Because they'd rented a carriage, it was already evening by the time they returned to Magnolia.
"At this hour the guild's closed, and I'm all sticky… so uncomfortable."
Thinking of being drenched in the forest made Levy squirm a little. She tilted her head and flashed a bright smile.
"Let's do what I said and go to the neighboring Hosenka Village for a hot spring, okay?"
She could soak at the girls' dorm, sure—but without Aurel, it was a completely different experience.
"I don't mind a soak, but…"
Watching the girl ahead walking along the river's edge with her arms spread in delight, Aurel pinched his chin. "Seeing you this happy… you're not thinking mixed bath, are you?"
"It is not a mixed bath! Why would you think that… What kind of girl do you take me for!"
Levy nearly stumbled into the river, then regained her balance and puffed her cheeks in protest.
Their relationship had heated up quickly, but they hadn't even been honest in the most basic sense yet; at most they'd done… that.
As for a mixed bath—that kind of thing was at least for after marriage!
"Mhm, very fond of lewd—"
"Aah—shut up!"
…
Hosenka Village.
A hot-spring hamlet west of Magnolia, its architecture followed an Edo-style Japanese aesthetic.
It clashed completely with the Western look everywhere else…
Walking the broad streets, Aurel took in the lantern-lit town and the kimono-clad passersby and couldn't help thinking so.
Then he remembered the cherry trees planted all through Minami Entrance Park back home and let it go.
Unlike Aurel, who was here for the first time, Levy smoothly booked them a room and led him into a bustling bathhouse.
"See you in a bit!"
Changed into a clover-print yukata, Levy waved and hummed a cheerful tune as she slipped into the women's bath.
"Mm, see you."
Aurel slid open the door to a wide open-air bath. A bright full moon hung in the night; distant mountain ranges rolled on and a waterfall glimmered in and out of sight.
"Surprisingly nice view."
A hint of surprise flickered in his eyes as he took it in.
They'd booked a private room and baths, so he in the men's side and Levy in the women's side were each alone.
Clear birdsong, a cool night breeze, and the steaming water at a perfect temperature.
"Hah… that's good."
He sank into the water and leaned back against the stone, a looser smile easing across his face.
If he bought a house someday, he was definitely building one this big at home.
Gazing out at the night, Aurel couldn't help thinking it.
…
After about half an hour, Aurel returned to the room.
He slid open the shoji; dinner was already set on the low table—salt-grilled saury, tempura, sake…
Textbook Japanese fare.
He poured a cup of sake and had just raised it when the door slid again.
In stepped the blue-haired girl in a yukata, hair beaded with water, skin flushed from the bath.
His eyes traced up from her slender waist—then he looked aside with a complicated expression.
"What, are you shy?"
Towel-drying her damp short hair, Levy noticed and teased with a smile.
"No, it's just… really flat."
Aurel sipped his sake and said it slowly.
Flat?
Levy's smile froze. She didn't need to look down to know what he meant.
"Pervert!"
She huffed, cheeks blazing, and sat opposite him.
No, it's not my fault I don't grow…
She snatched his sake and downed it, glaring.
"It's fine. Small is cute too."
Propping his chin with one hand, Aurel looked at her like she was a finely made piece of art.
He'd said it a dozen times—but she was adorable every time he looked.
"…What is it? Why are you staring at me like that?"
His stare made her squirm, shoulders tightening, her tucked feet worrying at each other behind her.
"I'm just wondering why Levy-chan is so cute," Aurel said earnestly, a relaxing smile at his lips. "Cute enough to make me want to hold you and bully you a little…"
You already did bully me!
Levy scooted back a touch, eyes flitting away on their own.
Honestly, after that night, she'd found herself a little addicted to that feeling.
Compared to reading alone… it was much nicer.
And—she remembered books said it wasn't just women; men needed… that… as well.
Thinking of those passages, Levy opened her mouth. It was hard to say, but she forced herself and squeezed the words out.
"Um… d-don't you feel… uncomfortable?"
"…What?"
Aurel tilted his head, baffled by the sudden question.
"Last night… the book said…"
She managed it in an excruciating whisper, then clapped both hands over her face.
What am I even babbling—how can I say that to his face!?
"…"
Aurel paused, then stood and moved to sit beside her. He rested his chin atop her head and asked very softly:
"So… what do you want to do?"
"Actually… I-I can help too…"
Levy braved the heat in her cheeks and finished.
Mutual assistance, after all.
(End of Chapter)
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