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The green light from Ryuu's magic slowly faded, leaving Shirou's previously bruised skin now smooth and unblemished. The sharp pain that had once stabbed at him was now nothing more than a faint, warm sensation. Shirou moved his shoulder slowly, testing to see if there was any lingering pain, but it seemed Ryuu's magic had been truly effective.
"Thank you, Ryuu," Shirou said sincerely, slightly lifting his head from Syr's lap.
Ryuu simply gave a small nod, maintaining her calm expression, though a sense of guilt still lingered in her heart.
However, before the moment could continue any longer, Syr's cheerful voice broke the silence. "Hmm, so..." she said in a teasing tone, looking at the two of them with her characteristic mischievous smile. "Now, Ryuu, why don't you open Shirou's pants? Let's check if there are any wounds there, too?"
"W-WHAT?!"
Syr's reaction immediately made her giggle. Both Shirou and Ryuu's eyes widened, their faces turning red in an instant.
"N-No need!" Shirou quickly exclaimed, his body tensing up. "I don't feel any pain below the waist, so there's no need to check!"
Ryuu also hurriedly looked down, her face growing even redder. "I-I wouldn't do something like that...! That's... that's not appropriate... before marriage..." she murmured softly, but loud enough for the two of them to hear.
Shirou nearly choked on her response, while Syr laughed even harder. "Hahaha! You two are really too innocent!" she said with a satisfied tone, her stomach shaking from how amused she was by their reactions.
Shirou could only sigh in resignation. Why does something weird like this always happen whenever I'm near Syr...? he thought, covering his face with his hands. Meanwhile, Ryuu looked like she wanted to disappear from the scene as quickly as possible.
Syr was still chuckling, clearly enjoying how easily the two of them could be teased. "Alright, alright, I was just joking," she finally said, though her tone still carried a hint of mischief. "But if you suddenly feel pain in your lower body, just let me know, okay? Ryuu will be more than happy to check it out."
"SYR!!!" Ryuu almost shouted while Shirou could only shake his head in resignation.
Ryuu's face was still slightly red after Syr's teasing, and she eventually decided to avoid any further embarrassment with a reasonable excuse. "I... I'll go back to my room for now," she said in a somewhat stiff voice. "I need to take a bath."
Without waiting for a response, she quickly turned around and walked away. However, Shirou could see that the tips of the elf's ears were still tinged with red. She's really embarrassed, huh... Shirou thought with a slight smile.
After Ryuu left, Shirou tried to get up from Syr's lap, but before he could fully lift himself, Syr's gentle hand casually pressed against his chest, telling him to stay lying down.
"Don't rush. Relax a little longer," Syr said with her soft smile.
"But—"
Shirou was about to protest, but then he realized he still wasn't wearing his tunic. His face tensed slightly as he glanced at his neatly folded clothes beside him.
"I'm not wearing any clothes right now," he protested in a half-resigned tone.
Syr chuckled softly upon hearing his complaint. "Oh, you're so spoiled," she teased as she picked up Shirou's tunic, which she had folded earlier, and skillfully began putting it back on him.
Shirou could only stay silent as Syr casually pulled his arm through the sleeve and helped him slip his head into the garment. Once the tunic was properly back on, he let out a soft sigh, feeling a bit more comfortable, though his pride had been slightly bruised.
I didn't ask you to dress me... Why are you calling me spoiled? Shirou grumbled inwardly, but he didn't dare say it out loud. He knew all too well that if he retorted now, it would only lead to more teasing from Syr.
After finishing dressing him, Syr smiled contentedly and, before Shirou could move, her hand gently pulled his head back down to rest on her lap.
"See? Now it's much better," she said cheerfully. "You can rest peacefully."
Shirou could only sigh, realizing there was no point in resisting Syr once she had decided on something. Eventually, he closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the comfort Syr was providing.
Syr continued to gently stroke Shirou's red hair as if savoring the moment. With a smile, she casually asked, "So, how was the training earlier? I know Ryuu can't hold back when she's serious."
Shirou glanced at Syr, then closed his eyes again. "Hmm... well, I learned a lot," he answered calmly. He didn't want to go into too much detail about his training with Ryuu, especially since he had to hide the fact that he had reached Level 4. To avoid further interrogation, he instead asked, "By the way, have you ever trained with Ryuu? How do you know she can't hold back?"
Syr giggled softly. "Me? Train? Ahaha, of course not. I'm just an ordinary human, not good at fighting at all," she said playfully. "I know because Anya, Chloe, and Lunoire have told me. They said Ryuu is too harsh during sparring."
