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The Demon Lord’s army had retreated, at least temporarily.
Kazuki couldn’t believe it. All he could remember were the savages, from both sides looking for bloodshed. Bodies were everywhere, some dead or others crying in agony. He also remembers the distinct feeling of fear and every fiber of his self-preservation advising him to flee.
But he was in the front lines. Combating an enemy who was called Black Knight with some overwhelming skill of reflecting whatever attacks were thrown at it. Kazuki had suffered a penetrating wound that would’ve left him bleeding out if it wasn’t for Usato.
Usato, the healer, had defeated the Black Knight. That had triggered for the Demon Lord’s army to retreat. The heroes and soldiers had only returned back to the castle yesterday. And he was told that the king has a public announcement prepared later today.
So, while he waits, he’s practicing his sword swings.
He doesn’t feel sore because Usato had gratefully healed any strained muscles he or Suzune Inukami had. Adding one more thing to the healer’s list of achievements. And to think that Usato was summoned to a fantasy land by accident.
It wasn’t like Kazuki was jealous or anything. Well, okay. It wasn’t like he wasn’t going to give the credit where it was clearly due. And he’s beyond indebted for the rescue. It’s just a comparison between Usato and himself.
Usato isn’t restrained by fear. Or at least he doesn’t show it. He’s running around like an underpaid, determined caregiver fixing up any injuries people collected in the middle of a battlefield. Usato had declared in the very first days of being summoned in this new world that he wanted to support them any way that he could. Hence the grueling training and those defined muscles and protective strength.
And now, Kazuki was up in the castle, still learning from his knightly training. Granted, it was due to the shared collaboration between him and his senpai that they were able to defeat that gruesome snake monster. But even that seems dim in comparison to Usato’s life saving achievements.
“Kazuki?”
The hero looks up. Speak of the devil and he shall appear. Usato walks towards Kazuki with his clothes drenched and trailing some wet footprints behind him.
“Oh, Usato!” Kazuki says. He straightens his stance, lowers his sword, and wipes the sweat off his chin. “What happened to you?”
“Ahah, Blurin knocked me into a fountain. I was hoping you could tell me where the knights’ bathhouse was? So I can get cleaned up before the king’s announcement,” Usato says while bashfully scratching his cheek. He has his equally wet Rescue Team’s uniform tucked into his arms.
Kazuki studies the sky. The sun is almost halfway across, meaning it’s almost noon. He thinks they might have a couple of hours before the people start to gather in the courtyard.
“Yeah, I can show you where you can get cleaned up. It’s about time for me to stop anyway,” Kazuki says as he starts walking, gesturing to the healer to follow him.
“I can’t believe you’re training the day after the battle. How cool of you, Mister Hero,” Usato teases.
“What? Rose-san didn’t give you training today?”
“Oh no, she definitely did. She’s a monster,” Usato casually insults his captain with one vigilant glance over his shoulders for any incoming angry ladies, “But I don’t see any of the knights practicing like you are.”
“I just– I guess I feel a little restless.”
“I understand,” Usato hums, smiling without asking for further explanation. And immediately Kazuki is reminded how easy it is to be with his former classmate. They walk together beside each other, talking about this or that.
They enter the knights’ barracks and make a beeline to the shared bathhouse. Along the way, Usato stops a servant to ask her to dry his uniform. The servant takes it and promises to return with a change of clothes.
“Oh wow, it’s nice in here,” Usato says as they enter the men’s changing room.
“It’s usually a lot more crowded but Sigils had given everyone a day off to spend time with their families,” Hazuki says as he’s about to pull his sweat-clinging shirt from his body.
“Hmm, that’s nice of him,” Usato comments from a few spaces away, also changing. He’s far enough to be polite but Hazuki can still see him from the corner of his eye. So the hero quickly adverts his gaze and focuses on the wall.
“Hazuki?” Usato asks from the doorway. Usato was practically naked with a humble towel wrapped around his waist while Kazuki fully clothed and not moving.
“You can go ahead first. I should probably stretch before I head in there,” Hazuki lies, still not looking at Usato.
“If you insist.”
The hero holds his breath until he hears Usato’s footsteps fade away. Then he promptly covers his face with his hands. He barely contains the urge to scream.
