"Umm..."
It felt as if glue had been applied to my eyelids, making it difficult to open my eyes. So, even though I had woken up, I kept my eyes closed for a moment in a somewhat dazed state. But then... amidst my gradually sharpening senses, I felt a peculiar presence.
The sound of someone breathing, and the warm body heat emanating from soft skin.
'...It's hot.'
To the point where such a thought crossed my mind.
When I blearily opened my eyes... I saw the group members clinging to various spots on the bed.
...They had let me sleep, but it seemed they hadn't said they would return to their own rooms, as they were lying there.
As I let out a sigh, I heard rustling sounds.
Turning my head... I saw Claudia, fluttering her tail and ears, stealthily approaching.
Claudia, who approached with a slightly dazed face as if she had just woken up... gently pressed her lips against my mouth.
"Mmm? Umm?"
"Chup... Chup..."
She stuck out her tongue and licked the corner of my mouth. It felt like... an animal marking its territory.
...Perhaps because she wasn't fully awake yet, her expression seemed a bit... seductive as she licked my face, and I could feel my face growing hot.
"S-stop that."
Claudia, who had been opening her mouth wide, blinked her eyes, then grinned and spoke.
"I couldn't help it... Good morning, Asha."
"...Yeah."
Even as she said that, Claudia looked at me with an expression that asked what the problem was.
So... it seemed like she was asking, now that we're in a deeper relationship, isn't this much allowed?
...I turned away my flushed face. If I kept looking into those golden eyes filled with affection... I might end up wanting to kiss her without even realizing it.
Even though I had only made up my mind to accept it... somehow... I felt strange.
While I was lost in thought, Claudia's firm arm planted itself beside my head. The large breasts pressing against my chest. And Claudia's heavy breathing and skin.
An atmosphere that felt like things could escalate at any moment.
Ah, no matter how things have turned out, there are other people right beside us!
To stop Claudia, I urgently shouted. Along with a plausible excuse.
"Ah, until I enter the stabilization period, th-that's forbidden!"
"Huh?"
...Claudia made a rare, dumbfounded face.
She looked like someone who had been caught off guard by an utterly unexpected statement.
Claudia, who had been looking at me with a foolish expression, began to blush.
...It was the reddest I had ever seen Claudia's face.
Seeing that somehow made me feel good. It felt like I had gotten back at her after always being on the receiving end.
Claudia, who was much larger than me, also looked a bit cute.
When I chuckled, Claudia pretended to be nonchalant as she pulled away and opened her mouth.
"A-ahem... Th-that, ah, we h-haven't even d-done it yet..."
"Pfft... Once you've drunk the Potion I made... it's pretty much 'certain' that it will happen. I don't know when it will be. So... it's better to get into the habit of being careful in advance, don't you think?"
I continued speaking triumphantly.
...Honestly, it's not exactly a lie, is it? The effects of the Potion I made, of all people, are naturally outstanding.
It's practically a foregone conclusion that my currently flat stomach will swell...
'...Hmm.'
Even though I spoke excitedly... the fact that my stomach will swell... hasn't really sunk in yet.
Well, who would have experienced something like this?
After my body changed... the experience of being courted by women and carrying a child.
It's only because I'm at this level that I can calmly accept it; an ordinary person would have struggled.
...There's no particular basis for that.
Then.
I felt a shadow fall over my face. When I came to my senses, Claudia's face was right in front of me.
Claudia gently held my body and began kissing me.
Her rough tongue licked my lips. As she tapped like she was knocking, I unconsciously opened my mouth, and she swiftly slipped inside.
"Mmph! Mmph! Hmmph... mmm!"
"Chup... Chup... Hahp."
A sticky, wet sound echoed through the room.
Claudia's thoroughly wet tongue tightly entwined with mine. Saliva trickled down the corners of my mouth. Movements so intense I forgot to breathe through my nose.
Just as my consciousness was becoming hazy, Claudia pulled her face away. A long trail connected mouth to mouth.
Only then did I inhale the air that entered my mouth and exhaled roughly.
"Hah... Hah..."
Meanwhile, Claudia's voice whispered lowly into my ear.
"...Kissing is allowed, right?"
