Strange Distance and the Hot Spring Scheme
It felt off. Our goal was clearly to keep our distance from Amelia.
"....?"
But why was it starting to feel like she was keeping her distance from me too? The gap between us seemed even wider than yesterday, and the number of times she approached while walking had plummeted. She should've said something vulgar or weird at least once an hour.
Ludia sneakily glanced back.
Huff. She was definitely looking right at me. But the moment our eyes met, Huu whipped his head away.
"This is so weird..."
Did I explain the plan wrong? After holding it in as long as she could, Ludia decided to ask Huu directly. Around lunchtime, she approached him where he was tearing into some bread alone.
"Huu-nim?"
"??!"
Huu flinched in surprise.
...Why?
"The plan seems to be going smoothly. Amelia-nim isn't talking to me much."
Nod.
Normally, he'd be bellowing Krahahaha! in that ear-piercing voice. But instead, just a short, curt nod.
"Uh... um... then..."
It was a reaction Ludia wasn't used to at all. For some reason, it hurt her feelings. And then he just smoothly got up from his seat and walked off somewhere!
"......"
It was such a huge shock that she even forgot what she was supposed to ask.
"...Isn't he getting too into the act?"
And the aftermath was intense. Even after lunch, as they walked along the road, she kept ruminating on it. To those around her, she looked so downcast that they worried she might be feeling unwell. But inside her head, a storm fiercer than ever was raging.
How amazing could that plan possibly be!
"Haa..."
...It's important. It's a life-or-death matter.
But all sorts of thoughts flooded her mind. Most of them were suspicions that it wasn't just that.
"Ah, no way...!"
Then it hit her. She remembered the incident back at the lodging. When she'd grabbed Huu as he tried to leave and spilled everything. Had he lost all interest the moment he learned her physical secret??
Her body reacting randomly without reason... That wasn't normal! It was weird!
"....."
Her shoulders slumped. A massive boulder seemed to weigh down her heart, dragging it downward.
It was just one person's indifference among many, but to her right now, it felt like a dagger to the chest.
"Um... Ludia-nim?"
".....?"
If Huu really intended that, she wouldn't even be in his line of sight. But Ludia had already sunk deep into her gloom, half-losing her reason.
And one person who didn't miss that opportunity.
"Is something wrong? You don't look well."
"....."
"If you have any worries, why not share them? I'd love to help if I can."
It was sweet. So sweet it blurred the line between someone she should keep her distance from and someone she shouldn't. Like collapsing in the desert from thirst, only for a few drops of water to moisten her lips.
"Um..."
"Yes, Ludia-nim."
Ludia's body unconsciously leaned toward Amelia. As much as her battered emotions wobbled.
"This is... about someone I know... It's a secret, so only you know, Amelia-nim..."
"Of course. I've heard confessions more than once or twice."
This should be fine. I said it wasn't about me.
Ludia strangely fought back tears and slowly opened her mouth.
Watching this from behind, Huu's heart sank.
By evening, the group arrived at the hot spring village in high spirits. Escaping their usual roadside sleeping arrangements was one thing, but chances to soak away fatigue in such steaming waters weren't common.
A volcanic zone must be nearby, as small pools bubbled with hot springs scattered around the open-air baths. People gathered in twos and threes, slipping into their preferred spots to warm up.
"....."
I chose the highest pool on the steepest slope. It wasn't far from Ludia's lodging, but foot traffic was low, dense trees blocked views from afar, and it was perfect for soaking alone.
"Grraa...(Feels good..)"
Hot water seeped through the gaps in my double-wrapped bandages. Tension melted away. I'd planned to hole up in my room, but thanks to Ludia today, my chest felt stuffy, so I came out.
"Groo...(What the hell did she tell her..)"
Even as my body relaxed, my mind was a mess. During the day, she hadn't left Amelia's side for a second, chattering away. Had she forgotten our talk about keeping distance from Amelia yesterday? All my efforts felt wasted in vain.
Fwoosh...!
"??!"
I'd been wondering what they talked about when a suspicious breeze stirred nearby. A sudden air current brushed my nape.
And then, "Fuu. It's harder than I thought after so long."
"Uh, ughh..??!"
A calm, smooth voice settled in. I whipped around in shock, and there she stood—long golden hair fluttering right in front of me. Her purple eyes rolled playfully.
"The bath's pretty spacious. Mind if I join?"
It was Amelia.
