Mermaid Princess Challenge Commotion (3)
Aqua's unintended sneeze had softened the mood, and it lingered all the way through the meal.
"That was delicious. Thanks for the great meal."
"I had a wonderful time too, thanks to you all."
We exchanged goodbyes at the restaurant entrance after settling the bill. The knights, now fans of Aqua, waved enthusiastically.
"See you next time!"
"Catch you later, Aqua!"
Aqua herself, however, had passed out in my arms from chugging all that dog plum slushie.
"Since we've got this connection going, how about we swap contacts?"
"Yeah, me too."
Jeong Ri-on and Mulsuja exchanged numbers with me.
Jeong Ri-on's personal contact info...
I was thrilled.
"Well, we'll head out then. Stick around any longer, and Jang Gilsan might deck me."
True to his wind spirit user style, Jeong Ri-on left with one last quip. The Spirit Knights were staying at Phoenix Resort for training.
"Shall we get going too?"
As I headed to the parking lot, Jang Gilsan grabbed me.
"Crash at the resort tonight."
"Here? Why?"
"Scouts are probably swarming your guesthouse by now."
"Oh..."
I recalled what he'd said earlier. Guilds were hunting for Aqua after our video.
"Once word spreads that you're an academy student, it'll die down a bit. Until then, lay low."
So, stay safe at the resort tonight.
"This place is pricey."
"Stay in my suite. Plenty of empty rooms."
"Weren't you leaving today?"
Jang Gilsan glanced where Jeong Ri-on had gone, then turned.
"Plans changed."
I tilted my head but followed.
The VIP wing of Phoenix Resort overlooked the private beach. Passing the marble lobby and halls, the suite greeted us with a massive living room, sky-high ceilings.
Ceiling's nearly three meters high.
No wonder there were few rooms despite the building's size.
The towering floor-to-ceiling windows faced the sea. As sunset tinged the ocean, Jang Gilsan called.
"This is the biggest room—perfect for you and the spirits."
He gave me the larger ocean-view bedroom.
"Cool. Thanks."
I set Aqua and Mandu on the bed.
[Chit?]
Mandu, seeing the huge bed for the first time, bounced around excitedly.
[Muuung...?]
Aqua stirred, whining sleepily.
[No more dog plum? I wanna drink more!]
"Nope. You've had enough."
I lay beside her. Aqua flopped on the bed, limbs splayed, flailing.
[Eung? Was it that much? Did I drink a lot?]
"You polished off the sylphs' hidden dog plum extract too."
[Umm...?]
Memory fuzzy, she pondered, then squished her cheeks with both hands.
Gasp!
I clutched my heart at the self-squish.
[I don't remember!]
She rolled wildly across the bed. Thump—she bounced into me.
[Eung!]
Like a rubber ball, she ricocheted and sprawled again.
"Heh heh heh..."
I laughed, tickling her side.
[Kikikik!]
Aqua curled up giggling, then guided my hand from her side to her belly.
I froze in surprise.
The belly—spirits' favorite pet spot, but off-limits for wild ones. They hate strangers touching it.
I'd only reached her side recently, starting from her back.
And now Aqua's begging for a belly rub herself!
As I melted, she fiddled with my hand.
[What're you doing? Isn't your hand gonna pet?]
I snapped to, rubbing her belly gently, then tickling with fingers.
[Wunghihihit!]
She hugged my hand tight, laughing. My hand, enveloped in water spirit softness, nearly sent me to heaven.
Like plunging into the world's softest pillow...
After playing, Aqua blinked sleepily. It was barely 6 PM, but post-slushie drowsiness hit.
"Bedtime?"
[Yeah, let's.]
Aqua preferred floating water beds but slept anywhere. She wobbled to the covers, curling into a nest—like a bird's.
Not comfy enough; she flopped onto a pillow. Hotel pillows were huge—bed-sized for her.
[No, not this!]
Irritated, she rolled right into my arms.
Finally, a satisfied sigh.
[This is the comfiest after all.]
I chuckled, stroking her gently.
[Come here!]
She reached for Mandu, hugging him close. Her breathing evened out.
I dimmed the lights with the bedside remote.
In the twilight gloom, Aqua murmured.
[Your chest... makes such a warm sound...]
I patted her side till she slept soundly.
Next morning, we rose at dawn for our run—daily ritual.
Today's route: the private beach.
"Hoo-. Hoo-."
D-rank upgrade? Dragging the tire through sand felt easy now.
Next, an oxygen tank maybe.
Aqua rode my neck as usual, cooling my sweat. Mandu perched on her head; they watched the sunrise.
[Sunrise is always so beautiful.]
[Chit.]
Mandu's voice was dreamy, unlike his usual chirps—like he was dreaming.
Still sleepy? Or dreaming of the sun.
Sea was water's pinnacle—Aqua dreamed of spirit king. Sun was fire's—for Mandu.
After 30 minutes, back to the resort. Early tourists snapped sunrise pics.
"Wanna stroll a bit?"
[Sure!]
Phoenix Resort boasted plazas, fountains, parks. Passing an oriental garden with pond and gazebo—
Croak-.
Frog from the pond.
[Oh, a frog!]
We watched from afar.
[Chit?]
Mandu craned his neck. First frog sighting.
Salamanders like amphibians—similar looks.
[Mandu, wanna see up close?]
[Chit!]
I set them down. They approached.
[Chit?]
Mandu materialized, curious. Wanted to befriend it.
But a red lizard popping up? Frog's reaction: pure instinct.
-Croak!
Tongue lashed Mandu's nose.
[Shaaat!]
Frog hopped away fast.
[Chiiik! Chiiik! Chiiiiik!]
Mandu fumed, chasing. Aqua scooped him up.
[Stop. What'll you do, catch it? Breathe fire?]
[Chiiiiik!]
[Your fault. Can't pop up like that.]
[Chik....... Chit......]
Mandu whimpered pitifully. Aqua soothed him.
[It's okay. Plenty of frogs. Play with another.]
[Chit......]
Mandu sniffled. Aqua, feet in pond, patted him.
No need for me.
She really takes good care.
Even scolded and comforted—like with undines.
I crouched, stroking Mandu's back.
[Chit......]
He licked my fingers weakly. I petted Aqua's back too—proud of her.
"To cheer Mandu up, how about something tasty?"
[Yummy stuff! Yes!]
[Chit?]
Mandu wagged his stubby tail.
Perfect—I'd thought of food amid yesterday's chaos.
"Ever had ice cream?"
[Chit?]
[Ice cream? What's that?]
"Uh... frozen fruit juice and milk?"
[Ooooh! Sounds delicious!]
Aqua's eyes sparkled wildly.
[Chichit!]
Mandu didn't get it but matched her excitement.
"Back we go?"
[Let's!]
I hoisted them onto my neck, heading to the suite.
[Ice cream! Ice cream!]
Aqua sang excitedly.
Then—
"That spirit user is here?"
"Probably. Not at the guesthouse."
Suits ahead—office types. Familiar talk.
"Met Jeong Ri-on's spirits here yesterday, so still around."
"Phoenix Guild booked a room? They probably already scouted."
"Dunno. But Jeong Ri-on won't let go easy."
"Water spirit king maybe... Whichever guild contracts that user hits jackpot."
About us. I slowed, putting distance.
Aqua covered her mouth in shock.
They weren't spirit users—couldn't see her or ID me. Realization hit late.
[Hee hee hee!]
"Ah ha ha ha!"
We laughed merrily, hurrying off. Ice cream awaited.