Chapter 11

"......Hey, Shiki, do you always do that?"

In the first floor of the labyrinth.

After defeating the Fangrabbit and collecting the drops, as I was petting Yuel, Ruruka said something to me.

"Sure, but is there something wrong?"

With my right hand, I gently stroked Yuel's head, and with my left hand, I tickled under her chin, moving it delicately.

It seemed that Yuel, still somewhat affected by yesterday's Big Chick battle, didn't resist being petted, but she didn't come as close as she used to, like hugging me tightly.

I felt a slight sense of dissatisfaction, but I continued to stroke her silky silver hair carefully.

Ruruka watched this scene with a look that was hard to describe, a complex expression on her face.

"It's nothing, really......"

Her voice sounded somewhat dissatisfied.

Perhaps she still thought I was a lolicon.

But this is my "job."

It's skinship to boost Yuel's motivation.

I can't stop doing it.

Moreover, if I stopped, I would really just be standing behind them.

This petting is the very value of my existence in the labyrinth.

As a freeloader, I should praise, pet, and comfort Yuel so she can feel good and head into the next battle.

Additionally, petting Yuel is personally enjoyable.

I can feel that she looks up to me and is attached to me.

Stopping this would be out of the question.

As we continued exploring the first and second floors of the labyrinth, I gradually understood Ruruka's fighting style.

Ruruka is a light warrior who uses a one-handed sword and a shield, deflecting and parrying enemy attacks, and striking when there's an opening.

After appraising her, it seems she has shield skills, excelling in deflecting attacks and drawing attention.

When a monster seems to be heading towards me, she throws pebbles to draw attention or positions herself to hinder the enemy's movement.

While her attacks aren't particularly strong, she can reliably draw the attention of two or more enemies, providing a stable presence.

She must be the main tank.

Thanks to Ruruka drawing the enemies, Yuel can focus on eliminating them, and we progress through the labyrinth more smoothly than usual.

And then, the fifth floor.

Four Big Chicks stood before us.

Except for Ruruka's presence, it was the same situation as yesterday.

The image of Yuel crying because she couldn't protect me flashed through my mind.

This is a chance.

"Wait a moment."

As Yuel and Ruruka were about to charge at the Big Chicks, I called out to stop them.

This is Yuel's chance to regain her confidence.

"Ruruka, can we let Yuel handle this one?"

To overcome her past failure and regain her confidence.

Unlike yesterday, she has throwing knives now.

I'm sure Yuel can handle it on her own.

"Wow, amazing!"

The four Big Chicks, with knives sprouting from their throats, collapsed.

This was the result of Yuel's knife-throwing.

I had expected it, but Yuel is incredible.

Her knife-throwing is much faster than close combat with a knife.

Considering that Big Chicks only move in straight lines, hitting the throat of a monster over ten meters away isn't easy.

I might start respecting Yuel, even though I want her to respect me.

"I did it! Master!"

Yuel, who had collected the drops and her knives, ran over.

She practically jumped into my arms.

There was no hesitation.

She seemed to have completely overcome her past, and her face was beaming with joy.

Yuel had overcome her past and regained her confidence.

Seeing her so innocent and happy, I felt as if it were my own joy.

"Amazing, Yuel!"

I gently embraced the jumping Yuel and stroked her head.

Yuel wrapped her hands around my waist and pressed her head against my body.

I placed my hand on her back and stroked her head with my other hand.

When I stroked her head, Yuel rubbed her head against my hand, pushing back.

A familiar sensation.

A familiar reaction.

Even though Yuel had been down for just one day, it felt like I hadn't seen this reaction in a long time.

I felt happy.

What was this feeling?

Yes, like when a cute daughter wins a race at a sports day.

I wanted to praise her wholeheartedly.

I wanted to express this joy more.

I wanted to praise Yuel even more.

Just stroking her head as usual wasn't enough.

Today is the day Yuel overcame her past, a day worth commemorating.

I squatted down, placed my hands under Yuel's knees and back, and lifted her sideways in a princess carry.

Yuel let out a surprised cry but quickly wrapped her hands around my neck and pressed her head against my collarbone.

I entrusted my upper body's stability to Yuel, who clung to me, and supported her lower body with my left arm.

With my free right hand, I continued to stroke her head, pressing it against my chest.

