Chapter 17

At the exit of the labyrinth.

Eito and the others, as a condition for accompanying us on the next exploration, escorted me to the surface.

"Thank you very much for today..."

Because they escorted me, Eito and the others had to interrupt their hunting.

It was around the time when dawn would break in about an hour, a rather awkward time.

I rashly went into the labyrinth alone and couldn't find my way back, and now I even had to have them escort me home.

...Am I a cat that climbed a tree and can't get down?

"Well, it happens sometimes, don't worry about it."

"Next time, if Shiki helps us with the exploration, that's fine too."

...Their kindness hurts.

My hair was matted with blood, and my body was covered in it.

One of my shoes was off, and my clothes were full of holes.

I looked like a rag.

After being relieved that Yuel was safe, I started to feel a bit empty.

"...Ah, call me anytime."

My clothes were ruined, and I lost a shoe.

I was in such a hurry that I didn't even pick up the drops from the monsters I killed.

It was a complete loss.

It was truly a futile effort.

"Hey, Gazer, isn't it cool to work so hard for a girl that you end up in tatters?"

Eito's warm words were touching.

Is this what friendship is?

"...It was just a misunderstanding, hahaha!!"

"Hey, Gazer, don't laugh. ...Hehe... No, really, you looked cool, truly..."

This is what friends are...

"Hahaha!!"

"Hehe..."

This is...

Gazer burst out laughing, and Eito, trying to stifle his laughter, started laughing too.

Their laughter grew louder, and even other adventurers began to laugh.

...I want to punch them.

But, I was the one they interrupted their hunting to escort.

I should be grateful, not punch them.

Well, even if I tried to punch them, I'd probably get beaten up.

So, all I can do is clench my fists and tremble.

...Remember this.

Eito and the others decided to disband at the adventurer's guild and not continue exploring today.

I wanted to check on Yuel as soon as possible, but I couldn't go to the tavern in this state.

I headed to the inn to wash and change clothes.

Honestly, I was so covered in blood that I wanted to go to a public bath, but it probably wasn't open at this hour.

When I entered the inn—

—A black-haired girl, about sixteen years old, was leaning on the counter, half-asleep, staring blankly at the entrance.

"Eh, wait, blood!? Are you okay!?"

This is the inn's signboard girl, Chest-Flash.

Why is she called Chest-Flash? Because she often shows her chest.

She always wears loose clothing, leans on the counter, and sleeps at the reception.

Moreover, she is flat-chested.

Leaning forward slightly, wearing loose, soft fabric, and being flat-chested, she often shows her bra.

Thus, she is Chest-Flash.

That's why she's called Chest-Flash.

The inn is not in a great location, so it doesn't get many guests.

It doesn't have a tavern that serves food.

It's a rather lonely inn with just beds and a toilet.

The reason I keep using this inn is because of Chest-Flash.

Well, the low price is also a significant factor.

Usually, I would take a good look at her while she's sleeping and then call out to her, but today she was already awake.

An early riser.

It's hard to tell if she's diligent or lazy.

She seems a bit天然 (natural).

"Ah, the injury is already healed, so I'm fine. Sorry, but can I get some water? Preferably a lot."

I said, touching my blood-soaked clothes.

The blood had mostly dried, but this outfit was ruined.

It was full of holes.

"Are you really okay? Um, I'll bring it right away, so please wait in your room."

"Thanks. I'll bring more later, so be careful not to spill it."

I thanked Chest-Flash, who brought a bucket of water to my room.

I took off my clothes.

This outfit was probably beyond repair.

I decided to throw it away.

I put it in my item box for now.

I soaked a towel in the water to wipe my body.

Then—

—The door was suddenly opened with a bang.

"Master!?"

Looking at the door, I saw Yuel, wearing a waitress uniform, breathing heavily.

...Her skirt is shorter than I thought.

No, that's not the point.

This is bad.

Gazer said Yuel would work until dawn, but she's here earlier than expected.

Even though it was my misunderstanding, I went into the labyrinth to find Yuel, and now I look like a rag.

How will Yuel react?

If she thinks it's because of her, it could be the worst.

"Are you hurt!? Are you hurt!?"

Yuel, seeing me covered in blood, ran over with a sad look on her face.

"This is, um, well—"

How should I cover it up?

If I say it's all splattered blood, it might sound cool, but it could also make her worry.

"Gazer and the others were talking about it at the tavern. They said Master went into the labyrinth alone to find me."

...It's already out.

I expected it to be a topic for a while, but they're already using it as bar talk.

I'll remember this.

"I'm sorry. I, I—"

Yuel, looking sad, bowed her head.