Shirou raised an eyebrow. "Anya and the others are adventurers too?" he asked curiously.
Syr put a finger to her lips and whispered, "Don't tell them I told you, okay...?" She then smiled mysteriously before continuing, "They're like Ryuu, adventurers who are semi-retired."
Shirou nodded slowly, taking in the information. He had already suspected that there was something unusual about the staff at the Hostess of Fertility, but this was still surprising. If her former adventurer colleagues still respected Mama Mia, it meant that the woman was far stronger than they.
So, Mama Mia isn't just an ordinary tavern owner, but someone who might be much stronger than she appears... Shirou concluded in his mind. Instantly, he felt even more intrigued to learn more about the people around him.
Syr continued to play with Shirou's red hair, letting the silence fill the air for a moment before finally saying in a teasing tone, "Shirou, you're quite clever when it comes to approaching women. Even Ryuu, who has never touched a man before, didn't hesitate to apply the potion to your body."
Shirou slightly opened his eyes and glanced at Syr before closing them again. "Huh? Really?" he asked flatly, not paying much attention to the first part of Syr's sentence about him being good at approaching women. To him, it was just a coincidence.
Syr chuckled softly at his reaction. "Yes. Most elves don't like being touched by other races, especially those from Ryuu's homeland. They even consider it disgraceful to be touched by a different race," she explained gently. "Although Ryuu doesn't hold such fanatical views, the habits and culture of her homeland still influence her."
Shirou fell silent for a moment, digesting Syr's words. But the elves I've met so far haven't had any issues with physical contact with me... he thought. Saria, the first elf he met in this world, had easily touched him while healing him. Lefiya, a young elf, had also never shown any reluctance to be near him, often standing close to him without hesitation. Even a high elf like Riveria, a respected royal among all elves, had frequently touched her body parts with his while explaining magecraft.
Seeing Shirou lost in thought, Syr smiled again and whispered softly in his ear, "I think Ryuu might like you, Shirou."
Shirou almost choked on the air. He quickly sat up slightly and turned to Syr with a shocked expression. "T-That's impossible! You must be misunderstanding, Syr."
However, instead of stopping, Syr only teased him more. "Or... maybe she doesn't see you as a man," she said with a mischievous grin.
Shirou could only frown and grumble inwardly. If that's the case, then you, who are resting my head on your lap... don't see me as a man either, huh?
He held back a tired sigh. Why do I always end up like this?
After teasing Shirou to her heart's content and seeing his mixed reaction of embarrassment and annoyance, Syr finally chuckled softly before speaking in a gentler tone, "Well, never mind. Instead of worrying about this, you should just close your eyes. Ryuu will probably take a long time in the bath, being a woman and all."
Shirou glanced at Syr for a moment, making sure she didn't have any other pranks up her sleeve. However, seeing her relaxed face and the gentle, comforting expression, Shirou eventually sighed and decided to comply. "Alright," he murmured softly before closing his eyes.
As soon as his eyes closed, Shirou's consciousness was filled with the comfort he felt at that moment. Syr's soft lap was the perfect pillow, and every gentle stroke of her hand through his hair provided a soothing sensation. Added to that was the faint scent of winter flowers wafting from Syr's body, creating an atmosphere that made him even more relaxed.
Unconsciously, his breathing became slower and more regular. The slight fatigue from the intense training with Ryuu finally dragged him into a deep calm. And in a short time, Shirou fell into a deep sleep, still resting on Syr's lap, completely immersed in a dream without a single worry.
While Shirou slept soundly, his breathing was steady, and his expression was far from the usual tension when he was awake. Syr watched him in silence. There was something so captivating about the peacefulness of his face, something that made Syr's hand—or rather, Freya's hand—instinctively want to touch him.
Her silver-gray eyes swept over the young man's face with a mix of curiosity and something deeper. Shirou, who usually appeared serious and determined, now looked so peaceful... so vulnerable. This was a side that few ever saw, even by members of the Loki Familia. In his sleep, his defenses crumbled, and for a moment, he was just an ordinary young man, exhausted after working hard.
Freya, currently wearing Syr's face, let her thoughts wander. You've really been working too hard, Shirou... she thought. She remembered how the young man had come to Orario, with no clear background, no divine blessing from the start, no extraordinary legacy of power. Compared to other talented adventurers, Shirou wasn't someone born with special privileges—not in magic, not in physical strength. Yet, he continued to struggle. He kept moving forward without hesitation.
That was what made him so fascinating.
