[Butler's Steaming Hot Holiday] This Heart's Desire - Nac
ā»Note: This translation was done by AI, and I'm not fluent in English, so it may not be 100% accurate and could contain errors.
Episode 1
ā» Note before reading the Butler Story:
This story contains spoilers for the event story "Butler's Steaming Hot Holiday".
It is highly recommended to read up to Episode 9 of the event story before proceeding.
If you wish to avoid spoilers, please tap the button in the top left corner to return.
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Visiting the Eastern Lands as Goodwill Ambassadors... With Lord Finlay's permission, we were spending some time off at an inn.
The innkeeper had earnestly requested: "The inn is currently in its pre-opening phase, so we have a few double rooms available... I would be honored if the Goodwill Ambassadors would make use of one." Though a bit flustered, I decided to invite Nac.
The situation of staying in a double room alone with his Master... While he was visibly startled at first, he happily agreed, saying, "It is all to cooperate with the inn in our role as ambassadors."
Around noon... With our luggage in hand, Nac and I moved into the double room.
Nac: Master, do you have any other luggage?
You: Nope, thatās all of it.
Nac: I see. Now that we have finished moving everything in, why donāt we take a short break? Moving around in this heat must have exhausted you. I shall bring you a cold drink right away.
You: Ah, Nac... wait a moment.
Nac: Oh? Is something the matter?
Nac is always working so hard for my sake and for the mansion. That's why today, I want him to put himself first... and get some proper rest. Conveying this to him, I offer to go fetch the drinks instead of him.
Nac: Master, please wait...! To allow you to do such a thing while I idle about... there is absolutely no way I could permit that. Please do not hesitate to leave everything to me.
You: No, no, but...
Nac: No, no, however...
Even when I try to stand my ground, Nac shows no sign of backing down.
You: ...Then, how about we prepare them together?
Nac: Hmm... Well, if it is in that manner... ...Goodness. For me to speak so presumptuously, I am deeply sorry. Furthermore... please accept my belated apologies for failing to thank you sooner.
You: Thank me...?
Nac: Yes. Just a moment ago, my priority was simply to stop you... But the fact that you were looking out for me, trying to let me rest... I thank you from the bottom of my heart. However... my feelings of care for you are exactly the same, Master. To my Master, who constantly exhausts your mind and spirit for our sake... I truly wish for you to have a proper rest. Besides, being able to stay in the same room with you like this... is a source of boundless happiness for me, and a perfect opportunity. Please, do not overthink it and leave it all to me.
It seems Nac has the exact same determination as I doāthe fierce resolve to "make the other person rest." While I deeply appreciate his sentiment... getting Nac to relax in this state might prove to be a difficult task.
You: ...I know, why don't we go hang out outside?
Nac: Oh? Of course, I would love to... But is there something specific you would like to do?
You: Let's just wander around and spend time however we like.
Nac: I see, just wandering... The nature around here is quite lush. Gazing at the beautiful scenery might bring peace to your heart. Very well. Shall we head out then?
If we stay inside the inn, we will undoubtedly engage in another round of "the politeness war." By taking a leisurely stroll through nature... Nac might finally let his guard down and relax a little. Holding onto that secret hope, I leave the inn alongside Nac.Ā
After walking a short distance from the inn, a gently flowing river comes into view. We step closer to the riverbank.
Nac: Hehe, as expected, it is quite cool near the river. Master, please step this way. This rocky area is shaded, so you should be able to spend your time comfortably here.
You: You're right, let's sit down and take a break.
Nac: Yes. Now, please take my hand. We mustn't risk you slipping, even by some rare chance.
You: Thank you.
Nac: Something of this caliber is only natural. Oh... At this height, it seems we can dip our feet into the river to cool off. The water around here is shallow and the current is gentle... There should be no danger of being swept away. Why don't you take off your footwear and give it a try? Of course, I have a towel ready to dry your feet. You have absolutely nothing to worry about.
You: In that case, maybe I will.
Nac: Hehe, please do. I am certain it will feel wonderful.
You: Nac, you should do it with me.
