The shrine maiden's hands were slender and fair. When they touched her head, they even felt a little smooth and silky, nothing like the hands of someone who wielded a blade.
But they felt very comfortable.
Hoshino's hand wandered down from the top of her head until it reached her dragon horns. Then, following Ch'en's horns upward, she grasped their tips and forced her to lower her head slightly. Hoshino's series of movements left Ch'en looking somewhat embarrassed.
"All right, all right. You really are a woman who's good at helping people untangle their troubles."
Hoshino smiled softly.
"So this is how you show your gratitude?"
A pat on the head, a stroke of the horns, and then a touch of the dragon tail.
"What else?"
Hoshino said shamelessly.
"Actually, there's also the matter of payment. By going, I'll be helping you accomplish some things too. It's just that you shouldn't know about them yet."
"What?"
Ch'en asked instinctively.
But the shrine maiden did not answer her.
Hoshino's worries had already been eased by Ch'en. She became that perfect charlatan actress once more, no longer so vexed and fragile inside.
Ch'en could no longer get anything out of her. She had lost one of her rare chances to take the offensive.
Fortunately, Ch'en herself had not realized that.
Otherwise, she would have regretted it to death.
Seeing her panting state, Hoshino noticed that she was covered not only in dirt from their fight but also in sweat. Even her hair was stuck together by her own perspiration, making it unpleasant to the touch.
"Go take a bath. Leave the rest to me."
Hoshino waved her hand smugly.
Naturally, she meant for Ch'en to bathe in the hot spring behind the shrine. There was nowhere else here.
Ch'en was somewhat flattered,