Chapter 445: The Gap

It was night.

Warm lamplight flowed across the bedsheet drooping over the edge of the bed, then seeped through the folds, branding soft orange shadows around Muen’s lightless eyes.

The girls’ chatter and laughter above were crisp as bells—beautiful, like the first birdsong of spring.

From time to time, a smooth, pale leg would dangle naturally from the bedside and sway in rhythm, tugging at the gaze, forcing anyone near to admire the faint, alluring scene.

Three distinct feminine fragrances spun above him, carried on the air until they slipped into Muen’s nose and dulled his brain, as if the whole world were tinted rose by this triple intoxication of sound, sight, and scent.

But Muen felt no happiness at all.

What was beautiful was outside—and belonged there.

He, on the other hand, was pressed into the darkness beneath the bed, staring with lifeless fish eyes, curled tight, forcing his breath and heartbeat into silence.

He had never trained in stealth arts or breathing techniques, so he could only rely on the body control he had honed through years of discipline, suppressing his life signs to the brink of suspended animation.

It was agony to restrain his body like this.

But he had no choice.

The reason? All because, just before they started their game, Ariel had chirped excitedly, “Since we’re playing poker, of course we should play on the °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° bed! That’s how you get the mood!”

That line had earned the upperclassman’s approval—and since Liya was the host, she couldn’t very well object without arousing suspicion.

So the three of them had cheerfully climbed onto the bed, and upon that mattress that had already weathered many “campaigns”... they began their poker game.

Right now, they were separated from him by nothing more than the thickness of a bedboard.

And Muen had to guard not only against the upperclassman but also against Ariel.

He didn’t know how sharp her five senses were without using perception—but for someone who could hack her way from one end of a street to the other without blinking, she was no lightweight.

So he had to suppress every trace of his presence, or else—if Ariel discovered him hiding here—she’d probably explode on the spot. In the middle of Aimier Cathedral, no less, inside the Saintess’s own room—if she came at him with a Heavenfire Greatsword, things would get really fun.

All he could do was hide and pray to the goddess that he survived the night. For the first time, he truly understood how Ariel must have felt before, the kind of despair that made her want to pound the floor in tears.

Damn you, Ariel!

I’ll remember this grudge. Next time... next time... I’ll torment your beloved childhood sweetheart so much she can’t even walk straight!

...

“Let’s start, let’s start!”

On the soft, spacious bed, Ariel was already rolling up her sleeves in excitement.

She glanced at Liya, who was still frowning over the rules, then at Senior Anna on the other side, who seemed distracted, her eyes occasionally flitting around the room—and Ariel’s confidence swelled.

She didn’t know much about Senior Anna, only that she was some sort of honor student. Definitely not someone who often played little games like poker.

As for Liya—her skill would be even worse!

So this truth-or-dare poker match was practically tailor-made for her—

“Huh?”

Ariel froze at her cards.

“I... I lost?”

“Thanks for the game.”

Anna smiled sweetly as she laid down her final card, sealing her victory.

Liya quietly exhaled in relief. She hadn’t won, but she hadn’t lost either, which meant she was safe this round.

“Looks like my luck’s a bit better than yours, Ariel.”

“Fine.”

Ariel pouted, but quickly shrugged it off; she wasn’t the type to be discouraged by something so trivial.

“All right, what do you want me to do?”

“Let me think...”

Anna finally seemed done examining the room. Her gaze withdrew—and then fell back toward the bedside.

Faintly, that little devilish smile curved her lips again.

“For the first round, let’s keep it easy. Do a handstand. Hold it for five minutes.”

“Mm, that’s pretty simple.”

Ariel nodded. For someone of her level, even holding a handstand all night would be nothing, so she took it as a warm-up, hopped up, and was about to flip herself right there on the bed—

“Wait.”

Anna stopped her, pointing toward a spot a bit away from the bed.

“Over there. Face us.”

Liya—and Muen beneath the bed—both froze.

“There?”

Ariel looked puzzled, but since it was the winner’s command, she just assumed it was deliberate teasing. She didn’t think much of it, climbed off the bed, took a few steps to the indicated spot, planted her hands—and flipped up, facing the two girls on the bed.

Which meant her inverted line of sight naturally extended... under the bed.

Muen...

Liya’s heart tightened.

Please don’t let anything happen...

Upside down, Ariel noticed Liya’s oddly worried look.

Was she... worried about her punishment? Honestly, this meddlesome little fool—how could a child’s game like this trouble her?

So, to show off her prowess, Ariel began to bend her elbows, doing handstand push-ups for good measure.

Huff.

Huff.

Huff.

The world rocked up and down in her inverted vision, and Ariel felt better and better the longer she went.

See, Liya? Aren’t I amazing?

