Chapter 184

Chapter 184. School Trip (3)

One of the Five Great Heroes.

The Termal region, famous for being the resting place of the Light of Life Grace.

The fact that the tomb of a great hero is located here alone makes it a renowned tourist spot, but on top of that, the Termal region also boasts warm hot springs gushing up from various places.

A historically significant tomb and relaxing hot springs perfect for healing.

It didn’t take long for the Termal region to become one of the top tourist destinations in the three kingdoms.

Among the hot spring inns in the Termal region, the one known to accommodate the most people.

Though the exterior of the inn, built to house a large number of people at once, wasn’t particularly beautiful, the detached annex was a different story.

Unlike the main building, which was crammed with rooms like a chicken coop, the annex was surrounded by a natural landscape that made it feel like you were in the middle of a forest.

“Wow…”

Yuren… no, Yurina, who had just entered the room, let out a gasp of amazement as she looked around.

The beautiful garden and pond visible through the window.

The faint sulfur scent tickling her nose and the clean interior.

Even for her, born into a noble family and accustomed to high-end accommodations, this place was enough to draw an involuntary gasp of admiration.

“Hehe. All that fighting against the Monster Legion was worth it.”

As soon as Yurina entered the room, she tossed aside her luggage and pendant, returning to her female form, and looked around the room with an excited expression.

She liked the view from the window and the clean interior, but what really made her heart flutter was…

“Right, Dale?”

Dale, who had followed her into the room.

“Yeah. It’s nice and clean.”

I smiled awkwardly as I watched Yurina hum a tune.

We had briefly lived together before, but back then, we had separate rooms, so it was manageable.

‘The special room isn’t particularly spacious.’

It was only natural, but you couldn’t expect separate rooms in a 2-person accommodation. The only saving grace was that the beds were divided so we could each have our own.

“…Sorry. I invited you without asking, so you must be feeling awkward, right?”

Perhaps sensing that my expression wasn’t exactly bright, Yurina cautiously spoke up.

Her demeanor reminded me of Lanes, and I let out a soft chuckle, shaking my head.

“No, it’s fine. I’m actually grateful you invited me. If it weren’t for you, I’d have to share a room with Albert or Berald…”

Albert was one thing, but sharing a room with Berald was unimaginable.

‘In my past life, I suffered so much because of that guy’s snoring.’

It was no joke—there were times when monsters approaching our campsite fled in terror because of Berald’s snoring.

“Hmm. So you don’t want to share a room with other guys?”

“Huh? No, it’s not that…”

“Dale, you’re so sly.”

Yurina blushed shyly and giggled, spinning around before gently taking my hand.

A sweet scent wafted from her flowing silver hair.

“Aren’t you glad? At least you’re sharing a room with me, who’s a girl inside?”

“……”

Where did she learn to be so mischievous?

My heart raced wildly as Yurina, with her pretty smile, gently stroked my hand.

“Should I ask the inn?”

“…For what?”

“One bed… should be enough.”

“……”

This is dangerous.

My rationality is reaching its limit.

“…Dale.”

“……”

Our gazes met.

As our faces drew close enough to feel each other’s breath…

*Ding!*

[All candidates who have dropped off their luggage, assemble at the restaurant.]

A clear chime rang out from the Hero Watch.

“Ah… right! Food! Let’s eat first!”

“Ahem. Hurry, put the pendant back on.”

Yurina and I quickly pulled apart.

“Let’s go, Dale.”

Yurina put the pendant back on, returning to Yuren’s form, and we headed to the restaurant together.

“Ah, there you are.”

Just then, a familiar voice called out to us.

“…Professor Elisha?”

“Special room users don’t eat at the main building restaurant. There’s another dining area in the annex.”

“Ah, I see.”

I nodded and approached her.

“By the way, what brings you here, Professor?”

“I can’t just leave the outstanding candidates who received commendations to their own devices, can I?”

“Ah.”

So she’s here as a supervising professor.

“My room is also in this annex, so feel free to visit if you’d like, Candidate Dale.”

Professor Elisha tugged lightly on my necktie and whispered in a seductive voice.

“Didn’t you say only same-gender room invitations are allowed, Professor?”

Yuren glared at Professor Elisha with sharp eyes, pulling me away.

Professor Elisha shrugged nonchalantly, unfazed by Yuren’s fierce gaze.

“Professors have their own privileges.”

“Heh. That’s information I never wanted to know.”

“Fufu. If we’re talking about privileges, isn’t Candidate Yuren the one enjoying their own special privilege?”

“That’s just due to unavoidable circumstances.”

“What a convenient circumstance indeed.”

Yurina and Professor Elisha stared each other down.

As the atmosphere between them grew chilly…

“Everyone’s here.”

Iris and Camila appeared in the hallway.

Their arrival slightly eased the tension.

As we stood in the hallway waiting for the other special room members…

“So the special room candidates eat separately in the annex?”

“That’s what I heard.”

Sophia walked down the hallway from a distance.

Behind her was Lanes, looking completely intimidated.

“Ah, D-Dale!”

Lanes, spotting me, ran over like a puppy finding its owner and stood by my side.

“How’s the room?”

“I-I like it. The view is nice… but…”

Lanes glanced nervously at Sophia.

