Chapter 9: An Adventurer's Urge!

I woke up really early, it was still pitch black out.I could barely make out the pleasant site of Aqua still lightly clinging to me. She was adorable while she slept. I decided it was pretty comfortable as is. So I fell asleep again.

I woke up again. Aqua was already awake this time. It was still dark.

"Hey. Aqua." I said. She seemed surprised, we could barely make each other out. The fire must have gone out or something since there was less light in here.

"Oh hey. Uhmm I've been thinking…"

"Oh really? This is new."

"Come on Kazuma. I'm being serious"

"Oh hey being serious, I'm Kazuma."

"Kazuma. I was thinking about uhm… you know."

"Oh yeah that.. Well what do you think about it? How do you feel?"

"Well I mean I liked it and all. I wouldn't be too mad if we became something. What I'm scared about are others."

"Yep the others. I really hadn't thought about how they would take the news." I took a second to think. "Well I have to agree with you that I really liked last night and I'm not opposed to a relationship, I guess. For now though let's consider what we did last night to be an expression of your appreciation for me saving everyone. Sound good?"

"Sounds great!"

"Let's just take it slowly, as friends."

"Yeah as friends." We exchanged smiles before Aqua hugged me. I returned the hug.

"So how 'bout we get some more sleep?"

"Okay." She said pressing her body against mine.

Aqua had rolled over in her sleep and I was now looking at her back. I got up and went to talk to whoever was on lookout duty. Turns out Yunyun had tried to stay up the entire night since she was still there and the sun had only barely started to rise. Well she tried to stay awake the entire night. She had fallen asleep on the ground with her hand on her stomach. I poked her a few times.

"Oi. Oi. Get up. Wakey wakey." I think she's out cold. Ya know thinking back it didn't make so much sense for Yunyun to act the way she's been acting lately. How do I put it? I don't know how to describe it but it can't be good. She has to have some sort of ulterior motive.

After poking her a few more times I decided to just take a seat. The sun was just barely coming over the horizon.

"Mornin' Kazuma." Megumin said getting out of the tent. Huh.

"Morning. Oi if you don't mind me asking, why are you awake before Darkness?" Darkness is usually an early riser, so this is a bit… odd.

"Oh she's asleep. I made sure to keep her awake by telling her countless stories. Why?" She said rubbing her eyes.

"Oh no reason. Here, sit." I said patting the log I was sitting on. She stepped over Yunyun's corpse and sat down next to me.

"You know... I'm just as concerned as to why you're awake. I heard noise coming from your tent last night, even though we were directly opposite of each other." She whispered, staring at the fire pit. SHIT! WERE WE THAT LOUD! OH GOD THAT MEANS.. Oh god this can't be good.

"A-are you sure? I-i mean what did you hear?" Fuck. My words got caught in my throat.

"Oh I just heard you guys talking for a bit. That's all." Oh thank god!

"OH yeah I almost forgot, I also heard you guys" she cleared her throat and whispered in my ear "kissing." well shit.

"Are you sure you heard kissing? Maybe you were hearing things, cause I fell asleep the moment I got into the tent. You were probably sleep deprived."

"Doubt it. I heard it about half an hour after we had gotten into the tents. She must have done quick work of you."

"First of all, I'm not that easy. Second of all, I was asleep. You were probably hearing things in the dead of night or maybe the fire crackling."

"Maybe but I know I heard you to talking. Maybe even a moan? No. A lot of moaning." wait.. She's messing with me… hmm

"Alright. You caught me. I'll be honest Aqua and I… Jeez it was heaven." I nonchalantly stated.

"W-w-w-wait y-you're serious?! No way! I was just kidding! Haha good one Kazuma." She quivered nudging me with her elbow.

"Wait you mean you didn't hear me and Aqua making love. Welp now you know. Gigs up I suppose. Might as well start to arrange the marriage. Ah this is good actually. So if Aqua and I go out by ourselves make sure Darkness doesn't tag along don't want her to know." Her look in her eyes! Oh it was priceless.

"no no n o NO! I don't believe you! YOU'RE A LIAR! LIAR!" She yelled pointing at me.

"Okay you got me calm down now, don't wanna disturb the others." I said holding up my hands.

