Chapter 51 - Flora is a Closet Pervert
I didn't quite reach the slight eroticism...
After finishing the rough organization of Flora's luggage and eating dinner, we were relaxing on the sofa in the living room.
The candle on the table cast a gentle light, dimly illuminating the room.
Flora and I sat side-by-side on the sofa, drinking Apple Mint Tea.
Tea after being moderately full is irresistible.
Perhaps thanks to the faint sweetness and refreshing scent, I felt my whole body relax.
During my adventurer days, I had no interest in tea at all, but now I've become completely captivated by it.
I still can't forget the taste of the tea Fiona-san brewed for me when I first came to this village.
The sensation of the strength leaving my body all at once and the warmth of the people.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that my life here began at that moment.
At that moment, Apple Mint Tea became a special drink for me.
Remembering how I talked to Elgis-san and Fiona-san while being stiff as a board makes me embarrassed, but it's a good memory.
I lifted the cup and took a sip of the tea.
It had a sweet fruity taste like green apples, followed by the sharp flavor of mint rushing through.
"...Yeah, it's delicious."
"There are quite a few people in our village who aren't fond of it, but you've taken quite a liking to it, Aldo-san."
Reacting to my murmured words, Flora said with a smile.
Setting aside the initial green apple-like taste, many people might dislike the sharp mint taste that comes later. The scent is quite strong too, and at the very least, it's not a taste children would prefer.
"Yeah. I like this faint sweetness and refreshingness. It makes me relax when I drink it."
"I understand. My family all liked it, so we drank it almost every day."
They even grew Apple Mint tea leaves behind their house, after all.
"Maybe I should try growing some at our place when we have the leeway?"
"Yes, let's do that! Actually, I was thinking I wanted to try growing some in the fields here too!"
I had said it lightheartedly, but Flora reacted more strongly than I expected.
She put down the cup she was holding, leaned toward me, and her eyes were sparkling.
She must have really wanted to grow it.
"That's good. Since Flora will be here from now on, it might be okay to make the fields a little larger."
Until now, I had kept it to a level that wouldn't be a burden because I was a beginner on my own and I had my work as a hunter, but if Flora, who is experienced, is here, we'll have more leeway, so it might be okay to make it a bit wider.
"Yes, I'm looking forward to it because there were ingredients I wanted to try growing."
Flora seemed to agree with that idea and was laughing very happily.
She really loves growing ingredients.
"Apple Mint, Papyrus Beans, leafy vegetables, I'd also like to plant some edible flowers..."
Flora was pondering what to plant in the fields, but she had a visibly excited expression.
I also started looking forward to it as I imagined the widened fields with an increased variety of ingredients.
As we discussed things like what to plant in the fields, the candle in the room gradually grew shorter and the light weakened.
"...I'll go ahead and tidy up the dishes soon."
The peaceful conversation came to an end, and Flora headed to the kitchen carrying the two teacups.
I felt it was a pity that the fun conversation with Flora had ended, but it couldn't be helped. Candles aren't infinite, after all.
I thought I should have brought a light Magic Tool if this was going to happen, but that would be relying too much on Magic Tools.
Even though I'm already taking it easy with the water and fire Magic Tools, humans are greedy creatures.
Since I'll be with Flora from now on, I don't have to be in such a hurry.
Now then, I guess all that's left is to sleep.
Standing up from the sofa, I stretched my arms toward the ceiling.
As I felt the muscles in my back loosening, I suddenly realized.
...Don't I smell a bit like sweat right now?
I had been carrying luggage all day today, I was jostled by many villagers, and finally, I was pulling the cart.
In this hot season approaching summer, I had sweated many times...
Had I been hugging Flora in such a state? Did she think I smelled like sweat? Thinking that, I suddenly became anxious.
Since we only have one bed, going to sleep now means getting into the same bed as Flora...
Alright, let's take a bath today too.
With the water and fire Magic Tools, I can get in right away, and since moonlight shines into that room, I don't even need a candle. There's no problem at all.
"Alright, Flora! Let's take a bath today too!"
Perhaps surprised by my sudden shout, Flora's shoulders jumped and she looked back at me.
"Eh? Starting now? As expected, if we start now, the time to sleep will..."
"It's fine. We have the water and fire Magic Tools, so it'll be quick."
When I said that, Flora also seemed to remember and let out a cute, "...Ah."
However, even though she knew we could get in immediately, Flora let out some hesitant words, "...But."
"Flora, do you not want to get in?"
"No, it was hot today and I sweated a lot, so I want to get in, but Magic Tools are finite, and Magic Stones, which are the energy source, are expensive, right?"
I tilted my head hearing Flora's words, but I understood after that.
Flora isn't used to using Magic Tools like I am.
She must have only prepared and taken baths with her family's cooperation when it was truly necessary. No matter how much she sweated on other days, she must have endured it and wiped herself with a cloth dampened with water.
"It's true they decrease as you use them, but they won't run out that quickly, you know? Probably, if it's just for you and me to use, they'll last until we die."
"Eeeh!? They last that long!?"
Flora raised her voice in great surprise at my words.
"Huh? Didn't I say that when we took a bath yesterday?"
