Emojis
ForTestingPurposeWhat kind of expression is that?
EmojisForTestingPurposeA strange discomfort rolled around in my mouth, like a thorn.
EmojisForTestingPurposeUsher and Bersia’s eyes met.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIn that instant, the coldness that had been lingering on her face disappeared as if it had been washed away.
EmojisForTestingPurposeWhat replaced it was the familiar smug smile that Usher had come to expect from her.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“You’ve come back, huh?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Huh? Ah…”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly. But I feel a bit relieved.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeWas that expression one of embarrassment?
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt was oddly dark and heavy for something like that.
EmojisForTestingPurposeA small ripple stirred within me.
EmojisForTestingPurposeUnable to say anything further, Bersia, who had been watching me, smiled slyly.
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe immediately placed her hand on her chin and waist.
EmojisForTestingPurposeUsher jumped back with a sense of shame that could make him forget all his previous thoughts.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“What—what are you doing?!”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“I’m just happy to see this guy.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Get off! Quickly!!!”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“No, I’m in control of this body right now.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Ah, come on!”
EmojisForTestingPurposeWhen Usher lunged at her, Bersia stretched out her arm and grabbed his head.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe overwhelming difference in reach meant that no matter how much Usher flailed his arms, his efforts were futile, as his hands just swished uselessly through the air, blocked by hers.
EmojisForTestingPurposeUsher gritted his teeth.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Ugh…!”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Aren’t you supposed to be grateful? I didn’t touch anything while you were asleep, you know?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“That’s only natural! It’s a serious crime to assault a sleeping person!”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Well, I did touch some other places.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Huh?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeUsher’s gaze wavered.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAt those words, disturbing images flooded his mind.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHis cheeks began to redden.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe corners of his lips trembled.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHe couldn’t stop thinking about her touching his body while he was asleep.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Y-Y-You’re vile! You’re despicable!”
EmojisForTestingPurposeHe shouted in a high-pitched voice.
EmojisForTestingPurposeStepping backward to the bed, Usher wrapped the blanket around himself.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHis eyes, filled with malice and betrayal, shot daggers at Bersia.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“I believed you! I trusted you!!!”
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe eyed him with a thoroughly satisfied expression.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThen she added one more thing.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“I used your arm as a pillow.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeUsher’s body jerked.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“…Huh?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“I said I used your arm as a pillow. I couldn’t leave while I was taking care of you, and I needed some rest too, but you were occupying the whole bed. What were you thinking?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeHis expression turned blank.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBersia’s eyes curved into a teasing smile.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Such lewd thoughts. Really.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeThat struck him like a dagger.
EmojisForTestingPurposeUsher, who was conscientious and clear-headed, couldn’t even argue against her words and lowered his head deeply.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHis body trembled with self-loathing.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt was a humiliating rite of passage.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThere’s an old saying that the higher you fall from, the more it hurts.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThere’s another saying that the greater the expectations, the greater the disappointment.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThat was exactly Usher’s situation now.
EmojisForTestingPurposeOn the first day of the escort mission, his body had changed, and he had to play the role of a saintess unexpectedly for over a month and a half.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThrough all the trials and tribulations, he had endured everything, thinking that he could finally go back to normal and get back on his feet.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut now, as he came to his senses, he found himself back at square one.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“God above!!!”
EmojisForTestingPurposeBig plans, my foot. No matter how devout Usher is, at this point, wouldn’t even the deity watching all of this from the heavens seem somewhat ruthless?
EmojisForTestingPurposeIf that’s the case, why didn’t they just return things to normal as soon as he regained consciousness? Why go so far as to plant expectations? That’s not just cruel, it’s downright malicious.
EmojisForTestingPurposeOf course, his faith wouldn’t vanish, but a little resentment had started to rise.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut still, one can’t stay down forever.
EmojisForTestingPurposeUsher let out a deep sigh and spoke.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“…Anyway, one thing is certain.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Yes, well… the way the body is returning.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Yes, the body returns when the saintess is in danger. It changes back only after the danger has been completely resolved. That seems to be the basic rule. The problem is, the scope of danger is vague.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeUsher’s brow furrowed.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“I’m not sure what level of injury qualifies as a reason for the change. Now that I think about it, I struck the saintess pretty hard during our sparring, yet there was no change regarding that.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Shouldn’t the threat to her life be the minimum level of danger?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“If that’s the case, then we have a bigger problem. We don’t know if what the deity is trying to protect is the saintess’s body or her soul, do we?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeIndeed, since it was Bersia who had thrown herself into danger this time, if the body were to return to its original state, Bersia would have both her body and soul intact.
EmojisForTestingPurposeNow, consider the opposite situation.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIf Usher threw himself into danger for Bersia, then her physical body would be at risk.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIn that case, if the deity were to protect her, would it be her body or her soul that was preserved? That remained uncertain.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAfter explaining all these points, Usher spoke firmly.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“I can’t just stand by and watch the situation unfold. If it comes to that, I won’t be able to just sit idly by and let things happen.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeHowever,
EmojisForTestingPurpose“No.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe response he received was something Usher hadn’t expected.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBersia suddenly grabbed his hand.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAt that moment, his body trembled involuntarily.
