After a while, Shirou and Aiz decided to dry off from the seawater that had soaked their bodies. They both grabbed towels from the bags they brought, preparing to dry themselves off before changing into fresh clothes. The morning beach air felt warm, helping their clothes dry faster.
As Aiz searched for her towel in her bag, she accidentally spotted the lunchbox Shirou had prepared earlier. It was still neatly wrapped, waiting to be eaten after they finished their swimming practice.
"Shirou... is this the lunch?" Aiz asked, taking out the box and looking at it curiously.
Shirou, who was also drying his hair with a towel, turned toward Aiz and nodded. "Yeah, I made it this morning. Maybe we should eat after we change clothes," he suggested, remembering that they were both still wet and not entirely clean.
However, before Aiz could respond, a loud growl echoed—a sound loud enough to make Aiz freeze for a moment, her face slowly turning red. It was the sound of Aiz's stomach, and she couldn't hide her embarrassment.
Shirou, noticing Aiz's expression, smiled slightly, holding back a laugh. "It seems your stomach has a different opinion," he teased gently, trying to lighten the mood. "How about we eat first before changing clothes? There's no harm in filling our stomachs first."
Still embarrassed by the growl, Aiz slowly nodded with a small smile, happy that Shirou didn't make her feel more awkward. Enthusiastically, she opened the lunchbox Shirou had brought, revealing several neatly cut sandwiches inside.
With nimble hands, Aiz divided the sandwiches in half, making sure they each got an equal portion. "This is for you, Shirou," she said, handing half of the sandwiches to him.
Shirou accepted the sandwich with a smile. "Thanks, Aiz. I hope you like it," he said, though he knew that Aiz always enjoyed the food he made.
The two of them sat by the beach, enjoying the sandwiches. A gentle breeze from the sea brushed against their faces, creating a peaceful and calm atmosphere. Aiz, who was usually quiet and reserved, seemed more relaxed this time, savoring each bite of the sandwich Shirou had made.
"This is good," Aiz said honestly, her voice soft but full of satisfaction. Her face showed how much she appreciated the simple meal.
Shirou smiled, happy to see Aiz enjoying the breakfast he made. "I'm glad you like it. Take your time, we're not in a hurry." They enjoyed the moment in peace, even though earlier there had been many moments of nervousness and awkwardness. Now, they were focused on the calm togetherness by the beach, enjoying breakfast under the morning sun.
As Shirou enjoyed the sandwich he made, he couldn't help but smile as he watched Aiz enjoy his cooking. Every bite seemed to bring her more satisfaction, and that sight made Shirou happy. For him, seeing others enjoy the food he made always brought simple joy.
However, without realizing it, Shirou's gaze slowly drifted from Aiz's face. His eyes were drawn to Aiz's body, still wet from the sea. Her wet swimsuit made her skin glisten under the morning sun. Droplets of water trickled down her skin, making it harder for Shirou to look away. Although he didn't intend to stare for long, his eyes seemed unable to turn away.
In the midst of his daydream, Aiz's voice suddenly snapped him back. "Shirou," Aiz said in a calm tone, seemingly unaware that Shirou had been lost in thought. "When we go back to the inn later, just tell them we went for a morning walk, okay? I don't want them to know we were practicing swimming."
Aiz's soft voice immediately broke Shirou's focus. He stammered, jolting out of his thoughts. "Ah, yeah! Sure, a morning walk...," he quickly replied, his voice a bit shaky from the surprise. His face felt hot, and he hoped Aiz hadn't noticed that he hadn't been paying full attention to what she had said earlier.
Aiz, on the other hand, simply nodded calmly, seemingly unaware of Shirou's confusion. She continued eating quietly, not realizing that Shirou had momentarily been caught up in his own thoughts.
Shirou, now realizing how obvious his earlier reaction had been, felt slightly embarrassed. He tried to refocus on the sandwich in his hand, trying to calm his racing heart. Inside, he hoped Aiz wouldn't dwell on his strange reaction.
