Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: The Master is Shameless
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‘What is a master, anyway?’
I pondered this while watching Nameless brazenly tidy up the inn room right in front of me.
"Master, saying you haven't bathed for two days because the innkeeper might get annoyed—what on earth do you mean by that?"
Nameless's words stabbed into my chest like a dagger.
I flinched, my body trembling, and lay back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.
‘The masters I know don't get nagged by their disciples all day long.’
"..."
I could sense Nameless's sharp gaze, so I couldn't bring myself to say it out loud.
"Yes, I know a selfless master like you wouldn't lie about something like that."
If you know, can't you just let it slide?
"But constantly putting others first like that means you're neglecting yourself."
"I get it, so stop nagging and sit down to rest."
"Even now, you're being considerate of me as I clean the room, aren't you?"
Nameless, who had been picking up strawberry stems from the floor for a while, turned his head to look at me.
"I like that selfless side of you, Master, but sometimes I want to see you act a bit shameless too."
With that, Nameless stared into my eyes for a moment before turning back to continue tidying the room.
‘Shameless...’
I chewed on my lower lip for no reason.
It's not like I haven't thought about it myself.
I know my worrying is excessive.
‘But it's easier said than done...’
I've lived my whole life this way, so it made sense that Nameless's words couldn't change me in an instant.
Still, maybe I could change little by little, as he suggested?
‘It's not shameful to learn something from your disciple.’
Even a passing stray dog has lessons to teach.
‘Alright.’
I decided to try acting shameless, just as Nameless advised.
"Hand over the strawberries!"
"...Pardon?"
I sat up from the bed and puffed out my chest confidently.
"You took some strawberries earlier! Give them here!"
"Master, that's... not what I meant by shameless."
Of course, even I felt something was off the moment I said it, and my face flushed red.
But,
"Urgh! Hand them over!"
If I backed down now out of embarrassment, that would be defeat.
Today, I would learn to be shameless!
I jumped off the bed and charged straight at Nameless.
"Aaaah! Master! There are no strawberries on me!"
"Hand over the strawberries!"
"This is just your usual self, Master!"
In the end, our tussle yielded no strawberries, and it only delayed the room cleaning by two hours.
It was a battle of nothing but defeats.
Come to think of it, had Nameless eaten yet?
He must have been busy looking for me, so he might not have eaten at all.
Hmm, that's troubling.
Sitting on the floor, I watched Nameless polish my favorite wooden sword.
At his level of cultivation, skipping meals for a few days wouldn't be an issue, but that didn't mean there weren't benefits to eating.
Men continue growing in height and muscle even after adulthood, and since Nameless was only nineteen, regular meals would surely be good for his health.
"Nameless, have you eaten?"
"I haven't, but since I've been cleaning the inn room, it's gotten too late now."
Hmm, hearing him say it like that made me feel unnecessarily guilty.
Fair enough—the sun had fully set, so it was indeed too late for a proper meal, just as he said.
But letting him skip eating tugged at my conscience.
"Hmm, I'm feeling a bit peckish. Do you want something to eat?"
I knew he'd refuse if I told him to eat, so I used myself as an excuse to suggest it.
Nameless smiled faintly at my words and nodded.
"Yes, if you're hungry, Master, it wouldn't be bad for me to fetch something."
"Hmm, how about we eat at the tavern downstairs?"
There was no need to go far when the restaurant was right below us, but it seemed polite to ask his opinion.
Nameless nodded immediately, as if he hadn't considered anywhere else either.
"In that case, I'll go down and bring the food up."
"Do that."
Nameless carefully set down the wooden sword, stood up slowly, and walked toward the door before turning back.
"What would you like to order?"
Orders? I had no idea what was even on the menu here.
I waved my hand dismissively, meaning he could get whatever.
"I'll be back."
With that, Nameless bowed once to me, opened the door, and left.
Once I confirmed he was fully gone, I let out a hollow chuckle.
"Heh, really."
I'd thought I'd naturally coaxed him into eating, but from his demeanor, it seemed he'd seen right through my intentions.
Those six years together weren't for nothing.
Nameless was a master at reading my mind.
In terms of master and disciple, it was a great thing, but somehow our relationship didn't match the typical master-disciple dynamic I imagined—and moments like this only stirred unease.
If something came up later that I had to hide, could I really deceive Nameless?
I had no idea.
I closed my eyes quietly and waited for him to return.
About ten minutes later, Nameless came back holding two plates, one in each hand.
He hadn't brought any alcohol, had he?
I'd half-expected it, but a small pang of regret rose anyway.
As I looked at him with eyes full of that sentiment, he quietly averted his gaze.
‘Of course.’
I sighed lightly, took one of the plates from his hands, set the food on the room's table, and sat down.
"Come sit here."
"Yes, Master."
Probably because these were tavern snacks meant to go with drinks, the food didn't look all that impressive.
A somewhat small roasted chicken, a soup with bits of meat and vegetables floating in it, and the local staple bread.
Without high expectations, I took a bite first.
Nameless waited until the food was in my mouth before starting his own meal.
As expected, it tasted just as ordinary as it looked.
After finishing the meal and cleaning up, I quietly gazed out the window.
The moon and stars hanging high in the sky told me it was night, no clock needed.
Nameless must be tired too, so it was time to sleep.
I looked at Nameless, who was fidgeting awkwardly in the corner despite his sturdy build.
"Nameless, let's get some sleep."
"...Yes, Master. But is there only one bed?"
He wasn't blind—why ask something like that?
I gave him a puzzled look, and his face immediately paled.
"What, acting like some country maiden? Lie down already."
"...Yes."
Nameless and I lay side by side on the single bed.
I turned my head to see Nameless lying next to me in an awkward position.
He hadn't even pulled up the blanket, lying on his side instead of comfortably—his broad shoulders made the pillow look too low, and it was obvious the position was uncomfortable.
‘He'll wake up with a stiff shoulder like that.’
I called out to him in a worried tone.
"Nameless, that position looks uncomfortable."
"No, it's fine."
He still wouldn't look at me as he answered.
He wasn't like this as a kid. Nameless got shy about the weirdest things.
He must find it embarrassing to share a bed with me, a full-grown adult.
I could understand that.
But didn't Nameless say it himself?
"Nameless, it's okay to be a little shameless."
I pressed down firmly on his back with one hand.
"No one's watching here, so no need to be embarrassed."
I stroked his back slowly as a comforting gesture.
"Feel free to act spoiled."
I ran my hand up his spine from bottom to top, ending with a light pat on his shoulder.
Tsk, it's not like I'm going to spread rumors or anything. What's there to be embarrassed about sharing a bed with your master?
I shook my head and lay back down to close my eyes.
"Master."
"Hm?"
I turned to face him again.
‘Hm, now we're facing each other.’
Unlike before, Nameless met my gaze with burning intensity.
For some reason, it felt endearing, and I smiled with my eyes.
"What is it?"
"...What you just said might be open to misunderstanding."
Hm, what did he mean by that?
‘Did I say something that could be taken the wrong way?’
I hadn't.
I tilted my head, not understanding.
"Hm, I don't follow."
"...It's nothing."
Nameless squeezed his eyes shut as if holding something back, then lay down in a more relaxed position than before.
‘Listening and then playing hard to get.’
His behavior only seemed cute, so I ruffled his hair.
"Such a spoilsport."