Chapter 12: Lodging

We finally made it back to the inn after five days.

I walked into the room with Kazuya, dropped our bags wherever, and collapsed onto the sofa in the living room. As expected from a high-class inn, it was just as comfy as it looked.

My body sank into the cushions. And before I knew it, that dangerous urge to just melt into it completely took over. I gave in. Let everything go.

“Hey, Miki. Time for dinner. Get up.”

“…Huh?”

Someone was gently shaking me. I blinked awake, dazed. Guess I’d passed out—lured straight to sleep by the sofa’s evil softness.

But… something felt off.

I wasn’t just leaning against the cushions. There was something else. Something warm.

No way.

I turned my head—and there he was. Kazuya, smiling like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Apparently, I’d fallen asleep with my head resting on him. Not just that—I was holding his hand.

I instantly pulled away and scooted back like I’d touched fire.

“Kazuya, you—! Why are you over here?! Weren’t you sitting on that couch?!”

I pointed to the one across from us. Yeah, I was sure. That’s where he was before I dozed off.

“Well, you sat down and knocked out right away,” he said. “So I came over. Then you leaned into me. Honestly, I was kind of happy. Sleeping Miki—with your hair all messy—was even cuter than usual.”

What kind of reasoning is that?! And what do you mean, I leaned on you?!

N-No, even if that’s true… what’s with the hand-holding?! Why were we holding hands?!

“Y-You better not have done anything weird! And the hand! Why were you holding my hand?!”

“Hey now, give me some credit. I didn’t do anything. And the hand? That was all you. You grabbed mine. Do I look like the type to take advantage of a sleeping girl? If I were, I’d have made a move long ago—like, I dunno, in the morning, when you’re asleep.”

Ugh… fair point.

He never touches me when I’m asleep. Just stares sometimes. Which is creepy, but still technically harmless.

And now that I think about it, yeah… I was holding his hand.

Did I really reach for it in my sleep…? That’s… possible, I guess.

“I don’t take advantage of sleeping Miki,” he said—like it was some kind of proud declaration.

Yeah. Okay. I believe him.

“…Alright. I’ll trust you, Kazuya.”

But just as I said that, a thought hit me.

Wait—he specifically said “sleeping” Miki.

“…What about when I’m awake?”

“Oh? You caught that, huh?”

He stood up, crossed his arms, and boldly declared,

“I will make a move!”

“Hey!!”

I smacked him without thinking. Who says that with their whole chest?!

“Relax,” he added. “If you say no, I stop. That was our deal, remember?”

Oh, right. That was the deal.

“Ahh, yeah. I remember.”

“There you go. Now—let’s eat.”

He took my hand and helped me up. That part was fine.

But… he didn’t let go.

“I—I don’t like this.”

I tugged my hand free.

“Oh? That’s too bad. You were holding it just fine earlier…”

He let go easily but muttered it like he was genuinely disappointed.

Holding hands… That’s something you do with family. Or lovers.

---

After that, we left the inn and had dinner.

The place does serve meals, but only if you ask ahead—and they charge way too much. Not worth it.

When we got back, we started talking about baths.

“You go first,” Kazuya said. “I need to do some weapon maintenance.”

He pulled out his sword and light armor and got to work.

“Then I’ll go ahead! I haven’t had a proper bath in forever—Kazuya, I’m going in!”

Most inns for adventurers—or even just normal people—don’t have baths. Usually, you just wipe down with a warm cloth.

Back in the elven village, though, every house had one. Even public baths. Always hot, thanks to magic tools.

This inn was like that. A hot bath, just like in my old life. Probably powered by a magic device.

I tied up my hair, slid into the tub, and stretched out.

The bath was huge—two adults could easily fit and still have room. High-end inns really do go all out.

I soaked quietly, letting the warmth sink deep into my bones.

Later, I slipped on the provided bathrobe. Nice and roomy. Comfy. Easy to take off, too.

“I’m out! The bath’s huge and amazing! Kazuya, go take yours already!”

He’d just finished putting his gear away.

“Got it. Also, that post-bath robe look? Very nice.”

“Stop saying weird stuff and get moving.”

He raised his hands like he was surrendering.

“Hey, it’s important! I’ve gotta burn Miki’s radiant beauty into my brain.”

