This feeling was like drowning.

His body was very heavy, so heavy that he couldn't even lift a finger.

It was as if he was trapped in a swamp, as if he was falling into an abyss. An unknown stagnant atmosphere shrouded his surroundings. Even the blood rushing under his skin to his limbs and bones felt the oppressive weight. His chest was blocked, and his five senses were sealed. Gradually, his perception of the outside world was close to nothing.

In the empty void without any support, a strange feeling of dizziness swept through his body, causing his already drowsy brain to be immersed in this unknown darkness. Depravity, sinking.

His mind was wandering.

Naegi Makoto vaguely realized that he seemed to be dreaming.

There was no origin, no reason, and no memory of the previous day when he fell asleep. He couldn't even clearly understand what day it was. He just floated in the dark space of consciousness with an empty self. He didn't even have any concept of time and space. He didn't pay attention to what appeared around him or what he missed. He just floated blindly, as if he was in a daze, drifting without feeling anything.

This was the depths of the sea of consciousness, the dormant place of the subconscious … In other words, it was a wasteland of exiled rationality.

The only thing that could leave a trace was instinct.

This — should be a state of extreme isolation, should be like this.

His body subconsciously became alert. The muscles on his waist were as stiff as stone, tightly stretched into a rigid arc. His chest was under pressure, and the flow of air in and out became difficult. The nerves on his face seemed to be twitching. He felt that he could only try his best to maintain a normal calm expression.

An ice-cold, strange existence bound his hands and feet, and a strange prying will slowly approached him. It was very slow and very careful, as if the other party had also been blinded by the unknown darkness. It was probing, very cautious … but firmly grasped him.

— He was caught.

Like a kite flying in the sky being pulled by a string, the planet that he thought was freely roaming was pulled back to its orbit by gravity. The wandering spirit returned to the body in an instant, and then, belatedly, he realized the fact that he was bound.

First, it was his ankle, then his calf, climbing up little by little. It felt as soft and delicate as skin, but the temperature didn't make him feel at ease. Instead, it was a feeling closer to that of a cold-blooded animal … that was robbing others of their warmth.

If he were to describe it as an animal, it would be a snake.

It was cold, but unexpectedly, his intuition guessed that it was the type that was not poisonous or had a docile nature. It lazily clung to him. The purpose of its action was not to hunt, but purely to touch, to touch, to feel.

Showing weakness and wanting to get closer.

… Was it because she was too cold and wanted to warm herself up?

Naively trying to figure out the other party's condition, Miao Mu's heart suddenly welled up with a very strange emotion. It was difficult to describe with words, but he was deeply affected by the emotion that was similar to hesitation. He could not produce a trace of resistance.

However, wasn't this a little too much?

A hint of confusion flashed through his eyes. His legs that were being carefully touched unconsciously tensed up. The touch that snaked all the way up stimulated his sensitive skin. Although his slow mind had not yet realized that it was too dangerous and intimate, his body had already started to tremble.

For the other party, this defensive reaction that was similar to resistance was extremely obvious.

He seemed to be a little startled and surprised, and an apologetic emotion was transmitted to him, as if he was apologizing for offending him.

No, you don't need to apologize to me.

Miao Mu also felt apologetic. Due to his careless behavior, he felt guilty for hurting the other party. After all, it was against his will … Although he did not understand why he could not raise his guard against a complete stranger in this inexplicable state, he subconsciously understood that this person, should be harmless to him.

The consciousness of both parties was like a snail that could not see, nervously extending its tentacles to feel the other party.

Naegi Makoto was a little nervous, but at the same time, he was happy for some unknown reason.

I am liked.

Wow — how should I say it, I am flattered. There is actually someone who has such a strong affection for me at first sight. So strong, so strong, so yearning, so yearning, so friendly, so warm —

He is. He likes me.

Why is that?

I don't know.

How do I feel about this?

I am very — very honored, and very happy.

We will probably become very good friends.

As soon as this thought appeared in his mind, Miao Mu felt himself being warmly embraced.

The other party's arms circled around his neck, their bodies intimately close. He realized that the other party was a man — this made him feel less reserved — and the figure was tall and thin. He was completely embraced in his arms.

What was different from the oppressive height difference was that this should really be a gentle and harmless youth. He meekly lowered his head, his chin resting on his shoulder. As he breathed, an undetectable stream of air gently brushed against his exposed skin, bringing with it a slight chill.

The close posture of pure reliance, the intimacy of coquettishness, Miao Mu could almost feel the slight itch of the other party's soft hair brushing against his skin.

He could not help but slightly curve the corner of his mouth, and a faint blush appeared on his cheeks.

Although, the hug was a little too strong, and he could not move a little.

The other party did not notice the insignificant complaint in Miao Mu's heart. Or, it could be said that, in his overly happy mood, he had forgotten himself and ignored everything other than himself. At the moment when he was so close to the person he was pursuing and looking for, there was only one obsession left in his mind.

Is this enough?

Just this kind of contact … can you be satisfied?

… The hope that you yearn for, the hope that you have entrusted all your piety and faith to … Your desire, your call, your passion …

Is this … really enough?

The desire of a glutton whispered in his heart.

It's not enough. Come closer, come closer … let me … go deeper …

All kinds of emotions flashed through his lowered eyelids. He suddenly raised his head without warning, his slender fingers clasping Miao Mu's chin, his thumb pressed against his lips. His expression was calm and gentle, but his eyes greedily stared at him for a while. Then, without hesitation, he leaned down.

The smile on Miao Mu's face froze. His eyes slowly widened, and astonishment surfaced.