Chapter 130: ☆Like Family
I had thought it was early morning, but the time was past 8 o’clock.
I washed my face and had a later-than-usual breakfast with Erika.
Because Nimi was cleaning the inn, Erika was doing the dishes for me.
Perhaps because the academy was also closed, Erika was not wearing her academy uniform but a light-pink one-piece dress.
A one-piece made as if leaning toward a dress, with a peach-colored cardigan draped over it — cute.
There, melons that seemed emphasized were swaying with a purun.
An adult-like quality that does not seem 16, and the maternal instincts she occasionally shows, are dangerous.
Looking at her profile a faint smile floated, and it got me a little.
With sleeves rolled up, wearing Nimi’s apron and washing the dishes, the figure made me want to hug her.
Certainly the children of this world become independent early, but as an instructor looking at various students I end up being surprised.
Honestly, if one shows the current Erika and says she was a villainous young lady, who would believe it.
Even I cannot believe it, and how many times have I thought I am glad I saved her...
I handed the dishes to Erika and, every time her body moved, touched the hair that swayed a little as if combing it with one hand.
Glossy golden hair that spilled smoothly from the hand; one can tell she never neglects daily care.
"It tickles. What is the matter?"
"Looking at Erika made me want to touch."
"Kusu, are you flirting?"
"...You could also say I am flirting."
"Fufu, you do not deny it."
Saying that, Erika looked at me out of the corner of her eye with golden pupils the same as her hair, smiled gently, and returned her eyes to the dishes.
Thinking I had received a reply that it was fine to touch, I touched Erika’s hair from behind as if combing it.
There was also a rose scent that faintly came every time the hair fluttered, and I became a little absorbed in touching.
Previously Erika had denied it, but I think the comparison to a jewel is not entirely wrong.
Before I knew it Erika, who had finished the dishes, was turning her face and smiling while wiping her hands with a cloth.
"Gentle, accustomed touch. Do you often do this for someone?"
"...No, I wonder. I think I often comb Nimi’s hair, but..."
"Ah, no wonder Nimi’s hair is beautiful."
Touching to the extent of not noticing because I was too absorbed might actually feel unpleasant.
I immediately withdrew the hand that had been touching and replied to Erika with a wry smile.
I often stroke Nimi’s hair when sleeping, and recently I had also been stroking Pafa’s hair a lot.
When I thought about it further, aren’t the lovers’ hair too beautiful?
Should I also care a little about my hair...
Suddenly becoming curious I touched my own hair with one hand; Erika, finding my action amusing, laughed and spoke.
"Fufufu, Raide is fine just as you are."
"Nn? Is that so?"
Erika stretched one hand to my hair and touched the hair as if stroking my head.
At the expression of narrowing her eyes and smiling gently, I wrapped one arm around Erika’s waist and pulled her close.
Her large breasts hit me, and I felt the soft, firm sensation with my body.
With the free hand I gently stroked Erika’s cheek.
Looking closely the well-featured face almost makes a sigh come out.
Even though I should have seen it many times already, I end up wanting to see it many times.
Erika, a little bashful at being hugged, moved her body within my arms.
Flushing her cheeks red she smiled troubledly; Erika released her hand from my head and spoke.
"You are always sudden."
"Did you dislike it?"
"...I am the one who is not used to it. Geez, I do not dislike it."
"Haha, Erika shows it on her face."
"Whose fault is that? Nn? Nnuun, nmu, nnuuun, nchuu... That is why it is sudden."
The cute figure of Erika flushing her face red and lightly pounding my chest with one hand.
Wanting to see that, I gave a mean kiss.
While laughing at Erika’s reaction the entrance door was knocked; I released my body from Erika and answered.
The one who entered saying "Excuse me" was Aurora.
A white short-sleeved blouse and a black skirt reaching below the knees suited Aurora well.
I was a little relieved understanding that her savings were flourishing enough to reach for the white that should be expensive.
I prompted her to sit at the dining table, tilted my head, and asked the reason Aurora visited.
"What’s wrong?"
"Surveillance to see whether the Instructor properly rests."
"...Nn?"
"Surveillance."
To Aurora who nodded with a serious expression I smiled troubledly and rubbed the back of my neck with one hand.
As if seeking help I directed my eyes at Erika who had prepared tea and sat on the left side.
Then Erika breathed a small breath, made an exasperated expression with half-lidded eyes, and spoke.
"It is because you only do reckless things. Everyone is worried about you. You should meekly accept being watched."
"Nimi said to convey that today’s help at the inn and tavern is fine."
"...Understood. I’m sorry."
Stared at with the worried atmospheres of Erika and Aurora, there is no way I can refuse.
