"We're home!"
The voice of Ariane announced her and her father's arrival. They opened the door and stepped inside just as Glenys and I finished preparing the food.
"Welcome back, Dear. You too, Ariane."
"Hi, Mom."
"Hiya, Ariane! How was the capital?" I asked, somewhat curious about the Elven Capital.
"It was fine, same as always." Ariane shrugged her shoulders with a neutral smile.
After everyone had settled and finished their dinner, Dillan glanced at me with a serious look in his eyes.
He informed me of what they did in the Elven capital of Maple, and how they will continue their mission to save captured Elves.
"However, we can't just send a large military force out of the forest, and we officially have no human contacts… This is where you come in, Astolfo. I would like to ask you to continue aiding Ariane. To be honest, I can't offer much in the way of a reward—"
I held up a hand and smiled. "Come on, I thought Ariane had told you~ I don't need a reward. Helping free women and children from the suffering brought to them by chains is enough for me.
My smile turns mischievous as I try to hold in a giggle, "Plus, I can always loot the slavers of their gold once I deal with them~!"
Dillan relaxed, the tension leaving his shoulders as he leaned back on his chair. "You are a wonderful person, Astolfo… We're in your debt. Thank you."
After our talk, I lay on my bed but felt a bit uncomfortable.
Right… I sparred all day today, and I even broke a sweat for the first time since arriving in this world. I'm all sticky with sweat and grime.
I left my room and luckily Glenys was nearby. I asked her to show me the bath and she happily obliged.
"Don't forget to lock the door, okay?" Glenys said.
Somewhat distracted by the large, heated bath, I excitedly closed the door and removed my clothes, and undid my hair.
"Ah, a mirror."
I looked at myself in the reflection. I looked exactly like a young, beautiful girl with long pink hair.
Short frame, thin arms; small, flat chest, and a narrow waist, visibly wider hips that led to long, slender legs.
Yet, between my thighs was not a hole, but a rod. A large one.
"Yeesh… is this some sort of curse for liking the Futa tag? At least I'm not an actual Futa…"
After thoroughly scrubbing myself and Inari, I sank into the hot bath with a satisfied sigh.
"Ahhhhhh…. This is definitely heaven~ feels so good~"
I lowered myself down to my mouth, leaving my nose just above the water, and relaxed.
*fwiiip*
"Eh?"
"Oh, Astolfo, you were in here? Sorry~ do you mind if I get started?" Ariane smiled innocently as she stood completely naked and in full view.
"Awawawawa…!" I stutter my words, my face probably the reddest it's ever been.
Ariane, oblivious to my panic just sat down on the stool and picked up the soap. "…? Astolfo, are you okay? How long have you been in there?"
I covered my face with my hands and tore my eyes away from Ariane's big breasts. "A-A-A-Ariane…!!! I'm n-not…!!"
Forgot…! I completely forgot to tell them that I'm a man!!! We were so busy assaulting the Marquis' castle and then I wanted to relax a bit, then I sparred all day and just wanted to bathe, and… and…
I forgooooooot!!!
Ariane just tilted her head in confusion. "What are you trying to say? And why are you looking away like that? There's nothing to be embarrassed about, we're both girls."
'Girls…'
"N-no, not… girl…" I muttered.
"What was that? I couldn't hear you." I felt Ariane lean closer and I accidentally glanced at her bare boobs through my fingers.
I immediately retreated to the corner of the bath and completely turned my body away, my little (humongous) brother raging under the water.
"N-not! A girl!!" I yelped.
"…Huh? 'Not a girl'? What do you mean by that?" I could tell Ariane smiled a little, thinking that I was joking or something.
Calm down, me… just explain calmly and clearly so that she leaves and I can change and not have to be a creep.
"I… I really like cute things so I dress like a girl… and I didn't bother correcting you when we met because I thought we wouldn't see each other that often to bother explaining… and I kinda forgot to mention it since I'm so used to people calling me a woman…" I explained.
"…" Ariane remained silent as she processed what I had just said.
"I'm really sorry… I didn't mean to deceive you, I just completely forgot to tell you… and now you're here in the bath with me… please leave before I die from embarrassment…!"
I heard the sound of the wooden stool being slightly moved, then I heard a calm set of bare feet on the smooth stone floor leave the bathroom and the sound of the door opening and closing.
I quickly dry myself off and magically put on some clothes that Astolfo is seen in, in the Fate series of games. A cropped purple hoodie with bunny ears, a cropped tank top, sheer leggings, and a short pleated skirt. My hair also 'magically' formed back into a long single braid.
"…" There was no one in the hallway outside the bathroom, so I just went to my room with Inari following closely behind.
When I got to my room, I dove on my bed and hugged my pillow, burying my face in utter embarrassment.
I may be Astolfo now, inheriting some of his interests in cute things and all that, but… I'm still embarrassed by the fact that a 'Lucky Protagonist' situation happened to me before I could clear up the misunderstanding of my sex!
After wallowing in my shame for an hour or so, I heard a knock on my door.
"C-come in." I said, not knowing if I was loud enough.
I heard the door open and a feminine shadow appeared over me. I slowly turn my face and see Ariane standing at the doorway, her cheeks tinged a bit red.
She silently closed the door and turned the light on, walking slowly to the side of my bed and sitting down.
"…"
We said nothing for a long while, often taking glances at each other.
"A-Astolfo…?"
"Yeah…?"
"Um… sorry for not realizing…"
I shot up and shook my head, "No, no! It's my fault for forgetting to even tell you…! I really shouldn't have put off mentioning it until now… I'm really sorry…"
Ariane saw me pouting and must've been moved to pat my head in comfort. "It's… It's fine. It was just a genuine mistake."
I push her hand away and furrow my eyebrows. I feel like she's still misunderstanding something…
"…Please, don't pay my head… I'm a grown man, 19 years old… and despite my appearance…"
"Despite…?"
"Despite my appearance, I'm still attracted to girls!" I blurted out.
At that, Ariane looked at me with a blank face for a few moments before her face became fully red. She dashed out of the room and slammed the door shut.
"Haaah… She must've thought I had other interests… Glad I told her that, but I hope this doesn't strain our relationship…~"