Chapter 35. Seele?
I don't believe you!
If you don't want to say it, then forget it!
Bronya puffed her cheeks and fell silent.
She wrapped her arms around Xander's neck.
Their cheeks pressed together so closely that he couldn't tell whether she was venting or giving him a tiny benefit.
"Actually, a long time ago, I'd already imagined a lot of games in my head."
"It's why you can write so smoothly?"
As she spoke, her soft lips brushed his cheek.
Her sweet breath seemed to blow across his heart, tickling it and stirring thoughts he shouldn't entertain.
"Mm. I'm just putting what's in my head onto paper."
"That's already impressive."
Bronya sighed, as if a little deflated.
She let half her weight rest on his shoulder.
Xander tried very hard not to think about how that made her full chest look even more compressed.
He made it sound easy.
But without the experience from To the Moon, even a complete game handed to him might have left him unsure how to draft a design document.
If you could "just look at the screen and make a game," the previous life wouldn't have had so many bad clones that couldn't even copy well.
An interesting idea can hook players for a moment.
What keeps them is solid technique and the experience it provides.
"Even so, there's nothing I can do alone."
"Oh~ is that a confession?"
Bronya's eyes lit up at once.
She popped out of her gloom in an instant.
"You tell me."
"Then I'm guessing… no."
She wetted her lips and left a warm, damp mark on his cheek.
When he turned, surprised, she suddenly faced away, hands clasped behind her back, and skipped toward the door.
He couldn't see her face, but her voice was clearly pleased.
"Come on, Seele should have dinner ready~"
"Mm…"
Xander nodded slowly.
He stared at the open door for a long time without speaking.
…
"Seele, kiss me here."
Late at night, after their showers, Xander and Seele lay down in bed.
At first they had pretended to keep to separate quilts.
Now they didn't even bother acting and slipped under the same one.
Seele started to curl up against him like before.
Xander stilled her with a hand on her shoulder, his expression unusually serious.
"Eh?"
A kiss?
What's with you, brother?
Why are you suddenly asking for a kiss?
Though puzzled, Seele still blushed.
She closed her eyes and pecked his cheek.
"D-did that… work?"
Head down, she asked in a muffled voice.
She didn't see how off Xander's expression had become.
Something's wrong.
It's not the same.
He was happy that Seele kissed him.
But it didn't make his heart race the way Bronya's quick kiss had earlier that night.
And, for some reason, Bronya stirred his emotions more easily than Seele.
Does he… think of Seele as a real sister?
No, that won't do!
He had to be sure.
Xander's face grew even more solemn.
Holding her shoulders, he called softly, "Seele."
"Mm?"
His low voice drew her gaze up.
Seeing how serious he looked, she grew nervous too.
"W-what's wrong?"
"I want to confirm something, and I need your help."
He paused.
"It's very important—like, 'rest of my life' important."
Seele's expression turned serious as well.
She straightened and nodded quickly.
"Got it. Seele will cooperate."
"Thanks, Seele."
After thanking her, he finally said what he wanted—softened, awkward, and careful.
"Can I undo your pajamas?"
"Okay... Huh?"
Thinking her brother was about to say something incredibly serious, Seele was stunned when these words were spoken.
"P-Pajamas?"
"Mhm, it's very important to me!"
Looking carefully at her brother's serious face, Seele bit her lip, her confused heart struggling internally.
Instinctive shyness made her want to flee, but in her heart, she didn't want to refuse her brother's request.
S-Suddenly having my body looked at... Seele is quite looking forward to it... Ah, no! I mean, Seele is terribly shy!
Even if it's Brother's request, Seele absolutely will not agree! Absolutely!
The voice of refusal echoed in her mind, but when it reached her lips, it became a whisper as faint as a mosquito's hum: "If it's Brother's request..."
Seele lay flat on her back, gradually relaxing her body. She raised her arms and crossed them over her face, which was burning with unbearable shyness, leaving only her moist, enticing lips exposed, slowly exhaling warm breaths.
Xander turned over and leaned over her. This incredibly alluring scene made his Adam's apple bob heavily. Peeking through the gap between her arms at her glistening eyes and flushed cheeks was almost enough to incinerate his rationality.
As for a racing heartbeat?
That's just an excuse someone made up to justify their lecherousness. Surely you didn't actually believe it.
He supported himself with one hand while the other, trembling slightly, moved to the buttons on Seele's pajama top.
Her summer pajamas were only a thin layer. From top to bottom, the pronounced curves of her figure were clearly visible. Just this much felt enticing enough. If he completely undid the buttons and the view within truly met his eyes, he didn't dare imagine how beautiful it would be.
But the buttons, usually so easy to undo, now seemed difficult due to his nervousness. The hard, smooth material kept slipping from his fingers, foiling his attempts. Gradually, a thin layer of sweat even formed on Xander's temples.
After what felt like an eternity, Xander finally conquered the first button. But just as he reached for the second one, which restrained her fullness, a hand suddenly grabbed his.
"Seele?"
Seele had now lowered her arms. Her blushing face held a trace of impatience—it was the first time Xander had seen such an almost annoyed expression on Seele's face directed at him.
"Quit dawdling! This is such a pain!"
As her voice fell, Seele quickly undid all the buttons on her top herself, pulled open the collar, and, while Xander watched in stunned disbelief, hooked her hands behind his head and pressed it firmly against her chest.
In an instant, warmth and a milky fragrance enveloped Xander, causing him to lose himself in this lightless abyss.