「ふぅ、ようやく一息って感じだなぁ」

　昼食を終えた俺たちはいよいよ湯につかりに行くことにした。
　といっても男性と女性の湯場は別々。
　混浴もあるらしいのだが、こちらは予約制なのだという。
　客によっては連れ合いや恋人と一緒に入りたいがパートナーの肌を他の異性に見せるのは嫌だ、という人も多いため、事前に予約をし貸切の形で一つ湯場を借りるらしい。
　そんなわけでシーラス浴場には少々値が張るものの、いくつか貸切にできる湯場があるんだとか。
　ここでさすがと言わざるをえないのはアイラさんだ。
　どうにか一つ、夜から朝にかけての時間おさえたらしい。
　…………。
　おさえたこと自体はすごい、のだが。
　混浴はさすがにハードルが高すぎるような……。
　別の意味でのぼせ上って気絶しないか心配である。
　何しろ女子陣があのメンバーだもんな……。
　結局、ジークと隅っこで固まってるのがオチな気がする。

　反面、今いるここ……つまり男湯はある意味ほっとする、というか。
　上を仰ぎ見ればそこに広がるは青空。
　つまりここは露天風呂。
　シーラス浴場内では、ほとんどの室内浴場の外に露天風呂が併設されているようだ。
　ちなみにこの露天風呂には俺しかいない。
　時間帯もあるのかもしれないが、それにも増してここは湯場の数自体が多い。
　そのため客は各湯場に分散しているのだ。
　特に上流貴族に多いのだとレイ先輩から聞いたが、親しくない人間と湯場で肩を並べるのを嫌がる客も少なくないんだとか。
　なので客は人の少ない湯場を求め、結果として各湯場に分散してしまうわけだ。
　そんなことが可能なのもシーラス浴場の敷地の広さあってのことだろう。

　さて。
　現在俺が浸かっているお湯だが……これは、聖樹から流れて来る水を引き、温度などを特殊な術式機で色々調整したものなんだとか。
　だから純粋な意味での『温泉』とは言い難いのかもしれない。

　聖樹のおかげでクリストフィアは水資源にも恵まれている。
　教養授業でそう習った。
　王都に住む人々が聖樹を拝みたくなるのも頷ける。
　が、同時に信仰の対象から流れてくる水を温泉代わりに使うのもどうなんだろう、という気もするが。

　俺は男湯と女湯を隔てる一枚の高い木の壁を見上げた。
　今この壁の向こう――つまり女湯にいるのは女子陣。
　さっきから時折声が漏れ聞こえてくる。
　向こうはなんだか楽しそうな雰囲気である。
　…………。
　一応湯に潜って穴の一つでもないかと確認はしてみたが、そんなものは存在しなかった（発見したのは術式機だけだった）。
　仮にあったとしても……まあ、どうもしないが。

「なんにせよ、やっぱ露天風呂っていいなぁ」

　独り呟きながら湯を囲む岩に寄り掛かり、空を仰ぎ見る。
　異世界の空。
　ユグドラシエの空。
　だけど空だけは、前の世界と変わらないように映る。

「…………」

　振り返ってみれば、本当に妙な経験をしているものだと思う。

　山に行ったら謎の白い光に包まれ、目覚めたらキュリエさんに出会って。
　聖樹を見て。
　再び気を失って。
　目を覚ましたらリーザさんに出会って。
　そしたら性格の悪い衛兵さんに連行されて。
　マキナさんとひと悶着あって。
　クラリスさんが現れて……そして、禁呪を覚えた。

　それからマキナさんの誘いで聖ルノウスレッド学園に入ることになった。
　ミアさんと出会った。
　セシリーさん、ジーク、ヒルギルさんと出会った。
　第６院と終末郷のことを知った。
　マキナさんに家を貸し与えてもらった。

　初登校。
　キュリエさんとの再会。
　模擬試合。
　術式授業での禁呪お披露目。
　初めての聖遺跡。
　キュリエさんとの攻略班成立。
　聖遺跡攻略。
　ブルーゴブリンの群れとの戦い。
　ヒビガミとの戦い。
　禁呪王との出会い。
　セシリーさんの本音の吐露。
　アイラさんの提案からはじまった巨人討伐作戦。
　第八禁呪。
　ロキア。
　ノイズ・ディース。
　聖樹騎士団。
　四凶災。
　そして今……シーラス浴場にいる。

「なんか、すごいよな……」

　しかもその間たくさんの人たちと知り合うことができた。
　そして今、俺は日々を楽しいと感じている。
　やるべきこと。
　解決すべきこと。
　考えることはたくさんある。
　And yet...

