After I’d spent some time drinking and chatting with Fate-san, Life-san took her place beside me.
The sheer presence of Life-san's breasts as they displaced the hot spring water was staggering even in this situation. Although I wasn't completely drunk, I was just tipsy enough that the sight was burned into my mind with vivid clarity.
"Come to think of it... this is the first time we’ve had the chance for a proper, quiet conversation, Miyama-san."
"Ah, yes. Y-You’re right."
Speaking in a gentle tone, Life-san poured me a drink with practiced, natural movements.
The description "a mature woman" fit her perfectly, and given that we were currently in a hot spring, I felt a profound sense of maternal inclusiveness radiating from her.
"Speaking of which, Miyama-san... I heard that you and that 'Reaper' are lovers..."
"...Reaper?"
The word "Reaper," spoken with a faint edge of hostility, didn't immediately bring anyone to mind.
"I am referring to the Death King."
"You mean... Isis-san?"
Now that she mentioned it, I remembered Chronoa-san telling me something about this before—that Life-san and Isis-san were on notoriously bad terms.
As if to confirm that thought, Life-san continued speaking with a tone that grew increasingly sharp.
"You certainly have a difficult time, Miyama-san. To be loved by a fool like her—someone so stubborn, so difficult, and so utterly self-absorbed... You must be suffering greatly. You have my sympathies."
"..."
"To begin with, she has always been—"
"...Life-san."
"Yes?"
A heat that had nothing to do with the alcohol or the spring water began to gather in my head. I was... incredibly angry.
Isis-san was an exceptionally kind person. It was because of that kindness that she had suffered for so long under the weight of her Magic Power of Death, lamenting in her crushing loneliness.
She spent far more time worrying about others than herself. She was a gentle, wonderful woman... and I could say from the bottom of my heart that I loved her.
"I won't tell you how to feel about Isis-san, Life-san. That's your personal opinion, and I won't interfere. However... could I ask you to refrain from saying such things in front of me?"
"...And why is that?"
"...Because I cannot forgive anyone who speaks ill of Isis-san. I don't care how much power you have, or what happened between you and her in the past... if you insult the person I love, I will oppose you."
"..."
She was a Supreme God—someone who held the highest possible status in this world. My words were undoubtedly rude, but this was the one thing I couldn't back down on.
I couldn't forgive anyone who insulted Isis-san, my precious lover.
As I stared Life-san down with clear anger in my eyes, for some reason, she began to smile gently.
The moment I saw that expression, a realization that felt like absolute certainty surfaced in my mind.
"...Life-san."
"What is it?"
"By any chance... were you just testing me?"
"...Now, I wonder. I couldn't say."
After a playful smile, Life-san slowly bowed her head toward me.
"However, it is a fact that I spoke ill of your lover. You have my sincerest apologies."
"...Um, does this mean you're actually on good terms with Isis-san?"
"Fufu, who can say? However... in the letters I receive from Isis, she writes quite extensively about how incredibly happy she is to have become your lover."
"..."
She’d gotten me. I felt as though I had been danced perfectly across the palm of her hand.
If I assumed they were actually close, then her behavior earlier was clearly a test to see if I was a man worthy of being entrusted with Isis-san.
I scratched my head in embarrassment. Life-san looked away and spoke in a quiet, contemplative voice.
"I am the God who governs life, and Isis is the King who wears death. If we appeared too friendly, I would be unable to maintain order among my subordinates. It is a rather tiresome situation."
"So, you really are..."
"Given my position as a Supreme God, I couldn't visit her as often as I wished, despite her being so prone to loneliness... You have my thanks, Miyama-san."
"Ah, no..."
In other words, while they maintained the facade of being enemies for public appearances, they were actually close enough to exchange personal letters.
I was completely fooled. Life-san’s acting was superb; I hadn't doubted that sharp, thorny tone for a single second.
"However, I was quite rude to you just now. Allow me to offer an apology..."
"An apology? Wait, Life-san... why are you taking my hand?"
Flashing a smile that could only be described as bewitching, Life-san reached beneath the surface of the water, seized my hand, and pulled it directly against her chest.
"Wh—!? Wh-Wh-What are you doing!?"
"You seemed interested in them a moment ago. Please, feel free."
"Wha-wha..."
They were so large my entire hand felt swallowed by them, yet they were impossibly soft. My fingers sank into the mounds as if being drawn in, even as a firm, supple elasticity pushed back against my touch.
So she had noticed I was looking at her chest!? I mean, it couldn't be helped... when they're that big, my eyes just naturally gravitate there. And they were just... so soft.
Gulp.
"What’s the matter? You may toy with them however you like."
This was bad. This was seriously, dangerously bad.
I hadn't been mentally prepared for this at all, and their sheer volume was unlike anything I had ever experienced. My brain felt like it was melting, and my fingers were on the verge of moving of their own accord.
I was desperately clinging to my self-control as she pressed me against her, but my reason was a flickering candle in a gale. If I gave them even a single squeeze, I felt like the dam would break completely.
The voice screaming for me to endure was fading, replaced by the seductive thought that I had worked hard enough and it was okay to give in.
In just a few more seconds, my rationality would have shattered into a thousand pieces. But then, a savior arrived.
"Just what do you think you are doing, God of Life!? Have some shame in a place like this!!"
"!?"
With a sharp shout, my hand was torn away from Life-san’s chest as Chronoa-san wedged herself between us.
I was... saved. Though, I also felt a tiny pang of regret.
"Is something the matter, God of Space-Time?"
"Don't 'is something the matter' me! What on earth do you think you're doing!?"
"Just deepening our friendship."
"Don't give me that nonsense! L-L-Letting him touch your chest..."
"If the partner is Miyama-san, I have no objections."
"Silence! Consider the time and the place!!"
Chronoa-san, the only true conscience in this group, protested vehemently.
Eventually, she managed to convince Life-san to behave and return to her original spot.
As expected of Chronoa-san, she was a true savior. I told myself I absolutely should not think about how cute she looked with her face flushed as red as a boiled octopus.
"...Shall we get back to our drinks?"
"Eh? Ah, yes."
As Life-san poured me another cup, she leaned in and whispered into my ear.
"...As I mentioned before, because you are under Shallow Vernal-sama's Divine Protection, I recognize you as an existence superior to myself."
"...Eh?"
"Therefore, it is only natural that you have the right to do as you please with my body. If you wish to continue what we started, please come to my temple whenever you like."
"~~!?!?"
A temptation like a demon's, delivered in a voice as sweet as an angel's. This woman... she was bewitching in a way that made her, alongside Chris-san, one of the most terrifying people I'd ever met.
Dear Mother, Father—After Fate-san, I spoke with Life-san. I hadn't had much contact with her before, but she was completely unexpected. She seems to have a personality very similar to Chris-san's. To put it simply—Life-san is incredibly bewitching.
Serious-senpai: "Being big isn't everything!! Don't you know the phrase 'too much of a good thing'!?"
[Big covers for small (Note: Serious-senpai is flat-chested)]
Serious-senpai: "Shut up!! I mean, is she really a Supreme God? Is she sure she isn't a Demon of Lust!?"