Chapter 8: The Mountain Arc (Part 3)
Inside the utterly silent wooden cabin, the two of them stared at each other in embarrassment. Subaru had already realized what he had just said, but at this point, it was impossible to back down.
"So… how about it!"
Forcing himself to sound bold, Subaru raised his voice. After more than two months of traveling together, he had come to understand that Reinhild also had a girlish side—and, unexpectedly, she was the shy type.
If I say this, Reinhild will definitely refuse. Then I'll have the moral high ground…
"If you're willing, then let's sleep together."
Reinhild's reply cut off Subaru's thoughts completely. Her answer was so far beyond his expectations that his mind went blank.
Reinhild watched his shocked expression and secretly laughed. In fact, she had been about to reject him outright, but her Divine protection had sent out a warning. In that instant, she realized—if she took a step back now, she'd never be able to regain her footing.
So she accepted Subaru's proposal. Of course, she wasn't actually worried.
After two months of travel, Reinhild understood Subaru's inexperience. Though he always spouted lewd jokes, when faced with real situations, he ran away faster than anyone.
Yes, just like that time when I got drunk. He definitely won't dare actually sleep beside me. In the end, I'll still get to stand watch.
"Then let's go!" they both said at the same time.
Subaru took one step toward the room, Reinhild followed with a tiny step.
They both froze, then slowly advanced toward the room. Subaru stopped to rest after every step, while Reinhild's movements were so minuscule it looked like she was stalling.
No way. Impossible. This can't be happening…! I mean, it's my dream scenario, but won't Reinhild think I'm some kind of pervert?!
Natsuki Subaru—virgin since birth, zero close-contact experience with women other than his mother. And tonight, he might be getting into the same bed with the woman he loved most. The thought alone threw him into utter chaos.
What do I do? What do I do?! Mother, Father! I don't dislike this, but… won't Subaru think I'm some kind of easy girl?!
Reinhild—virgin since birth, with zero experience speaking to men as a woman. The thought that she might soon be sharing a bed with Subaru left her completely unable to calm down.
No, no, no! It's Subaru! Calm down. Think about his behavior up until now. It'll be fine. What matters most here is holding my ground.
Even if they moved slowly, the cabin wasn't that big. Soon the tiny single bed with its single blanket loomed before them.
"Ahahaha… looks like it won't fit two people." x2
"How about you go first, Subaru/Reinhild?"
"No, no, no—I'm not sleepy yet." x2
"With Subaru's/Reinhild's personality, if I sleep first, they definitely won't sleep."
Silence fell. Both of them inwardly confirmed that the other was backing out.
"Alright, I'll change clothes then."
Reinhild struck first. Without hesitation, she began unbuttoning her clothes one by one, deliberately letting the fabric rub together to make sounds.
Calm down. Calm down.
But Reinhild realized her own heartbeat was drowning out Subaru's entirely. No matter how she tried to will it quiet, it only pounded louder.
Even so, she managed to change into her sleepwear. Subaru, meanwhile, never said "forget it" or tried to slip out of the room.
Wait—does this mean…? No, no, no! Something like this should only happen after marriage!
She turned around, conflicted—and saw Subaru with his head buried under the blanket. For some reason, her chest filled with anger. Any thought of backing down vanished instantly.
"Subaru. I'm getting in."
"…Mm. Ah."
Reinhild herself didn't know why she was so irritated. She only remembered climbing onto the bed, yanking the blanket away from Subaru, and suddenly locking eyes with him as he spun halfway around beneath it.
.
.
.
"Alright, I'll change clothes then."
Rustle, rustle…
Before Subaru could react, the sound of fabric rubbing reached his ears. He froze in place.
Maybe it was just his imagination, but Reinhild's movements seemed especially slow tonight. Or maybe it was just him—he remembered reading somewhere that when your heart races fast enough, the world feels like it slows down. If that was true, then his pounding heart was slowing time to a crawl.
I can't stay here any longer.
For a split second, Subaru resolved to run. But then he froze again. Reinhild had chosen to change clothes near the door.
That's right—he had been the first into the room, since he'd gone to argue with her earlier. Now, with Reinhild at the door and moving at a snail's pace, she'd accidentally blocked his only exit.
What do I do? Should I say something to stop her? But wouldn't that be too disrespectful?
Then what if I just shut my eyes and leap out? But if I lose balance, Reinhild will definitely catch me, and then…
Just the thought of accidentally seeing Reinhild's naked body sent his imagination spiraling.
In an instant, Subaru's face flushed red, his body reacting in ways he couldn't control. He didn't dare face Reinhild, and desperately searched for a hiding spot. His eyes lit up—he scrambled onto the bed, turned his back to her, and curled up.
Rustle, rustle…
The sound of Reinhild changing filled his ears. Subaru pulled the blanket completely over himself, wrapping his whole body in it. In the dark cocoon, with the feel of the fabric against his skin, the sound of clothes shifting, and the earlier mental image replaying in his mind—and evolving further—his thoughts ran wild.
No, no, no. That would be disrespectful to Reinhild.
But don't you feel even the tiniest bit curious?
The angel on Subaru's shoulder faltered.
You like Reinhild, don't you? But is it really because of her… or just because of desire?
The devil on Subaru's shoulder whispered.
.
.
.
"Subaru. I'm coming up."
"…Mm. Ah."
His brain was already too scrambled to think straight. Subaru answered automatically. Then, with a sudden pull, the blanket was yanked away—and he saw Reinhild in her sleepwear.
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