Looking around carefully at the other students, I tentatively turned the title page.
As I flipped past the memo with the table of contents, pages filled with unfamiliar sharp letters alternated with the translator’s notes.
‘-I, Abdul Alhazred, received their revelations…’
‘Ah, it’s the preface.’
I skipped it as it wasn’t necessary to understand the content.
When I flipped the page, the first thing that caught my eye was an illustration.
It seemed like a sketch of something grotesque. Just looking at it made me feel revulsion.
‘Ugh… Is this an Outsider? It’s really ugly.’
I once again reflected on just how amazing Lily is. She must be the most beautiful Outsider ever.
Below the illustration were explanatory notes.
‘-Name Cthugha. The Ruler of Ynkyh, the Frog-god.’
…Wait a minute. Is this really erotica?
I continued reading the text, sensing something odd, and flipped to the next page.
‘-Name Gobogeg. The Thing Twice Named.’
‘-Name Bokrug. The Great Water-lizard, the Destroyer of Sarnath.’
‘Hmm? Illustrations with corresponding descriptions… Is this possibly an encyclopedia?’
I skimmed through the translator’s table of contents again.
‘-1. The Great Old Ones and the Outer Gods’
‘-2. Their History’
‘-3. Summoning Methods’
‘-4. Spells’
‘-5. Black Magic’
‘-6. Apocalypse’
‘…No matter how you look at it, this isn’t erotica…’
—
