Love Letter From The Future

When I opened my eyes, I was greeted by a familiar ceiling.

The pure white marble scattered a soft light under the cozy sunlight. Although there were no extravagant decorations, the hospital room furnished with expensive furniture felt unnecessarily luxurious.

This was not the kind of luxury one would expect from the second son of a rural baron. It was all possible because of the academy.

As soon as I got up, a dull pain radiated from my arm. The stabbing pain left my hand numb as if it were paralyzed. I clenched and unclenched my fist, left with no choice but to wear a bitter smile.

I couldn’t tell how many times this was already. Lately, it felt like I had been visiting the temple every other day. Not just the day I was hospitalized, but also including the sick visits from acquaintances.

Especially to Emma’s hospital room, which I usually visited once or twice a week. I thought I should visit Emma again on my way out today.

As I opened my eyes, I tried to sit up, and I heard a soft breathing sound tickling my ears.

I shifted my gaze toward the source of the wheezing sound. There lay a petite girl with black hair, her face buried in the bed as she slept.

It was Celin. Last night, after hastily finishing my bleeding treatment, I must have fainted from the intensity of the blood loss. Yet, it seemed Celin stayed by my side all night instead of returning to the dormitory after I fell asleep.

It was understandable. The reason I was hospitalized was due to an injury sustained while sparring with Celin.

Fortunately, it wasn’t a severe wound. Although I suspected the blade had pierced down to the marrow, the academy’s temple always had senior priests stationed. The injury was treated quickly. Though the disinfection process to clear the contamination did make me curse under my breath.

However, no matter how miraculous the divine power was, it couldn’t ease the accumulated fatigue in the human body. My body had reached its limit after suffering multiple injuries. I needed a few days of rest separate from the treatment.

Thus, Professor Andrei from the Theology Department, who was in charge of my treatment last night, forced me to stay in the hospital despite my insistence that I was fine. He remained unmoved even when I expressed my concern that I had missed too many classes lately, affecting my grades.

In fact, Professor Andrei took a firm stance, claiming he would inform the professor responsible for my classes today. Even when I looked displeased, he was determined enough to swap out the priest with the Lady Virgin Saint and emphasized his point.

I had already faced reprimands from the Lady Virgin Saint lately. If I told her I had sustained a serious injury that almost cost me my arm, I could only imagine how long her lecture would be. In despair, I completely lost my will to fight back.

Seeing my gloomy expression, Celin appeared to be concerned, constantly glancing at me.

No matter how many times I assured her I was fine, Celin showed no intention of leaving. However, I thought she might return at dawn, yet perhaps out of guilt, she seemed to stay up the entire night.

Celin, sleeping soundly, looked like a lovely girl in every way. Cheerful, foul-mouthed, and somehow, I couldn’t picture her as the same girl who would have a sword fight with Ceria.

She was indeed pretty. I had heard that from the first year, high-ranking nobles had been consistently throwing glances her way, and I could see why. They said she and Ceria formed a pair of top practitioners in the second-year Swordsmanship Department, didn’t they?

It had nothing to do with me. To me, Celin was always just Celin. No matter what she did since coming to the academy, my childhood friend Celin was solely one person.

I cautiously sat up, worried I might wake Celin.

Contrary to my worries, Celin seemed deeply asleep, showing no sign of waking. As I smacked my lips, a mischievous idea crossed my mind.

Should I see how long she could stay asleep?

I poked her soft cheek with my index finger. My finger sunk into her elastic flesh, and Celin scrunched her brows slightly and shook her head a bit.

Even so, she still hadn’t opened her eyes. It seemed she was in a very deep sleep. I poked her cheek again.

Still, there was no reaction from Celin. Just as I was about to poke her again with my finger—

Celin let out a slightly annoyed huff, took my finger into her mouth, and began to suck on it.

A strange sensation tickled my spine, a jolt of pleasure coursing from my tailbone up through my spine.

What was happening? The atmosphere suddenly felt weird.

While my body hesitated at the unfamiliar sensation, Celin diligently licked my finger. Her moist, slippery lips tantalizingly pressed against my finger. Celin’s expression looked oddly comfortable.

Was this the expression of a child sucking on their mother’s breast? The only problem was that I was a man and couldn’t provide that for Celin.

No liquid would come from my fingers. Maybe from another part would be different.

While I was dazedly accepting Celin’s affection, I jolted back to reality. I must have lost my wits for a moment due to that peculiar sensation.

I quickly pulled my finger from Celin’s mouth. Her once foolishly happy expression transformed into one of dissatisfaction as she looked at me. However, there was nothing I could do.

