Akira extended a hand and pulled Ryuu up from the ground with ease.
Then, with a mischievous glint in his eye, he leaned in and deliberately teased her, lips curling into a wicked smile.
"Oh, Ryuu, you better be careful… There are other adventurers on the 18th floor. Wouldn't want anyone else catching a glimpse of you like that."
Without giving her time to react, he pulled a towel from his [Backpack] and pressed it into her hands.
He leaned down and whispered softly beside her ear, his breath tickling, "I don't want anyone else to see Ryuu's body."
"So, Ryuu should just listen to me."
Before she could fully process what he'd said, Akira gently placed both hands on her shoulders and turned the dazed elf around.
With a gentle push toward Alise and the others, he added nonchalantly yet with clear mischief, "If Ryuu doesn't behave… hmph, do you really want Alise and the others to find out that you like bathing naked in front of others, you erotic elf?"
The moment those words landed, Ryuu froze.
She stared at Akira, utterly horrified, and shouted in disbelief, "E-erotic!?"
"Shh! Lower your voice!" Akira quickly hushed her, placing a finger against her lips.
"Do you want Kaguya-nee and the others to hear you? If they really catch wind of that, you will end up with that nickname."
As if to reinforce his point, he gently reached out and flicked her sensitive ear.
Startled, Ryuu flinched and squeaked involuntarily, instinctively raising both hands to cover her ears, face flushing furiously.
"…Akira is too much…" She mumbled bitterly under her breath.
She was completely baffled.
Not only had she been threatened, she'd been forcefully given an outrageous nickname. Yet, despite the teasing and humiliation, there was something undeniably warm and strange bubbling up from deep within her chest.
Am I… really enjoying this?
A bad elf… I must be a bad elf...
As that thought surfaced, a faint, uncontrollable smile crept across Ryuu's delicate face. She tilted her head slightly, casting a sidelong glance toward Akira.
Then she chuckled, voice clear and sweet, "Even if you threaten me like that, I'm not bathing with you, you lecherous half-elf."
That's right. Even if I'm just a clumsy, useless elf who's only good at fighting… this insufferable half-elf still wants to keep me close. Still doesn't want to leave me behind.
At that moment, two naked figures—Lyra and Noin—were crouched just beside the edge of the black mist veil near the entrance of the spring.
They watched intently as Ryuu and Akira slowly walked toward them from afar, deep in quiet conversation.
As the pair drew near, Lyra and Noin quickly ducked back into the water, whispering with sly grins, "Ooh~ they're back. Looks like the two of them got along really well…"
Passing through the misty veil, Ryuu's gaze first swept across the spring, observing the others still bathing. Only after confirming that nothing awkward awaited her did she breathe a small sigh of relief.
She stepped onto the grassy bank, then silently and skillfully began to remove her gear and clothes, folding them neatly to the side.
With everything set aside, she carefully dipped her toes into the water and entered the spring.
But Lyra, unable to suppress her curiosity, swiftly swam to Ryuu's side.
Wearing her usual cheeky grin, she leaned close and whispered, "So, Ryuu, did anything happen while you were alone with Akira?"
Ryuu let out a helpless sigh, clearly used to Lyra's directness, but still replied patiently, "Nothing happened. I just apologized to Akira. There was no… situation as you're imagining."
But Lyra squinted at her with suspicion, noticing the small smile still lingering on Ryuu's face.
That expression… something definitely happened.
"Really?" Lyra replied aloud, pouting. "That's so boring."
"I'm terribly sorry for boring you, Lyra." With that, Ryuu promptly plunged her head underwater, trying to cool her still-burning face.
The instant she submerged, Lyra struck. She darted forward, cheekily grabbing Ryuu's soft, tender butt before disappearing beneath the surface with a splash.
"L-Lyra!?" Ryuu surfaced with a shriek, face beet red, and flailed in the water as the mischief-maker made her escape.
More than ten minutes passed. The girls were still enjoying their bath, chatting, laughing, and taking their time.
Meanwhile, Akira, left to his own devices, had gotten bored.
Sitting outside, he casually used his ice-element magic to construct small parts and began assembling strange little automaton-like robots out of thin air.
Finally, after what felt like forever, he heard the sound of light footsteps and bright laughter approaching.
Akira looked up and found all the girls emerging, radiant and refreshed, as if each had bloomed into spring flowers.
Alise was the first to wave at him, smiling as she said, "Akira! We're all finished. It's your turn now."
"I got it." Akira nodded.
"But before that—let me help dry your hair. Even if you don't catch a cold, walking around with damp hair is still uncomfortable."
Dispersing the ice element from his hand, he gazed at their damp locks, which had only been roughly toweled off.
Alise approached first, tilting her head slightly to reveal her long, flame-red hair. "Hehe, I'll leave it to you then, Akira."
Warm air began to gently flow from Akira's palm, carefully blowing through her hair.
Alise let out a satisfied sigh. "Akira's work really is top-notch. My magic could do it faster, but it always leaves my hair too dry."
Hearing the compliment, Akira offered a humble smile and continued working.
He moved from one girl to the next, not pausing, carefully drying each person's hair.
Finally, after Celty offered her thanks, Akira nodded, satisfied, and headed toward the clear spring pool.
The moment he entered, the cool water enveloped his body, washing away the fatigue and leaving behind a deep sense of calm and comfort.
Outside the spring, Iska suddenly folded her arms and smirked devilishly. "Heh! How about we go sneak a peek at Akira and give him a little surprise?"
Her completely shameless suggestion stunned the others.
Maryuu and Ryana exchanged glances and sighed in unison, clearly helpless in the face of Iska's behavior.
Even Ais, who was usually oblivious, blinked blankly, looking somewhat horrified.
Kaguya held her forehead and groaned. "Stupid Amazoness… why are you always horny for Akira?"
Red eyes flashing, she gave Iska a disapproving glare.
But Iska just raised her fist triumphantly and declared, "Well, it's your fault! You all get along so well with Akira. It's not fair. I need to use some special tactics."
"We must capture Akira!"
No one bothered responding anymore and instead busied themselves packing up their belongings.
Right then, Akira strolled over with a towel draped over his shoulder and asked casually, "Hmm? What are you guys trying to 'capture'?"
"Eh? N-Nothing at all, nothing here!" Iska quickly waved her hands and scratched the back of her head awkwardly. "You finished bathing already?"
Akira hoisted the large bag onto his back and chuckled. "Well, I don't need to scrub as much as you girls do. A few quick rinses and I'm good."
"Hahaha…" Iska laughed stiffly, her expression twitching.
He finished too fast! I didn't even get to sneak a peek!
(End of Chapter)
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