Chapter 81: The Elf’s Brain Malfunctioned.

Shion regaining her freedom today was a joyous occasion.

However, many difficulties remained for Rohan and his group.

Was the statue of Shion Testarossa, which had existed in Tigrova, still intact? How would they react if they encountered Peacekeepers who recognized Shion’s appearance on the road?

Even though they hadn’t committed any wrongdoing, the thought of having to lower their heads or be wary bothered them.

Anyway, that’s that.

In fact, the problems ahead were vague.

The guilt Shion felt after hearing Noa’s story wasn’t an immediate issue yet.

There was something else Rohan needed to keep clearly in mind.

The first was strength.

Shion and Clara’s talent guaranteed rapid growth. Moreover, they could stimulate each other.

Rohan had to keep up with this pace.

Not just equal, but with the mindset to surpass them.

And the second was Shion’s clothes and lodging.

Rohan’s reward money was coming soon. With that, it would be a solvable problem.

Thanks to Clara volunteering to live with Shion once they found a place, it was quickly resolved.

Shion’s luggage, after leaving the Ruin, was even lighter than Clara’s, and her casual clothes were practically rags, so they were disposed of.

Therefore, Shion would have to wear Rohan’s clothes until they went shopping later today.

“I’ll contact you at lunch, so until then, make yourself at home.”

“Okay…!”

“Understood.”

Returning to the Dormitory with many worries, as expected, dawn was just breaking.

Rohan looked at Shion, who looked haggard from not having a proper meal, though she had drunk water.

“Since you’ve been hungry for a long time, how about some porridge?”

“Porridge?”

As Shion blinked, Rohan opened the cupboard and took out instant rice.

A simple procedure that was almost embarrassing to call cooking.

Put the white rice in a pot and add water. Turn on the heat and keep stirring so it doesn’t burn.

“You have to settle your stomach first if you want to eat something delicious tonight.”

Even if a strong body with Mana allowed them to ignore basic problems, it wouldn’t hurt to take minimal care.

At Rohan’s explanation, Shion nodded, fiddling with her hair.

“…I’m sorry for bothering you.”

“Bothering me? This doesn’t take much effort.”

This was also a kind of employee welfare, wasn’t it? He had to keep his precious workforce happy so they wouldn’t leave.

Stirring the porridge, Rohan also asked Clara, who was standing next to him watching.

“Clara, is there anything you want to eat?”

“I, I’m not hungry, so I’ll wait until lunch…”

“If you want something, send me a message. I’ll order delivery.”

“Okay…!”

The porridge, luxuriously watched by two spectators, was finished.

After scooping the porridge into a bowl with a ladle, Rohan reminded Shion.

“Even if it tastes bad, force yourself to eat it. Okay?”

After confirming Shion nodded while avoiding his gaze, Rohan grabbed his uniform and headed for the door.

With his bag slung over his shoulder, he greeted the two once again.

“I’ll be back. Wash up and get some sleep. Contact me if anything happens.”

Shion and Clara felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction seeing Rohan off at the entrance.

How long did they stand there blankly?

Clara, who regained her senses first, formed an awkward smile and spoke.

“Shion Unni. Would you mind if I wash up first while you eat?”

“Of course.”

Shion watched Clara head to the bathroom and sat at the table.

She carefully took a bite of the plain white rice porridge.

Shion smiled, impressed by Rohan’s cooking.

He told me to force myself to eat it.

Although Rohan had said that, Shion wasn’t forcing it down.

Her hand reached for it of its own accord. Did food made by someone else have this kind of warmth?

She ended up scraping the bottom of the bowl clean.

“Sigh…”

The moderate fullness and warmth spreading through her body gave her peace of mind.

After neatly washing and putting away the bowl, she sat quietly at the table.

Clara, as if she couldn’t show her naked body even for a moment, quickly passed by with a towel covering herself.

Then, using the wall as a shield, the girl peeked her head out.

Her damp purple hair caught Shion’s eye.

“…Unni. You’re going to wash the clothes you’re wearing, right?”

“Mm, I should.”

“Then, just put the clothes in the laundry basket when you wash up. I’ll do the laundry.”

“No. I’ll try it.”

Shion got up from the table and headed to the corner where the washing machine was.

Clara left a message to call her anytime and grabbed the hairdryer.

──Whirr!!! While drying her hair, she heard a voice calling her.

“Clara. Are you busy?”

“Just a moment…!”

Was she confused about how to use the washing machine that she had just been shown?

With that guess, Clara headed towards the source of the voice.

