I'm Not the Heroine-Chapter 80

Of course, that was bound to happen.

We weren’t even lovers—how could we share a bed!

‘...No, even if we were lovers, it doesn’t mean I’d allow that.’

No, no, I don’t even want to be Aswell’s lover!

A sharp pang.

So I wanted to turn around immediately and book another room.

...But.

"I’m fine with it, though."

"Eh?"

"Aswell, are you... nervous?"

"......What?"

For some reason, my mouth uttered words that were completely contrary to my intentions.

I could feel the heat rising in my face—probably blushing. It felt like the room was spinning, almost as if I was dizzy.

But despite that, I forced a relaxed smile and pointed at Aswell.

"For a Hero, you’re too scared to sleep in the same bed as a female companion. How pathetic."

I gave him one last awkward smile.

Pfft.

"......"

Seeing my reaction, Aswell fell silent. He then covered his mouth with his hand, turning his head away as he spoke.

I couldn’t see his face clearly.

"......Alright, fine. Let’s sleep together."

...And so, for the first time, I ended up sharing a bed with Aswell.

***

Clink.

"......"

Aswell subconsciously listened to the sound coming from outside the door.

‘Has she already finished?’

When she first joined the party, there was a key she had given to everyone. With that key, they could enter a space that contained a small room and a bathroom with running water.

So, they had agreed that she would bathe in her workshop while Aswell would use the room to bathe.

And now, she was the one who had finished and come out.

‘Did I space out too much?’

He had heard that it takes women a long time to bathe. So, he had been left standing in the room alone for a while.

‘Should probably go out soon.’

As soon as he stepped out the door, an awkward atmosphere would settle, but if he didn’t leave, there would surely be another comment.

[How pathetic.]

Her tone had seemed almost like a provocation.

Her confident words, but the contrasting sight of her flushed face and trembling eyes were incredibly endearing.

Had she gathered the courage to do this, or was it truly no big deal to her?

Unfortunately, Aswell had no certainty about that.

‘I like Louis.’

But did Louis like him?

This wasn’t just about their personal feelings.

If things went wrong, she could end up leaving the party.

That would result in a significant reduction in the Hero’s Party’s overall power, so Aswell couldn’t afford to be careless with his own feelings.

That’s why, even though she had insisted on riding together on Tempest and even suggested they sleep in the same room, he couldn’t bring himself to agree.

Clink.

‘Time to go.’

Having finished washing quickly, Aswell dressed neatly and left the room.

Then, he was met with an entirely unexpected scene.

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"......I-I’m late."

She was sitting modestly in white pajamas. The pajamas with a cute red design fit her perfectly, making her look even more attractive.

"......"

"......Aswell?"

Aswell stared at her blankly.

He couldn’t even respond to her call as he became completely absorbed in the moment.

‘......I’m going crazy.’

When she first joined the party, something had happened.

He had tried to invite her to dinner, but accidentally opened the wrong door.

He remembered that she had been wearing the same pajamas back then.

"Aswell."

"......Sorry, Louis. I spaced out for a moment."

"It’s okay..."

"Well... should we sleep? We’re leaving early tomorrow."

"Yeah, um, come here."

Turning away from Aswell, Louis climbed onto the bed and unfolded one side of the blanket.

Aswell couldn’t move at all during this process.

If he moved even one step, it felt like he would pounce on her.

Click.

The candle in the room went out, and darkness surrounded them both.

"......"

"......"

They were only sleeping together.

Though he had expected it, Aswell felt a subtle sense of regret.

Suuu...

He could hear her breathing.

Very faintly, almost like a gentle breeze whispering through a forest spring.

‘......Can I really sleep?’

He knew he needed rest to conserve energy, but tonight, he wondered if he would be able to.

Even now, his mind was overwhelmed by countless thoughts that tormented him.

"......Aswell, are you asleep?"

"No, why?"

"How have you been... lately?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you still feeling guilty?"

Was she referring to what happened at Wintergard?

Aswell didn’t answer immediately, instead asking himself the question.

‘Am I still feeling guilty?’

