Did You Get Jealous? 012
I'd just finished training behind the inn and stepped into the first-floor dining hall when it happened. A regular customer, already deep into his afternoon drinks in one corner of the restaurant, was chattering excitedly to the innkeeper lady.
"Hey, ma'am, you hear the news? A pretty big traveling merchant caravan rolled into the village square today and set up all these tents. They say there's tons of stuff to see!"
Mari, who was wiping sweat from her brow, lit up with a bright smile. "Really? Mom! Let's all three go check it out!"
But Marina shook her head with a troubled look, waving her hand. "Eh, Mom's legs are feeling stiff today. I don't think I can walk that long. You two go ahead."
She must've overdone it for sure. She was still complaining about the discomfort. When I glanced her way and our eyes met, she mouthed a soft 'Have fun' with a warm gaze.
"Then Mom, don't work today—just rest!"
Mari's words showed concern for her mom, but her face was already blooming with a huge grin. She looked thrilled at the prospect of a date.
"Oppa, I'll go wash up and change quick! Wait just a sec!"
Mari dashed up the stairs to the second floor with noisy footsteps. A moment later...
"Oh, did I keep you waiting long?"
She came down the stairs in a light, flowy dress she'd clearly picked out with care, looking a bit shy. Gone was the usual tomboyish, energetic kid—instead, there was a fresh 20-year-old girl desperately trying to look womanly for me.
"It suits you well."
My casual compliment made flowers bloom on her face. The moment we stepped out the inn door, she hooked her arm through mine like she'd been waiting for it. The soft warmth of her body seeped through the thin dress fabric, feeling pretty damn nice.
- Think we can push Mari past 10% today?
'Mari doesn't need to rush in like you, sis. She's coming to me on her own—what's the hurry?'
As I chatted back to the chatter from Mari and Ria, we arrived at the market entrance, alive with the bustling calls of vendors. The square, lined with tents, buzzed with energy from the caravan's exotic wares and the crowds milling about.
"Ah, that smells so good..."
Maybe because we'd just trained, Mari's feet automatically veered toward the savory oil aroma wafting from the market's edge before she even realized it.
"Oppa, wanna eat first then browse?"
"Sounds good."
We bought some big meat skewers sizzling over the fire and split one. Biting into it sent salty, savory juices flooding my mouth, filling the hunger nicely. We'd polished them off and were heading deeper into the crowded market when...
This time, a sweet, tickling fragrance stopped Mari in her tracks. Under a flashy tent, colorful glass perfume bottles gleamed in neat rows.
"Whoa..."
Mari rushed right over, eyes sparkling as she delicately lifted one to sniff. But the moment she spotted the price tag on the bottom, her shoulders slumped.
It was a luxury way out of reach for a D-rank adventurer's thin wallet.
"...I just smelled it 'cause it was nice! Let's go, Oppa."
She tried to play it cool, setting the bottle back down. That dejected, adorable look...
I pulled out my wallet.
"Mister, give me one of those fresh, sweet fruit-scented perfumes. Something that suits this lady here."
I paid and handed her the small, pretty bottle. Mari's eyes went wide as saucers.
"Huh? O-Oppa! This is super expensive...!"
"It's a gift."
Totally caught off guard, she threw her arms around my neck in a big hug, ignoring all the stares.
"Oppa, you're the best! Thank you!"
I chuckled indulgently at my little sister's cute affection, patting her back lightly. Clutching the pricey perfume, her mood skyrocketed. Soon, she was completely mesmerized by the dazzling glass craft display nearby.
"Wow, Oppa, look at that bottle! So pretty!"
As she buried her face in the glassware, I tapped her shoulder lightly.
"Mari, gotta hit the bathroom quick. Stay here and look around."
"Okay! Hurry back!"
Mari just nodded absently, eyes glued to the shiny bottles. I quickly turned and slipped back to the perfume vendor.
The merchant recognized me and grinned. I lowered my voice discreetly.
"Got any high-end massage oil?"
Then I casually returned to Mari like nothing happened. By now, the sun had set, and bonfires lit up the market square. We blended into the crowd, standing side by side to watch the traveling troupe's puppet show.
The story was predictable. The epic tale of a hero setting off on a perilous journey to slay the Demon King.
"Oh, Goddess! Women are but a luxury I cannot afford!"
