White Whale's Footsteps
"Hey, wake up. Mel. Mel!"
Tap. Tap tap!
"Urgh… ngh… slurp!"
"…Ha…"
Mel was out cold, deep in sleep so heavy not even carrying her drunk ass back would wake her. Even shaking her shoulder didn't rouse her. From the looks of it, she'd be down for a while.
"…Belly button's all out too. Seriously, does she even try to hide that she's cross-dressing…"
Her top had ridden up, exposing her pale stomach and cute little navel completely. I couldn't keep staring. Sure, it might stir some lust, but seeing her drooling in her sleep was a total mood-killer—not to mention her usual airheaded antics that were still fresh in my mind.
…Okay, fine, her flat chest played a big part too.
Whoosh!
I grabbed the blanket and tossed it over her. No more of that eye-sore sight.
"Now what…"
A woman sleeping defenselessly in a man's room? That's basically begging 'come eat me up.' She'd have to accept the risks walking into a guy's room like that.
But not this time. Mel stumbling into my room was pure accident. Plus, she was wasted. Touching her would lead to all sorts of headaches I couldn't deal with.
Sure, I could use Deceiving to change my face and not get caught…
'Rape feels like crossing a real line, though.'
I decided to leave it as just a thought, a mere possibility.
Mel was a living person with her own dignity. I wasn't out to be some hero saving everyone, so I wouldn't sweat indirect harm from my actions… but actively ruining someone's life? Nah, not my style.
…Actually, if there was a clear payoff, I might. But screwing her? I racked my brain, and no benefits came to mind. No gain for me meant living as a 'decent asshole' instead of a 'total scumbag.'
I was fine being a moderate piece of trash.
'Best would be to crash in Mel's empty room…'
Too bad I didn't know which one was hers. Once the mercenaries all piled into their rooms, one empty one would be hers—but they'd be partying for a while yet.
Creeeak… thud!
I left Mel be and stepped into the hallway. No sign of the butler or maids I was hoping for. In the dim corridor, only dozens of doors stood out sharply.
The whole wing was for the mercenary group. A few short on spots got directed upstairs… but that wasn't me, so whatever.
I closed my eyes and focused my hearing toward the rooms. The other mercs had accepted night service, so women should be waiting inside. Mel turned it down, though. The quiet room had to be hers.
But…
"…Damn. Janet turned down night service too, didn't she?"
Two rooms without a sound. Now what? Flip a coin? Or bunk with Mel?
I picked option three.
"Ha… screw it, I'll crash with Chris."
Most logical, safest choice. Better than a 50% shot at Janet slapping me or getting labeled bi for emerging from Mel's room come morning.
Of course, no funny business with Chris tonight. No contraceptives, showers, clean mattress, or bed hygiene here—why bother rolling around in this dump? If we wanted, we could do it anytime in my Earth room.
I remembered Chris's room perfectly. I'd walked her there just now.
I knocked on her door.
*
Mel woke up feeling refreshed for the first time in ages. No lumpy dirt floor even with multiple blankets, no morning dew soaking her—no, it was the crisp comfort of a soft bed.
"Ahhhm!"
No one around, so she yawned wide, humming as she headed to the bathroom.
A noble mansion? Shockingly, every room had its own private bath. Bliss for Mel.
Hiding her gender meant baths always came with anxiety and stress.
She stripped off the fresh casual clothes from the butler right onto the bedroom floor. Down to panties, she stepped into the bathroom.
Gurgle gurgle!
Turning the faucet brought not cold water, but steaming hot filling the tub. Gazing delightedly, Mel spotted a small glass bottle nearby.
A clear yellow-tinted liquid sloshed inside. First time seeing it.
'Missed it last night rushing through a wash?'
Sniff sniff!
"Whoa!"
Curiosity pried the lid off for a whiff, and she knew instantly. A thick floral scent like spring blossoms filled the bath from the bottle's mouth. Not super fancy, but pricey scented oil for the rich to slather on.
Private bath, hot water, beauty products. Luxury. A rare treat in Mel's life.
Determined to savor it, she eased in from her toes.
Splash…
"Ooh… ahhh…"
Her body melted languidly, a moan slipping out. Her one known song followed.
Hmm hmm!
A bard once taught it in her old village. She'd hounded him to repeat it till she memorized every line.
No audience anyway. Mel sang loud, not just humming—just soft enough not to reach next door.
