May This Moment Last Forever

Meanwhile, Hope was currently bathing in water, grinning foolishly as all sorts of delusions filled her mind.

"Eve, you told me to go wash up first!"

Not only had she saved her life, but she also treated her without discrimination—a kind Eve.

A precious Eve who, for the first time, taught her what 'warmth' was.

At times, she acted absentmindedly, yet she was more mature and dignified than anyone else—a wonderful Eve.

That moment when Eve looked at her and smiled—Hope thought her heart had stopped.

"....For the moment of destiny to arrive this quickly."

Not even a full day, less than twenty-four hours had passed since then, and now the Eve had.... p-proposed something like that!

"What in the world, w-what is going to happen?"

The act of being alone together on the bed.

This implied that something was about to unfold.

'My heart is racing.'

Hope could feel her heart pounding harder than it ever had before.

From the moment she was born, to the moments she faced death—never in her life had she been this nervous.

"Huuuh."

Hope's imagination engine once again began running at full throttle.

What would they do together?

Would they hold hands tightly and talk until one of them fell asleep?

Or would they gaze at each other with gentle smiles?

Gasp—what if they actually fell asleep while hugging each other?!

"Th-that would be way too embarrassing."

Hope's face had already turned as red as a carrot.

Was it because of the warm bathwater? Or was it the excitement and anticipation for the near future?

"Ah, I need to hurry out."

Since Eve was waiting, she had to get out as quickly as possible.

"Hoo...."

Why was she getting so nervous over something like this?

Hope tried to calm her rapidly beating heart and, with trembling hands, pulled open the bathroom door.

But...

"T-Eve, I'm done washing up.... huh?"

Hope, who had been filled with anticipation and wearing a shy expression, was utterly shocked the moment she stepped into the bedroom.

"....Eve? Everr?!"

"Kurrr....."

After all, she had just witnessed Eve sprawled out on the bed, completely occupying it.

Sleeping soundly, even drooling in her sleep.

"Hehh, uhh... skewers, skewers..."

"Eve!"

"Hehehh...."

No matter how much Hope called her name, Eve only mumbled in her sleep and shifted slightly.

She had fallen into a deep slumber.

"What should I do....."

Hope, at a loss, fiddled anxiously with her fingers.

And just then—

".....Heh, Hope..."

"Uh, uwaaah?!"

All of a sudden, Eve called Hope's name and, without warning, pulled the hesitating Hope into her embrace and onto the bed.

"Hehehh....."

Caught off guard by Eve's touch, Hope was pulled in without resistance.

And just like that, the two ended up holding each other in bed.

"Eve, are you awake?"

"⋯"

"No, maybe not.....?"

Wondering if Eve had woken up, Hope asked, but all that returned was a warm breath.

It seemed that what had just happened was merely Eve's sleep-talking.

Realizing that her Eve was still asleep, Hope's mind was thrown into chaos.

She had been too flustered earlier to process the situation properly, but now she realized—

This was exactly the scenario she had imagined.

Her white hair gleamed under the moonlight—so pretty.

Her fair skin glowed under the starlight—so beautiful.

The sweet, comforting scent of warm milk clouded Hope's thoughts.

The warm, heavy breaths brushing against her lips made her skin tingle.

The sensation of soft skin against her back, stomach, and shoulders was overwhelming.

'...I'm happy.'

Happiness—perhaps it was defined by this very moment.

Hope's face burned bright red like a carrot.

Their touching skin exchanged heat, making the air between them grow even hotter.

"Heh....."

Perhaps intoxicated by the warmth, Hope let out a foolishly contented sigh.

'....May this moment last forever.'

And so, Hope prayed and prayed.

* * * *

But as always, good times pass quickly.

The morning sun rose, and sunlight poured through the curtainless window.

The night that had seemed as if it would last forever had come to an end.

Squirm, squirm.

As the bright sunlight touched her eyelids, Eve's body twitched.

Hope, seeing this as a sign that Eve was about to wake up, naturally slipped out of her embrace.

"Mmngh."

As she left Eve's arms, she could feel the happy warmth and comforting scent fading away.

It was a bit disappointing, but since they had many more days to spend together, Hope simply smacked her lips in anticipation of next time.

