Sunlight slid through the curtains like golden threads and tapped Asura on the cheek. He groaned softly, stretching, half-asleep, until he realized Something was wrapped around his waist.
Something warm.
Soft.
Definitely alive—and very asleep.
He blinked.
Slowly pulled the blanket back—
—and froze.
"…Lucilla?"
Lucilla was pressed tight to his side, arms locked around him like a pillow she'd chosen to never release. Her cheek rested against his shoulder, hair spread all over him like silver silk.
Asura's brain blanked.
"Wha—"
Rhazor snorted awake.
"Bro… why are you up so—"
He followed Asura's line of sight…
"…Oh."
Then Rhazor grinned like a demon with gossip.
"Ohoho~ Prince Asura… you sly little vampire-tamer—"
Asura choked, face exploding red.
"Nothing happened!!"
Right then—
BANG!
Mary kicked the door open.
"Lucilla's missing from her bed! She wasn't there when I looked— I think those human adventurers—"
She stopped mid-panic.
Her golden eyes traveled slowly…
to Lucilla…
in bed…
with Asura…
still hugging him…
…in a thin nightgown.
Her jaw dropped.
"…Lucilla."
Lucilla didn't wake.
She just snuggled deeper into Asura's chest.
Rhazor whispered, "Deadly stealth, man. I approve."
Mary stormed forward.
"Lucilla, explain yourself—"
Lucilla finally blinked awake, eyes half-lidded, voice calm and innocent.
"…Oh. Morning."
Mary sputtered.
"Why are you in Asura's bed?!"
Lucilla tilted her head.
Her voice soft, but oddly dangerous.
"I couldn't sleep."
Mary: "That does not explain why you're in his bed—!"
Lucilla looked down at her sheer nightgown. Hummed.
"…oh. I must've changed."
Asura stared—only now actually noticing the see-through part—and his brain short-circuited. His brain short-circuited completely.
[ ＳＹＳＴＥＭ : Host. Focus. Immediately. ]
[ ＡＥＴＨＥＲＢＯＲＮ : Brother? She caught you staring. Hilarious. ]
[ ＳＹＳＴＥＭ : YOU. QUIET. ]
Asura snapped out of it like a guilty child.
✦ Chaos Upstairs
Mary and Lucilla continued yelling at each other (well—Mary yelled, Lucilla softly argued like she didn't do anything wrong).
Rhazor whispered to Asura, "So… nothing happened?"
"NO!"
They nodded at each other silently like two criminals deciding to run.
"Breakfast?" Rhazor suggested.
"Yes. Immediately."
So they both sneak-walked out of the room and down the stairs.
✦ Breakfast Escape Route
They found an empty table near the corner.
An innkeeper hurried over nervously.
"What can I get you boys?"
Asura's eyes sparkled.
"A mountain. Of everything."
Rhazor added, "Same, but slightly less mountain."
The innkeeper blinked.
"…y-yes sir."
Rhazor stared at Asura.
"You seriously eat like a full-grown dragon."
[ ＡＥＴＨＥＲＢＯＲＮ : Reminder—Host doesn't actually need to eat. ]
"I know," Asura said proudly, "but food just calls to me."
✦ The Descent of Embarrassment
Mary finally came downstairs after forcibly sending Lucilla back to change. But Mary was still wearing hers.
Several male adventurers glanced over…
…and Mary slowly realized.
She turned red.
"Eat fast," she hissed, "and then we go change— QUICKLY—"
Then she noticed something.
"Rhazor… where are your pajamas…?"
Rhazor calmly sipped his drink.
"I changed before entering the dungeon. I'm not entering a dungeon in pajamas. That's silly."
Mary stared at him like betrayal had occurred.
She turned to Asura next.
"…and you? Where are your pajamas?"
Asura smiled smugly.
"I always have my protagonist outfit. Never leave without it."
He gestured proudly to his black asymmetrical top, golden sash, hakama pants—the whole dramatic hero ensemble.
"I put it on this morning when sneaking—"
He cut himself off.
"Ahem. Anyway, pajamas are cute and all, but you didn't expect me to wear them outside, right?"
Mary's embarrassment LEVELED UP.
Her face went red, then purple, then steam practically formed from her ears.
Without another word—
she ran back upstairs.
Rhazor shook his head.
"Asura… you're trouble."
Asura grinned.
Because for all the chaos, it felt… normal.
And after everything they'd survived, normal was dangerous comfort.