The Spark of Resonance
The next morning, I woke up in the quiet early dawn of the inn. It was a habit from my hero days—I never slept deeply. As soon as I went down to the first-floor hall, I pushed the scattered chairs and tables back into place and roughly swept up the dirt on the floor. Then I headed into the kitchen and started prepping the ingredients I'd eyed yesterday.
Anyway, the snacks or stew at a small inn like this were predictable. From glancing around the hall yesterday, I had a good idea of what to sell and prepare. Tap-tap-tap-tap—the cheerful sound of my knife on the cutting board echoed for a good while until the wooden stairs creaked.
Soon, Landlady Marina appeared, her brown hair tousled. She blinked in surprise, looking back and forth between the spotless hall and me standing in the kitchen.
"You're up already?"
I paused my chopping and greeted her casually. She approached, looking flustered.
"Sian? Did you do all this?"
"Yeah. I could tell yesterday what needed prepping. My eyes popped open early, so I figured why not. Nothing wrong with it, right?"
At my nonchalant reply, her face mixed guilt and gratitude.
"Oh my... But you're a guest here to rest. I feel so bad. Thank you so much. I'll take over now—go rest."
"Let's do it together. I saw how tough it was for you alone with all those people yesterday."
I grabbed her apron from the hook in the kitchen.
"Turn around. I'll tie it for you."
"Huh? Oh, I can do it myself..."
She turned hesitantly, and I stepped right up behind her. I pulled the apron strings around her waist and tied a firm knot. As I slid my hands downward—quite intentionally—I let them lightly brush her plump ass. It was like an accidental graze along the path of my hands, just a soft tap against her curves.
Her shoulders stiffened at the faint friction on her ass. She whipped her head around in surprise, but I'd already stepped back, turning calmly toward the cutting board. Tap-tap-tap-tap.
"I'll finish chopping the veggies for the stew. Can you help with the meat?"
I resumed chopping with a straight face, acting like nothing happened. She glanced at me, then moved deeper into the kitchen.
Damn, playing the sly fox from morning. He's got me all rattled.
After lunch service ended in the afternoon, I followed Marina to clean the room at the end of the second floor, which had been vacant for a while.
"Ugh, what now? I forgot the ladder."
Marina frowned at the cobwebs in the ceiling corner. It was too high even on tiptoes. The ladder was in the shed out back. I knelt on one knee in front of her.
"Hop on. It's too far to get the ladder."
"Huh? You sure?"
"Don't worry. I'll hold you steady."
She climbed on hesitantly, and I grabbed her legs, standing up.
"Eek!"
Her view shot up, and she reflexively hugged my head tight. Softness pressed against my head from above, but I kept steady.
"Got it. You can swing your hips now."
I gripped her thighs firmly, fingers twitching subtly. Twitch. Her legs around my shoulders tensed. As I stroked upward, her breathing from above grew noticeably shallow, feather duster in hand.
"Um, Sian... your hands..."
"Hold my neck tight with your legs—it's dangerous."
I brushed off her trembling voice lightly, pretending ignorance as I squeezed her thighs.
As evening fell, the inn was packed again, no room to breathe with the crowd. Amid the frenzy of orders and serving, I grabbed a beer mug and headed behind the counter.
I had to pass right behind Marina, who was tallying bills. Normally, she'd step aside or turn, but I didn't give her the chance.
"Coming through."
I pressed right up against her back, stepping forward. Using the tight space as an excuse, I let my groin rub lightly against her ass as I passed. She flinched when I did, and I felt her glance, but I casually started filling the mug.
Once the hectic evening rush ended, Marina slumped onto the counter stool, exhausted, catching her breath. I approached quietly and pulled a clean handkerchief from my pocket.
"Good work."
I tossed the words lightly and wiped the sweat from her forehead. She jolted at the sudden touch but soon accepted it meekly, letting out a languid sigh.
"Another drink tonight?"
