[Ain: "I'm so jealous of you, Tashigi—being able to get Tier Harribel's template. If only I'd met Arton a little earlier."]
[Tashigi: "As long as you earn Arton's trust, I believe you'll get a powerful template too."]
[Ain: "But how do I gain Arton's trust? Even if I offer my body to him, he doesn't seem inclined to accept. How did you get Arton to sleep with you?"]
[Tashigi: "S-sleep… sleep?!"]
Tashigi's mouth twitched; her cheeks flushed scarlet. It was the truth, yes—but hearing Ain blurt it out so directly still made her burn with embarrassment.
[Tashigi: "I… As long as he feels you truly want to support him from the heart, I think he'll accept you."]
[Ain: "From the heart, huh? I'm not even sure what counts as 'from the heart.' If I could find that remaining female Celestial Dragon and stab her with a blade right in front of Arton—would that make him trust me?"]
[Tashigi: "Uh…"]
Tashigi's cheeks trembled. Back then, she had only dared to attack a Celestial Dragon by mustering every ounce of courage—and because she was already consumed by fury. But Ain spoke of stabbing a Celestial Dragon without a hint of fear, practically itching to run into one now so she could perform for Arton.
"I say, you two have been standing behind me for quite a while," Arton said suddenly, turning around. "Aren't you going to say anything? If you just stand there like that, I'll get bored."
"S-say… what?" Tashigi turned, dazed, to face him.
Ain didn't quite know what to say either. She wanted to chat and get closer to Arton, but she was afraid of saying the wrong thing and being sent away on the spot.
"Ah, honestly…" Arton shook his head, then lifted his gaze to Ain. "How about you give us a minute?"
"Huh? Why?"
"Because I feel like having a private talk with Tashigi." He reached back, drew Tashigi into his arms, and settled her on his lap, her back against his chest.
Ain froze at the sight—then, seeing the faint blush on Tashigi's face, she instantly understood why Arton wanted her to step out. Obviously, he intended to do something.
Without hesitating, Ain took two steps back, slipped out of the lookout, and gently closed the door behind them. Then she vaulted down from the lookout platform.
She picked up a broom and resumed sweeping the already spotless deck. In that moment, Ain keenly sensed she shouldn't stay in the lookout. If she lingered there, Arton's goodwill toward her might drop even further.
Not only did she need to leave—she also had to stand guard while Arton and Tashigi were busy, to keep Carina and the others from interrupting them.
…
"C-Captain Arton, there are still people here," Tashigi whispered, face burning. She wanted to ask him not to press so close to her back—especially with Ain still present—but precisely because Ain was (or had been) there, the words stuck in her throat.
"What are you talking about? It's just the two of us now. If you don't believe me, take a good look around," Arton said with a smile.
Tashigi blinked and glanced about. "Huh? When did Ain leave?"
Just as Arton said, only the two of them remained in the lookout. And with that realization, a mist welled up in Tashigi's eyes. After what they'd already shared, it felt perfectly natural for them to lean closer and closer…
Chapter 326: Ain, You Really Do Have Nerves of Steel!
"Whew… Arton, is that enough now?" Tashigi rested her head on Arton's shoulder, panting.
"What's this? Tired already?" Arton chuckled.
"My bounty is only one billion Berries, while Captain Arton's is thirty billion. Of course I can't beat you… that's only normal." Tashigi tilted her head up, looking at Arton with a hint of grievance.
"Then you'd better train properly from now on," he said. "Otherwise, you'll never beat me—on any front." His words carried a double meaning.
He scooped Tashigi up, spread out the spare floor pallet in the lookout, and laid her down. "Rest here a bit. Carina and the others can handle the sailing. I'll stay up here and keep watch."
Sitting on the pallet, Tashigi's sightline happened to be level with Arton's waist. Seeing him stretch right in front of her, she couldn't help thinking of certain scenes from works recorded in the diary copies. Suddenly, she reached out her right hand.
"Tashigi?" Arton glanced down, puzzled.
"Captain, l-let me 'clean up' before I rest." Tashigi's cheeks went crimson.
Arton: "!!"
…
Arton sat on the chair, arms folded, gazing out at the distant horizon. But his mind was still stuck on that earlier moment of Tashigi cleaning up.
Weird… where did Tashigi learn that stuff? 'Cleaning up,' huh? Do books in this world describe it like that too? He rubbed his chin and suddenly felt like buying some local books on the subject.
Glancing back at the peacefully sleeping, even-breathed Tashigi, he smiled faintly. A little unpracticed, but not bad… Too bad she's exhausted. Otherwise, I might've had her keep 'working' while she cleaned. He shrugged. Forget it—there'll be plenty of chances later.
"Um… Captain, may I come in?" A soft knock sounded.
"Ain? Come in," Arton answered.
Hearing his voice, Ain pushed the door open. When she saw Tashigi asleep on the pallet under a sheet, a trace of envy flashed in her eyes.
"What is it?" Arton asked.
"I… I thought you might need hot water, so I brought some." Ain set a basin full of steaming water on the stand nearby.
"You really are attentive, Ain."
"Thank you for the praise. It's what I should do. Captain, would you like me to help clean up?"
"Clean up?" At that word, Arton's eyes flicked—almost involuntarily—to Ain's red lips. He quickly shook his head. "You mean help wipe Tashigi down. Let's wait. She's asleep right now. When she wakes, if she needs it, you can help her freshen up."
At that, a hint of wounded grievance glimmered in Ain's eyes. Honestly, I wanted to 'clean up' for you… She pursed her lips but swallowed the words. If Arton knew the hot water was meant to wipe him down, he'd probably be quite surprised.
"Well, I could at least wash my face. Did you bring a cloth?"
"Y-yes! Of course!" Brightening, Ain dampened a clean handkerchief and stepped up to him. Arton had been about to take it—only for Ain's slender hand to rise and personally wipe his face.
Arton blinked, then let her. When she finally drew the cloth back, he sighed in appreciation. "You really do have the right mindset. This almost feels like having a little maid."
...
For every 100 Power Stones → +1 extra chapter.
Read 50+ chapters ahead on Patreon! [patreon.com/METARLN]
Use code FREE2ALL for 30% OFF!