29-131

EP.131 Hikari – Confession 

The heavy door shut behind them, and the noise of the outside world faded away. 

Inside the cathedral, time seemed to flow differently, filling the air with a tranquil and solemn atmosphere, separate from the world outside. 

“Our cathedral, in line with the academy’s founding philosophy, worships the ‘Goddess of Justice, Astraia’ as our main deity.” 

For the girls, their benefactor Lumina is less a literal divinity and more the embodiment of a concept made real. 

That’s why her name is relatively unknown among the general public. 

“That stained-glass window over there depicts the goddess wielding her sword of light to banish darkness during an age of chaos.” 

As she pointed out the massive stained glass behind the central altar, her voice rang out, cool and clear. 

Though the murmuring of the other club members in the background grated on her ears, Hikari maintained her composure. 

“Hm. I see. It’s impressive.” 

Meanwhile, pretending to listen attentively to Hikari’s explanation, Kai’s predatory eyes weren’t focused on the stained glass, but on the gleaming white nape of her neck reflecting its light. 

Each time she stepped, the slit of her nun habit flashed the smooth curves of her thigh, and his eyes gleamed like a beast’s. 

Distracted by the other students’ whispering, Hikari failed to notice his gaze, and instead struck by Kai’s unexpectedly earnest attitude her guard slowly began to slip. 

Most who came to “observe” the cathedral were only interested in her or the other girls’ uniforms. 

‘Despite his unruly appearance, maybe he’s surprisingly sincere…?’ 

But every time their eyes met, a tingle of unease would crawl up from deep inside her, and Hikari found she couldn’t relax. 

“Oh?” 

Yet, as Hikari’s worries began to ease and the tour neared its end, while she was explaining a relief that depicted the cathedral’s history, her eyes caught on a mark on Kai’s hand. 

On the pale back of his hand was a vivid red mark that she hadn’t noticed before. 

“Kai, what’s that on your hand…?” 

At her words, Kai looked at his hand as if only just noticing, then brushed it off by hiding it behind his back. 

“Oh. Must have bumped into something on my way here. It’s just a scratch, really. Nothing to worry about.” 

“Still, if you leave it like that you might get a scar. Um… Just come over here for a second.” 

Hikari led Kai to a lounge area set up in the cathedral. 

As soon as they entered, she sat him down on a cushy sofa and fetched the first aid kit from the shelf, then took a seat beside him. 

“This might sting a little,” 

Dabbing medicine onto a small piece of cotton, Hikari carefully took Kai’s hand. 

As she did so, she concentrated every sense to detect any magical energy emitting from his body. 

But even with all her focus, all she found was proof that Kai was nothing more than an ordinary human. 

‘…Was I just being too sensitive?’ 

Relief became mingled with a twinge of disappointment, and Hikari let out a faint sigh. 

She’d briefly wondered if he might be connected to Dark Redemption. 

Just then, as she was disinfecting the wound, Kai’s finger just “accidentally” brushed the inside of her wrist. 

“Uh.” 

For the briefest instant, a jolt like static electricity raced through Hikari, but it faded quickly, mixed in with the sting of the antiseptic. 

‘What was that just now?’ 

“You’re just like the rumors.” 

Before her doubts had time to settle, Kai’s voice brought her back to attention. 

“Huh?” 

“They all call you the ‘Academy’s Saint.’ The girl who can’t turn away from others in need a gentle and loving saint.” 

“N-no, that’s just rumors running wild because I just did what anyone would do.” 

Hikari hid her true masochistic nature from everyone, so she reflexively fell back on humble modesty as she continued bandaging. 

“Maybe that’s why people call you a saint?” 

For a moment, Kai’s soft words left Hikari speechless. 

“Saying ‘it’s only natural,’ that’s actually not so easy for most people, you know. I think that’s pretty admirable.” 

Hikari looked up, surprised. In some ways, it was the same kind of reassuring praise Haruto would give. 

If Haruto’s comfort was like warm sunlight, Kai’s words were like sugar balanced sharp atop a knife blade. 

The way he spoke, it was as if he had been watching her since long ago. 

Without realizing it, Hikari smiled and replied in a slightly playful tone. 

“Heh. Kai, are you popular with girls? You’re really good at saying things that make people feel nice.” 

“Am I?” 

“Yes. But maybe you should save those words for someone else, instead of me.” 

“Why? Is it because of Haruto?” 

Hearing his name, Hikari’s shoulders jolted. 

Kai didn’t miss that reaction and continued smoothly, 

“At lunch, you three seemed pretty close with Haruto. Are the four of you… dating?” 

His bluntness went beyond merely “piercing” it was piercing-through, leaving Hikari gasping for breath and nearly hiccuping. 

Especially considering the two of them had only met and spoken for the first time mere hours ago. 

