Saint's Prison - Chapter 22

Where God Exists

Having regained her composure, Amal was now lying on top of me, who was reclining on the bed, and hugging me.

She rubbed her cheek against my neck, being affectionate. It felt as if she was marking me as hers. It was ticklish.

“Amal, it’s ticklish.”

“…It’s all because Andy-sama was unfair.”

“Yes, yes, my bad, my bad.”

I stroke her lustrous silver hair as if calming a child. Amal snorted and raised her face. She gazed at me with moist eyes.

“Andy-sama, please don’t brush me off. Amal feels lonely.”

“I’m not brushing you off. What’s with you today? You’re being quite clingy.”

“I always want to be spoiled by Andy-sama.”

“Yes, yes. I got it, I got it.”

“Again, you’re just brushing me off…”

Amal puffed out her cheeks.

She must be a squirrel, right? Did she stuff her cheeks with acorns? I laugh and place both hands on her cheeks.

I lightly knead them, savoring the softness. As I do, Amal’s face flushes, and her cheeks deflate like the air escaping from a balloon.

Puzzled by her reaction, I lean in closer. Amal had a blissful expression, gazing at me. After bringing her face close to mine, she suddenly realized her own state.

I’m holding Amal against my chest, grabbing her cheeks, bringing her face close to mine.

No matter how you think about it, this was 10 seconds before a kiss, thank you very much. Amal gently closed her eyes. She was completely ready for it.

I pinch Amal’s nose firmly. Amal opened her eyes wide in surprise and voiced out.

“What are you doing?!”

“Well, you had a face that seemed to be asking for it.”

I let go of her nose.

Amal pouted with a sullen face, her mouth forming a point.

“…Andy-sama, you’re so mean.”

“Is that so? I’m mean?”

“And you’re a sly.”

“I see, mean and sly, huh?”

“But—”

I nod, hmm.

Then, I urge her to continue with my gaze.

Amal, seeing this, rubbed her face against my chest.

“—But, even such things… Amal”

‘I adore you…’

Her faint voice reached my ears.

I covered my face with my hands to hide my reddened cheeks.

***

“So, what happened, Andy-sama?”

“…What do you mean?”

“The conversation from earlier. You said your expression changed.”

“Ah, that thing.”

I ponder, but nothing particularly special comes to mind about today. If I had to mention something, it was only the pointless chatter with Johanna.

Ah, but if we’re talking about a changed expression, that might be the reason. Perhaps my face showed that I felt a bit refreshed after having an uninhibited conversation with Johanna.

“Ah, well, yes. If you say my expression changed, I guess it’s thanks to Johanna.”

It’s irksome to admit it, but it feels true. Johanna’s smirking smile comes to mind.

“…Johanna. Johanna Scotus.”

Amal twitched her eyebrows. I found it curious but continued anyway.

“Yes, that Johanna. Or rather, I don’t know any other Johanna.”

Recalling my exchange with Johanna, I can’t help but laugh out loud. Then, I look up at the ceiling, envisioning the endless blue sky.

“So, it is… that with Andy-sama and her.”

“She might not look it when she’s quiet, but she’s quite sharp-tongued. Plus, she’s a sadist. She knows exactly where to hit where it hurts. But she’s even kinder than that.”

“…Is that so?”

“And, it seems Johanna was considerate of you.”

Amal gave me a puzzled look as if searching for the meaning in my words. She narrowed her deep crimson eyes and quietly placed her hand on my cheek. It was terribly cold.

“Johanna Scotus, she was considerate… of me?”

“What’s wrong, Amal?”

“No,” Amal shook her head. Then, as if pondering something, she lowered her gaze. She placed her hand on her left chest and let out a breath, seemingly to ease the tension or to check her heartbeat.

“—Truly, what a troublesome person.”

Who were those words meant for?

From her eyes, filled with mixed emotions, I couldn’t tell.

Amal lifted her gaze from the ground to the ceiling beyond. To the very end of that view.

What did she envision there? Whatever lies beyond those dark, stagnant eyes, it’s certain it was not the blue sky.

A radio that continues to emit sound desperately… even while broken. It’s unclear when it broke. Was it from the time it came into this world? Or because it was born into this world?

Even if it’s dissonant, it sounds and resonates. What was the meaning of that sound? What was the meaning of its existence?

—The answer is still being sought after.