When I split up with Karen and went into the women's bath, I happened to bump into Ms. Lukie right as she was about to close the door.
Ms. Lukie was the one who learned about bicycles at the Adventurers' Guild this morning, and we had dinner with her just now. She seemed to notice me too and spoke first.
"Ms. Lina, we meet again."
"Mm… hello."
I get nervous talking to strangers, so I didn't dare say much. Compared to me, Karen is amazing—he can talk so easily in front of so many people. He keeps telling me to practice talking to others, but I still get tense. Thankfully, I didn't mess anything up this time.
Just as she was about to close the door, something behind her caught my eye.
"Wait, Ms. Lukie—what's that hanging on the wall?"
"This one?"
She pointed at it.
"Mm."
She began explaining.
"This is a sprayer. If you pour magic into the magic core here, water comes out through all these tiny holes."
"I see. Thank you."
So it was a magic tool—made for people who don't have water-elemental magic.
I went inside my bathroom, closed the door, took off my dirty clothes, and washed away all the grime from the past two days.
(The food earlier was really good…)
After washing, I took my towel from the storage hole, dried my hair and body, and put on clean clothes. When I opened the door, I saw two Miss Lukies facing each other with mirrored movements.
I knew she was looking in the mirror…
But how did I know that? It was my first time seeing a real mirror.
Still, now I could finally see what I actually look like.
Karen said I was cute before, and I never stopped thinking about it. So I walked up to the mirror.
My reflection stared back at me—long, beautiful white hair, a delicate face, blue eyes.
Looking closely, I could see traces of my mother—my eye shape, my face outline…
It made my chest tighten with nostalgia.
I wonder if Mom and Dad are doing well…
Did they reincarnate somewhere like Karen?
Ms. Lukie finally noticed I was there.
"Ms. Lina, is this your first time looking in a mirror?"
…Maybe I really stared too long.
Why do I feel so embarrassed…
"…Mm."
"Ms. Lina, you're really cute."
The sudden compliment flustered me. My gaze dropped on its own.
"Th-thank you…"
"Ms. Lina, are you actually the daughter of some wealthy family?"
"Eh? No. I lived in a village with my parents since I was little."
Her question shocked me into calming down a little.
"You look so natural about it that I almost believed you. Your table manners were really elegant earlier—you looked like someone who received noble education. Really not from a wealthy family?"
She didn't seem convinced.
My eating posture…?
A few years ago, I suddenly began eating like a different person. Karen told me about it, but it never felt unnatural to me.
Just like the mirror—I understood how it worked instantly despite never seeing one before.
"No, really not."
I denied it again.
Ms. Lukie suddenly realized something and bowed slightly.
"Sorry… I think I asked too much."
"It's fine. I'll head out first."
I didn't quite understand what she was thinking, but we talked for quite a while. Karen might already be waiting.
Sure enough, when I stepped outside, Karen was leaning on the wall.
"Karen, did you wait long?"
"Nope, I just came out too."
He definitely didn't just come out. I couldn't prove it, but my intuition told me so.
On our way back, I told him what happened.
"I met Ms. Lukie inside. She taught me how to use the sprayer."
"A sprayer? A magic tool that sprays water?"
"Mm. And there was a mirror. It's my first time seeing my own face clearly… I even saw parts that look like my Mom."
"I never took a good look at Aunt Yalisa's face."
Karen looked thoughtful.
Mom was really beautiful. I admired her so much.
But Karen wasn't interested!?
Does that mean he won't be interested in someone who resembles Mom… someone like me?
That thought shook me.
"Then… what about me? Have you ever looked at my face carefully?"
I stared right at him.
He smiled.
"I look at you every day."
So happy—
My face burned instantly. My hands too when I touched my cheeks.
Hearing him say it out loud… I'm so, so happy.
We reached our room, Karen unlocked the door, and the moment I saw the double bed, I suddenly remembered something very important.
When we were at the counter earlier, I still didn't understand…
Why did Karen ask about a single-bed room?
Was it because he didn't want to sleep with me?
And when he heard only double-bed rooms were left, he was obviously disappointed.
No matter how I tried to think about it, I couldn't figure out what I did wrong.
Karen once told me that misunderstandings should be cleared up immediately, or else we might "miss something important".
I still don't understand what that "something" is…
But I—I need to ask him.
I need to know if I did anything bad.
Why did he want separate beds?
I really wanted to sleep with Karen…
Why… why does it feel like something warm is running down my cheeks…?
"Lina, come in—why are you crying!?"
Karen hurriedly grabbed my hand and pulled me into the room.
He shut the door, guided me toward the bed, and pressed gently on my shoulders to make me sit.
His voice was soft, but full of panic.
"Lina, why are you crying? Did something happen?"
I kept wiping my tears, but they wouldn't stop.