Nac: Hmm... I suppose so... Doing it alone might make you feel a bit self-conscious... I understand. If you will excuse me, I shall join you. Let us place our footwear further back so they do not accidentally fall into the river.
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You: ...Alright, here goes...
Nac: Yes, let us dip our feet in together.
You: Ready... One, two...
Splash...
Nac: Hehe. It is quite cold, isn't it? It feels wonderful... Just cooling my feet somehow makes me feel entirely refreshed.
You: Yeah, I feel like I could stay like this forever.
Nac: "You will catch a cold..." is what I ought to say, but I completely understand the feeling. Furthermore, it is not just the coolness of the water... The sound of the river murmuring in our ears is incredibly soothing. Hehe... You have found a wonderful spot.
Nac smiles softly, looking genuinely happy. I want to bring out more of these natural, unforced smiles. I want Nac to enjoy himself. Stepping gently down from the rocky ledge... just as Nac said, the water here is very shallow.
Nac: Master, what is the matter? Is there something that caught your attention...?
You: ...Take that!
Splash!
Nac: Wh-at...!?
Careful not to startle him too much, I scoop up a tiny bit of water and splash it at Nac. Even so, the surprise attack lands perfectly... and Nacās eyes widen in sheer astonishment.
Nac: ...... Hehe...... I see, I see... You completely caught me off guard. To successfully execute a surprise attack on me, as expected of my Master. Very well... If Master is in the mood for this, I gladly accept the challenge!
You: Then...
Splash! Splash!
As I throw water at him again, Nac actually steps right into it, completely welcoming the splash.
You: Eh!? Why...?
Nac: Fufu... Your attack is growing weak, you know? Come! Show me your next move! I shall take every single drop without missing a one!
You: Wait... aren't we supposed to splash each other?
Nac: Oh? Goodness, absolutely not. While I am overjoyed that you are having fun... I could never bring myself to splash water at my own Master. Rather... taking the full brunt of my Master's attacks is the duty of a butler! Come now! Make me your target!!
Saying this, Nac steps down from the ledge and proudly spreads both arms wide. At this rate... even if I throw water somewhere completely random, he will probably run over just to get hit by it. āI canāt splash water at someone who isn't resisting...ā When I tell him this, Nac smiles warmly at me once again.
Nac: Hehe, Master, you truly are so kind. However, there is no need for restraint... Come... come, come, come, please, go ahead!
You: Hehe, I told you, I can't.
Watching Nac slowly edge closer to me with his arms wide open... I can't help but burst into laughter. As expected, attacking one-sidedly just isn't fair... After that, we ended up drawing a target on a rock with water, and spent the rest of our time playfully splashing at that instead.
Episode 2
As we continued playing, the innkeeper came down to the riverbank. It seemed he had come to check on the vegetables he was cooling in the water, and he generously shared some with us.
He told us they were delicious even if eaten raw, so, taking the innkeeperās recommendation, we decided to dig in.
Nac: Hehe, what delicious vegetables. They are well-chilled and incredibly juicy. Cucumbers and tomatoes... With every single bite, the heat is drawn right out of my body.
You: You're right. And they're so sweet.
Nac: Yes. It is a simple, gentle sweetness that truly makes you feel the blessings of nature.
Crunch...
Nac: Hehe, this cucumber... The crunch is so satisfying, it is quite addictive. Miso, salt... What should we dip it in next...?
You: Everything is so delicious, it's hard to choose.
Nac: Indeed. That is absolutely true. According to the innkeeper... these vegetables will also be used in tonight's dinner. Having them cooked will surely offer a different kind of deliciousness compared to eating them raw like this. I am already looking forward to dinner.
The murmuring of the river, the cry of the cicadas... and the pleasant sound of munching on vegetables. Right beside me... was Nac, smiling gently.
Spending yet another season with Nac... The vivid realization of this brought a peaceful, irreplaceable sense of happiness that bloomed deep within my chest.
At dusk... we returned to the inn. Having been allowed to enjoy the hot springs first, I am now waiting for Nac to come back up.
I feel like Nac has become much less reserved compared to when he first carried our luggage into this room at noon. I hope he can just take it easy, let his guard down... and enjoy a good rest.