EmojisForTestingPurposeWith a shadowed look in her eyes, her lips curled into a smile as she continued speaking.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“You shouldn’t even think about throwing your body into danger.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Uh, that…”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“You shouldn’t even think about putting yourself in a dangerous situation, right? Am I wrong?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeHer thumb slowly brushed over Usher’s wrist.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt was cold. Usher’s body tensed.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“You’re the type to throw yourself into danger just because of someone else, aren’t you?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeHer pupils were as black as a deep pit.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHer tone was commanding and authoritative.
EmojisForTestingPurposeUsher flinched.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe strange discomfort he had occasionally felt now hung heavily in the air.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAn oppressive, sticky feeling bound his entire body.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt was unsettling.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHis upper body slowly leaned back, and Bersia gently pulled him forward, as if telling him not to resist.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Sir?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“…Yes.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeUsher answered and turned his head.
EmojisForTestingPurposeFor some reason, it was hard to look at her.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut, she wouldn’t even allow that.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Look at me.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeA wave of discomfort surged, and Usher couldn’t figure out what to say.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt felt like he was sitting on a bed of nails.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHad the difference in stature been this great?
EmojisForTestingPurposeDespite sitting face-to-face, it felt as though he was being swallowed up.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHe fidgeted with his lips.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThen, Usher muttered, almost to himself.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“C-could you… let go of my hand?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Don’t do that.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Huh…?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“You shouldn’t talk about throwing yourself into danger or sacrificing yourself. I don’t like that, so stop.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt was only then that Usher looked at Bersia.
EmojisForTestingPurposeA sigh escaped his lips immediately after.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Ah…”
EmojisForTestingPurposeHer face was sad.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt felt like he’d been struck on the back of his head.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘…I see now.’
EmojisForTestingPurposeIf he died like that, Bersia would be left alone.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHe knew how despairing that would be, but in his sense of responsibility, perhaps he hadn’t thought it through.
EmojisForTestingPurpose…Or perhaps, it had simply been so long since anyone had shown concern for him that it was hard to recognize.
EmojisForTestingPurposeUsher reflected on this.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHis actions and words had instilled anxiety in her, making her worry that she might have to go through the same thing once again while caring for a comatose Usher.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHe bitterly smiled.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHe had no excuse.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“…Yes, I’m sorry. My thinking was short-sighted.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Do you really think that?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Yes, above all else, I shouldn’t harm the saintess’s body. This body too is something I must protect.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeHe added that last line, trying to lighten the mood.
EmojisForTestingPurposeFinally, her smile returned to its usual mischievous self.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Good answer.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Well done.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Haha…”
EmojisForTestingPurposeUsher let out a sigh of relief.
EmojisForTestingPurposeWhat had that been earlier? He had a question, but didn’t probe further.
EmojisForTestingPurposeFor some reason, he didn’t want to dig deeper.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThough he had gotten out of bed, not everything was fully restored.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHaving been in a coma for almost two weeks, Usher still needed several rounds of medical checks, and his house arrest continued a little longer.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe person in charge of his checkups was Judith.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAfter flipping up Bersia’s eyelid and checking her pulse, she said:
EmojisForTestingPurpose“This should be fine. Don’t call me again for the same thing. It’s annoying.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Ah, thank you…!”
EmojisForTestingPurposeUsher, offering his thanks, noticed Judith’s expression had changed.
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe looked almost… repulsed.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHe tilted his head, confused, and Judith muttered to herself.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“…Is she really a split personality?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeUsher had no idea how Bersia had treated Judith while he was unconscious, so he could only feel puzzled at this reaction.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAfter the checkup, Usher was thinking about taking a walk to the garden when Rubena suddenly barged in, flinging the door open.
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe looked between Usher and Bersia, her face swelling with tears.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAh, had she been worried too?
EmojisForTestingPurposeUsher felt a small touch of emotion.
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe was a comrade who had endured hardship together…
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Finally, I can breathe! I thought I was going to die from being so cautious!!! You two even kept me from shopping!”
EmojisForTestingPurpose…No, wait.
EmojisForTestingPurposeUsher awkwardly smiled.
EmojisForTestingPurposeRubena, noticing his awkwardness, stepped closer and scrutinized his face.
EmojisForTestingPurposeWhen their eyes met, she gave a half-hearted laugh.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Now you’re starting to look alive, huh? A thousand-year love story, huh? Really?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Love…? I…!”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Alright, alright! Some people were working themselves to the bone while taking care of you during your confinement!”
EmojisForTestingPurposeAt that moment, Usher froze.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Confinement?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Huh? Don’t pretend you don’t know. You’ve completed your confinement period already. Wait, you’re not trying to pretend you didn’t make me run errands for you, are you…?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeUsher’s head snapped towards Bersia.
EmojisForTestingPurposeNow that he thought about it, he had never heard what had been going on during his unconsciousness.
EmojisForTestingPurposeConfinement!
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe saintess, of all people, had been punished?
EmojisForTestingPurposeWhat kind of disaster had happened for this to occur?
EmojisForTestingPurposeHe glared at Bersia with eyes full of fury.
EmojisForTestingPurposeSeeing this, she gave a mischievous smile.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHer teasing expression made Usher’s eyes narrow.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe back of his neck tightened.