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Riveria awoke with calm breaths, her emerald eyes glinting faintly in the darkness of her room. Her green dress was wrinkled from her motionless sleep, and a lingering warmth remained in her chest. She looked down and realized the folding board she had been hugging was still tightly clutched in her hands.
Slowly, she exhaled deeply, allowing her consciousness to return fully. She lifted the board from her chest, her fingers gently stroking its surface before carefully placing it back on the table, as if it were more fragile than the wood it was made of.
Her gaze then shifted to the clock on the table. The hour and minute hands pointed precisely to four.
It's already morning…
She usually woke at this hour. Her routine was ingrained in her body, and as always, the next steps were to bathe and prepare before heading to the warehouse in the corner of the garden for magecraft training with Shirou. However, something made her pause for a moment.
Shirou…
She regretted not having had the chance to speak with him last night. After returning from Aina's house, she should have gone to see him and let him know she was back, that she was ready to resume their usual training. But her body had been too exhausted, and her mind was filled with indescribable emotions, so she had ended up falling asleep early.
Perhaps he thinks I'm still staying at Aina's place…
Growl—
Her stomach rumbled softly, breaking the silence of the room. Riveria stiffened, her face flushing slightly even though no one else was in the room.
Only now did she realize she hadn't eaten dinner last night. Since returning, her mind had been too preoccupied with thoughts, and she had gone straight to bed without filling her stomach. Now, her body demanded its due with an embarrassingly loud protest.
She sighed and wiped her forehead.
Perhaps before starting today's activities, I should find something to eat first…
With graceful movements, she rose from the bed and began preparing. There was still time before the sun fully rose, and she knew the manor's kitchen would likely be quiet. She just needed something light before refocusing on her training.
Riveria stepped out of her room with light steps, the door closing soundlessly behind her. The air inside the manor was still filled with tranquility, the silence occasionally broken by faint snores from adventurers still lost in their dreams.
Her hand trailed along the wooden banister as she descended to the first floor. The light from the magic stone lamps placed along the walls provided only a dim glow, enough to see the way while maintaining the peaceful, shadowy atmosphere. Her elongated shadow stretched along the hallway, moving slowly in sync with her silent steps.
As she passed several rooms, the occasional loud snore made her ears twitch slightly. Riveria merely sighed and shook her head. How can they sleep with such noise? she thought as she continued walking.
When she reached the kitchen, the atmosphere there was no different from the rest of the manor—quiet and still. Riveria opened the door slowly and stepped inside, heading straight for the table where food was usually stored.
She opened one of the storage cabinets and examined its contents. There weren't many food options available at this hour. A few pieces of dry bread, some fruit, and cheese neatly stored in a magic stone cooling box.
Without hesitation, she took a piece of bread, cut a modest portion of cheese, and poured water into a glass. She carried everything to the table in the middle of the kitchen and sat on one of the chairs, exhaling softly before beginning her meal.
The quiet sound of her first bite echoed faintly in the silent room. The slightly hard texture of the bread registered on her tongue, but the soft, slightly salty cheese helped balance the flavor.
She lifted her glass and took a slow sip of water. The cool sensation flowed down her throat, offering a slight refreshment amid the lingering drowsiness.
Eating in silence like this was nothing unfamiliar to her. As someone who often woke earlier than others, she sometimes enjoyed a light meal before the manor buzzed with morning activity. But this time, it felt slightly different.
Why do I feel like I'm avoiding something right now?
Her thoughts drifted back to Shirou, to the emotions that had unsettled her last night. She took another bite of bread, trying to divert her mind from it.
Yet, deep down, she knew those feelings couldn't be ignored so easily.
After finishing her meal and easing her hunger, Riveria rose from the wooden chair in the kitchen. She took a final sip of water before setting the glass back on the table, then silently ascended the stairs to the upper floor.
Her destination was her own room, but halfway down the second-floor hallway, her gaze unconsciously flickered toward a particular door—Shirou's room.
He's probably still asleep, she thought, remembering that Shirou didn't know she had returned to the manor. If that were the case, their magecraft training could resume this morning without further delay.
Yet, another impulse made her feet turn toward his room. I just want to check… she rationalized in her heart, though there was something more personal driving her.
Of course, I won't wake him, she justified her actions. I just want to see him for a moment… just a brief glance.
Her steps slowed, nearly soundless. The cool morning air flowed through the quiet manor hallway. When she reached Shirou's door, she noticed it wasn't fully closed—it was slightly ajar, leaving a gap for anyone who might want to peek inside.