　I feel like I'm working for something.
　I feel that I'm moving forward.

　I clench my fists in a fist.

"Am I changing...?
People don't change. They just change.
Yeah, that's just the way it is...

　Huh?　

Hey, you!
Hey, Conjurer.

　I don't know how long I've been standing next to you.

　It was Lokiia.

What the hell are you doing here?

　He stood up and braced himself.
　But Rokia was poised in a leisurely manner with plenty of time to spare.

Unfortunately, I'm everywhere. "Unfortunately, I'm everywhere," he said.　A demon king is one who is omnipresent in all places.
What?
"Hahahahahahahaha, it's an empty joke!　Still so serious, eh, pal?　It's scary, huh?

　Rokia indicated, with her hand, to sit down.

'No need to be alarmed.'
Are you sure you don't want to investigate the noise?
I know when to take a break.
What?
You know what?　Those who know how to give themselves a break in moderation will eventually find success. That's how the world works.

　Rokia spread her hands ostentatiously.

'If you want success, seek quality rest,' he said.
..........

　I feel like I'm well rounded........
　Well, when it comes down to it, there's a forbidden spell, and Rokia doesn't feel like an enemy at the moment.
　I decided to sit down as I was told.

'But you're still here to mess with us, right?

　Us.
　Me and Mr. Currier.

You're very perceptive. I'm sure you're not the only one who has had the opportunity to get to know each other better. But you wouldn't want Currier to get in your way here, would you?
...and you'll meet Mr. Currier later?

　In a dexterous imitation of putting heartfeltness into a smile, Rokia hit the surface of the water with a bashful smile.

''Huhahaha, don't be stupid!　If it weren't for the noise, I wouldn't even want to see your face!　Why do I have to face those lying beauties on my day of rest!

　Bugger!　And I heard a sneeze from the hot water next to me.
　What's up, Currier?　Cecily's caring voice continued to say.

'Does Rokia not like Miss Currier?
'Oh?　I don't hate you. But it's not that I don't like him, but we're like an inseparable family, you know? It's like a curse, if you will.

　The Sixth House, huh?

You know what, Rokia?
Hmm?　You want to hear an old currier story?　Then I've got the funniest story for you, okay?

　Jesus!　I heard him sneeze again from next to me.
　Duh, are you okay?　And now I hear Ira's worried voice.

''No I think it's only fair to ask him if he wants to talk, so that's fine.
'Repulsive and auspicious. What is it then?
What the hell is a Noise Deuce?
Oh, the noise....what, are you interested in that guy?
Well, yeah.
Well the guy is, in a word, 'eager to die'.
Do you want to die?
According to Noyes, there are wonderful plays going on here every day in Yggdrashee... but it's always my presence that ruins the play, because I'm too 'dramatic'.

　Rokia continued in a somewhat theatrical tone.

'Then Noyes thought about it. If I'm going to be the 'noise' when I'm on stage, then I should be the one to see the play. I can sit in the audience. But here's the problem. Noise can be terribly selfish. So he occasionally tricks the other actors back onto the stage and plays tricks on the stage equipment. To make the stage - dramatic.
You set the tone for the defeat of the giants, and then watched it happen under the guise of a low-profile student...

　So you understand that you are discreetly mobbed and enjoy observing the situation?
　But the fact that I'm 'too dramatic' for my own existence...what an amazing confidence I have.
　But.

What do you mean by 'eager to die'?

　I understand that Noyes Dees is a person who enjoys disguising himself as someone who isn't so-called "dramatic" and observing people in the middle of events.
　But I can't make the connection between that "hobby" and "eagerness to die".
　In fact, if he died, he wouldn't be able to observe the play, which is the most important part of it.