He stepped closer, one hand on his chin, the other on his hip, slowly scanning me from toe to head like he was analyzing a painting.

“…That’s the weird stuff. Go.”

I smacked him lightly and pushed him toward the bath.

A little while later, he came out, steam still rising from his body.

Meanwhile, I was getting cold in just the robe.

“That bath was incredible. But man, I’m roasting.”

“You were in there forever. That good, huh?”

“Yeah. It’s rare to find a bath where I can stretch out completely. Might be my first time. Total bliss.”

“It is nice and spacious.”

“Next time, let’s go in together.”

I froze.

In the village, public baths were mixed. Everyone went in together, totally naked.

But still…

“Nope. Not happening.”

“Aw. Still, I won’t give up.”

“Not a chance. Anyway, I’m going to bed.”

I started getting ready, but Kazuya pressed his palms together in apology.

“Sorry. Still feel like a furnace. Mind if I cool off a bit?”

He did look like a walking sauna. But I was already cold, and I’d been waiting.

Forget it—I’ll just go ahead.

“I’m cooling down, so I’m sleeping first. …And don’t forget your promise.”

With that last reminder, I headed to the bedroom alone.

---

I stepped into the bedroom and set up a barrier—just to be safe. One that only Kazuya could pass through.

Then I slipped off my bathrobe and changed into my sleepwear.

From now on, just like six months ago, I’d be sleeping in the same bed as Kazuya.

Just thinking about it made a slow wave of embarrassment rise in me.

Wait—no, it’s not like that. Sharing a bed doesn’t mean anything’s going to happen. We’re just sleeping. That’s all.

Nothing will happen. Kazuya even said so himself.

I trust him. I really do... but still. But still.

...Yeah, no point in overthinking it. I already agreed. Time to brace myself.

I slid under the covers of the king-sized bed, shifted toward the edge, and stretched out.

The mattress had that perfect balance of soft and firm, the sheets were smooth, and the comforter felt amazing against my skin.

Ah... if only I could sleep naked. It would feel even better. If only this were a single room...

Even with those thoughts spinning around, sleep took me easily. My breathing settled, and I drifted off.

---

The next morning, Kazuya woke me up.

I found myself in the center of the bed.

I was sure I’d fallen asleep at the edge, but… well, I’ve never been a graceful sleeper.

“Kazuya, good morning. You didn’t do anything, right?”

Kazuya sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.

“That’s the first thing out of your mouth...? No, I didn’t do anything. If anything… actually—never mind.”

He trailed off, voice dropping too low to catch.

Still half-asleep, my brain lagged behind.

“Oooh? So there was something?”

“Nope. Nothing. I didn’t do a thing. Now get dressed, we’re going to eat.”

He offered me a hand.

I took it and stood, wobbling slightly as I got up from the bed. But the moment I let go, Kazuya pulled me into a hug.

Warm arms wrapped around me. My still-sleepy body didn’t resist. I just sank into him, into that safe, quiet space.

For a moment, I forgot to react. Forgot to think. Just let myself rest in his embrace.

But then it hit me—what I was doing, what he was doing—and I jerked back.

Or tried to.

He didn’t let go.

Why isn’t he letting go?

Then, softly, Kazuya whispered,

“…This is your fault, Miki.”

My fault?

Still dazed and flustered, I blinked, trying to figure out what he meant.

And then it clicked.

Right—what I said earlier.

“I—I don’t like this! Let go!”

The moment I said it, he let go without hesitation.

Before I could say anything else, he spoke.

“You were wobbling. I thought it was dangerous, so I held you. You good now?”

Ah… now that he mentions it, I was a little unsteady. But still—that’s just an excuse, isn’t it?

...Or maybe it wasn’t.

Yesterday, Kazuya said he wouldn’t make a move. And he hasn’t.

He’s staying true to his word.

Besides, if I really hated it—any of it—I could just tell him to stop.

But I haven’t.

Because if I do, if I say those words out loud… it would mean rejecting all of it. All of him.

And maybe… just maybe… that’s not what I want.

Somewhere deep inside, I think I’m starting to want this.

His warmth, his presence—part of me is beginning to welcome it.

Maybe that’s proof.

That feelings like those... are finally starting to grow.