It seemed she hadn’t built much rapport with Sophia yet, as her eyes showed a hint of fear when looking at her.

Sophia, noticing Lanes’ gaze, crossed her arms and turned her head sharply.

“…Hmph. If I’m making you uncomfortable, go use another room.”

“N-No! It’s not that you’re uncomfortable or anything…”

Lanes frantically shook her head and approached Sophia.

She gently tugged on Sophia’s sleeve and continued in a trembling voice.

“I-I know. Sophia… you used your invitation for me.”

Given Lanes’ personality, sharing a 6-person room with candidates she wasn’t close to would’ve been torture.

So…

Sophia used her invitation to invite Lanes to her room.

“S-Sophia… even though you seem scary… I know you’ve always… looked out for me.”

“…Who said I was looking out for you?”

Sophia turned her head away, her tone sharp.

But her face betrayed a hint of guilt she couldn’t hide.

Before Lanes was saved by Dale…

Sophia had known about the bullying but chose to turn a blind eye.

It’s not my business, so I’ll just ignore it.

She closed her eyes and ears.

“…No. When we first enrolled… you helped me up when I fell, and you gave me a handkerchief when my clothes got dirty.”

“What are you talking about? I don’t remember doing that…”

“E-Even if you don’t remember. I do.”

Lanes tugged firmly on Sophia’s sleeve.

“It’s just… I’m not used to being… friends yet.”

“…Hmph.”

Sophia snorted and fiddled with her hair, pretending to be indifferent.

“By the way, where’s Berald?”

“Everyone’s here!”

Speak of the devil.

Berald walked over, waving his hand.

“Hahaha! The special room is amazing! The room is so nice!”

“Berald! Let’s go…!”

Walking beside Berald was a delicate-looking blond candidate.

“Juliet?”

“Ahaha. Hi, Dale.”

“Are you sharing a room with Berald?”

“Y-Yeah. I didn’t do much during the war… I feel kind of bad.”

“Haha! Brother Juliet, you helped me during summer vacation!”

Berald laughed heartily and patted Juliet’s shoulder.

“Then… the remaining candidates are…”

“This is everyone.”

“Huh? Aren’t Albert and Aaron still missing?”

“Candidate Aaron couldn’t join the trip due to personal reasons, and Candidate Albert refused to use the special room and decided to share a 6-person room with the other candidates.”

“Ah.”

That Albert.

He ended up giving up after being tormented by the other candidates.

“Alright, let’s head to the hot springs.”

“Huh? Not the restaurant?”

“The dining area in the annex has a different meal time than the main building. They said to come later.”

“Ah.”

Following Professor Elisha, we headed to the hot springs.

“Then, let’s meet at the entrance in an hour.”

“Got it.”

At the fork leading to the men’s and women’s baths.

Heading to the men’s bath were me, Berald, Juliet, and…

Yuren.

“Wait.”

*Thud.*

Iris grabbed Yuren by the back of the neck.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“I…”

“My, how coincidental. It seems everyone here knows Yuren… no, Yurina’s secret.”

Iris smirked.

Yurina clicked her tongue and turned toward the women’s bath.

And so, Yurina joined the women’s bath.

As expected of the annex hot springs, only those staying in the special rooms were using it.

*Rustle, rustle.*

While undressing in the changing room before entering the hot springs, everyone’s gaze naturally focused on one woman.

“…Why is everyone staring at me?”

Iris covered her chest with her arms as the surrounding gazes—more accurately, the gazes focused on her chest—intensified.

*Squish.*

Of course, her arms couldn’t possibly cover her chest, which only emphasized its size as it slightly pressed against them.

“…Still as impressive as ever.”

“Professor Elisha isn’t far behind, either.”

“Fufu. How could I compare to Candidate Iris?”

Professor Elisha shrugged and undressed.

Following her, Yurina also undressed.

“Ohh. I don’t often see you in your female form… but Candidate Yurina is quite impressive too.”

“Ah! D-Don’t touch me!”

Amidst the lively atmosphere, the ‘haves’ played around.

“Tch.”

“Ugh…”

Meanwhile, the ‘have-nots’ hid in the corner of the changing room, quickly covering themselves with towels.

Camila and Sophia, swallowing their sighs, glared at the ‘haves’ with eyes full of resentment, like proletarians crying out for revolution.

“Hehe. All of us in the hot springs together… it’s like a dream.”

“Lanes. Come here.”

“Huh? Why?”

“That’s the territory of the haves.”

Sophia pulled Lanes over.

Lanes tilted her head as she undressed.

And then…

*Boing.*

An onomatopoeia that shouldn’t have been heard brushed past the ears of the have-nots.

“L-Lanes… you… what’s that?”

“Huh? W-What do you mean? Is there something wrong with me?”

“N-No.”

Normally, Lanes wore loose clothes and hunched over, so no one had noticed.

But hidden beneath her thick clothes were two fruits that mocked the have-nots with their overflowing size.

“Y-You traitor!”

Though not as large as Iris, Lanes’ size rivaled Yurina’s… or perhaps even Professor Elisha’s.

Sophia glared at Lanes with eyes full of resentment.

“We’re friends…! We’re friends…!!!”

In the season of cold winds…

The tears of the have-nots soaked the earth.