Helping Things Along

"Please don't push yourself, Roxy. If you're tired, make sure you get some rest."

As Cain spoke, he gently placed a hand on Roxy's forehead to check her temperature.

Her fever had broken. Cain breathed a sigh of relief, a smile of reassurance spreading across his face.

She really does make me worry...

"W-what are you doing?!"

Seeing Cain touch her forehead so gently, Roxy blushed like a boiling kettle, red all the way to her ears.

"Huh? Checking whether your fever's gone down, of course!"

"Hey? Don't push me, Roxy."

"G-get out!"

Bang!

Cain pressed his lips together and blinked at the tightly shut door, baffled.

"What was that about...? Does she hate me? That can't be right."

Cain tilted his head in confusion. He didn't think he'd done anything to make her dislike him...

After shutting the door, Roxy crouched down and covered her burning face, burying her head between her knees. Her eyes spun in circles, and she was too embarrassed to say a word.

"Stupid Cain..."

"Hey, Cain, why are you out here? How's Roxy?"

Still staring at the door with his head tilted, Cain turned at the voice. Zoldat and Bruce stood behind him. He pressed his lips together.

"She's awake, and her fever's gone down. It's just..."

"What? Don't tell me you did something out of line and got thrown out."

At Zoldat's teasing smile, Cain thought that if this had been their first day knowing each other, he'd already have used the Blade of Light on him.

"Hey, don't look at me like that, Cain. I was only joking. Take your hand off your sword hilt. That's dangerous."

"You..." Cain folded his arms with a huff. "I'd never do anything like that to Roxy."

He decided to make Zoldat's next training session a little tougher.

"I-is that so..."

Inside the cabin, separated from Cain and the snow-covered outdoors by a single door, Roxy pressed her lips together and slowly breathed a sigh of relief.

The hastily built cabin was a little rough, and Zoldat happened to spot a blue ponytail hanging down into the gap beneath the door behind Cain.

Wait, is Roxy... eavesdropping?!

Realizing what was going on, Zoldat grinned.

"What? Why are you smiling like that? It's creepy."

Zoldat's mouth twitched at Cain's disgusted look.

"Hey, you don't have to say something so hurtful!"

I'm doing this for your own good, you blockhead. Can't you tell how your teacher feels about you? You're a stupid Sword God with nothing but swordsmanship and magic in your head. Clearly, you need guidance from experienced seniors like us.

Zoldat cleared his throat twice and nudged Bruce's shoulder with his elbow. Bruce had also noticed something and was staring wide-eyed.

The two exchanged a glance and cleared their throats.

"So what are you two here for, anyway...?"

Cain blinked at the comical smiles on their faces. For some reason, he had a bad feeling about this.

Both men grinned. "To call you to account, of course."

"Huh? What are you two talking about?"

Cain's eye twitched, and he pursed his lips.

Call me to account? For what? I was one of the main fighters in this labyrinth expedition. I even took down the mini-boss on the twentieth floor in one hit. Not that there's anything to brag about. Those monsters really were weak.

Zoldat folded his arms and gave a small nod.

"That's right. The moment our dear Sword God saw his respected teacher Roxy collapse, he rushed out of the labyrinth without a second thought. He completely forgot about the rest of us, his teammates."

Cain's mouth twitched.

"Th-that's not fair. I went back for you as soon as I got Roxy home. It wasn't like that."

"Oh, stop being modest, Cain. When Roxy collapsed, you were frantic. You picked her up and charged straight back, without even worrying about stepping on a magical teleportation trap. Then you stayed by her side for two days. Did you even eat more than a few meals?"

"O-of course I was worried! Roxy is my teacher. It's only natural to worry about her safety. She's an important companion, too. How could I ignore her when she was sick?"

Cain's face reddened as he explained in a slight panic. He couldn't understand why they were bringing this up when there was nothing improper between him and Roxy.

Seeing the skepticism on Zoldat's and Brook's faces, Cain went on.

"I swore on my honor as the Second Sword God that I'd keep Roxy safe. Of course I'd do everything I could."

Zoldat slipped an arm around Cain's shoulders, smiling teasingly.

"I'm sure that's not all."

Cain folded his arms and stared at Zoldat's goofy grin in confusion. Not all? Isn't that our relationship? We're probably closer than most couples.

Cain certainly didn't think a couple who had only spent one night together could compare to the pure bond he shared with Roxy as her student and fellow adventurer.

Actually, that's a poor comparison. There's no comparison at all.

Roxy was his teacher. She had taught him so much magic without holding anything back and even bought him an expensive magic book. Wasn't it only right that he protect her?

They had known each other for just over two weeks, but Cain sincerely respected this adorable, powerful teacher who was willing to teach him magic.

"What are you trying to say?"

Just then, the door behind them creaked open.

Roxy peeked out, her sky-blue hair framing her face. Her blue eyes were shy, and her cheeks were flushed.

She had heard everything. So her foolish student had stayed by her side for the past two days.

How am I supposed to repay him...?

Maybe I'm already too far in his debt...

Her feelings tangled together, Roxy pressed her lips together and beckoned to Cain.

"C-Cain, could you come inside for a moment?"

Cain smiled faintly at his blushing teacher and walked over.

Behind him, Zoldat and Brook exchanged knowing smiles. They bumped fists, gave Cain's retreating back one last look, then went off to attend to their own business.

Cain entered the room. Roxy sat on the bed in a pure white dress.

She looks as beautiful as an angel, Cain thought with a faint smile.

"Are you feeling better, Roxy?" Cain poured a cup of warm water at the wooden table and handed it to her.

"M-much better."

Roxy held the cup in both hands and took a sip. The warm water had a hint of sweetness, and its comforting taste lifted her spirits. Some of the flush faded from her cheeks.

"Please don't push yourself again. You'll make me worry." Cain stood before her with his arms folded. Seeing the color back in her face, he let out a helpless sigh of relief.

When he'd first brought Roxy back, her lips had been frighteningly pale. She looked much better now.

"I'm sorry. I won't do it again."

Roxy nodded slightly at Cain's smile, clutching her pillow. She pressed her lips together and lowered her head, stealing glances at him now and then. At last, she sighed softly.

There were things she would have to say sooner or later. Roxy hoped she could make Cain understand how she felt.