Aiz finished her breakfast first, savoring the last bite of the sandwich Shirou had made. With a full stomach, she felt more energized. She stood up and took her towel and clothes, heading behind a large rock nearby. She chose that spot to change into something more comfortable. After ensuring she was hidden, she began to remove her wet bikini and put on her one-piece dress, which always made her look graceful.
After a few minutes, Aiz returned from behind the rock, now dressed in dry, comfortable clothing, her blonde hair flowing freely in the morning sun. Seeing Shirou still waiting, she gave him a small smile. "Now it's your turn," she said calmly, handing him the towel he had left behind.
Shirou, now feeling more relaxed after the earlier incident, nodded and took his clothes to the same spot behind the rock. As he changed out of his wet clothes into a dry and comfortable outfit, he thought about how pleasant the morning had been with Aiz, despite the moments of awkwardness. He quickly changed and returned to the spot where they had been sitting earlier.
When Shirou finished and came back, Aiz was already packing up their belongings. The bag was neatly packed, and the remnants of their breakfast were carefully stored away. Aiz stood elegantly, ready to head back to the inn.
"You're quick," Shirou said with admiration, noticing how swiftly Aiz had packed everything.
Aiz just gave a small smile. "We're done here, so we should head back," she replied, starting to walk.
Shirou quickly caught up, walking side by side with her. They both walked calmly, making their way back through the quiet, green forest. The morning in the forest felt peaceful, with only the sound of the wind rustling the leaves and the chirping of birds waking from their slumber.
During the walk back, they didn't talk much. However, there was a comfort in the silence. Shirou and Aiz walked side by side, enjoying the tranquility that could only be found in a place like this, far from the hustle and bustle of the inn and the adventures in the Dungeon. Every step they took was accompanied by the sunlight filtering through the trees, casting beautiful shadows along the path.
On their way back to the inn, the calm forest atmosphere made the conversation between Aiz and Shirou feel warmer and more personal. Aiz, who was usually quiet, broke the silence with a soft tone. "Thank you, Shirou," she said suddenly, looking at him with a small smile. "I've never been able to swim before. But thanks to you, I feel like I'm making progress."
Shirou smiled humbly, feeling undeserving of such praise. "I only helped a little, Aiz. Most of it is because of your own effort, and of course, thanks to Little Ariel helping you float," he replied, trying to convey that her progress was mostly due to her own hard work.
However, Aiz shook her head. "Even so, I still can't control Little Ariel steadily. To really swim, I still need help," she said seriously. Then she looked at Shirou with her soft, glowing golden eyes. "Will you stay with me and help while we're still in Melen? I want to keep practicing."
Shirou was taken aback for a moment, but a wide smile spread across his face. "Of course, Aiz. I'd be happy to help," he said with confidence. For him, helping Aiz wasn't a burden but something he enjoyed, especially knowing how important it was to her.
Aiz, who rarely expressed much emotion, smiled a little wider this time, showing genuine gratitude. "Thank you, Shirou. Sorry if I'm troubling you for the next few mornings," she added, slightly worried that her request might burden him.
Shirou immediately shook his head. "Not at all, Aiz. It's not a bother. I'm glad to help," he replied sincerely, making sure she didn't feel bad about it.
With that, they continued their walk home, their steps feeling lighter. Their bond grew closer, and even though they were practicing something as simple as swimming, these moments brought them even closer together.
When they arrived at the inn, Aiz and Shirou casually walked toward the entrance. The morning air was still fresh, and they were both ready to face the day after their time at the beach. However, shortly after stepping inside, Tiona's cheerful voice rang out nearby. "Hey, where did you two come from?" she asked excitedly, noticing that they had already been active that morning.
Aiz, usually calm, suddenly felt nervous. "W-we just got back from a morning walk," she quickly replied, hoping it would be enough to explain their outing. She tried to keep her face composed, though inside she was worried. If Tiona knew they were actually practicing swimming, she'd definitely get curious and want to join. Aiz wasn't ready to reveal that to anyone yet.
