44 Chapter 45: Relax

"Mnn..."

I wake up a familiar soft sensation on both sides of my arm.

"Ah that's right. We exhausted all our energy and fainted." I said as i looked at my arms

My left arm, was being tightly held by a sleeping serena, While my right arm, was being held by Ariel.

"I'm surprised I managed to fall asleep in this situation..." I muttered as I looked over at the two girls

Serena's sleeping face was both beautiful and cute. She had the genes of an elf after all. A proud race which lives on for hundreds of years and maintains their teenage looks throughout those years. At least that's what i read.

"If only you always stayed quiet..." I muttered

As I said, I looked over at Ariel. Her sleeping face was adorable. She's a human, and in most cases people's looks are above average here compared to my previous world. But hers are beyond that.

Am i being tested? Why do i have these two cute girls each clinging on to one of my arms. I'm a boy you know... A boy going through puberty. My heart can't take it...

Even if I've never had a girlfriend before, or barely talked to girls aside from my cousins. I still was interested in getting one. Although i never really found a crush or fell in love.

There were plenty of beautiful girls in my old school, but none of them made me feel that way. I wonder what it feels like when you do...

"Well, I can think about these things in the future. Right now, what matters the most is surviving and keeping these two safe."

Half an hour later, the two girls woke up

"Hey, john... Me and Ariel were wondering... Could you please set up a bath for us? There are a few cylinder-shaped rocks over there which we could fill with water. It'll feel like a hot-spring." Asked Serena

"Sure" I straightforwardly said

"Really?" Asked Serena

"Yeah, why not? I'd also like to take a shower. Also while you're taking a shower, here's 2 toothbrushes and toothpaste. This is for you and Ariel" I replied as i pulled them out from my toolbox

"Why do you have a toothbrush and toothpaste?" Asked Serena

"Well i thought we might need them, which is why i also brought a towel and toilet paper," I replied

"Of course you did. You're always prepared."

Why'd you say it with a sarcastic tone

"This is going too smoothly... Wait. You're not planning on peeping are you!?" Asked Serena with a surprised expression

Ariel who overheard made an embarrassed expression

"Alright, I guess you don't want to take a shower," I replied as i began to create my own

"Wait! Wait! I was joking, I'm sorry." Said Serena as she pulled my hand

"It's fine." I said as i walked over to their side and began creating a bath

I'd be lying if i said i wasn't interested. I want to, But it's not like I'll die if i don't, and it's not right...

Close... We're a hands width away from each other. Her small eyes, look as if they're staring right through me

"Y-Yeah, E-Everything's, okay," I said as I hastily turned my face

T-That was close... Wait, why am I always getting flustered whenever we make eye contact...

Ariel tilted her head in a confused manner at my sudden reaction

"W-Well, I'm going to go add water and heat up the spring," I said as I walked off

Ariel nodded and continued practising her wind control. Whenever she has time, she plays around with the wind. I'm glad she enjoys using magic.

Once i reached the rocks, I noticed that Serena, was waiting there.

"Hey." I said as i cast Aqua

I began filling the cylinder-shaped rocks with water. When Serena suddenly got closer to me.

"Hey, john. Are you sure you wouldn't want to peep..? Aren't boys usually interested in that sort of thing?" Asked Serena

I didn't reply to her question... More like I didn't know what to say

"Are you, not into girls?" Asked Serena with a surprised expression

"What? No. I'm straight." I replied

"Then do you not find us interesting..?" Asked Serena dejected expression

"It's not that!" I suddenly replied

Serena's expression changed from a dejected one to a surprised one at my sudden reaction. As we stared at each other, face to face i continued.

"So you are?" Asked Serena

"Argh... Fine, Yes I am. Are you happy? What kind of guy wouldn't want to peep at two cute girls taking a shower? Now stop asking, you're ruining my innocent mind" I straightforwardly said

Serena who didn't expect this coming. felt embarrassed. Her cheeks were bright red as she said "I-I see..." as she stared at me

I did not expect her reaction at all. My heart once again began beating even faster as we looked at each other. And I could feel my cheeks turning red, as I looked away. And tried focusing on heating up the water.

Seeing this, Serena slowly and quietly got up without saying anything and walked towards Ariel's direction, before she turned around and called my name

"John." Said, Serena

"What?" I asked as I turned around, still embarrassed from what I had just said

"You're a Pervert." Said Serena as she showed me a cute mischievous smile while she blushed.

