Chapter 33
Thus began a shared life with three female adventurers, including Erika.
Just because Erika and the others were staying over didn't mean any special events would occur.
During the day, they would leave town and head into the nearby forest.
Apparently, the story about coming to this town for adventuring work wasn't a complete lie.
"We were asked to capture a rare monster called a Carbuncle. Someone apparently saw one near this town about ten years ago, so we came to look for it."
The Carbuncle was a monster also known as a symbol of good fortune and rarely showed itself to people.
They wouldn't kill it. It was common knowledge that hurting a Carbuncle would bring terrible misfortune.
On the contrary, it was widely rumored that if you kept one with care, merchant houses would prosper, women would be blessed with children, and men would rise in status.
"It's not the kind of monster you can catch easily. Isn't this just a waste of time?"
"That might be true. But we got a good advance payment, so it's fine even if we fail."
Saying that, Erika would head out to the forest nearly every day.
She would return by evening and stay in the living quarters at the shrine... but just because they were staying over didn't mean anything strange happened.
No accidental encounters in the bath, no walking in while someone was changing, no moments where hands brushed while reaching for the same thing... none of those romantic comedy-like events occurred.
It was to the point that it felt unnaturally absent.
"Now then... time for a bath..."
'Kuma~ kuma~'
"Hm? What is it, Bear? You want to play?"
'Kuma~'
"I see, then I'll take a bath later."
Every time Clael was about to have a near-miss with the three women, the plush bear would step in.
Thanks to that, Clael was able to live peacefully without triggering any awkward cohabitation events with the women.
(It's not like I'm hoping for something weird to happen... but still. Why does it feel like I'm somehow losing out...?)
Clael tilted his head.
Even though he was living under the same roof with three women, nothing at all was happening, and it felt unnaturally so.
Back when he lived with Reina, they ended up bathing together, he accidentally saw her changing, or he tried to catch her when she tripped and ended up pushing her down.
(Well, maybe this is normal. It's not a problem... since nothing's happening.)
"Priest Clael... you're amazing. I mean, it really feels like you're being protected."
While cleaning the chapel, one of Erika's party members... Tina spoke up.
"What are you talking about?"
"Oh, nothing. Just that your guard is so strong, we can't get close at all."
"............?"
"You know, we're actually trying really hard. For Erika's sake."
"For Erika's sake...?"
What is she talking about?
Clael tilted his head, and Tina's eyes sparkled.
"Ah, my legs tangled—"
"Wah!"
Tina suddenly tripped on the floor and lunged toward Clael.
But in the next moment, the plush bear leapt out from behind a chair and caught Tina instead.
"Whoa."
'Kuma~'
"See... I knew it."
Straightening her posture with the bear's help, Tina nodded as if everything made sense.
"Because his guard's so tight, I can't get Erika and him together at all. Even though I've been trying to make sure their bath times overlap and everything."
"Uh... what are you talking about?"
"Oh, nothing... but yeah, it seems like Erika's no good. It's too late."
Tina sighed and pinched the hem of her robe, lifting it up.
"Wah!"
'Kuma~'
Just when it seemed like her underwear was about to be seen... the bear jumped in and cleverly blocked the view, leaving the important parts completely hidden.
"We've been trying hard to trigger events like this, you know... Erika really should've acted sooner."
"W-What are you seriously talking about? This is the shrine, the chapel!"
"Oh, nothing. Just that love is a race, and the fastest wins. It's Erika's fault for not using her position as a long-time friend from school. Please stay just the way you are, Priest."
"............?"
'Kuma kuma'
As Clael stood speechless, unable to comprehend anything, the plush bear patted his shoulder as if to say, "Don't worry about it."