Chapter 66 : I Licked It

The conversation ended like that.

It was a moment that some might say was a bit embarrassing.

But at least from Usher’s perspective, the honest conversation in that moment had helped stabilize Bersia more than before.

As a matter of fact, even today, a day later, some visible changes could already be seen.

First, her pale complexion had brightened.

She had stopped mumbling meaningless words and, most importantly, had apologized for the previous day’s events.

The progress Usher had hoped for was evident in her.

Of course, it couldn’t be said that all the problems were solved with just this conversation.

Human nature, after all, is the result of the accumulated inertia of a person’s experiences.

Without repeated training to broaden her way of thinking, this would likely end as a passing incident.

But Usher didn’t rush his mind.

He thought this opportunity had planted a sense of awareness in her, providing a stepping stone to a relationship where they could support each other.

After all, it’s impossible to be full from the first bite, isn’t it?

That was when the thought came to him.

“It’s just like teaching a child.”

Usher couldn’t help but laugh at the thought.

In fact, when considering the role alone, it wasn’t all that different.

It was his role to inject the social elements she hadn’t learned into her.

Moreover, Bersia, due to her upbringing, was quite accustomed to being required to do things close to forcefully.

Even now, it seemed that way.

Though she appeared more stable than before, perhaps her emotions hadn’t completely calmed, as Bersia was still holding onto Usher’s sleeve.

She might have been acting according to her own feelings, but it was hard not to think of her as “childlike” in that moment.

And then, it happened.

“…What’s so funny?”

Bersia added more pressure to the hand that was gripping the sleeve.

Her gaze was languid yet sulky, and the angle from which she looked up at him.

The sudden visual information triggered an unexpected response from Usher.

He couldn’t help but flush.

The moment when she had suddenly hugged him came to mind.

Usher avoided her gaze.

“It’s nothing…!”

When did this start?

While facing her in her body, Usher occasionally became caught up in thoughts like “If it were my original body.”

Such reactions were likely because the fantasy had unexpectedly taken form.

If he were to describe the sensation he felt, it would be this.

“Hmm…”

It was more embarrassing than he had expected, and it felt ticklish.

Above all, the visual information amplified those feelings.

Bersia was objectively beautiful.

He would sometimes find himself absentmindedly staring at the mirror when she moved the body.

Not only that, but her atmosphere was also unique.

With her light sky-blue hair, blue eyes, and white skin, combined with Bersia’s characteristic blank expression, what would one think of her?

She seemed undeniably elegant and noble.

Humans are creatures whose impression is greatly influenced by their atmosphere, just as much as their appearance.

Though her temperament might have led to some flaws in her personality or behavior, at least from an outward perspective, her nobility definitely presented an unparalleled beauty to others.

Usher knew that she was loved by others for that.

Though he couldn’t pinpoint what triggered that emotion, it still caused his feelings to waver.

Usher turned his gaze away from her more intensely.

In response, Bersia’s gaze deepened with suspicion.

“Why are you laughing by yourself? Don’t you want to share?”

“Uh, I didn’t really think of anything.”

“Didn’t you say we should trust and understand each other? You said you would give me trust.”

“No, it’s not like that…”

“Right now, I think I’m getting to know you a bit better. You were laughing just a moment ago, and now you’re blushing. It’s scary.”

Now that the underlying truth was out, perhaps there was nothing more to hide.

With her confidently bold attitude, Usher was left speechless.

And inwardly, he sighed.

“Ah…”

Why is it that everyone has different abilities to hide their expressions?

Usher couldn’t help but feel that the gods who granted these differing capabilities were cruel.

Of course, that wouldn’t suddenly give him the ability to hide his expression, and his choices remained the same.

He could either answer with something like “I felt a flutter in my heart when I looked at the Saintess” or give a vague response.

The latter was, in fact, the more forced choice.

“By the way, I noticed that my body hasn’t returned to normal yet…”

“Oh? So now you’re changing the subject.”

“D-Don’t change the subject, this is important!”

At that moment, Bersia smirked, lifting only one corner of her mouth.

Even in the midst of it, her eyes didn’t smile, and Usher immediately sensed that he had made a mistake.

