Warmth soaked through Ais's entire body; there wasn't a trace of joint pain left.
When she opened her eyes, she realized she wasn't in her own room.
Her gaze wandered, finally settling on Tsuna—and last night's fuzzy memories clicked into place.
I came to Tsuna's room yesterday.
Mm… soaking in that restorative fluid felt so good.
She lifted a hand out of the tank. Her skin wasn't pruney from a long soak—only a buoyant lightness remained, the lightness of a body fully mended.
After a few easy arm circles, Ais felt no pain at all. In other words, she was completely healed.
It was far better than drinking a potion or visiting the Dian Cecht Familia.
Mm. If anything comes up, I can ask Tsuna—he'll have a way to help.
But… would coming often be rude?
Riveria had taught her to be humble when asking for help; imposing on someone was discourteous.
Then I'll ask what Tsuna needs next time.
A balanced exchange keeps things healthy. If I need his help, I should give him help he needs in return.
Knock, knock, knock!
Hearing the knocks, Ais glanced at Tsuna. He was still asleep. She rose from the tank, didn't bother changing, and opened the door.
Tiona and Tione stood outside—both of them wide-eyed.
"Ais?"
"What are you doing in Tsuna's room?"
"Healing."
Her answer was as simple as she was.
"My joints hurt after training."
"Panacea is too expensive, so I asked Tsuna."
The sisters' faces shifted to ah, that makes sense. They felt that "Panacea is too expensive" part in their souls. As second-tier adventurers, their weapon expenses were already brutal—Panacea felt extravagant even to them.
"Seriously, that damned Panacea is outrageous," Tione grumbled.
"Especially Dian Cecht's best stuff—amazing effects, terrifying price," Tiona agreed.
Panacea could patch up nearly anything—but the cost was enough to kill you before the monsters did. For low-level adventurers, one bottle was basically a second life… at the price of a month's labor. Even high-level adventurers balked; their money bled into bigger sinks—like weapon maintenance and upgrades.
Tione leaned in and peeked around Ais. Opposite the door, Tsuna lay in a clear bath pod filled with liquid. In the corner sat an identical tank, and beside it—Ais's underwear and dress. So she'd spent the night in that bath.
"Aha. I knew he was holding out on us last night when that topic came up," Tione said, a faint sour note in her voice. A question itched at her tongue.
"Ais, when did you schedule this with Tsuna?"
"No appointment." Ais shook her head.
"I felt unwell yesterday and came to ask him to solve it."
Tione's eyes flickered; the corner of her mouth rose, impossible to stop.
"I see. Not prearranged."
"Next time I really need to tell Tsuna—if it's a bath for aches, he should call me and Tiona too."
"Ais, how does it feel?" Tione's interest sharpened.
Hearing the question, Ais perked up and nodded seriously.
"Very effective. The restorative fluid warms you through, and the painful spots stop hurting quickly.
It's not like soaking in water—no swelling, just a gentle warmth. It's comfortable."
"Whoa—really?" Tiona and Tione turned—and froze.
Tiona had already stripped and slid into the empty bath.
As the fluid rose around her, Tiona melted into a blissful sigh. It was like lying under sunlight—warm, not scorching, a little addictive.
"Mmm—so comfy. I don't want to get up…"
"Tsuna is so mean," she mumbled. "If he had told us, I'd have slept here like Ais."
Tione's cheeks puffed. "Hey! How can you hog it alone? I'm still here."
Without another thought, she tossed her clothes aside and squeezed in.
"Hey, don't crowd me—"
"Oh, hush. You started it!"
Fortunately the sisters were both slender, and the tank was big enough; squeezed together, they still fit.
"Don't wake Tsuna," Ais reminded. They both glanced over; he was still sleeping.
The Amazon sisters exchanged a look, then lay quietly, one on each side, no more jostling. Space was tight, but the effect was excellent. The sour ache from yesterday's training dissolved into a cozy warmth—not hot, just… right.
"Next time we're hurt, we come to Tsuna. He'll have a fix," Tiona murmured.
"Agreed," Tione said at once.
Tsuna's capabilities were, frankly, too comprehensive. For thorny problems, the first option should be to check with him—chances were he already had the answer.
Seeing them settle in, Ais slipped out of her swimsuit and changed back into her usual clothes.
"Tiona, Tione, I'll head back first."
"M'kay~" the sisters answered, lifting lazy hands in unison.
Ais tidied herself and left Tsuna's room. As for Tiona and Tione… they needed no looking after.
(End of Chapter)
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