Tiona looked at them with enthusiasm. "Wow, a morning walk? I want to join tomorrow! It sounds fun!" she exclaimed with a big smile.
Aiz felt her panic rising. Tiona's enthusiasm would surely lead her to insist on coming along, and her secret swimming practice with Shirou might be exposed. Her eyes darted quickly to Shirou, hoping he could help her find an excuse. But before Shirou could say anything, another voice chimed in from behind.
"Hah, Tiona? Up early? That's impossible," said Tione, appearing with a playful grin. "You always have a hard time waking up early, Tiona. So don't pretend you can join."
Aiz felt a huge wave of relief wash over her. Hearing Tione's casual remark made her think that her secret might still be safe. She took a deep breath to calm herself and turned to Tiona, who still looked excited. "You should just rest, Tiona. I don't want to disturb your sleep. A morning walk can wait," she said in a calm tone, though her heart was still pounding, afraid of being found out.
Tiona looked confused for a moment, but then burst out laughing. "Yeah, you're right. I do have trouble waking up early," she admitted, giving up easily. "But next time, I'm definitely coming, okay?"
Aiz just smiled, relieved that the situation didn't get more complicated. Shirou, seeing the look of relief on Aiz's face, could only smile softly behind her. They had managed to keep the secret for now, at least until Aiz felt more confident in her swimming skills.
As they walked away, out of earshot of Tiona and Tione, Shirou felt both relieved and a bit amused by the earlier situation. He glanced at Aiz and jokingly said, "Looks like we got lucky that Tiona doesn't wake up early. Otherwise, our secret would've been out." A small smile crossed his face as he realized they had managed to keep their swimming lessons a secret.
Aiz gave a faint smile at Shirou's joke, but inside, she felt something else. "I'm still too embarrassed to be seen by the others... sinking so many times," she said, lowering her head a little, trying to hide her embarrassment. However, deep down, Aiz also felt happy that this situation gave her more time alone with Shirou. These practice sessions not only helped her improve but also gave her a chance to grow closer to Shirou, something she quietly cherished.
As they continued their conversation, from the corner of their eyes, they saw Finn descending the stairs from the inn's second floor. With his usual steady steps and friendly smile, Finn approached them.
Shirou took the opportunity to ask, "Finn, how long do you think we'll be staying in Melen?" His curiosity piqued, wanting to know how much time he had left to help Aiz practice.
Finn paused for a moment and answered casually, "Riveria and I should finish our business in about three days. So, we'll have time until then. Consider it a chance to enjoy a little vacation." Finn smiled, clearly pleased that they could relax after the many battles they had faced.
Once Finn continued on and disappeared from sight, Shirou turned to Aiz and whispered, "Three more days—so we don't have much time left for swimming practice." There was a serious tone in his voice, showing how much he truly wanted Aiz to succeed in the short time they had.
Aiz nodded with determination, though a hint of worry showed in her eyes. "I'll work hard, Shirou. I know I can do it," she replied in a soft but spirited voice. For Aiz, it wasn't just about improving her swimming skills, but also about proving that she could overcome her weaknesses, especially in front of Shirou.
********************
For the next three days, Aiz and Shirou followed the same routine. Every dawn, before sunrise, they woke up earlier than the other members of the Loki Familia and quietly left the inn. Aiz, who was usually calm and quiet, seemed more energetic each morning, and Shirou noticed this with a small smile.
They always walked together along a path to a secluded beach that was rarely visited by others. The lush forest and fresh morning air accompanied them on their way to the training spot. These moments became unspoken times when they felt closer to each other, even without much conversation. The peaceful mornings and the silence between them made every step feel warm.
Once they arrived at the beach, Shirou patiently taught Aiz step by step. On the first day, Aiz struggled to control Little Ariel, causing her to lose balance and sink back into the water often. However, each time Aiz sank, Shirou was always nearby, making sure she was okay and encouraging her not to give up.
