“W-Wait a moment, I know you seem to have some opinions about me… but in front of the Goddess, you are the Saintess, you should—”
Hailey looked at the smiling Idlira, who was closing in step by step.
She tried her best to push her away with both hands, but they were caught effortlessly.
Her calf, which had already been healed, inexplicably went weak again when facing the girl eyeing her like a predator.
“The Goddess? Then may I ask the great and kind Goddess, should I punish dear little Hailey?”
Idlira turned around to look at the still-calm statue of the Goddess.
Aside from sunlight occasionally pouring down and draping it in a thin golden veil, nothing changed.
No matter how Hailey prayed in her heart for the Goddess to lend a helping hand, the statue could never turn back into a human.
“I heard the Goddess say that we should properly punish the disobedient little Hailey. This is the Goddess’s oracle, you know…”
What?
Even I know superstition is unreliable—there’s no way the Goddess would still be teaching you techniques right now.
This is definitely your trick, right?
You’re lying to me, aren’t you?
Why are you getting closer again?
“I think the Saintess wouldn’t allow us to do anything inappropriate in front of her…”
Idlira gently pressed a finger against her lips, staring at Hailey with an unfathomable smile that left her utterly flustered.
“Oh? I am the Saintess. Do you understand the Goddess better, or do I?”
Sorry, dear Goddess.
I believe you also wish for your most beloved Saintess to be happy, right?
If that’s the case, then please just say so.
As for Hailey…
With a mischievous grin, Idlira pressed Hailey into the corner beside the Goddess statue, bracing herself above her and pinching her from above.
“Since the Goddess hasn’t said anything, then as her Saintess, Hailey surely has to satisfy her oracle, right?”
“So now you remember I’m the Saintess at a time like this… let go already.”
Even though her leg injury was no longer a problem, Hailey’s legs felt as heavy as if they were filled with lead.
It couldn’t be that I’ve really been subdued by her, that my body is already unconsciously obeying her…
Hailey’s body was originally created to be a substitute doll for the Saintess’s remote control.
The magical threads of connection were like wireless radio waves from a past life, allowing it to be controlled freely according to the user’s will.
Even though she was now a doll with a soul, if she were really controlled by her, then her freedom—
It wasn’t until she looked down at her feet in fear that she realized someone’s legs had already wrapped around her at some point…
Phew—scared me.
So it was only “control” in the physical sense.
I thought…
“What did Hailey think I was going to do? Were you thinking about some naughty things again in that little head of yours?”
Idlira’s face had already moved right up in front of Hailey’s, so close that all she could see were those pink agate-like eyes and the long eyelashes.
Her body gradually leaned toward her as well; her fair skin had already pressed against Hailey’s arm, and even her breathing became extremely clear.
With just a gentle breath from Idlira, the tips of Hailey’s ears turned red.
A doll’s body really was far too sensitive.
As Idlira’s arms wrapped around Hailey’s back, her heartbeat seemed to pass through the skin as well.
In the already quiet church, aside from the occasional chirping of birds outside, only Hailey’s rapidly pounding heartbeat remained.
This was her first time being this close, interacting with another girl at such close range—even compared to before, when she had been treated as “food.”
“Hailey, today I was clearly so attentive, clearly showed you so much favoritism—so why is it that all you can see is the Goddess?”
That was magic bestowed by the Goddess, but only I was willing to give it to Hailey, only I would love Hailey like this…
“But Hailey, you should have praised me. Why is it that in your eyes, all you can see is the Goddess’s magic?”
A dark red jealousy flickered in Idlira’s eyes, faintly mixed with fanaticism and obsession.
Even if it was the Goddess, even if it was only a brief misunderstanding, she seemed unwilling to share Hailey’s admiration with anyone else.
“The one who mastered that magic is me. The one who healed Hailey is also me. So the one Hailey should see… should only be me.”
“So that’s why you’re… mm, let go of me already. I know it was you who helped me. I’m just interested in the Goddess’s magic.”
Hailey’s face was cupped in Idlira’s hands, forcibly turning her gaze toward those eyes filled with expectation and longing.
Idiot.
I thought I had offended her again somehow—so it was just because of this.
It’s not like I don’t know how good she is…
Though she felt embarrassed, Hailey still forced out a tiny, mosquito-like “thank you,” quietly slipping it into Idlira’s ear.
Idlira’s slightly sick smile froze for a moment, then a faint blush slowly spread across her cheeks.
“Hailey, I think I misheard. You—could you say it again, please?”
“No. Saying it once was already embarrassing enough, and you want me to do it again? No way!”
This girl always used tricks like this to make her repeat herself over and over, while she happily enjoyed listening.
“Anyway, since I’ve already said it, you’re not allowed to ask me to say it again. As for how you take the thanks, do whatever you want…”
It was probably just like usual—kissing her, hugging her.
Just grit her teeth and close her eyes for a bit and it would be over.
And even though she couldn’t say she liked it very much, she didn’t really feel resistant or disgusted either.
While Hailey’s thoughts were running wild, Idlira had already started planning her own little schemes.
Should she have Hailey sleep with her, or have Hailey accompany her in disguise for a stroll through town?
But none of that really required a favor—
she could simply forcefully carry Hailey to the bed and “have her way with her,” and with a bit of acting cute, she could even gain an extra “automatic wheelchair.”
So what was there that Idlira felt she couldn’t get from Hailey?
Time seemed to dull gradually, until sunlight fell onto Idlira’s forehead and she finally had an idea.
“Hailey, Hailey, I’ve got a great idea! As a sign of your sincere thanks, how about you call me ‘big sister’ once?”
“I refuse.”
Hailey rejected the proposal without hesitation.
There was no way she was going to call Idlira “big sister” in a sweet voice all day long…
However, the other party clearly didn’t intend to give her a chance to refuse.
This time, Idlira pressed her against the church wall with one hand.
“That’s not up to you…”
Without giving her any say, Idlira greedily bit down on the panicked girl’s lips, forcibly stealing away the last bit of air in her mouth.
Only after Hailey finally broke free and began gasping for breath did Idlira cup her face.
“Hailey, from now on, even calling me ‘big sister’ won’t help anymore…”