Saint's Prison - Chapter 114

The Dawn of the Beginning

Under the twilight sky, how much time has passed since I saw you off?

—Clang, a sound echoed in my head.

Sadness. Pain. Loneliness.

Why… why did you leave me alone? You always decide my happiness on your own. My happiness is not the happiness you imagine for me.

—Clang, the sound reverberates.

I just want you by my side.

In a field of baby’s breath under the clear blue sky, I’m gathering the happiness you abandoned. So, please come to see me soon. I look up at the sky today, too, praying for that.

—Clang, the sound seeped in.

In the pitch dark, I can no longer hope to see the sky.

Knowing it’s incomplete, they still tell me to fulfill my role. If I cannot see you in this state, there’s no point in living in this world any longer. Thus, I’ve decided to walk the birth canal from which there’s no return.

Whispers graze my ears, the ground trembles finely. It’s stirring. I must go now.

—Clang, the sound enters.

Ah, in the end, all I remember is you.

You’re the most wonderful person, so you’ll surely find happiness in the outside world… I understand. I’m not necessary for your “happiness.”

How good it would have been if I could end with such pure thoughts, thinking it’s okay as long as you’re happy, if only I could be such a woman who thinks that way.

Please laugh at me for being so simple. In any form, I want to be by your side. My heart, filled and filled and filled and filled and filled—to become one with you.

—Clang, the sound rang from beneath my feet.

Clang. Clang. Clang.

I dance around, spinning in circles.

How fun it would be to dance with you.

But you’re not here.

If you won’t come to see me, then I should go to meet you. As I stomp my feet, my heart beats joyfully.

Please, don’t resent me.

—Because you made me do it.

***

The chirping of birds beckoned a gentle awakening.

I stretch my body, glancing at the morning sun shining through the window. What a pleasant morning it is. This is all because I’ve stopped having the nightmares I used to see almost every day. Or perhaps I’ve simply forgotten I ever had those nightmares. Either way, it’s a happy development.

Absentmindedly, I take the rosary hanging around my neck into my hand. It’s a holy symbol made of wood. Ever since I received it from Johanna, I’ve mysteriously stopped having nightmares. Could it be thanks to this rosary?

While thinking about that, I rise with the rosary in hand. As I’m about to leave the bed, Amal, who was sleeping next to me, clings tightly to me. I wonder if I’ve woken her.

“Su… su, mmm.”

“Are you still sleeping?”

Without responding to my voice, Amal breathes softly. Gone is her usual dignified and mature air, replaced by an innocently peaceful expression that suggests complete trust. I gently stroke her silver hair a few times, careful not to wake her. Hehe, a relaxed laugh sounds out.

…She’s pretending to be asleep, this little puppy.

“Amal, you’re awake, aren’t you?”

A slight shiver.

But that’s the only reaction from Amal. She continues to feign sleep while clinging to me. If she’s going to act like that, I have my own ideas.

“Hey, Amal.”

I lean over and call her name sweetly in her ear. Amal seems to like my voice. According to her, i have a sexy, low-pitched voice. She may not say it herself, but Amal is completely in love with me, so there’s a filter that allows her to see everything clearly. Therefore, it is better not to refer to Amal’s words.

“Amal, please answer me.”

As I whispered again and again, her ears turned bright red. Yes, amusing. But still, she wouldn’t wake up. Quite persistent, isn’t she? Seems like she wants my undivided attention today. This time, I try blowing a breath into her ear.

“Hyah!”

With a cute yelp, Amal covers her ears with both hands. Looks like she couldn’t endure that. Puppies are indeed weak to ear play. Smiling wryly at Amal, who puffs up her cheeks while looking up at me, she has evolved from a puppy to a little squirrel. For the time being, I decide to rub her cheeks.

“Amal, did you enjoy playing possum?”

“Mmm, ah, fu, ahn, deshama no, ijifarufu.”

“Ahaha, I can’t understand a word you’re saying.”

“I, ijifaruh!”

She let go of the hand that was massaging my cheek and clung to my neck. It is marked all over. Amal had the attitude of a spoiled child. This puppy is really cute. The fresh young girl’s nude body is pressed against me, and it makes me feel better in many ways. It’s soft everywhere.

“Sorry, sorry. Have you come to dislike me?”

“…That’s unfair. You know what my answer is.”

“Not at all. I won’t know unless you say it.”

In retaliation for pretending to be asleep, such words were thrown out. Amal unwound her arms and peered into my face.

“…I love you.”

Even with a sulky expression, Amal clearly responded. They were words without hesitation, like stating a fact. That made me inexplicably happy. I stroked Amal’s head again as an addition. Ehehe, Amal laughed.

“We’ve made up, right?”

“Yes, we’ve made up.”

“Then once again, good morning Amal. It’s a beautiful morning today.”

“Good morning, Andy-sama. It is indeed another fine morning.”

Our eyes met and we broke into smiles.

The mood is pleasant from the morning. The blue sky visible from the window lifted my spirits even higher. It would be nice if this clear weather continued all day. That would certainly help with the farm work.

“Andy-sama,” she called, tugging gently at my hand. It was her usual prompt for a kiss. Looking at my face, Amal’s cheeks blushed, and she fidgeted restlessly. Despite the fact that we’ve kissed hundreds of times, she’s as modest and innocent as ever by day. Yet at night, she becomes as lewd and aggressive as a courtesan. Truly, she’s too good of a woman for someone like me.

I gave her a light kiss and then slipped out of bed.

Today, I have farm work with Francisco. After that’s finished, I’ll visit Sophia-san…

I realized I was unconsciously fingering my rosary as I thought this far. I don’t even believe in God, so why? While thinking such thoughts, I began to get ready.

Another day was about to begin.