Chapter 35. Sakuya's Mixed Bathing Teaser
Today is an occasional holiday.
Because of the mission involving the Ancient Bloods, we were rewarded with a good amount of money. So, it was unanimously decided that we would have a full day of free time to take a break.
It's a real holiday, so Lucia, Noelle, and Sakuya are all spending their time as they please.
Naturally, I, too, intend to enjoy my vacation in this other world... or at least, I was planning to.
"Where's Lucia?"
While walking briskly through the town in the morning, I look around for the familiar silver hair.
Not long ago, I had been sleeping in an inn, and at noon, I was planning to wander around the town and look for tools that might be useful for my adventure.
However, I suddenly remembered the time I met Reema of the Ancient Blood, who loves hot springs, and recalled that Lucia had been acting meaningfully toward me.
At that time, Lucia seemed to feel that she had lost her powers since meeting us, and she had decided it was due to the mystical magic that Lucia had used.
However, for some reason, Lucia was casting meaningful glances at me.
It's not something to worry about. I forgot about it a while ago, and if I miss it today, I'll forget it again.
But now that I remember it, I can't help but be worried. Even if it's for an inconsequential reason.
I mean, considering what I've done so far, I think it's a good reason to be concerned. It's probably going to be stupid anyway.
Even though I was vaguely aware of this, I started looking for Lucia, partly because it was a holiday and I had more time.
She must have been out somewhere in the morning, but there was no sign of Lucia at the inn, so I was looking around the town.
After wandering around the town for about an hour, I still didn't see Lucia or have any clue what she was doing.
This is a waste of time.
When I finally realized this, I sighed and decided to continue looking around the tool shops in town. It's about time.
"Oh, Akira-san!"
A familiar voice, somewhat reserved, called out.
When I turned around, I saw a small hand waving in the crowd.
"Sakuya?"
Shaking her blonde twin tails as she ran up to me was the demon swordsman Sakuya.
Sakuya, who came to me, calmed down once while heaving her chest.
"Well, I've been looking for you... I'm glad I found you."
"Did you need something from me?"
From the way she looked, I could tell she had been running around the town at a brisk pace, just like I had been looking for Lucia earlier. But I couldn't think of why Sakuya would be looking for me.
I wondered what was going on and waited for Sakuya's words. Sakuya looked up at me and said with a determined look on her face.
"Would you like to take a bath with me!?"
...Huh?
"The hot springs created by Reema have free passes for now, so you can enter as much as you want!"
"Come to think of it, yes. But isn't it hard to get to that mountain again? If you want to soak in a bathtub, you can go to an expensive inn instead."
"No, no, I like mixed bathing in hot springs!"
I usually have a habit of being reclusive, but today I am feeling good.
She grabs my arm as hard as she can. Sakuya is so strong that her physical abilities, enhanced by magic, are tremendous, and it hurts a lot.
If this continues, my arm will be crushed.
"Ever since I was a child, I've wanted to take a mixed bath with a man someday!"
My dream since I was a child is to take a mixed bath with a man... This girl has been an idiot since she was a kid.
"Well, first let go of my arm?"
Are you nervous, or are you even stronger than earlier?
I feel like my bones are creaking. But Sakuya seems desperate and doesn't seem to hear my earnest pleas.
"Akira, if I miss this opportunity, I will never be able to fulfill my dream again, and I can't stand thinking that if I miss this opportunity, I will never be able to fulfill my dream!"
"I know. Let go of my hand for the time being! Come on!"
"Oh, I'm sorry... I almost squeezed Akira's hand in excitement!"
Sakuya hurriedly lets go of her hand and bows her head hastily.
Dangerous... No matter how much of an idiot she is, having my arm crushed by her is scary.
What's scary is that it's possible.
If the women of this world were serious, I wouldn't be able to resist anything... I would lose my strength.
"Well, I didn't have anything to do, and I wanted to go to the hot spring, so that's fine."
I replied, waving my free hand.
After all, I'm from Japan, so I want to go to a hot spring. I had already taken a bath in the shower at a cheap hotel, so I wanted to soak up to my shoulders slowly.
Besides... Mixed bathing is also nice for me.
I just accused Sakuya of being an idiot, but taking a bath with a naked woman is also a man's dream.
Hearing my approval, Sakuya, who had asked herself, looked stunned.
"What? Did you say it's okay? Are you going to take a bath with me?"
"If we're going to Agro Mountain, let's leave early. There's also the way back; we must come back before night, right?"
"Let's go!"
With a big smile on her face, which is rare for a recluse, Sakuya pulls my hand and walks away.
Once, she turned to me.
"Akira, if you want to take a mixed bath, please take a towel challenge! I couldn't help but want to see a man hiding his crotch with a thin towel."
Sakuya let out a rough breath and pressed her nose in the middle of her words.
This girl...
I was stunned by Sakuya, but I was looking forward to a mixed bath with her.