"...Y-yeah."
Panting, I deeply bowed my head.
...I acted all high and mighty for no reason and ended up feeling scolded.
'But it felt good.'
My face grew hot.
I felt strange. Even though it was just a... slightly deeper kiss, not much different from usual, I became unnecessarily conscious of it.
...This must be what they mean by feeling flustered.
Then, Claudia's voice came from above my head.
"Hmm... Well then, I'll be going now. I have a request to attend to."
"Ah... Yeah. H-have a safe trip."
"Kikiki... I will."
...Claudia seemed pleased to have gotten one over on me, as she left with a somewhat meaningful smile.
"Haa..."
What kind of chaos is this first thing in the morning.
Shaking my head inwardly, I raised my bowed head.
"Hi, hit!?"
I saw pairs of eyes looking at me with bleary gazes.
Their eyes, which had been closed, were now open and somehow... were staring at me with an ominous feeling.
...Cecil was still asleep, and it seemed the Princess had returned, perhaps finding it inconvenient to stay.
I looked at the three pairs of eyes staring at me and smiled as brightly as possible.
And then... I... waved my hand... gently.
"G-good... morning... everyone."
"...It's good to see you looking healthy first thing in the morning. Yeah."
"I see."
"Hmm..."
They each looked at me with different reactions.
I could feel my eyelids trembling. Soon after... I heard rustling sounds. It didn't last long.
From the start... they were practically attached anyway.
'...No wonder they couldn't stay asleep.'
After Claudia and I kissed so passionately... it was only natural for the group to wake up.
The approaching group members each... 'greeted' me in their own way. By kissing me like Claudia did... or demanding I say their name while burying their nose in my neck... things like that.
...I'm a bit tired.
A memory from my previous life briefly surfaced.
'They think I only attend my own classes.'
...That was indeed the case.
For them, it's 'once' each with me... but for me, that once... doesn't end with just once, does it?
Well, still...
I raised a finger and fidgeted with my lips where they had left their marks.
Then, I felt my moistened lips.
...I didn't entirely dislike it. No... I rather liked it. More than usual.
Could it be that just changing my mindset made it so?
Was the thought that I had to choose someone... weighing more heavily on my heart than I had realized?
And... the compulsion that I had to return to my original body...
...It seems I have finally admitted that my body cannot return to its original state.
'I had vaguely realized it, though.'
Was it because of the thought of going back... and my pride as an Alchemist...?
If so, then I... ultimately encountered an unsolvable problem and gave up, but... I didn't feel bad. As I said before, I even felt relieved.
It must be thanks to them... who still treat me as myself even though I've changed.
...The relationship seems to have changed quite a bit, but let's not dwell on it.
Even though I pretended it was nothing... I realized that a heavy burden had been hanging deep in my heart, more than I thought.
But now, I feel confident that it will be okay.
To loosen up my stiff body, I stretched, petted Lime, who had approached at some point without me noticing, and then got out of bed.
I went to the window, opened the curtains, and opened the window. Then, I saw Claudia, who had finished preparing and was going out. Sensing my presence, Claudia turned around and waved.
I waved back.
...A promise to return, not to leave.
Without realizing it, a smile appeared on my face.
After basking in the warm sunlight for a moment, I left the window open for ventilation and approached the bed.
Then, I saw Cecil, still sleeping with a peaceful expression. Slowly approaching, I kissed Cecil's forehead and carefully shook her shoulder.
"Cecil. Time to wake up and get up."
"Umm..."
Cecil, moving sluggishly, began to open her bleary eyes. From between her slender eyebrows, ruby-like red eyes shone through.
Her eyes, hazy from sleep, looked at me and then became clear. Cecil, smiling brightly.
"Lady Asha!"
"...Did you sleep well?"
"Yes!"
Cecil, giggling, wrapped her arms around my neck. Along with her unique body scent, a warm body temperature softly approached.
After patting her head, I left the bedroom with Cecil.
...Leaving behind Lime, who was fidgeting her hands as if asking to be taken along.
And so, a day that was nothing special, yet not ordinary, began. The days that would continue on.
...That's what I thought.
Author's Note (Author's Afterword)
But... right there