Tigria Has Never Been Thanked
His chest felt strangely ticklish.
Something soft yet firm underneath was slowly caressing him.
"Mmh."
Having been fast asleep, Rin tossed and turned slightly, and the tickling sensation vanished.
But it was only temporary. As soon as Rin settled into a comfortable position and lay still, the sensation began to crawl over his body once more.
It was mildly annoying, so Rin reached out and gently pressed down on whatever was on his chest.
It felt like a soft ball of fur.
As he stroked it gently, the ball of fur seemed to calm down, only to start targeting one specific spot again.
Unable to take it anymore, Rin slowly lifted his head—and locked eyes with Lucy, who had her tongue sticking out.
"..."
"..."
"Morning, Lucy."
When he greeted her as naturally as possible, Lucy pulled back her licking tongue.
"*Slurp*... Morning, Rin."
"Did I... sweat a lot?"
Still groggy, he asked the question before he could fully grasp the situation.
Lucy flinched and averted her gaze.
"N-Not really?"
"Mmh, that's good."
He wasn't fully awake yet. Since he was still drowsy, he decided to close his eyes again while the sleepiness lasted.
As Rin's breathing slowed, Lucy eyed him warily and began to stealthily slide her tongue out again.
But then, an unfamiliar voice interrupted them.
"Luciena's statement is inaccurate. Indeed, little sweat was discharged from the front, but the back is thoroughly soaked, including the sheets."
"?!"
Not just Lucy, but Rin as well bolted upright in shock.
The mage, Tigria, was standing near the doorway, watching them.
"What are you doing here?!"
"I was informed that the porter spent the entirety of yesterday searching for me to offer his greetings. I have arrived without delay."
"How long have you been there?"
"Not long. Approximately since the moment Luciena hovered her tongue near the porter's nipple, debating whether to proceed further..."
"Agh! Aaaagh!"
Horrified, the only way Lucy could think of to shut Tigria up was to scream even louder.
Meanwhile, Rin hastily pulled the blanket up to his chest.
Fuming with rage, Lucy glared at Tigria.
"How dare you barge in without warning! You have no manners!"
"My oversight. Recently, my observation targets requested that I completely suppress my presence. It has become a bad habit."
"Get out this instant!"
"Understood."
Her meek compliance only made Lucy angrier.
As Lucy ordered her out, the mage nodded.
"If you wish to exchange greetings, you may come to my room. I plan to remain there from yesterday through today."
"I'll go right now."
"Rin!"
Lucy protested, but when Rin pulled her into a hug, she didn't argue further.
"I have to thank her anyway. Let's get it over with this morning so we can spend the rest of the day together."
"...Fine."
Seeing Lucy quickly grow docile, a strange gleam flickered in Tigria's otherwise expressionless eyes.
"For your information, there is a banquet scheduled for this evening, which only the Hero's party is to attend."
"I don't care. I'm not going."
"Understood. I shall prepare to receive my guest. You may visit whenever it is convenient."
Tigria's figure began to distort.
Waving her hand, the mage vanished like a mirage.
It was an intangible illusion created by magic.
Ah, so she used a magical projection. No wonder she had no presence and could pass through walls.
However, because maintaining it required absolute concentration, her real body would be in her own room, surrounded by defensive wards.
Since it wasn't a clone created by a ninjutsu-type skill, it could only be used as a messenger.
Lucy huffed, glaring at the spot where Tigria had just been standing.
"Lucy, we have to go to the banquet."
"Why? It's only going to be people who hate us."
"Which is exactly why we must go."
Rin stretched as he got out of bed.
The sudden shock had driven away all his sleepiness.
"Who knows what they'll plot if they're left to themselves?"
"I apologize for my rudeness this morning."
"It's fine. It's nothing compared to you saving my life in the Zramun Archipelago."
Having quickly gotten ready, Rin headed to Tigria's room.
However, he had to leave a highly tense Lucy waiting outside the door.
After all, the mage was the very first person to blow off Lucy's leg right after the Demon King's subjugation, so her reaction was only natural.
“You're holding back well. Does the gratitude of getting closer to Rin because of it outweigh the grudge of having your leg blown off?”
"Shut up."
At the Demon Sword's mockery, Lucy gripped the hilt with all the strength she could muster.
Stepping into Tigria's room, Rin was struck by how ordinary it was for a mage.
He had expected it to be cluttered with various magical tools, but there was nothing unusual other than a long desk packed tightly with books.
Romance novels?
He took back his previous thought.
A casual glance revealed that they were all trashy romance novels.
Though he only saw the titles, the subgenres seemed incredibly diverse.
Pure love, harem, harem-pure love, non-virgin pure love, and even netorare.
Can a harem even have pure love? What kind of concept is non-virgin pure love? And netorare, of all things...?
"Excuse me."
Tigria, who had personally brought in some tea, noticed the netorare book, grabbed it, and immediately incinerated it.
Despite being cast without a chant, the book vanished rapidly without even the smell of burning.
"I purchased it as a reference material just in case, but it was garbage."
"I see."
