DanMachi: Unlimited Blade Works

"No, no, no!" Shirou quickly rejected the girls' enthusiastic invitation, retreating repeatedly. The girls of Orario were truly too enthusiastic and direct. It wasn't that he couldn't, but that he shouldn't. If he went in with so many people and something untoward happened, it would be over. There was no such thing as modesty among these girls.

If he set a bad precedent, he'd surely be drained dry in the future. That kind of future was far too terrifying.

Looking at the somewhat flustered Shirou, Tiona and Tione laughed loudly from the side.

"I remember Shirou has Clairvoyance, right? If he found a high spot, wouldn't he be able to see everyone?"

"No, no, I wouldn't do that." Shirou quickly waved his hands, trying to clear his name. "Please believe in my character, I would never do such a thing." With that, Shirou broke free from the girls' entanglement and dodged to the side.

Looking at Shirou's dodging figure, the girls couldn't help but chuckle.

However, besides these delightful invitations, Shirou also received warnings.

"Everyone believes in Shirou's character, but I still have to say it again, we're fine, but if Shirou sees Riveria-sama bathing, he'll die!"

"Don't worry, don't worry, absolutely not!" Seeing the elven girls with intimidating expressions, Shirou wiped the sweat from his forehead. These girls held Riveria, being of royal elven blood, in extremely high regard. No wonder Riveria always felt uncomfortable around them. This level of respect was truly exhausting!

Waving goodbye to the girls heading for their bath, Shirou couldn't help but show a relieved expression, as if he'd just escaped a disaster.

"Shirou, you're such a coward!"

Looking at the envy in his companions' eyes, Shirou seriously replied, "One against dozens, that would definitely be death." He patted the other person's shoulder, not caring if they understood, and sighed before leaving.

Was this the pain of being too charming? It was truly painful.

Returning to the center of the camp, a sighing Shirou coincidentally met Riveria, who had just come out of Finn's tent.

"What's wrong, Shirou? You look gloomy."

"Ah, I was teased by those female hooligans who were going to bathe. They had superior numbers and strength; I was no match!"

"Pfft!" Hearing Shirou's description, Riveria's previously serious expression suddenly broke into a laugh. Riveria knew the members of her Familia all too well. Even Finn had to take detours to avoid these individuals. Before Shirou, Finn was the one teased the most.

Looking at the smiling Riveria, Shirou suddenly said, "Indeed, Riveria, when you smile, you're even more beautiful than usual!"

Hearing Shirou's compliment, Riveria suddenly blushed. She had never experienced anything like this before. She had always been calm and serious, never thinking about matters between men and women. But her interactions with Shirou were gradually changing that.

She hadn't realized it until that moment on the fifty-ninth floor, when, facing her comrades behind her, she had decided to use her own body to protect others. Being held in Shirou's arms and protected by him, she experienced her heart racing for the very first time.

From her impulsive decision to run away and come to Orario until now, she had always been reliable. No matter what enemy she faced, she could clear the way for everyone with her magic. And, being top-tier in parallel chanting, she could still chant even without protection. But now, in that moment, she was saved. She finally experienced what it felt like to be protected by someone else for the very first time.

It felt heartwarming. Therefore, when faced with Shirou's praise again, she could no longer remain as stoic as before.

"Speaking of which, Riveria, why didn't you go bathe with everyone?"

"If I went, those children would definitely be nervous and keep watch around. With me there, they wouldn't relax either!"

"That's true!" Remembering the reverence those guys held for Riveria, Shirou scratched the top of his head helplessly. Those people could indeed be quite troublesome at times!

Looking at Shirou, who stood there lost in thought, Riveria suddenly asked, "After we go back, will you be leaving?"

"It won't be that sudden. I still need to prepare, after all, the outside world isn't like here."

Seeing Riveria's puzzled expression, Shirou smiled. "I plan to forge new leather armor before I leave. After all, it's a long journey, so I need to prepare."

"And the time?"

"About a week!"

Looking at Shirou's smiling face, Riveria suddenly felt a sense of reluctance. Should she have tried to make him stay back then? Thinking about it now, a hint of regret welled up in her heart. Why didn't she try to keep him then?

"I plan to sneak off after everyone else has bathed. I really don't want to see them making a big fuss."

"But without anyone on guard, it feels dangerous. How about you, Shirou, keep watch for me later!"

"Alright... Huh?"

"Me?"

"That's right!"

---

...

In a dense forest, the continuous sound of a small stream echoed. Shirou, leaning against a tree trunk, was intently observing the surroundings, carefully watching for any approaching strangers. After all, he was currently on a highly classified mission: guarding the Elven Princess Riveria while she bathed.

Behind the tree he leaned against, Riveria was bathing completely naked. Listening to the constant sound of water behind him, Shirou felt as if his heart was being constantly tickled.

Leaping onto a tree branch above, Shirou deliberately avoided the scene below, scanning the entire forest with his Clairvoyance. He climbed the tree because if he stayed on the same level as Riveria and looked around casually, there would be nothing to stop him. But if he didn't look, there would be a large blank area behind him. In that case, wouldn't his duty be as good as useless? Therefore, to ensure Riveria's safety, Shirou could only leap onto the tree and observe everything from above.

However, by doing so, he inadvertently saw things he shouldn't. Shirou, seeing these things outside of a computer for the first time, felt his face burn. He was embarrassed. But if he didn't look, he couldn't guarantee Riveria's safety. This put Shirou in a deep dilemma.

"Shirou, will you come back?" A sudden question broke Shirou's internal struggle. Sensing the emotion in Riveria's voice, Shirou remained silent for a moment, then said seriously, "Of course!"

"I will definitely come back!"

"Then it's a promise, you must come back."

"Yes, definitely!"