MTLNOVEL Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Feelings Unleashed
The rest of the battles passed, and at the end of the day, the organizers granted the girls access to the hot springs.
The previous day, I couldn't enter because they hadn't fully prepared the bath for me—it was smaller than the women's—but I didn't complain. I wasn't used to sharing a bath with anyone anyway.
The steam from the hot springs filled the air with a thick mist, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and privacy. I leaned against the warm rock, letting the boiling water relax my muscles. After the last battle, a moment of rest like this was more than welcome.
I closed my eyes, enjoying the silence… until I heard the sound of a sliding door opening. Instinctively, I turned my head, only to see Maho Nishizumi entering naturally, wrapped in a towel that barely covered what was necessary.
My muscles tensed immediately.
Erik: "Maho… what are you doing here?"
Maho simply looked at me, then removed her towel, leaving everything exposed. She proceeded to wash her body and rinse herself before standing up again and looking at me.
...
She moved forward calmly, ignoring my obvious discomfort, and slid into the water.
Maho: "It's been years since we last shared a hot spring."
Her tone was neutral, but something in her gaze told me this wasn't just a casual reunion.
Erik: "Well… yeah, but I didn't expect you to enter without warning."
Maho: "Since when do I need to warn you?"
I had no answer to that. It was true—when we were kids, we used to bathe in hot springs without thinking too much about it. But now… it was different.
Maho sighed, tilting her head back to wet her hair in the water.
Maho: "In the next match, it'll be Kuromorimine against Carolus Rex."
I felt a rush of adrenaline in my chest. It wasn't unexpected, but hearing it directly from her gave the matter a different weight.
Erik: "And you came here just for that?" — I closed my eyes again, trying to relax.
The hot water enveloped our bodies in a silent atmosphere of relaxation, but Maho's presence beside me was undeniable. I felt her rest her head on my shoulder, her damp hair brushing against my skin with unusual softness.
It wasn't like her to act this way, so close.
Maho: "I saw you in the match against Blue Division. I've never seen you like that before."
I didn't respond immediately. Her words seemed carefully chosen, but her tone carried something different.
Erik: "Like what?"
Maho: "So… enthusiastic."
Her eyes were fixed on the surface of the water, watching the ripples we created.
Erik: "It was a good fight. I like it when my opponents push me to give my best."
Maho: "That's not what I meant."
Erik: "…"
I felt her grip on my arm tighten slightly.
Maho: "You looked at them in a way you've never looked at me."
Her words caught me off guard. It wasn't something I expected to hear from her—Maho Nishizumi, who always kept her composure, who rarely let her emotions show.
Erik: "Maho…"
She sighed without lifting her head from my shoulder.
Maho: "I don't know why I felt this way. It shouldn't matter to me. It shouldn't affect me."
Her voice had a slight stiffness, as if she was trying to convince herself more than me.
Erik: "Jealousy?"
She lifted her gaze, a mix of disbelief and irritation on her face.
Maho: "No."
Her response was quick, almost instinctive.
Erik: "Then what is it?"
Maho frowned, visibly frustrated with herself. It was clear she wasn't used to dealing with emotions like this.
Maho: "I don't know. I just… didn't like it."
I couldn't help but smile slightly. Even in moments like this, Maho was still Maho—direct, pragmatic, yet with a vulnerability she rarely showed.
Erik: "If it makes you feel better, I wasn't looking at any of them the way I look at you."
She blinked, surprised by my comment, and quickly looked away with a faint expression of discomfort.
Maho: "Idiot."
Her tone lacked its usual sharpness.
We remained silent for a few more moments, the hot water enveloping us as the tension in the air gradually faded away.
The soothing silence of the hot springs was suddenly shattered when the sliding door burst open with a loud BAM!, followed by a high-pitched and excited voice.
Katyusha: "Erik! I'm going to bathe with you!"
Before I could react, a small blonde whirlwind dove into the water with a big splash, sending waves that hit my face.
If it had just been Katyusha, I wouldn't have had a problem. I was already used to her eccentricities and carefree attitude. But then…
Author's note: Just to be clear, Erik sees Katyusha as a younger sister—don't think weird things.
Nonna and Klara entered right behind her.
Naked.
My brain took a few seconds to process the image in front of me. Katyusha, with her usual lack of shame, floated with a satisfied expression, while Nonna and Klara advanced with silent grace, showing no discomfort whatsoever about the situation.
Klara had a reserved yet equally mesmerizing aura, her wet hair sticking gently to her back as she entered the water. On the other hand, Nonna's pale skin contrasted beautifully with the steam, her perfectly proportioned figure neither excessive nor lacking, but the most noticeable thing—her large breasts swaying with a perfectly sculpted figure.
