Saint's Prison - Chapter 24

“Lord, why have you forsaken me?”

My internal clock accurately informs me it’s time to wake up.

My eyes are awake, but my brain still feels asleep. I’m reluctant to open my eyelids. It would be nice to sleep a little longer.

I shift my position in the futon.

I turn my back to the girl and close my eyes.

Then, I hear a groaning voice from behind.

Amal presses her body tightly against my back. The sensation of her soft breasts and two protrusions rubbing against me is unmistakable even through the thin chemise.

I imagine it, and involuntarily gulp.

Usually, I can endure it without paying any attention, but for some reason, I can’t do that today. A desire similar to an impulse dulls my thoughts. My vision flickers with light, and my head feels hazy. I feel like I’m not myself.

Like a bee lured to a flower, I change my position to face the girl. Then, without any hesitation, I start groping Amal’s innocent body.

“Ah, nnuh… Andy-sama, wonderful. More, more, please.”

Her seductive voice echoes. Then, my head is embraced, and her chest is pressed against me firmly. The overwhelming sweet scent of a woman spreads through my nostrils.

“Have mercy on this lowly Amal… please…”

Unable to bear it any longer, I stroke her belly and attempt to lift her chemise ––

“… Please mess me up, drive me mad.”

Hearing her whispered words, I involuntarily stop my hand.

My brain awakens.

I immediately distance myself from her, roll off the bed, and face-plant onto the floor.

“Andy-sama!?”

Amal hurriedly gets off the bed, trying to help me up, but I assure her I’m alright.

I hold my face with my right hand and curl up.

“Andy-sama, are you okay? Can you get up?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I’ll calm down in a bit. Just let me stay like this for a while.”

Please spare me.

If I get up now, it’ll be over in more ways than one.

Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani.

Ah, Lord, why have you forsaken me!?

Blood drips from my nose, wetting the floor.

* * *

After the Mass was over, I took advantage of the free time and visited Johanna’s room.

“So, what’s the matter that you came to see me this early in the morning?”

“Well, I thought I’d have Johanna scold me.”

She looked at me with cold eyes.

Those eyes were like looking at garbage.

It’s painful to face such a gaze. My heart hurts, too.

“May I go home now?”

“No, I refuse.”

I answered immediately.

Hearing that, Johanna smiles.

Despite her smile, her eyes don’t seem to be laughing.

“Well, I want you to scold me or, rather, admonish me…”

I convey my thoughts in a flustered manner.

Johanna closes her eyes and sighs slowly.

“Ha, well, fine. I’ll listen to your story. Rejoice in tears.”

“O-oh, thanks.”

Frowning, Johanna urges me to speak.

It seems she’s really going to listen to my story. She’s a conscientious person. Despite her serious nature, she’s a sadist.

“In a daze, I groped her chest and buttocks.”

To save time, I express my story in a 5-7-5 haiku style. I’m scared of my talent to handle even inversion techniques.

Johanna holds her head as if enduring a headache. Then, after a beat, she shakes her head. Somehow, she manages to regain her composure. She mutters disdainfully.

“Is Kuro-sama an idiot?”

…I thought she would say that.

“So, you want to repent because you engaged in indecent acts?”

“No, let me say one thing. I didn’t go all the way.”

“Don’t be proud of that. Fool.”

My head is lightly slapped.

Although her tone is indifferent, why do I feel kindness in it?

“You’re really hopeless.”

“As you say.”

“No, the one who’s hopeless is her as well.”

“Johanna…?”

Johanna gently strokes my cheek. The warmth of her hand, the tenderness of her touch. As if comforting, as if granting forgiveness.

Then, I felt as if I heard the sound of a lock being unlocked in my head… just a feeling. But strangely, my mind clears up. It’s as if the fog lifted.

“—And, me too. Quite a handful.”

Johanna strokes my cheek, head, and ear in order. She tilts her head in puzzlement as I open my eyes wide.

“What do I do? Johanna is being recklessly kind.”

“Is that all you have to say?”

Johanna, who had been stroking my ear, pinches my earlobe without any hesitation and pulls on it. It hurts, it hurts. It’s stretching. It’s stretching!

Johanna looks at me and grins maliciously.

“Take back what I said! You sadist!”

“You’re really good at digging your own grave, Kuro-sama.”

“You’re the one digging your grave!”

“Oh, well said. Then I’ll kick you into that hole. You spineless man.”

“You said it! Don’t get carried away just because you’re a little, no, quite, um… very beautiful!”

“Is that supposed to be an insult?” Johanna, with flushed cheeks, drains the venom from her words. I scratch my head as if to cover up my raised hand.

“I feel like I understand her feelings a little. She’s worried, and she doesn’t know what to do. She wants you so badly that she resorts to such underhanded methods. No, she can’t afford to choose her means. So much so…”

Johanna lowers her eyes, lost in thought.

‘…Is there no time left?’

The softly muttered words fade and disappear before they can echo off the walls.