She nodded silently. Soon, the strong whiskey and glass were set on the table like yesterday. She downed it faster than usual, propping her elbows on the table and staring up at me intently. Fidgeting with her glass, she eyed me for a long moment before finally speaking, as if resolved.
"Sian... You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"
"Doing what?"
I asked calmly, unflinching. She bit her lip hard.
"Don't play dumb..."
Her watery eyes glared at me with a mix of reproach.
I was gonna tease her more. Must be the booze—she's bolder than I thought.
I gently wrapped my hand around hers on the table. Her hand wasn't smooth. Traces of over a decade running the inn alone and raising Mari—cracked from cold water and fire, calluses on her palms.
"Yeah, I touched you on purpose."
"...!"
"But you knew... So why didn't you say anything?"
She just worked her lips, speechless. I tightened my grip, leaning my upper body close over the table.
"If you don't like it, even now."
Our faces were close enough for breaths to mingle.
"You... you have to stop."
Her shaky eyes darted between my lips and gaze. The wait was short. Her silent non-answer was permission. I dipped my head without hesitation, covering her lips with mine.
"Mmph, mm...!"
She pushed at my chest in surprise, then hesitated, clutching my clothes. Not pushing away, not fully embracing—ambiguous. I wrapped her shoulders, slipping my tongue between her lips. Strong whiskey and the widow's sultry breath flowed down my throat.
Then—creak, thud. Thud.
Someone stumbled down the second-floor stairs. We broke apart reflexively. the landlady's face flushed crimson, head bowed, breathing ragged.
"Uh, water... we're out."
A mercenary slurred drunkenly from the stairs. I stood calmly, grabbed the water pitcher from the counter, and handed it over.
"Here you go."
"Thanks."
As he vanished upstairs, I looked down at Marina, head still bowed in her chair. Her reddened ears stood out.
"Shall we call it a night?"
She hesitated long, then nodded faintly.
"You seem pretty drunk. Let me help you up."
I naturally slipped my arm around her waist, lifting her. As we climbed the stairs one by one, I gripped her ass with my free hand, kneading the full flesh and stroking its curves with each step.
"Ah... S-Sian..."
She whimpered and flinched at my bold touch but just leaned on me, arm around my neck. Her defenses had crumbled completely.
Finally, her bedroom. I gently laid her on the soft bed. Pressing my face close to her ear as she gazed up with moist eyes, I whispered low.
"Sleep well, noona."
Leaving her eyes wide and trembling, I turned without lingering, shut the door, and left.
Click.
As I stepped into the hall, Ria burst out in awe.
Whoa... What'd you do before becoming a hero? How many women have you seduced?
What... I just go with my instincts.
The next morning, as I came down to the first-floor hall, the savory aroma of soup wafted from the kitchen. Marina, by the stove, flinched at my footsteps, shoulders trembling.
"Sleep well, landlady?"
She turned at my greeting but avoided my eyes—probably because of last night.
"Uh, y-yeah. Slept well...?"
Her flustered dodging was kinda cute. I stepped closer to her side.
"Need any help?"
"Oh, no. It's almost done..."
"Want me to taste it?"
"Y-you will?"
She hesitantly offered the ladle of soup. I grabbed a spoon from the counter and scooped a bit, tasting.
"Hm? Something's missing."
"Huh? Really? Too little salt...?"
As she peered into the pot in panic, I scooped another spoonful with the same spoon and brought it straight to her lips.
"Try it."
Her eyes darted between the spoon—surely coated with my saliva—and my gaze. Obvious indirect kiss. She hesitated, then carefully took it in her mouth. Swallowing, she tilted her head.
"Hm... Not sure?"
As the spoon left her lips, a drop of soup clung to the corner.
"Hold on."
I set the spoon down and reached out, gently wiping her mouth.
"Huh?"
"Soup on your lip."
Looking into her eyes, I slipped the finger with the soup into my mouth and sucked it clean with a smack. Then, to her frozen stare, I curved my lips casually and drove it home.
"Tastes good."