Katyusha: "Ahhh, this is perfect! There's nothing like a hot bath after a battle. Hey, Erik, help me wash my back!"
My body froze. I felt pressure in my nose, a sudden heat rising to my face.
Erik: "Ah…"
I tried to avert my gaze, but the image of both Pravda officers sliding into the water without a single piece of clothing was burned into my retinas.
Nonna looked at me with her usual serene expression, though her eyes sparkled with a slight hint of amusement.
Nonna: "Something wrong, Commander Lindsworm?"
Klara tilted her head with a faint smile.
Klara: "Возможно, вода слишком горячая для него. Maybe the water is too hot for him."
My vision started to blur.
I felt a warm liquid trickle down my nose.
Oh look, I'm bleeding from my nose.
Before I could say anything else, everything went black.
The last thing I heard before losing consciousness was Klara's soft laughter and Nonna's sigh.
Damn it, if it weren't for the fact that I had been in the hot springs for too long, I would have enjoyed this more than you can imagine.
Darkness slowly faded as my consciousness returned. The first thing I felt was a comforting warmth on my head and a soft texture beneath me.
I opened my eyes heavily, blinking several times until the image in front of me became clear.
Nonna.
My head rested on her lap, and her calm gaze watched me from above. Despite her usual serene expression, there was a faint shadow of concern in her eyes.
Beside me, Katyusha was sleeping soundly, her small body curled up close to mine. Her breathing was steady, though her slightly furrowed brows hinted that she had been worried.
Klara, meanwhile, sat to the side with a relaxed but attentive expression. In one hand, she held a fan, gently fanning me, while in the other, she had a glass of water ready.
Klara: "Ах, ты уже проснулся. Ah, you're awake."
Her voice sounded satisfied, as if she had been patiently waiting for this moment.
Erik: Что… что случилось? What… what happened?
My throat was dry, and my head was still spinning.
Nonna: Ты потерял сознание в горячих источниках. Похоже, комбинация температуры и неожиданности оказалась для тебя слишком сильной. You fainted in the hot springs. It seems the combination of the temperature and the surprise was too much for you.
She didn't mention the real reason, but her slight smile indicated that she understood it perfectly.
Klara handed me a glass of water, and with some effort, I sat up to take it. The cold liquid immediately refreshed my throat.
Erik: Спасибо… Thank you…
Nonna: Отдохни ещё немного. Катюша волновалась за тебя, хотя никогда не признается в этом вслух. Rest a little longer. Katyusha was worried about you, though she'd never admit it out loud.
She said this while gently guiding my head back onto her lap.
I glanced at the little commander sleeping beside me. Despite her bossy and proud demeanor, she now looked completely vulnerable.
Klara: Честно говоря, мы не ожидали, что ты так сильно отреагируешь. Honestly, we didn't expect you to react so strongly.
I noticed the hidden teasing in her tone, but I didn't have the strength to respond.
I sighed, resting my head on Nonna's lap again, enjoying the sensation of her fingers gently running through my hair.
In my mind, I could already hear Katyusha saying, "Speak Spanish, damn it," and I chuckled a little.
Nonna's fingers softly traced my cheek, her touch cool and comforting, a stark contrast to the heat of the hot springs earlier. Her gaze remained fixed on me, but now there was a different warmth in her eyes.
Nonna: "Thank you for taking care of Katyusha."
It wasn't just a polite remark. Her words carried genuine weight, a display of trust not given to just anyone.
Klara, with her relaxed expression, nodded. She didn't say anything, but the slight curve of her lips revealed she felt the same as Nonna.
For a moment, the atmosphere was peaceful, almost intimate. Katyusha stirred slightly in her sleep, murmuring something incoherent before nestling closer to me.
Then, without warning, Klara leaned in and kissed my cheek, her damp hair brushing against my skin before she pulled back with a playful smile.
Klara: So you recover faster. -Speaking in Japanese (Author's note: Insert own language here)
Before I could react, Nonna also leaned in and placed a soft kiss on my other cheek.
Nonna: I hope you'll continue taking care of our commander.
Her tone was as calm as always, but there was something in her gaze that made me understand this was more than just a simple request.
I smiled slightly, feeling as if the fatigue from fainting was already a thing of the past.
Erik: "I always will."
Klara fanned me again with a satisfied look, and Nonna continued caressing my face tenderly.
After some rest, I finally felt recovered enough to get up. Nonna and Klara seemed satisfied with my condition, and Katyusha, still half-asleep, mumbled something about conquering the hot springs next time.
