Ch.96Rest at the Sea (7)

I managed to get Lite to my room somehow. But she still has no intention of letting go.

“Lite? I’m just going to the bathroom for a moment, so wait here.”

“Don’t wanna.”

Lite hugged my arm with both of her arms like a child who doesn’t want her toy taken away.

“Hehe… Ju-an’s arm… warm… and firm…”

Whatever she finds so appealing, Lite just keeps giggling. She’s completely drunk. Anyway, a slight problem has emerged.

“Um… they’re touching…”

As she hugged my arm with both of hers, her chest naturally pressed against my arm. And since Lite is still wearing her swimsuit, our skin is directly touching.

I thought she might get embarrassed and let go after I pointed this out, but Lite seems to be in no state to think clearly.

“Whaat~?”

“Um… your chest and…”

“So whaat~?”

It’s amazing how three cans of beer could get her this drunk. Anyway, I need to get her to let go. I feel like I might lose my self-control at this rate.

I tried to break free by using force, but Lite hugged my arm even tighter than before.

“Don’t gooo~ I’m not~ drunk yet~”

“Look… no matter what, we’re a man and a woman, so could you please give me some space? I’m seriously begging you.”

“Do you… hate me?”

How drunk must she be for her pronunciation to keep slurring like that? How should I answer that question anyway?

I’ll just be honest. She’s drunk anyway, so she probably won’t remember anything that happened today.

“No. I really like you.”

“Then I can stay close~!”

Lite continued giggling happily while hugging my arm. Maybe I shouldn’t have told her the truth just now?

Anyway, I continued singing the national anthem in my head while trying to figure out how to detach Lite.

In the midst of this, a devious thought occurred to me. What if I asked her about the emblem from before? She might give me a straight answer now.

I never got to hear the answer because of the major incident that happened, so now that Lite is drunk and can’t think straight, she might tell me right away.

But my conscience won out over such devious thoughts. She must have her reasons for not telling me. I should just wait.

Even if time passes and the opportunity disappears, if that’s Lite’s choice, there’s nothing I can do about it.

For now, I need to get Lite off me. My patience is reaching its limit.

“Please, can you let go of me?”

“You said you liked me earlier…”

“That’s different from this. Besides, between a man and woman…”

“I like you too, so it’s okay!”

The moment I saw Lite trying to press her body even closer to mine, I immediately stopped her time.

Then I placed Lite on the bed, covered her with a blanket, and put as much distance between us as possible.

I probably won’t be able to leave the room for a while. Maybe singing the national anthem five times will calm me down?

Anyway, I started meditating for quite a long time, trying to think the most peaceful thoughts possible.

***

When I came to my senses, it was morning. What on earth happened yesterday?

The last thing I remember is chugging a can of beer. After that, everything is a blank.

But I’m sure I didn’t do anything weird. After all, Ju-an was there—he wouldn’t have let me get completely wasted, right?

I’m still wearing my swimsuit. Since we won’t be playing at the beach anymore, I should change back into my regular clothes.

With that thought, I got up from the bed and saw Ju-an meditating in front of the door.

“…Ju-an? What are you doing there?”

“Oh, you’re awake?”

Ju-an spoke in a calm voice with a smile that suggested some kind of enlightenment. Why is he here like this?

“So why are you here?”

“Do you remember what happened yesterday?”

“What happened?”

“If you don’t remember, then never mind.”

It’s clear that something happened yesterday. Did Agath drink too much and try to jump me or something?

“What exactly happened yesterday?”

“I drank until I blacked out too, so I don’t really know.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

If Ju-an got drunk and went wild, it makes some sense that he’d be here meditating. I guess I’ll have to ask the others.

“I need to change clothes now, so could you step out for a moment?”

“Sure. See you later.”

Ju-an got up from his spot with his eyes still closed and left the room. Is he still drunk?

I should change my clothes now. Into something completely modest that absolutely doesn’t show any cleavage.

***

After changing clothes, I went to the living room. My stomach feels a bit upset, probably from drinking yesterday. I should make something good for a hangover this morning.

Since we’re by the sea, a spicy fish stew would be perfect. As I was heading to make breakfast with that in mind, I noticed the living room was a complete mess.

Broken bottles, what looked like well over 100 empty soju bottles, and someone’s bloodstains.

Looking around for someone who could explain this chaotic situation, I spotted Leo and Agath.

“…What exactly happened yesterday?”

“Nothing happened.”

Leo answered in a tone that seemed to be denying something. Since I probably won’t get anything useful from Leo, I should ask Agath.

“Agath? What on earth happened yesterday?”

“…You don’t remember?”

“Did I do something weird yesterday?”

