I Healed the Cold Dark Goddess’s Loneliness, and Now She Won’t Let Me Go! - Chapter 17

“Phew…”

I let out a long breath as I dried myself off in the changing area. I felt even more exhausted than before I went in, but that first bath in ages was truly the best. Being with Lady Reine was… well, looking at it holistically, it was a happy experience.

“It ended up taking quite a while. Haruno, you aren’t feeling lightheaded, are you?”

“I’m fine! Just a little flushed… ah.”

Right then, I realized something I’d completely overlooked.

“Is something the matter?”

“Well, come to think of it, I don’t have a change of clothes. I was so excited about the bath that I didn’t think about it at all.”

The outfit I’d been wearing until now was the priestess-like garb the village chief gave me the day I survived the sacrifice. In this world, in this era, in this village, it was apparently considered high-quality but honestly, it wasn’t comfortable.

By the time the game takes place, fine clothing is widespread, but this is the world five thousand years prior. Even if it’s “good” by current standards, it feels scratchy compared to the modern clothes I’m used to. Still, I didn’t hate the outfit, so I’d planned to wash it in the washing machine Lady Reine made for me, but I’d been so giddy I completely forgot.

“I can’t exactly put the same thing back on… Oh, wait! Lady Reine!”

Following a flash of divine inspiration, I called out to her. Lady Reine was already “dressed” in an instant. Well, it was more like she manifested her clothes onto her body. Anyway, that was it!

“I want new clothes! Give me some, Lady Reine!”

“! I see…”

Lady Reine should be able to create clothes for me out of thin air. I felt a little pathetic for relying on her for everything, but at this point, it was far too late for that. Besides, I already knew that over-relying on her was actually the best way to keep her happy. I might as well spoil myself to the limit. I’ll just try not to think about the possibility of becoming a useless human and getting thrown away!

“For now, let’s see…”

I began envisioning the clothes I wanted, intending to have her pull them from my memory as usual. First, I definitely needed underwear that wasn’t basically a loincloth…! Just as I was thinking that, Lady Reine suddenly held out her hand.

“Eh… whoa!”

Before I could even think that she’d need to touch me to read my memories, Lady Reine’s black mist enveloped me.

It feels like being hugged by her, I thought, feeling strangely at peace. Then the mist began to take shape. I felt something wrapping around my body. It was warm, soft, and comfortable.

“O-ohhh~”

When the mist finally cleared, my body was draped in garments. It was a pitch-black outfit reminiscent of the night sky, somewhat similar to what Lady Reine herself wore. It was mystical! As if I were wearing the night itself.

“Lady Reine, this is…?”

“Well… I tried to make it a garment similar to my own but…”

Lady Reine spoke as if she felt a bit awkward about it. Seeing her look so uncertain only made my excitement spike. Unlike the village-made stuff, this outfit looked just like the high-fashion fantasy gear from the game. Since I’d secretly always wanted to try cosplay, this hit me right in the heart.

“I thought it would make me happy if Haruno matched with me… was it unpleasant?”

“It’s the best, Lady Reine! It’s incredibly cute!”

“I-is that so…!”

“Oh, but… it might not be great for sleeping in.”

“Mm…”

Come to think of it, all I had left to do today was sleep. Now wasn’t the time to be fashionable.

“I’ll wear this starting tomorrow, so… could you manifest something like pajamas for me?”

“Very well. Come closer.”

I took off the outfit Lady Reine had just given me, folded it neatly, and stepped toward her. As usual, she placed her hand on my forehead to accurately recreate what I desired.

“I see… so this is how they are.”

The black mist enveloped me again, this time transforming into the sensation of soft fabric. When the mist cleared, I was standing in my familiar pajamas.

“Whoa…!”

Simple, comfortable pajamas just like the ones I wore in my old world. And most importantly, underwear that actually fit correctly. This was it! This was what I wanted!

“Thank you so much, Lady Reine!”

“If it is for a thank you, Haruno’s smile is more than enough.”

“No, I want to show my gratitude with words at the very least!”

That’s the final line I won’t cross as someone who can’t give her anything in return. haha…

I climbed into bed and pulled up the covers. They were fluffy and felt amazing. The bed Lady Reine made was truly comfortable; I couldn’t possibly have any complaints.

And yet, I couldn’t settle down.

“…Um, Lady Reine?”

“What is it, Haruno?”

“Aren’t you going to sleep…?”

“I do not require sleep. Rest without concern.”

“I see…”

I had no complaints about the bed itself. But there was a major problem with its location. It was set up right in front of the throne where Lady Reine was sitting. Lying there in bed, I was being stared at by Lady Reine the entire time. I’m not a big enough person to be able to relax under those conditions.

“Um, Lady Reine. I can’t really settle down with you staring at me like that… so, er, how about…”

Please look away or Please sit somewhere else. I couldn’t really say that. She might listen to me, but she’s still the Great Goddess. I didn’t want to undermine that. So, I needed a compromise that would let me relax more without being a burden to her…

“Then, Lady Reine… why don’t you get into bed too?”

“…! Is that alright?”

“Yes. Better than being stared at…”

“…I understand.”

Following my suggestion, Lady Reine stood up and approached the bed. Then, she lifted the covers and climbed in next to me.

“Is this… acceptable?”

“Y-yes…”

Wait! Did I mess up? Her body was right there next to mine. There was no way I could relax like this. Was I treating this like a school trip where it’s fun to sleep with friends? Or was I just used to having Mina-chan sleep next to me until yesterday? I shouldn’t have suggested this so casually…!

I closed my eyes and tried my best to sleep. But naturally, I was so conscious of Lady Reine’s presence that sleep wouldn’t come at all. I’m such an idiot!

“Haruno.”

“Y-yes?”

Suddenly, she called my name. Maybe it was because we were in bed together, but I couldn’t help but feel a special weight behind the way it sounded.

“Your hair, which you worked so hard to wash, is disheveled.”

Saying that, she gently touched my hair. Slowly and carefully, she began to comb through it with her fingers, stroking it. Unlike the playful touch back in the bath, this was a hand full of pure, tender affection. I was supposed to be sleeping, but all I could think was how much I liked this.

No, don’t lose, Haruno! If this keeps up, I really won’t be able to sleep…!

“L-Lady Reine! I… I don’t dislike that, but please do that after I’ve fallen asleep!”

I turned my back to her to hide my face, which felt like it was on fire, and tried desperately to focus on sleeping. I felt like I couldn’t sleep as long as she was in my line of sight, even if I had to be a bit forceful about it. But Lady Reine didn’t care about that at all.

“Whoa!?”

Suddenly, I was embraced from behind.

“Wait, Lady Reine…!?”

“I finally have the chance to share a bed with Haruno. I shall restrain myself at this, so please forgive me.”

Her arms wrapped around my waist. I could feel her against my back, and I could feel her breath near the nape of my neck.

“You call this restraining yourself…!?”

I could tell my face was turning red all the way to my ears. If she didn’t restrain herself, what on earth was she planning to do? Those unnecessary thoughts filled my head, making me even more wide awake. There was absolutely no way I was sleeping like this.

“L-Lady Reine…”

“What is it?”

“Um… could you move away just a little bit…?”

“No.”

An immediate response. No, huh… Well, if she doesn’t want to, I guess it can’t be helped, but…

“I wish to hold Haruno like this. I want to feel your warmth forever.”

“I-is that so…”

Well, if she’s happy, then I’m happy too. I’m here for her happiness, after all. So, I had no right to complain, but…

…In the end, because I could feel her so close to me every second, it took forever for me to fall asleep. Even so… for me, it was the first time I’d ever had such a happy night.