The high-level combat training grounds we used was a massive facility. However, it wasn’t open to just anyone, and only the two of us were in the area allocated to us due to confidentiality and security. Despite that, the place was well-equipped with facilities, including showers. 0

After one session at the training grounds, we would end up looking a mess as if we had gone through a rigorous training camp, so we usually showered before leaving and always brought spare clothes—several sets, not just one.0

We had arrived early after breakfast, and it was still around noon. It was time for lunch, but since we planned to train even after eating, we intended to spend the entire day there for combat training.0

However…0

“I want to stop for today,” Ellen said as she returned to the waiting room after I had finished showering.0

She didn’t seem upset, and she wasn’t pouting, but somehow, it felt like she wouldn’t want to continue the next day either, and would say that she just didn’t feel like it.0

It seemed my offhand comment had made Ellen think about something she hadn’t considered thus far. Just as she had been smelling my sweat all this time, she seemed to realize for the first time in a year that the same was probably true for me.1

She probably thought it was okay because I hadn’t said anything, but she now seemed to think that I had been enduring the smell all this time without saying anything.0

Ellen quietly stared at her white toes in her slippers, lost in thought, saying nothing.0

“… Hey, you know...” I said.0

“…”  0

“I was just saying, you know, about the smell of sweat…”0

“Don’t…” Ellen’s voice trembled. “D-don’t say… Don’t say anything…”  0

Ellen’s cheeks were flushed red as she hung her head low. With one careless slip of the tongue, I had cracked...0