Between Heresy and Taboo (7)
Shae had recovered. Just that fact alone felt like it lifted the fog hanging over our hero party. She was clinging to Kaya, laughing boisterously just like always, as if she'd never been on the verge of death. Her body was still weak from everything, of course.
The problem was that with Shae hogging the bed, Kaya and I—who were already exhausted—had nowhere comfortable to crash.
If we had more money, we'd have upgraded to a bigger room, but we've already sunk too much into this one...
There was no helping it. If it were just Kaya and me, we'd have shared the bed no problem—she might blush, but she'd be fine with it. But there was a patient who needed rest.
I gave up on the fluffy bed, rummaged through my pack for essentials, and pulled out a small tent to set up.
For a moment, I flashed back to boot camp, pitching an A-frame tent in the mud. Fuck. This one was barely functional for sleeping, too. A level 1 hero who'd skipped the inn upgrade for cash couldn't afford anything fancy.
Kaya seemed to get my intent right away and didn't say a word, but Shae, lying on the bed, tilted her head and asked,
"What're you doing?"
"You're doing better now, Shae, so Kaya and I need to get some shut-eye too, right?"
"Heh."
What was with that dopey reaction? I chuckled and finished setting it up quick. It was a bit bigger than the A-frame from memory, and way easier to pitch.
I tossed in some clothes and packs as makeshift pillows, beckoned Kaya over. She hesitated a second, then came.
"Sorry."
"No need to apologize. Well then."
"Wait! Y-you're really sleeping there?"
"Gotta. I'm dying to crash right now."
"No!"
"Dunno what 'no' means, but chill out first."
"It's because of me that you and Sis... "
I just shrugged instead of answering. It wasn't like we were roughing it outdoors—no big deal.
"You recovering fast and getting back on your feet helps us more, so quit overthinking and rest up. We're fine."
"Exactly."
"Still..."
"Lights out. Night."
"Ah! Captain! Sis!"
I confirmed Kaya was already settled inside, then squeezed through the narrow flap myself.
Yeah, it's cramped alright.
The tight space had me and Kaya pressed right up against each other. Her breathing was quiet, but she didn't seem asleep. I had that feeling she was aware of me, same as I was of her.
The fabric flap blocked light but not sound, so I whispered just loud enough to carry,
"Kaya."
"...Yes, Captain."
Instant response, as expected.
"Floor too hard?"
"It's bearable. Slept on dirt plenty during trainee days."
"Too hard for me. Feels like it'll wreck my back."
No reply, but I could tell she was flustered. A guy who'd clawed back from agony whining about this? I chuckled at her shifting expression, reached out, and gently stroked her hair.
She tensed, shoulders hunching.
"C-Captain. Shae's right there...!"
"And?"
"W-what do you mean 'and'? Even if we're... that way..."
"What way?"
Oh, this was fun. Stress melting away. The cool, stoic beauty on the outside, but innocent and soft underneath—that gap. Someone whose self-esteem had burrowed to the earth's core, finally getting affection and pretending not to love it, but clearly melting.
Kaya was fun to tease, but it made me want to look after her too. Dark as it was, her face was probably tomato-red again.
"Th-that... You and me, daring to... H-ha-ha."
"Me and you. So?"
"W-we're one, that kind of... couple... or whatever!"
"Shh—you brought up Shae. Gotta be quiet."
"Hup!"
I slid my hand from her hair to lightly cover her mouth with my palm. Felt her lips press shut. Her body went rigid like our first time.
Poor thing. Already wiped out. I stroked her hair again, slipped my arm behind her neck for a pillow, and pulled her close.
—Hngh!
Kaya sucked in a sharp breath, then—resignation or resolve?—closed her eyes and inched her face closer.
Haha. Good to know I'm not the only one who wants this.
Felt great, but no way we could go further—like public play.
—We could!
Fuck off. I'm not an animal! That was our first time—ain't happening.
That sleazy inner voice from our night together tried egging me on, but I shut it down. Even without Shae, I was too beat...
"...Captain."
"Nope."
My dick had brushed her crossed legs as she nestled in. I played it cool, stroked the back of her head, kissed her forehead lightly.
"Floor's hard and cold. Might as well cover up with something soft and warm. Better for both of us, right?"
