The next morning.


    I woke up on the boat, unable to remember when I had fallen asleep.


    Silviay covered in a thin cloth and nket, her graceful curves catching my eye as I stared absentmindedly.


    She looked elegant and beautiful, her delicate, fluttering eyshes adding to her charm even in deep sleep.


    Her milky-white skin was so soft and smooth; it was hard to believe she had been in my armsst night.


    “…”


    She really was sound asleep.


    <em>— Rustle, Rustle.</em>


    When she’s awake, Silvia is graceful and a bit like a feisty cat.But while asleep, she looks irresistibly cute and lovable. Maybe that’s why her usual sharp gaze appeared gentler now?


    “I’ve seen two different sides of you.”


    Silvia looks adorable when she’s asleep.


    But when we’re together like this, she can be so poised, uttering bold words with that dignified expression.


    It was fascinating to see these new sides of her.


    <em>— Slip!</em>


    And I felt a surge of excitement, too.


    “When will this insatiable desire end?”


    I wrapped a nket around my lower half, though it seemed pointless. Still, the fact that I tried was what mattered… I think.


    “Hmm.”


    I noticed Silvia’s hair brushing the floor.


    As I was gently arranging it, she slowly opened her eyes.


    <em>Blink, Blink.</em>


    She blinked twice gracefully and asked,


    “…Ian, did you sleep well?”


    “Yes. And you?”


    “I did. I don’t even remember when I fell asleep. I usually don’t sleep well at night.”


    Silvia tilted her head curiously, genuinely wondering. I recalledst night… or rather, the early hours of the morning.


    During one of our many close moments, Silvia’s body tensed, and she began to tremble.


    <em>— Haah… Mmm!</em>


    What escaped from her mouth was less of a moan and more a deep, heavy breath.


    It was as if the sound came from deep within her.


    <em>Shudder!</em>


    Silvia’s legs quivered, and soon her entire body started trembling.


    Then she copsed, her eyes losing focus.


    <em>— Silvia, are you okay?!</em>


    I was quite startled at the time, right until she began breathing softly in her sleep.


    ‘Come to think of it, Danya has been like this before, too.’


    I checked on Silvia’s condition—her breathing, pulse, and pupil response were all normal.


    She seemed at peace, so Iid herfortably, watching her until I drifted off myself.


    “Ahh, I feel refreshed! I wish I could wake up like this every day.”


    Silvia stretched, extending her arms, a slight yawn escaping her lips.


    My gaze lingered on the smooth, fair skin of her underarms, and I quickly averted my eyes.


    When would this fervor finally end?


    I sighed softly, adding another nket to cover myself as Silvia tilted her head and asked.


    “Hey, Ian.”


    “Yeah?”


    “How was it yesterday?”


    That was an unexpected question.


    Of course, I sometimes wonder if Silvia was satisfied too, but…


    There was an unusual coolness in her tone.


    “It was… wonderful.”


    “Hm.”


    Silvia crossed her arms, looking down at me.


    I felt a strange pang in my chest.


    Her next question revealed the reason for this unease.


    “Was it better with me than with Danya?”


    A chill ran down my spine.


    Silvia’s direct questions are always so piercing.


    I hadn’t hidden it, but when had she figured out that Danya and I had been intimate?


    And how should I answer this?


    “…”


    After a brief hesitation, I shook my head.


    After all, any answer derived from hesitation would only sound like an excuse.


    And that wouldn’t be respectful to Silvia.


    All I could do was speak honestly about how I felt.


    “I’ll neverpare the experience I had with you to anyone else.”


    “Huh?”


    “Because it’s a memory just for you and me.”


    “…”


    I spoke honestly about how I felt.


    “I was happy because it was something I could only share with you.”


    The judgment is entirely up to Silvia. Whatever she thinks, I’ll respect her thoughts.


    “Hmph…”


    Silvia pouted, looking adorably irritated with her usual cool expression.


    I guess I’ve collected another rare expression from her.


    Lost in that silly thought, I noticed Silvia looking down at me intently.


    “Is this what you like, Ian?”


    “This?”


    Silvia didn’t respond. Instead, she stepped closer.


    With elegant hands, she reached for the hem of her dress.


    <em>— Swish</em>


    As her dress lifted, the silky undergarments came into view.


    Silvia spoke in a chilling tone.


    “Me, who usually looks so poised, acting this way for you…”


    She had already seen through mepletely. Silvia was as sharp as ever.


    <em>— Thump, Thump</em>


    Her gaze, almost scornful, held a hint of mischief as she lifted her dress.


    The alluring sight only fueled the fire within me.


