Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: One Night of Water Play
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"Tch, we couldn't find it in the end."
"But you said it was definitely there..."
Wandering through the archive and picking up anything useful, I stepped outside with Lea.
There were surprisingly quite a few aura breathing techniques and handy minor skills.
I'd thought it would only have magic books, but there were unexpectedly books on all sorts of fields.
Still, Lea looked disappointed since she couldn't find the bracelet no matter how much she searched every corner.
Of course, she wouldn't find it since I'd pocketed it first.
Watching Lea inwardly regret it tugged at my heart a bit.
But for the sake of the surprise, I'd have to hold back somehow.
"It's okay though. I'm disappointed about not getting the bracelet, but I received something even more precious."
Her gloomy expression didn't last long. Lea quickly perked up, looking satisfied.
Something even more precious? I didn't remember giving her anything else.
"Huh? What gift?"
"Hehe, I can't tell you that."
Lea flashed a mischievous smile like a playful kid.
...Teasing me like that without giving the answer.
Already showing such devilish behavior. She had the makings of a fine troublemaker.
"By the way, Rowen, how do we get back to the academy?"
Following the moonlight spilling in from outside as we exited the cave, a pitch-black sky greeted us.
Even in the morning with sunlight filtering through, it's easy to get lost in these woods. At night like this, forget it.
Instead of clumsily trying to navigate out now, it'd be better to wait for dawn—that way, we'd have a higher chance of reaching the academy quickly.
'...And how am I supposed to move in this creepy atmosphere anyway.'
At the forest's edge, the moonlight at least lit the path ahead brightly.
But once we reached the cave entrance, the dense trees made the already dark night sky even blacker.
I had no idea what might happen if we ventured out carelessly in this situation.
'If something jumps out, then...'
Even the bats in the cave had nearly stopped my heart.
I didn't want to go through that again.
"Let's spend just one night here and head out at dawn, Lea."
"...Huh? One night? What do you mean...?"
For some reason, Lea looked flustered and backed away.
She even muttered something like, 'Right now? Here...?' to herself.
Even reading her mind didn't help me understand.
I'd felt it when I used it earlier too—it wasn't all that omnipotent.
Less like reading someone's complete thoughts and more like gauging their mental state based on the situation.
Compared to the Eye of Truth that Libramon used, it felt like someone had imposed restrictions.
Not that I wanted to read people's every thought anyway.
This level of helpful hints was actually just right.
"I figured it'd be better to move after dawn than wandering a pitch-black forest. We were in the dungeon until just now too. That's why I brought a tent."
"...Ah."
Lea's face flushed bright red in an instant, and she covered it with both hands.
She even muttered something like, 'Ugh... something must be possessing me...'
That pure, quirky side she showed occasionally was part of Lea's charm.
I had no idea what had her acting up this time, but hey, it was cute, so it was fine.
Lea and I walked following the moonlight filtering through the dense trees.
Soon, a beautiful lake straight out of a fairy tale unfolded before us.
"Wow... so pretty."
The wide lake surface sparkled brilliantly where it met the moonlight.
Pretty flowers bloomed along the surrounding shore.
As if showing off its beauty, the sky above this lake in the heart of the forest was clear and open.
Honestly, it was gorgeous...
I might have regretted not hearing about it if I hadn't come.
The setting materials raved about it as a hidden gem, so I'd come by on a whim.
It was beautiful enough to seek out on purpose.
"Lea, rest over there. Setting up the tent will take a bit."
There was a convenient stump nearby too.
After all her hard work, Lea deserved as much rest as possible.
As I was pulling the tent from my backpack and setting it up alone...
Splash, splash.
Sounds of playing in the water came from where Lea had gone to rest.
"Ahaha, Rowen! Come on over quick!"
There she was, white dress and all, dipping her feet in the lake.
Grabbing the hem of her dress to keep it from getting wet, her bright smile drew my gaze.
...Everything was ready anyway, so maybe a little play wouldn't hurt.
I hadn't set up Lea's tent yet, but whatever. One of us had to keep watch.
Better for the hardworking Lea to rest first.
I took off my cumbersome coat, folded it on the ground, and headed toward Lea.
Splash!
"Take this!"
The moment I was about to dip my toes in the lake.
Lea, with a playful grin, splashed water at me.
...Oh yeah? You wanna go?
I wiped the water from my face and slicked back my hair.
Rolling up my sleeves, I prepared for a full-on water fight.
Splash!
"Hehe, you think I'd let you prepare?"
"..."
I was soaked in an instant and could only shoot Lea an aggrieved look.
Soon, our eyes met, and we both burst out laughing.
...I'd gotten on my knees for propulsion!
Splash!
Ducking my head suddenly, I sent up a massive spray.
Lea, drenched in a blink, just blinked in shock.
"Ugh... that's cheating!"
"Haha, not something you should say, Lea..."
Splash, splash.
We laughed again and splashed each other.
Under the moonlight shining on the pair, our laughter echoed for a good while.
