Hey, wanna go into the labyrinth with me tomorrow?
We go directly from the weaponsmith to the tavern, and as were having a meal, Ruruka comes over to our table and says that. Then she cheekily sits down and starts taking food from our platter and even ordering additional alcohol. Seems like shes by herself today.
Wait, didnt you tell me I couldnt join you or whatever? Besides, that flat-chest would totally hate it.
Perhaps, just maybe, this is headhunting? Her objective isnt me, but Yuel. Did she come to poach my cute, excellent, lovely Yuel-san?
You better not say that in front of that girl, okay? Shes really sensitive about that. Err, didnt I also say that if I didnt have a party Id want to enter the labyrinth with you? Frans in poor health, so for the next few days, were just taking a little break from party exploration.
Yeah, come to think of it she did say that too, huh. I get it. So its okay to go with Ruruka individually on one of her days off? A so-called temporary party.
And I do feel a little concerned about our combat potential, so maybe I should go ahead and test how far we can get with three people?
Ahh, that so? But Frans in poor health, no? Cant you do something for her? If that brat asks me personally, its not like I wont heal her?
Ahh, ahaha. Err, its not like that, so dont worry about it. Shell be fine, alright?
Whats with that, shes being evasive.
Poor health. Its not like that. The next few days. Taking a little break.
Dont worry, shell be fine.
Ahh. The corners of my mouth spontaneously curl up. I see, there are days like that occasionally, arent there. Its a girl thing.
That thing where about once a month, their health becomes poor.
I see, so it started today?
I wonder how long a cycle lasts? Usually about a month or so?
Yeah, Im starting to feel like calling out to her a month from now with That time of the month, huh?. At first, Fran wouldnt understand what I meant and stare blankly at me. But seeing my smug grin, shed realize what I meant, and be so confused over why I know, and ashamed that I found out.
I wanna take a look at her expression, soaked with disgust at me for bringing it up.
Right, if I run into Fran today or tomorrow, why dont I try asking her about her period? Surely, seeing Frans infuriated expression with those twin drills raging up to the sky would be well worth it.
Dont do anything to make her too angry, okaaay? That girl really hates things like that.
Ruruka sighs and says that. Did she guess my thoughts just from my expression? She knows me well, doesnt she.
Well, in the end maybe I wont actually do it. Shes one of Rurukas party members and all. If I end up saying it, Ruruka would understandably hate me. Id like to think that Ruruka has a relatively tolerant personality, but that doesnt extend to someone who offends her party members.
Wait, since its Fran were talking about, shes liable to call the guards or blast me with magic or something. Shes known to be uptight and all. Yeah, that would be unwise.
But if I do happen to run into Fran, I may end up saying something. If she takes a nasty attitude like I despise you, Ill naturally want to dye that expression of hers with shame. It wouldnt be seen as taking the first swing anymore.
Hey, Shiki, I wanna stay at the same inn as you. You dont mind, right?
On our way out of the tavern, Ruruka brings up an idea like that.
Is it that? That Im drunk, could you escort me back? one. Have I finally reached my popular age? Her face is faintly flushed too.
Perhaps she wants me to take her back to my place. Surely, this is what youd call a come-hither look. To think, suddenly going straight to bed without dating. How assertive.
Has she always been this aggressive? No, at most its been on the level where she jiggles her clothed breasts, presses them against me, and lets me touch them for just a moment. Plus, that was in exchange for a treatment fee.
So brave. Yuel continues to stimulate me with all her strength, to the point that her sweat drips down onto my body.
Breathing roughly, leaking her voice, dripping sweat.
Hold on! What are you doing to Yuel-chan!? Youd better not be laying a hand on
And along with a cry from Ruruka, the door to the room flings open.
Ruruka bursts into the room, observing the scene.
The scene of Yuel massaging my shoulders for me.
Just as planned.
Hmm? Whats the matter, Ruruka? Youre all flustered. Something bothering you?
Err, umm, well.
It was on purpose, of course. I asked Yuel to massage my shoulders, and massaging shoulders with a childs strength is difficult. So that our voices would be audible from across the wall, with exaggerated feelings.
Even for Ruruka who initiated all sorts of things at the hospital, as expected, this misunderstanding must have embarrassed her. Shes stammering as her face blushes. If I had to say which, Ruruka is the type who prefers to be on the offensive.
Rather than me sexually harassing her, I get the impression that its more appealing the other way around. And when I fall for her tricks, she rips off some money from me.
This isnt an expression I see very often. She showed me something rare.
Even Im not going to just let her get away with taking advantage of me all the time.
Whats wrong, you must have some reason to come bursting into my room all upset? Why dont you tell me?
As Rurukas face blushes, I glare at her scornfully.
You cant say it, huh. Thats right, huh. Theres no way you can say that you assumed we were doing indecent things, huh. Its embarrassing, huh.
Moreover, Yuel is wiggling her thumbs next to me, shaking out the pain in her fingers. All the more reason.
Ruruka is wearing an expression dyed with shame, as well as some thin pajamas. A Henley shirt, and some shorts made of soft-looking material. No, are they culottes? Usually she dons shorts made of some thick denim-like fabric, but just changing the fabric gives it a completely different atmosphere.
Enough to make me think that if I look from the back, her underwear lines would probably be visible through it.
I look her up and down, getting a full, thorough view. Pulled by gravity, the thin cloth slightly emphasizes the curves of her flesh. Her typically unseen expression makes a nice accent to it.
And yet Ruruka closes her eyes, takes a single deep sigh, and goes back to an exasperated expression. Ahh, its already over, huh?
She must have realized that I prepared an intentional misunderstanding for her. As I thought, Ruruka knows me well. Besides, she switches gears quickly.
I thought she might get angry, but I havent actually done anything. I merely had Yuel massage my shoulders, thats all.
Sure, Im the one who told Yuel that I wanted her to massage my shoulders, and I did pick words that would be easy for Ruruka to misunderstand, but my voice was merely expressing my satisfied emotions from having my shoulders massaged by Yuel.
I did flex my shoulders a little to create a situation where Yuel would have to put more force into massaging them, but Ruruka doesnt know that. There were no lies. The one who made an embarrassing misunderstanding was Ruruka herself.
Precisely because of that, Ruruka is likely making an exasperated expression because theres nothing for her to get mad about.
I suppose you could call this payback. As for the fact that she suspected me of being a lolicon, with this, Ill consider us even.
Thats what Ive decided today after seeing Rurukas figure in those thin pajamas, and that blushing face of hers.