That guy wants someone to 'dramatically' kill him.
You mean you want to die a dramatic death?
'Something like that. In short, he wants the best person in the play to kill him. To get the death he deserves. So he's never tired of looking for the stage where he's going to die.

　Oh, I see.
　I feel like we're finally connected.
　I mean--

'So for Noyes, the first choice of actors to take the stage to die is from the Sixth House. And he wants the person who best fits the bill to kill him.
That's what I'm doing.

　I see.
　So that's why you invited Currier-san, Rokia and eventually Hibigami to that school?
　Wow........what a troublesome fellow.
　It's like a subspecies of Hibigami, but in a way it might be worse than Hibigami.

''But why was it St. Renault's Red Academy?
You thought it was appropriate for the show. I'm just a human being who wouldn't know what to do with a woman with a screw loose in her head like that.
'Hmmm but somehow, I think I know who Noyes is. Thanks.

　Oh.
　Oh, yeah.
　That's why I'm going to ask you about Mr. Dearest.

"You know, the Holy Tree Knight--
Hey, could I ask you a question?

　Rokia put her hand around my neck.

'It's not fair for you to just ask, is it?
Okay, okay. If I can answer that question.
Thank you for your wisdom. So, you think you're going to pick one of those girls?

　What?

What?
So, Currier Versteen, Cecily Arkwright, Ira Horn, Mia Posta... well, is that about the only person who likes you?　I feel like I'm forgetting someone, but oh well. So, which one do you want?
How the f*ck do you know everyone's name?
Hey, hey, I'm looking for information about the school, okay?　Of course I look up your personal life. You shouldn't underestimate my ability to gather information, you know.

　Rokia laughs as she bares her teeth.

'If you can't make up your mind, I'm willing to be tentative, okay?　Who's the best?
And that's not the premise of the question, is it?
What?
What's the... you know, I don't know if I'm going to choose it or not...
Oh?　Do you think it's presumptuous of me to choose?　You can't be serious, can you?　If you're serious this guy is a mortal sin, you know?
I'm....
I'm not sure. Or...

　Rokia looked into my eyes as if she could see through everything.

'You're afraid to break up this relationship, aren't you?
...What?

　Rokia's twin eyes narrowed like a snake.

'Well let's talk about happiness.
Talk about happiness?　Wait, what are you talking about all of a sudden?
Well, listen. Now, what do you think happiness means to people?

　I thought for a moment before I answered.

'Hmmm, having enough food, clothing, shelter and all your other needs met... or something?'

　Like Maslow's Five Stages of Desire?

Well, you're not wrong. It's a fair question. But I think that's what I think. A person's happiness is that state of being that is infinitely close to reaching one's desires.
So I'll never get what I want, then, will I?

　Rokia removed her hand from my neck and sat back down.

It's the fact that they can't come true that makes them happy. The moment it comes true, it's usually gone. And there is a limit to the kind of happiness one can achieve, and there are many times when you open the lid and find out that the reality is that you are not happy.
Does that mean I shouldn't have happiness?
I'm talking about having the most fun when you're chasing after everything.
You're kind of... you're kind of a tricky thing to figure out, aren't you?

　Rokia pointed to her temples.

'I love this kind of shitty, useless quibbling. But I'm glad to see that you're living up to your expectations.
No, I'm not one for small talk or anything like that, but...
You're just being smart enough to keep your mouth shut and listen.

　Disagreeably, Rokia sinks down to her chin.

The only thing Hibigami does is to say 'get your shit together'. The other people in the Sixth House have similar problems. The people in my organization are not bad-natured, but they start rowing when I talk to them... and that silver-haired violent woman is either intimidated or has her hands full.
What are you doing here, Rokia?
You see?　Like this--

　A voice.
　Rokia looked up.

'Oh?'

　Then it stilled.
　Rokia's eyes slowly widened.

'Aaaaaaahhhh!

　The bashabash, Rokia flailed her arms and legs with a disconcerted look on her face.

You can't be sure of that.　You've got to be kidding me!　This is ... a men's bath!
I mean, it's a currier.

　A pointed branch was being thrust at Rokia.
　The person holding that branch was Currier-san, who had a piece of cloth wrapped around her body........or rather, what?
　Why?
　This is the men's room, right?
　And you jumped over it?
　I mean, the lines of Currier's body are clear and distinct--not!

