Chapter 139: Saving Money to buy a House...

"Mm —"

On the bed Aqua let out a sleepy murmur and turned over. Still half-asleep, she didn't wake up, but the sudden movement startled Darkness, making her tense all over.

Staring at Aqua's sleeping face, Darkness felt both frightened and nervous—mixed, of course, with a thrill of excitement. She bit her lip, eyes shining with anticipation.

In truth, rather than fearing Aqua might wake, Darkness was almost hoping she would open her eyes and see what was happening.

Shichen, even through the thin fabric separating him from her body, could feel Darkness's pounding heartbeat—strong and fast.

His interest spiked. No longer satisfied with a single layer of cloth, he pulled the nicely-textured bodysuit up, bunching it around Darkness's neck like a scarf, and placed his hand once more upon her generous curves.

Unlike the firm muscles of her abdomen, this part of her body was as soft as anyone's—though two spots were almost as solid as her abs and pressed insistently against his palm.

Since his hands were busy, his lips naturally wanted some action too. The order was a little backwards, but that hardly mattered: Shichen lowered his head, brushed Darkness's cheek, and searched for her lips.

"M-mm… no, we can't."

Just then Darkness turned her head away in refusal.

"What's wrong?" Shichen asked, puzzled.

"I-It… it's not time yet… h-haah…" Darkness's face was crimson and her breathing ragged.

"Not time yet?"

"We… we only just met. T-This is a bit too soon…" Her voice was embarrassed and uncertain.

"Aren't you being oddly conservative?" Shichen chuckled and shook his head.

He had already "inspected her development," yet she was drawing the line at a kiss.

"In any case, that's how it is. For now, no kissing!" Darkness squeezed her eyes shut and spoke quickly.

"Fine, then I'll just keep my ten fingers occupied a while longer."

"Ah—!"

At that moment Shichen suddenly remembered something: in the world he'd come from, kissing had long since lost its deeper meaning and become little more than foreplay.

But in truth, a kiss represents affection; if you don't like someone, you won't want to kiss them, nor let them kiss you.

Darkness's reaction made that clear.

They had known each other only two days; although she'd already decided to indulge his peculiar tastes, she still didn't feel close enough for a kiss.

Shichen respected her feelings. Since his hands were already busy, he had no intention of letting her go. Practicing with his hands was fine—and he could gather Divine Fragments at the same time.

Skin-to-skin contact for one minute. Divine Fragment acquired.

Exactly one minute later, the "voice" in his head spoke, its tone faintly disgruntled.

Ever since arriving in this world, "she" had acted like this—failing to warn him that both Aqua and Darkness carried Divine Fragments and even withholding mission info until he happened to enter that blank mental space while sleeping.

Clearly, she was jealous.

Shichen still didn't know who "she" was, and she wouldn't say. But as he collected more fragments she seemed to grow stronger; sooner or later he'd learn her identity.

For now, though, the softness wrapped around his fingers was far more important—thinking about anything else at this moment would be an affront to his manhood.

In the room only soft, low moans could be heard; Aqua lying on the bed remained sound asleep.

Not until nearly noon did Shichen finish his "finger exercises." Considerately, he even escorted Darkness back to her house.

She hadn't brought a change of clothes, and after such a long session she really needed one.

The two slipped in and out without disturbing anyone.

Darkness's mansion was indeed luxurious: her room alone was almost the size of an inn. The sight made Shichen long for a home of his own.

Staying in inns forever wasn't ideal, and their party was already sizable. They needed a base—and they still had the Ten Million Eris Cecily had given them for free.

Though Axel was just a starter town, it was perfectly livable; with teleport magic he could go anywhere.

He even had a particular house in mind, but ten million wouldn't cut it yet—he'd have to earn more.

Back at the inn, Shichen left Darkness at her door and returned to his own room.

Right on time, he gave the sleeping Aqua—who was facing away from him—a sharp smack on the rear.

Smack!

The crisp sound echoed pleasantly.

Half her pale, nearly translucent skin flushed red at once.

"Hiss—aaah! That hurts!"

Aqua jerked awake, clutching her backside, eyes brimming with tears.

"Shichen, why did you hit me?!"

"Did you forget? It's almost lunchtime."

"Eh? Oh."

Aqua remembered, but still pouted. "You didn't have to hit me that hard. It's burning!"

"Couldn't help it. I whacked you several times and you still wouldn't wake up," Shichen lied without batting an eye.

Aqua didn't doubt him. "Really? Well… okay."

"Come on, get up. Time to eat."

"Yay! Food, food—Heal!"

A quick self-heal and Aqua was bursting with energy. But as soon as she stood, she frowned and sniffed the air.

"Sniiiiff—sniff—what's this smell…?"

"What is it?" Shichen looked at her curiously.

Aqua didn't answer. She sniffed around, homing in on a spot on the floor beside the bed.

"Why is there water here?" she asked, perplexed.

Shichen now spotted the little puddle Darkness had left; he'd been too focused to notice earlier.

"Uh, Shichen, what is this? Did you spill something?"

"Never mind that. Let's go eat."

He flicked a small ember of holy flame, burning the puddle away.

"Eh? Why'd you burn it?"

"No point leaving it. Come on!" Shichen grabbed Aqua's hand and hustled her out of the room.

"So suspicious~"

"Want another smack?"

"Mm! I'll keep quiet, okay?"

"That's better. I'll buy you some sparkling wine later."

"Really?"

"I swear."

"Great! You're the best, Shichen!"

Shichen took Aqua to the dining area. No one else had arrived yet, but before long everyone trickled in: first Satou Kazuma, then Megumin and Yunyun, and finally Darkness.

All were neatly dressed except Darkness, who had changed outfits; her golden hair was still damp—clearly she'd bathed.

Her fair, delicate face was tinged with pink—whether from the bath or lingering excitement was anyone's guess, though the latter seemed likely since she couldn't meet Shichen's eyes.

The others didn't notice. They sat down and ate.

Over the meal Shichen proposed saving up to buy a house, and everyone agreed on the spot. After discussing preferred locations and styles for a while, they split up.

Kazuma dashed out of the inn, Aqua ran back to Shichen's room to keep sleeping, and Darkness, still a bit worn out, returned to her room.

Shichen, meanwhile, carried Megumin on his back and followed Yunyun to their room.

Megumin hadn't fully recovered and badgered him into carrying her; to avoid disturbing other guests he complied.

Inside, Shichen sat on Megumin's bed and set her down, but didn't leave immediately.

"Yunyun, any plans for the afternoon?"

"Eh? I-I'm not sure…" Yunyun grew flustered, remembering yesterday and thinking Shichen might invite her out again—possibly for something more. She couldn't help feeling a bit expectant.

"Is that so? Then—"

"Hold it!"

Megumin suddenly draped herself over Shichen's back, cutting him off.

"What are you doing?"

"What am I doing? More like what are you two planning? Trying to sneak off together again?" Megumin demanded.

"I just finished saying we need to earn money, remember?"

"I don't buy it. And why didn't you ask me?"

"You haven't recovered yet."

"Lies! You just want a tryst with Yunyun!"

"M-Megumin, what are you talking about?" Yunyun protested shyly.

"Hmph! Look how happy you are."

"I'm not!"

"Heh—there's no way I'll let you two go off alo—"

"Stop right there!"

"Catch that Axis cultist!"

Just then a commotion erupted outside the room.

~~~

Patreon(.)com/Bleam

— Currently You can Read 120 Chapters Ahead of Others!