One Bed
I really did something like that…?
It was unbelievable.
Reaching out like a puppy, hugging when asked, obeying Shane’s words like commands, even accepting those strange requests…
The moment the memories resurfaced, heat flooded his body.
I need to get a grip.
Drinking really does change a person.
But it felt good, though…
The pleasant buzz outweighed the embarrassment of acting strange.
I should think this over properly.
Adel continued his slightly flustered reflection, cheeks still burning red.
He remembered.
The instant Shane saw Adel’s flushed face, she knew the memories from his drunken state had returned.
I’ll tease him just enough today.
Seeing him turn that shade of red made her itch to poke fun and play around, but she didn’t have to do it all today.
That didn’t mean she wouldn’t tease him at all.
“…Shane.”
Adel spoke while trying to look unbothered, clearly fighting his embarrassment.
Knowing the truth only made Shane find him even cuter.
“…There wasn’t anything worse than that, right?”
His question hit a nerve that had nothing to do with how adorable he was.
When she offered no reply, anxiety crept into Adel’s voice as he asked again.
“…Right?”
“Yeah, nothing.”
“I’ll trust you, then.”
Watching Adel believe her without a shred of doubt made Shane’s conscience sting.
…There was, though.
The memories he had recalled were probably just the ones from the restaurant.
If he had remembered what happened after they entered the room, he would have burrowed under the blankets and refused to come out.
Shane loosened one arm from around him and gently touched her own cheek.
It was so soft…
Only a few hours earlier, Adel’s lips had brushed that very spot.
I didn’t think he’d actually do it.
After helping the unsteady Adel into the room, she had made her request.
“Adel, give me a kiss on the cheek.”
There had been no real reason. It was just a selfish little test to see if he would.
“……”
Adel had stared blankly at her cheek, then tilted his head.
Chu.
The soft sound of lips meeting skin, followed by a gentle warmth on her cheek.
A satisfied smile had curved her lips.
I definitely can’t tell him about this.
If he ever found out, things would get incredibly awkward.
“…Shane.”
“Hm?”
Reliving the memory only added another layer of happiness. Shane wore the most blissful smile imaginable.
“I want to wash up.”
“Ah.”
When he added that he smelled like alcohol, Shane nodded.
I hadn’t noticed at all.
She had been too busy feeling the warmth of his entire body, admiring his face, and breathing in the scent that cut through the liquor.
Just holding him had felt so good that the alcohol smell never registered.
Shane released her arms so he could move freely.
Embarrassed, he hurried into the shower room.
So cute.
***
Splashhh.
Cold water cascaded over him, washing away the dizziness.
He hadn’t drunk that much, so the intoxication faded quickly.
…That was dangerous.
Until moments ago, he had been wrapped in Shane’s arms.
Because he had been leaning on her, her face had been right above his shoulder.
Every breath she took, the captivating smile visible the moment he turned his head, the sensation against his back.
Holding himself back from all of it had nearly killed him.
He shut off the water and used his fire ability to dry himself completely.
Slipping on the white robe hanging nearby, he stepped out of the shower.
“……”
Adel saw Shane lying exactly where he had been earlier.
“What time is it?”
It seemed fairly late, but he wanted to know for sure.
“……”
Shane, face buried in the pillow, rolled over and sat up.
…Ugh.
It was still dangerous.
“Um… around midnight?”
“Curfew… Ah, never mind. I’ll pay you back tomorrow.”
“It’s fine. You don’t have to. I have plenty of money.”
The way she said it made it seem like a halo was shining behind her.
“Come here.”
She sat on the edge of the bed and patted the spot beside her.
Without thinking much of it, Adel sat down and asked, “Aren’t you going back to your own room?”
“Huh? This is my room.”
“…Then where does that leave me?”
“You’re staying here too.”
“……”
“They said there was only one room left.”
The way she scratched her cheek while saying it made the excuse sound completely believable.
“Then I’ll sleep on the floor.”
There was only one bed in the room. It couldn’t be helped.
They weren’t lovers. Sleeping in the same bed would be strange.
At his words, Shane puffed out her cheeks.
“…Let’s sleep together.”
“What?”
“Sleep in the bed. Together.”
“……”
Adel couldn’t find a response.
Is that normal here?
Maybe common sense between men and women in this world was different from modern times.
Refusing feels wrong, but accepting feels wrong too.
If he refused, Shane would sulk for sure. If he accepted, he probably wouldn’t sleep a wink.
Maybe I just won’t sleep at all.
Not sleeping for one night wouldn’t kill him, and in a situation like this, a third option might be the best choice.
“Hm?”
Shane leaned in closer, tilting her head.
“Can’t we sleep together? Please?”
Looking into her eyes from so close, she seemed like a child who would be devastated if refused.
She looked so genuinely pitiful that it was impossible to believe she was acting.
“…All right.”
Unable to think of anything else, Adel reluctantly nodded.
“Really?”
Shane’s face lit up with a bright smile, as if the pitiful act from moments ago had never existed.
…I got played.
Her acting was so flawless it was impossible to tell what was real and what wasn’t.
Even though he had fallen for it once, he fell for it again.
Maybe every expression she showed was genuine.
