Horror Game Developer: My games aren't that scary! Chapter 643: Headache [1]

"Ugh."

I cradled my head, a particularly intense throbbing making itself known today. It worsened when I noticed a foot positioned alarmingly close to my face, accompanied by muffled sounds originating from below me.

"...Don’t... touch me."

"How did this happen again...?"

My hands slid over my face as I stared blankly at the ceiling, thoroughly perplexed.

Honestly, I was at a complete loss.

My sole recollection was taking a single sip. Just one solitary sip.

"Did I black out from one sip?"

"Hm... you’re tickling me."

"Just how powerful was that whisky?"

After tapping the bed a few times, I leaned over, my eyes landing on the bottle. My arm stretched out towards it in an attempt to reach, but after a couple of futile tries, I abandoned the effort. Glancing back to ensure Soran was still asleep, a dark thread shot out, expertly snagging the bottle and pulling it closer.

"Alright, let’s see."

I rotated the bottle, but the instant the label came into view, my expression froze.

[Bruichladdich X4 Quadrupled Whisky, 92%]

"....Ah, I see."

A wry smile touched my lips as I placed the bottle down. I then sat up, absently scratching my back. The Team Leader's murmurs persisted, and surveying the room, I picked up one of the pillows.

Tapping it twice, I gave a satisfied nod.

"Yeah, this should do."

My subsequent actions were deliberate. Approaching the Team Leader, I positioned the pillow directly over her face and applied downward pressure.

"Hmm—!"

Her body immediately stiffened.

I continued pressing, whispering softly, "Shh. It’s okay. It’s just me."

"Hmm! Hmmmm—!"

Her limbs flailed and her body writhed. I maintained the pressure, eyes closing as her hands grasped my forearm, nails digging in.

To be honest, she possessed considerably more strength than I had anticipated.

This momentary surprise was all she needed to find her voice, letting out a scream.

"H-help...! Hmmm! Murder...! I’m being... m-hmmm-urdered!"

I attempted to muffle the sound, but her screams were piercing. In that instant, I knew time was short. I increased the pressure, aiming for a swift conclusion, but this woman was far more agile than expected. She twisted on the bed, dislodging the pillow before fixing me with a glare.

"Y-you...!"

Her hair was disheveled, and a line of saliva trickled down her chin.

Our eyes met briefly before she reached to wipe away the saliva.

"I see."

Her chest gradually steadied as she regained her breath.

"...Looks like we’re having a domestic dispute."

"No, we’re not."

"But we’re a couple. We even slept together."

My expression hardened.

"Not only that, but you were on top of me."

It hardened further.

"I felt your thick—"

"You—"

"—arms."

Tossing the pillow aside, I turned toward the door. Lingering here was only intensifying my headache. This was a rare occurrence, truly rare. Few people could induce such a state in me. For some reason, Soran had a knack for pushing my buttons.

Not even the Conductor caused me this much trouble.

'No, it’s fair to say that nothing comes close.'

Bringing my hand to my face, I reached the door and placed my hand on the handle. However, just as I did, my expression shifted upon hearing the distinct sound of numerous footsteps rapidly approaching.

Oh, no.

I glanced back at the Team Leader, whose face mirrored my concern as she, too, had evidently heard the approaching steps. Swiftly, she slid off the bed and positioned herself beside me. A moment later, a knock echoed.

"Hey? Is everything alright? I heard something."

"I’m good."

The Team Leader responded, clearing her throat.

"...I drank a bit, so..."

"....."

The subsequent silence was a welcome relief, prompting a sigh from me.

'Looks like they bought it.'

Indeed, it was difficult to disbelieve, especially coming from the Team Leader. I began to relax, only to have my breath catch the next moment as the Team Leader opened the door, revealing several faces whose eyes widened considerably at the sight of me.

"Well, off you go."

She gave my shoulder a pat as multiple stone gazes fixed upon me.

My lips parted, but no sound emerged as the Team Leader’s hand trailed down my back.

"You’ve still got a lot of work to do. So, shoo. Shoo."

Simultaneously, she turned her attention to those staring, raising an eyebrow.

"What?"

She tilted her head slightly.

"What’s wrong with your expressions? We’re married."

We are not.

I met her gaze, and she paused. Finally, with a look of disappointment, she lowered her head and sighed.

"Alright, I proposed to him, but he’s yet to reply. The same thing, though."

Though my lips moved, intending to offer a reply, my head throbbed from the previous night, causing me to abandon the thought. I wished to retort or take some action, but my mind was entirely elsewhere. With a push past the stony expressions that met my gaze, I retreated to my own room.

’What am I even doing? There’s still a bit that I need to do.’

*

The group lingered by the entrance for what felt like a full minute, appearing utterly frozen. The Team Leader, pulling out her phone, snapped several pictures while murmuring, "He might be a bit rough, but with some polishing, he'll be quite handsome. That's my man."

Click! Click!

Her photo session continued until the group finally broke free from their stupor.

Only then did they depart, leaving one person behind.

He remained by the door as the Team Leader put her phone away.

"Hm? Section Chief? Why are you still here? Are you here to retract our vows? If that's the case—"

"How is he...?"

The Team Leader paused, her demeanor shifting to one of gravity. She discreetly glanced left and right to ensure their privacy before responding.

"Honestly, I'm not entirely sure."

Her brow furrowed.

"Externally, he appears fine, but it's evident his mental state is unstable."

"You perceive it similarly?"

"Mhm."

The Team Leader offered a nod.

"Yes, he's definitely not well. While his confidence has certainly grown, it seems his sanity is diminishing in tandem. If this continues, then..." She trailed off, her brow knitting together even tighter. The Section Chief, however, grasped her unspoken meaning without further explanation.

Meeting the Team Leader's gaze, his expression turned somber.

"...I comprehend. I will endeavor to find a solution."

"Please do so."

The Team Leader replied, tucking her phone back into her pocket.

As she turned away, her voice lowered significantly.

"I would not wish for the past to repeat itself."

Clank—

The door swung shut immediately after, leaving the Section Chief alone in the quiet, the Team Leader's words echoing repeatedly in his mind. Ultimately, he turned, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"Nor would I."