kscans

Chapter 44 - The Bikini Top and the Bikini Bottom

It was the morning of our departure. I had been spending my nights alternating between Famu and Mizuki, and Cecily and Aira the night before. I had considered using Cecily's aphrodisiac to be with all four at once, but I had a feeling that including Aira would be dangerous. When I woke up, Famu was, as usual, praying. As I sat up, Mizuki was clutching her stomach, laughing.

"What is it?"

Mizuki handed me her phone. It was a picture of my sleeping face. On my forehead, the character for 'Nose' was written.

"That's some impressive calligraphy,"

I remarked, impressed for some reason.

"Yeah, I took calligraphy classes in elementary school."

"Alright, I'll write on you too, so hand over the permanent marker."

"Eh, seriously?"

Mizuki said as she handed me the marker. I wrote the single character for 'Nose' on her forehead as well.

"...You know, you're still kinda cute even with that written on you. That's not fair."

"Eh? Just 'kinda'?"

Mizuki pouted.

"Master, please write on me too,"

Famu chimed in.

"...Alright. Mizuki, could you write this character for her?"

I secretly showed Mizuki my phone to give her the instruction.

"Leave it to me."

Mizuki wrote the character for 'Sincerity' on Famu's forehead, and I took a picture to show her.

"Whoaaaaa! S-So cool..."

Famu let out a strange, excited noise.

"Yeah, it's not that great,"

I said, trying to temper her enthusiasm. She looked adorable being so happy, but I was worried she might start asking me to write it every day.

Just then, Myra came in.

"Good morn— Hmph, you're leaving me out again. Please write on me too!"

"Are you sure? Aren't you embarrassed?"

I asked, worried.

"I want to match with Mash!"

"...Mizuki, if you would."

"Oh... alright."

Looking slightly taken aback, Mizuki finished writing 'Nose' on Myra's forehead.

"Heehee, how do I look?"

Myra asked proudly.

"I don't know if 'it suits you' is the right thing to say, but I guess it's fine?"

I could only give a vague reply. The quality of the calligraphy somehow made it a little less funny.

"Aira and the others weren't in the dining hall yet. Could I borrow that marker and the magic key?"

It seemed Myra intended to go write on Cecily and Aira's foreheads. They had drunk quite a lot last night, so they were probably still asleep. Would it be okay for Myra to barge in? What if they were sleeping naked in each other's arms?

"They were pretty drunk last night, so things might be a little messy. No matter what you see, just quietly write one character on their foreheads and come back, okay?"

"You can count on me."

Myra nodded forcefully.

"No matter what the situation is, it's just because of the alcohol from last night. So don't wake them up to ask, alright?"

Myra left the room. I hoped she would return safely without incident. I noticed Famu and Mizuki staring at me.

"...What exactly is going on?"

"N-No, it's just... they drank a lot last night, so I was just a little worried, that's all."

I could tell my explanation hadn't cleared up their suspicions at all and had only created more, but I hoped they wouldn't pry any further.

"Anyway, Mizuki. We've had enough fun with this. Let's erase it now,"

I said, changing the subject.

"Huh?"

Mizuki replied.

"Huh?"

I replied back.

"...Sorry, I don't know how to get it off."

Ten two-horse carriages were lined up in a row. After breakfast, we had all gathered at the city's south gate. Each carriage had two drivers. The first and last carriages were for the adventurer guards. The second through sixth carriages were loaded with cargo. Next was the one for the Mateo Trading Company staff. Mateo's daughter, Claire, would also be riding in this carriage. And then there were carriages loaded with camping gear, tools, food, fodder, and other travel necessities. It was quite an impressive sight, but apparently, this was considered a small-scale caravan. Because of that, this time the cargo was mainly high-value, easily exchangeable metal goods produced in the Imperial capital. As for guards, besides us, there was one other party. If the caravan was attacked, everyone, including the drivers, would participate in the battle.

"Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Claire, Mateo's daughter."

Claire bowed her head politely. Then, she stared intently at the 'Nose' written on my forehead.

"Is that some kind of charm?"

"No, if you stand on your head, it looks like a man with a mustache."

"..."

Claire looked troubled. I was troubled too.

"Ahem!"

The man next to Claire cleared his throat. This man was Mercedes. He was Claire's support, but in reality, he was the one running this caravan. He was young, in his twenties, but he had been entrusted with a caravan. He must be competent.

"I'm Mash, leader of Levante. A pleasure to meet you."

"Yes. Mateo has told me everything. We'll be counting on you to guard the rear of the caravan this time."

"Is Mateo not here today?"

"He is on his way to the Imperial capital for business. My apologies."

I wanted to thank him, even if it was just a quick word, but it couldn't be helped.

Just then, a party of six approached the caravan.

At the lead was a female warrior in bikini armor. Next to her was Beers from Wind Blade. No, Beers was the name Reed had given him. Come to think of it, I didn't know his real name.

