That Night, We Almost Crossed the Line

I closed my eyes.

Her graceful figure was etched into my heart.

Her warm, soft body was intoxicating.

In her beauty, there was also a certain purity. Those eyes. That body.

…

Alright, I’ll just admit it. I’m still a virgin.

Call me incompetent. Call me a coward. I’ll accept it.

But honestly, the only thing we didn’t do was the final act.

To be honest, it felt more like huddling together for warmth.

Yi Yi looked like a newly hatched chick seeking warmth. I couldn’t bear to do anything to her.

I understood. Yi Yi hadn’t felt genuine care and warmth from anyone in a long time.

I stroked her hair.

“Tired?”

“It’s okay. I just sweated a lot. Ah, my pajamas are wet too.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“But they’ll smell…”

“A beautiful girl’s sweat is a delicacy to a man.”

“Mmm… That sounds a bit…”

A bit perverted, right?

But a gentleman (pervert) loves the sight of a shy, beautiful girl covered in sweat.

Yes, I am a gentleman.

Too bad the blanket was on top. I couldn’t enjoy the view.

But my hands had fully experienced the sensation, so overall, I was satisfied.

“Well, doesn’t it feel uncomfortable wearing wet clothes?”

“It doesn’t feel bad… but I’ll take them off. It’ll be more convenient.”

“If it’s not uncomfortable, don’t bother. They’ll dry soon.”

“Huh? Darling… aren’t we continuing?”

“I don’t want to force you.”

“I don’t feel forced.”

“But you’re still scared, right? It hurts. Just one finger and I already saw you grit your teeth and frown.”

“That’s because I’m not used to it…”

“So get used to it first. There’s no rush.”

“But, Darling, aren’t you uncomfortable?”

“At most, I’ll have trouble sleeping for a bit. I’m more concerned about you.”

“Mmm… It’s because I’m inexperienced. I’ll try hard to get used to it. I’m sorry.”

“Nothing to apologize for. If anything, I’m happy. It’s proof you’ve protected yourself all along.”

“Thinking about it now, I’m so glad I stayed pure. Really glad. Mr. Idiot said that Darling might have a virgin complex.”

“Uh, it’s not really about being a virgin or not. I just hate being betrayed. That has nothing to do with virginity.”

“I will never betray you!”

“Is that so? Then I’m satisfied.”

Still, I was very happy that Yi Yi was a virgin.

Unless a man has a cuckold fetish or some strange beliefs, wouldn’t any normal man prefer a virgin?

Wouldn’t everyone want to be their partner’s first?

The root of this desire might be possessiveness, the desire to conquer, insurance against cheating, rarity, or genetics.

But I don’t think it’s something to chase.

It’s just icing on the cake.

But many men might have it wrong.

To get something, you must give something. Quid pro quo.

If you want her purity, you must take on the responsibility of cherishing her for life.

Yet some men treat it like collecting video game achievements—a form of self-gratification. They get what they want but don’t cherish it or take on the responsibility.

That’s why there are so many non-virgins.

Aren’t non-virgins created by irresponsible scumbags?

Besides, being a virgin doesn’t automatically mean being pure.

Yi Yi is still a virgin, but I’ve already (ellipsis) her. Can she really be called pure anymore?

But I suppose it depends on the person.

Everyone has different limits.

And my limit…

“Darling… are you asleep?”

“Not yet. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Just checking… I can’t sleep either.”

“Since we’re both awake, let’s tell stories.”

“Stories?”

“Yeah. You said you’d tell me, remember? About why your hair turned white.”

“Ah… I did. It’s not a very exciting story, though.”

“I’ll listen.”

We held each other, holding hands.

In the warmth of that embrace, she began to talk about her past.

“I was an orphan. I don’t remember my biological parents at all. I grew up in an orphanage.”

“Just as I thought…”

I’d suspected this, but now Yi Yi confirmed it.

She wasn’t the Shen family’s biological daughter. She was adopted.

“Darling guessed?”

“Because you didn’t like mentioning your last name.”

“Yes… Kaori was my original name. They didn’t change it. ‘Shen’ was the last name I got after joining the family.”

“Meaning, you were adopted?”

“Yes. Back then, everyone in the orphanage hoped to join a new family. Being chosen by good people was every child’s blessing. And the Shen family was an especially wealthy household…”

She paused, then continued, speaking the thoughts she’d hidden deep inside.

“But honestly… I didn’t wish to be adopted. At that time, I felt the orphanage was my home. I was happy just living there with everyone.”

“But you were chosen by the Shen family.”

“Yes. I was six… Everyone looked at me with envy and jealousy. I couldn’t refuse.”

The chosen child had no right to refuse.

Everyone thought it was a good thing, so even if Yi Yi didn’t want it, she had no choice.

“But when I got to the Shen family, I told them I wanted to go back.”

“Huh? You said you wanted to go back?”

“Yes. But they didn’t agree immediately. They asked why. I said I preferred living with everyone at the orphanage.”

“Then what did they say to convince you to stay?”

“They said… if I could become a better daughter and meet their expectations, they would donate to the orphanage. They would make everyone’s lives better.”

I see. How despicable.

Facing a six-year-old, they used adult methods.

They saw through Yi Yi’s thoughts, exploited her naivety and goodwill, and made an offer she couldn’t refuse.

And Yi Yi was only six. She wouldn’t suspect anything.

This was a classic way to trap someone.

The Shen family had their eyes on her from the start.

“There was a friend at the orphanage. She was a few months younger, like a little sister to me. When I was taken away, she cried so hard. I wanted her to have a better life.”

“So you agreed?”

“Yes. I believed that if I became better and better, everyone at the orphanage could live better lives.”

Her tone was unusually flat. Then it suddenly became intense.

“I’ve been working hard ever since, holding onto that belief.”

But in the end…

“In the end, I was betrayed.”

“Come to think of it, Darling and I are the same, aren’t we? Hehehehe…”

“I hate being betrayed too.”

That’s something we both…

Absolutely despise.