　All at once, my thoughts were slammed into a whirlpool of confusion.
　Dodo, what am I supposed to do!
　Oh, I don't think it's right for me to scream here........

'Wait--what are you doing, Currier!　I mean, that's Kurohiko--
Currier, come back here, now!　The innkeepers are going to be mad at you!
Curie, I admire you!　I never had that idea!

　A voice comes from the women's bathhouse next to me.
　I mean, what the hell is the last senior Ray saying?

Well, wait a minute, Curie, I could use a break from all this...

　Gulp.
　The tip of the branch pierced Lokia's shoulder.

''Geeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

　Wow!
　It wasn't as if he didn't hesitate to stab me!
　Blood!
　I'm bleeding!
　Mr. Currier are you quite angry?

You f*cking did it, you f*cking b*tc*!
Didn't I tell you?　I'm not going to mess with Kurohiko--
'Huh-ha-ha-ha!　Dude, you're on a roll!　Where the hell is that woman who was all red-faced and pretty in the reception area?
You're--you're watching me, aren't you?
'Yeah, I saw that!　I'm all over these eyes!　Who the hell is that?　What nobleman's pure-hearted box girl!　I can't believe I just told those people in the Sixth House that...

　Gulp.
　The sharp branch stabbed into Rokia's arm again.

'Gahhhh!
Go away.

　What?
　Mr. Currier are you a little embarrassed?
　While holding up the stinging shoulder of the branch, Rokia's fearless smile doesn't break down.
　.............
　Huh?
　I mean, Rokia's shoulder ... has the bleeding stopped already?

'Kukku, but Currier?　You jumped into a men's bath with just a thin cloth, even to protect Kurohiko, and I respect you. But the way you look, isn't that a little too stimulating for Kurohiko?
Close your eyes for safety, Blackie.
Okay.

　I covered both eyes with my hands.
　..........
　Huh?
　But what's 'dangerous' about it?

So, Rokia you want to blindfold me, huh?
"Ha, no one enjoys seeing you naked!　I'd be blind if I had to look at that thing.　I'd still rather gaze at a demon's a**h*le!
I'm going to kill you once.
So, Blackie, I'll see you later!　There!
Kyah, kyah!

　Hmm?
　Now that's a shame-maxed, flipped-out voice........Currier, right?

Rokia, you're the--
'Kurohiko, you can open your eyes now!　That's from me!　I'll get out of here before my eyes get rotten.　Huh, huh, huh, huh, huh, huh, huh!

　What?
　A hint of Rokia disappeared with a laugh?
　I took my hand and opened my eyes.

'Kyu, Currier-san, you're very big--'
Yeah.

　Huh?
　Kyu, Mr. Currier-- where's the cloth?

　In front of me.
　The figure of Currier-san hiding her chest and parts with both hands........
　When I looked.........the cloth that Currier-san should have wrapped around her body was fluttering in the air against the blue sky.

　What should I do?
　Ah, yes.
　Instant inspiration.
　Yo, all right.
　In this place, you have to be a man.

Mr. Currier!
What's the...?
Knock me out and knock me out!
What?
If I do, I'll lose consciousness and, if I'm lucky, my memory of the last few minutes will be gone!
"What-- what are you talking about, you idiot!　You can't do that!　Then ... well, get on with it and close your eyes!
Oh, yeah?

　I closed my eyes in a hurry.
　The confusion seemed to have caused my inspiration to work in a strange direction.
　............
　Not long after, ........

I'm done.
Yes, sir.

　When I opened my eyes, I saw Currier standing there with a thin piece of cloth wrapped around her body.
　She looked towards the indoor bath with a grim face.

He's a guy who never lets his guard down and never lets his guard down.
''Ha but I didn't expect Currier-san to jump into the men's room, as expected, either.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry to make you uncomfortable.
No, it's not unpleasant.
Humph, it's okay. My nakedness is apparently less valuable than the demon's, you know, that - gobbledygook - so...

　Rokia you're bothering me, Mr. Currier.
　You're not allowed.

I want to see you naked, Currier-san.
Is that...?

　For some reason, Currier begins to inspect her own body.
　Then she fingered the knot in the thin cloth and glanced upward at it.