"Surrendering one's dignity and entire life solely for carnal desire is no different from behaving like a beast. Such indulgence lasts only as long as the woman remains beautiful. It is obvious she will be discarded without mercy afterward. Racing toward such an end for temporary pleasure is the absolute worst."
"Surprisingly, there are a lot of beast-like people in the world, you know?"
The mage's hand paused slightly as she set down the teacup.
It was unclear whether she was flustered because he had actually engaged with her words—which everyone else usually ignored—or because Rin's remark had struck a chord.
"Rin's statement is correct. Nevertheless, it is content I cannot tolerate."
"I haven't read it, so I can't say for sure, but I don't think I could tolerate it either."
"I hope you continue to refuse to tolerate it."
"Which book do you like the most, Mage?"
After a moment's hesitation, Tigria pulled out a book with a gray cover.
"This is my favorite."
"What is it about?"
"It is the love story of a childhood friend male lead and female lead. Because both were poor, the male lead left to earn money. Meanwhile, the female lead resisted all temptations around her, waited until the end, welcomed the returning male lead, and married him."
It was as cliché as it got. A plain, ordinary story of pure love.
Yet, Tigria seemed quite excited as she introduced the book.
Though there was barely any inflection in her voice, Lee, the reincarnated veteran of Arrogant Saga, could tell.
"I believe love ought to be like that."
"I see."
"Loving the right person in the right way."
"That's true."
"If that were the case... a doll like me would not have needed to be born..."
Her last words were so quiet they were barely audible. Rin deliberately pretended not to hear.
"I'm late in saying this, but I heard you saved my life with first aid back in the Zramun Archipelago. Thank you so much."
As he bowed deeply, the mage felt a sensation she had never experienced before.
What was this feeling, tickling her chest yet coloring it with warmth?
"I'd like to repay you."
"In that case, I request that you spend some time with me."
The purple-haired mage straightened her posture.
"Do you happen to love Luciena?"
"I like her as a comrade."
He drew a clear line, leaving no room for misinterpretation.
Yet Tigria found herself feeling disappointed, but at the same time, strangely relieved.
Why?
She set down the pen she had picked up to write down his answer, averted her eyes from the notepad she was supposed to be studying, and looked at Rin.
"I am conducting research on affection."
"That sounds difficult just hearing about it..."
"Correct. It is highly difficult. Therefore, a subject is required."
Ah, so that's why she was reading romance novels.
The mage's personal history was barely explored in the game.
He had assumed it was just a gap-moe trait of her reading romance novels, but there was a much more serious reason behind it.
"The tea has cooled. I shall warm it."
"Thank you."
There it was again.
It was just a cliché expression of gratitude, yet Tigria's chest warmed once more.
Come to think of it, while the mage had received praise for performing well, this was the first time she had ever been thanked.
That strange, touching sensation made her keep observing Rin.
And yet, whenever she felt their eyes might meet, she unconsciously averted her gaze.
Instead, she found herself looking at his hands, his arms, and his shoulders.
Rather than feeling uncomfortable, she felt tense.
"Ah."
She had spilled a bit of tea.
Rin casually pulled out a soft piece of cloth and wiped the table.
"The tea is delicious."
"...That is fortunate."
What was this emotion?
Tigria, who was far more accustomed to hostility than goodwill, wanted to know more.
So, she decided to probe him.
"Luciena appeared to be highly fond of Rin."
"Is that so?"
"Otherwise, she would not have been licking your bare skin."
"..."
Speechless, Rin let out a sigh.
"Lucy has anxiety issues because of your betrayal. That's why she's developed an obsession with me."
Rin subtly rebuked the mage's betrayal.
As his hostility seeped through, Tigria felt a sharp pang.
Though she should have been used to it, this one hurt quite a bit.
"I wish to verify if it is affection."
"By observing Lucy? From up close?"
"That will be difficult for now. Instead, I wish to observe Rin."
"That will also be difficult for now, you know?"
"From a distance is acceptable."
Rin wore a troubled expression.
"You won't gain anything by observing me."
There is. She wanted to personally feel and understand what goodwill and affection were.
"There is. Analyzing which of Rin's actions cause Luciena to become more obsessed, or at what point her affection wanes, holds sufficient value."
"I see. Then it would only make sense if Lucy is around."
"Incorrect. It is also necessary to determine what type of person Rin is."
Tigria added hastily.
Rin knew it was time to pull the fishing line.
"How about we talk about each other in private when we get a chance later?"
"By 'in private,' do you mean just you and me?"
"Yes. Aren't you curious about what kind of person I am from another's perspective?"
"Rin can do that with Luciena as well."
"Lucy is... lacking a bit of objectivity right now."
Rin's excuse made sense to Tigria.
"Understood. However, I do not know if such an opportunity will arise."
"Me neither. But that's the thing about opportunities—you never know when they'll come."
It was a promise without a set date.
Yet, Tigria found herself faintly looking forward to it.
*Knock, knock.*
"Rin? It's already evening. A messenger came to call us to the banquet."
"Well, I should get going."
At the sound of Lucy's knock, Rin stood up.
Tigria felt a pang of regret.
Regret? I am feeling regret over a person?
It was strange. She was strange today.
"Would you like to go together?"
Tigria quickly nodded.
"By all means."