On the second day, Aiz started to show more significant progress. Although she still sank occasionally, she was able to float longer with the help of Little Ariel. Small smiles would appear on Aiz's face each time she managed to float without Shirou's help. Shirou, on the other hand, was pleased to see Aiz's progress, feeling proud of her hard work.
By the third day, when their time in Melen was almost up, Aiz was finally able to swim more steadily. Although she still used Little Ariel for assistance, she began to understand how to control the magic more smoothly. Each time she succeeded, her golden eyes shone with excitement, and Shirou always smiled proudly as he watched her improve.
They spent those mornings together, watching the sunrise over the sea after their training. Aiz, who initially felt embarrassed about her inability to swim, now seemed more confident, especially because Shirou was always by her side, giving her the support she needed.
After their swimming practice was over and they had changed clothes, Aiz and Shirou began walking back to the inn. The bright morning sky and the sound of the waves behind them created a peaceful atmosphere. During the walk, Aiz seemed happier than usual. With a bright smile, she enthusiastically talked about her progress in swimming. "Today, I floated for more than ten minutes!" she said, her voice full of pride. Her face glowed like a child who had just overcome a big challenge.
Even though Shirou had already seen her floating during practice, he smiled softly and said, "Congratulations, Aiz. That's an amazing achievement." Those simple words made Aiz beam even brighter. To her, Shirou's congratulations held deep meaning, especially since she had worked so hard to reach that progress.
However, after a moment, Aiz's smile began to fade slightly. Her thoughts turned to the reality that this was their last day in Melen, which meant it was also the last day they would practice swimming together. "It's a shame… today's our last day swimming here," Aiz said quietly, her voice tinged with sadness.
Seeing Aiz's expression turn sad, Shirou couldn't bear it. He smiled gently and turned to her. "Don't worry, Aiz," he said warmly. "We can keep practicing when we get back to Orario. If you still want to learn, I'd be happy to teach you anytime."
As soon as Aiz heard those words, her expression changed instantly. Her eyes lit up with joy, and without thinking, she jumped with excitement. "Really?!" she exclaimed, unable to hide her happiness. Without realizing it, she grabbed Shirou's hand, overwhelmed with excitement. Aiz rarely showed such strong emotions, but in that moment, it was clear how much their time together meant to her.
Shirou, surprised for a moment by Aiz holding his hand, smiled afterward. Seeing Aiz so happy made him feel good. "Of course," he replied. "We can continue whenever you want."
They continued their walk back to the inn with warm feelings in their hearts, sharing small laughs along the way.
As they walked along the path toward the inn, Aiz suddenly turned to Shirou and asked with curiosity, "Where will we practice swimming when we get back to Orario?" Her eyes sparkled, showing how serious she was about their plans after leaving Melen.
Shirou, who hadn't considered that before, paused for a moment. With a confused look, he asked, "Is there a swimming pool in Orario?" He genuinely didn't know of any place suitable for swimming practice in a big city like Orario. The area was filled with dungeons, dangerous places, and gatherings of adventurers, but a swimming pool had never crossed his mind.
Hearing that question, Aiz shook her head slightly and said, "I... I'm still too embarrassed to learn in a public place," her voice softer this time. There was a deep reluctance to be seen by many people while she was still struggling to learn swimming, especially since she was Aiz Wallenstein, the Sword Princess known for her strength and invincibility in battle.
Seeing Aiz's discomfort, Shirou started to think hard. Where could they find a place that offered privacy but was also safe? It wasn't easy to find such a place in Orario, which was bustling with activity. As Shirou was still searching for a solution, Aiz suddenly had an idea.
"How about the 25th floor of the dungeon?" Aiz suggested confidently. "That floor is known as the Water City. There's plenty of water there, and it's not too crowded with adventurers."
