Saint's Prison - Chapter 16

The Maiden Dreams of The Night

In the dead of night.

I wake up.

It’s not yet time to rise, but for some reason, I’m wide awake.

—It’s so cold, though.

I pull the futon over me again, but the chill is deep, and it hardly warms up. Still, I close my eyes and try to force myself back to sleep.

Tap, tap.

The sound of someone walking down the corridor reaches my ears.

Perhaps another priest.

Surely, they must be heading to the lavatory outside.

Tap, tap, tap.

The footsteps grow louder and steadily approach me directly. If they were going to the lavatory, they would not come towards a corner room like mine, so they must have a different purpose. A sense of dread begins to rise.

Tap, tap, tap, tap, thunk.

The footsteps stop abruptly right in front of my room. I sense someone’s presence. I cover my head with the futon and squeeze my eyes shut.

The sound of the door creaking open can be heard.

My heartbeat races. I remember that creeping shadow in the forest. The thought that it could have followed me here makes my heart throb even more violently.

Then, after a few seconds, someone slips into my futon. A familiar fragrance fills the space within – like blooming flowers, like ripe fruit, subtly sweet. A soft, delicate figure entwines with me.

Could this be, perhaps—

“…Amal, is that you?”

“…Oh my, hehe, have I been found out?”

Amal’s cool voice is heard.

“No, no, ‘have I been found out’ isn’t it. I got all flustered for a different reason! Haah… So, what’s up at this hour?”

“Yes, I was lonely by myself and ended up coming here. May I sleep with you for the rest of the night?”

“Wha-!? That’s just…!”

As I’m about to refuse, the image of Amal’s crying face comes to mind. Her face as she begged me not to leave her alone. I scratch my head vigorously and let out a deep sigh.

“Haah, alright. …Come here, let’s sleep together. I was just freezing and had woken up anyway.”

I pat my chest, inviting her over.

“Andy-sama, are you really okay with this?”

She must have thought acceptance was impossible, even though she asked. Amal’s voice is laced with astonishment.

“Yeah, bring it on. Come on, since it’s decided, get closer. You’re cold, aren’t you?”

“Yes! Andy-sama.”

I nod deeply.

Amal responds with a lively voice and then dives into my chest. Her actions, like that of a puppy, inadvertently bring a smile to my face.

She hugs me tightly and takes a small breath. Then, lowering her voice a bit, she murmurs an apology.

“Andy-sama… that, I’m sorry for earlier. When I heard that girl’s voice with Andy-sama, I was overcome with jealousy. Please forget everything I said then. Hey… are you angry?”

She must have come all the way here to say those words. Now that she’s regained her senses, she’s become anxious.

“It’s okay, you don’t have to apologize. I’m not mad. In fact, it was my fault for not considering your feelings… Amal, there’s nothing for you to be worried about. There’s nothing between that girl and me. But if something bothers you like it did this time, tell me. You are important to me. Don’t bear it all alone.”

“Andy-sama… yes, yes!”

“Also, from today on, let’s have our meals together. I can’t do without you. It throws me off, you know.”

“…Yes, I’m happy.”

Amal rubs her head against my chest in response. I stroke her back and say quietly.

“Amal, goodnight.”

I hug her tighter, as if to confirm her presence, and curl up, pressing our cheeks together. Amal smiles faintly, then gently buries her face in my chest and whispers as if savoring happiness, “Yes, goodnight.”

Wrapped in Amal’s warmth, I quickly drift back into slumber.

＊＊＊

When I wake up again, it’s exactly the usual time to get up. The internal clock is no joke. I slept deeply for the first time in ages.

I yawn once.

Reaching for the light, I grab something else instead. Soft. It feels like freshly pounded mochi. What is this?

It feels amazing to touch.

Something large enough to spill from my hand. I knead it, tracing circles. So pleasant, I could keep touching it forever.

“Mmm, ah, Andy-sama…”

At that voice, my consciousness snaps fully awake. I lower my gaze to see what I’m holding. Even in the dark, it’s obvious what I’ve grabbed. In a panic, I let go.

I might be done for.

I listen quietly for Amal’s reaction, and I can still hear her breathing in sleep. Phew, that was close. Safe. Well, it’s not, but it felt safe.

Carefully, so as not to wake Amal, I slip out of bed. I light a candle and dimly illuminate my surroundings. I look at my hand. It opens and closes repeatedly.

…It was so soft.

Thinking back to that sensation, my face heats up. I take a deep breath as if to dispel improper thoughts. I’m not thinking I wanted to touch it more, definitely not!

I slowly get dressed, tidy my hair, and then proceed to wake Amal. It’s usually the other way around, which feels strange.

“Hey, Amal. Time to get up.”

“Mmm, Andy-sama?”

“Yeah, it’s me. Good morning, Amal.”

“…Hyai, good morning.”

Hyai, what’s that? Hyai?

She’s usually so composed, but now her expression is all soft and adorable.

“Amal, we’ll be late for the service. Come on, go back to your room and get changed.”

Amal nods slowly and rises from the bed, stepping down. I quietly open the door and check the corridor. Good, no one’s there. Now’s the chance to leave.

Even if nothing untoward happened, it would cause a problem if a man and a woman were found sharing a bed. I might be okay, but Amal is a nun. She would surely be punished.

“Come on, Amal, hurry. The corridor’s empty right now.”

“Andy-sama, there’s no need to rush like this. Even if someone saw this, they would never say anything to me.”

Confused by her confident assertion, I still push her gently towards the door.

“Even so. Come on, quickly.”

“Hehe, understood. It’s an order from none other than Andy-sama himself. I will obey you.”

Amal steps into the corridor and turns back.

“Andy-sama, may I come here again tomorrow?”

“Haah, you really… Alright, alright. You win. Come over. Seems I sleep better with you around.”

“Hehe, I’m so happy!”

Amal beams a full smile. Then she wraps her arms around both sides and hugs me tightly.

Another day begins—