Hot Spring (3)
Hot Spring (3)
"It brings back so many memories."
Baek A-rin murmured softly, blinking her eyes.
Through the wreaths of steam, she could see Lee Seo-yul, her lower body immersed in the hot spring.
Her white hair was neatly tied up, and the sight of her adapting to the water by wetting her upper body was like a painting.
With just her concealed wings revealed, one could insist she was right out of a fairy tale.
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Just the other day she was this small... and now she joins us in the hot spring."
Baek A-rin had been watching over Lee Seo-yul even before she hatched.
From when they first entered the Tower. She vividly remembered the gigantic egg that appeared when the structure Lee Ha-yul found collapsed on its own.
The Origin Egg, wasn't it?
At the time, Lee Ha-yul had dodged the question with a transparently awkward claim that it was 'information given only to Special Admission Cadets.'
Now, it was easy to infer that it was a gift left by the Tower Master of Growth for Lee Ha-yul.
Anyway.
Who would have thought a fairy would be born from an egg they had jokingly talked about frying up?
And that Lee Ha-yul would treat that fairy as his daughter. No one could have predicted that she would grow so much in a single year and get into the hot spring with them.
'Though, just by looking at that body, no one could mistake her for a child anymore...'
Baek A-rin's expression grew curious.
Her eyes, now bearing a vivid expression without any hindrance, swept over Lee Seo-yul from head to toe.
The changes in the matured Lee Seo-yul were astonishing.
As befitting a fairy, her beauty was hardly surprising.
The striking figure that a single thin gown couldn't hide was shocking even by superhuman standards.
'She's grown up so beautifully.'
Like father, like daughter. As Baek A-rin clicked her tongue internally, Lee Seo-yul shrugged and submerged herself deeper into the hot spring.
"Fairy Knights are a species designed to grow quickly."
"I heard about that before. You said childhood is short to accelerate combat readiness, right?"
"Yes, that's correct. I am an especially fast case, but most reach adulthood within five years... Hoo..."
Lee Seo-yul, now submerged up to her shoulders, let out a deep sigh. At that heated breath, Baek A-rin smiled softly.
"It's a bit hot, isn't it? If it's too hot, there are other pools, and you can step out and lie on the chairs nearby."
"No, it's not that hot."
Lee Seo-yul could easily fold most superhumans with one hand. Her body wasn't weak enough to struggle against this level of heat.
In fact, Lee Seo-yul calmly closed her eyes and enjoyed the heat of the hot spring.
- ...Glance
Her slightly opened eyes stared at Baek A-rin.
To be precise, they were on Lee Ha-yul, fast asleep in her arms. Baek A-rin gently stroked Lee Ha-yul's hair.
"...I thought Seo-yul would be sticking to Ha-yul like glue."
Knowing Lee Seo-yul's longstanding possessiveness and jealousy toward Lee Ha-yul, Baek A-rin had thought she would openly display jealousy and discontent.
At that murmur, Lee Seo-yul shrugged her shoulders.
"How could I dare disturb the time spent by Your Majesty and the Queen?"
"Oh..."
Baek A-rin let out a gasp of admiration at the elegant, knightly reply.
"Of course, it's not like I don't feel jealousy or resentment."
"Ah, I knew it."
At Lee Seo-yul's follow-up reply, Baek A-rin chuckled as if she'd expected as much.
Lee Seo-yul, who had been glaring at her at the sound of that laugh, shook her head.
If it were up to her feelings, she'd want to hold Lee Ha-yul in her arms all day and interfere with Baek A-rin.
"But if I lashed out with jealousy and sharpness, Dad would be put in a difficult position. I can't do that."
"Seo-yul really is thoughtful."
"Aren't all the women around Dad like that? Everyone is fundamentally kind, but more than that, if we fought, Dad would end up crying in the middle of it."
That was true.
It wasn't about the problem of fighting or getting their feelings hurt. The problem was that if Lee Ha-yul perceived that fact through his Observation, he'd burst into tears.
If they wished for Lee Ha-yul's happiness, how could they ever wish for tears to fall from his eyes?
"Dad never forgets someone he's given his heart to."
"...Ha-yul is very weak to affection."
"It only gets worse the deeper his love grows. He's someone who would cling desperately, insisting that even if the person he loves changes, their essence hasn't changed."
Yet for all that, he gave affection very easily.
Baek A-rin knew that better than anyone.
Baek A-rin hadn't approached Lee Ha-yul with pure affection.
She had a clear objective and deliberately tried to gain his favor.