He’s still recovering from almost dying and accepting the fact that the rest of his life is going to be spent fighting demons— he does not need defined muscles to be shoved in his face. Especially when those muscles belong to his friend who he’s supposed to be professional with.
He knew what two men going into a bath house meant. That they were going to bathe together. Naked. But he didn’t understand the implications until he just immersed himself in the danger zone. Of course, Hazuki has been around many naked men in both Japan and the Llinger Kingdom. But none of them were the man that he has complicated, cordial affection for.
“Get a grip,” Kazuki grumbled, forcing himself to jam all of his exhausting feelings into an unmarked box for later. If he had to, he would stab himself with the sword he abandoned outside the bathhouse. Maybe the bloodloss will clear his head.
With a huff, he violently undressed. Because there was no way he was afraid of bathing.
“Ah, Hazuki! You made it! The water feels great,” Usato greeted from the glorified pool, his cheery voice bouncing off the walls. Kazuki nodded, silently washing his body with his back turned to his friend.
“So, you okay?” Usato asks once Kazuki joins him to soak. Kaizuki had purposely picked a spot that was farther away and not directly across from the other.
The hero stalls by letting his body adapt to the warm temperature of the water and silently resting his back against the walls of their bath. He closes his eyes, blocking out everything including Usato.
“Yeah, just fine, tired,” Hazuki answers.
“Cool, just checking,” Usato says before changing topic, “What do you think the king will say today? He’ll be talking to everyone in his kingdom.”
“Probably you.”
“Me?”
“You are the one who defeated the Black Knight. And saved many soldiers. Both you and the Rescue Team made winning possible.”
“Then I’m sure the king will also congratulate both you and Inukami-san then! Because you two were amazing out there! You guys are the heroes, afterall,” Usato claims. Hazuki hums, not wanting to object.
“I don’t think I’ve managed to thank you yet. For saving my life,” Kazuki mutters, his fingers playing in the water, “So, uh, thank you.”
“You know, it would feel a lot more genuine if you look me in the eyes.”
The hero bristled. Embarrassed, he sinks himself lower into the water.
“Haha! I’m joking, Kazuki! You don’t have to say anything to me for doing my job,” Usato laughed, casually dismissing his glory.
Kazuki frowned, not agreeing at all. The healer was the one who saved his entire squad. He did what he and Suzune Inukami couldn’t while capturing a significant player in the Demon Lord’s army. If it were up to Kazuki, Usato’s name would be displayed on hanging banners with people singing praise so loud that their future generations won’t forget.
“I’m serious, Usato. If you weren’t there, there would’ve been no way for me nor Senpai to win.”
“It’s only because the Black Knight had that reflective ability. It was only by chance that she was your opponent. Don’t get me wrong, she was strong. But there are going to be other enemies that are going to be better suited for you than me, Mister Light Magic.”
Kazuki grimaced, not fully convinced. But he opened his eyes to see Usato watching him. The healer had a confident smile on his face like he was so certain of Kazuki’s growth that it made the hero blush.
“If you want to get physically stronger, you could always join me when I train with Rose-san.”
“I would rather not die, Usato.”
“I knew that was going to be your answer,” Usato smiled, raising both arms for an exaggerated shrug. Kazuki swallowed when he saw Usato’s muscles flex. Usually an innocent face would make a sculpted body look awkward, but somehow Usato makes it work.
“Come on, let's get out before we’re late,” Kazuki coughed into his fist. He rises from the water and hears Usato shuffle behind him. Usato changes into a spare change of clothes and his dried healer’s cloak while Hazuki wears the clothes he keeps in his locker. He will have to stop by his room for his actual armor.
“You know, Hazuki,” Usato calls out when they’re outside and heading towards the castle. The addressed hero looks at him, but the healer is staring at the path. “If there’s every trouble that you need help in, I’m always there to help. Please don’t feel burdened or anything. I’m here to have your back.”
“Yes, I know, Usato. Having you on the battlefield is more reassuring than you think,” Hazuki admits. Usato glances at him with a grin.
“We can be unstoppable together– The Hero and His Healer. Our skills can balance each other out. You take out our enemies and if you get hurt, I’ll patch you right up.”
“Ha,” Hazuki laughs, “I thought that was the plan from the beginning.”