After bathing, she eyed the bottle expectantly. Proper use was dabbing a few drops on a towel for skin and hair, but clueless Mel poured into her palm and slathered everywhere.
"Huh… this whole bottle's one use, right?"
She stopped only when drowning in scent, proud of saving half.
Lingering luxuriously, she donned only her men's underwear from before—not new ones, but mercs couldn't wash often. No bra either; the bathrobe made it pointless, and it was uncomfortable anyway.
Slipping it on loosely, she headed to the bedroom. And bumped into Park Chanyoung.
"Eek!!"
Swish!
She yanked the robe closed, covering up. Did he see?
'H-he didn't get a good look, right…?'
No binding bandage for cross-dressing—embarrassing to admit, but Mel's chest didn't need it. She forced a bra on anyway, lest she 'lose' to something undefined.
Even if a bit showed, no instant girl alert. Her chest didn't scream 'woman.'
Hopeful, she clung to that.
"Ch-Chanyoung, why are you in my room! Without knocking?..."
"…You sing pretty good."
"Y-you, you heard?!"
Her face burned realizing her excited belting reached others. Flashing her chest to a guy didn't help.
But relief too—Chanyoung's face showed no suspicion.
"Don't remember?"
"P-pardon? Remember what?"
"This isn't your room. It's mine."
"Huh?..."
While Mel floundered, he grabbed the bag in the room.
Then it clicked—his stuff.
Swish.
It looked like her bag. Merc bags were identical; contents mattered.
He moved to open it, proving ownership.
Mel blurted desperately.
"W-wait a sec!"
"Yeah?"
"I-I'll… I'll open it!"
"You? Whatever. Go ahead."
Relieved, she took it. He'd claimed it as his, but if hers? Disaster.
'I-if he sees that…'
Deep inside: unavoidable feminine products. Her monthly magic visited like any woman's.
Rustle rustle.
"…Not my stuff, huh?"
"You got wasted last night, picked the wrong room. Passed out in mine."
"…Pardon?"
Shock hit. Not just a drunken slip—if true, they'd shared a bed.
Chanyoung saw her as a guy, so no funny business, she knew. But psychologically?
She'd shared inns with group members before, but one-on-one with a man? First time. Felt worlds apart.
"No way…! No way…!"
"Hold up, I know what you're thinking… I didn't sleep here? Why would I bunk with a dude on purpose?"
"Th-then where did you…?"
"With Chris, obviously. She's my lover."
"Ah…"
Relief washed over. Panic ebbed.
'Wait? H-hold on… I just…'
Head clearing, she caught her slip. Frantic excuse to Chanyoung.
"I-I don't hate sharing with you 'cause I don't wanna be seen as gay…!"
Normal guys might grumble but tolerate. Mel overreacted, like a wary woman.
Suspicious folks might notice. That panicked her.
Snicker.
Chanyoung just chuckled at her desperate plea, no reply. Unsettled, Mel changed topics.
"By the way, Chanyoung, when did you drop the formal speech?"
"Over drinks last night. Uncomfortable?"
"No, not that…"
"So, how long you staying? This is my room."
"Ah, s-sorry! I'll get out now!"
Stealing his room, barging in without knocking… too many nuisances caused. Proper apology later; stop bothering him first.
As Mel scrambled out—
Grab.
Her small shoulder caught in his hand.
"You planning to go out like that?"
"Ah!..."
She noticed her state: panties and loose robe. Embarrassing for a guy to see.
"Th-thanks… I'll grab clothes!… N-no! I'll change in the bathroom!"
Turning for her scattered clothes by the bathroom door, she froze.
"…"
Butler-issued: all men's wear. Not the issue.
Her bra lay by the door. Worst spot—from Chanyoung's angle, impossible to miss.
Misfortune piled on.
"Hurry up and change, then come out."
…Nod.
His gesture toward the bathroom thawed her. Head spun wildly.
'Did he not see…? B-but it was right there… lucky break?'
Real or playing dumb? Unclear. Mel sucked at reading faces. Even pros would struggle with his.
"W-well… I'll go then…"
Bow…
Her voice crawled. Fleeing without eye contact.
But as the door nearly shut—
"Be more careful. No more slips like that."
"Mmph!..."
Creeeak… thud!
Even after closing, Mel stood frozen. No guts to knock and ask what he meant.
About ten seconds later, she finally made it back to her room.