It was a little chilly when I stepped outside.

'I'm sorry, you were asleep, weren't you?'

　Mila says apologetically, and I shake my head.

'No, it's fine.'

Do you sleep well without me?

　Mila says with a wicked smile.
　If this was my dorm room, she would sneak under the covers every night.
　As expected, that's not the case on this trip.

''...Haha, I don't know. But maybe I'd feel safer in my own room in the dormitory.

'Hmm, I see. I miss you. I miss you at night, Leme.

　The expression on her face as she looked at me, tilting her head slightly, was so beautiful.
　I was speechless.

　She looks at it and smiles, then changes the subject. I'm getting to the point, I should say.

'There's a hole-in-the-wall spot I learned about from a local, would you like to go?'

Uh-huh.

　We walked out, side by side.
　After a little while, when I had calmed down, I asked her.

'A hole in the ground, like a beautiful starry sky?'

Yeah, well, I hear it's a factor in that as well.

　....?　By that description, isn't that the main attraction?
　We leave the village and continue on the mountain path.

Do you think we'll get lost?

Just follow her and you'll be fine.

　If you look hard enough, you can see a vampire bat flying a little distance above your head.

''But since we mustn't get separated, let's do this.

　Then Mira wrapped her arms around me.
　Nearby, I can feel her scent and heat.
　



What?

'Reme is so cute,' he said. You've been giving me fresh reactions ever since I met you.

Well I wish I could do something about it.

'No, I'm happy for you. It means that you're still thrilled with me, as you have always been.

　Mila is awfully s*xy today.

'But I'm the same way. I've been thrilled with you ever since you saved me and ever since we spoke that night.

　Her red eyes, filled with moonlight, looked much more beautiful and glowing than the jewels of the same color.
　They grew so large that I feared she would hear my heart beating.

'We're almost there. See, there it is.

　We turned off the mountain path a bit and went through the woods for a while, and the view opened up.

'....A hot spring?

Yes. They say it's a hidden hot spring that only the locals know about.

Well that's a good vibe. --You know what, though? Oh, are you going to.........come in?

　It is an open-air bath, and of course, there is no partition.
　There was no way that Mother Nature would separate the men's and women's baths
　Because it is a hidden hot spring, there may be almost no human hands in the baths.　

Let's go in.

　In fact, Mila had a handbag, and I was a little curious about it.

''........''

No...?

　..........
　Normally I would give in to those words, but I can't back down so easily here.

''Umm, it's not a good idea, is it?

'I'm bringing my swimsuit with me for this kind of thing. Will this still work...?

　How could this be possible...?
　No, there is a slow-flowing river in my hometown that my kids use as a playground, and I've told her about it, so maybe she's prepared to go there when she has time.

'Of course, I've prepared one for you, Leme,'

　Sure?
　
　The towel - I'm sure I brought this with me as well.
　I went into the hot springs a while ago--that's why.
　It's a good idea to have a reason to say no here, even if I don't want to.

"You don't want to.........?

I don't mind it.

　Yes, I don't hate it. I didn't hate it, but I felt like it wasn't a good idea, and I was just looking for a reason to say no.
　Once that was squashed, the only thing left to do was to deal with it with real feelings.

　As such, I undressed.
　It's a pretty weird feeling to be completely naked in the woods. I hang my clothes on a nearby rock. I put on my bathing suit, buzzing with the air caressing my skin.
　I bathe first and call out to Mira-san.

　I kept my eyes closed.
　The hot spring water is a little hot, but it is comfortable. Haz. I'm too nervous to understand.

'Don't look at me, okay?'

Yes.

That said, we can look at a few things, can't we?

I'll be patient.

"Hmm.

　Why does a single sound of clothing rubbing against my body make me feel a thrill?
　Probably much longer than I did, I heard Mira-san's voice say "I'm dressed".
　Slowly, I open my eyes and look at the voice.

　Mila-san was wearing a black swimsuit with a decorative cloth around her waist.
　Naturally, except for the parts of her body hidden by the swimsuit, her white skin was unsparingly exposed.

Isn't there something wrong with you?

　I shake my head hurriedly as she says such a thing, her cheeks dyed, and I shake my head hurriedly.

'And I think it looks good on you.'

'Thank you. Leme's praise has made all the hard work I've put into choosing it worth it.

　She tied her long hair in a knot, as if to keep her hair from getting soaked in the hot water.
　She enters the hot spring with a glossy voice.
　Mira is slowly approaching. The single tremor of the water's surface that accompanies it distracts me from the burn.

'It feels so good.'

Yeah, I guess. Also, it's nice to have a sense of freedom.

Yes, sir.

And the moon is beautiful.

''From a vampire point of view, the less intense the moonlight is, the better.''

Really?

"We are good at night, and a glimmer of moonlight is enough for us. If it is too bright, the prey will be able to see their surroundings better.　It's not a desirable way to hunt, is it?

...I see.

　It was a very difficult story to react to.
　Of course, modern vampires don't attack people and suck blood, but it was true that there was such a time.

　He couldn't help but look at her mouth.
　She laughed, probably on purpose, with her fangs peeking out.

'Do you have a good view of the hunters who are after you?'

Even if it's not Moonlight Night, you can't cross the [Vampire Queen] if she's in the mood.

