Volume 1 Chapter 32 I Tried To Check How Far The Flag Goes
As the server saw us off, we left the small dining room. The guest dining hall was completely empty—no students, no teachers, and no staff cleaning up. Each table was polished spotless, with crisp white cloths laid out, ready for tomorrow's breakfast.
We really took our time eating.
The three of us, holding hands, headed back to the shabby old dorm room. After our usual bath together, we drank tea and talked about various things. Before long, night deepened around us──.
"Well then, shall we sleep?" I asked, trying to sound cheerful even though I felt a little awkward.
"Yay! It's cuddle time!" Ran raised both hands in excitement.
"Y-yeah..." Margrethe looked down, hesitant.
It was my birthday night. Everything was already done—the bath and all. All that was left was to sleep.
"Tomorrow's the weekend, so no classes. We can skip breakfast and sleep in," I said.
"I agree!" Ran chimed in.
"Yeah..." Margrethe replied quietly.
"Alright..." I said, quickly getting undressed. Better to get through the awkwardness fast. Even though I'd been a virgin in my past life, I understood this much.
"Ah, Mobu. Even your underwear..." Margrethe's eyes widened before she quickly looked away.
"It's fine. Tonight, we're all going to be naked," I said.
"B-but..." she hesitated.
Normally, I would at least wear my underwear. But tonight was different.
"Then I'll be the first. Good night!" I said, turning off the lamp and diving into bed, pulling the blanket over myself.
I stared at the ceiling as it faded into darkness. I could hear clothes rustling beside me.
"Mobu..." Ran slipped in silently, naked as expected. She lay down on my left side, resting her head on my arm.
"Hehe. Mobu, you're warm..." she murmured.
Whoa. Her chest pressed gently against me. It was the first time I'd ever been naked in bed with someone. Oddly, I thought it was a blessing I'd died before; if I'd stayed a corporate slave, I'd never have imagined cuddling naked with such a cute girl.
"Come here, Ran," I said.
"Okay," she replied, obediently snuggling close. When I pulled her in, she clung tightly like a cat at ease.
"I can smell you, Mobu. So manly... and wonderful," she said softly.
"Um..." I couldn't say much.
The blanket on the other side lifted, revealing a pale shape slipping into bed without a word. Margrethe remained silent, looking up.
"Margrethe," I called gently.
"Y-yes!" she answered, her body tensing as the bed shifted.
"Why are you so stiff?" I asked.
"Because..." she trailed off.
"Look at Ran. She's already sound asleep."
"No way, really?" Margrethe whispered.
Ran was breathing softly, already deep in sleep.
"As always, she falls asleep quickly..."
That told me Ran's 'first experience' flag hadn't been raised yet. Honestly, I was a little disappointed. Even if the earlier moments hinted at a harem, there were still many possible future paths toward the adult side.
Still, Ran never seemed to have trouble sleeping. Honestly, I envied that.
Margrethe lifted her head to check Ran's sleeping face and sighed.
"She said she'd keep an eye on Mobu so he wouldn't cause trouble..." she said.
"I won't cause trouble. Don't worry," I assured her.
"That's right. I trust Mobu," she replied.
"You wanted to sleep next to your mother, right? So relax and cuddle up. I won't do anything," I said.
"But... ah!" she exclaimed.
It was troublesome. I pulled her close with my right arm, letting her rest her head on my chest.
"Mo...bu," she whispered, her voice soft and almost fading.
"See? Feels safe, doesn't it?" I asked.
"..." She stayed silent, still tense in my arms. But gradually, she relaxed.
"That's right... I do feel safe. Just like Ran said, I can hear Mobu's heartbeat. It's strong," she said quietly.
"It's the sound that will protect you. Cuddle as if I'm your mother," I said.
"Yeah... and since Ran's asleep, it's not embarrassing now," she admitted.
She wrapped her arms around my chest.
"...a sturdy chest. Feels like a man."
She stroked my chest gently.
"It smells nice... like a man."
She buried her face in my armpit, breathing in my scent. It tickled slightly since our lips were touching.
"Margrethe's chest is soft and smells nice. Like a girl," I teased.
"No way," she giggled, her subtle movements pressing lightly against my chest. She laid her head down, stroking again, playfully teasing.
For some reason, Margrethe felt warmer than Ran. Maybe she'd drunk a little. Her skin, just as pale as Ran's, had a faint blush. Ran was sensitive to alcohol, so I hadn't let her drink much.
Even the tips of Ran's chest, seen during the bath, were pale pink, but Margrethe's were nearly the same color as her skin. Still, after drinking, the slight flush made her strangely alluring tonight. Like the first cherry blossoms in early spring—soft, fleeting, inviting.
"Margrethe, your body is warm," I said.
"So is Mobu's. Gentle Mobu..." she whispered.
Margrethe took Ran's hand resting on me, their fingers intertwining.
"It's kind of strange, right? The three of us like this," she said softly.
"It's not strange. We're already best friends and a party, right?" I said, wanting to confirm the feeling.
"That's true. Indeed. And..." she trailed off, falling silent.
"..." I waited.
"...and what is it?" I asked gently.
"It's nothing."
She shyly buried her face. Her lips brushed the tip of my chest. By some measure, we were almost kissing. I felt a faint touch of her warm tongue.
"Then go to sleep. I'll hold you until you fall asleep," I said.
"Okay. Please," she said, hugging me tightly and closing her eyes. She stayed still a while, then murmured softly.
"Hey, Mobu..."
"What is it, Margrethe?" I asked.
"Can you... stroke my back?"
"Aren't I not supposed to touch you while you're naked?"
"It's fine. I really want you to. ...And it's not like it's my chest or anything. Just my back. That should be okay, right? ...Probably."
"Alright."
I began stroking her. She let out a small sound and twitched slightly.
"That tickles."
She giggled. Her chest brushed me again. I kept stroking her soft, delicate back.
"Hold on. I'm being gentle, you know."
"Yeah. I can tell you're gentle, Mobu."
The warm scent of Ran and Margrethe after the bath wrapped around me. As I stroked, Margrethe's breathing softened and soon she fell asleep.
I should sleep too. Honestly, right now it felt more healing than anything else. Sleeping naked while holding a woman felt comforting—soothing beyond words.
"Mobu... I love you."
As I closed my eyes, counting sheep, I heard Ran's sleepy murmurs.
Notes:
• Ran - Female. An orphan and a close friend of Mobu. She has a gentle appearance. Ran is kind and trusting, often relying on Mobu for guidance. She survives the demon attack by hiding in the secret base with Mobu.
• Margrethe - Female. A new student and sub-heroine character in the game. She is a Mage class with low physical strength. Her appearance is not described in detail, but she is noted to have a pleasant scent. She initially comes off as hostile but warms up to the protagonist, Blaze, over time. She is proud and insists on being addressed with honorifics, reflecting her noble upbringing. She has a strong dislike for men, considering them weak and arrogant. Her relationship with Mobu starts on a tense note, but she eventually shows a more vulnerable side, acknowledging her need to improve her physical strength.
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