51 - The Whispers of an Angel and a Devil

Catching up this one so please read the previous chapters (here)

RAW

I tried to calm myself, distracting my mind with other thoughts to suppress the desire that had been stirred within me. I counted prime numbers in order, recited elements according to the periodic table—anyone watching might have thought I was muttering some kind of incantation like a crazed sorcerer.

At that moment, an image of Mikami appeared in my mind. She was dressed mostly in black, sporting devilish horns and a tail. With a wicked grin, she whispered to me.

"If you peek now, she might be right in the middle of changing. Maybe, without even rounding up... You should go back to the room. Burst in now and burn her shameful figure into your memory."

What kind of devil says things like that when someone is desperately trying to rid themselves of impure thoughts?!

Peeking on a girl while she’s changing is just... plain wrong.

"You shouldn’t apply normal standards and common sense to that girl. This is where you should unleash the desires you’re keeping bottled up. Restraint... only brings suffering, you know?"

Damn... she had a point. Too much of a point.

What a persuasive argument.

But still, even if Mikami lacks common sense, peeking while she’s changing is just not right.

If it were an accident—if I happened to see her by chance—that would be one thing. But knowing she's changing and deliberately barging in... that would just make me a full-blown pervert.

I must not be deceived by the devil’s sweet whispers. I have to resist with all my willpower!

"I refuse... to accept that refusal."

That’s cheating. Don’t act like the real Mikami when you’re just a figment of my imagination. It’s dangerously convincing.

This is bad. Even my own mind has been invaded by Mikami. I need to stop thinking about her to suppress these impure thoughts, yet my head is filled with nothing but her.

"That girl wouldn’t even mind being seen, you know?"

Ugh, she totally would say that. She really would. As a girl, how can she be okay with that? But considering how she casually sneaks into my bed at night wearing next to nothing, I can’t even argue against it. This devilish Mikami’s words are no different from the real Mikami’s.

But still, peeking is wrong.

"You’re so stubborn."

As I continued resisting the sweet temptation, another figure appeared—this one all in white, with angelic wings. It was Mikami again, but this time as an angel.

Ah, so this is that thing. The classic conflict of conscience—the angel and the devil.

Honestly, I was relieved.

I was painfully aware of it, but I am weak to Mikami’s advances.

So even if it's just an imaginary Mikami, if the devil kept whispering to me, I might actually give in.

Even knowing it’s wrong, I could be tempted into doing it.

That’s why this angelic figure was my salvation. The voice of reason to keep my weak heart in check.

I pinned all my hopes on the angel’s words—but then.

"I wholeheartedly agree with the devil. You should hurry and take a peek."

Betrayed. Instantly.

Wait, why?! Isn’t the angel supposed to guide me away from temptation?!

Why are the two of you working together?!

"It would make Hina-chan happy. So hurry up. Chop chop."

"Come on, hurry, hurry!"

What the hell is this?

Does this mean, deep down, I actually want to see more of Mikami’s indecent side? To the point where even the angel and devil of my conscience are skipping merrily hand in hand?

Rather than stepping out of the room and waiting for her to finish changing, was the correct answer to have her change right in front of me...?

…No way in hell.

For a moment, their combined persuasion almost had me convinced, but absolutely not.

Now that I knew the angel Mikami was completely useless and siding with the devil, my only option was to ignore them both entirely.

"Kirishima-san? I heard something that sounded like groaning… Are you alright?"

Wait… which one is this?

Angel?

Devil?

No… this voice didn’t come from my head—it came from beyond the door.

It was the real one.

Before I could fully process that realization, I suddenly lost my support and fell backward, landing hard on my back.

Right. I had been sitting on the floor, leaning against the door.

Since the door opened outward, that meant it would be pulled inward from the inside.

Mikami had opened the door, removing my support, causing me to fall… right at her feet.

Lying on my back, I looked up and saw—her legs and... the space beneath her skirt.

A vast expanse of black unfolded before me—a truly breathtaking view.

"...Pervert."

"Sorry."

Mikami gave me a light kick, her face tinged with embarrassment.

Though it was an accident, this was clearly my fault, and I had no excuse.

If I had to say something... it would be that it was commendable that she actually showed embarrassment.

But...

"Mikami?"

"Yes, what is it?"

"Could you move back a little? I can’t get up like this."

"Don’t mind me."

I mean, I was the one who collapsed here, but standing right over me like this is a problem.

I was doing my best to look away, but she wasn’t moving at all.

"Uh… I can see up your skirt."

"…Don’t mind me."

"Your voice is shaking, and you seem a little embarrassed, but… really, it’s okay?"

"Yes, don’t mind me."

"Are you sure?"

"Don’t mind me. Feel free to look as much as you like."

Why though?

She finally learned to feel embarrassed, but she’s already abandoned the emotion?

Well, no, she’s obviously still embarrassed, but… maybe she’s just forcing herself through it.

"In exchange… I need you to write down your thoughts and submit them. The more words, the better."

"What kind of torture is that?"

"Torture? That’s rude. I need it for future reference, so please include your preferred colors and materials if you have any."

Mikami lifted the hem of her skirt slightly, playfully swaying it.

I had no idea how to react, so I just froze, staring into nothingness for a while.