"?!"
The moment Lynelle saw the color shift in March 7th's eyes, she knew things had gone terribly wrong.
Truth be told, the main reason she'd been so freely criticizing Evernight with March earlier was that Lynelle never expected her to actually emerge.
After all, in the original storyline, Evernight only appeared to protect March after she'd reached Amphoreus and her past caught up with her.
But now? March hadn't encountered anyone from the Garden, nor was she in any real danger. By all logic, Evernight had no reason to manifest.
Yet... judging by the current situation, plans seemed to have gone astray.
"You..."
Before Lynelle could finish, a black-gloved finger gently pressed against her cherry lips.
Then, with a nimble flip, the pink-haired girl who'd just been sitting up to leave the bed was now seated back upon it.
More accurately, she was straddling Lynelle's soft abdomen in a seiza-like position.
Lynelle could even feel the well-developed curve of the girl's pert bottom rubbing against her stomach through the fabric.
"Shhh—keep your voice down, dear~?I wouldn't want our neighbor Stelle to hear us."
Though the voice remained the same, March 7th's cadence had completely shifted—from cheerful and energetic to dangerous and seductive.
"Ummm..." A faint blush colored Lynelle's cheeks. "You're... too close."
"Is that so?"
The pink-haired girl let out a light laugh before suddenly leaning down, bringing her face alarmingly close to Lynelle's flushed skin.
"And yet, dear, you had no problem stripping all my secrets bare before March 7th just moments ago... Surely you're not getting shy over just a little intimacy like this?"
Oh no...
Seeing Evernight's dangerous smile so close, Lynelle's heart sank.
Evernight's current demeanor wasn't really about protecting March 7th—it seemed more like she was lashing out from having her disguise torn away.
That's why she'd seized control the moment March tried to leave, pinning Lynelle to the bed.
"Wouldn't it be better to be honest with yourself..." Lynelle slightly turned her face away. "A second personality loving the primary one... it's not exactly uncommon, you know."
"Oh, still going on about that, are you?" Evernight's smile grew even more 'brilliant'. "It seems dear might need a little lesson..."
"Since you possess such unexpectedly thorough knowledge about both her and me, then you must also know that if March 7th's existence is like vibrant, energetic sunlight, then I am the nearly eternal long night behind that daylight... I will protect this beauty at any cost."
"So, as an unknown entity of unclear origins and abilities, yet holding unexpectedly extensive intelligence..."
A red glint shimmered at Evernight's fingertip as she brought it close to Lynelle's pale neck.
"Tell me, don't I have an obligation to help eliminate this potential threat for her?"
"Don't worry, I know you can resurrect. But I happen to know methods that would make you beg for death yet find it unattainable."
"Go ahead, then." Lynelle blinked. "Do it. Don't worry, I won't resist."
"...Aren't you afraid at all?"
"Because there's absolutely no way you'd actually do it~" A sly smile played on Lynelle's lips.
"Even if you are the March 7th with all her past, it doesn't change the fact that you're still that silly girl at heart."
"What March 7th likes, you'll like too. What March 7th cares about, you'll care about too."
"Moreover, even if you could set aside your personal feelings, could you really ignore March 7th's wishes? Or have you already prepared to break ties with her?"
"Oh..." Evernight dissipated the blade at her fingertip with clear displeasure.
"Just who are you? Why do you understand her so well?"
"Don't you already know the answer?" Lynelle tilted her head. "I do carry some power of memories with me, which at least proves I've had contact with people from the Garden."
"Though I've lost the memories of the actual encounters, information about you was probably part of the transaction back then?"
"But rest assured, someone as adorable as little March—I'd cherish her too much to ever let her come to harm. From the perspective of protecting March 7th, our goals align. If she were ever in danger one day, who's to say which of us would charge to the front first?"
"Hmph, you'd better mean that..." Evernight let out a soft snort.
"I'll be watching you. If you truly harm March 7th, even if you have an Emanator backing you, I'll absolutely make sure you have an unforgettable experience."
"Relax~ Even if you don't trust me, shouldn't you trust March 7th's judgment..."
Here, Lynelle suddenly paused, a teasing smile curling at the corner of her mouth.
"Oh—I see now. No wonder you suddenly started 'suspecting' me... You weren't actually getting shy over what I said earlier about you and March 7th, and deliberately steering the conversation somewhere serious, were you?"
"How cunning... But a girl who plays little tricks like that is also quite adorable!"
"You..."
Having her inner thoughts exposed yet again, even Evernight couldn't prevent a flush of embarrassed irritation from coloring her cheeks.
"Do you really think I can't do anything to you?"
"Mhm!"
Lynelle thrust out her chest challengingly.
Though she said nothing, she carried a certain childish, bratty charm.
Then, her smugness vanished.
Because she noticed several red "jellyfish" had begun slowly materializing around her body, their long tentacles already twitching as if eager to coil up her snow-white skin.
"W-wait..." Realizing she might have overplayed her hand, Lynelle spoke hurriedly. "C-careful, or I'll shout! I'll bring Stelle and Big Sister Himeko running!"
"Then go ahead and scream, dear~"Evernight's smile, already strained from Lynelle's earlier teasing, seemed to crack further as she leaned in again.
The girl's remarkably well-developed curves pressed against Lynelle's own pert chest, compressing and seeming to force the plump flesh to spill out from the strained pajamas.
"Even if Stelle were sleeping right beside you, you couldn't wake her~"
"I won't kill you, it's true. I won't even hurt you. But I know your weaknesses quite well..."
"After all, while March 7th might not understand, my perception is far sharper than hers. Isn't that right, Lynelle-chan, who often 'cleans' the ceiling?"
"Mmngh..."
A cool, slippery sensation spread across her skin. As Lynelle realized her body seemed completely dominated by Evernight's jellyfish, she couldn't suppress a soft moan.
"As punishment for teasing me earlier... I'll make sure you have a truly unforgettable night, dear~"
Evernight slowly peeled off her gloves, grown damp because of Lynelle.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.