A faint smile appeared on Syr's—or rather, Freya's—lips. If only Shirou weren't an adventurer... If only she could pull him out of this dangerous world, take him to a safer place where he wouldn't have to fight anymore, wouldn't have to get hurt... Why don't you just stop being an adventurer, Shirou? Freya thought. Why not become my personal servant? I could give you a better world. You wouldn't have to feel pain or exhaustion anymore. I could give you all the love you need...
However, in just a moment, that fantasy faded.
Freya knew it was just a pipe dream. Shirou would never accept that. He wasn't the type of man who wanted a comfortable and safe life. He was someone who would keep fighting, no matter how long it took. Besides, Loki would never let him fall under Freya's charm. The mischievous goddess was too protective of her Familia members, even the weakest ones.
Freya sighed softly, her hand that had almost touched Shirou's cheek now pulled back. You're so stubborn, Shirou... she thought. But that only made her want him even more.
Freya's silver gaze slowly moved from Shirou's face down to his chest, then further down to his stomach. The tunic she had just dressed him in was slightly open at the front, revealing a glimpse of the young man's toned and well-defined abdominal muscles.
She bit her lower lip unconsciously. There was something so tempting about this sight. Since she had descended from Tenkai to Genkai, forming a Familia that became one of the strongest in Orario, her position as a goddess had only made her more distant from human touch.
The adventurers who joined under her banner, who devoted their lives to her, always looked at her with almost sacred worship. They loved her, adored her, admired her—but not as a woman. They saw her as something higher, something that shouldn't be tainted by mortal desires. And while that gave her satisfaction on the one hand, there was another part of her that longed for more than just worship.
She yearned for passion. She yearned for warmth. She yearned for the touch of a man who saw her not just as an untouchable goddess, but as a woman.
Her eyes returned to Shirou, who was still asleep, his breathing steady, his body looking so tired after training with Ryuu. She knew how hard this young man worked and how many wounds he had received in pursuit of his goals.
Freya leaned down slightly, bringing her face closer to Shirou's ear, and whispered softly, "May I? Just a little, I know Ryuu and Chloe have already touched you, now it's my turn..."
Her hand moved slowly, slipping into Shirou's tunic, her delicate fingers touching the warm skin of the young man's stomach. Slowly, she caressed him, feeling the contours of his muscles formed from hard training and battles.
Even though he's still Level 1... his body is so beautifully sculpted... Freya thought with admiration, but also with a growing desire that began to tickle her mind.
The touch was initially gentle, just exploring. But the longer she touched him, the stronger the desire grew within her. The sensation of Shirou's warm skin under her fingertips felt so real—something she had only been able to imagine until now.
She swallowed hard. The frustration she had long suppressed seemed to push her to go further. Was this the moment? Did she really want to feel more than this?
Freya's slender fingers slowly slipped deeper, caressing Shirou's warm skin from his stomach up to his chest. Her breath hitched slightly, feeling the steady beat of the young man's heart under her palm.
The longer it went on, the harder it became for her to contain the burning desire within her. Unconsciously, she began to open Shirou's tunic a little wider, letting the bright sunlight illuminate his toned muscles. Her fingers explored further, tracing the curves of his body with an almost worshipful touch.
However, before she could enjoy the moment any further—
"Syr... what are you doing?"
A cold, suspicious voice stopped her in her tracks.
Freya—still in Syr's persona—was momentarily startled, as if cold water had been poured over her body, which had begun to warm with desire. Quickly, she pulled her hand out from under Shirou's tunic and turned with an innocent expression.
At the doorway, Ryuu stood in her signature green uniform, her pale green hair still slightly damp from her bath. Her sky-blue eyes looked at her with a questioning gaze, her eyebrows slightly furrowed as if unsure of what she had just seen.
However, Freya wasn't a goddess who could be easily shaken just because she had been caught. Calmly, she put on her sweet mask again, a soft smile gracing her face.
"Oh, it's nothing, Ryuu," Syr replied in a natural tone as if nothing suspicious had happened. "I was just checking if Shirou had any wounds. He took a lot of hits during training earlier, right?"
As she spoke, she straightened Shirou's tunic, making sure nothing looked out of place.
Ryuu looked at Syr for a few moments, trying to figure out if she was lying or not. But there was no crack in Syr's expression—only the gentle gaze of a girl who cared for her friend.
"...I see," Ryuu finally replied, though deep down, something still felt off.
She was still wondering, had she seen wrong? Was Syr really just checking Shirou's wounds, or was there something more to it?
However, she shook her head slowly, dismissing the thought. After all, Syr has always had feelings for Bell. There's no way she would do anything strange to Shirou, right?