Kyle waited for my answer, clearly nervous. However, I was equally stiff and couldn't give him the reply he sought. I was speechless, my body rooted to the spot... even breathing felt awkward and new.
What should I do? What should I really do? I was sure I looked incredibly stupid.
Kyle neither moved farther away nor closer. He just stared at me, his red eyes sparkling with a strange intensity. In the brief silence, he whispered, "You don't like it?"
Thump.
It felt as though something was sinking, as if the very center of a target had been pierced. The sound was incredibly close—it was the sound of my heart. Yet, no words escaped my open lips. I didn't feel like refusing. No, I didn't want to refuse. Rather, I wanted to draw closer to him and feel a warmth different from my own.
But was that okay? Now that I was about to face a political battle, could I step into a place where I might die if I made the wrong move, and dare to accept him as I wished?
"..."
However, my worries didn't last long.
I liked Kyle. I had never voiced my liking for anything, and now, he was the only person in my life I could genuinely say that about. Maybe that's why I didn't want to let him go. I wanted to put everything else aside and just think about Kyle for now.
He was looking at me, like someone willing to endure it forever if he had to.
"...Why do you ask when you already know?"
His eyes, his voice, his touch, his expression. If he asked me so desperately, if he pleaded with such sincerity that no human heart could remain unmoved, how on earth could I refuse?
I nodded. I said nothing because I felt a fever rise in my face, but it was enough for Kyle.
Kyle pulled my hand. He hugged me, and we moved away from where we were standing. He seemed a little impatient, desperate, and again... a little happy.
The door closed behind us.
That was signal enough.
I pressed my hand against his cheek and pulled his face closer. Kyle was drawn to me without resistance, his eyes lowering. At first glance, he even smiled softly, and at first glance he looked obedient.
Then, our lips met.
At first, that was all. Unfortunately, I was clumsy. I had never touched anyone like this in my life, so it was natural. Just the touch of his soft, slightly hot lips made me stiffen for a moment, and I forgot to close my eyes.
'...Too close.'
Really, it was so close. My vision was so completely filled with Kyle that nothing else seemed to dare to intervene. He was so close that I couldn't even focus, and finally, I opened my eyes.
He looked at me with his lips still pressed together, then smiled slightly. He lowered one hand to wrap it around my waist. He wrapped his other hand around the nape of my neck and began to gently press as if to soothe me. The hand that had been caressing my thin skin moved up slightly, supported the back of my head, and tilted my head.
"Close your eyes."
I didn't even think to resist. I squeezed my eyes shut and placed my hand on his shoulder. Our lips fit together perfectly, without any gaps.
The breath that naturally permeated and all the sensations that came into contact were strange and hot. Naturally, my body lost strength. Fortunately, I was completely pressed between the wall and Kyle's body, so I didn't fall or collapse.
'...Breathe.'
I didn't know how to breathe. I closed my eyes tightly, panting shallowly and squeezing Kyle's shoulder. I almost clung to him to endure the feeling.
"..."
How much time had passed? In the end, I couldn't stand it and broke the kiss first. I turned my head a little and took a deep breath when he gently squeezed my chin and kissed me a few more times, almost hugging me and gently brushing my back.
"Haaaaa..."
"Are you okay?"
Is that okay? I still felt like my eyes were spinning. Meanwhile, I liked the feeling of his arm firmly supporting my weakened body, so I didn't feel like resisting it. I looked at him with a smug expression and pressed my forehead to his shoulder.
"..."
Kyle listened to my small voice. He just waited silently for my next words. However, before I could find the right words, the system window popped up.
['Load' will be lifted after 20 seconds.]
No, please let me know in advance!
[(￣へ￣)+]
Why? For what?
Maybe I was told that I was distracted by kissing him and didn't see it...
[(￣へ￣)++++]
It seems so.
I was humbled and coughed, then loosely hugged Kyle's waist. "I'm running out of time."
Kyle's eyes widened, as if he was genuinely surprised. "Already?"
"Yes, that's how it happened. That's why I'm saying..." I was silent for a moment to catch my breath, then continued, "Please... my clothes."
Every time I turn off 'load', this is troublesome. You can't just leave your clothes behind. Of course, it was a room now, so I just had to get dressed properly.