“You say it’s ‘coming back.’ Now?”

“No! Cancel! Cancel that…”

“So, you’re feeling more comfortable in my body, then. If you’ve gotten used to acting like a girl and laughing carefreely like a fool… Yes, I fully understand…”

“Don’t do that! There’s no need! And I’m not laughing carefreely like a fool, nor am I acting like a girl! I am a person with a solid sense of self!”

“A solid sense of self, huh? You’re veering right…”

“Ah!”

Usher quickly covered Bersia’s mouth in shock.

In that moment, he realized something he had carelessly overlooked.

Usher’s shoulders trembled.

“Please… Just stop…!”

Bersia’s level of teasing had already crossed the line for Usher.

Even speaking in her own body had been mortifying enough to make him feel embarrassed to the point of death.

But when Bersia said those words from inside his body, it felt even worse than before.

At first, it had been somewhat playful, but now it felt like outright mockery.

Usher’s eyes narrowed in discomfort.

Bersia, with her mouth covered, stared directly at his face.

Soon, her gaze softened with a lazy sense of satisfaction.

It happened right after.

Slurp—

“Ew!”

Usher jumped in surprise as he felt her tongue brush his hand.

Bersia, as though it was nothing, smacked her lips and spoke.

“It’s bland.”

“W-What did you do?!”

“I licked it. Didn’t you realize?”

“Why are you asking… Ah…!”

A sharp pain shot up the back of Usher’s neck.

A dilemma had arrived.

Would it be better to return to my original body and feel less of this embarrassment?

Or should I endure this humiliation and hope this state lasts just a little longer?

It was a truly difficult problem.

Usher’s eyes clenched shut.

In the end, that day Usher was overwhelmed by Bersia.

At that point, he finally realized with frustration that it wasn’t because their bodies had switched.

It was simply due to their human compatibility, as he could not withstand her words.

Though he had vaguely realized this fact before, accepting it now left a bitter taste in his mouth.

He felt hollow inside and uncomfortable lying down.

‘…No.’

I should correct that.

The reason I’m uncomfortable lying down is because I’ve become too accustomed to Bersia’s bed.

Usher, repeating the thought to himself, couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh.

To think that I, someone who isn’t even a real Saintess, have come to expect such luxuries.

As expected, the position of Saintess really is one that ruins people.

Startled by his own thoughts, Usher scolded himself.

‘From the beginning, these things weren’t for me to enjoy. I shouldn’t even have the luxury of feeling regret.’

Even if our bodies change again, I must be careful not to get used to such things.

Of course, it would be nice if this state could remain fixed… but… isn’t that so?

Usher now vaguely felt it.

‘It must have been something done for the Saintess.’

I do not know what the Mother Goddess wished, but His miracle of this exchange of flesh was more sensitive to Bersia.

More sensitive to her.

That is, the results of the exchange were designed to benefit her in some way.

She did not feel deprived by that fact.

If this was a miracle for her, Usher was willing to throw himself into it.

It’s just that Bersia’s behaviour is a little difficult.

If only he could do something about that….

‘Mmm….’

Feeling his bones ache again, Usher closed his eyes.

His thoughts chased his tail until he drifted off to sleep.

One way or another, it ended with a prayer.

‘Mother, you are the giver.

‘I don’t want my body to come back all the way back now, so just help me with your words.

Then Usher fell asleep.

And the next day came.

‘What has happened to me?’

Usher was feeling despondent.

Judith’s lab for a check-up on his speech.

The lab results showed that the growth was still progressing.

Judith asks.

‘…Do you have dirty dreams at night, or did he grope you?’

‘No, that didn’t happen…!

‘Then why is this going on? He’s only a finger’s length up, and honey, I’m not asking you.’

Judith’s outburst filled Usher with frustration.

Because he was really trying his best.

‘It wasn’t happening when I was in that body. I must have checked it the night before I switched, right before I went to sleep.

But why was it more advanced?

Usher looked at Bersia, hoping for an explanation.

But the answer he got was hopeless.

‘…….

Bersia averted her eyes.

It was a clear evasion.

Usher’s eyes narrowed.