She saw Shion holding Rohan’s clothes from the laundry basket and sniffing them.

One second to grasp the situation.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

“U, Unni!?”

The sight itself was shocking.

Clara herself couldn’t bring herself to do it even when she was alone.

What was this boldness, calling her over to show this?

Shion being in her underwear made her intentions seem dubious.

“What…”

As Clara froze like ice, unable to continue,

Shion asked her with a puzzled look.

“Does Rohan use perfume? It’s unexpected, considering how flawless he seems.”

“Oppa using perfume…?”

Clara gulped, looking at the clothes Shion was offering her to smell.

It felt strange to do something in front of Shion that she hesitated to do even when alone.

However, now that Shion was encouraging her, it felt like an opportunity.

“…”

As Clara examined Rohan’s clothes at Shion’s suggestion,

Far from perfume, the only scent emanating from the clothes was a faint smell of skin and sweat.

But that was what drove the girl crazy. A scent that subtly heated her head and lower abdomen.

Clara buried her nose in the clothes for a long time, losing herself.

“It’s a unique perfume. I should say the scent is thick…addictive.”

Startled by Shion’s words, Clara lifted her head

and smiled with a troubled face.

Unni…

Is this what love is for an Elf?

Her mind has malfunctioned from unrecognized affection.

Just what will happen once she becomes aware?

Many thoughts flashed through Clara’s mind, but she could be sure of one thing.

The moment she let go of the reason she was barely holding onto,

She would be no less, if not more, than Shion’s unconscious actions.

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Shion and Clara slept soundly in Rohan’s bed.

Lying in the warm bed, their skin touching each other. The girls slept as if they had truly fainted, and it was only after receiving Rohan’s call at lunchtime that they hurriedly prepared to leave.

“Unni, are you uncomfortable?”

“I’m fine. The size is large, so it’s rather comfortable.”

Wearing Rohan’s hoodie and sweatpants, Shion felt her spirits soar.

The lingering scent of Rohan on the clothes was particularly pleasant.

Inhaling happiness, exhaling as a stepping stone to the next happiness.

Unlike usual, she wasn’t wearing goggles or her hair in a ponytail.

Having packed only simple armaments, Shion and Clara quietly descended from the dormitory through the window.

Heading towards the central district, in front of a fast-food franchise, they saw Rohan already waiting. The girls’ steps quickened.

“Did you both sleep well?”

“Yes! I just slept with Unni!”

Tidying up a part of Clara’s messy hair, Rohan looked at Shion.

“Did you eat?”

“…It was delicious.”

Seeing Rohan nod with a smile, Shion thought.

Did he think she was embellishing her words to make them sound pleasant, or did he understand her sincerity?

Something that normally wouldn’t matter occupied Shion’s mind.

“First, we need to be able to contact Shion too. Let’s buy a smartphone after lunch.”

“!”

Shion’s eyes widened in surprise and bewilderment.

Clara clapped softly, delighted as if it were her own affair.

Meanwhile, Shion clearly intended to refuse out of a sense of burden, so Rohan explained the necessity.

After a brief exchange, Shion conceded.

And she expressed a curiosity born from a primal desire.

“Th-then, if I have a smartphone… I can hear your voice and communicate whenever I want, right…?”

“Of course. I don’t know what the new models are like in Tigrova. For now, let’s get one under my name and you can use it.”

Saying he could just change the name later, Rohan started walking.

Rohan continued chatting, pondering what to feed the two girls for lunch.

“How about going shopping for clothes with Clara later?”

Rohan offered to give her his card, even if it wasn’t a large sum, but

Clara showed interest in something else.

“Aren’t you coming with us, Oppa?”

“I think it would be a bit awkward if I tagged along.”

Of course, he was worried about sending Clara and Shion alone.

But looking at the luggage Shion brought, she would need to buy things that would be embarrassing to show a man, so wouldn’t it be more comfortable without him?

Thinking this, as Rohan tried to solidify his stance,

Shion and Clara each grabbed and tugged at his clothes.

A perfectly synchronized movement.

“Oppa… Come with us. Okay?”

“…Come with us.”

They looked like round-eyed kittens gazing up at him.

“…”

Just as Rohan was about to nod in defeat,

“Ah! Clara!”

A familiar voice reached Rohan and Clara.

Turning their heads, they saw two girls with a distinct presence standing out from the crowd.

Ichinose, with her eyes closed and a Sword in her hand as always.

And Noa, with her snow-white tail swaying back and forth, looking at them with intrigued eyes.