"...Hey Claire? Where are we going?.." - I ask the woman guiding me through the foliage.

"I told you already! It's a surprise!" - She responds in earnest.

We had been walking for almost 10 minutes already, deeper and deeper into the wild. Yet she refuses the tell me what is it she was so eager to show me. It all started when suddenly the alchemist had an idea after I commented she was especially stressed today after dealing with today's customers. The girl took my hand and whisked me away into the forest.

These past few months of living with her left it clear that she was a little "excentric". But this was unusual... Even for her.

"Aaannnnd we are here!" - Claire exclaims as she pushes aside a branch to reveal a beautiful waterfall.

The sight left me in awe. Its beauty was nothing less than magical. The sun shined beautifully against the water current, as it dropped onto the bed, its droplets created absolutely mesmerizing colors. Never had I ever seen such an incredible natural miracle with my own two eyes. While I stood wide-eyed, Claire snickered at my reaction.

"I know, I know... Mind-blowing isn't it? I used to come here all the time when I first moved to this village, stumbled upon it while collecting some herbs. Sadly I eventually just got too busy with business to visit... But then you showed up" - I Blushed at her words, as I did every time she praised me, i had a feeling she enjoyed watching me squirm, as her compliments were often sudden, though they never seemed ungenuine.

"You helping around where you can... Really made a difference, I hope you know that." It really wasn't that big of a deal, helping her was only warranted after she gave me so much. Yet she wanted me to know she was grateful.

There wasn't a doubt in my mind that she knew what it meant to me. She was clever, perceptive, and kind... She was the greatest ally I could have asked for.

Before I could lose myself deeper in thought her voice cuts through the silence in an eager tone.

"Now let's have some fun!" - with surprising grace and agility, the girl removes her dress from her body. I quickly cover my eyes behind my sleeves, my cheeks reddening from shame like a little boy.

"C-claire! What are you doing!?"

"Relax, take a look! I developed these special garments with a mixture of hydrophobic tonic and a weighted fabric, they are perfect for swimming!"- The bold woman approaches me, unphased by my flustered reaction.

Her hands reach for my arms and pull them apart, easily destroying the only barrier shielding my eyes from her tanned self. I think of shutting my eyelids and turning away. But experience taught me that resisting this woman's assertions is a very futile endeavor. And so I look back at her eyes, then allow my gaze to scan below. She indeed had some sort of underclothing on, though nothing like I had ever seen. They were dark and seemingly tougher than the usual cloth used for the fabrication of such pieces.

"Fantastic aren't they? I thought of selling them but the supply isn't consistent enough, and the people of the village would likely not have the coin for acquiring them anyway..."- The alchemist spoke, her gaze laced with thought and a handful of pride at her brilliant invention.

"T-they are... But you could have given me a warning you know?" - Color still tints my cheeks as my eyes meet hers once again- "You scared me"

Claire shook her head dismissively, letting out a sigh of disappointment.

"Jeez Match, you are a man, aren't you? Don't be so flustered at a woman's body! Seriously, it's just skin, you don't need to go into shock" - She scolds.

"W-well it was just very sudden!" - I try to justify.

"That's no excuse though! You have to be able to handle things like these if you want to call yourself an adult! If the mere chance of catching a glimpse of bare skin makes you blush then how would you even hold a maiden if you come to fall in love?" - her arms cross before she continues - "mm... I know!" - she runs to the edge of the foss beneath the waterfall. Resting her feet in - "The best way to overcome your fears is to face them head-on right? Give me a massage!"

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More heat rises to my expression as I fluster completely.

" I AM NOT AFRAID OF WOMEN CLAIRE! FOR GOODNESS SAKE!" - I insist, her words affecting me more and more. - "Y-you just surprised me okay?"

"Then you will have no problem with helping a poor alchemist with her aching back right~? Come on~" - she beckoned me.

Defeated, I walked closer to the teasing lady before me, kneeling behind her sat body.

"W-what do I do exactly?"- I ask, extracting a laugh out of her pale lips.

"Rub my shoulders, then the center of my back, around the spine, if you know what that is, and... Be gentle." - she speaks, turning away.

Swallowing, I move to lay my hands on the girl's soft flesh, massaging her with trembling hands. The redhead turns to me as if noticing I am on the verge of a breakdown at the mere thought of doing something wrong.

" Take a deep breath Match, you are not defusing a bomb, you are just helping me relax... Put a bit more pressure now" - her words once again put me at ease.

Doing as she tells me I compose myself, to gently knead her sore muscles to the best of my ability. I was still somewhat embarrassed to do this, it wasn't something I was used to, I never had much time to spend on courting. For years I was fully dedicated to working. Then to studying, so this is the first time I lay my hands so intimately upon a woman, as embarrassing as that may be.

"You are doing well... a little more pressure and make sure to rub in circular motions..." - Claire speaks, her praise a valued ally in my quest to remain somewhat calm and nonchalant.

I listen intently to her every comment, making sure to apply her every advice to my handling. As the minutes fly by, I feel myself mastering the skill, Every small gasp and gentle hum feels like a victory she produces feels like a victory. But all good things must come to an end, even this sweet moment of affection.

"Thank you Match... You can stop now" - she stretches and yawns, as she leans forward, away from me - "I appreciate the gesture. You have no idea how hard it can be on the muscles to stir caldrons and wrangle elixirs all day while dealing with the pressure of the shop" - She turns back to look into my eyes, hers soft and reminiscent. - " Now... Come join me, won't you? It feels like I haven't swum in this place since I was a little girl..." - She spoke somberly

"Feeling nostalgic old lady?" - I say in an attempt to dispel the melancholy in the air.

She laughs. A beautiful, melodic sound. One I came to appreciate deeply.

"...' old lady' huh? You better be careful, 'cause this old lady can still pull you into the water!" - She grabs my arm suddenly, pulling hard to get me to fall into the pond with her. The woman giggled joyfully at the precept of retribution for my playful remark.

I try to fight her pull but the wet soil around the edge of the water doesn't help and I slip, falling with her onto the old water.

"C-claire! What the hell! You know these robes are very hard to dry!" - I call out as we emerge together but she only chuckles.

"That's what you get~" - she sticks her tongue out at me before swimming away.

I try to put on an annoyed expression but I can't manage to. I don't think I could ever muster negative feelings towards the playful redheaded spirit who finds such joy in teasing me. And after coming out of the water to dispose of my wet robes. Remaining only in my braies, I jump back to chase after the girl with playful splashes and banter. The rest of the afternoon is filled with bliss. I never imagined how it would be to have siblings. But as we played on the water like two carefree children, I think I found out.