Chapter 5: Rin-Rin and the Hero
After parting with Candice, I decided to go meet someone who knew about giants.
That person was a knowledgeable grandmother who ran an inn at the top of one of the world’s highest mountains.
Wearing my iron mask, I went there.
“Oh my, what an unusual guest we have here.”
“Ah, it’s me.”
“Well well, I never imagined someone of your stature would visit personally.”
“I have something I want to ask.”
“Is that so? Coincidentally, someone just came saying the same thing a moment ago. Someone with deep ties to you.”
“I see.”
“I told that person to take a bath first before I’d answer their questions. Would you also like to take a bath first?”
“Ah.”
There was an outdoor hot spring on top of this massive mountain, wasn’t there? Following her suggestion, I’ll ask my questions after taking a bath. It should be a good change of pace too.
I undressed in the changing room and became completely naked. I thought I looked pretty cool doing some poses in front of the mirror.
This is just about everything below my neck though… Even though my face is plain, my physique is incredibly cool. I have lots of scars too, but you could call them honorable wounds, so they’re cool in the end.
What a real shame. Really, it’s just my face that’s the problem.
Well then, let me hide this plain face with my iron mask and get into the outdoor hot spring. Apparently there’s already someone else there, but to come bathe in a hot spring at the top of a mountain like this—what a serious enthusiast.
I opened the door and entered the bath. Steam was rising, making it hard to see. But I could tell someone was already in the bath.
“D-Dan!?”
It was Rin.
“A-ah, um. Cover yourself first!!”
Ah, crap. I carelessly forgot. I completely forgot to cover myself down there. I also forgot this was a mixed bath, but if there’s a woman here, I’d like some warning. Especially when it’s Rin—this is way beyond just being nervous.
She’s incredibly beautiful too. I only saw for an instant, but her flawless body without a single blemish, her hair as beautiful as gold spun into fine threads.
Conclusion: incredibly beautiful. I almost got flustered, but I have no choice but to put on my usual bluff!
“It’s… it’s so big… I-I didn’t know…”
Rin is muttering something under her breath.
What is this lucky pervert event!? If this were me from back when I liked Rin, I would have been overjoyed, but that’s ancient history.
Now I just get nervous… and I’m supposed to be a hero! I’m already 30 years old, I’ve saved the world multiple times, but I still haven’t been able to get married.
Really, I’m 30 years old—I should hurry up and get married or something to put my parents at ease.
“J-just hurry up and get in the bath. What are you dawdling around for?”
“Ah, right.”
I normally washed my body and soaked in the bath. Rin had undone her usual twin tails and put them up in a bun so they wouldn’t get wet in the water. How cute.
If this were the usual me, I’d get nervous or my face would stiffen because she’s cute. If Rin noticed this, it would reveal that despite being plain-looking, I’ve been playing the haughty character type, and that I’m actually small-hearted at core.
If that got exposed, it would be beyond embarrassing. However, I’m wearing an iron mask because I’m self-conscious about being plain. Therefore, you can’t see my facial expressions changing.
“It’s been a while.”
“Ah.”
“How have you been recently?”
“Same as always—perfect.”
“You really never change, do you?”
I can see the moon floating in the night sky, and I’m just focusing my attention there. Trying not to look at Rin’s body as much as possible…
“Have you ever taught magic to anyone?”
“No.”
“…Recently, there was someone using strangely skillful magic. I don’t know if they’re strong, but be careful. You’re too active in too many places.”
“Do you think I’d lose?”
“I don’t think so. Among everyone I’ve seen, you’re the strongest. If you asked me who’s second, I wouldn’t even feel like answering.”
“There’s no way I’d lose. I wouldn’t even get injured. It’s different from the old days.”
“My, you’re confident… though I suppose that’s natural.”
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Splash splash, occasionally I can hear the sound of water in the bathtub. Hmm, even though we spent years together, I’m getting nervous and can’t start a conversation from my end.
“What did you have for breakfast?”
“Eh? Me?”
“Yeah.”
“Um, eggs and salad and such.”
