The party walked down the snowy path in the forest, dressed in their winter gear. The group had decided to hunt down a rookie hunter that had been haunting the forests around the city. Raemis trailed behind, bundled up in her black cloak. Ahead of her was Darkness, then Aqua, then Megumin and Kazuma next to each other.
"I'm still not happy about walking around with a demon," Aqua complained, holding her staff close to her chest.
"Aqua, play nice," Kazuma shot back, not looking back.
Darkness stared at Kazuma and Megumin walking shoulder to shoulder. The events of last night replayed in her mind. She was unsure what to interpret Kazuma's "a bit" as when referring to her, and "I do" to Megumin.
"Darkness," Raemis whispered, waving her over with her hand. Darkness slowed down until she was walking next to the demon, who promptly began to whisper into her ear, cupping her hand so the others didn't hear. "I sense that fear in you again,"
Darkness blushed at the comment, embarrassed that the demon had detected her fear that Megumin had gotten the leg up on her. "S-Sorry Raemis,"
The demon shook her head in response. "No No, don't apologize. I just want to know why you're walking so far behind Kazuma and the others,"
"I-" Darkness whispered, "Wait why aren't you close to Kazuma,"
"Don't change the subject," Raemis hissed.
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"I-I'm just scared, that I've already lost…"
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"If it makes you feel any better," Raemis paused, making sure the pair walking in front of them wasn't looking. "I can sense that same fear from Megumin right now,"
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Darkness immediately marched towards Kazuma, taking him by the arm as she approached from behind.
"K-K-Kazuma! I-It's so cold! P-P-Please keep me warm!" Darkness awkwardly exclaimed as she squeezed Kazuma's arm tighter.
"D-D-Darkness! W-What are you doing!" Kazuma yelled, red in the face.
"H-Hey!" Megumin replied as she also began to cling onto Kazuma. "He's mine!"
Kazuma was in heaven. To his left was the curvy, mature crusader pressing against his arm, and to his right was the soft, petite mage rubbing against him. He had a dumb grin on his face as he allowed himself to feel up their bodies.
"Let go!" They both exclaimed.
"Wait!" Raemis exclaimed, immediately catching the attention of the party. "I hear breathing…"
Darkness reluctantly let go of Kazuma's arm, drawing her sword as she scanned the area. Megumin followed suit and held out her staff.
The rookie killer leaped at Raemis from behind, the demon reacting by turning on the ball of her foot.
"Raemis, look out!" Kazuma yelled as he prepared to fire an arrow.
Raemis slammed her right fist into the Rookie killer's face, the sound was like the crack of a rifle as her punch made contact. It was sent flying into a tree, causing a loud bang.
"That was close!" Raemis sighed as she shook her hand. The party stared in shock, walking over to Raemis to examine what was left of the beast.
"K-Kazuma, praise me," Raemis whispered as she turned to him.
"U-Uh s-sure," Kazuma replied, patting the top of her head, rubbing her scalp with the tips of his fingers. Megumin and Darkness looked at her with jealousy.
"mmmmmm," Raemis had a satisfied smile on her face, enjoying getting spoiled by Kazuma.
The party continued to walk through the forest. They had decided to hunt as many as possible due to the rapid speed of the last encounter. Darkness and Megumin stayed on full alert, determined to receive Kazuma's praise.
"Give up Darkness!" Megumin taunted, "Knowing you, you'd ask for Kazuma to degrade you! You don't need to kill a rookie killer for that!"
"I-I-I would not!" Darkness exclaimed, her face red with embarrassment, her stance shaking with uncertainty.
The party heard a shuffle from a bush behind them. Darkness charged at the bush at full speed, cutting the bush into two with her sword. The rookie killer leaped at Darkness before her blade could come in contact with it. Raemis punched the beast with all her might before it could harm the crusader, sending it flying.
"T-Thank you, Raemis," Darkness thanked, turning to the demon, only to see she was no longer there.
A "mmmmmm" from Raemis pulled Darkness' attention towards her, seeing that she was once again, being spoiled by Kazuma.
