Chapter 34
Chapter 34
“What? There’s no carriage going to Revron Village?”
“Two days ago, heavy rain caused the river to overflow and destroyed the bridge. They’re repairing it, but it’s basically being rebuilt from scratch.”
“I see…”
Only two villages remained before reaching my hometown.
But due to the disaster, we were stuck.
“How long until it’s fixed?”
“At least three days.”
“Three days… Is there another route?”
“There is, but it’s longer, complicated, and dangerous.”
“Then we’ll stay.”
A typical protagonist would push forward anyway.
But I wasn’t that type.
No need to suffer unnecessarily.
After explaining the situation, everyone agreed to stay.
“I’m sleepy…”
“Ruen looks tired.”
“We should find an inn first.”
“I’ll handle it!”
“Alright.”
Rin insisted strongly.
She didn’t want to burden me.
So I let her.
“See you later.”
“Yeah.”
She left with Ruen.
“Now it’s just us.”
“It’s been a while.”
“Almost ten days since they joined.”
“It wasn’t boring, though.”
“Still… I wanted time alone with you.”
Rene sounded slightly sulky.
Since Alfheim, we hadn’t spent much time alone.
I’d need to cheer her up.
“Let’s explore together.”
“Yes!”
She smiled brightly and hugged my arm tightly.
Her tail wagged excitedly.
She really was honest about her feelings.
Even though her chest pressed against my arm—
she didn’t seem to notice.
Good for me.
But also concerning.
“Let’s go!”
“Alright.”
I followed her into the busy streets.
Hopefully nothing strange would happen this time.
At a café—
after shopping, we sat by the window.
“Milk tea is good… but why is black tea so bitter?”
“That’s how it’s meant to be.”
“You drink it so often, I got curious.”
“I like the bitterness.”
It paired well with sweets.
Rene, however, didn’t.
“If you don’t like it, give it to me.”
“Wait—!”
I took her cup and drank.
Warm. Bitter. Good.
Then—
her face turned red.
“Don’t be mad. I’ll buy you milk tea.”
“I’m not mad!”
“Then?”
“…That was where my lips touched…”
She mumbled softly.
Blushing.
“Indirect kiss.”
Cute.
“Knowing my saliva is now inside you…”
…Wait.
That escalated fast.
I had only thought of it simply.
She went further.
“…This is my fault.”
Maybe my influence.
I needed to be more careful.
“Don’t think weird things.”
“Ah!”
I flicked her forehead.
She rubbed it—
and smiled.
“You like getting hit now?”
“No! I just like spending time with you!”
“I thought you discovered something new.”
“Ugh… you really don’t understand.”
She buried her face in the table.
Clearly upset.
“Come on. I bought you lots of clothes.”
We had spent two hours shopping.
Most of it—
her trying outfits.
“Yet you enjoyed it.”
…Well.
When she came out in just underwear—
that was intense.
I had to hold back.
Barely.
Thinking about it again—
not good.
Change topic.
“Do I really seem that unattractive to you?”
“…What?”
“I try to appeal to you. But you barely react.”
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to.
I was holding back.
Since deciding on a proper ending—
I restrained myself.
Even with beautiful women like her—
I kept distance.
“I act this way because I want to maintain our relationship. Not too close, not too far.”
“Why?”
“Because once we cross that line, we can’t go back.”
If I misunderstood her feelings—
it would ruin everything.
I didn’t want that.
Call me a coward if you want.
I just wanted a sincere relationship.
“…I don’t mind crossing that line.”
“What?”
“At first, I was just curious about you. But now… after traveling together…”
She looked at me seriously.
“I—”
“What are you two talking about so happily?”
Rin.
She had returned.
Smiling—
but not warmly.
Rene frowned.
Her eyes sharpened like a dragon’s.
The atmosphere dropped instantly.
Even Prah trembled.
…Why were you shaking too?