I headed to the inn's lounge, where the atmosphere was calm, with the dim light of the lamps creating a cozy feeling. As I entered, my eyes met Darjeeling and Mika, both comfortably seated while enjoying a cup of tea.
They didn't say anything, but their amused expressions spoke for themselves. They had surely already heard about what had happened. Darjeeling took a sip of her tea with her characteristic elegance, while Mika smiled enigmatically, gently plucking the strings of her kantele.
Before I could say anything, I heard hurried footsteps. In the blink of an eye, Miho rushed toward me, wrapping me in a firm embrace.
Her body trembled slightly, and she buried her face in my chest. She didn't need words for me to understand what she was feeling. She had seen how well I got along with the girls from Blue Division, and although she probably didn't fully understand it, it had hurt her.
I wrapped my arms around her, feeling how tightly she clung to me. I didn't try to push her away or ask her anything. I just let her find comfort, running a hand gently through her hair.
Darjeeling and Mika remained silent, simply continuing with their tea and music, letting the moment unfold without interruption.
I felt the warmth of her tears dampen my shirt as Miho sobbed softly, giving me small, weak punches against my chest.
Miho: Idiot… idiot… idiot… —she repeated over and over with a choked voice.
I didn't try to stop her, just smiled patiently and hugged her tighter, sliding a hand down her back in an attempt to soothe her. Her breathing gradually steadied, though her fingers still clung to my clothes with a trembling grip.
After a while, Miho composed herself, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand before looking up at me.
Miho: Did you see my match against Anzio? —she asked in a more stable tone, though traces of her recent tears still lingered.
I nodded with a smile.
Erik: Yes, I saw it —I replied, recalling the battle. Anzio had shown their unbreakable spirit, but Miho had led Ooarai with a combination of cunning and adaptability that only someone with her talent could achieve. —And I was impressed by how good you are as a commander.
Without thinking too much, I placed my hand on her head and gently ruffled her hair.
Erik: Good job, Miho.
Miho pouted slightly, puffing out her cheeks as she tried to fix the mess I had made of her hairstyle, but she couldn't help smiling.
Mika chuckled quietly, plucking her kantele calmly, while Darjeeling simply observed the scene with a serene smile, as if she had foreseen all of this from the beginning.
Miho frowned, still trying to fix her hair with her hands.
Miho: Don't do that, Erik… I'm not a kid anymore —she protested with a small pout, her cheeks still slightly flushed.
Her reaction made me chuckle a bit. She had grown, yes, but in moments like this, she still retained that innocent and sweet air that made her unique.
Erik: Alright, alright —I said with a playful smile, raising my hands in surrender. —So… ask me for anything as a reward for winning.
Miho blinked in surprise, not expecting that response. Her lips parted slightly, as if she were considering what to ask for.
Darjeeling brought her tea to her lips with an amused expression, while Mika reclined on the sofa with her kantele in hand, watching the interaction with her usual relaxed interest.
I could see Miho debating internally, her gaze shifting for a moment before meeting mine again with determination.
Miho: Then, if I win the tournament, I want you to keep that promise.
Erik: Alright, I will. -I smile and place my hand over my chest in affirmation.
Miho: It's a promise.
She smiled sweetly as she said that.
Erik: Of course.
Miho retreated to the room designated for her group, but as she left, I noticed her crew and student council watching from a corner. The most interested ones were undoubtedly Saori and Yukari.
Darjeeling maintained her refined smile as she took another sip from her seemingly endless cup of tea.
Darjeeling: well, It's not our fault that you're so entertaining to watch -she commented with amusement.
Mika: I look forward to seeing more in the future, Mika added, in her usual enigmatic tone.
I shook my head with a tired smile.
Erik: I guess I'll have to get used to having an audience, it seems.
Mika plucked another note on her kantele.
Mika: Or maybe just to the fact that many stars orbit around you.
I didn't reply, but her words lingered in my mind. It wasn't just Miho, it wasn't just the girls from Pravda, Kuromorimine, or any of the academies. Ever since I arrived in this world, everything seemed to revolve around me in ways I sometimes didn't even fully understand.
I took a deep breath and stood up.
Erik: Well, it's been an interesting night, but I need to rest. Tomorrow will be another day… and surely just as chaotic.
Darjeeling elegantly raised her teacup.
Darjeeling: Sleep well, Commander Lindsworm.
Mika simply smiled, lightly plucking the strings of her instrument.
With one last glance at both of them, I headed to my room, mentally preparing myself for what was to come—my match against Kuromorimine. And knowing Maho, this time, I would most likely be the one to lose.