Yeah, I mean...

　And that was when it happened.
　There was the presence of more than one person in the indoor bathing area.

'Ah, Currier-san!　People are coming!
'What - I mean, well, this was a men's room. Anyway, that idiot was a pain in the ass. I'll make this apology in due course. I'll see you later.

　Was," said Currier, leaping without an aid, and went back to the women's baths.
　As soon as she returned, some male guests came into the open-air bath.

''Huh?　I thought I heard a girl's voice... or was it my imagination?
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. You okay?　This is not a mixed bathhouse.　I'm sure the ladies in the women's bathhouse next door were making a lot of noise. Look, they are making some kind of noise.

　A male guest points towards the wooden wall.

'Currier!　What the hell is wrong with you today!
No, actually, it's the wrong person.
You don't think that Kurohiko was spying on you?
No, it's not him.
'What?　So, does that mean there was a trespasser himself?
'Oh, ah ... yes.
f*ck that guy!　This is unacceptable!　Rokia!　I've learned your name!
"...Currier, you have a half-smile on your face?
Hmm?　Really?
Currier you're not lying to me, are you?
Hmph. It's okay. I'm still a miscreant in any case I'm still a miscreant you know......and I'm sure I deserve it.

　...........
　I was pondering for a while whether I should take pity on Rokia, who was being turned into a voyeur before I knew it, or not.

　　　　　　　　　　*.

　Once we got out of the bath we went back to each other's rooms.
　Then, about ten minutes later.

Okay, here they come.

　Cecily came in, dressed in her lodging clothes.
　She took off her shoes before entering the room and placed them in the shoe-dressing area.
　In the rooms of this bathhouse, you have to take off your shoes before entering.
　This is also an Eastern custom.
　Ira, Cecily, and Rei-senpai seemed to be used to it.
　I've always felt it was natural for me to take my shoes off before entering the room, so I didn't feel comfortable at all.
　But Curie-san, for example, seemed to feel uncomfortable at first.

What do you think?　Do I look good?

　Cecily picked up the hem and spread her hands out to show off her own yukata.
　Even though it was a yukata... well, it was mostly a yukata.
　Her pale lemon-colored hair was tied up in one piece at the nape of her neck, just like it usually was.
　Perhaps it was because she hadn't been in the bath long enough, but her hair was moist and wet.
　........But no matter what he wears, this guy is going to win, right?
　At this point, I'm not sure if the clothes look good on Cecily or if Cecily is made to look good in all her clothes.

　I chuckle.

'I mean, you were wearing them when you got out of the bath.
'I hadn't yet heard Krohico's personal opinion.
It looks good on you. Very much.
Hmmm, I see.

　Mr. Cecily visited me alone in my room to get a rubdown, of course.
　Right after I got out of the bath, I explained the purpose of today's visit to everyone.
　So, one by one, we were to take turns rubbing each other's hands.

"Everyone stayed in the room and waited...

　Pop-hum, Cecily-san dives into my bed.
　Cecily is excited.....

'Huh?　Didn't I tell you that we have a set time limit and you're free to do whatever you want until then?
'I think we're all preparing ourselves, aren't we?　Ray is ... not quite ... different.
Prepare yourself for...

　I don't think it's that big of a deal.
　Even when I suggested it, I wasn't in the mood for someone who had a family history of rubbing together.......

''Well then, let's get right to it--''

　Cecily lies face down on the bed.

"Let's see what Kurohiko's skills are all about, shall we?

　I respond with a ready finger movement.

''I won't relent, will I?
Hmmm, that'll be fun.

　Mu.
　This reaction from Cecily you're underestimating my arm, aren't you?
　It is true that before Mia's instruction, I only knew the pressure points on the soles of my feet.
　But now that I've mastered the techniques Mia taught me, I've come to appreciate them.

"Huh? Huh? Kurohiko-sama... it's perfect...

　And he has grown to the point where he has received the endorsement of his mentor, Mia.
　Cecily-san.
　That face full of composure I'll soon turn it into a surprise for you.

　I kneeled on the bed and leaned closer to Cecily-san.

'Then--'

　After taking one deep breath I lined my fingers together and put my hand on her waist.

'Let's begin,'