Hi, I’m the Hero’s Father ～I’m Sorry For All The Trouble My Foolish Son Has Caused You～ - Chapter 53

Chapter 53   The Hero’s Father and His Party Takes a Mixed Bath

A week had passed since they arrived in the port town of Acreana.

Every day, they went to the sea in the morning and returned at sunset, spending all their time training in walking on water. Mion’s spirit was, in a way, wearing thin.

“I… want to play…”

Mion was at an age where she just wanted to have fun. With the sea right in front of her, and couples and families playing nearby, focusing solely on training was mentally exhausting. But now, after everything, the idea of playing in the sea had become a traumatic issue for her, and her body outright rejected it. Even now, Mion was curled up in her futon, quietly crying.

“Hmm… what should we do?”

“We could force her to keep going, but that seems a bit cruel… Maybe we should just take a couple of days off?”

“Day off!!!”

Mion, ever quick to react to the word “day off,” jumped up with her face lit up with excitement. Croix couldn’t help but smile wryly at how easily she was swayed.

“So, what do you want to do? Swim in the sea?”

“Th-There’s no way I can… I’d rather visit some other sights if there are any.”

“There are plenty of options. There’s the Aqua Museum, Aqua Resort, the aquarium, and the fishing port.”

All of them were water-related.

Mion couldn’t bring herself to voice this thought, though she was definitely thinking it. Perhaps noticing this, Croix stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“Well, let’s see… Oh, by the way, I remember there’s a hot spring on the roof of this hotel.”

“A hot spring?”

“Yes. They draw the hot spring water up from deep underground. I haven’t had a chance to go because of training and all the hustle, but would you like to go?”

“Y-yes, I’d love to!”

The cold seawater has become tiresome, but hot springs are a different story.

Feeling excited for the first time in a while, Mion happily prepares her bath set.

“Mion, make sure to bring your swimsuit as well.”

“Swimsuit too?”

“Some hot springs are separated by gender, but you can also enter mixed-gender baths if you wear a swimsuit. It would be a shame not to take advantage of it.”

“Mixed-gender bath…”

Suddenly, she imagined herself entering the hot spring with Croix.

For some reason, completely naked.

“Wh-wh-what!? This is too indecent! Too indecent, Croix-sama!”

“Huh?”

“Even though there’s Lady Wiel, this is way too indecent, Croix-sama!”

“Wait, what are you talking about?”

“Th-th-this is a mixed-gender bath…!”

“I said to wear a swimsuit, didn’t I? I said it, right?”

“Y-you want to see me in a swimsuit that badly…!”

“I saw you in the sea plenty of times…”

“A-a-a-aah…!?”

Her head was spinning, and her face turned bright red.

It seemed like the combination of exhaustion and mysterious high tension was making her brain go haywire.

Croix sighed quietly, but then suddenly felt something cold on his back.

“Hmm… So you prefer younger people too, huh? Hmm…”

“Wait, Wiel. I’m the victim here.”

“Well, I don’t have youth anymore, you see. You prefer a younger body, don’t you? Heeeeeee…”

Realizing this, he understood that Wiel was just teasing him.

“Stop it, really. It’s bad for my heart.”

“Hehe, sorry. I was just surprised to see you so flustered, so I couldn’t help myself.”

Indeed. Even she thinks that he shouldn’t get so flustered.

Mion, who could fluster Croix, was a strong person in her own way.

“Alright, Mion. It’s fine to indulge in naughty fantasies, but let’s focus on preparing first.”

“I-I’m not indulging! Not at all!”

Despite her strong denial, her face was bright red.

Croix averted his gaze as he watched Mion disappear into the back of the room with Wiel.

◆

Having finished preparing, Croix entered the mixed-gender hot spring first.

Since it was a mixed-gender bath, he wore surf shorts instead of his usual boomerang pants.

However, his muscles were so massive that they stretched tightly against the fabric.

The presence of a two-meter-tall, muscle-bound giant caused a stir among those in the mixed-gender bath.

“Wow, amazing…”

“Look, look. That person is so muscular.”

“And on top of that, he’s cool…!”

“Maybe I should start training…”

“Those muscles are incredible…”

Accustomed to being the center of attention, Croix washed his body with a calm expression.

At that moment, the bath area began to buzz again.

“…An angel…”

“No, it’s more like a goddess…”

“So beautiful…”

“What is that beauty?”

“Even as the same sex, my heart races…”

Croix also turned his gaze.

As expected, it was Wiel and Mion.

Wiel was wearing a pure white, modest triangle bikini.

Mion was sporting a bold black crisscross bikini.

Their impact was more than enough to draw attention.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“I’m sorry for the delay!”

“No, I just got here myself. Let’s wash up quickly and get into the bath.”

“Then, let me wash your back.”

“I’ll help too!”

The two stood behind Croix, scooping up foamy soap with their hands and rubbing his back.

Even with four hands, Croix’s back was so large that it felt ample.

Seeing this, the people in the mixed-gender bath nodded in understanding.

“It turns out those people are acquaintances after all.”

“Well, I figured as much. …Damn, I’m so envious.”

“Wipe away your tears.”

“They make such a picturesque trio…”

Such voices could be heard.

However, the three of them ignored the gazes and comments from around them and immersed themselves in their own little world.

“Croix-sama, I’m sorry for earlier when I was so flustered…”

“There’s no need to worry about it. Mion-chan is at that age too.”

“Being understood like that makes me feel a bit complicated, though.”

Embarrassment made her want to escape.

After washing Croix’s back and arms, Wiel and Mion took turns washing each other.

Once they were all cleaned up, they soaked in the hot spring.

“Oh, it’s a bit lukewarm, isn’t it?”

“It feels more like a heated pool than a hot spring.”

“But it’s fine. We can relax comfortably.”

The three of them sat side by side, gazing out at the blue sky and ocean.

The location was breathtaking. Just being here was enough to relieve their everyday fatigue.

“Oh, that’s right, you can drink while soaking in the hot springs here. They say if you spill anything, it’s purified by magic or something like that… Do you want something to drink?”

“Then I’ll have champagne.”

“May I also have the same thing, please?”

“More alcohol, huh… Alright, got it.”

Croix got out of the hot spring and headed towards the bar.

As she saw him off, Wiel approached Mion.

“It’s nice, isn’t it, to do something like this once in a while?”

“Yes, it feels like I’m going to melt.”

“Heh, I understand.”

Seeing Mion become all relaxed, Wiel also smiled.

Then, suddenly, loud voices were heard coming from the entrance.

“Wow! This is amazing!”

“Haha! With prices this high, it’s only natural!”

“Plus, mixed bathing is the best! Let’s see, good-looking women… Oh♪”

Three frivolous-looking people set their sights on Wiel and Mion.

They approached the two with smirks on their faces.

Unaware that hell awaits them if they make a move on these two.