"Uugh....."

Still twitching in her sleep, Eve suddenly let out a loud yawn and bolted upright from the bed.

Meanwhile, Hope, as if she had just woken up naturally, rubbed her eyes and pulled the blanket close.

'Smells nice.'

Since Eve had been wrapped in it all night, the blanket carried a faint, fresh scent of her body.

Though it wasn't as strong as the real thing, the blanket, soaked in the morning sunlight, carried a rich and pleasant milky fragrance.

Just inhaling the scent made her exhaustion vanish.

Even though she hadn't gotten a wink of sleep last night, she didn't feel drowsy at all.

Was it magic? Did the Eve cast some sort of spell?

Or maybe Hope herself had been enchanted.

"Hope, Hope! Time to wake up! The sun's already high in the sky!"

"T-Eve.... just a little more...."

"Oh dear, Hope must not be a morning person. Alright, you can sleep a bit more. I'll come wake you once breakfast is ready!"

"Thank you....."

"Yaaawn... Tired.... no, wait, time to cook."

"Sleep well."

"Yes....."

Eve carefully pulled the blanket back over Hope, making sure it was snug before tiptoeing out of the room and heading to the kitchen.

"Haaaahm..."

Stretching her long body, Hope pulled the blanket up over her head.

She had fully recharged on Eve's power last night.

Maybe she should close her eyes for just a moment.

'Wait a minute.'

As she rolled over, trying to find a comfortable sleeping position, Eve's words from earlier flashed through her mind.

"I'll come wake you once breakfast is ready."

"Gasp."

Her mind, which had been drifting into drowsiness, snapped wide awake.

The heaviness in her limbs vanished as if electricity had jolted through them.

.....This is bad.

Eve must not be allowed to cook.

Hope even had to secretly use her magic to help her last night!

'No!'

She recalled last day.

The food had burned so badly that the flames almost spread to the walls.

She had used restoration magic to bring back a salad that had somehow turned into charcoal.

She had to add apples to an apple pie that originally lacked any.

Just yesterday, Eve had made all those mistakes.

And now, if she tried cooking without any help, the result was painfully obvious.

'Way too dangerous.'

Hope felt bad for thinking this about her Eve, but it was the truth.

To be fair, the food had tasted good. That much was undeniable.

But the process was simply too hazardous.

"Eve!!"

"Wha—hey! You got steamed again!"

".....Ah."

Hope had bolted out of bed and flung the bedroom door open, shouting.

But unfortunately, she was already too late.

"....Huh? Hope? Why are you up? Oh! I bet the smell of breakfast woke you up, huh?"

"Uh, uhm..... yes, that's right. I got a little hungry."

Responding naturally, she quickly scanned the surroundings.

No burning walls—good.

No completely charred food—good.

No missing ingredients—good.

"Phew....."

"Wow, Hope, you must be really hungry if you're sighing like that! Here, take a seat. It's just finished and still warm."

"O-okay....."

Fortunately, there were no problems.

Hope let out a relieved sigh.

'Thank goodness.'

Today's breakfast was Eve's usual specialty—steamed fruit.

It was a dish that didn't involve open flames, making it one of the safer choices.

Perhaps that's why everything had gone smoothly.

"Alright, let's eat!"

"Enjoy your meal."

Unlike last time, Hope took a big bite of the steaming dish.

Since it had just been made, the warm, soft, and sweet-tart fruit filled her mouth with its rich flavor.

"Tasty?"

"Yes! It's delicious!"

"Hehe, you don't have to talk with your mouth full. We have plenty of time, so eat slowly."

"Okaay!"

Eve's food was delicious.

But for some reason, the process behind them was always bizarre.

Seriously, who burns a salad or forgets to put apples in an apple pie?

'Eve is truly a mystery.'

And yet, instead of ruining the dish, the odd cooking process somehow made the flavors even more exquisite and addictive.

It was truly astonishing.

"Ahhh.... ABC soup always warms you up, no matter when you eat it. Hope, want some more?"

"Yes, please."

"Great! Let's eat a lot and grow way taller than Mr. Alex!"

"Of course!"

Eve smiled.

Hope smiled along with her.

This was yet another happy morning at the orphanage, the same as always, and the same as it would always be.