There was no way Lee Ha-yul didn't know that.
From their very first meeting, hadn't he been terrified of Baek A-rin?
With his sensitive senses, his Qi Sense through Mana Affinity, and even the Authority of Observation allowing him to analyze things, Lee Ha-yul would have known Baek A-rin's intentions long ago.
"You used Dad in that way, and you successfully achieved your objective."
Nevertheless, Lee Ha-yul came to love Baek A-rin. He put his life on the line to save her.
"...Yes."
"As for me, it's an unsatisfactory affair, but I have no intention or right to complain belatedly about something Dad decided and accomplished."
Having said that much, Lee Seo-yul turned her head.
She saw Lee Ha-yul, fast asleep with his face buried in someone else's bosom.
Jealousy bubbled up fiercely at that sight, but she didn't want to shatter that happy-looking expression.
"Because Dad's happiness is what matters."
Lee Seo-yul wished for Lee Ha-yul's happiness.
"Yes... that's right."
Now, Baek A-rin felt the same.
Her eyes dripping with affection, she hugged Lee Ha-yul tightly.
In that instant, Lee Seo-yul's brow twitched, but soon she relaxed her expression and nodded.
"So, please help me out a little."
"Huh? Help with what?"
As Baek A-rin blinked, Lee Seo-yul let out a deep sigh.
"Lately, Dad has been cutting back on physical affection. In the old days, he'd hug and kiss me whenever he had time..."
She felt like she knew why.
After taking in Lee Seo-yul's height and figure, Baek A-rin wore a slightly awkward expression.
Though Ha-yul could lose all common sense in strange ways, he was oddly conservative when it came to the parent-child relationship.
It must be difficult to freely shower Lee Seo-yul with physical affection now that she's matured so much physically.
"...Yes, of course."
But she didn't refuse.
It wasn't a bad thing to earn Lee Seo-yul's good favor, after all.
In the first place, Baek A-rin also felt affection for Lee Seo-yul.
Hadn't she often taken care of Lee Seo-yul since she was young? She may have grown up far too quickly for a child, but having cared for her somewhat like a daughter, there was natural affection.
"...A-rin..."
"Oh, did you already wake— Oh, not yet."
Just then, Lee Ha-yul squirmed in her arms.
No words were exchanged, but Baek A-rin recognized the request from the hands fumbling at her chest.
"Ah, now that you mention it, I haven't fed him yet."
With a warm smile, Baek A-rin lowered her gown and pulled Lee Ha-yul to her chest.
Lee Seo-yul's brow furrowed in an instant.
* * *
"—yul. Ha-yul~?"
My consciousness surfaced at A-rin's voice, ringing dimly.
My body was incredibly warm both inside and out.
A-rin's skin, holding me close, was warm, and the sloshing hot spring water was steamy.
Gentle waves lapped around my solar plexus. Rhythmic hands were patting my back.
"...Burp."
While I was savoring the languid sensations and touch, a sweet-tasting burp rose up from deep inside me.
'I'm full...'
I was hungry before I fell asleep, but now my stomach was pleasantly full.
As I munched my lips at the feeling of fullness, A-rin pressed a kiss to my cheek.
"Did our baby sleep well?"
"...Uhm... how long did I sleep...?"
"Not long. Thirty minutes at most?"
I'd slept longer than I thought. I yawned wide and wriggled my body slightly.
"A-rin... if you're okay with it, how about we start getting ou... t...?"
My murmured words cut off. I blinked my eyes and rechecked my senses.
My senses were fine. My Qi Sense was normal, too.
But something was strange. Why was there another presence here besides A-rin and me?
No sense of alarm rose.
It was a familiar presence. While that put me at ease, tension simultaneously shot through me.
- ...Seo-yul...?
"Yes, Dad."
- Gah!
At the unmistakable voice of Seo-yul, my body reflexively flinched.
'Why the hell is Seo-yul here...!?'
She definitely said she'd come in after us!
As I panicked and tried to get up, A-rin hugged me tight.
"A-rin...!?"
"Ha-yul, it's alright. Calm down."
- Stop.
My flinching body came to a complete halt. A-rin, her eyes round for a moment, let out a small laugh and kissed the bridge of my nose.
"Seo-yul said she thought it'd be a hassle to go in separately, so she just came in to use it together."
"That's..."
To think Seo-yul would come in while I was asleep. As my eyes trembled with a shudder, Seo-yul approached through the water.
"I was going to do it by myself after training, but I wanted to wash up with you, Dad... I'm sorry if I startled you..."
