Chapter 56
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Mion (2)
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Mion's voice sounded a bit more excited than usual, so I looked up. Sure enough, there she was in the distance, waving her hand as she ran toward me.
She was wearing a wrap-style dress made of thin, deep blue fabric that draped around her body without buttons, tied at the waist with a slender sash. On her feet were flat sandals in a light gray that matched her hair.
The fabric was a touch thicker than chiffon, so the faint outline of her underwear showed through—but not in an overt way. It was subtle enough that neither she nor I felt uncomfortable. The neckline wasn't too deep either, just enough to gently accentuate her plump breasts.
With a small shoulder bag slung over one shoulder, she bounced toward me energetically. Her feminine outfit contrasted with her playful leaps, but somehow, it all suited her perfectly.
Her ash-gray hair, with its natural waves visible since she wasn't wearing a hat, swayed in a medium-length bob as she approached. But as she got closer, her steps slowed.
"What are you doing?"
"Eek...!"
Her face flushed deeper as she looked at me. I'd dressed neatly myself, figuring it was a date, and her mouth fell open, her cheeks turning an even brighter red.
Stumble!
"Whoa!"
"Careful!"
I grabbed her waist just in time, catching her as she tripped. They weren't even heels—just flats—but I couldn't let her get hurt.
"Hngh!"
Our interactions at the guild had always been light touches at most, nothing like this. Now, cradled in my arms, Mion's face turned beet red, like it might burst.
Whoa, she can get even redder? That's impressive.
"You okay?"
"F-F-F-Fiiiine!!!! Grk...!"
Drip—
"Mion?"
"Hii..."
A thin stream of blood trickled from her nose, and she went limp like a toy with dead batteries.
"Mion?!!"
I scooped her up and rushed to the nearest bench.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!! I'm really sorry!!! Cain, I messed up so baaad!!!"
"I told you it's fine."
Fainting from a nosebleed after being held by a guy was one thing, but it had taken ages for her to come to. By the time she did, night had fallen, and she kept apologizing profusely.
"Ugh... We... we had a reservation at that restaurant..."
"Haha, we can go next time."
"Hnn..."
Her flustered muttering and crestfallen expression were a far cry from the relaxed, mature charm she usually exuded. It was refreshing and oddly endearing.
As we strolled through the park side by side, her sniffling the whole way, I glanced at her.
"Mion."
"Y-Yes?!?"
"I'm hungry."
"Guh...! I'm so sorry!!"
"Instead..."
"I'm such an idiot... No, no, that's not it—putting myself down like this isn't right... What did Sis say... Kyaa!! Right in front of Cain... muuuch too muuuch..."
"How about you cook for me at your place?"
"...We need to find a way out. Maybe suggest drinks instead..."
"Mion?"
"Will it be too obvious? No, ughhh... I still have so much advice I haven't tried... Uuugh!!"
She was mumbling to herself, lost in her own world, so I lightly tapped her shoulder.
"Mion!!!"
Tap!
"Hyaaaaah!!! Y-Yes!! It's Mion!!!"
"Snap out of it. Our date hasn't even started yet."
"H-Huh...? S-Started?"
"Yeah. It's too late for restaurants now that I'm starving... Want to cook at your place? Then I'll forgive you for today."
"M-My... house?!"
Her face flushed crimson again at the suggestion.
"H-Home?! Th-that's too faaaast!!"
"Ah~ I'm so hungry!"
"L-Let's go!! Follow me!!"
How many blunders was that? She took off ahead, but her leg buckled again, sending her staggering wildly before we finally headed to her place.
"Um, Cain?"
"Yeah, Mion."
"Our house doesn't have much of anything... You sure it's okay?"
"Not okay at all. You do have ingredients, right?"
Flinch!!!
"O-ho-ho-ho... W-Well..."
"Then let's grab some pub grub to go."
"Okaay..."
Receptionists at the Explorer Guild were treated like pros, so they earned good money. Plus, the city's food quality was high overall, so lots of folks just ate out instead of cooking. I got it.
But Mion seemed to feel like the date was derailing at every turn. Her shoulders had slumped since earlier.
We stopped at a pub near her place, paid extra for takeout snacks, and arrived at her home.
"Whoa... This is your place, Mion?"
"Y-Yeah..."
Her income must be solid—she'd been working as a receptionist even before I arrived. Her house was in a prime residential spot, way nicer than the one Tanya and Roy bought.
It was a cozy brick house, perfect for a newlywed couple or a single woman. She approached the front door.
Gulp...!
As she fished out her keys, she froze, suddenly realizing she was inviting me inside. She swallowed hard, her hands starting to shake.
"Hoo... haa...!"
"Calm down, Mion."
"Y-Yeah... Thanks..."
Click!
Creeeak—
I took the takeout bags while gently patting her trembling shoulders. She opened the door and turned to me.
"C-Come on in!"
"Thanks for having me."
"H-Here, give me the food!"
Snatch!
She wasn't the messy type, at least—she grabbed the bags and hurried inside.
"U-Um... just wait in the living room for a sec!"
"Sure. Take your time. Don't hurt yourself."
"Hguk!!"
A weird noise came from the kitchen, followed by frantic shuffling.
"Hm... The lighting here's dim like Camella's place too..."
Flick!
I lit a wall lamp and looked around. The living room was cute and cozy, unmistakably a single woman's space.
I wandered around, taking it in, then plopped onto the small mini-sofa and zoned out for a while. My stomach was rumbling hard—lunch felt like forever ago.
"Sorry! I was so out of it, I forgot to turn on the living room lights..."
"No need to apologize. It's fine."
"Then come on over here!"
Her voice brimmed with satisfaction and pride. I headed to the table. A candle flickered in the center, and she'd artfully plated the takeout in cute dishes, waiting for me.
Oh, and a bottle of liquor too?
"Whoa, this is my favorite stuff."
"R-Really? W-Wow... what a... co-in-ci-dence."
I preferred strong distilled spirits over beer in the heat, and she'd picked exactly my favorite. We'd chatted about drinks a few times during labyrinth registrations and reports—she must've remembered and stocked up.
Or maybe she'd tried it herself after hearing it was mine. Either way.
Man, this girl's a terrible actress.
"Right! I'll grab some ice."
Clatter!
Oh, she has a magic fridge? Those are pricey unless you're a shop or something.
Soon she returned with two on-the-rocks glasses packed with ice, beaming as she approached the table.
"Shall we have a drink, Cain?"
"You set everything up and now you ask?"
"Ehehehe..."
She stuck out her tongue sheepishly, grinning wide. I caught a glimpse of the magic circle tattooed on it.
Damn... rubbing one out on that would be insane...
Anyway, hold back for now. Mion's true nature, the guild... things feel off.
"Eh, one drink with you? We could go all night."
"A-A-A-All night?!"
"Shh, pour me one quick."
"O-Okay..."
I cut her off before her fantasies ran wild again and took the glass from her.
"Hm..."
"You weren't planning some toast or prayer before drinking, were you?"
"Eek!!"
"Just think of it as casual drinks with a friend."
"Sh-Should I?"
"Yeah. Cheers."
"Ch-Cheers!"
Clink—
This stuff's stronger than I thought. Guess Mion can hold her liquor better than expected.
Chat a bit, fish for info, build some goodwill, head back to the inn...
"Smack!!! Slurp...!! Haaah!! C-Caaain..."
When I came to, Mion was glued to me, her face flushed and dreamy as she sucked on my tongue.
Ah, I really tried to hold back... what the hell happened?