"Nice job Raemis," Kazuma praised as he patted her head.
The party walked through the forest as the sun began to set. Kazuma's bag was growing heavy with the countless fangs of rookie killers they had looted today.
"Raemis," Megumin called, causing the demon to turn around. "Aren't you cold?"
Raemis had been walking around in just a cloak and her usual outfit, basically shirtless.
"N-No," Raemis replied, "the weather doesn't bother me,"
Megumin gave her an unconvinced look.
"Raemis, let's go shopping for clothes tomorrow," Darkness said, giving her a smile.
"N-N-No it's alright!"
"Please, it's the least I can do,"
"A-Alright,"
Their conversation was interrupted by the sight of a pack of Rookie Killers, around 50 meters away. Kazuma spotted around 5, distracted by their latest game. He looked over to Megumin, who was tugging at his sleeve.
Kazuma nodded, Megumin grinning happily in response.
"-ION!" The earth shook with a mighty explosion, shaking the snow that rested on the trees above them.
"Nice job," Kazuma said, crossing his arms, "I give it 95 points, the cold weather really helps,"
Megumin fell towards the ground, Kazuma catching her moments before she hit the cold snow. She promptly was picked up by Kazuma, resting on his back.
"Kazuma, praise me,"
"I'll do it when we get back," Kazuma replied, causing Megumin to make a pouty face. "Speaking of, we should start heading back, it's getting late,"
Kazuma's words made Darkness realize she had yet to eliminate a Rookie Killer. "K-Kazuma, we can stay out for just a bit longer, w-we are on a good pace after all,"
"Nah it's getting cold," He replied begin to walk back towards the town. Raemis and Aqua were quick to follow.
"A-Alright," Darkness responded quietly.
After turning in their quest, the party decided to celebrate their extremely successful quest by drinking after preparing for bed.
"I'm done with the bath!" Kazuma yelled down the hall as he exited the bathroom. Darkness looked over the table to see Megumin carefully pondering her turn in the strange board game Kazuma disliked.
"Megumin, you can go in the bath first" Darkness offered, causing Megumin to look up.
"Can't we just bathe together?"
"O-oh sure,"
"Raemis, you wanna join?"
"Are you sure?" Raemis asked. She had been sitting on the couch, spectating their game.
"Yeah, of course,"
"O-Okay,"
"What about you, Aqua?"
"I already bathed," Aqua responded, lazing on the couch. "Besides I would rather die than get naked in front of a demon like her,"
"You could've just said no…" Raemis whispered.
"Darkness, could you wash my back?" Megumin asked as she sat on a stool, having just finished washing her hair.
"Sure," Darkness replied as she walked over, grabbing some soap. She began to wash the young mage's back, making sure to scrub every inch. "You've grown so much since we first met,"
"R-Really?" Megumin asked, looking over her shoulder.
"Of course, Megumin. You're growing into a fine young lady,"
Raemis looked over at the pair as she rinsed her white hair, pouring water over her head with a wooden bucket. The normally puffy hair had mellowed out into long strands due to the water.
"Raemis," Megumin called as she made eye contact with the demon. "Your hair is so pretty,"
"T-Thank you," Raemis replied, a soft blush growing on her cheeks.
"Your body… is so… big,"
Raemis grew a bit more red in the face as Darkness began scolding the mage.
"T-Thanks, I'm a bit self conscious of my muscles though… I wish I had a softer, slimmer body… Like Darkness,"
Darkness grew red at the sudden compliment, hands stopping as she began shaking in embarrassment.
"It's okay," Megumin replied, "Darkness has a hard body too!"
"I-I-I do not!"
Megumin laughed as Darkness hit her back with a flurry of soft punches.
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The group sighed as they soaked in the warm water. They enjoyed the comforting warmth of the water surrounding their bodies as it soothed their tired muscles. Megumin leaned over the edge of the bath, while Raemis and Darkness surrounded her, leaning back onto the wall.