    “Hmph…?”


    Seeing my reaction, Silvia’s eyes curved yfully.


    <em>Whisper.</em>


    A soft, delicate fragrance tickled my nose.


    <em>— Hoo</em>


    Silvia leaned close to my ear, her warm breath brushing against it.


    She whispered.


    “Please punish Silvia, who’s already feeling this way from the morning.”


    ◆


    Lately, I’ve felt like I’ve beening to my private room less and less.


    This ce is supposed to be my own space, after all.


    “Am I really that busy?”


    After casually tossing my belongings aside, I stretched.


    Thanks tost night’s vigorous exercise, my thighs and lower back were aching.


    If I keep this up, I might not need any extra physical training.


    “…No way.”


    I tried tough it off, but a dull ache in my lower abdomen stifled my smile.


    I really had overdone it.


    Not just today but yesterday too; Danya and Lina definitely wore me out.


    In the middle of it all, I began to ponder.


    “Something doesn’t add up.”


    Something definitely felt off.


    Let’s think carefully.


    I’m the one dealing with this feverish desire, but I haven’t exactly been the one initiating anything.


    If anything, I’m the one being…pursued.


    I’d expect this from someone like Danya or Lina, but I never thought Silvia would be the same.


    “Not that I’mining.”


    But that’s beside the point.


    The real question is why they were the onesing after me.


    “…”


    Danya and Lina acting more instinctively is one thing. But Silvia, who usually has such rational judgment, making these moves? It’s unlike her.


    I didn’t haveplete certainty yet.


    But something was suspicious.


    My initial feeling of unease was starting to grow into doubt.


    ‘If my hypothesis is correct…’


    This isn’t just my problem; it’s everyone’s problem.


    “The issue is that there’s no way to prove it.”


    All I have are suspicions and doubts.


    And if I share this theory with someone and turn out to be wrong, I’d definitely be seen as some weirdo.


    It’s a kind of conspiracy theory, after all.


    “Who could I turn to for help?”


    That was the dilemma—if you could call it that.


    “…Actually, I might know just the ce.”


    A sh of insight struck me.


    ◆


    The ‘ult Research Club’ was located in the same building as the ‘Dessert Club.’


    As soon as Lupina, the only member and head of the ult Research Club, saw me, she trembled and started backing away.


    “Ah… Eek…!”


    …What’s this?


    Is she chanting a spell?


    I tilted my head in confusion, and Lupina squeaked, hurrying to a corner.


    “D-Don’t hit me!”


    …What exactly does she think of me?


    Instead of scolding her, I raised my hands.


    It was bodynguage meant to reassure her I had no intention of harming her.


    People like her were never convinced by words alone.


    Finally, a slightly calmer Lupina asked cautiously.


    “A-Are you here because ofst time?”


    “Last time?”


    I tilted my head, wondering what she meant by that.


    Did we even have a st time” worth mentioning?


    “When the D-Dessert Club first tried to secure a room… I, um, interfered…”


    Ah, right.


    Now I remembered. Lupina had tried to monopolize the building and even used hypnosis to try and drive us away.


    Honestly, I didn’t mind too much.


    Thanks to her, we basically have this whole building to ourselves.


    One thing, however, came to mind.


    “Didn’t you promise to do something as a forfeit for losing back then?”


    “Eek!!!”


    Lupina scurried back to the wall once again.


    What on earth did she agree to that she’s so scared about now?


    “I… I haven’t showered for two days, so I probably… smell. I-I’ll help you next time, I promise.”


    “???”


    I couldn’t follow this conversation at all.


    Her eyes filled with tears, so I decided to get straight to the point.


    “Whatever it is, I’m not here to im anypensation today.”


    “R-Really?”


    “Yeah.”


    “Then… is it about rent? A friendship fee?”


    Friendship fee? Seriously?


    “Nothing like that. I came to ask for some advice.”


    “A… advice? From… from someone like me?”


    Despite her words, a wide grin spread across Lupina’s face.


    It seemed I might be the first person to ever seek her out for advice.


    ‘She really wears her emotions on her sleeve.’


    I guess spending all her time alone researching dark magic in a ce like this must get lonely.


    Though she might seem gloomy, her nature didn’t seem all that bad.


    After finishing my mental assessment of her, I finally got to the topic.


    “It might just be a conspiracy theory…”


    “C-Conspiracy theory?”


    <em>Haa, Haa.</em>


    Lupina’s breathing grew heavier.


    …I really hade to the right ce.


    Her cheeks flushed with excitement, her eyes sparkled.


    I presented my hypothesis to her.


    “It seems that all the academy students are… in heat.”