"I'm Avea, leader of 'Altail.' I usually work as a guard for the Mateo Trading Company while exploring dungeons."

"I'm Mash, leader of Levante. I'm an adventurer. A pleasure to meet you."

I repeated my introduction as I shook her outstretched hand. She had long, wavy red hair. She was taller than me and had a body of steel-like muscle. Her bikini armor barely covered her physique.

"...What's with the character on your forehead?"

"This is 'Nose'."

At this point, that was the only way I could answer.

"..."

"Anyway, that's some impressive armor you have there."

I forcefully changed the subject.

"Hah, you think so? Attacks are meaningless before these beautiful muscles."

Avea proudly flexed her bicep and laughed, revealing a set of pearly white teeth.

"But does it really offer any protection?"

My gaze was drawn to the red cloth that only covered her chest and crotch.

"Want to touch it and see?"

"Eh, is that okay?"

"I don't mind."

Avea then struck what bodybuilders call a front relaxed pose. She faced me directly, flaring her lats to show off her muscularity. I reached for her crotch. I searched for her clitoris through the piece of cloth. As I slid my finger along her slit, the protrusion became more distinct. As I thought, it really did seem to be just a bikini and not armor. But it was starting to swell up nicely. I wanted to touch it a little longer and help it grow.

"Oi, what are you doing?"

Avea's voice was tinged with anger.

"Huh? You said I could check the armor's condition..."

"I said you could touch my muscles!"

Avea threw a powerful Brazilian hook. I leaned back to dodge but fell backward onto my butt. Famu and Mizuki jumped between Avea and me, as if to protect me.

"I'm so sorry. This guy's been acting weird all morning. Weird enough to write 'Nose' on his forehead,"

Mizuki said.

"...You have it written on yours too,"

Avea pointed out.

"Uh, maybe I'm acting weird too. Mash! You apologize too."

"Ah, right. My apologies."

She was incredibly scary, so I apologized for the time being.

"...Whatever. I did say you could touch it. And besides, it was a little... you know. More importantly, you."

Avea's gaze fell on Famu.

"Are you a swordsman?"

"I am a Miburō."

"Is that man your master?"

"...Yes."

Famu nodded.

"How about it? If you can beat me in a one-on-one fight, I'll forget about what just happened."

"Wait, Famu has nothing to do with this."

This time, I stood up and intervened.

"Don't make me laugh. A dog-eared girl being protected by her master?"

"Hmph, Master. I will not lose."

What was she basing that on?

"Famu, no. She's an ally."

"Then it's fine. I have no intention of becoming an enemy of the gods either. This is just a little entertainment. I'm not planning to kill you. Let's use wooden sticks."

Avea took two wooden sticks from a cargo wagon. She threw one to Famu. Even with a wooden stick, getting hit by someone with muscles like that would be fatal.

"Master, may I have your permission to fight?"

I wanted to stop her, but I knew she would fight no matter what I said.

"Yeah... Mizuki, could you go get Myra?"

"Got it."

Mizuki nodded and ran off.

Avea held the wooden stick carelessly in one hand. In contrast, Famu held hers with both hands, facing her opponent in a center-line stance. The tip was aimed at her solar plexus, and her stance, from the placement of her feet to her center of gravity, was natural and well-formed. When did she learn a stance like that?

"Come on."

Avea beckoned with her palm facing up. Famu responded by leaping forward. Avea deflected a strike aimed at her forehead with her wooden stick. Famu slipped past Avea's side. She turned, returned to her stance, and once again leaped in, aiming for her forehead. This time, her strike was faster and sharper. Avea caught the blow with her wooden stick, which she had re-gripped with both hands, and they were locked in a stalemate.

"Not bad,"

Avea laughed. Then, she used her power to send Famu flying. She then struck Famu as she stumbled backward. She didn't press the attack any further. It seemed she was waiting for Famu to regain her posture. When Famu returned to her stance, this time Avea also readied her sword. She held it with one hand, the tip pointing far above Famu's head. Famu swayed the tip of her stick as if to invite an attack, maintaining her distance as she moved counter-clockwise around Avea.

"Not coming? Then I'll come to you."

Avea danced. The wooden stick came down with incredible speed. Famu blocked it with her own stick, but Avea rained down two, three more blows in quick succession, and Famu's defense gradually began to crumble. Then, Avea's front kick exploded forward. Famu couldn't take it and fell on her butt.

"That's enough!"

It was Mercedes who stopped them. He must have decided that if they continued, things would get out of hand. Myra ran over to Famu.

"When you're done with her, I'll need some help too,"

Avea said to Myra, showing her a swollen right arm. When she had received the front kick and was falling backward, Famu had managed to land a blow.

"You've got potential. Let's do this again. I'll be your training partner anytime."

Avea smiled at Famu.

"Really? I'd like to train with my master as well!"

Famu stood up and bowed deeply.

"...Me too?"

All I could feel was despair.