Chapter 37: The Tables Have Turned! Abel Strikes Back!

Keithwood’s words rang true. The cavern turned out to be far larger and deeper than its narrow opening suggested. The short tunnel that served as an entrance curved a little, creating a natural barrier against the wind. As the group proceeded further into the widening expanse, they found it surprisingly temperate inside. However...

“Milord,” Keithwood whispered to Sion as they walked, “this cavern...there’s something uncanny about it.”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

“It’s...unnatural. I can’t say for certain, but this...” He pressed his palm to the wall of the cave, feeling its surface as he walked. “This doesn’t look like the work of nature.”

“...Should we expect unfriendly company?”

“Good question. This place doesn’t exactly look lived in. I suspect any company we run into will probably be of the dead sort. Not exactly agreeable, but not dangerous either. Unless you trip over them.”

Nothing about the cavern seemed recently disturbed, and there hadn’t been even the semblance of a path leading here. Even if people had lived inside, they were probably ancient history by now.

“Assuming, of course,” Keithwood added with a toothy grin, “they’re not shambling around or see-through.”

Sion gave him a level look before glancing backward.

“...Either way, we’re better off inside. That storm is definitely our biggest concern right now. Still, some extra caution can’t hurt. We are tasked with ensuring the safety of the Great Sage of the Empire, after all,” he said, his gaze settling on Mia who, crouched near the entrance, was gingerly peeking over a rock at the violent weather outside.

“Agreed. Let’s have a quick meeting so we can get everyone on the same page. Also, we should remind people to stay in groups at all times. Solo activities are to be avoided.”

The two of them continued to engage in serious discussion. Meanwhile, over by the cave entrance...

“It really came down, didn’t it? I’m completely drenched.” Mia wrung the hem of her shirt, and a stream of water gushed out, speaking to the sheer volume of rain they’d walked through. “Everything’s dripping wet. I know it’s summer, but I still feel like I might catch a cold.”

“...Right. Hopefully not. Not catch a cold, I mean.”

“...Mm?”

Abel’s response had come a half second late and was a little incoherent. Her curiosity piqued, she eyed him and found him looking away, his cheeks a little too rosy to be entirely normal. Then she looked down at herself. Her clothes were stuck to her skin, revealing a vague glimpse of her underclothes. Suddenly, it all made sense.

My, my Abel. Is my current state a little too risqué for you? Am I making your heart flutter?

The thought flipped a switch in her head, and Seductress Mia took the reins. She grinned, her earlier reservation replaced by impish enthusiasm. In her mind, swimsuits were underwear that were worn in water. However conservative and unrevealing their design, they were still embarrassing to be seen in. Underwear was underwear, waterproof or not.

Conversely, right now, she was undeniably clothed. They’d gone translucent and her skin was showing, but by the same logic, outerwear was outerwear. So long as she was wearing that much, she felt no shame. Indeed, by the power of rationalization invested within her by her inner twenty-year-old, Mia could prance around in soggy clothes with utter confidence. Yes, Abel was developing a rather masculine frame that tugged at her eyeballs and made her heart go aflutter, but she still had the advantage of age. Mia was still the big sister in this relationship! So...

Mmhmhm, what an adorable reaction, Abel. I think I’m going to have some fun with you.

Teasing Master Mia moved to assert her dominance. She was a predator, ready to pounce on her helplessly callow prey. Armed with the confidence of a grown woman, she would toy with the young boy’s innocence and savor his nervous naivety. She opened her mouth, only for Abel to beat her to the punch.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

He took off his thin coat and flung it around her. Then, ever so gently, he pulled it over her shoulders.

“...Eh?”

Her grown-woman confidence evaporated, taking with it the words she’d prepared for her opening jab. Mouth agape, she could but watch in shock as Abel went in for his follow-up strike.

“Your clothes, uh... They’re showing through. Have been for a while. So, here. You can wear this. It’s just as wet though. Sorry about that,” he said, buttoning his coat over her with perfect gentlemanly grace before fixing her with a look of concern. “Honestly, Mia, you need to be more conscious of your own charms. Your skin, it’s beautiful, but you really shouldn’t go around showing it to everybody. It’s...distracting. For me especially.”

He then averted his gaze again, still obviously embarrassed. Mia countered with a second “Eh?” It was just as inept as the first. She gawked at the coatless Abel, upper body clad in only a shirt. The muscles under the short sleeves, toned through copious amounts of sword practice, showed through. Standing there with his arms crossed, he looked so strong...and gallant...and dreamy! Her chest tightened in spite of herself.

With his deft counter-stroke, Abel had bested Mia’s big sister offensive. The tables had turned, and she was now at his mercy!

Wh-Wh-What in the— Abel! You— Ooooh, what is the deal with you?! H-How can you just...say stuff like that?! Moons! You’re so...so... Ugh!

Red in the face and lips quivering, Mia couldn’t help but squirm on the spot. Fortunately for her, Abel, having already gone to speak with Sion, didn’t witness her embarrassment. That alone kept her from melting into a puddle of shame, but when she finally composed herself enough to think it through, she realized something else infuriating.

...Wait a minute. Did you just leave me by myself?! After you casually toy with my emotions, you just walk off?! Wh-What am I supposed to do with all these pent-up feelings then?!

Her yearning heart still fluttered, roused but denied its outlet. She fought the urge to scream in frustration. While she suffered, she heard Esmeralda’s voice from further within the cavern.

“Oh? Is it getting damper or something? The temperature here feels a little different from the entrance. Hey, Ni— I mean, you. Don’t you think so too?”

Her casually oblivious tone further grated Mia’s fraying nerves.