Because they had rented a carriage, it was already night by the time they returned to Magnolia.
"At this hour the guild must be closed, and I'm all sticky... uncomfortable."
After getting drenched in the forest, Levy felt a bit out of sorts, then tilted her head with a bright smile.
"How about we do what I said and go to the hot springs in Hosenka Town next door?"
She could soak at the girls' dorm, but without Roland beside her it was a completely different experience.
"I don't mind a hot spring, but..."
Watching the girl ahead of him spread her arms and walk happily along the river's edge, Roland pinched his chin.
"Judging by that happy face, you don't mean a mixed bath, do you?"
"Of course not a mixed bath. Why would I... What kind of girl do you think I am?"
Levy stumbled and nearly fell into the river, hurriedly steadied herself, puffed her cheeks, and protested.
Their feelings had warmed quickly, but they hadn't even bared it all to each other yet. At most those sorts of things.
As for a mixed bath, that was at least something for after marriage.
"Mm, so you like it spic—"
"Ahh—shut up!"
Hosenka Town.
A hot-spring village to the west of Magnolia, its buildings all in Edo-style, strikingly out of place beside the Western architecture elsewhere.
Walking the broad streets lit by lanterns, Roland took in the bustling town and kimono-clad passersby and couldn't help musing.
Even without a park lined with cherry blossoms at the south gate, he could accept this.
Unlike first-timer Roland, Levy smoothly booked a room, then led him into a bustling hot spring inn.
"See you in a bit."
After changing, Levy waved in her clover-patterned yukata and hummed a cheerful tune as she headed into the women's bath.
"Right, see you."
Roland slid open the door to a spacious open-air bath. A bright full moon hung in the night, with a rolling mountain range and a faint waterfall in the distance.
"The view is better than I expected."
Because they had reserved a private room and spring, there were only the two of them between the men's and women's baths.
Crisp birdsong, a slightly cool night breeze, and a steaming spring at just the right temperature.
"Ahh... this feels good."
Sinking into the water, Roland leaned back against the bath rock and let out a long breath, a relaxed smile easing across his face.
If he bought a house someday, he would definitely build a hot spring this big at home.
Gazing at the distant night sky, Roland couldn't help thinking so.
After soaking for about half an hour, Roland returned to the room.
He slid open the shoji. Dinner was already set on the low wooden table: salt-grilled saury, tempura, sake.
All classic Japanese dishes.
He poured a cup of sake and sat cross-legged on the tatami, just about to take a sip when the door sounded again.
Looking up, a girl in a yukata with blue hair beaded in droplets stepped in, the skin she showed flushed warm from the bath.
His gaze traced slowly up her soft waist, then, with a complicated look, he glanced aside.
"Embarrassed?"
Levy toweled her damp short hair. Noticing his reaction, she teased with a smile.
"No. I just thought... really flat."
Flat.
Levy's smile froze. She didn't need to look down to know what he meant.
"Pervert."
She huffed, cheeks blazing, and sat down opposite him.
Anyone could tell the red on her face wasn't shyness.
It's not my fault I don't grow.
She snatched the sake and downed it in one go, glaring at him.
"It's fine. Small is cute too."
Propping his chin in one hand, Roland looked at the girl before him as if admiring a delicate work of art.
Even after seeing her so many times, she was always this adorable.
"What is it? Why are you staring at me like that?"
"I'm just curious why little Levy is so cute," Roland said with an easy smile. "Cute enough to hold and tease properly."
"Don't tease me."
Levy inched back, eyes drifting away on their own.
Honestly, after that night, she felt like she'd become a little addicted to that feeling.
Much better than reading alone.
She remembered from her books that not only women, men needed things on that side as well.
Thinking of those pages, Levy opened her mouth, found it hard to say, then mustered her courage and forced the words out.
"Um... doesn't it feel uncomfortable?"
Roland tilted his head, not understanding what she suddenly meant.
"About last night. I read in a book that..."
She spoke in a mortified whisper, then couldn't help covering her face.
What am I even saying. How can I say that in front of him.
Roland was silent a moment, then moved to sit beside her. He rested his chin lightly on her head and asked in a soft voice.
"So, what do you want to do?"
"Actually... I can help too."
Levy pressed through her shyness and went on.
After all, mutual help.
<><><><><><>
Read Advanced Chapters on : patreon.com/Kaizo247
~ Every 150 PS = Bonus Chapter!
~ Push the Story forward with your [Power Stones]