Crackle, crackle.
By the warmly rising bonfire, Lea and I were drying our thoroughly soaked bodies.
"...Sniff."
"...What is this."
We hadn't noticed while splashing around, but now that we were done playing, it was freezing.
With the chilly pre-dawn air, Lea and I could only sniffle and stare at the fire.
"Hehehe, it was fun though, right Rowen?"
"...Yeah. Super fun."
How long had it been since I'd played so innocently?
Lost in the water fight, I felt like a kid again without realizing it.
Of course, midway Lea's dress got completely soaked, leading to an awkward moment...
But after that, she couldn't even lift her head and just took the splashes, so it worked out?
As we warmed up by the cozy fire, killing time...
"When I was little, I'd splash around like this with my little brother. Doing it after so long was really fun."
Lea smiled brightly and suddenly spoke up.
"Sometimes I wonder if I really deserve to be this happy... but since you allowed it, Rowen, I'm going to try being truly happy."
Gazing at the moon in the night sky, lost in old memories.
Then she lowered her gaze and met my eyes again.
"Thank you so much. If it weren't for you, Rowen, I wouldn't be here like this right now."
That faint smile as she thanked me...
It felt like it would stick in my memory for a long time.
Of course, Lea was back to chattering brightly like nothing happened.
"Lea. Come here for a sec?"
In that warm atmosphere, amid the blooming conversation...
I pulled the bracelet from my pocket and gently took Lea's wrist.
"Truth is, I wanted to give it to you somewhere prettier and better. The dungeon was dark and musty."
Slowly slipping the silver bracelet—shimmering in the mixed moonlight and firelight—onto Lea's wrist.
Click.
"There. It suits you perfectly, Lea."
"...Eek."
On Lea's wrist, the cyan gem sparkled beautifully.
It had no special powers or famous artisan craftsmanship.
Yet it shone steadily, feeling utterly beautiful.
"You're sparkling just as pretty as this bracelet, Lea. Whenever bad thoughts creep in, look at the one I gave you. I'm always on your side."
Coincidentally, the cyan gem matched my hair color.
I hoped she'd think of me every time she saw it.
"...You're not really seducing me, are you?"
"Huh?"
"Eek... no. I'm just so grateful. I'll treasure it forever, Rowen. Really."
Staring at the bracelet with trembling eyes for a while.
Lea looked at me, her face flushed red—maybe from the flickering flames.
I'd worried she might not like it.
Fortunately, that wasn't the case.
"Lea, go ahead and rest in the tent. You worked hard today because of me. I'm not tired since I was passed out."
Our clothes were mostly dry now, and it was getting late—better to sleep soon.
I was tired too, but I didn't want to make Lea work more.
"...No way. If you don't sleep, I won't either. We can go in together."
"Ahaha, really, it's fine, Lea. And it'd be uncomfortable sharing with some random guy."
Lea pouted sulkily at my words, her lips puffing out.
Even muttering, 'It's not uncomfortable...'
I appreciated her thinking of me, but it bothered me...
"...Cold. You might catch a cold sleeping alone. So come in quick, Rowen."
She knew our clothes were dry.
Still, using the cold as an excuse to get me to rest.
...She was being so considerate—refusing more would be rude.
There didn't seem to be animals around anyway.
No real need for a watch.
Seeing Lea's pleading face, I gave in and crawled into the tent.
"Good night, Lea."
"...Yeah. You too, Rowen."
It was just a rough pillow and stiff blanket.
But after such an eventful day, I was more exhausted than I thought.
The moment I lay down, sleep crashed over me, and my consciousness faded soon after.
Snore, snore.
Someone watched the soundly sleeping Rowen by his side.
'He must be really tired...'
He'd fallen asleep almost right after lying down.
Of course, even if Rowen came, she'd only planned on sleeping...
But she hadn't expected him to conk out immediately.
'...Keep seducing me like this.'
Gazing at the cute Rowen with his cyan hair, Lea fell into thought.
He knew she had feelings for him.
Yet he kept making these ambiguous moves, like wagging his tail.
"It's so hard to hold back..."
And yet, when he approached with that innocent smile...
All the built-up tension 'snapped' loose.
"He doesn't seem totally uninterested..."
When she'd hugged him, when they'd splashed in the water.
Even sharing stories by the bonfire. Rowen had shown subtle shyness.
Of course, he didn't seem to have the leisure to accept anyone right now.
'But it's not completely hopeless.'
...Still, if Rowen kept tempting her like this, she didn't know how long she could hold out.
She had no desire to force her way in.
Given Rowen's personality, he wouldn't push her away, but he'd surely look sad.
The biggest worry, though, was the women around Rowen.
'As long as I can be the most precious to him, I don't care.'
Those women must have received his help too.
Lea knew better than anyone how impossible it was not to fall for him after that.
Snore, snore.
Lea, watching the deeply sleeping Rowen...
Finally unable to fight the overwhelming drowsiness, fell asleep by his side.