Shirou furrowed his brow, thinking about the suggestion. The 25th floor? A dungeon? While the place might be ideal for swimming practice, one big problem came to mind immediately. "What if monsters show up while we're training?" he asked, slightly worried.
However, Aiz didn't seem at all bothered by Shirou's concerns. With confidence, she puffed out her chest and calmly said, "Don't worry. I can handle the monsters myself." Her tone was serious, and her face showed an unshakable determination.
Seeing Aiz so confident made Shirou smile slightly. Of course, this was the Sword Princess—the one who had defeated many monsters in the dungeon, even the strongest ones. He knew Aiz wouldn't have any trouble dealing with whatever threats might arise on the 25th floor. "Alright," Shirou finally agreed, though a small part of him still felt a bit worried. "We can try training there later."
With enthusiasm, Aiz nodded. Deep down, she felt excited to continue her swimming lessons, especially since Shirou would still be by her side.
Upon arriving back at the inn, Aiz and Shirou noticed Lefiya busy loading things into a horse-drawn carriage parked in front. A thin sheen of sweat glistened on her forehead as she moved several large bags into the cart. Seeing this made Aiz feel like something was off.
"Lefiya, what are you doing?" Aiz asked curiously, approaching her quickly. Shirou followed behind, looking confused by what was happening.
Lefiya turned around as she placed a large bag onto the cart. Her face looked a bit tired, but she managed a small smile. "Captain Finn just announced that we're leaving for Orario this morning," Lefiya explained, wiping the sweat from her brow. "Everyone's been told, and we'll be leaving soon."
Aiz and Shirou stood there, momentarily stunned. Neither of them had packed or prepared at all. Panic began to show on Aiz's face. "What? This morning? I haven't packed yet…" Aiz said, her voice slightly panicked. She looked nervous as she thought of her things, still scattered in her room.
Shirou also felt a wave of panic, realizing they had spent the morning at the beach, unaware of how little time they had left before departure. "I haven't packed either...," he muttered, trying to stay calm.
Seeing their confusion, Lefiya smiled mischievously and, in a teasing tone, looked at Shirou. "This is all your fault, Shirou. You distracted Aiz and made her forget we had to leave soon," she said with a hint of mock irritation, clearly just teasing him.
Aiz, hearing that, immediately felt guilty. Her face flushed, and she quickly responded, "No, it's not Shirou's fault. I'm the one who asked him to go out early," she said shyly, trying to defend Shirou, who hadn't done anything wrong. Aiz's face turned red, clearly feeling a bit embarrassed.
Lefiya just laughed softly, but behind her laughter, there was a small hint of jealousy she couldn't quite hide. "Hmph, if I had known, I would've wanted to join too...," she mumbled quietly, pouting slightly as she looked at Shirou. Her expression showed that she felt a little envious that Aiz and Shirou had spent time alone together without inviting her.
Shirou, noticing the situation, smiled slightly and felt a bit guilty for not involving Lefiya. "Sorry, Lefiya. Next time, we'll definitely invite you," he said, trying to cheer her up.
Aiz, still feeling shy, nodded in agreement. "Yes, Lefiya. I'm sorry..." she added in a soft voice.
Still pouting, Lefiya suddenly looked at Aiz with hopeful eyes. "Aiz, let's do a pinky promise!" she pleaded, holding out her pinky toward Aiz. Lefiya's eyes sparkled, hoping that this promise would bind them to include her next time.
Aiz, not used to such requests, smiled gently. Without hesitation, she stroked Lefiya's head affectionately. "Alright, I promise," she said as she linked her pinky with Lefiya's. The touch felt meaningful, and the simple promise made Lefiya beam, her small bout of jealousy melting away for a moment.
However, Lefiya wasn't finished. Bravely, she then turned to Shirou, her smile turning a bit shy. "Now it's your turn, Shirou," she said quietly, holding out her pinky to him. Her face turned red as she spoke, but she still wanted the same promise from him.