“D-dating?! Of course not! With just one guy and three girls there’s no way… We’re just normal friends!” 

Her face flushed bright red as she hurriedly denied it, but Kai merely observed her flustered reaction with amusement. 

“Really? To me, you didn’t seem normal at all. Maybe it’s just my impression?” 

“Is it that obvious?” 

“I bet everyone knows, even if nobody says it out loud.” 

Kai’s teasing words made Hikari unconsciously clutch her cross necklace to her chest. 

“Uu.” 

Given how they spent all their time together and made little effort to hide their feelings, it was no wonder people noticed. 

Still, being confronted with it outright filled her with embarrassment. 

“Does Haruto know? That all three of you like him?” 

“I don’t think so. Haruto is kind, but a bit oblivious…” …Why am I telling this to someone I just met? 

Maybe it was because of his earlier compliments? 

She herself didn’t quite understand her feelings, but once her mouth opened, it wouldn’t stop. 

“Right now, because all four of us are moving in the same direction, we’re not crossing any lines. But I’m sure we all know things can’t go on like this forever.” 

Maybe, deep down, we’re all afraid. 

That when everything is over, if Haruto realizes our feelings, he’ll have to choose someone. 

“Sorry I don’t know why I’m being so talkative today. If I just put this bandage on…” 

Hikari hurriedly tried to wrap up the conversation, securing a cute animal-shaped bandage over Kai’s hand as she finished first aid. 

“All done. So… there’s probably time for you to see one more place before you go. Is there anywhere you want to visit?” 

It was, in effect, her signal that the tour was over. 

“Yeah. Actually, just one place.” 

As if he’d been waiting, Kai answered without hesitation, as though he’d targeted it from the start, 

“The place I mentioned before. The confessional.” 

The confessional was located at the very end of the hallway. 

A row of small rooms built from dark wood gave off an almost intimidating feeling. 

Inside one was barely enough room for a single person to sit. 

A latticework screen divided the chamber down the middle. 

“Oh. So this is what a real confessional looks like?” 

Kai, inspecting the interior with interest, soon noticed a round hole awkwardly placed in the center of the dividing wall. 

“But what’s this hole for?” 

“Oh, that’s…” 

Standing by the door, Hikari looked a bit flustered as she explained. 

“In the old times, back when ventilation was poor, it was a small hole put there so the priest could breathe more easily. It’s hardly used these days.” 

“Ah, right. That explains it.” 

“Huh? Explains?” 

“Nothing.” 

Kai nonchalantly brushed it off, but inside, he was smirking. 

In eroge worlds, the confessional always has a hole at about crotch level. 

No explanation needed as to what that’s really for. 

“Since you’re here, would you like to try a confession?” 

“Can I?” 

“It’s not the proper way, but… just for fun.” 

“For fun, huh. Why not.” 

With a grin, Kai nodded, and Hikari took her seat on one side of the divider while Kai settled on the other. 

In the cramped space, cloaked in darkness and separated by the screen, Hikari felt a strange sense of wickedness, and her heart began to race. 

“Then… say anything you want you can confess any sin here.” 

To hide her nerves, Hikari forced a bright tone. 

She believed that this playful activity would dispel the awkward mood. 

“Really, anything?” 

Kai’s voice from behind the screen was lower and deeper than before. 

“Yes. The rule is that whatever is said in confession never leaves the booth. Please, say anything.” 

“Hmm…” 

He took a breath, and what he said next was pointedly different from anything she expected. 

“To be honest… I have some pretty extreme sexual desires.” 

“…Pardon?” 

“I enjoy watching women suffer during sex.” 

Hikari’s brain froze in place. 

There was too much real heat in his voice it couldn’t be brushed off as just a joke. 

“W-wait…!” 

Panicking, Hikari tried to stand and stop him. 

“…Guess this is too much for a confession, huh?” 

Kai trailed off, sounding for all the world like someone regretting overstepping a line. 

But now it was Hikari who felt awkward. 

Even though she started as a joke, as a priest it was wrong to stop someone’s confession halfway through. 

“N-no! It’s okay!” 

The words burst from her mouth on their own. 

“No confession is too bad you can say anything here. As long as the other woman enjoys it… isn’t that enough?” 

She didn’t even know what she was saying. 

She just wanted to end the situation as soon as possible and so simply spoke whatever thoughts came up. 

“Really?” 

“Yes…” 

She couldn’t endure the heavy tension any longer and stood up as if to escape. 

“But what if…” 

But as she reached to open the door, Kai’s last words brushed her ear. 

“What if, after learning you’re all Saviors... I couldn’t keep it contained anymore?” 

“…!” 

As if an earthquake had struck, Hikari’s golden eyes trembled violently as she froze at the confessional door, half-turned to flee.