Chapter 29: Look Closely, This Is How Allen Uses It!

Time rewinds one minute earlier.

Rudeus, having finished preparing the bathwater, quickly stripped off all his clothes. However, unlike what he imagined, Sylphy remained hesitant nearby, even avoiding looking at him.

"What's wrong? If you don't take your clothes off, you'll catch a cold. You're all muddy—are you planning to stay like that?"

"Huh? Ah, um..."

Sylphy stiffly faced the wall.

"What, don't tell me you can't undress yourself? Seriously, I can't with you sometimes."

Completely naked, Rudeus walked over to Sylphy.

"Come on, raise your arms. I'll help you out."

"Eh—eh, I..."

"What do you mean you? Hurry up or I'll call Allen in here!"

"No! Don't—please!"

After pulling for a while and getting nowhere, Rudeus noticed Sylphy tightly gripping her clothes.

"Fine, then let's start with the pants!"

He began tugging at her trousers, only for Sylphy to clutch them tightly and let out a shriek.

"Aaaah!"

Covering his ears, Rudeus stepped back with an annoyed face. Just as he was about to speak, rapid footsteps echoed from the stairs. Judging by the sound, it wasn't Lilia, Paul, or Zenith—all of whom had distinct walking patterns. These steps were unfamiliar and frantic.

Rudeus's eyes lit up.

He crouched by the door and whispered to Sylphy, excitement in his voice.

"Seems like you're not used to bathing with boys, huh? Just watch. Once I strip Allen, you'll join in too!"

'Heh heh, this time, I'll win, Allen-sama!'

The footsteps closed in.

As Sylphy turned toward him, Rudeus grinned deviously.

"Sylphy, look closely..."

Bang! The door burst open.

'Perfect timing!'

"This is how Allen is used!!"

Allen stared at Rudeus. Rudeus stared back. Sylphy faced the wall in the corner.

An awkward silence blanketed the room.

Yet the most shocked wasn't Allen.

It was Rudeus.

He looked up, mouth agape, eyes blank.

'Wait... he's... standing tall? Could it be... Allen actually likes boys? No way... he doesn't like Sylphy, but me?!?'

Seeing the horror in Rudeus's eyes, Allen didn't have time to feel the social death creeping in. He yanked up his pants and hoisted Rudeus off the floor.

"Hurry! Put on your clothes!!"

Rudeus panicked.

"Huh?! No! Pervert! Allen-nii, put me down!!"

Gritting his teeth, Allen whispered.

"Sylphy is a girl."

"Nooo—wait, what did you just say?"

Rudeus turned in shock to the corner, where Sylphy still huddled, ears red.

In an instant, realization struck.

'Sylphy! Not Sylph! No wonder her nickname's "Sylphie"! She's too pretty! I should've known!!! I-I stripped in front of a girl!!!'

He screamed.

"Clothes! I need clothes!!!"

"Then wear them!!"

"But they're muddy!!"

"You care about mud now?!"

"Too far! I can't reach them! Wait, give me your spare pants! You were seen anyway!"

Allen: ?????

"You were seen too!!"

"Oh... true."

"Then why are you screaming?!"

"Because you were, like, standing tall! That's terrifying!!"

"It's because of douki!"

"Liar! Paul doesn't get like that with douki!"

"How do you know Paul isn't?!"

Lilia had been standing frozen at the end of the hallway, having witnessed the entire farce. Behind her, Paul's face was dark as thunder, veins bulging in his clenched fists.

At lunch, Sylphy stayed for the meal.

Allen and Rudeus sat at the table, both with swollen foreheads, staring at their plates.

Two mentally 30-year-old kids were getting scolded by a 24-year-old, embarrassed by their actual age.

"Had enough fun? Arguing is one thing, but debating whether I rise when using douki?! Stop calling me by name! You two skipping sword training lately must be itching for punishment."

"Sorry, Master/Father."

"It's Paul!!"

"Sorry." in unison again

Zenith smirked at the scene, finding the chaos oddly endearing.

She turned to Sylphy.

"You've got your hands full, being friends with these two."

Sylphy quickly waved her hands.

"N-No! They've both been really nice to me!"

Zenith chuckled and leaned on Paul.

"Alright, dear. Let's eat."

Paul glared at Allen and Rudeus.

"Fine. You two can eat. But no playing tomorrow. Back to sword training!"

"Yes, Master/Father." in unison x3

Allen and Rudeus shared a glance and sighed as they sat down to eat.

Allen reached over to get some bread for Sylphy and silently resumed his conversation with the system.

'Hey, earlier you warned me Rudeus's affection could drop to zero. Is there a penalty for that?'

[No.]

'Will it affect my score?'

[No. Score is point-based.]

'Then what did you mean by "tread carefully"?!'

[Because it was funny. If you and Rudeus end up together, wouldn't that be the ultimate "deep participation" in Mushoku Tensei? I wholeheartedly support it.]

'...Damn you.'

Meanwhile, Rudeus sneaked glances at Sylphy, then at Allen.

'So Allen already knew Sylphy was a girl, huh? Damn it, making moves so early... Wait, that means... Lilia—no, Lilia—I mean, Roxy! She's mine now, right?!'

His lips curled into a familiar pervy smile.

(End of Chapter)

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