A pious, noble hero staunchly rejecting the temptations of princesses from countless kingdoms and sultry demon beauties, following only the Goddess's will. A totally clichéd hero story, all praise and no flaws.
But don't most of those skip the woman-repelling part? Half the plot was him pushing girls away.
"Wowww..."
Unlike me, Mari clasped her hands with sparkling eyes, utterly engrossed. She seemed deeply moved by the hero's purity and noble sacrifice, staring at the stage in awe.
I stifled a smirk watching her innocent profile.
'A noble hero rejecting beauties' temptations, huh.'
Right now, my inner pocket held massage oil I'd bought to roll around with Mari's mom tonight. No one here knew I was the hero, though. It was kinda funny seeing everyone cheer for the opposite of my life.
The puppet show ended, and we walked the quiet night path back to the inn. Mari stuck close to my side.
"Hey, Oppa."
"Yeah?"
"When you were adventuring... did you ever meet super beauties like the princesses or elves from the show?"
"Sure, I've met some."
My honest answer made her lips pout out.
"How pretty were they? Way prettier than someone like me, right?"
Her blunt tone dripped with the cute inferiority complex and jealousy unique to a girl with a crush. I chuckled at her sulky face.
"Dunno. Mari's plenty pretty herself, so hard to say."
"...Huh?"
Her steps halted dead. She whipped around, blocking my path, stood on tiptoes, and shoved her face right up to mine.
"I'm pretty? For real? Then look closer!"
Her clear eyes approached fast, long lashes quivering. I instantly knew what this cheeky kid was up to. I could've dodged by leaning back a bit, but I admired her cute courage and decided to play along.
I stood still. On tiptoes, eyes squeezed shut, Mari leaned in.
Mwah.
A light, innocent peck. For a split second, sweet warmth lingered on my lips before pulling away.
"Heehee..."
She dropped back to her heels, head bowed, giggling softly. Face beet red, she clung tight to my arm and walked silently all the way to the inn, too embarrassed to speak.
I checked the oil vial in my pocket was safe and headed inside.
Ding-a-ling.
Stepping in, sis greeted us with a soft smile from the counter, tidying up under the lantern light.
"Welcome back. Fun at the market?"
"Mom! Look at this! Oppa got it for me!"
Mari scurried to the counter, proudly showing off the perfume she'd clutched so carefully.
"Perfume? Oh, it's pretty."
"Not just any perfume! It's super expensive, and Oppa picked it 'cause it suits me perfect. Smell it—it's amazing!"
Excited, Mari shoved the bottle under her mom's nose, bragging away. Sis pretended to be surprised, eyes widening as she sniffed, then stroked Mari's hair.
"Oh, really fresh and sweet. Perfect for our girl. Sian, thank you. Even got a gift for the kid."
Sis's voice was her usual calm. But I caught it. While Mari bragged, sis's gaze flicked to my lips for a split second.
Wondering if there was a trace of Mari's kiss? She probably figured a pricey gift like that meant at least a kiss. Sharp intuition when it came to her daughter.
"She liked it so much, I just bought one. Anything I can help with, ma'am?"
"No, guests are all gone, I'll finish up. Go rest."
"Got it. Mom, rest soon too. Night, Oppa!"
Mari waved brightly at me, humming a tune as she bounded upstairs. Once her footsteps fully faded, I quietly stepped behind the counter.
Sis was focused on the ledger, head down, oblivious to me. I wrapped my arms gently around the defenseless woman's waist.
"Eh?... Sian."
"When you smelled the perfume earlier, your face looked so weird. Jealous of your little girl?"
She let out a small sigh at my question, trying to play it cool with a calm reply.
"...I'm not a kid anymore. Why would I get upset over my daughter's gift? Don't be ridiculous."
"Liar."
I nipped her earlobe lightly, sucking gently. "Sorry for leaving you alone. Next caravan... we'll go together, promise."
With that sweet vow, my hand slid lower, caressing her thigh. Leaning into me, hot, lazy breaths escaped her lips.
"Hnn..."
As the mood softened, I pulled the glass vial from my pocket and set it on the counter.
"...What's this?"
Her eyes turned to the bottle. Similar to Mari's perfume, but the viscous liquid puzzled her.
"Sis, your legs still hurt, right."