No matter that she was clothed, why come to this secluded spot alone? All the way here? And she'd approached so fast I hadn't sensed her presence... Suspicious didn't even cover it.
"Don't misunderstand. I can't fight. This is all I can do."
"....."
She's quick on the uptake. Amelia slipped into the bath opposite me, a faint smile on her lips.
"Come to think of it, it's been a while. How have you been?"
"Groo. (Yeah.)"
"..Hehe.. No need to be so tense. I just wandered and ended up here."
Amelia's golden hair spread across the surface like thin yellow petals. Her eyes softened downward, and the ever-benevolent smile on her face seemed to melt a little.
"The water here's so soft."
She closed her eyes gently, pretending to admire it. But I was on edge—what weird thing would she say next? Like last time. Leaving now would look like I was running, but staying choked me up.
"If it's awkward with just us... Want to hear about a friend of a friend?"
"...?"
As the awkward air pressed down, she spoke first.
"It's a secret, so Huu-nim can just listen and forget."
She raised a finger from the water and pressed it to her lips. Her mouth curved into a natural smile.
"....."
Sudden secret talk. Not interested. Better get up before I get dragged in.
"Hmm... Come to think of it, that friend shares a name with Ludia?"
"??"
My butt twitched to rise, but her name froze me.
"Just the name. Only the name. Totally different person. There's more than one Ludia in the world, right?"
Her eyes narrowed. A smiling expression. I could feel she was hiding something beneath it.
She's talking about the Ludia I know. Right now.
I couldn't sleep. I was tired. Feeling unwell, I'd gone back to my lodging early. But I'd been tossing and turning in bed for hours already.
"....Hoo..."
A hot sigh escaped Ludia's lips. Confessing had brought some relief, but it hadn't solved everything. That stuffy feeling like a huge rock still hung in her chest.
"(Bitch!! Come out for a sec!! Behind the lodging, the hot spring!!)"
"....."
Tch. He was so cold earlier. Why call me now?
She plugged her ears with the pillow and pulled the blanket over her head.
"This is your fault, Huu-nim."
At least give me an excuse. Or be honest about liking or hating me.
"......"
She rationalized it to herself and tossed some more. Then, at some point, she wondered why she was acting like this.
Since becoming a saintess candidate and joining the church, had there been only one or two people who'd treated her coldly? She'd gotten by without much hurt from them.
Why now?
"..Hng.. I don't know. It's all Huu-nim's fault."
Even grumbling like a spoiled child didn't ease her mind. She flopped around for a good while longer.
"...Aaaah!! He keeps bothering me!!!"
Ludia bolted upright.
"Ludia seems really upset. Says her acquaintance is ignoring her."
"...."
"No idea. Usually, you'd look at yourself first in cases like this."
"...."
"And that friend's reputation... You wouldn't know, Huu-nim, but it's not good."
She spoke haltingly. Was it the hot spring steam or her immersion in the story? Amelia's cheeks flushed pink, uncharacteristically.
And I was listening. To Ludia's slander. It was harsh, colorful criticism hard to ignore, but my eyes were on her for another reason.
I thought she only spoke coldly and intelligently. Didn't know she could talk like this.
"If I met her, I'd tell her. Maybe try working with someone else? No need to waste emotions like that, right?"
"...."
"And who knows. Someone else might be dying to work with her. For no reason."
As her last words ended, she casually cupped her hands, letting hot spring water drip through. She even let out a silly laugh watching it trickle. She looked relieved.
"..What do you think? Pretty interesting story, huh?"
Amelia waited for my response. Her eyes sparkled as she gazed at me.
"......"
I probably had to answer. Otherwise, she'd keep tangling me up.
My instincts screamed it.
Chuu.
"..?"
Instead of replying, I kissed the ring on my finger. Amelia looked baffled.
Tok.
But before she could react, I pressed the ring to her forehead first.
"What... what's happening right now?"
"......"
I took a deep breath. Sorted my thoughts as best I could. Recalled the ring's usual tone, separating what to say from what not to.
And then, "(You damn blonde bitch!!! Who do you think you're messing with!! Should I just flip you over and done with it!! Krahahahaha!!!!)"
"??!!!!!!"
Her mouth clamped shut, forgetting to speak. Her eyes went wide. Amelia, struck straight by the shock.
"(Don't get cocky anymore, you yellow bitch!!)"
"....."
...Perfect effect.