'If Leme-san really resisted, not even the true ancestor, as legend has it, would be able to suck blood.

　Somehow, I managed to get enough room to talk lightly.
　Shoulders touching distance.
　In the hot water, Mira-san laid her own on my hand.

'Reme-san,'

Yes.

We'll be arriving in Leme's hometown in a few days.

That's the plan.

The original dungeon appeared near the village.

From what I've heard, part of the forest has been turned into a dungeon.

I'm glad to see that the people of the village are safe.

...Yeah, really.

"...well, I'm told that we're going to set up a base near the village.

Yes.

Leme, you're going to visit your parents once, aren't you?

That's the plan. I don't have a lot of time, but I hear they're going to start researching the next day when they arrive. I was wondering if we'd have time to talk that night.

　Tension begins to seep into Mira's voice.

''........wow, may I also say hello to you.......well.......''

Hmm, yeah. Oh, didn't we talk about this before we left?

Yes, that's right. When I think about it again, I'm wondering what position I should take in greeting you, or if I'm bothering you in the first place...!

　.........Indeed, it's a point that I've been struggling with as well.

''Mr. Ex, Margrette-san and the others are acquaintances from the adventurer's era. And.........they're human (normal). ........I.......wondered what I should greet you as 'what' of Reme-san......

My parents don't care about subhumans or anything like that.

　I'd say it, but I knew that's not what she was trying to tell me.
　I've been thinking about it, too.
　But I couldn't get my thoughts together.　

　There was a pause of silence for a while.
　I don't know if I'm going to be able to say it right, but I have to.
　I open my mouth.

"Ms. Mila.

Yes.....

''I didn't doubt that I would become a [Brave Man] in the past. When I found out about the 【Job】, I realized that I was mistaken. But I still couldn't give up after all.

Yes.

''I studied under my master, and even when other aspiring adventurers were attending a training institution (school), he and I trained together.

　Even a school is a serious place to learn. But if a group of men and women of that age get together and spend a few years together, a lot can happen. Some of them will have lovers, and even if that doesn't happen, there will be moments when they become aware of the opposite s*x.

　I wouldn't say it was an evil thought, but I lived a life where there was no room for those things to get in the way.
　I was desperate, even after I met Fenix again.

I'm not particularly gifted, so I knew I had to give it my all. "I'm not a gifted adventurer, so I had to put all my energy into it. Training, keeping track of my friends, researching...

Yes, I understand.

　When he heard that I, a [Black Mage], was going to become a hero, his master told me.
　He said it would be a long and arduous battle.

　It's not something that the world would say is impossible, useless or pointless.
　So I was going to fight it with all my might.

I don't think that's an excuse for not being a good cook or not having much experience with love. But, well, that's just the way it is.

　Some people can be busy and still do well.
　It's just that I'm not.

Yes.

　Mira listens intently.

''To be honest, it didn't hit me at first. It's not that I wouldn't react(,) but that doesn't mean I wouldn't immediately classify it as love...

...It's just like you, Leme.

　Mira smiled helplessly.

　It took a lot of courage to say it.

''I ... I, you know, Mira-san is important to me.

....!

　With a chirp, the water moved. It was because Mila's shoulder moved.

'And you know what, Kash is important too.

"--

　The joyous color that almost appeared on her face faded away.

'I care very much for Demon King-sama, Fourcas-san, Citry-san, Agares-san, and everyone else in the Demon King's Castle. They are the best of friends.

Yes.

"...and Fenix and Aerial and Wraith. The people who accept me are very precious to me, my family and my mentor. And of course, my family and my mentor.

Yeah.

　I feel Mira try to let go of her stacked hands.
　I grab it, this time from myself.
　She gave me a surprised look.

'That's when I thought about it, and I realized something funny.

Weird, huh?

For example, thanks to the Demon King and Mira-san, I was allowed to join the Demon King's army, but even if we are the same benefactor, the respect and gratitude I have for the Demon King is huge.

....

'Both Kash and Mira have been cheering me on, though I'm very happy for both of them. It's a little different from the warmth in my heart when I cheer for Kash, and the sweet numbness of Mila's support.

....

I don't know what they call it. There are different kinds of "important" things. I'm going to find out what it is that I have in mind for Mira-san. I'm sure you'll find out soon. Maybe I already know.

　My eyes meet with Mira's. Is it an illusion that her eyes seem to be moist?

'Yes....'

'But I don't think it's right to be driven by opportunity to decide 'how to introduce them to their parents'. So, Mila.

　Mila smiled and nodded.

'Yes, I'm honoured.'

　The glowing smile, however, quickly turns into a bewitching one.

''--But, Leme,''

Yes.

　Her face is swooping closer.
　Just as our lips are about to touch, it shifts and her mouth is drawn up to my ear.

'If you wouldn't keep me waiting too long. I'm nearing the end of my patience now.

　After a hot breath, her fangs touched his neck. It must have been on purpose.
　A shiver ran down my spine. It's because my body remembers the pleasure of bloodsucking.
　She smiles beautifully as she sees me doing this.

　She sits back down beside me in a good mood and rests her head on my shoulder.
　It's that kind of contact that makes it easy for me to get my heart racing again.

'A beautiful night with a beautiful moon isn't so bad, is it?'

　Her murmurings melted into the night air as they mingled with the hot water smoke.