My words came out broken by sobs.
"Ka… Karen… why… why did you… ask about… the single bed…? D-Do you… not… l-like me… anymore…?"
The moment I forced those words out, Karen's expression changed dramatically.
"No! Never! I would never hate you!"
"R-Really…?"
"Of course it's true. And about the single bed—I wanted to explain it to you. Can you listen?"
"…Mm."
Hearing that Karen didn't hate me, my tears slowly changed from sad tears to relieved ones.
That was the first time I had seen Karen react so strongly—his usual calm and maturity completely gone.
It felt so… real.
He sat beside me, thinking for a moment before speaking.
"I asked for a single bed because… we're getting older. We can't sleep together like before."
"Uh…"
Because we're getting older… we can't sleep together?
Why…?
"Listen to me. We're entering our growth years. We shouldn't share the same bed anymore. Um… if you really want to, then maybe after we become adults."
He paused before saying "after we become adults", but…
Does that mean—
After sixteen, we can sleep together again?
It'll take years… but compared to a whole lifetime, it's not that long.
I can wait.
"Mm!"
"I also hope you can make some female friends. Since we're different genders, there are things I won't understand. You'll need other girls to talk to."
Friends…
I wonder if Ms. Lukie would be willing to be my friend?
We've talked many times today, and I'm feeling a little more comfortable with people now.
"…Mm. I'll try to make friends."
"Take your time. And well… situations like today are fine once in a while."
Situations like today…
Like when only double-bed rooms are left?
He seems to accept it—good!
"But no hugging while sleeping, okay?"
"…Mm."
So we can sleep together, but I can't hug him…
I'll endure it.
(Just wait until I'm an adult… then I'll have plenty of chances!)
I have a feeling Karen and I will always be together.
Even if we argue sometimes… I think every day will still be happy.
"Alright. Lina, wash your face. It's time for bed."
"Okay."
My face did feel uncomfortable from crying.
I created a water ball with my left hand and washed my face, letting droplets fall to the floor before drying myself.
Just as I finished, Karen pressed his towel against my cheeks, gently absorbing the water.
Each touch brought his scent closer to me, giving me an idea.
After drying my face, Karen crouched down to wipe the puddle on the floor.
I hurriedly grabbed his arm.
"Wait!"
He looked at me, puzzled.
"What's wrong? I'm just wiping the water."
I grabbed my own towel from the storage hole and held it out.
"Use mine."
"…But my towel is already out."
He clearly wanted to use his own towel to finish the job, but…
I wanted his towel.
It made me feel like I was hugging Karen himself—and if he wiped the floor with it, towel would get dirty.
"Karen… can I have your towel? I-I want to sleep while hugging it…"
Karen froze.
"Why?"
My heart pounded faster.
I couldn't look at him at all.
It should've been easy to explain, but it took forever before I finally whispered:
"...Because it smells like you."
Karen's lips parted slightly.
His eyes darted away, he blinked twice, swallowed—
And finally came back to himself.
"W-Wait, wait. I get it, but… my towel is wet."
"I don't mind."
He knew I wasn't backing down.
He sighed softly, defeated, and handed me the towel.
"Alright… you can have it. But dry the towel and the floor first."
I accepted it with a huge smile.
"I will. Hehe."
I used a warm gust of wind to dry the towel and the floor.
Karen opened the window to let cool night air in, because the room had gotten too warm.
The night wind was strong and blew my hair wildly.
Karen quickly closed the window, and my hair, now messed up, covered my eyes.
I tried fixing it, but without seeing myself, I only made it worse.
Karen must've gotten fed up watching.
"Lina, let me."
"…Okay."
His fingers felt like a comb, gently brushing through my hair.
It felt so good.
He was smiling as he did it, and my heart thumped harder, my whole body heating up.
"There. All done."
"Thank you, Karen."
"You're welcome. It's getting late. Let's sleep."
We lay down, turned off the lights, and settled under the blanket.
"Lina, good night."
"Good night, Karen."
I hugged his warm towel tightly.
Its scent felt stronger after being warmed by magic.
I pressed it to my nose—my grip tightening as excitement rushed through me.
(I love it… Why do I like Karen's scent so much? Is it because I like him? Ahhhh!)
I wiggled around happily until I remembered Karen was supposed to be asleep.
I needed to calm down or I'd wake him.
(Okay… just check if he's asleep…)
I opened my eyes and peeked.
Karen was staring right at me.
I shrieked internally and hid my face in the towel.
(He's not asleep!?
Don't tell me he saw everything!?
Every little thing I just did!?)
"Don't overdo it."
His sudden comment confirmed the answer.
I wanted to vanish.
"…Mm."
I tightened my hug on the towel and forced myself to sleep.
Hopefully, I'd have a very, very happy dream.