Vol 10 Epilogue (1/2)
Epilogue
”Mononobe-kun, how did we end up like this?”
Inside a cramped and stuffy bathroom, I heard Ariella's voice
”It's Ren who forced us into here”
While trying my best not to look at Ariella's body, I replied
The two of us were each wrapped in a bath towel, alone here Feeling self-conscious was unavoidable
”Since everyone had a turn in the hot spring to talk to you, so I can't be the only exception, what a contrived reason, but”
”Ren won't be happy unless it's the same”
I s
”I wouldn't find it unfair”
Ariella se of her tiny bath towel
I could not help but feel s I shook my head to dispel the dilemma
Outside the bathroo in Charlotte's private room
Midgard was still in chaos despite surviving a major crisis We were ordered to stay on standby here for now
However, not everyone was present
Handling various business in Charlotte's case and taking care of the aftermath for the defense system and unone outside
After returning fro, Kili reported about her revival of Major Loki then left with shi+nomiya-sensei to another room
Perhaps while I was desperately suppressing Code Lost, it was thanks to Kili healing Major Loki that things had not reached a dire state
Presemably, he would continue to treat Charlotte and the Ds as ene trouble foron humanity's behalf
Also, putting that aside, I was honestly quite happy to know that I had not broken my promise with Iris to not kill anyone
I ht she de her nocturnal visit, I felt a bit disturbed
Slightly earlier, Ren had said ”Onee-chan still hasn't shared a bath with Onii-chan, it's not fair!” Had Kili been present, it would have turned into quite a mess
If I were to hazard a guess, Ren was probably standing sternly in front of the changing area right now like a gate guardian
Mitsuki was a with roup did not include Tia or Kili
”Oh well Anyway, let's have a dip first since we've sweated so much”
When I estion, Ariella nodded
”Yeah It was such a long day, I'm all covered in sweat—”
While speaking, Ariella suddenly made a nervous look and took a step back away from me
”I-I ot to hurry and shower first!”
Going red, Ariella swiftly turned the shower faucet
”N-Not at all—”
I wanted to reassure her she did not, but e of water
Ariella kept sweating being conscious of my presence She fled into the bathtub
”M-Mononobe-kun, coe yourself, I won't knohere to look”
Ariella averted her gaze in eed me
”O-Oh okay, got it”
Although the critical part was covered, I supposefor Ariella And her reaction was also e from my heart too
I rapidly rinsed myself under the shower then dipped myself into the tub
”Phew”
Surrounded by the warm bathwater, my nervousness naturally dissipated and I could not help but sigh out of comfort
”Mononobe-kun, you've worked hard today”
Seeing me like that, Ariella praised me with a smile
”Same to you, Ariella, you've worked hard too”
”Well Half of it was reaping what I sowed”
Scratching her cheek, Ariella replied in a tone of self-deprecation
”Even if that's true, in the other half, you did everything you could to protect everyone Good work You don't have to feel apologetic towards anyone”
Even towards yourself as well—To convey this e, I spoke in a serious tone of voice
”Mononobe-kun You're so kind”
She s eye contact with me, she went red and lowered her head
”But I hope you can stop saying such cool things I'm too ashamed to look you in the face”
”S-Sorry”
I could not help but apologize to her With her head bowed, Ariella's shoulders shook
”Fufu, no need to say sorry I'm the one at fault”
Saying that, she placed her hand over her chest Then as though co to some kind of decision, she suddenly raised her head
”—Mononobe-kun, I've got a favor to ask you”
”What is it?”
Slightly stunned by her gaze, I asked in response
”In truth When you touched ue Although I reh our minds But it's different froave us this chance I'd like a do over”
Saying that, her face turned even redder Finally, just as her ears turned burning red, she spoke the final part of her request
”Mononobe-kun—C-Could you touch et a real sense of beco the same as you”
”—Got it”
With virtually no hesitation, I nodded at Ariella as staring at me seriously Since she had put in so much effort to make her request, there was no way I could deny her
However, there was a probleon mark—
”Thank you Mononobe-kun Since it's underwater, it should be less e Please proceed”
Despite her words, her face was already completely red Ariella slowly approached me
When she grabbed an to pound
”Umm Where do I touch—”
When I asked slightly anxiously, Ariella whispered at a barely audible volume
”Lower abdomen Under the belly button I-It'll be bad if you touch anywhere weird, so I'll guide you”
Saying that, Ariella pulled my arm hesitantly
”—”
She guided my hand towards her lower abdo up while ertips touched her supple and tender body subed in the bathwater
”Ah Not, there Higher—Don't ers like that”
A struggling voice came out of Ariella's lips
With her face bright red, she corrected my hand's position
Still in contact with her skin, ertips her
”This place is on mark”
Despite looking very shy, Ariella declared with a contented expression
”Really? So that's the spot I'ht now”
”Yeah You're touching it”