What kind of thoughts had I entertained with such a pure child? I drew a cross with my finger and muttered in line with the Lady Virgin Saint.

Emmanuel, Heavenly Deity, save this unfortunate soul from sin.

And fearing I might let my desires rise again, I promptly smacked Celin on the head. It was a fitting punishment for daring to tempt me while sound asleep.

“Ouch, ow!”

This time, Celin had no choice but to wake up, letting out a scream as her eyes fluttered open. Instinctively, her hand reached for her forehead.

With an exasperated expression, Celin glared at me for having called her out of her sleep but soon snapped to attention, her eyes wide open.

She hurriedly asked me, “Did, did I wake up? Is, is my body okay?”

“What’s up with that? I fought off ten monsters, you know.”

I had almost died back then. To be honest, if I had to do that again, I definitely wouldn’t be able to. The wounds from yesterday were no joke, but they were nothing compared to facing monsters.

Despite my joking, Celin still wore a sad expression. If I left it like this, she’d likely burst into tears any moment now. Immediately, she expressed her remorse.

“I, I’m sorry… if I hadn’t done something weird at the end…”

“It wasn’t intentional, right? Don’t think too much about it; I’ve never fought with a sword without being ready for injury.”

I spoke nonchalantly to put Celin’s mind at ease. To be precise, the situation had been one where my heart could have been gravely injured too, but I refrained from pointing that out.

What benefit would it serve if Celin only remained in distress? Thinking back, perhaps it could also be entertaining.

Right now, however, Celin seemed like she would burst into tears if I merely poked her. She looked like a water balloon swollen with tears. So I forced myself to set aside any bad thoughts.

“Still, if someone should be hurt, it should have been me…”

Celin murmured with a voice full of regret, her gaze dropping silently to the floor. She looked utterly deflated.

In her once-vibrant golden-brown eyes, only guilt rippled. So, I gently stroked Celin’s cheek without saying anything.

Startled by my unexpected touch, she shivered for a moment. Her eyes met mine. I gave a bittersweet smile, mixed with a sigh.

“It was my choice.”

“…Huh?”

“I chose this, not you—me getting hurt, that is.”

Celin’s eyes became dazed upon hearing my words. I cleared my throat awkwardly and continued.

“No matter what, I couldn’t let you get hurt. So, instead, I got hurt… It’s my choice, and I should be the one to bear that responsibility. So don’t think too much about it.”

That was how I genuinely felt. I was a bit embarrassed to meet Celin’s eyes directly, but that feeling was true.

I didn’t want to hurt Celin. I had no regrets about what happened last night.

Celin remained silent for a long while after hearing my words. She merely stared at me with a vacant gaze, and then suddenly broke into tears.

Tears quickly filled her eyes. Sobbing, Celin took my hand, which had been stroking her cheek, and held it with both of hers.

“I’m sorry, sniff… I’m sorry, Ian oppa. I won’t, sniff, I won’t do it again… huuh…”

What was meant to be comforting words ended up making her cry. I looked at Celin with a perplexed expression. It seemed her cries wouldn’t stop for a while.

I tried to soothe her with the warmest voice I could muster.

“Why are you crying again? At this rate, everyone will think you’re a crybaby.”

“Sniff, don’t say that… I’ll be really good, I swear, Ian oppa… huuh…”

After patting her back to calm her down for a while, Celin finally ceased her tears. Still, there were visible tear streaks on her cheeks, and her eyes glistened with moisture.

It was still beautiful, and I couldn’t help but admire her. Her eyes were now filled with affection for me. It appeared she would listen to anything I said at this moment.

Well, this was fortunate. I cautiously brought up something to Celin.

“Celin, by the way, do you remember?”

“…Huh? Remember what?”

“You promised to grant my wish, the one who lost.”

It seemed Celin had completely forgotten about that promise. She widened her eyes for a moment before breaking into a gentle smile.

Then she rubbed her cheek against my hand, which she was holding tightly. It felt like I was handling a docile pet. With a low voice, she whispered.

“Yeah, of course. I’ll grant anything.”

“…Anything?”

With that ambiguous tone, I couldn’t help but ask her again. Celin’s eyes sparkled with mischief. Whether it was a game or her genuine feelings, I couldn’t tell.

But the warm, humid breath brushing against my palm felt sincere.

“Yeah, anything… even if you ask for all of me, I’ll give it.”

As she said that, Celin gently brought my hand downwards. To her nape, to her collarbone, and then under where the plush sensation could be felt.