"Yuel is amazing."

I praised and stroked, praised and stroked.

Yuel made happy sounds, rubbing her head against mine, as if saying, "More, more."

I embraced her head, which was so cute—

"Hey, wait a moment! That's weird, right!?"

Suddenly, Ruruka's shout rang out.

Ruruka, with a red face, looked at us with wide eyes, seemingly shocked.

"What's weird about it?"

I'm just praising and petting a child who worked hard.

There's nothing weird about it.

"Um, well, because you said you wouldn't touch Yuel..."

I'm not touching her.

I'm just giving her a princess carry and petting her as a reward for her hard work.

There's nothing sexual about it, and it's more like parent-child skinship.

Or does "not touching" mean not even touching her at all?

If that's the standard for being a lolicon, it's too strict.

"I'm just petting her, right?"

"Yes, but... you know, the princess carry and all..."

Ruruka said this while making suspicious movements, looking uneasy.

What is this reaction—

While I was focused on Ruruka, Yuel started to move.

It seemed my petting had stopped.

Yuel's hands, which had been hanging around my neck, moved to embrace me.

Her fingers, which had been hanging, now clasped my neck, and her elbows wrapped around my neck.

"My Master."

Yuel's profile, whispering in my ear, was just a few centimeters away.

Then, Yuel's cheek approached mine.

Her soft silver hair tickled my cheek.

Her smooth cheek touched mine, squishing slightly.

And then, Yuel's cheek was pressed against mine, rubbing back and forth.

Cheek rubbing.

The scent of the powder soap she usually uses for bathing, along with a faintly sweet smell, filled the air.

It felt as if my heart was being washed, spreading a sense of comfort—

"Hey, girls shouldn't be so close, right?"

As I was about to enjoy the moment, Ruruka inserted herself between Yuel and me.

Between me and Yuel, who were close.

Right in front of me.

A distance where a slight movement would make us touch.

Ruruka, with a desperate expression unlike her usual self, was trying to pull Yuel away from me, despite her gentle words.

"Ruruka?"

Our eyes met.

Perhaps surprised by the closeness, Ruruka's large eyes widened even more.

Her beautiful, large, azure eyes, which matched her red hair, were clearly visible.

Being this close was a bit unsettling.

Ruruka also seemed flustered, her face turning red—no, her ears were red too.

...What, is this strange?

"Ruruka?"

"What, what is it!?"

When I called out to the frozen Ruruka, she took a large step back, her face still red.

Even after stepping back, she avoided looking at me, her gaze unstable, looking to the side or down.

What is this reaction?

And her attitude when she separated Yuel and me.

Could it be...

Could it be that...

...No, don't be fooled.

Stay calm.

Think about Ruruka's past actions.

How many times has she been mistaken and given a discount on treatment fees at the clinic?

This could be an act.

...But is this really an act?

Ruruka's worried expression, her red cheeks, her suspicious behavior.

If this is an act, I might lose faith in women.

However, I don't think I've done anything to make Ruruka like me.

I haven't saved her in a life-threatening situation, and we haven't spent a lot of time together.

Elise, who has lived in the same clinic for three months, has a better chance.

Even if Ruruka's reaction is as I imagine, I have no idea why.

Ruruka and I were just a doctor-patient relationship at the clinic, where I sometimes treated her and sometimes didn't.

Ruruka knows her own charm and isn't the type to fall in love with someone just from a casual conversation.

But, maybe she let me touch her chest because she liked me.

No, no, it was a discount on the treatment fee.

It was for the money.

...But, could her greedy attitude be a cover for shyness?

However, I only recently learned Ruruka's name.

We were that distant.

But, I remember Ruruka knew my name.

I don't recall introducing myself to her.

What is this?

Is it like when you see a cute clerk's name tag at a convenience store—

No, there are no name tags at the clinic.

I think I heard Elise call my name at the clinic.

But, how she knew my name doesn't matter.

The question is, how does Ruruka feel about me?

It might be an overreaction, but Ruruka's behavior is too obvious.

If I could just ask, "Do you like me?" it would be easier, but I can't.

If I'm wrong, Ruruka might call me "Mistaken Guy" for the rest of my life.

I might end up groaning "Aaaaaah" in bed every night, remembering it.

I can't ask, but I'm curious.

...It's really bothering me.