"Naive to the point that it was almost painful to watch..."
"?"
This time, Gwen wore a puzzled expression as he stared at the crazed snake.
"Ha..."
Just as Gwen and Mobius were gazing deeply into each other's eyes, Eden let out a soft laugh.
Facing Gwen's redirected gaze, Eden covered her smiling red lips with one hand, amusement gleaming in her eyes.
"Gwen, just as Dr. Mobius said, you still possess a bit of a young man's innocence..."
After a pause, as if she felt there was something wrong with that phrasing, Eden added,
"But that innocence is rather adorable too..."
"..."
Though he still felt somewhat depressed after giving up on himself, Gwen quickly realized one thing—
They did not seem to dislike that trait very much.
Seeing the surprise on Gwen's face, Eden gently shook her head and slowly said,
"Originally, I had some doubts about why Aili chose you.
But now, I think I understand—
Though you possess every desire a human could have, you are far more noble than those people, and you have even suffered because of it all this time."
"..."
Gwen, who had already prepared himself for distant looks, could not help but tremble slightly at Eden's words. His eyes met her golden, water-like gaze directly, his lips quivering as though he had countless words he desperately wanted to say.
"Alright, stop standing around in a daze."
At that moment, a faint moist sensation accompanied the girl's smiling voice, instantly snapping Gwen back to his senses. Alicia had pressed her left index finger, glistening with tiny droplets, against his cheek.
"Aili, I..."
Gwen opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it again without speaking. Instead, he laughed.
"Ha...
It seems I really do have an Inner Demon.
But it isn't