"It's been ages since I've had a bath like this," Raemis sighed.
"mmmmmmmmm" Megumin responded.
"It's nice to feel all clean like this for once,"
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"You're so strong, Raemis," Megumin complimented, looking over to her. "It must be the those big boobs,"
"W-W-What?!" Raemis stuttered.
"Think about it! Megumin exclaimed, "You, Darkness, Wiz, as much as I hate to admit it, Yun Yun?! You're all so strong! Either physically or magically! It must be from those voluptuous breasts of yours!"
"M-Megumin what are you saying!" Darkness yelled. "I-I-It is not from my chest!"
Megumin shot her an unconvinced glare as she sunk into the bath, blowing bubbles into the water.
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The girls were getting dressed into respective nightwear after their bath. Raemis began to wrap her chest when Megumin noticed out of the corner of her eye.
"Raemis, don't you have something to wear other than what you wore today?" Megumin asked as she pulled on her pajamas.
"N-No, these are the only clothes I have," Raemis replied, picking up her cloak.
"Would you like to borrow one of mine?" Darkness asked, finished changing into her usual pink nightgown.
"I-If that's alright with you…"
Darkness walked out of the bathroom, leaving Raemis and Megumin alone.
"Megumin," Raemis whispered, "I think you're plenty strong,"
"Really?"
"Of course, you almost killed me, remember?"
"Oh, sorry about that…"
"Don't worry about it, you should take pride in it,"
"A toast to our success!" Kazuma exclaimed, raising his glass of wine into the air. The party stood around the living room, making sure to stay around the fire to keep warm.
"Cheers!"
The party all enjoyed their drinks, bar Raemis and Megumin, the latter of which was being forced to drink tea instead.
"Raemis, is that Darkness' nightgown?" Kazuma asked as he took a sip of his wine, sitting down on the sofa and laying his right arm on the armrest.
"Y-Yes it is… does it not suit me?" Raemis asked bashfully as she sat a meter away from the adventurer, looking down at her feet as she held her arm.
"It looks good on you,"
Raemis looked up with a surprised look on her face, her freckled cheeks becoming a darker shade of crimson red.
"Thank you," she whispered with a small smile.
"K-Kazuma, w-what about me!" Darkness interjected, sitting between the two.
"Yeah, what about me!" Megumin also interjected, squeezing in between Kazuma and Darkness.
"Kazuma, stop flirting!" Aqua exclaimed before Kazuma could give a response, taking a swig from her glass. "You're ruining my drink with your stupid harem,"
"H-Harem?!" The group exclaimed.
"You and your… stupid foursome…" Aqua poured herself another glass, then immediately chugged the wine. "ruining my day…"
They all took a sip of their drinks, deciding to try to ignore the goddess before she began to ramble again.
"You two… always waving around your titties… *Hic* trying to seduce him… Megumin always… teasing Kazuma *Hic* with your flat butt…" Aqua spoke out in a drunken stumble, pointing accusingly at the group.
"Maybe it's time for bed, Aqua," Megumin said, a ticked off look adorning her face as she got up, grabbing the goddess by the arms.
"Nooooooo! I wanna drink with you guysss!" She exclaimed as she kicked the air, being dragged across the floor.
"That's what you get for drinking before we got here," Kazuma plainly replied, staring at the pathetic display.
Aqua's kicking slowed to a stop. She started to snore loudly as Megumin easily dragged her out the room.
"By the way, I'm going to bed, I don't feel like arguing about letting me drink tonight," Megumin said as she poked her head into the room. "Don't wait up,"
"Good night Megumin," Kazuma called out. He turned around to pour himself another glass when Megumin shot Darkness a thumbs up and left with Aqua in tow.
"Geez it's just the three of us huh," Kazuma sighed as sipped from his glass, reclining in his soft chair.
"Everyone is too tired from their baths," Darkness explained, also taking a sip of her wine. "We should do this before next time,"
"Raemis, are you sure you don't drink?" Kauzma asked, holding out an empty glass in one hand and a bottle in the other.
