It was the second night of my stay in Rigforresia. I had returned to the room in high spirits, still buzzing from the pleasant evening drinks I’d shared with Sieg-san and looking forward to the next day. However, that cheerful mood had long since evaporated.
At the moment, Sieg-san and I were in the middle of a very awkward standoff. We were both kneeling in the formal seiza style at opposite ends of the bed, facing one another. The cause of our predicament was obvious: there was only one bed.
“...U-Um, Sieg-san?”
“Y-Ye-Ye-Yes!?”
When I finally summoned the courage to speak, Sieg-san’s shoulders jumped. Her face turned a deep shade of crimson as she blurted out a panicked response.
My own heart skipped a beat at her reaction, but I forced myself to continue.
“...A-As I thought, maybe I should just sleep on the floor?”
“N-No, you can’t!”
“B-But if I don't, then...”
“Ah... Ugh...”
I knew Sieg-san was too kind to ever actually want me to sleep on the floor, but unfortunately, the situation was fundamentally different from the night before.
We were lovers now. It was a simple phrase, but the sheer weight of it made the tension tonight incomparable to yesterday.
I was particularly worried about my own sense of reason. I desperately tried to think of a way to convince her to let me take the floor, but Sieg-san lowered her head and spoke in a tiny, bashful voice.
“...B-But... if you think about it, unlike yesterday, there aren’t really any obstacles to us sleeping together anymore... I mean, w-we are... a couple now.”
“...Y-Yes.”
No, quite the opposite. The obstacles standing in my way had grown into a wall far taller and more imposing than anything I’d faced before.
Just the two of us in a completely soundproof room—and as a couple, no less. It was the perfect formation for a total assassination of my rationality.
“...Y-You’re right. We’re lovers, so there shouldn't be any problem with us sharing a bed...”
“T-That’s true.”
Actually, it was a massive problem. I practically wanted to beg her to have a bit more of a sense of danger. I was a man, after all; there was no telling what I might do.
Diving into that kind of intimacy immediately after starting a relationship... even if Sieg-san was willing, and even if she didn't think less of me for it... I personally wanted us to spend more time together and deepen our bond before we took that step. Letting myself be swept away by pure desire here was an absolute no-go.
That said, I knew from experience that she wouldn't be happy if I slept on the floor, and I certainly didn't want to make her sleep there.
That left me with only one choice: endurance. I had to hold onto my sanity and fight my way through this siege.
It was the exact moment my second consecutive all-nighter was decided.
Just like the previous night, I climbed into the blankets with Sieg-san.
The difference tonight was that we weren't back-to-back; we were lying down facing each other. Seeing Sieg-san in her nightgown dealt a merciless blow to my self-control, but I could still hold on.
I figured that if we were back-to-back and some kind of accidental contact occurred, the thin thread of my reason would snap instantly. This was a battle—a relentless showdown with my own desires. Giving up my back would only put me at a disadvantage. If I faced her head-on and kept a firm guard... as long as nothing unexpected happened...
“...Um, Kaito-san... would it be okay if I moved a little closer?”
“!?”
The unexpected happened immediately. Wait, wait a second—closer? If she got any closer, wouldn't we be touching?
This was bad. I had to find a way to dodge this.
“...Is it... not okay?”
“N-No, it’s fine! Please, feel free to move wherever you like...”
My attempt to evade was a total failure. The battlefield was a cruel mistress. It seemed I didn't have any Protagonist Correction helping me out... Or maybe it was because of Protagonist Correction that she was moving closer? I didn't even know what I was thinking anymore.
My thoughts were spinning as the blankets shifted and Sieg-san moved toward me. She was close—incredibly close.
We were at practically zero distance. This was dangerous. She smelled so wonderful, and I could feel the warmth of her breath against me... No, not yet! Hold it together! Clear your mind!
As my heart thrashed against my ribs, Sieg-san reached out and lightly placed her hand on the center of my chest. She wore a gentle smile.
“...I suppose it’s because you’re a man? You’re quite well-built, Kaito-san.”
“Eh? N-No, I’m actually pretty weak... I’m sure you’re much stronger than me, Sieg-san.”
It was a compliment I’d never received in my entire life. I managed to calm down slightly as I replied. Even though I’d been running with Hina-chan lately, I had never been very athletic. I was definitely on the scrawny side compared to other guys my age.
“In terms of combat power, perhaps I am... but when it comes to raw muscle strength, you are definitely stronger.”
“I-Is that so?”
Me? Stronger than Sieg-san? Looking at her, it was true she didn't seem to have much muscle, but I had seen her punch Rei-san and Lilia-san across a room. Even knowing that was the result of Physical Enhancement Magic, it was hard to believe I had the advantage in strength.
“Yes. Elves naturally find it difficult to build muscle. We have high magic power, so we compensate for it with Physical Enhancement Magic.”
“I see. So it’s a racial trait.”
“Yes. Perhaps that’s why... when I touch you like this... I’m reminded that you really are a man, Kaito-san.”
“Um... is that a good thing?”
“Yes... You’re masculine and very wonderful.”
“!?”
She spoke in a sweet, melodic whisper, her smile growing even softer.
I wasn't used to hearing it, but being called masculine made me incredibly happy. Her voice was so intoxicating it made my head swim. Between the atmosphere and the lingering effects of the alcohol—even though Shiro-san’s Blessing kept me from getting too drunk—my body felt abnormally hot.
Fight it... You can do this, me... I should still be able to endure this much.
Unfortunately, Sieg-san seemed completely unaware that my brain was currently reaching critical mass. She slowly slid her arms around my back and pressed her body firmly against mine.
“S-Sieg-san!?”
“...Kaito-san... just for a little while... can I be a bit spoiled?”
“!?!?”
What!? Now? At this timing? It was a "gap attack"—the sudden, devastating charm of a normally reliable woman showing such a vulnerable, dependent side. Stop... please stop... My self-control was going to snap. The thread was fraying.
“...Y-Yes.”
“...Thank you... Kaito-san...”
“Eh?”
“Nn...”
“~~!?!?”
As I turned my head when she called my name, Sieg-san moved at the same time. Her lips lightly brushed against mine.
It was a soft, brief touch—hardly more than a peck—but it was undeniably a kiss. My head felt like it had been dunked in a pot of boiling water.
“...I’m so happy... that I met you... and that we could become a couple like this.”
“Ah, um...”
“I love you, Kaito-san. Please stay with me forever.”
“...Y-Yes.”
With a blissful smile and a faint blush on her cheeks, Sieg-san hugged me tightly and closed her eyes.
I was at my limit. Truly, I was at my breaking point. No, not yet! I could still go! I had to transcend my limits!
A few moments later, her breathing turned slow and steady. I realized she had fallen asleep, but unfortunately, it didn't look like I’d be getting any rest tonight either.
Wrapped in the soft, warm sensation of Sieg-san’s body, I spent the rest of the night desperately pinching my own hands to keep them from moving until the sun finally came up.
Dear Mother, Father—
They say your greatest enemy is yourself, and today was a brutal battle between desire and rationality. Somehow, my reason managed to seize the victory again, but I have a feeling... that one of these days, I really won't be able to endure it anymore.