A moment of hesitation arose, but curiosity and temptation overpowered it. With careful movements, she touched the wooden door and pulled it open slightly wider.
That was when she saw him.
"Eh?"
Instantly, Riveria's breath caught in her throat.
Before her, Shirou was not asleep as she had assumed. Instead, the young man was training, hanging from a wooden bar fixed to his ceiling, his body rising and falling in steady pull-ups. The perfectly defined muscles of his abdomen tightened with each lift, sweat glistening on his bare skin.
"Ah... Riveria?" he greeted her in a tired voice, then dropped down and stopped his workout. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. "You're back at the manor?"
Riveria stood frozen in the doorway, her eyes unconsciously still fixed on the young man's body. It took her a few seconds to look away and regain her composure.
"Y-yes... I am," she answered, her voice slightly trembling. She quickly averted her face, pretending to look elsewhere, though her cheeks still felt warm. "I... just wanted to confirm something."
Shirou raised an eyebrow, slightly puzzled by Riveria's uncharacteristic behavior. But he merely nodded slowly before grabbing a towel from the corner of the room to wipe his sweat-drenched body.
Meanwhile, Riveria struggled to calm her racing heart. She truly hadn't expected to see such a sight. And worse—why did she want to keep looking longer?
Shirou suddenly realized something that made him stiffen slightly. He looked down, noticing he was still shirtless, wearing only shorts with his sweaty body on full display.
"Sorry, I didn't expect you to come so early in the morning," he said hastily. Without wasting time, he grabbed a black tank top hanging on a chair and quickly pulled it on.
Riveria, whose face had initially flushed slightly, now appeared calmer. Though her expression had returned to its usual neutrality, her eyes still stole glances at Shirou as he tugged the tank top over his head, briefly revealing the movement of his back and arm muscles before the fabric covered them.
In her heart, she couldn't suppress a sudden sense of luck. Yesterday, I imagined him swimming shirtless with me in the dungeon... and now, I'm seeing it right in front of me.
As Shirou finished putting on his tank top, Riveria cleared her throat softly, trying to banish unnecessary thoughts from her mind. She tilted her head and asked in a flat tone, as if trying to shift the mood.
"Why are you training like this?" she inquired. "Doesn't regular physical training not grant excelia? Especially with your Underdog skill—shouldn't you be fighting stronger enemies to gain excelia?"
Shirou rubbed the back of his neck, looking slightly awkward. "Well... honestly, I'm just used to waking up early to teach you magecraft. But since you stayed at Aina's place, my morning schedule felt empty. So, I filled it with other activities."
Riveria raised an eyebrow, studying him with curiosity. Her eyes still occasionally flickered to Shirou's sweat-drenched body beneath his tight tank top. "Like these pull-ups?" she asked, leaning slightly forward.
Shirou nodded. "Yeah, that's one of them. But days before, I also went to the forge with Lefiya to make a bicycle." He smiled slightly. "By the way, have you tried it yet?"
Hearing Lefiya's name, Riveria felt a sharp pang in her chest—a jealousy that shouldn't exist. She quickly pushed it away before the feeling could take hold.
"I have tried it," she replied calmly, suppressing the emotions that had briefly surfaced. "Yesterday evening, I rode Lefiya's pink bicycle."
Shirou nodded with a satisfied hum. "How was it? Fun, right?"
Riveria didn't answer immediately. She simply stared at Shirou, realizing how easily this young man made her feel a whirlwind of emotions in such a short time. She then crossed her arms and let out a soft huff. "I wasn't satisfied," she declared with conviction.
Shirou blinked, looking slightly confused. "Huh? Not satisfied?" he asked, scratching his head in bewilderment.
Riveria lifted the hem of her green dress slightly, revealing her slender calves before lowering it again. "This outfit makes it difficult for me to ride," she said, her tone slightly annoyed yet still carrying the elegance of a noble elf.
"Oh, I see." Shirou nodded in understanding and then smiled slightly. "In that case, before we train later, I'll make sure you're satisfied."
Riveria, usually composed, suddenly fell silent. Shirou's words sounded so ambiguous to her ears, and in a split second, inappropriate images flashed through her mind.
Make me satisfied?
Aware of her own thoughts, Riveria covered her mouth with the back of her hand and let out a small laugh. "You should be careful with your words, Shirou," she teased, though her face was slightly warmer than usual.
