The Tables Have Turned! Abel Strikes Back!
The things Keithwood said were true. The cave was much bigger and deeper than its narrow entrance made it look. The short tunnel that served as the entrance was a little bit curved, which made it a natural wind block.
As the group moved deeper into the area, they were surprised to find that it was surprisingly warm inside. However…
Keithwood said to Sion as they walked, “Milord, there’s something strange about this cave.”
“Hm? What do you mean?”
“It’s…unnatural. I can’t be sure, but I think this…”
As he walked, he put his palm against the cave wall and felt its surface.
“This doesn’t look like something that happened by itself.”
“…Should we expect enemies?”
“Good question. It doesn’t look like anyone lives here. I think most of the people we meet will be of the dead sort. It’s not very nice, but it’s not dangerous either. Unless they get in your way.”
The cave didn’t look like it had been touched recently, and there was no sign of a path leading here. Even if people used to live there, they are probably long gone.
Keithwood added with a toothy grin, “Assuming, of course, that they’re not stumbling around or see-through.”
Sion gave him an even look and then looked back.
“…No matter what, we’re safer inside. Right now, we are definitely most worried about that storm. Still, it doesn’t hurt to be extra careful. We are in charge of making sure the Great Sage of the Empire is safe, after all,” he said as he looked at Mia, who was crouched near the entrance and looking carefully over a rock at the storm outside.
“Agreed. Let’s get everyone on the same page by having a quick meeting. Also, we should always remind people to stay together. Avoid doing things by yourself.”
The two of them kept talking about important things. At the same time, at the entrance to the cave…
“It really came down, didn’t it? I’m soaked to the skin.”
Mia pulled at the bottom of her shirt, and a stream of water gushed out, showing how much rain they’d been walking through.
“Everything is soaked through. Even though it’s summer, I feel like I might get sick.”
“…Right. We hope not. I mean, not get sick.”
“…Mm?”
Abel’s answer came a half second too late and wasn’t very clear. She was curious, so she looked at him. When she did, she saw that he was looking away and his cheeks were a little too pink to be normal.
Then she looked at her own face. Her clothes were stuck to her skin, and you could just barely see her underwear. Everything made sense all at once.
My, my Abel. Is my current state a little too risqué for you? Do I make your heart skip a beat?
The thought turned on a switch in her head, and Seductress Mia took over.
She smiled, and her earlier reluctance turned into a playful excitement. In her mind, swimsuits were underwear that were worn in water. No matter how simple and modest they were, it was embarrassing to be seen in them. Underwear was underwear, waterproof or not.
On the other hand, she was definitely dressed right now. They had become see-through, so her skin was showing, but by the same reasoning, clothes are clothes. As long as she wore that much, she didn’t feel bad about herself.
Mia was able to confidently prance around in wet clothes because her inner twenty-year-old had given her the power of rationalisation. Yes, Abel was getting a more masculine body, which caught her attention and made her heart beat faster, but she was still older. In this relationship, Mia was still the older sister.
So…Mmhm, that’s a cute response, Abel. I think I’ll have a good time with you.
Teasing Master Mia was on the prowl, she moved to show who was in charge. She was a predator who was ready to pounce on her defenceless, young victims. She would play with the young boy’s innocence and enjoy his nervous naivety with the confidence of a grown woman.
She started to say something, but Abel spoke before her.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
He took off his thin coat and threw it over her shoulders. Then, he pulled it over her shoulders very gently.
“…Eh?”
Her grown-up confidence went away, and the words she had planned went with it. She couldn’t do anything but watch in shock as Abel went in for his second blow.
“Uh, your clothes… They can be seen through. Been that way for a while. So, for now here. You can use this… It’s a bit wet. Sorry about that,” he said as he buttoned his coat over her and gave her a worried look. “Honestly, Mia, you need to be more aware of how attractive you are. Even though your skin is beautiful, you shouldn’t show it to everyone. It’s…distracting. For me in particular.”
Then, still embarrassed, he turned away from her again.
“Eh?” was all that Mia could respond. It failed just like the first time.
She stared at Abel, who was only wearing a shirt on his upper body and no coat. Due to a lot of sword practise, the muscles under the short sleeves were toned and showed through. He looked so strong, brave, and dreamy as he stood there with his arms crossed.
Even though she tried not to, her chest got tighter.
Mia’s big sister’s attack had failed because of Abel’s clever counter-stroke. Now that it was his turn, she was at his mercy.
What the heck, Abel! You—What the heck are you doing?! H-How can you just say such things?! Moons! You’re so…so… Ugh!
Mia’s face was red and her lips were quivering, so she couldn’t help but squirm. Lucky for her, Abel had already gone to talk to Sion, so he didn’t see how embarrassed she was.
That was enough to keep her from melting into a puddle of shame, but when she finally got herself together enough to think about it, she realised something else that made her angry.
Wait a minute. Did you really just leave me alone?! After you play with my feelings for no reason, you just leave?! What am I supposed to do with all these feelings that have been building up?
Her longing heart still fluttered and ached, but she couldn’t let it out. She tried hard not to scream out of anger. She was in pain, but she could hear Esmeralda’s voice coming from further into the cave.
“Oh? Is the weather getting wetter or what? The temperature here is a bit different from the temperature at the front door. Hey, Ni, uh, you. Don’t you agree with me?”
Her tone of casual ignorance made Mia’s already irritated nerves even worse.