"Wha-" I said as my face showed an, even more, embarrassed expression

Before i could say anything, she turned around and headed towards Ariel and practiced with her

First Ariel, now Serena... Stop messing with my feelings!

***

The showers were finally ready. I called the girls over and made sure an Ice Wall which split our sides so that they wouldn't complain or accuse me of peeping.

"Ah... It's feels nice..." I let out as i entered the spring of water that i had made.

It was just the right temperature and felt amazing. It was heated up by me after all. As i indulged in the relaxing Sensation of the spring. When I overheard a few things

"Ahh... this is bliss..." Said Serena

"Yeah... It's warm." Muttered Ariel as she got in

"Is everything okay ariel?" Asked Serena

"E-Everything's fine..." she replied

"Hmm, is that so."

"Serena... S-Stop... it's ticklish... Said Ariel as she started laughing

"Call me Bi-g-sis-ter" Said Serena as she continued to play around with Ariel

"Okay, Okay! Big sister, S-Stop, hahaha" Said Ariel as she continued laughing

"Then tell me what's wrong, sisters help each other." Said Serena

"O-Okay, Stop, hahaha" Said Ariel

Serena seemed to have stopped as Ariel began panting for air shortly after she said that

"I'm just not sure... It's just... We're stuck in this dungeon and we don't know what might happen. Also john... He's always so reckless even though he knows it's dangerous..." Muttered Ariel

"Reckless is too much, more like brave... Even if he doesn't show it, John has been afraid of the monsters quite a few times. I noticed this as i watched him."

She noticed..?

"There are times where he's trembling, sweating nervously or stuttering as he gives directions. I'm sure you've noticed too, right?" Asked Serena

Ah... Stop, please stop. This is too embarrassing...

"Yeah... So then why? If he's scared why does he take the lead?" Asked Ariel

"Cause he's a jerk and he's overprotective!" Said Serena

Haha, of course you want to be me.

"Pfff, That's right. John is overprotective." Said Ariel as she held back her laugh

"I know right. He's being cautious because he cares about us and doesn't want us in danger but he worries too much, Who does he think he is our dad?" Asked Serena

"That's true, he's always worrying about us. But you know... I like that part of him... He helped me someone who lost everything and took me on an adventurer with him. John is too kind... What do you think, serena?" Asked Ariel

Like? Ariel likes me? No wait, she said that part about me, which means it might not be me, which means... I'm just imagining it... Y-Yeah, She said part, doesn't mean me. Wait, why am i panicking?

"W-Well, I-I Guess i don't dislike that part of him... But he's too kind! He needs to be more selfish and look more intimidating. His looks are completely contradictory to his strength, he always has that innocent and fragile look on his face when he's not fighting." Said Serena

Dislike... I guess that means she doesn't hate me... Still, why do i feel so defeated...

"Even I thought a breeze could blow him over when i first saw him. But he was unexpectedly super strong!" Said Serena

"I know right! John is super strong! But he can sometimes be arrogant thinking things will go the way he plans which makes him do even more reckless things." Replied Ariel

"Which is why as his party members..." Said Serena

"We have to help him." Carried on Ariel

"Yeah." Said, Serena

"By the way Serena, You were tickling me earlier, weren't you? Then it's my turn!" Said Ariel

"W-Wait, Pfff, Ariel! Hahaha, I'm not good at, Pfff, hahaha, I-I can't breathe!" Said, Serena

...

"No matter what, I'll get us out of here safely... I promise." I muttered to myself

***

After the showers. I sat by where I had formed the ice Sphere and waited for Serena and Ariel

"John, the shower felt great. I knew we could count on you." Said Serena as she sat beside me

Ariel's face was bright red as she got out of the shower with Serena. Thanks to the wall, I couldn't see what was happening, but I could hear it...

"Yeah, no problem," I said as i remained on the ground

"Your face is bright red, did you spend too much time in the water?" Asked Ariel as she placed her hand on my forehead

"I-I'm good. I just ended up putting my head underwater for too long..." I replied

"Eh? Why..?" Asked Ariel as she also sat beside me

"He was probably practising some sort of magic?" Said, Serena

"I guess..." I replied

"I-I see... That's dangerous so please be more careful next time." Said Ariel

"Alright, i Will, Anyways. Let's eat and get some rest," I said as I pulled out 3 lunch boxes from the toolbox.