When I raised both hands in a gesture of surrender, the two breathed as if relieved.
I think it is overprotective, but I made them worry too much.
Or rather I am too much of a fortunate man; normally one would think it is happiness and not a dream.
If it were a dream I would not be able to recover, and I end up smiling wryly.
However when I conveyed that there was a place I slightly wanted to head to, they said they would accompany me so I requested it.
Erika apparently has things to do at home, and Aurora will accompany me.
At that time Aurora exchanged glances with Erika and nodded to each other; that bothered me.
Well, there was probably talk between women, so I will not pry.
First, in order to head to the bank with Aurora, we were walking along the main street.
Because there is something I want to purchase, I want to withdraw money.
Looking at Aurora beside me out of the corner of my eye, she was slightly flushing her face red and trembling bashfully.
The reason is simple; it is probably because she is holding hands with me.
A little after leaving the inn she began fidgeting both hands as if wanting to hold hands.
No, looking at my hand many times and worrying whether to say it or what to do — anyone would notice.
So I took one of Aurora’s hands and linked them, but for Aurora it was sudden and she ended up trembling.
...No, too cute?
Normally she wraps herself in a serious and calm atmosphere, yet trembling like a small animal — the gap is intense.
While still holding hands with Aurora we entered the bank, handed the guild card at the reception, and requested a balance confirmation.
In the meantime I released Aurora’s hand and had her stay beside me.
But she was making an expression as if finding it hard to be there, so I tilted my head and asked.
"Do you dislike the bank?"
"No, it’s not that. Um, even though we are not family, looking at the Instructor’s savings feels somehow..."
"What, we’re already like family."
"...Eh, um?"
Perhaps a little surprised at my words, Aurora opened her eyes wide while flushing her face red.
My name was called from the reception; I turned that way and looked at the amount recorded on the memo.
Then I unintentionally laughed troubledly.
The recorded amount was approximately 15 white silver coins.
I feel I understood the meaning of Erika saying the increasing amount is scary.
With a 10% share this is it; Erika must be getting an insane amount.
That said, if something happens I intend to have Erika move as the window.
I honestly think Erika’s charisma, or rather her power to organize, is amazing.
Besides, I think it is better for Erika to hold the money because she will not use it wrongly.
"Eh? Instructor, amazing..."
"No, I’m also surprised."
"Is that so?"
Aurora who had been peeking from the side was surprised looking at the amount.
Well, an instructor who does not even hold a title having this amount is surprising.
Actually I am also surprised.
I withdrew some, received it, and after leaving the bank we walked toward Twelfth Street.
At this time of year, probably the targeted item should be put out for sale at a stall.
A common item that begins to be sold after a certain amount of time has passed.
In Overworld this was also implemented.
As we approached Twelfth Street the flow of people increased.
So as not to get separated I gently pulled the hand linked with Aurora and drew her close.
Aurora was of course not trembling, but her face remained red.
But when drawn close by me she again seemed about to tremble from embarrassment.
"The people have increased, so if we are separated you will be swept by the people, you know?"
"Yeees."
"Haha, Aurora is cute."
"Eh... me?"
"Yeah."
When I said cute, Aurora averted her face as if embarrassed.
Instead the linked hand was strengthened with a kyuu from Aurora’s side, and I ended up smiling.
Truly cute reactions; foul play.
How many times must I think the women’s reactions are foul play.
I also squeezed back in reply to the extent that the hand would not hurt.
I deliberately returned my face forward so as not to look at Aurora’s reaction, but at the edge of my vision she was reflected looking at me.
While doing this and that we arrived at Twelfth Street; the surroundings had become a crowd.
Aurora and I advanced while pushing through the crowd and searched for the targeted tent.
At times like this I think it is good that my height is high.
Besides, I can always confirm the figure of Aurora walking hard beside me.
Even so I was a little scared; I released the linked hand, wrapped one arm around Aurora’s waist, and drew her close.
Hugging her so as to press against my body, the elastic apples asserted themselves with a punyu.
"Instructor?"
"Sorry. In this crowd this is better than holding hands... Do you dislike it?"
"...Unfair..."
"I’m often told that."
"Please pretend you didn’t hear!"
I laughed at Aurora’s reaction and slightly strengthened the one arm wrapped around her waist.
Looking out of the corner of my eye at the reaction of Aurora tightly grasping my clothes with both hands, I surveyed the surroundings from a high gaze.
Advancing while being jostled by the crowd for about a few minutes, I finally found the targeted tent.
Heading that way, the steps were slow but we steadily approached.
Still, there are too many people.
No matter when one comes here it is intense, and even I seem about to get lost.
Truly, I think it is good that my height is high.