"This is.. what is happening…?"
I woke up from my nap but I couldn't move my body even for an inch.
I could feel a pressure from my back though, seemed like someone was hugging me from behind even though I'm sure I had went to sleep alone.
Well I knew who was the culprit behind this bear hug though.
I tried to free my hands but Chris-san didn't even budge.
"Wow.. I can't wriggle free at all.."
It looked like Chris-san didn't show any sign of waking up too.
"Ah.. What should I do..?"
Feeling numb, I tried to move my hand which was settled between my stomach to let my blood circulation flew more freely.
Looking at the gap between the tent's opening, I noticed the sun was turning into yellowish orange shade.
"The sky is getting dark too.. We have to wake up soon.." I murmured solemnly.
I tried to nudge Chris-san and called out to him," Chris-san, hey.. Chris-san wake up now."
"Pfft.."
I heard Chris-san trying to stifle his laughter.
This guy…!
"You're already awake from the start aren't you?!" I yelled out at Chris-san who was holding his stomach while laughing his heart out.
"I can't help myself!~ After All, Ren-chan looks super adorable, desperately calling to me like that!~"
I'm not cute!
Had Chris-san been watching me while I sleep?
For how long?!
"Geez Chris-san! Since when did you wake up?"
"Hmm~ When, huh?~ I don't know~"
Ah, he didn't want to tell me. Not fair.
"Ah you.. Anyway you're already awake, right? Can you please release me now?"
Chris-san was still holding me ah, more like he was hugging me even tighter now.
"Hugging Ren-chan feels wonderful~ So comfy~ I don't want to let go~ Won't you please let me indulge myself for a little bit more?~" Chris-san whispers to me with his husky voice.
Hearing his voice in close proximity like this made me remember 'that time'
I could feel my face turning red but I tried to ignore those memories for now.
"U-ugh.. Fine, if it's just a little bit.."
——————————————-
After a while, Chris-san finally released me.
"Okay! I'm already satisfied now, let's continue our journey!~"
Judging from his voice, Chris-san seemed to be really satisfied. I also got up and folded the blanket I'd been using and put it on the corner.
I walked toward the tarp and pushed the cover away, revealing a sleeping William there.
"William~ So this is where you're napping." I cooed to William.
It looked like William had been sleeping here to avoid the sunlight.
Afterwards, me and Chris-san started to tidy everything. From the tent to the tableware and portable chair. I put everything inside my magic bag and in no less than 5 minutes, we were already set up to go.
"Well then, please do the usual." I held my hands up to Chris-san who happily took it.
"Okay, there you go!~"
In one swift movement, Chris-san put me in the front seat and took the leash.
Then, we continued our journey.
"Since it's dark, we can't move as fast as we did this morning." Chris-san said.
"I see. Though it seems like William has no problem seeing in the dark, huh?"
"Yes, because William is a magical horse so he has good eyesight even in the dark."
"Magical horse sure is amazing."
"Do you feel cold, Ren-chan? Even though it's summer now, the night is still a little bit cold." Chris-san asked out of concern.
"Ah it's a bit chilly but my back feels warm because I'm stuck to you, Chris-san."
Even though Chris-san was wearing a breastplate somehow he still radiated warmth so I didn't feel uncomfortable even though the night breeze was a little bit chilly.
"Ah I see~ You know, when I'm holding Ren-chan real close, I feel really warm too so won't you come closer?"
With his left hand on my stomach, Chris-san lifted me up a little to scoot me closer to him.
"W-What? It's dangerous Chris-san!" I yelped.
It felt like I was about to fall out of the horse and since William was so tall, the idea of falling scared me a lot.
"Fufu, I'm sorry Ren-chan~ But you will feel warmer if there's no distance between us, right?"
"T-That is true but I'm afraid you will feel heavy if I lean all my body weight on you.."
"If it's Ren-chan, I don't mind at all~" Chris-san said nonchalantly.
Well since Chris-san gave me his permission I guess it should okay?
"Then.. only for a little bit 'kay?"
This time I put all of my body weight on Chris-san.
Ah, it was true. Chris-san was so warm.
Though, I can feel my own body temperature increasing too with how close we were.
——————————-
We took several breaks here and there.
As we progressed even further, the surrounding trees became larger too.
I looked up to the sky to see the moon smiling back at me.
Tonight was a full moon.
The moonlight shone through between the trees, illuminating the forest with its gentle light.
Right in front of us, there was a really large tree, it was the largest tree I'd ever seen.
"What a big tree.. I can't see the top at all."
"Yes, this is largest tree in the vicinity."
I see.. It was amazing that a tree could grow this big..
"Well then! Let's quickly set up our tent and go to sleep~"
"Yes! I will take out my tent now."
That was right, it was already late so we needed to hurry up and slept so we could start our journey before the sun up.