"Y-You certainly said it, but I thought that was because it was a special day and you were being considerate of me. A-And I didn't think they could be used for such a long period..."
Looking at Flora as she spoke while fidgeting and rubbing her hands together, I finally understood.
In other words, she thought that because last night was special, I had pushed myself to use the Magic Tools for her sake.
And she thought I had said the period the Magic Tools could be used was longer so she wouldn't feel guilty.
...Yeah, a perfect misunderstanding.
"Ahaha, you really don't have to worry because they can be used for the period I just said, okay?"
"I-Is that so?"
When I said it while scratching my cheek instinctively, Flora asked as if to make sure.
"Yeah, I have plenty of spare Magic Stones. I worked hard to save them up so I could live here."
Actually, some adventurers do buy several Magic Tools convenient for daily life just before they retire. It's not an impossible story.
In my case, I just hadn't bought them because I didn't have a clear vision of how I would live on my own.
I'm sure if it were now, I'd end up buying a lot of them, thinking, 'Ah, this one too.'
"S-So that was it."
"I wouldn't come here without any savings, after all."
"No, I didn't think that!"
When I said it with a wry smile, Flora waved her hands in front of her chest to deny it.
"It's just, I thought I'd like to let Father and Mother take a bath too..."
Even though most people would normally just be happy to know they could use it many times, she's truly a family-oriented girl to think of sharing first.
"I'm sorry for saying something selfish when it's your precious possession, Aldo-san."
"No, that's not true. I felt the same way. It would be a lot if it were all the villagers, so let's keep it a secret just for our family, okay?"
If I showed it to the other villagers, it would be endless with everyone wanting it too, so it's a secret just for me and Flora's family.
When I said it with a bit of playfulness, Flora's expression blossomed.
"Aldo-san! Thank you very much!"
"Well then, I'll prepare the bath, so let's go in together, okay?"
"Y-Yeshh."
Looking at Flora as she managed to reply bashfully, I headed toward the bathroom.
◆
After quickly filling the tub with hot water using the power of the Magic Tool, I headed to the changing room with my change of clothes.
When I arrived at the changing room, Flora had just finished the washing and was standing there, perhaps having brought her change of clothes.
"P-Please go ahead."
"U-Um, yeah."
It didn't matter if I was in the back or the front since we were going into the bathroom together anyway, but prompted by Flora, I went to the back.
Then, after putting my change of clothes on the shelf, I took off the T-shirt I was wearing and put it in the basket.
I heard a voice like "Hawaa" in admiration from beside me, so when I turned around, Flora was looking forward with a red face.
There was only a shelf there; what was she doing?
While wondering, I put my hands on my belt and started taking off my pants, then I heard a voice saying "Fuwawawawa" from beside me.
Stopping my hands as I lowered my pants, I turned around vigorously and my eyes met Flora's, who was staring intently at me with a red face.
"——!?"
Meeting my eyes, Flora hurriedly looked away and started gazing at the shelf.
...Could it be that Flora-san was enjoying watching me undress? Or rather, she clearly was. That's a bit unfair.
Even I feel embarrassed when I'm stared at while naked.
"...Aren't you going to undress, Flora?"
"Hyai! W-Wa-Wa, I'll undress and get in later!"
When I asked, Flora answered while stealing glances at me.
I think Flora is innocent, but to put it another way, I think she's a closet pervert.
Even while we're talking like this, she's looking at my upper body and such quite a lot.
Well, I'd be the same if the roles were reversed, though.
"We're going in together anyway, so you might as well just undress."
"I-I-It's embarrassing!"
When I put my hand on Flora's shoulder, she hugged her arms as if to protect herself.
No, I'm embarrassed too, you know?
I felt like being a little mean to Flora.
"Even though we took a bath together yesterday. And in bed, we even did lewd—"
"Wawawaa!? T-That was because of the atmosphere, or rather, the flow... I'm still, well, embarrassed!"
Flora turned around vigorously and cut me off.
Then, she muttered words while looking down bashfully.
Seeing the cuteness of that bashful expression and the reaction just as I expected, I instinctively broke into a smile.
Well, I also prefer a woman who gives a cute reaction like Flora over a woman who throws off her clothes without any shame.
"Even though I was stared at so much—"
"No, that was, well..."
When I let go of her and spoke as if to blame her a little, Flora suddenly started flustering.
Perhaps because she was seen staring intently, she didn't seem to intend to deny it.
I might be able to manage if I give one more push.
"Even though you stared so intently at me undressing, it's unfair of you to say you hate being seen yourself, Flora—"
"T-That's not..."
She tried to say 'not true,' but she probably thought it was unfair herself when she considered it.
"W-What should I do?"
"I want to see Flora undressing too—"
When I said it as if begging, Flora's face turned bright red and her gaze wandered.
I also want to see the moment Flora slowly takes off her clothes and reveals her skin.
I took a bath with Flora yesterday too, but she had quickly undressed and wrapped a towel around her body while I was filling the tub. So, I haven't witnessed the moment Flora takes off her clothes yet.
When I stared at Flora with my feelings in my eyes, she fidgeted with her thighs, slowly turned her gaze toward me, and...
"T-Then... I'll undress."