Saint's Prison - Chapter 74

God only knows

The creaking sound of the bed was heard.

My consciousness surfaced from a shallow sleep.

In my hazy vision, crimson eyes flickered mysteriously.

“……Amal?”

“Yes, Andy-sama.”

Amal gently strokes my cheek. Then, she drops a kiss on my forehead. T

he girl’s hair, like a sparkling galaxy, flows softly, tickling my neck. It smells so good.

I take a deep breath and enjoy Amal’s sweet scent before sitting up.

Looking at the window, sunlight was pouring in, illuminating the room. The sun was in the eastern sky, and it must have been not even noon yet. It seemed that I hadn’t slept for that long.

“Is the prayer over already?”

“Yes. I wanted to see you, Andy-sama, so I finished it quickly.”

“Hey, hey, is it okay for a sister to say such things?”

“It’s fine. Because for me, Andy-sama is the top priority.”

“Really, if you keep doing that, God will cry. You naughty sister.”

While smiling bitterly, I poke Amal’s forehead.

She laughs like a young child with her hand on her forehead.

“Ufufu, I got scolded.”

“You don’t look repentant at all. ……Well, it’s okay because you’re cute.”

“Ah, I’m glad, Andy-sama.”

Gently, she leans towards me and I hold her. Amal sways her body and rubs her chest against mine, marking me as usual.

Once satisfied, she wraps her arms around my neck and steals a kiss.

“…Andy-sama, I love you.”

Her words are old-fashioned, but her actions are aggressive. Amal traces her saliva-wet, peach-colored lips with her finger.

The lascivious gesture is too much for a 15-year-old. I take a deep breath to calm myself. Amal watches me and tilts her head slightly.

“……Andy-sama?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

I gently untangle her hand from my neck and stand up.

I stretch my body lightly and switch my thoughts.

“Didn’t you say you were going to visit Sophia-san?”

“Yes. I haven’t visited her yet.”

“Well, if you’re worried about that pilgrim, you don’t have to worry. She probably just saw a hallucination from exhaustion. She’ll be fine if she rests for a few more days. Andy-sama doesn’t need to worry so much.”

“No, it’s fine. I’ll go visit her in person.”

I heard a gritting sound as she clenched her teeth.

Then she nodded, “Is that so?” and smiled. There was something faintly cold about her beautiful, artificial smile.

What kind of whirlwind of emotions was hidden behind that smile? It was scary to think about.

“Don’t make that face. I’ll only be gone for a little while. Don’t cry even if you’re lonely.”

“…As long as you promise to always come back to me, I won’t cry.”

I hugged the girl who crossed her hands in front of her chest as if praying.

“I understand. I promise.”

“Yes. Then I’ll be waiting. Always, forever, for Andy-sama.”

“Didn’t I just say it’s only for a little while? You think too much.”

I stroked her head and smiled reassuringly.

I let go of Amal and called out, “I’ll be back,” as I left the room.

＊＊＊

As I walked toward the Pilgrims’ Building, I thought.

Why did Amal try to stop me so much? Of course, a lover wouldn’t want their partner to go see another woman.

He didn’t want me to be concerned about the outside world, Stonehurst, after hearing about Sophia-san, the pilgrim. That’s entirely possible.

(……But is that all?)

Amal’s expression. I remembered her artificial smile. Was it because she was suppressing her strong emotions and holding them back?

(First of all, how did Amal find out about Sophia-san’s condition? I’m sure I never told Amal a word about that incident.)

How did Amal find out?

Who told her about that incident?

How can Amal, who cannot interact with the monastery people, say such things as if she had seen it herself?

(Amal… who on earth are you?)

I muttered in my heart.

Even if I mull it over and ruminate, the answer will not come out.

No, maybe I don’t want to know the answer.

What will happen to me if I find out the answer…?

“……That’s what they call, God only knows, huh?”

I involuntarily let out a bitter smile.

That’s right.

God only knows.

Of course, I’m not a god.

I don’t know what I don’t know. I’m just a tiny human.

So, all I can do is my best right now.

There’s no point in chickening out before getting the answer.

Whether Amal is who she is, we swore to be together forever.

I slap both cheeks and get my spirits up.

With my full consciousness, I took a step forward.