Shirou blinked, only now realizing how his words could be misinterpreted. "I-I meant about the bicycle!" he quickly clarified, his face turning slightly red.
Riveria smiled faintly at his reaction, then turned away. "In that case, I'll go bathe and change into something more suitable for cycling."
Shirou sighed in relief before rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, that's a good idea. I should bathe, too—I'm covered in sweat."
With that, the two parted ways to prepare as the sun slowly rose, marking the start of a new day in Orario.
Riveria returned to her room with light steps, closing the door softly before untying her long hair. She walked to the bathroom, turned on the warm water, and let the gentle steam fill the room.
With graceful movements, she began removing her green dress, pulling the soft fabric over her shoulders until it fell to the floor. Her fingers deftly removed her undergarments, stacking them neatly in the corner. Without delay, she stepped under the shower, letting the warm water flow over her body, washing away the remnants of sleepiness and stickiness from her earlier journey.
The water soaked her green hair, causing it to cling to her back and shoulders. With lightly scented floral soap, she slowly scrubbed her skin, enjoying the refreshing sensation seeping into her body. Once she felt clean enough, she took a dipper and rinsed herself until no soap remained.
After finishing, she grabbed her toothbrush and began brushing gently, ensuring every corner was clean before rinsing her mouth and washing her face once more. She then reached for a large white towel hanging by the bathroom door, using it to dry herself before wrapping it around her chest.
With quiet steps, she exited the bathroom, the warm steam still billowing behind her. She walked to her wooden wardrobe, opened its doors, and carefully browsed the neatly hung clothes. Her fingers touched various fabrics, searching for something suitable—not just comfortable for cycling, but also something that would make her look appealing in Shirou's eyes.
Her gaze eventually landed on a blue top made of soft, lightweight fabric. Its material was smooth, elegantly following her curves without feeling tight. The cool blue color contrasted beautifully with her signature green hair. She lifted it and smiled faintly, satisfied with her choice.
However, the bottom half gave her a slight pause. Long pants felt safer and more in line with her habit of rarely exposing skin, but shorts were more practical for cycling. Riveria's eyes swept over the two options in her hands—her upbringing as a noble elf always inclined her toward more modest choices.
But this time... just this once, perhaps there was no harm in trying something different.
With slight hesitation, she finally picked a pair of white shorts that reached only mid-thigh. She took a deep breath, trying to reassure herself. "Just this once..." she murmured softly before putting them on.
As she looked at her reflection in the mirror, a faint blush appeared on her cheeks. The shorts were indeed more revealing than usual, but she had to admit she still looked elegant.
She smiled slightly, then tied her long hair back neatly. After ensuring everything was ready, she prepared to leave and meet Shirou.
Once satisfied with her appearance, Riveria took a deep breath, trying to calm her slightly accelerated heartbeat. She then stepped out of her room with light steps, descending the grand staircase, still quiet at this hour.
The manor's atmosphere remained serene, with only the dim glow of magic stones illuminating the hallways. The cool morning air greeted her as she approached the main door. Upon opening it, her eyes immediately caught sight of Shirou, already waiting for her.
The young man wore a simple brown tunic with black pants. Though his attire was unremarkable, Riveria always felt there was a unique charm in his simplicity. However, what caught her attention more was how Shirou's eyes reflexively flickered to her slender legs, now only partially covered by the white shorts she had chosen earlier.
Instantly, a small smile curled on her lips. An inexplicable sense of satisfaction bloomed in her heart. As an elf far older than him, Riveria was slightly taller than the average human, and in this position, she could clearly see how Shirou had to tilt his head slightly upward to speak to her.
Suppressing a small laugh, Riveria finally greeted him softly, "Good morning, Shirou. Have you been waiting long?"
Shirou, realizing he had been caught staring, quickly averted his gaze to her face and scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Ah, not too long... I just came out myself."
His momentarily flustered expression made Riveria want to tease him further, but she held back. Instead, she merely smiled faintly and nodded before standing beside him. Without further words, they began walking side by side out of the manor.
However, this time, their steps didn't lead to the small warehouse where they usually practiced magecraft but to the manor's backyard. Riveria glanced at Shirou curiously. "So, we're cycling before training?"
Shirou turned to her with a slight smile. "Yeah, I promised to make you satisfied, didn't I?"
Riveria nearly choked on air at Shirou's repetition of his earlier ambiguous words. She cleared her throat softly, stifling a laugh and deciding not to respond further, then followed Shirou to where they would ride.