"..."
She stared blankly up at me a moment, then burrowed deeper into my arms by way of answer. Blushing hard.
Her soft body, warm heat, faint scent, steady heartbeat—I sank into the deepest sleep ever.
The next morning.
I woke to Kaya staring down at me. Freaked me out a bit, but otherwise, night passed uneventfully. Fatigue eased—not gone, but better. Same for Shae.
After some debate, Kaya and I decided to bring up the altars.
I pulled the second one from under the bed, and Shae's grinning face went stone-cold. Her expressions always flipped like that.
"That's..."
"The altar the heretics we fought were guarding, I think."
"An altar."
"Yeah. And this is the second one."
I recounted the first instance run: the tough monster fight, smashing a similar altar.
"Dunno how much detail you got from the Justitia Church before joining us. But your job ahead is clear. You're just a temp ally, so you'll report back what you've seen and head home. Then Justitia and Raella Churches will dig deeper into where we went."
Shae showed no reaction. Not yes, not no.
I kept going.
"Honestly, I couldn't care less about churches or heretics. Took the job for the pay. Teaming with you was just how it shook out. So I planned to hold some stuff back."
Couldn't trust her fully. Kaya was in for real, but Shae was an 'outsider' who'd bail post-job. Couldn't spill our full situation—despite how bad I wanted her.
But I stepped forward boldly. Not solo—Kaya and I had talked it over at dawn. She felt grateful, reliable toward Shae. Didn't say it outright, but implied she'd be a good permanent teammate.
I wanted it. Kaya wanted it. Time to go all-in.
"You protected us. Nearly died. You tanked up front, let us kill that monster and escape. But after waking, no bragging, no grudges, no complaints. Like it was just your job."
Mouth must've itched to talk. Body aching, questions burning, frustration boiling. Still, she rested quietly like I said. Even after the job ended—no more 'Captain' needed.
"I want that you. Kaya wants that you. HeroHAT, facing down terror, wants that you. So, to let you know us a bit, I'll spill what I was hiding."
"No need to feel burdened. Consider it our thanks—a confession, our way."
Kaya chimed in after listening.
Maybe that's why Shae smiled faintly and spoke.
"Sis. Where's a confession that doesn't burden the listener? Especially from comrades who survived death together. You set this super serious mood—how could I not feel it?"
"Th-that's..."
Spot-on, Kaya sank instantly.
But Shae grinned, pulled Kaya's gaping face into a hug. Didn't notice in her plate armor, but Shae was no slouch in the... ahem.
"Still wanna hear it. Burdensome or not. You two got me out of there back to Seilroom—you're my benefactors. Gotta hear what benefactors wanna confess!"
"Shae..."
"If you're sorry for burdening me, drop the honorifics, Sis. What sister calls her little sis 'nim' all formal?"
"Uh."
"Go on."
"...I."
"Can't hear?"
"...Shae."
"Yes, Kaya Sis? Hehehe."
I was stunned. Cute sight, but felt like Shae was training Kaya...
"So, Captain? What's this secret you're hiding?"
Her golden eyes met mine while cradling Kaya's head. Whatever—let 'em bond.
I laid it all out: the quest client uncle I'd kept secret.
Depending on Shae's reaction, might have to ditch the reward from that sketchy guild blacksmith dude. But...
The level-up meant we'd bonded positively. Not sure exactly when with Shae, but spilling this now? No loss, I trusted.
Loss? Some payout from a skilled-but-shady guild smith.
Gain? Boosted odds of recruiting a 'genius' trait tank with massive potential—like hearty stew, growing strong.
Weigh 'em? Gain crushed loss; scales'd snap.
"Captain."
"Yeah."
Shae pondered my words, then perked up, approached, and pulled something from her cleavage—thrust it at me.
"This...?"
Silver accessory: scales dangling from a sun. Still warm from her chest—weirdly nice...
Kaya gawked at it in my palm.
"Kaya? What's up?"
"Captain."
"Huh?"
Shae pressed my fingers shut over it.
"Don't lose it out there, okay?"
"Why all the—"
She eyed her claymore and plate leaning on the wall, muttered heading out,
"Just holding it for a bit."