At noon Shichen had lunch with Megumin and Yunyun. Aqua was still asleep, so he let her be.
Kazuma hadn't returned yet—apparently still out buying gear. First-time shoppers often fuss over every detail; Shichen just hoped Kazuma wouldn't get swindled. (Axel rarely had shady merchants, though there was one famously dense "money-sink" shop.)
Because they'd already cleared a quest that morning—and for a decent reward—Shichen didn't drag the girls back to the guild. Adventurer life isn't only quests and pay; you need downtime.
One or two hours of work a day is plenty. Besides, after firing her daily Explosion Megumin could barely move; even a stroll around town was out. So Shichen stayed with them in their room and played board games.
Both girls changed into pajamas.
Megumin wore a conservative red two-piece—top buttoned to the neck, long pants below.
Yunyun's sleepwear was pale yellow: a strapless top that showed a faint line of cleavage (actually more modest than her usual clothes) and black shorts that set off her smooth white legs. Shichen had no pajamas of his own and sat on the bed in his regular clothes—neither girl minded.
They chose Western chess—no surprise the game existed here; many earlier isekai travelers had introduced such things. (The Crimson Demons' weird chūni culture is thanks to one of them.)
First up were Shichen and Yunyun; Megumin claimed "low stamina" and let them go first.
The two sat cross-legged on Yunyun's bed, board between them. Yunyun fumbled nervously, mis-placing pieces several times.
"Your move, Yunyun."
"O-okay…" She shifted a pawn, hands trembling.
"Heh, no need to be nervous—I'm not very good either," Shichen said kindly.
"Humph! She's not nervous about the game," Megumin snickered from her own bed, legs folded. (Luckily she was wearing pants—otherwise that pose was impossible.)
"Then what?" Shichen asked.
"Megumin!" Yunyun squeaked.
Megumin ignored her. "It's because of you, obviously."
"Really?" Shichen looked at Yunyun.
"N-no…" She ducked her head.
"Yunyun, don't be shy. It's 'cause Shichen was staring at your chest, right?" Megumin declared.
"Eh?!" Yunyun froze; she hadn't expected that.
"I was not staring!" Shichen barked.
"Nice try—I saw everything!" Megumin crowed.
"What did you 'see'?! Keep it up and I'll spank you again!"
"I'll speak the truth despite your threats!" Megumin retorted proudly.
Shichen rolled his eyes. "Yunyun, ignore her—I wasn't looking."
"I-I know…"
"Yunyun, don't let him fool you—your chest is so pale and eye-catching no normal man could resist."
Yunyun couldn't help glancing at Shichen.
Shichen glared at Megumin. "Planning to embarrass me in front of Yunyun, huh?"
Megumin's bravado faltered. "M-maybe I misread… Shichen is a gentleman who'd never do that."
"Too late," Shichen said, rising and stalking to Megumin's bed.
"Wh-what are you doing?" She edged back.
"Remember what I promised?"
"Y-you mean business?"
"You asked for it."
"Yunyun's watching!"
"All the better." Shichen hauled her over, flipped her face-down, and raised his hand.
"No—don't! I'm sorry, okay?!" Megumin pleaded.
Smack! A crisp crack echoed—Megumin stiffened, Yunyun stared in shock.
"Eee—ow, that hurts!"
Shichen quickly threw up a sound-dampening barrier; the inn's walls were thin.
"Shichen?" Yunyun gasped.
"Don't misunderstand—I'm not being lewd. Megumin needs discipline."
"But… why the butt?"
"Best teaching method where I'm from."
"Will you ever… do that to me?" Yunyun asked, half fearful.
"Of course not. You're always well-behaved."
"…Really?" She bit her lip, almost disappointed.
"Shichen, you really spanked me! And in front of Yunyun—how can I face her now?" Megumin struggled, but his grip held.
"You brought it on yourself."
"You've hit me once—let me go!"
"Nope. Fair's fair."
"Fair's…?"
"The other side needs equal treatment."
Smack! Another loud slap.
"Ouch! Shichen, I'll get you for this!"
"Want a third?" He raised his hand again. She went limp.
"Thought so. Done?"
"…I was wrong." She sniffled.
"Really learned your lesson?"
"…Yes."
"If you act up again?"
"You can… spank me," she muttered.
"Good." He released her and returned to the board. "Let's continue."
Yunyun glanced at the motionless Megumin. "O-okay…"
So the afternoon passed with Shichen and Yunyun playing chess while Megumin lay prone, nursing her pride (and backside). By evening Kazuma finally returned, ecstatic, and showed off his newly purchased gear—after half a day's haggling he now looked exactly like the Kazuma Shichen remembered. He couldn't wait for tomorrow, so after dinner he went straight to bed.
Megumin acted as if nothing had happened—chatting normally, though sitting a bit gingerly (not much padding back there). Aqua ate the most; skipping lunch left her belly bulging by the end. Shichen's last illusions of her goddessliness crumbled.
After dinner Shichen headed to his own room—life with Frieren had made early-to-bed a habit. He wasn't asleep yet when—
Knock knock.
"Who is it?"
"It's… me," Aqua whispered.
He opened the door, puzzled. "Aqua? What's up?"
"Let me in first."
She slipped inside and closed the door.
"…What do you want?"
"I want to sleep with you," she said plainly.
"…Excuse me?"
"I want to share your bed," she repeated, nodding vigorously.
"Why?"
"Your aura draws me in. Even from the next room it feels so strong—I can't resist."
"That's all? You do realize I'm a man." He had half-worried she planned something indecent; apparently not.
"So?" Aqua blinked. "Won't you behave?"
"I will, but—"
"Then it's fine!"
She dove onto his bed, patted the space beside her, and chirped, "Come on!"
Shichen was speechless—when—
Knock knock knock!
Another knock sounded at the door.
~~~
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