It's the second night after coming to Rigforesia. I enjoyed a nightcap with Zeke and returned to my room, feeling good and looking forward to tomorrow.
　Currently, Zeke and I are in a strange position, sitting upright on the edge of the bed, facing each other, and the reason for this is the bed, which is the only one without having to think about it.


'Ha, ha, yes!

　When I willfully call out to him, Zeke replies with a panicked look, moving his shoulders with a jerk and his face turning red.
　I feel my heart involuntarily jump at the reaction, and I continue to speak.

'.........Ya, I'm going to sleep on the floor, after all, right?
No, you can't!
But then...
Ugh..........

　As a gentle Zeke-san, I guess he doesn't want me to sleep on the floor, but unfortunately, the situation is much different now than it was yesterday.
　

　I was very worried, especially in terms of my reasoning, so when I was thinking about whether I could somehow get a conversation going in the direction of sleeping on the floor, Zeke-san tells me in a small voice with an embarrassed expression on her face.

''So.........but.......depending on how you think about it, unlike yesterday, there are no obstacles regarding sleeping together.......well, this, lover.... We're colleagues.....
Okay, yes.

　No, rather, the obstacles attacking me are standing in the way as a huge wall, much higher than yesterday.
　

''.........That's right. We're lovers and there's nothing wrong with sleeping together........
Yeah, I guess so.

　No, it's a rather big problem. I beg you, please, be more critical. I'm a guy too, you know what I'm going to do.
　I mean, even if Zeke had been open to it, even if he hadn't been open to it, I'd still be willing to go out with him and try to build a relationship with him. I'm not going to let my desires get the better of me here because I want to deepen and then I want to be, so I'm definitely not going to let my desires get the better of me.

　That said, I understand after yesterday that you won't be convinced if I say I'm going to sleep on the floor, and the idea of making Zeke-san sleep on the floor.......I don't want to.
　In that case, this is the only way to endure this........I have to hold my reason together and fight through this phase of what could be called a complete siege.

　........This was the moment when the second day's all-nighter was decided.










　Just like last night, I go into the futon with Zeke-san.
　The only difference from last night is that we're lying face to face instead of back to back.......Zeke's body in his nightgown is mercilessly damaging my reason, but I can still endure it.

　If we are back to back here, and if there is some kind of...........................surprise contact, my faint thread of reason will be cut off at that moment.
　Yes, this is a kind of battle........................an unrelenting battle with desire. It's only a disadvantage if you are caught behind, so if you face the front and take a firm stance, as long as there's no unforeseen circumstances you'll be at a disadvantage.

Well, Kite, can I get a little closer?
Huh?

　Contingency struck fast!　No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, that's not going to make our bodies touch.
　It's not good. We have to do something to avoid...

...no?
'No, no, I'm fine!　Please, take your place....

　 　I mean, what the hell am I thinking about?

　As I felt my thoughts getting confused, the blanket moved and Zeke moved closer to me.......close!
　Almost zero distance already!　Oh, no, it's not good... oh, it smells so good and it's hitting my breath... no, not yet. Endure, stay calm!

　As I'm thrilled to see Zeke-san move so close that our skin is almost touching, he lightly places his hand on the center of my chest and smiles at me.

''........Is it because you're a man, after all?　Kite, you're a tough guy.
'What?　No, no, I'm rather impotent and I think Zeke-san is stronger than me.

　It was a compliment I've never been told in my life, so I was surprised to hear it back with a little calmness.
　I've been running with Yona-chan recently, but I've never really exercised much, and even compared to my generation, I think I'm in the non-powerful category...

Certainly, I'm probably better than you when it comes to fighting power but when it comes to muscle power alone, Kite, you're better than me.
Oh, really?

　I have more muscle power than Sieg-san........it's true that from what I've seen, Sieg-san seems to have little or no muscle power, but since I've seen him beat Lilia-san and Ray-san to a pulp, even though I know it's due to his body-enhancing magic, I'm I'm not sure how I feel about the term "higher muscle strength".

''Yes, it's hard for the elves to build muscles to begin with.......although I can make up for it with body-strengthening magic since I have a lot of magic power.
I see. It's a tribal trait.
Yes, I guess that's why... when I touch you like this... I think you're a man, Kite, after all.
Well, is that a compliment?
Yes it's nice and manly.
Huh?

　Saying that, with a gentle smile on his face, Zeke-san tells him in a sweet voice as he whispers.
　

　Even though I'm not more than a little tipsy thanks to White's blessing, I'm still hot, partly due to the influence of the alcohol in my system.
　But go for it....go for it....I can still stand it.

　Unfortunately, Zeke doesn't seem to be aware of the situation I'm in, which I'm trying desperately to calm my feverish head and endure. He comes in close.

'Jeez, Mr. Zeke!

?

　Ehhh!　Here's the timing!　This is a gaping attack on a mature woman who is usually dependable and mature, but with a fragile voice that spoils her!　Don't ... don't ... don't ... don't ... snap ... I'm losing my thread of reason....

Okay, yes.
"...Thank you........Kite......
What?
Hmm.....
''~~!

　I moved my face when his name was called, and immediately afterwards Zeke's head moved................................and his lips lightly touched mine.
　It was really just a simple matter of lips touching each other, but.......it was an unmistakable kiss, and my head felt hot as if it had been plunged into boiling water.


"Oh, uh...
I love you, Kite. I hope you'll continue to be with me.
Okay, yes.

　After telling her with a happy smile while her cheeks were slightly stained, Zeke hugged me tightly and closed his eyes.
　I really, really, gee, I'm at my limit........I, no, not yet!　Not yet!　There's still time to go!　Pushing the envelope!

　A little while later I heard Mr. Zeke's peaceful sleep and I understood that he was asleep... but unfortunately I wasn't going to be able to sleep again today.
　I kept pinching my hands, which were desperately trying to move until morning, while feeling the soft, warm touch of Mr. Zeke's body all over me.......

　Dear Mother, Father - It is often said that the greatest enemy is oneself, and today, too, the battle between desire and reason was played out on the edge. The reason won this time too, but I really think that someday - I really feel like I won't be able to bear it.