Nac: ...Sigh... That was a wonderful bath. Master, thank you for waiting.
You: Oh? That was quick.
Nac: Did I rush a bit too much, after all? The thought of you not being by my side... always makes me rather restless. āI want to see your face as soon as possible,ā... that was all I could think about. How strange... Even though I have spent the entire day with you today. This desire to be with you... seems to know no satisfaction.
You: ...I guess the feeling is mutual.
Nac: Oh? Mutual, you say...?
You: I was thinking about you the whole time, too.
Nac: Hehe, those are... very gratifying words. Then, may I ask... what exactly were you thinking regarding me?
You: Just that I hoped you were having a good time.
Nac: My, my... As always, you are a deeply humble person, Master. The time I am able to spend with you... there is absolutely no way I could not enjoy it. At this very moment as we look at each other... you have no idea how hard my eyes are striving to etch your image into my mind... how desperately my ears are filtering out the surrounding noise just to catch your every word. If it pleases you, Master, I could speak of this endlessly.
You: Fufu, thank you. First, take a seat.
As Nac addresses me while standing, I gesture with my hand for him to sit next to me. Coming closer... perhaps because he just got out of the bath, his cheeks are slightly flushed. Using the hand fan I have, I begin to gently fan him.
Nac: Oh......
You: It was hot, right? Cool down a bit.
Nac: Thank you very much... Hehe, this is quite comfortable. However, this sort of thing is... naturally something I should be doing for you, Master. Please, let us switch...
You: No way. Today, you need to get a proper rest.
Nac: Hmm... I am deeply grateful for your kindness, but...
You: We're on a trip, so you don't have to be so formal.
Nac: "Don't have to be formal," is it...? The fact that you think of me and speak to me in such a way... brings me profound honor from the bottom of my heart. But... "not being formal with my Master" is... a very difficult thing for me to do. Not because "I am a butler"... but because to me as a human being, you are a precious person. I want to care for you more than anyone else... and bring as much happiness to your heart as possible.
You: ...Is that Nacās own desire?
Nac: Yes... of course. The desire that surfaces without a single shred of falsehood in my heart... is always your happiness, after all. To the point where, even unconsciously... I find myself thinking about what I can do for you. And just by imagining the smile you will show me... my chest is painted with such joy. That is how precious you are to me.
You: I'm happy to hear that... Thank you, truly.
Nac: Hehe... It is too early to thank me. Even as we speak... the things I wish to do for you come to my mind in an endless stream. I want to play soothing music for your ears... I want to tell you about the famous sights of this land to entertain your heart... ...And I want to dry your damp hair with these hands.
You: It's already mostly dry, you know?
Nac: Even so, it is still wet. If it is not dried properly... You played in the river today and your body got cold, so you might catch a cold...
You: ...If that's the case, Nac.
You can dry my hair... but in return, I want you to let me dry your hair, too. When I convey this to him... Nac lets out a soft, delighted laugh.
Nac: Hmm, I see... a compromise, is it? Now, what should I do...?
Saying this, as if deep in thought... Nac gazes intently at me. Then, gently resting his hand beside him... his fingertips brush against mine.
You: (...Our fingers... what should I do?)
(I'm a bit embarrassed...)
Nac: ..........
There is no way Nac hasn't noticed that our hands are touching... Yet, his hand stays right where it is... showing no sign of moving away.
Nac: ......Regarding that compromise. Before I give you my answer... could you give me just a little more time? Please let me think about it... just like this, for a bit longer.
You: ...Alright, take your time.
True to his words "just like this"... we remain perfectly still in the exact same position. Because once we pull away, we would need an excuse to touch again... Moving not an inch, we quietly continue to feel each other's warmth.
Nac: (..........)
(Asking for time to think... What a poor excuse, even for myself.)
(But... this is quite troublesome.)
(While I can easily voice my desires that are "for your sake"... I find it so difficult to put the desires screaming from my own heart into words.)
(To want to keep touching you just like this... A desire like that, there is no way I could ever utter it aloud.)