...But she didn’t realize that every push made Liya’s anxious expression deepen; her fingers clutched the blanket beside her unconsciously.

Muen... hang in there.

...

Muen was far too busy to answer her silent plea.

The moment Anna had uttered the word handstand, he’d known disaster was coming.

He was under the bed—if Ariel flipped over right beside it, she’d have a perfect view beneath!

Luckily, the hanging bed sheet offered him a bit of cover; it draped low enough to form a tiny blind spot. And since the bed itself was tall, he had a sliver of hope.

But only a sliver. If he stayed lying there, he’d be exposed for sure.

And he couldn’t make any sudden movements—the slightest rustle would be noticed by the women above.

So, in the instant before Ariel went upside down, Muen silently braced himself, placed two fingers on a crossbeam, and slowly pushed.

His body aligned parallel to the bed frame, motionless, hanging there with nothing but two fingers of strength, lifting himself into the smallest possible space beneath the boards—just enough to evade Ariel’s gaze.

It was agony. Normally, such a feat would be nothing for him—but right now, he had reduced every sign of life to the bare minimum to avoid the sharp senses of both Anna and Ariel.

So even this simple motion felt like bearing the weight of a mountain. His body screamed for release, and though he could technically breathe, the suffocation was unbearable.

Muen clenched his teeth and endured. The five minutes dragged on endlessly.

...

“All done!”

When the time was up, Ariel sprang lightly from the spotless floor back onto the bed.

“How do you feel?”

Anna smiled at her.

“How do I feel?”

Ariel tilted her head.

“Easy.”

Strange. It was just a handstand—so why did both Liya and Senior Anna act like something terrible had happened?

“Is that so?”

Anna studied her face carefully. Satisfied that Ariel hadn’t seen anything out of place, she rested her chin on one delicate hand, thinking.

Did I guess wrong?

“Oh well. Let’s continue.”

“All right, continue.”

Liya, relieved, nodded and focused back on the game.

Another round.

“Ah, I didn’t win again?”

Ariel groaned, burying her head in the blanket.

Maybe it was because she hadn’t worn her “victory underwear” tonight that her luck was off.

“Looks like I win.”

Liya lifted her head with a light smile—another sigh of relief escaping her lips.

“Oh dear, seems my hands are a little rusty. I lost. Liya, how do you plan to punish me?”

Anna’s tone sounded pitiful, but her expression was anything but—there was an amused sparkle in her eyes, as though she were looking forward to it.

Liya thought for a moment.

Winning first was nice, but it also meant she couldn’t predict Anna’s next move. Better to seize the initiative now and flip the offense-defense dynamic.

Besides—

Her cheeks puffed slightly. She still felt a bit annoyed that Anna had teased her earlier, calling her a “green tea girl.”

Fine, then.

Steeling herself, Liya faced Anna seriously.

“My question, Senior Anna: what color is your underwear tonight?”

“Eh?”

Anna blinked, clearly not expecting that.

“Wow, Liya! Your first question is that bold?”

Ariel gawked, covering her face in delighted shock.

Hmph.

Liya exhaled sharply through her nose and straightened her back.

Senior Anna might have had the early advantage, but Liya was no longer the naive girl who used to blush, freeze, and short-circuit at every little provocation.

I’ve grown!

The things you dared to do before, I can do too!

So she looked at Anna with a touch of triumph, eager to see her flustered and embarrassed.

But... no.

Anna’s expression did change—but only into something peculiar.

Like someone who’d been preparing to fight a beast, only to have it suddenly meow adorably before the duel began.

“Deep violet,” Anna said without hesitation, covering her smile with one hand.

“If you want the details—deep violet, lace-edged, with black trim.”

“Eh?”

“Don’t believe me?”

Anna shifted her black-stockinged legs closer to Liya, her fingers sliding up the hem of her skirt, teasingly lifting the fabric.

“If you don’t believe me, I can show you...”

“Eek—!”

Ariel’s face was scarlet now; she hadn’t expected this senior to be so daring.

Violet—that color of maturity and sensuality—was shocking enough, but to offer to show it...

Liya was completely stunned.

“Pfft.”

Just as that mysterious item was about to be revealed, Anna suddenly released the hem and let the skirt fall, laughing softly—her waist and chest swaying with her mirth.

“Just kidding. I’m not showing you. I wore this for someone special—the one I actually want to show.”

She leaned forward, eyes glinting.

“You—aren’t there yet.”

“......”

The lamplight flickered, casting Liya’s motionless silhouette on the wall.

In that instant, she fell silent.

She suddenly understood why Anna always made her feel so unsteady.

It wasn’t just because of what had happened before, nor because she was the later arrival. Deep down, she had always known—

From the very start, there was a difference in rank between her and this little devil of a senior.