He couldn’t deny it.

But...

"No. It’s gotten better. Lately, the only thing I think about is... the regret I feel about my abilities."

And that regret was turning into the driving force for his growth.

"I see."

"It’s all thanks to you, Louis."

If it weren’t for her advice, and her gift, he never would have changed.

"It’s nothing, it’s all because Aswell’s determination was strong."

So, even if I hadn’t been here, you would have stood up on your own someday.

Unlike earlier, Aswell immediately countered Louis’ words.

"No."

"......"

"If it weren’t for you, I would never have been able to do it."

"......I see. I’m glad, then."

Her words, spoken with certainty, had a trace of a smile in them.

Rustle.

He heard the sound of her moving.

It seemed she had turned her body, and the problem was that her voice was now even closer.

"Aswell. Aren’t you cold?"

It felt like she was whispering directly into his ear.

This was clear evidence that she had turned her body toward him.

"......Why?"

"Well, we’re still under the influence of the north. If it’s cold... I was thinking of making you warm. It’s been such a long time since I’ve slept with someone."

Warm?

......What with?

Thud. Thud.

He was losing his mind.

She’d just casually said that, but every time, Aswell had an overactive reaction.

He wanted to hold it back as much as possible, but hearing her seductive voice made him lose control.

This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.

Finally, Aswell, staring only at the ceiling, glanced slightly to the side.

"......"

As expected, she was turned toward him.

But she had her eyes closed.

Then, soft, irregular breathing began.

"......"

He couldn’t even hear her voice anymore.

Now, it seemed like the last question was mixed with sleep in her voice.

"......Haa."

Was she asleep?

At that moment, Aswell finally let out the breath that had been constricting him.

‘Did she fall asleep on her own?’

He had created this situation, and yet, she was peacefully sleeping alone.

For the first time, Aswell felt 'resentment' toward her.

"......I can’t do this."

In the end, Aswell chose to escape.

He left the bed and lay down on the floor beneath it.

Just getting out of the bed made him feel more at ease.

If he saw her again, his heart would probably start racing once more.

For the sake of the journey ahead, Aswell decided to sacrifice his emotions and happiness.

And so, the day broke.

***

Ugh.

I was at a loss for words when I woke up and saw the scene in front of me.

"......Aswell."

The Aswell who should have been on the bed was nowhere to be found, and instead, I discovered myself lying sideways. When I tilted my body slightly to look below, I saw Aswell sleeping on the floor.

‘Did... I push Aswell out of the bed while sleep-talking?’

I was so confused that I unconsciously messed up my hair.

It seemed that I had fallen asleep while talking to Aswell because I was too tired yesterday. Since it didn’t seem like Aswell would have moved down by himself, it must be that I had pushed him out.

‘What should I do, I feel so guilty.’

I fidgeted for a moment before I decided to cover him with the blanket that had been on the bed.

It was still chilly, and he must have been cold through the night.

I waited for Aswell to wake up, overwhelmed with guilt.

‘...I’ll be more considerate when we reach the next village.’

"Hmm..."

"Oh, Aswell. You’re awake."

"Uh... did you sleep well?"

From the way he had slept on the floor, he must have slept pretty deeply.

I turned my gaze away and nodded carefully.

"Well... I’ll go get ready first."

"Mm..."

I quickly entered the workshop, leaving Aswell, who was still half-asleep, behind.

While I washed up, I tried to think of a way to make it up to Aswell.

However, I couldn’t come up with any good ideas. As I came out, I continued to think while waiting for Aswell and remembered something the others had said at the inn yesterday.

A short while later, when Aswell came out, I spoke to him.

"Aswell."

"Mm?"

"We... should stop by a city to the south for a bit."

"Mm... why?"

"They’re having a festival there, and I’d like to do something nice in return."

Since the path to the System was already planned, it wouldn’t be much different whether we took a slight detour through a city, so I thought I could buy something tasty at the festival.

‘I’m a genius.’

I smiled softly at Aswell, who was blushing for some reason.

"Alright."

And just like that, our next destination was decided.