CH 36

“Master”

We started aiding the girl as soon as Akane came back.

I’m a complete novice. I have close to no knowledge of healing magic or anything of the sort. I’m merely relying on her strength.

If she was able to survive the poison, her body must be very resilient.

She’s doing her best, and so should I.

– Hmm… The antidote…

I’m just following the recipe from this book I brought. The ingredients shouldn’t combine if I don’t have enough Level for it, but everything seems to be good so far.

I was just planning on camping every day with no issues. At no point did I expect something like this to happen, but the Grandmaster probably did. I have to do this.

I can only imagine she’s at the guild leaning back on her chair while drinking tea.

– It’s done. Take this, it’ll make you feel better.

– Ugh… Augh…

I tried giving her a spoonful of the antidote but her body was so weak she couldn’t even open her mouth.

Even if I manage to get it into her mouth, it won’t have any effect if it doesn’t reach her stomach.

– Huh… I guess I have to do -that-.

I looked around nervously to make sure no one was watching. Akane wanted to get more sleep, so as long as I’m quick she won’t notice.

This is an emergency.

If Akane sees me I’ll just make an excuse.

Though her sword might not want to hear excuses.

Well, here goes nothing.

– PFU! Why is it so bitter!?

I tried holding the antidote in my mouth.

I guess this isn’t edible seasoned food, it’s medicine.

Dobudokudami, Kusayabana, Oetsusou… The ingredients I used would be foul on a food plate, but they’re pretty effective as medicine.

– I know this isn’t what you want, but I have to do it.

I gave her the medicine mouth-to-mouth.

To prevent the medicine from dripping down her lips I used my tongue to guide the liquid to her throat.

If she were to wake up and bite, my tongue would be a goner for sure. I’m lucky she’s sleeping like a log.

I made completely sure the medicine reached her throat.

Now we just have to wait for the antidote to take effect.

– You can do this…

I wrapped her in my arms to diminish any anxiety she could have.

×　×　×

And so, the long first night of our training ended.

I waited a bit just to confirm the antidote worked. After confirming the girl’s body had stabilized I passed out.

– Ngh…

Noticing the sunlight reaching my eyes, I decided to wake up.

I might be awake, but my thoughts are fuzzy. I stayed up until pretty late and even skipped dinner.

– Also, there’s something suffocating…

I tried to breathe in, but something was preventing air from reaching my mouth.

Something felt wet, and I could hear the sound of water splashing.

– Master… Master…

– Huh? “Master”?

An unknown voice lured me back into reality.

When I opened my eyes, I saw an adorable girl with golden eyes and dog ears.

– You’re awake, Master.

– Huh? Are you… Hm?

That’s when I realized, her mouth was extremely close to mine.

D-Did she kiss me while I was asleep!?

As if that wasn’t enough…

– Hey, Takaya. Good job yesterday. I got some ingredients and water. I’ll get everything for breakfast read-

Akane and I made eye contact.

From her perspective, this looks like a little girl kissing a guy first thing in the morning. Now, I would consider this to be an unavoidable act of God, but I don’t think she would agree.

– Uh… Hey, Akane-san! Uhm…

– You… YOU LITTLE…

– I don’t know about you, but to me, this seems like an inevitable convergence of the threads of fate! Am I right!?

– …WHAT?

Seething, Akane turned to look at the girl, but the result was even worse than I could’ve imagined.

– Master, I love you.

– YOU DEGENERATE! IS THAT WHY YOU WANTED TO NURSE HER!? I’LL DECIMATE YOUR WORTHLESS BODY!

– No! I swear!

Akane swung her sword and held it right in front of my nose.

Just a peaceful morning in the Sage’s Forest.