I’m terrible at conversation!! I wish I could have had a more substantial conversation. But I’m a virgin including my previous life, so it can’t be helped!!
It can’t be helped because I’m a virgin!!
“What about you?”
“Meat and salad and eggs and nuts, and meat.”
“You said meat twice. That’s a healthy meal. Well, whatever. I don’t get many chances to talk with you, so c-can I ask you various things? Not that there’s any deep meaning to it…”
“…Are you married?”
“Eh!? N-no, I’m not… M-marriage, huh, I’ve been thinking it’s about time though…”
“I see.”
So Rin also has the awareness that she’s at a good age. There isn’t that much of an age difference between her and me. But Rin is royalty of the fairy folk.
I hear that royalty tends to marry early, but apparently she’s not like that.
Does she have similar values to me, a commoner, or does she not have a partner? But there’s Sakura. Maybe she’s waiting for the right timing for marriage.
“W-what about you?”
“I have no comment.”
“Oh, I see. What type of woman is your type?”
“Hmm… someone good at cooking, I suppose.”
“Ah, yes.” (I’ll definitely practice cooking…)
“What about you then?”
“A-as for me. S-strong, and really strong, and strong even at crucial moments… though he might be a bit rough with words sometimes, you can glimpse his kindness, or rather…”
That’s Sakura. Sakura is strong enough to be called a sword master. his language was quite rough when I first met him, and I know he has a kind personality.
“Well, various things, like being dense in some ways…”
Rin keeps glancing at me. A gaze that seems to be appealing for something… the meaning of this gaze is… there’s no way I’d understand!
I can’t read minds either.
“How long were you in here?”
“About an hour. I didn’t think anyone would come, so I was taking my time. Nobody comes to an inn at the top of such a high mountain. Besides, the people who can even get here are limited.”
“That’s true.”
“Lotus Inn. It’s a secret hot spring that even the first hero used.”
“I see. Did you have something you wanted to ask? Lotus said so.”
“Ah, she’s a knowledgeable grandmother. I had things I wanted to ask.”
“Things to ask, huh.”
“Various things… there are deep circumstances.”
“Hmm, I see.”
Rin has always been knowledgeable, but even she has things she doesn’t understand. Since she was passionate about researching magic, maybe she’s thinking of trying her hand at new magic. Heh, maybe I should learn from this kind of attitude.
“What about you?”
“…Deep circumstances. This could determine the fate of the world.”
“…I see. You’re always like that, working hard.”
Being a Hero, I’m getting tired of this soon and want to quit! By the way, I’m looking for a disciple to pass things on to, and I want a giant’s disciple, so tell me about giants!*
There’s absolutely no way I can say that.
“Ah, I have deep circumstances.”
“I also have deep circumstances.”
“”…”” ((What should I do, this isn’t deep at all!))
“…” (Dan’s body is incredibly muscular. He wouldn’t get angry if I touched it a little, right?)
“…” (Rin is beautiful. Just soaking in the bathtub, she looks like a painting. Sigh, my heart is racing. Good thing I’m wearing the iron mask. She won’t notice me glancing at her either.)
“…Y-your body is really amazing after all. You’re still training.”
“That’s right.”
“…Can I touch it?”
“…I don’t mind.”
“…Eh, what is this, so hard!? Eh? Do you have iron in there?”
“I don’t.”
“I-I’m nothing compared to this… w-want to try touching mine?”
“…Right.”
Is it really okay to touch? But she said it’s fine herself…
“…Nn… ah, nnn.”
Don’t make weird sounds! It’s making me feel weird too!
“Well, it’s soft.”
“…Hey, do you normally touch collarbones? I thought you’d go for arms or something.”
“Either way, it’s soft to me.”
“I see…” (D-dangerous, I think being touched flipped some weird switch. If he continued like this and touched other places too…)
If this continues, it’s going to get weird. I should probably get out soon.
“…Are you done already?”
“…Yeah.”
“I see.”
I thought for a moment that I might have had a chance, and felt a bit regretful.
After that, we both got out of the bath…
“…”
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