Just got back, and with Frieren becoming an adventurer again—and completing her first quest—Shichen cooked up a big feast to celebrate.
Aqua had woken up too, though only because Shichen roused her; otherwise, she'd have slept all day.
Frieren finally got to meet the so-called goddess. She looked… a bit different from what Frieren had imagined.
Alright—very different.
Her appearance and aura were enough to convince Frieren she might be a goddess, but her behavior made it hard to believe. They had just met and barely interacted, yet Aqua immediately gave off the impression of being… a fool.
Was this really what a goddess was like?
Shouldn't she be divine and untouchable?
"Shichen, Shichen, this dish is amazing! I think it'd go even better with a drink~"
"Yeah?"
"Mm-hmm, so… how about a little wine?"
"No."
"Eh? How come? Just a little! We can drink together. I promise I won't get drunk this time, trust me!"
"No."
"Don't be like that! Please, Shichen, let me have a little more of that wine—it's too good! Without it, I can't live anymore! Please!"
"Just eat your food properly, or you'll never get to have that wine again."
"Wha—nooo!"
Aqua threw a fit right there, crying loudly, completely ignoring the people around her, including Frieren, whom she was meeting for the first time.
"…She's really a goddess?" Frieren couldn't help asking Yunyun.
"Haha~" Yunyun gave an awkward laugh. "I… I kind of don't believe it either, but Aqua's powers are definitely beyond what humans can do. And if Shichen says she's a goddess, she wouldn't lie to us."
"You… you just trust Shichen like that?"
"Eh? Is there a problem?"
"What if he's lying to you?"
"No way. Shichen would never lie to me."
"You're really… ugh, forget it. He wouldn't hurt you anyway."
"Right~"
After lunch, Shichen started making clothes for everyone in the main hall.
Everyone was there—including Frieren.
He divided the materials into five portions, already picturing the styles in his mind, and began using his magic to craft them.
"Synthesize."
A surge of magic enveloped the materials, forming a transparent sphere that floated upward, then burst into brilliant white light.
The whole room was illuminated, and Megumin and the others had to shut their eyes.
A moment later, the light faded.
"Alright, you can open your eyes now," Shichen said.
When they did, they saw five sets of white outfits floating in the air, along with scarves, shawls, and other small accessories.
"The sizes are all different. The ones in front of you are yours—go ahead and try them on."
"I'll go first!" Aqua stepped up right away, followed by the others.
"Ooh~ a coat."
"There's a skirt too."
"Mine's pants."
"What's this?"
"Safety shorts, probably."
Aside from the outer coat, everyone's set was different—different heights and builds meant no one could have the exact same outfit.
"Shichen, how do I look?!" Aqua threw the coat over her pajamas and struck a pose.
"Not bad. Put the pants on too."
"Okay~"
"What about mine?" Yunyun had put hers on with the shawl Shichen made for her—her "scale" was… notable, so the shawl was meant to cover that up. Her set came with a skirt; Shichen didn't want her taking off her stockings.
"Mm, very cute."
"Thanks…"
"Shichen, why does mine have underwear too?" Megumin held up two "basic gear" items and glared.
"Didn't you ask for them?"
"You actually made them?! And why does the size look so perfect?"
"Did you forget I took your panties before?"
"Ugh…" Megumin's face flushed. She had wanted to see Shichen's skill Steal, and he'd promptly stolen her panties—memorizing the size in the process.
"Go on, try them on."
"No way!" Megumin hugged the clothes and ran off.
"Do you have some weird hobby?" Frieren asked while slipping into her wolf-fur coat.
"What, do you want to try it too?"
"Do whatever you want, I don't care."
"Really?" Shichen reached out his hand toward her.
"…You're actually gonna do it?" Frieren panicked. Of course she cared—underwear was personal, not something you could just let anyone take.
"Gotta show you, right? Steal."
Light flared in Shichen's palm, and something soft and warm appeared in his hand.
Frieren froze, stiff as a board. Having her basic gear suddenly vanish made her feel very uncomfortable.
"G-give it back…"
"Heh~ scared now?"
"I was wrong, okay? Just give it back."
"Come take it yourself."
"You pervert!"
She glared at him and inched forward step by step, looking like she'd twisted her ankle.
Darkness watched, practically trembling with excitement, wishing she could be treated the same way.
"Shichen, can I—"
"Not you."
"Wha—! How could you… Actually, being singled out feels nice too…"
Aqua was busy putting on her pants, ignoring everything else.
Frieren finally reached Shichen, cheeks puffed out, and held out her hand. "Give it back."
"Here. Still nice and warm." He dropped it into her hand.
Frieren's face went crimson and she ran off clutching it.
"Shichen, I want—" Darkness started.
"Just change into your clothes."
"Aww…"
Her outfit was a gender-neutral knight's set, perfectly matching her tall figure and tied-up ponytail—ideal for bullying.
Once the three finished changing, Shichen looked them over and nodded. They all fit well, and matched nicely. His craftsmanship was impressive.
Frieren and Megumin still hadn't come back out, so Shichen went to find Megumin—and take her outside for a blast.
Of course, a blast of Explosion Magic.
In her room, Megumin had already changed into the new outfit: coat with shorts and a cape. It was white, not her preferred black, but she liked it anyway.
"Do you like it?" Shichen appeared in her room without warning.
"Y-you didn't even knock?!" Megumin spun around, hugging herself.
"Why would I knock? What's our relationship?" He stepped toward her.
"O-our… relationship?" she murmured.
"What do you think?" He wrapped his arms around her from behind.
"Mm…"
The warmth of his embrace made her freeze up.
"I… I don't know…"
"Really?" He held her tighter.
"It's… hot in here…" The villa's heating felt way too strong all of a sudden.
"Not gonna answer, huh?"
He scooped her up, sat down on the bed, and set her sideways on his lap.
She kept her head down, red ears visible. She was still so young—too easy to fluster.
He tilted her chin up, revealing a completely flushed face. Her small lips looked almost… tempting.
Megumin shut her eyes, lashes trembling, clearly inviting trouble.
Shichen leaned in slowly and kissed her.
"Mm!" Megumin's eyes flew open, locking with his. Lips met, eyes met—and time seemed to stop.
Her heartbeat thundered—faster, louder. She squeezed her eyes shut again, silently surrendering.
Shichen closed his eyes too, teaching her what a real kiss was. She was far too inexperienced, unable to do anything but follow his lead as he claimed her mouth.
He was skilled—so much so that in no time, Megumin felt light-headed, as though she wasn't herself anymore.
It was her first kiss with Shichen, and the sheer newness of it made it almost soul-shaking.
But he didn't stop there. His hand started to wander, quickly finding her "little pouch."
Megumin's eyes shot open, and she pulled away.
"Don't—"
"It's fine, I'll keep it over your clothes."
"I like small ones too. Besides, if I help you, they can get bigger~"
"Really?"
"Trust me."
~~~
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