Luckily, Kyle understood me right away and nodded. Then he stretched out his palm. He wanted me to come over there, implying he would bring my clothes. Normally, I would go into the hamster's house easily, but I couldn't expect that much now.
Ehhh, life.
I returned to my hamster form and settled on his palm.
"..."
He watched as the white light gathered over his palm like a child who had seen something strange for the first time, and then became a small beast. Then, when I was exhausted and spread out in his palm, he let out a small laugh and kissed me on the forehead.
"Come to think of it, it's too late to speak."
Squeak. (What?)
"I like you."
He kissed my forehead while saying that, and he looked so happy, so happy, so adorable looking at me. So, I thought it might be okay to become a hamster unintentionally.
Time passed faster than I expected. We prepared for the political battle in many ways. I polished the system and brought new products to the nut shop.
NEW! [Emergency Escape Pumpkin Seed Stick | Miracle Consumption 8% | Teleport within a 10m radius.]NEW! [Ice, Ding! Sunflower Seed Chocolate | Miracle Amount 5% Consumed | Time can be stopped for 1 minute.]
The price was proportional to their enormous efficacy.
What, wow... 8 percent? Prices are going up more and more!
[<(＿ ＿)>]
It gives me the power to intervene in this world, so I can't help it. You won't be able to use it many times because you're shaking, but if you stop time by teleporting, it's very useful. I also have painkillers and ointments that I can use when I get hurt, so this should be fine.
[Current miracle figure: 48.2%]
"I also collected a lot of miracle numbers."
Apparently, my liking for Kyle, and the way he worked for me, had a big impact on changing his fate. The first time I kissed him and told him I liked him, my miracle numbers went up little by little after that. Thanks to that, I didn't have to do small quests. The more miracles, the better. Especially since you never know what will happen while hunting.
"Come over here."
At Kyle's call, I left the system alone and approached him. He pulled out a bunch of items from a large box, then pulled out one piece of armor and placed it lightly over my body.
"This one is a bit big."
I didn't realize it because he was casually lifted, but as soon as I felt the weight on my shoulders, my upper body leaned forward. Of course, Kyle held my shoulders and waist as if he knew it.
"What is this...?"
"It's Brigandine armor. I prepared it as light as possible, but it's a bit too much for you."
"So, why am I wearing this all of a sudden?"
"You have to wear it when hunting. It should be able to block arrows. A spear is difficult."
"..."
The sense of reality that I had been ignoring came rushing in like a tidal wave. What we were participating in was not just hunting. Perhaps there was a lot of hostility from humans, which was more terrifying than animals. Because it was a political affair. In just a few days, I was going to a place where I could be killed by a spear or an arrow.
"And this, too." He even gave me a dagger. If I put my hand on the blade forged blue, it would cut like butter. "It's better to be armed to some extent. You don't know what you're going to meet."
"..."
"When the demon beast strengthened by the wizards appears, you must run away without looking back. Do you understand?"
I couldn't answer right away. I only looked up at him, wearing heavy armor, as if stubbornly. I'm going to save you, so how can I run away from you?
"I don't want you to die because of me." Kyle said. His voice was cold, firm, and resolute. "It is important to check the mage's movements and protect the prince... The most important thing for me is to protect you, Shu. So..."
I squinted at Kyle. Then I reached out and traced his cheek. "I don't think it's anyone else. Am I like that too?"
"Shu, let go of this for a minute..."
"If His Highness gets hurt while guarding me, how can I feel at ease? How can you tell me to run away? Let's say let's survive together."
"..."
"It's a community of destiny." I was tired of being alone again.
"I'm not prepared for anything..." I wanted to say it curiously, but it sounded like an excuse. I grunted and quickly added, "Anyway! Let's go back safely, to the North."
He looked at me in amazement. Was what I said new to him? He stared at me in silence for a long time, then reached out and carefully brushed my forehead. It was a kind touch. I couldn't believe that I had endured the cold of the North, and his warm body temperature brushed my forehead and lingered.
"Yes." Kyle said. "I must survive."
"Yes, we will survive."
"Let's go back together."
At that time, I didn't think about where I should go back or what I came to this world for. Only that promise and the future that he envisioned were clear.