When I expressed my confusion, Agath let out a slight sigh and then cheerfully exclaimed:

“You pressed your chest against me like a bitch in heat!”

“Stop talking nonsense and tell me what really happened.”

“You were so lewd yesterday. If I were a man, I would have been pounding you until now…”

Crash!

Leo struck Agath’s head with an empty soju bottle. Agath continued speaking while expressing mild pain.

“Actually, nothing special happened yesterday.”

“Really nothing happened?”

“Yes, absolutely nothing happened, so don’t try to remember what happened yesterday.”

Agath was still speaking with a playful smile. It’s clear that something definitely happened yesterday. But it seems like whatever it was, it didn’t happen to me.

If something had happened to me, Agath would have been teasing me about it all day.

While thinking about this and preparing the spicy fish stew for breakfast, I noticed Agath watching some video with an extremely flushed face.

“What are you watching?”

“A video of you jumping on me like a bitch in heat.”

“You’re consistently disgusting, aren’t you?”

“Thank you.”

In the middle of our conversation that was, as usual, gradually deteriorating my mental health, Agath turned off the video and spoke up.

“I think I’m better suited for offense than defense after all.”

“Why are you suddenly saying that?”

“Just because. So, can I jump you?”

“Get lost.”

And so, I continued making breakfast while engaging in more pointless conversation.

***

After making the spicy fish stew, I had some time left, so I made some skewers for Ju-an too. And worried it might not be enough, I grilled plenty of other meat as well.

Thanks to that, Ju-an is eating breakfast with a happy expression. It’s really rewarding when someone enjoys your cooking.

While we were eating breakfast, I suddenly noticed Selene covering her mouth, trying to hold back laughter.

“Why are you suddenly doing that?”

“You had quite a festive time yesterday, didn’t you?”

“Did you read my memories again?”

As soon as I mentioned memories, Leo, Agath, and Ju-an all flinched. Something definitely happened yesterday.

“So what happened yesterday that’s making everyone act like this?”

“Nothing special happened.”

“Come on, can’t you just tell me what happened?”

“It’s not polite to talk about other people’s affairs.”

“Reading people’s thoughts isn’t polite to begin with.”

“Do you have any evidence that I read your thoughts?”

Maybe I’m the only one who doesn’t know what happened yesterday? But why would they need to hide it like this?

Well, they must have their reasons. Since no one is willing to tell me, I might as well stop caring about it.

After that somewhat frustrating breakfast, everyone started packing their bags. Seeing this, I asked Leo a question.

“Are we leaving already?”

“Everyone has things to do for tomorrow’s festival.”

“What festival all of a sudden?”

“A new Hero has appeared, remember? There’s a festival to celebrate that.”

“I understand. But why tomorrow specifically?”

“By tomorrow, the Hero’s body will be stabilized.”

It seems a bit excessive to make such a big deal just because a Hero appeared. Or maybe Heroes are that precious?

I can’t really imagine what the festival will be like. I never really enjoyed festivals except for school ones before I died, so how would I know about festivals?

“So what happens at tomorrow’s festival?”

“There will be street vendors, events, various experiences, and such. But this is my first time at this kind of festival too, so I’m not sure.”

“I see. Do you have something to do at the festival too, Leo?”

“I’m just going to find a suitable spot and spend the night researching magic.”

“…Then why are you going?”

“Because the food they sell will probably be delicious.”

Leo is so consistent. He really loves magic to an obsessive degree.

“So we’re leaving soon, right?”

“Yes. So hurry up and pack your things.”

It wouldn’t be bad to go back early today and rest. That way, I can play to my heart’s content tomorrow, like yesterday.

As I was heading to pack my things, I ran into Agath, who was packing with a gloomy expression.

“What’s wrong now?”

“I’m… going to be dragged to hell soon…”

“Has Agath’s evil deeds finally been exposed?”

“No… I’ve been forced to help with tomorrow’s festival events…”

“…Is that really so bad?”

Agath spoke in an even more depressed voice than before.

“You know that in the Holy Kingdom, I have to behave normally in crowded places, right?”

“Yes.”

“Tomorrow, I have to help with events from morning till night, constantly surrounded by many people.”

“Serves you right.”

Suddenly, Agath pulled out a recorder from her pocket and played it.

-Ju-aaaan~ I’m~ not~ drunk at aaall~

My completely wasted voice came out of the recorder.

“If you tease me anymore, I’ll tell you everything that happened yesterday.”

“…That must be tough for you. Good luck with the event tomorrow.”

“Thanks…”

I’m starting to get a rough idea of what happened yesterday. I really got completely wasted.

I should stop trying to remember. It would only cause me pain.

With that, I hastily left under the pretext of going to pack my things.