"N-No, I don't drink," She declined.
"On another note, Raemis, you're our MVP tonight!"
"MVP?" Raemis replied in a confused tone
"We couldn't have made nearly as much money without you today,"
"T-Thank you, i-it's really nothing,"
"Don't sell yourself short Raemis! It's nice to know you're on our side,"
Darkness gazed at Kazuma as he continued to praise the demon, who was currently burying her face in her hands to hide her bright blush. Darkness finished her glass as Raemis squirmed in embarrassment.
"K-Kazuma p-please stop, it's so embarrassing," Raemis cried as she curled up into a ball.
"You're so cool, Raemis! And it's nice that you're pretty sexy too!"
"Nooooooo!" Raemis exclaimed as she ran out the room, her face still buried in her hands.
Kazuma chuckled to himself as he put down his glass onto the coffee table.
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"K-Kazuma," Darkness whispered, looking down at her hands, which were grasping tightly around her glass.
"Hmm?" Kazuma looked up at Darkness to see the crusader's cheeks had become a slight pink.
"Kazuma,"
"Yes?"
"Kazuma,"
"What?"
Darkness turned to the adventurer, putting down her glass. Her hand slowly crept towards Kazuma as she leaned in closer. Kazuma leaned back towards the armrest, confused why the blonde was approaching him suddenly.
"Kazuma," Darkness was now leaning over Kazuma, who had turned red in face, nervous as he could feel her hand lay on top of his.
"Y-Yes?" Kazuma nervously asked, unable to look away from Darkness' face.
"Kazuma,"
Kazuma sighed. "Darkness you're drunk, I think you should get some sleep,"
"Kazuma,"
"..."
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"I wish, you would look at me, like that,"
"What are you talking about?"
"I wish you would only look at my body,
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Only me…"
Kazuma opened his mouth, only for no words to come out. Darkness leaned in closer, and closer. Her hand left his, only for it to come up to his chest. She rested her forehead on his chest, sighing as she listened to his heart race.
"D-Darkness, what are you doing you pervert!" Kazuma hissed quietly, not moving an inch.
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"Kazuma,"
"..."
"You know how I feel about you…" Darkness whispered, her hands gripping the adventurer's shirt.
"..."
"Look at me… only…"
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"Darkness… You're drunk,"
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"My body is sexy too… If you want to ogle a body you can ogle mine…" Darkness gripped tighter, pressing onto Kazuma's body a bit harder. Kazuma could feel her soft chest press against him, growing more and more red by the situation.
"..."
"Kazuma!"
"Y-Yes?" Kazuma asked, a bit surprised at the sudden raising of her voice. She looked up at him, resting her chin on his chest as she gazed into Kazuma's darting eyes.
"Praise me,"
"H-Huh?"
"Pamper me,"
Kazuma raised his hand and began to softly pat the top of the blonde's hair. Darkness closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of Kazuma's fingertips on her scalp.
"Thank you for keeping safe for all this time, Lalatina," The slightly buzzed Kazuma chuckled.
"You're welcome…"
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The two enjoyed each other's company for a while, not saying another word as Darkness slowly drifted towards unconsciousness. Kazuma could feel her body slowly rise and fall with each breath, her hands gripping onto his shirt a little tighter.
"Are you sure you don't want me to degrade you?" Kazuma whispered, getting a small amount of enjoyment from seeing the usually eccentric Darkness act all cute.
"N-N-No!" Darkness exclaimed, her slumber disturbed Kazuma's teasing. "W-Well maybe…"
Kazuma began to softly scratch her scalp as the crusader let out a soft sigh.
"I want you to spoil me, yet degrade me at the same time…" Darkness confessed, closing her eyes once again as she enjoyed Kazuma's massage, laying her head back down on Kazuma's chest, pressing her ear to his heart. "As long as it's you, I don't care if you pamper or humiliate me,"
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"How greedy,"
"I am… greedy for you Kazuma…
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I want you all to myself…"