Danmachi: A Mage's Journey

Astraea gently reached out and touched Ryuu's ear, a soft gesture that made the elf suddenly freeze and blush.

With a calm yet coaxing voice, she said, "Relax for a moment, Ryuu. I don't believe Akira is the kind of person to fall for a simple trick. Let him explain himself first."

"That's right, you useless elf. Not everyone gets scammed as easily as you do." Kaguya chimed in, flicking Ryuu's forehead with the edge of her hand in a light chop.

Alise also said, "And to think, you even pushed my beautiful face away so roughly… It truly wounds my heart, Ryuu."

Alise, ever the dramatist, took Akira's hand and sat on his lap again, covering her cheeks with exaggerated sorrow.

"I'm sorry, Alise. I was too anxious." Ryuu said apologetically, her head slightly bowed.

"But the situation on my end is more dangerous! Alise, what exactly are you doing?!" Akira screamed internally, struggling with mixed emotions.

When he glanced to the side, his eyes were drawn to the breastplate Alise had discarded upon returning home.

Though not as voluptuous as Astraea's, Alise's figure still had its own impact—soft yet energetic, with every subtle movement on his lap sending ripples of agony through his adolescent, high-energy body.

Her hips, which Lyra once claimed looked "tight and firm like an elite swordswoman's," constantly rubbed against his legs.

Akira clenched his fists. He couldn't take it anymore.

Even Ryuu, usually so composed, had once been described by Lyra as having "muscles soft as mochi but a curve that invites sin—like cotton candy for the soul." That image alone was dangerous.

This was hell.

He forcefully held down Alise, who had been shifting around on his lap like a restless kitten.

His face remained composed, but his voice trembled ever so slightly. "I believe the other party is trustworthy. She's the Cyclops Tsubaki, the top blacksmith of the Hephaestus Familia. I don't think someone like her would deceive others."

"Ohhh, that famous adventurer-craftsman? If it's her, I guess we don't need to worry." Ryana twirled a lock of her hair and nodded.

"Tsubaki? The one whose height makes even dwarves cry out in envy?" Asta murmured, her expression mixed with awe and envy.

Akira turned toward her and gave her a struggling thumbs-up.

He said, "Asta's just as lovely as she is. I'm sure there's someone out there who would choose you in a heartbeat."

Like me.

Asta gave him a sweet smile and said, "Thanks for the compliment, Akira."

Meanwhile, Alise, perhaps sensing something, suddenly froze. Her face burned red, and she looked downward, adjusting her position subtly.

"Hissssssss—" Akira sucked in a sharp breath through his teeth.

Astraea, who had been quietly watching, gave a knowing smile. She clapped her hands, and stood up with cheerful authority.

"Well, since everyone's here, let's get started on dinner preparations. Those who haven't showered yet, go clean up first."

"Whatever you want to talk about, save it for the dinner table." She added, grabbing Kaguya and Maryuu by the arms and dragging them toward the kitchen.

"Understood!" came the chorus of responses.

"I-I understand…" Alise echoed, her voice trembling as she stood up unsteadily.

As the others filtered out of the hall toward the bath, Akira quickly slipped out from under Alise and pulled her aside.

"You... you… Akira actually did that to me…" Alise mumbled, hiding her red face in her hands as her voice broke off in embarrassment.

Akira rolled his eyes and said, "Don't act like I attacked you. You were the one rubbing against me so much that... of course this happened!"

"I'm sorry… but you were the one who got up without asking me first…" Alise mumbled again, her voice growing smaller.

Akira's sharp ears didn't miss a thing. "Haah?! I'm a healthy man, okay?! Having a reaction is totally normal!"

"I know, you don't have to spell it out..." Alise muttered, suddenly lowering her hands and lunging forward.

She pushed Akira onto the sofa, grasping both of his wrists and straddling him in one bold move.

"Alise! You absolute idiot—what the hell are you doing now?" Akira didn't resist, but the helplessness on his face was plain.

His deep black eyes met her bright forest-green ones. Their gazes locked.

The space seemed to freeze, thick with tension.

Then Alise averted her eyes, shame flooding her expression as she whispered with trembling lips, "It's your fault. You made me this way… I'm supposed to be the perfect captain, and now look at me. You have to take responsibility!"

"…Also."

She added with a bitter smile, "I heard what you and Maryuu talked about in the hallway this morning. I didn't realize just how close you and Astraea-sama have gotten."

Her voice grew softer, tinged with vulnerability, "I'm jealous, you know. I was the first one to find you. The one who brought you into our familia."

Akira spoke gently, "But Alise already has a great relationship with Astraea-sama too."

Alise retorted, "It's different. You and Astraea-sama… the feeling is different. That's why I don't want to lose to her. I want to be someone you like as well!"

Without warning, she leaned down and kissed him—just a light brush of her lips.

Then, just as quickly, she jolted upright, cheeks blazing. She let go of Akira's hands and scrambled to stand up, clearly planning to flee.

But Akira caught her by the arm and tugged her back, wrapping his left hand around her waist and leaning in close.

Alise's eyes went wide. Her hands landed on his back in a daze, unsure whether to push him away or just surrender.

After a long moment, he released her gently.

"Is that enough proof that I've fallen for you too?" Akira asked with a grin as bright as the morning sun.

Alise's face was crimson, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

She nodded quietly, then muttered under her breath, "…Pervert."

Akira said without shying away, "Haha. That's me. Now go shower before someone comes looking."

"I-I get it, hehe…"

Alise stood up with Akira's help, a silly smile plastered on her face—only to freeze when she spotted two distinct heads poking out from the crack in the door.

One was the sly grin of a mischievous mouse. The other… a certain useless elf whose face was beet red.

The moment their eyes met, Lyra broke into a laugh while Ryuu let out a squeaky "Chi! Chi! Chi!" sound and darted off like a frightened rabbit.

"Wait for me, Ryuu!" Lyra shouted, slamming the door shut before giving chase.

Akira leaned toward Alise and whispered, "Well, we've been caught. What's the plan now, Captain?"

Slapping her cheeks to refocus herself, Alise puffed out her chest and declared, "Don't worry. Just leave this to the perfect captain. I'll go handle them!"

She threw open the door and, blushing fiercely, called back, "Next time, it's your turn to sleep with me! Got it?!"

'Do you really see me as some kind of body pillow...?'

"I know, I know... but I can't promise I'll behave." Akira replied with the same sly smirk Lyra always wore.

That did it. Alise's face burned brighter than a tomato as she slammed the door again and fled to her room, leaving Akira standing alone in the hall.

(End of Chapter)

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