Although her strange desires had not been fulfilled and she felt a little disappointed, being able to bathe together with Kabe-sama was already the greatest happiness for Juvia.
After regaining her spirit, she immediately moved closer to Kabe without hesitation and claimed a spot beside him in advance.
Erza and Cana only glanced at her before looking away and choosing another place.
They had plenty of opportunities like this normally.
Right now, after just finishing the preliminary round, both of them were exhausted and had no interest in fighting over a position with the energetic Juvia.
Seeing that the two girls remained silent, Juvia naturally became bolder.
"Hey~ Kabe, is there something wrong with Juvia? Why have you always refused to accept Juvia?"
The girl leaned against the man's chest and looked up at him with affectionate eyes.
Although there was a layer of bath towel between them, Kabe could still feel that the girl had already grown into a mature woman.
And Juvia's confession was not over yet.
She wanted to use this opportunity to completely confirm their relationship.
"Juvia really, really likes Kabe. Juvia also wants to live together with Kabe just like Erza and the others.
As long as Kabe agrees, Juvia is willing to do anything you ask.
Even... even those things that Erza and the others are unwilling to do..."
Hearing Juvia say such tempting words with a shy and hesitant expression, Kabe almost lost control on the spot.
Even a saint placed in this situation might not be able to endure it, let alone Kabe, whose willpower in this area had always been weak.
He reached out and pressed against Juvia's shoulders, trying to gently push her a little farther away.
His intention was to prevent himself from getting carried away.
But Juvia clearly misunderstood.
Instead, she held onto Kabe even tighter.
Her eyes instantly turned red, and tears began gathering.
Kabe had personally experienced how terrifying Juvia could be when she cried.
To avoid destroying the peaceful hot spring atmosphere and possibly having to pay compensation to the inn, Kabe immediately raised his hands in surrender.
"Wait, wait. Don't get emotional. I'm not rejecting you."
"Then... Kabe, does that mean you accept me?!"
Juvia instantly changed expressions.
She immediately stopped crying and smiled brightly.
Kabe was left speechless by the huge transformation and could only helplessly nod.
"Yes, I accept you. But you also have to promise me one thing. Don't call me Kabe-sama anymore. Just call me by my name like everyone else."
"Mm-hmm! As long as Kabe agrees, Juvia is willing to do anything!"
The love she had longed for finally bloomed into reality today.
Juvia cheered happily, burying her little head into Kabe's arms and rubbing against him while immediately agreeing.
Seeing that she had gained another sister, Cana finally turned her head over.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I have something I really want to know.
Everyone in the guild could tell how Juvia felt about you.
So, you pervert, how did you manage to endure until now before accepting her?"
Although Juvia was somewhat strange, constantly hiding around, spying, and following him everywhere...
There was no denying that her appearance was absolutely top-tier.
Normally, a beautiful girl who wholeheartedly liked him should have been accepted by this pervert Kabe long ago.
So why did he wait until now and even make Juvia confess first?
"Well..."
Kabe gently stroked Juvia's head, looking slightly embarrassed.
"Actually, I kind of liked the feeling of having a girl secretly thinking about me and wanting me.
It was exciting, and it satisfied my vanity a little...
You understand what I mean, right?"
Cana and Erza turned their heads at the same time and looked at him with expressions of disgust.
They spoke together.
"Trash!" ×2
Kabe:
On the other hand, Juvia looked encouraged.
"So you like that?
It's okay. As long as you want it, even though we are officially together now, Juvia can still continue..."
Before she could finish, Kabe raised one finger and gently placed it over her lips.
"Don't say silly things.
My vanity isn't a reason for me to mistreat my girlfriend.
I am your official boyfriend now. There is no reason for me to only enjoy myself while making you keep giving."
"From now on, if you want to look at me, then look openly.
If you want to follow me, then hold my arm.
I am right here, by your side."
After saying that, Kabe lowered his head and kissed Juvia's lips.
The girl, moved by his words, tightly closed her eyes.
After a while, he gently deepened the kiss.
Nearby, Cana's nose practically twisted in anger.
She pointed at them and turned to Erza, complaining furiously.
"Look at that idiot! He has never said such touching words to me before!"
However, Erza only closed her eyes, fully focused on enjoying the hot spring.
She remained completely unmoved and only calmly comforted her.
"Don't be angry. That guy's brain is usually filled with muscles. Being able to say something like that is already a rare accident."