My mind went blank. Now that I thought about it, a sweet fragrance filled the hospital room. The unique scent that only a woman could emit made my senses swirl.

Celin slightly tilted her upper body and looked up at me. Then she whispered into my ear.

“…What will you do?”

“I, Celin… I mean, I…”

Slowly, I tightened my grip. Escaping from Celin’s hold, my hand firmly grasped her shoulder. Our faces were merely inches apart. Celin looked slightly startled, her eyes widening as she stared at me.

The sound of my pounding heart echoed. Our pulses synchronized. I leaned closer and whispered in Celin’s ear.

“…Let’s pair up for the Hunting Festival.”

A thud echoed as something struck my arm. It happened to be my forearm.

My scream echoed loudly throughout the hospital room.

Celin was once again gazing at me, fidgeting restlessly. I had to send a pouting glare her way while rubbing my sore forearm.

It was especially troublesome since she had struck the very spot that was injured. No matter how it was stitched up with holy power, it was still an injury. My arm was essentially half-severed; it couldn’t possibly be intact inside.

Celin stomped her feet in anxiety and cautiously asked me, “Are, are you okay?”

“No, it hurts. A lot.”

“Y-yeah, I guess it would…”

Celin, flustered and glancing around, eventually seemed to muster up some boldness. She yelled out.

“W-who tells someone to say something like that in a situation like this?! You’re so clueless. Seriously!”

It was a decent tactic. Playing the victim with anger, and considering her pretty face, most men would probably give in at this point.

But I was not just anyone. I was a seasoned expert with over ten years of experience facing Celin.

I immediately grasped my forearm and groaned.

“Ouch! Hearing that made my forearm hurt even more…!”

“R-really?! I-I’m sorry… w-what should I do? I should call a priest…!”

Celin quivered in despair at my feigned pain. Her sorrowful expression was a bonus. Watching this, I couldn’t help but feel a mischievous smile creeping onto my face.

How cute, but you just can’t win against me.

However, what I hadn’t predicted was that, in that moment, the hospital door would swing open. It happened just as Celin was standing up, anxious.

Beyond the door appeared gray hair.

Celin’s body froze in place upon meeting the aquamarine-eyed woman.

The one who had come to visit in the early morning was Ceria, who seemed momentarily confused as her body jolted slightly.

Though she wore a neutral expression, I could tell. Ceria found herself in a rather awkward situation regarding Celin.

An awkward silence enveloped the air. Ceria hesitated for a moment before, perhaps deciding to steel herself, she took determined steps toward me.

Celin glanced at Ceria with a puzzled expression, but even as her gaze followed suit, Ceria remained silent, intentionally avoiding eye contact with Celin.

To avoid a confrontation, she ignored her. It was a tactic Celin had previously used against Ceria. I never expected the tables would turn in such a way.

The world was indeed a strange place. Ceria passed Celin and naturally took my hand with both of hers. Her hands were soft. The tender touch felt pleasant.

Celin’s expression grew increasingly mysterious. Her eyebrows trembled slightly.

“Uh, Ian sunbae. Are you feeling a bit better?”

“No, how do you know that…?”

I could only ask Celin that as I turned to the warm-voiced Ceria due to my confusion.

I had only been hospitalized the night before. How had the news reached Ceria so early this morning?

The answer was surprisingly straightforward.

“Professor Andrei informed me. He said that today’s training would be tough since you were hospitalized…”

“Oh, I see.”

Now that I thought about it, Professor Andrei did mention that. He said he would inform the professor responsible for my schedule today and, in doing so, apparently also conveyed the news to Ceria.

It seemed he had shared my schedule from last night along with Ceria’s early training; I thought as I looked at Ceria, who was tightly gripping my hand.

Her worried expression looked both somber and anxious. In front of me, she seemed to openly show her emotional changes. I slowly spoke to reassure her.

“It’s not a serious injury. Just that Professor Andrei insisted I rest…”

Suddenly—

“…Ian brother.”

A small voice called from outside the hospital room. A clear and melodic voice seeped in.

That voice had an uncanny charm, capturing our attention in an instant. All three of us turned to look at the door.

There stood a woman with a somewhat displeased expression.

Her soft pink eyes surveyed the hospital room. With features that could well be considered a work of art and a captivating physique.

It was the Lady Virgin Saint. Her gaze swept over me, Celin, and Ceria in succession.

She smiled gently at me and said, “You look well.”

I could only press my remaining hand against my forehead. I couldn’t feel much in my injured arm, but it was no use.

How could she come to visit at such a perfect moment?

It was a situation where three women had gathered in a single room.

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