With Chris-san's help, I set our tent up in a flash.
"I'm not hungry yet so let's go straight to sleep. We're going to arrive in Calhea tomorrow noon so let's take our time to rest properly before we start our subjugation quest, 'kay?" Chris-san said.
"Okay, I'm not hungry yet either."
The both of us already had dinner during our break before.
Dinner was Malik-san's favorite, a chicken teriyaki burger with ham and cucumber.
For dessert, we had strawberries and cream sandwich.
Seemed like Chris-san had a sweet tooth because he munched on the strawberry sandwich delightfully.
I also ate to my fill so I was still full now.
"We're finally going to reach Calhea tomorrow! My heart won't stop pounding!" I sighed to myself.
"After crossing this forest, we will reach the village and begin the subjugation quest soon. Don't worry Ren-chan, I will definitely protect you. I won't let even a single monster touch you. For now, since it's getting late, let's clean ourselves and rest. [Clean]!"
We took off our shoes and using magic, Chris-san cleaned both of our bodies.
"Yeah, that's right. I will be counting on your help, Chris-san." I said as we both entered the tent.
"Leave it to me!~" Chris-san replied with a smile.
I knew Chris-san was really strong but I never saw him in combat before and since I'd spent all my time gathering lulu grass I'd never encounter a monster before too.
Aside from Chris-san, there was also the safety of the camp.
If I may be honest, I was both excited and scared at the same time but since I already made up my mind to become an adventurer, I had to brace myself!
"Here's your blanket. Good night Ren-chan~" Chris-san gave me a thin blanket to cover myself.
"Ah, thank you. Good night."
Today marked the day I'd been away from Pedrell City for more than 24 hours long.
Let's do our best again tomorrow!
———————————————————–
"This…it happened again.."
I woke up early today, the sun hadn't even up yet but once again I was being buried in Chris-san's tight embrace.
"Chris-san! Please wake up already!" I lightly tapped on Chris-san arms.
This time too, Chris-san was hugging me so tight and he didn't give me any response to my plea at all.
"Here we go!"
Bracing myself, I pushed Chris-san away with all my might and I was finally free!
I took a glance at Chris-san sleeping figure.
Because he was still sleeping I couldn't see his deep amethyst eyes but even so his face was really beautiful.
Ah what was I thinking !
"For now, let's start preparing breakfast before Chris-san wakes up."
I left Chris-san alone and went out to the tarp area in front of our tent.
Even though it was still in the middle of the summer, the morning breeze felt cool on my skin.
"Good morning, William."
"Buruuruu"
William was resting inside the tarp again today, he neighed back when I greeted him.
I stroked his sleek fur and he nudged back at me lightly.
Yesterday, Chris-san scolded him because he used too much force and almost pushed me down.
Now, William was able to restrain his power to not overwhelm me.
"William is really smart~" I praised him cheerily.
After I finish stroking William's fur, I set up the folding chair and table from my magic bag.
"Hmm what shall we have today? … Ah, let's have traditional japanese breakfast!~ Now that I think about it, why Alsar people can use chopstick so easily? I thought since the setting of this world is similar to western country, they're not used to chopstick but in reality everyone that I know can use chopstick! Perhaps it's because thanks to the influence of other another worlder?"
While I was busy muttering to myself, Chris-san finally woke up.
"Good morning Ren-chan.. Today's menu is another worlder meal, huh? Looks delicious~"
On the table, there was white rice, miso soup, tamagoyaki, grilled mackerel and pickled vegetables.
"Yes, is there anything that you don't like? Don't hesitate and tell me."
"Nope, everything looks delicious~ Itadakimasu~"
The two of us ate silently while enjoying the morning glow.
"Ah that's right! When the quest begin, we won't be able to take a bath so let's take our time to enjoy the bath when we stay in the village. We can rent a room in an inn and soak there, okay?"
"Okay but why don't we just go to a public bath house?"
Bath!
As a japanese person, having a bath was a must!
Even though I can clean myself using [Clean] magic but I still felt like something was missing after all.
Since I wouldn't be able to take a bath during subjugation quest, I'm going to enjoy my precious bath time when we reach the village !
But I wonder why Chris-san wanted us to take a bath in an inn?
"I told you yesterday, right? It's dangerous to share a tent with other man, the same applies when you are naked in public bath house with other man ogling at your body! Your chastity will be in great danger!"
"Ah! Is that so?! So dangerous.. Okay then I will enter the bath in inn instead."
I don't want to be assaulted !
So many dangerous things to watch out for during this quest..
Aside from monster, even fellow adventurer could assault you.
Being an adventurer was really a dangerous job huh..
———————————
"Well then, shall we get going? It'll be a couple of hours before we reach the village I think."
"Okay, let's go Chris-san."
And then, William started to gallop through the forest.