Shirou was taken aback. He wasn't used to this sort of thing, and his hand hesitated slightly. But seeing Lefiya's blushing, hopeful face, he finally extended his pinky and linked it with hers. "Alright, I promise too," he said with a small smile.
But before the promise was fully made, Shirou leaned in slightly toward Lefiya's ear and whispered softly, "Didn't we already spend time together alone during the night market?" His whisper reminded Lefiya of the time they had spent together at the night market in Melen a few days ago.
Hearing his whisper, Lefiya's face turned even redder. Realizing that Shirou remembered their time at the night market, Lefiya became flustered. "That… that was different!" she replied quickly, her voice filled with embarrassment, as she hastily pulled her hand back.
Shirou chuckled softly at her reaction, while Aiz just watched them with a faint smile, not fully understanding what was happening but feeling happy to see her two friends getting along so well.
Lefiya, having finished packing her things, turned to Aiz with a gentle smile. "Aiz, I'm done packing. If you want, I can help you pack your stuff," she offered, full of consideration. She knew that Aiz and Shirou might not have had time to pack because of their morning activities.
Shirou, hearing the offer, also felt the urge to help. "I can help too. After all, I don't have much to pack myself," he said kindly, hoping to lighten the load for both Aiz and Lefiya.
However, Lefiya, sensing an opportunity to tease Shirou after being teased earlier, gave him a playful glance. "Wait a minute," she said with a mischievous smile, "Aiz and I are girls. Do you really want to come into our room? Are you planning to peek at Aiz's privacy?" Her question was delivered with a teasing tone, making Shirou feel awkward.
Aiz, who usually wasn't very reactive to such things, immediately felt the need to defend Shirou. With a calm expression, she replied, "Shirou isn't that kind of person, Lefiya. He's not a peeping Tom." Her words were simple but filled with conviction, surprising Lefiya with how firmly Aiz defended him.
Despite Aiz's defense, Shirou couldn't help but feel a little guilty. His mind flashed back to moments during their swimming lessons. Although unintentional, he recalled how often he found himself looking at Aiz's body during their training, especially when Aiz struggled and needed his help. Those small moments made him feel somewhat embarrassed now.
With his cheeks slightly flushed, Shirou suddenly felt uncomfortable. "Uh, well, I'll go pack my stuff first," he said, scratching the back of his head, trying to steer the conversation away from the embarrassing topic. After awkwardly excusing himself, he quickly walked to his room to avoid further discussion about the matter.
Lefiya laughed softly at his reaction, while Aiz still seemed confused about what was really going on.
Shirou tried to distract himself from his embarrassment by focusing on the one thing he could control—packing his things. Skillfully, he began folding and putting his clothes into his bag, neatly organizing each item. After everything was packed, Shirou remembered something important. He crouched down and retrieved a souvenir box he had kept under his bed all this time.
The box contained a small wooden ship miniature that he had bought at the night market with Lefiya a few days earlier. Though simple, the souvenir held special meaning for him—as a memento of Melen and as a promise to his friends at the Hostess of Fertility. Carefully, he held the box in his right hand, feeling relieved that everything was ready.
After slinging his bag over his shoulder and holding the souvenir box, Shirou headed outside to the luggage cart in front of the inn. He placed his bag and box among the other belongings, making sure they were secure for the journey home.
Then, Shirou boarded one of the passenger carriages prepared for the trip. He sat comfortably inside, feeling relieved that all the preparations were done. Time passed, and the other members of the Loki Familia also climbed into their respective carriages. The sound of small conversations and footsteps filled the morning air.
A few moments later, from the front, Finn's authoritative voice called out. "Is everyone ready? We'll be departing soon!" he announced, signaling that their long journey back to Orario was about to begin. The sound of carriage wheels began to roll over the cobblestone road, and slowly, the convoy of carriages started moving away from Melen, carrying them back to the city where their next adventure awaited.
You can check out the sketch of Aiz giving an elixir to Shirou
at https://www.patreon.com/Rayish