KONOSUBA!

"WHAAT!?" I yelled

"Sorry, bud we forgot to get you guys a carriage. Welp that sucks. Listen, once we get back we'll get you guys a carriage. Alright?" One of the workers explained. You know what this is actually a good opportunity for some adventuring.

"Do you know where this road goes?" I asked

"Uhm Well sure. That road leads right to the capital. Takes about a full day of walking." I gallantly turned around pointing forwards.

"Off to the capital we go!"

KONOSUBA!

"Now why are we going to the capital?! We could just wait for the carriage to pick us up and bring us home. Come on Kazuma, if we run we can catch up to them and ask for a carriage." Aqua complained

"They're way too far away now. We're going to make it to the capital by sunset, okay? Here. Once we get there I can offer you a drink." That seemed to calm her down.

"What do you plan on doing at the capital, hmm, Kazuma?" Megumin asked.

"The Royal family lives there, right? I think I might try to land a political position there. Could make me a lot of money."

"Kazuma you know that I'm right here."

"Yes. I know you're there Darkness. What of it?"

"I'm a noble, Kazuma."

"Oh you are. I usually forget that since you never act like one. Well I guess you're my backup."

"Kazuma, I usually adore your straight man responses but that one just hurt."

"Oh come on, I'm only kidding." I said "You're actually my last ditch effort if all else fails and everyone leaves me."

"Kazuma you're filth and I love you."

"Of course you do."

KONOSUBA!

I was checking my card when I realized something. I had actually gained a level and some skill points after the fight with that man in the top hat. I suppose that killing anything of worth gives a decent amount of exp.

"Oi Aqua. Teach me your healing magic."

"No."

"Okay. Megumi-"

"AH FINALLY! Don't worry Kazu I'll teach you all the ins and outs of explosion magic! YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE IT!" Megumin said jumping me.

"Nevermind. I'm good. Oi Yunyun how about you?"

"Oh all my other skills require either a higher level or more skill points. Sorry."

"Fair enough"

-an hour later-

"KAzuma! Are we there yet!?"

"No Aqua, it's just a few more hours 'till we get there."

-another hour later-

" A! HOW MUCH LONGER?!"

"A few more hours, Aqua. We're almost there."

-5 minutes later-

"KAAAAAAZUMAAAAAAA!" Aqua yelled clinging to my clothes

"DAMNIT AQUA! You know what I have an idea. I'm ashamed I didn't think of it earlier. Aqua cast some speed buffs on us. We'll get there faster." I said. She cast a slight speed buff.

"Is this it?" Megumin asked

"I'm just slightly faster than usual." Darkness said

"Aqua. What level is this speed buff?"

"Well… it's a level II Speed buff."

"... and what level is Nature's Beauty?"

"...well it's level 50… I maxed it out."

"Of course it is."

KONOSUBA!

We arrived at the capital at sunset and got a hotel to stay at. We again ordered two seperate rooms, this time Yunyun would stay with Aqua and I because she no longer needed to keep watch. When we got to the room there was a queen sized bed and some cabinets. I set aside my mantel and layed on the bed. Aqua laid down next to me and we both released sighs of relief. Yunyun walked up to my side of the bed.

"Scooch over." She said signaling with her hands.

"Eh?!"

"Move over. Kazuma. I want to lay down too." This is pretty uncharacteristic of her. Being so upfront. Something is definitely off.

I scooched over, now laying in between both Aqua and Yunyun. Being a harem protagonist may not be all it's cracked up to be, if I'm being honest. Yunyun had gone and changes into a nightgown while Aqua and I stayed in our usual attire, too lazy to change out of them. Somehow this nightgown was cuter than her usual outfit. Having Yunyun sleep with us kind of killed the mood so Aqua and I didn't say to much to each other. We eventually fell asleep, Yunyun's wrapping legs around mine and one arm thrown over me. Yup. Somethings up.

A/N: OKAY! I'm sorry that this took a while to come out. I was torn between two different ways this chapter could have gone. I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter another chapter should hopefully come out soon. Also after I complete this project (not anytime soon) I'm going to probably start my own web novel or something. I've always wanted to but have never had the time or skill to do so. So yeah I'll see you soon!