Returning to her spot, Shane patted the space beside her.
“Adel. Lie down next to me.”
With her hair let down, she called to him in a mysteriously alluring pose.
Even though she clearly had no such intention, the sight seemed designed to tempt him.
…Just endure it.
He only had to last one night.
…Probably.
Avoiding the sight of her enticing skin as much as possible, Adel lay down right beside her.
…This feels strange.
Sharing one bed and one blanket with Shane created an indescribable feeling.
It wasn’t unpleasant.
Thump. Thump.
Beyond not being unpleasant, it might actually be too much.
Adel’s heart was pounding violently.
“I’ll turn off the light.”
A low hum of mana rippled from beside him, and the room plunged into darkness.
Shane had used her mana to extinguish the lights.
“……”
“……”
In the strange, wordless atmosphere, Shane quietly watched him.
I know he stares sometimes.
She was aware that Adel occasionally glanced at her body.
The way he would flinch and quickly look away was adorable, and she knew it meant he was thinking about her. Still, she couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed.
Even so, this is wonderful.
Every breath was filled with Adel’s scent.
The spot she lay on was the same one he had occupied earlier.
And he was close enough that she could reach him without fully extending her arm.
She had suggested sleeping together purely because she wanted to be near him. She had no intention of touching him.
…Unless he touches me first.
Just imagining it made Shane feel like she might die from happiness.
Adel stared blankly at the dark ceiling.
Why am I like this?
He had somehow accepted the situation, but the questions remained.
I understand it all. I do understand, but…
From being held in her arms to sleeping right beside her.
Since she wouldn’t do anything inappropriate with someone who wasn’t her lover, it didn’t seem like a big deal.
There was only one question in his mind.
Shane’s feelings.
What is she thinking?
He couldn’t figure out what kind of heart would lead her to act this way.
Does she like me?
It was a reasonable enough question.
Women didn’t ask people they had no interest in to drink with them. He had heard that somewhere.
So is this interest?
But if it’s just interest, would she really sleep in the same bed?
I need more information.
A woman’s heart was an unknown realm.
It must be interest.
There was still no reason for her to like him. No particular trigger had occurred.
Let’s not overthink it.
Since he didn’t even fully understand his own feelings, there was no point in worrying about hers right now.
“……”
Adel slowly closed his eyes.
***
“Mmm…”
Adel woke at his usual early hour. He felt confused by the unfamiliar ceiling, but quickly remembered he was in an inn, not the dormitory, and regained his composure.
He looked around blankly.
His body felt perfectly fine, so it seemed he had simply slept comfortably.
Where’s Shane?
She was nowhere to be seen.
The bed still held her warmth, as if she had been lying there until just moments ago.
The shower room door slid open, and Shane emerged wearing her cadet uniform instead of a red robe.
“You’re awake?”
It felt like a scene he had experienced before.
The only difference was the smile that refused to leave her face.
Did something good happen?
How long it would take him to realize that “something” was him, no one could say.
“Yeah. I’ll wash up now.”
Adel got out of bed, stretched, and took his turn in the shower room.
…Her scent.
Since she had just bathed, Shane’s fragrance lingered inside.
It was far stronger than yesterday.
Barely keeping himself together, he finished showering and used his flames to dry off.
He stepped out wearing only the pants of his training uniform.
“……”
The moment he emerged, his eyes met Shane’s.
But she wasn’t looking at his face—she was staring intently at his bare upper body.
Wondering what was going on, Adel looked down and realized he wasn’t wearing a top.
It was the same habit he had in the dormitory—wearing only pants.
“S-sorry.”
Adel quickly turned to go back into the shower and put on his top.
“……”
Left alone briefly, Shane recalled the sight of his body.
Nice build…
She had felt it while hugging him, and it was only natural for someone destined to become a hero, but Adel’s physique was even better than she had imagined.
I want to see more.
Having grown closer to Adel, Shane was becoming bolder.
That boldness had led to suggesting they share a bed and openly staring at his body.
The door opened again. Adel emerged now wearing the black top of his training uniform as well.
Shane felt a twinge of disappointment.
It’s more comfortable than I expected.
Since he had fallen asleep wearing the black uniform after drinking, he had assumed it would smell of alcohol and feel uncomfortable.
Yet the clothes carried no trace of liquor and felt freshly laundered—soft and fluffy.
Strange.
He didn’t dwell on it too deeply.
Good was good.
“Shane.”
From yesterday until just now, a few embarrassing things had happened, but Adel spoke casually.
“I’m heading to the training room. Want to come with me?”
It was still early dawn. At this hour, training was the only thing Shane would be doing anyway.
He suggested it because it seemed nice to go together. After all, they had trained together whenever they met at dawn.
“Hmm…”
Shane thought for a moment.
Is Siris not around? Or maybe Banya?
Being with Adel was pleasant. The personal training room was usually just the two of them, so there was no reason to refuse.
The only hesitation came from the heat.
Still, I want to be with him.
Even though they saw each other every day, she wanted to spend even one more day together. She wanted to stay by his side just a little longer.
“Let’s go together.”
On the way, Shane hoped they might run into Banya or Siris.