Back in the bustling town of Tempest, Rin immediately set about finding the two women who held his heart. He knew exactly where to look. Making his way towards Rimuru's residence, he found Shion in her element—or rather, attempting to be. She was diligently stirring a pot, a purple, bubbling concoction emitting an aroma that defied all culinary logic.
"Shion," Rin greeted, a soft smile on his face.
At the sound of his voice, Shion's head snapped up. Her eyes, usually sharp and focused, widened in pure delight. With a joyous cry, she abandoned her treacherous cooking and launched herself at him. Shion, being quite tall and possessing a remarkably ample figure, promptly engulfed Rin in a hug that nearly swallowed him whole. He found himself pleasantly "drowned" by her enthusiastic embrace, a soft chuckle escaping him as he let himself be held until she finally drew back, her face beaming.
"Rin-sama! You're back!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with unbridled happiness.
They began to talk, Shion excitedly telling him about her day and her plans to dedicate more time to her domestic skills. It seemed that, thanks to Shuna's persistent, if somewhat exasperated, guidance, Shion was finally gaining some self-awareness regarding the true nature of her cooking. Shuna had been teaching her earlier, but had briefly stepped away, promising to return later to taste the results.
Rin, however, looked at the viscous, ominous purple blob simmering in the pot, and decided that honesty was the best policy, especially given his promise to make her happy. "Shion," he began gently, "your cooking... it's still not quite passable."
Shion blinked, her surprise evident. "Why? How?" she asked, genuinely confused.
Rin stared at her, a silent question forming in his mind: How can she not understand why this is inedible? But he wisely kept the thought to himself. "It just needs more practice," he said, opting for encouragement. "You need to restart."
Shion, though initially bewildered, recognized the truth in his words. With a determined nod, she turned back to the ingredients, ready to begin anew.
Just a few minutes later, a graceful figure entered the kitchen. Shuna, her vibrant pink hair swaying, immediately spotted Rin and her eyes lit up. "Rin-sama!" she cried, rushing forward to embrace him. She melted into his arms, her hug warm and affectionate.
After exchanging greetings, Shuna glanced at Shion's restarted efforts and then at the infamous purple blob that still sat in a cooling pan. She sighed, but a small smile touched her lips. "It's still horrible, Shion, but there's definitely progress!" she affirmed. "Let's restart again. Rin-sama, you can watch and offer moral support."
Rin found himself conscripted into the role of culinary observer. The rest of the day was spent in a cycle of Shion attempting to cook, Shuna patiently guiding, and Rin trying to suppress his reactions to the truly experimental aromas emanating from the kitchen. By the end of the day, Shion's cooking, while still far from edible, had shown remarkable improvement.
"It will probably take a few more months before your food is truly edible, Shion," Shuna said gently, her tone apologetic but firm.
Shion's shoulders slumped, and her eyes welled up with tears. "I wanted to be an ideal wife for Rin-sama," she murmured, her voice trembling.
Rin stepped forward, gently patting her head. "You can do it, Shion," he said, his voice soft but firm. "I know you can."
His simple words seemed to ignite a spark within her. Shion's heart fluttered, and her tears vanished, replaced by a renewed resolve. With a cry of delight, she threw her arms around him once more, pulling him close. This time, as she drew back, she leaned in and pressed a short, chaste kiss to his lips.
Shuna, watching the tender moment, pouted playfully. As Shion released him, Shuna immediately claimed her turn, wrapping her arms around Rin and giving him a quick, affectionate kiss of her own.
Rin stood dumbfounded. They had just done that in front of several passing residents of Tempest, who were now pointedly looking elsewhere or pretending to be engrossed in distant clouds. Shion and Shuna, realizing the boldness of their public display, felt a sudden rush of heat to their faces. Their cheeks flushed a deep crimson in embarrassment.
Without a word, they each grabbed one of Rin's hands, their expressions a mix of shyness and unspoken desire, and practically dragged him out of town, heading straight for his riverside house.
As soon as they arrived, the last rays of the setting sun casting long shadows through the trees, they wasted no time. With a shared glance that spoke volumes, they gently but firmly pushed Rin onto his bed. The day had been long, but the anticipation of this moment had been building. They had talked earlier, a hushed conversation filled with hopeful whispers, about how much they wanted to be with him, to experience everything together. Rin, feeling utterly blessed, knew exactly what they meant.
With his newly augmented strength, Rin found his stamina to be far beyond anything they had anticipated. Even with their combined efforts, the soft strength of Shion and the agile grace of Shuna, they found themselves overwhelmed by the depth of his affection. The night unfolded in a cascade of passionate embraces, fervent whispers, and unyielding desires. At times, they would gasp, reaching for a moment's respite, but Rin, lost in the overwhelming tide of their shared love, seemed to hear nothing but the rhythm of their intertwining hearts.
He poured all his affection into them, his passionate attention rotating between them, ensuring each was thoroughly cherished until they were sweetly overwhelmed. As one drifted into exhausted slumber, he would turn his full devotion to the other, awakening her with tender caresses and reigniting the flames of their passion, only to shift back once more when she, too, succumbed to blissful fatigue. The cycle of love and devotion continued through the night, a testament to their deep connection and Rin's boundless affection.