This time, Yuel did nothing wrong.

I made a mistake and got hurt.

Guilt welled up inside me.

"This time, it was just my mistake. Yuel did nothing wrong."

"But—"

"Yuel, we're both safe. That's what matters, right?"

"...Yes, you're right."

...Silence.

Yuel, lost in thought, looked down and remained silent.

It's awkward.

Reluctantly, I soaked the towel in water and started to wipe my body.

"Master, I'll help too."

Yuel took a towel from her item box and started to soak it in water.

But she's still in her waitress uniform.

"Your uniform will get dirty. I can do it myself, so it's okay."

"Oh, right, I'll take it off."

...That's not what I meant.

The sound of her clothes rustling filled the room.

She smoothly took off her corset, skirt, shirt, and undergarments.

And there she was, in just her panties.

...I think she could have at least kept her undergarments on.

I have a bad feeling about this.

"I, I can do it myself—"

"Your back is also covered in blood. If we don't clean it properly, it will get on your clothes."

True.

"Yuel, but, shouldn't you put your clothes back on?"

"They'll get dirty."

True.

I can't argue with that, but this is a problem.

A girl in just her panties is cleaning my back.

It reminds me of the first day I bought Yuel.

Back then, I was more focused on how thin she was and didn't really notice.

But Yuel has become more womanly since then.

She has gained weight, has a good complexion, and is soft to the touch.

I shouldn't look.

If.

If.

By any chance, if something happens, Yuel might have to help me.

I tried not to look at her as I wiped my body.

We were both silent.

I washed my hair, wiped my shoulders, and my arms.

When I finished wiping my back—

"...Thank you, Master."

Suddenly, I felt warmth on my back.

Yuel had hugged me from behind, topless.

I could feel her soft skin and the slight curves of her body.

"I was surprised when I heard Master went into the labyrinth alone."

Then she hugged my waist tightly.

Yuel probably didn't do this on purpose.

Her voice was serious.

"But when I saw Master, I was sad, but also really happy. I realized how much Master cares for me."

...I thought it was a futile effort, but maybe it wasn't.

I thought I had been kind to her with my words, but words are just words.

Yuel must have been worried about what would happen to her, whether she would be abandoned or sold.

My effort to find her, even covered in blood, might have given her confidence.

It might have helped stabilize her mental state.

I'm glad.

Really glad.

...But.

Can we change this position?

We're having a serious conversation, but the various sensations on my back are distracting.

Yuel shows no sign of letting go.

This is bad.

Very bad.

When we're in this state and silent, the atmosphere becomes awkward.

"By the way, how's the tavern?"

"Everyone is very kind. The senior waitresses and the new ones are all nice, and it's fun. It's all thanks to Master!"

That's probably because of Yuel's personality.

I don't think it has much to do with me.

I have a feeling she might start saying everything is thanks to me.

It feels more like reverence than respect.

"By the way, how long have you been working?"

This is important to ask.

Yuel said she works while I'm sleeping.

That means she might not be getting enough sleep.

"Well, they always need more help, so I can come anytime. Today, I worked for about four hours before dawn."

If dawn is around 5 AM, that means she started working at 1 AM.

Considering preparation time, she probably had to wake up by midnight.

Yesterday, I went to bed in the afternoon, so she might have slept for about six hours.

But usually,

She probably doesn't get much sleep.

However, seeing Yuel talk happily about the tavern, I can't tell her to quit.

I did give her permission to work.

Hmm, what should I do?

"Can you change your working hours? For example, to the evening. I'm usually at the tavern then."

"Then I can't be with Master."

"...But, aren't you not getting enough sleep?"

Yuel looked down.

She's not getting enough sleep.

"Yuel, your uniform today looked really good. I want to see you working in it. But, I can't see you if you work at night."

"R-Really...?"

Yuel moved away and started to put on her waitress uniform.

...Finally, she moved away.

"Yeah, I was planning to give you a skirt as a gift today. But if I can see you working in it in the evening, I can buy you something else you want."

"Something I want...? ...I'll ask the tavern master."

Honestly, Yuel seems to be happy with anything I give her, which makes it hard to choose.

But Yuel doesn't often say what she wants.

This is an opportunity to use.

Honestly, I don't feel like going into the labyrinth today, so I can spend the whole day shopping.

As I was thinking about this, there was a knock on the door.

"I'll leave some extra water. Please bring it down when you're done or leave it in the room."

It was the voice of the inn's signboard girl, Chest-Flash.

And with that, Yuel noticed.

I hadn't finished cleaning my lower body yet.

"I'll help with that too."

"...I can do it myself."