When I flinched reflexively, Seo-yul gave me a sullen apology.
I didn't have my Observation on, but I could perfectly picture her dejected expression.
- No. Don't apologize. I was surprised... but. It's not something you need to apologize for.
"Really?"
- W-well, yes... but you should be more careful next time?
"Careful... with what?"
Seo-yul tilted her head. I laughed softly at her innocent reaction and tried to soothe her.
- This time it's the first time, so I guess it couldn't be helped. But next time, no matter how urgent it is, we should use it separately...
"I want to keep showering with you often from now on, Dad."
- Uh...
That's... a bit of a difficult thing for me to hear.
And it was something I hadn't anticipated.
Hadn't Seo-yul already fully matured physically?
Putting my thoughts aside, I thought Seo-yul would be the one to find it awkward first...
"Ha-yul. Seo-yul definitely grew up physically, but her growth was too sudden, wasn't it? She must still be hungry for Dad's love."
"Is, is that so... No, of course, it would be."
Just then, A-rin patted my bottom and offered advice.
'...Right, Seo-yul is still young...'
Seo-yul always looked so gallant and dependable that I'd inadvertently forgotten.
Seo-yul is still young. She's a child who craves a parent's love and attention.
As long as Seo-yul wants it, I must give her all the affection I can as her parent.
- ...Okay, I understand. From now on, let's wash up together... often.
"Yes! Sounds great!"
Seo-yul's laughter rang out brightly.
At that innocent and lovable laugh, a warm smile spread across my face too.
.
.
.
After reasonably enjoying the hot spring. We changed into gowns that doubled as underwear in the changing room.
"Hehehe... Dad's body is so very warm."
As I was tying the belt of my gown, Seo-yul came up behind me and hugged me.
- Squish
Something soft and heavy plopped onto my head.
- Yeah... Seo-yul is warm, too.
If this had happened just a little earlier, I would have flinched in surprise, but now I laughed along with her and responded in kind.
...Though I still can't completely shake this strange feeling, of course.
Since Seo-yul wants affection, how could I possibly refuse to express it?
I finished tying my belt, gently turned my body, and observed Seo-yul.
Seo-yul had also changed into a soft, new gown. But her belt was tied a bit clumsily, leaving the front open in a slightly embarrassing manner.
- Stay still for a moment. You should tie your belt properly.
"Ah, I hurried and made a little mistake. Hehe..."
I quickly reached out, retied the belt, and carefully closed the front. Seo-yul laughed sheepishly and obediently accepted my touch.
- There. Next time, do it properly like this...
"Mmph."
"Hehe, thank you!"
Seo-yul, who had hugged me, expressed her thanks.
Enduring my tightly constricted breathing, I patted Seo-yul's back.
"...Pwah."
A moment later, thanks to Seo-yul releasing me, I regained my freedom to breathe.
I inhaled the fresh air and touched my Status Window.
[Player Correction System: Trading Window]
▶Product: Vitality-Rich Health Candy
▶Cost: 10 Points
▷Details: Candy made from the Root of the Life Tree grown in the center of a Primeval Land's Earth Vein. Packed with vitality and nutrients processed for easy absorption.
▷Details 2: Nutty and delicious.
- Ding!
As I accepted the trade, a few pieces of candy popped into the air with a poof. I unwrapped one and held it out to Seo-yul.
- Seo-yul, have one.
"Hm? Ah, say ahh~"
Seo-yul opened her mouth without much comment.
I chuckled, placed the candy in Seo-yul's mouth, and popped one into my own mouth as well.
- You must be thirsty. What does Seo-yul want to drink?
I asked as I took some white milk out of my Subspace. Seo-yul, chewing on the candy, glanced at my hand before speaking.
"I'll... I'll have the white milk too."
- Okay, sure.
I took out a different bottle of white milk and handed it to Seo-yul.
I opened the glass bottle and tipped it little by little to my lips.
A nutty flavor spread in my mouth. I smiled brightly and emptied the milk cleanly.
- Should we head back to our room now?
"...Yes."
For some reason, Seo-yul pouted her lips slightly and gulped down her milk.
"Ah, right. Dad, isn't it time we head back to Siyoram?"
- Flinch
At Seo-yul's words, spoken as if she'd suddenly remembered, my legs, which had been about to head toward the room, froze.
- ...Yeah, we should...
A-rin's condition had also improved.
More than anything, since the new semester was about to start, we had to return to Siyoram.
I had to reveal my circumstances involving the Tower Masters to the others.
'How am I going to explain this...'
I was already at a loss as to how I should explain everything.