“Why do you want me to join? Especially when we might very well become rivals.”
“Rivals?” I ask, dumbfounded, as she glares at me suspiciously.
Rivals? What is she talking about? I cock my head to the side quizzically before Ektor rushes to my side. Wh-What’s going on?
“Th-That’s enough of that! We’re all going to be great friends, so let’s put aside our differences and…”
“You be quiet, Ektor! This is between me and Miku!” Candice is clearly angry at Ektor’s attempt to break us up, and a flash of light bursts into existence, blinding me briefly but not causing any harm.
Was that light magic?
“Come on! Answer me, Miku! Do you have feelings for Ektor?”
“You’re a light magic user, too, Candice? I’m so happy! We’re the same!” I exclaim.
“…What?”
Wow! I’m overjoyed! There’s no one back in our village who can wield light magic other than me, but it seems like I finally found someone else!
“Can you use other magic as well?” I ask, all excited.
“Uh. Yeah. Um…water, too…”
“Wow, really? I can only use light magic, so I’m pretty jealous! But since we’re both light magic users, I’m sure we’ll be best friends!”
“Huh? You can only use light?! Uh… Huh…? What?”
I grab her hands, shaking them enthusiastically up and down.
Oh, no! I got a little too carried away in my excitement, and now she’s annoyed! I can tell by the way her ears are flattened back against her head. Ugh! I’m sorrryyy!
“I’m s-sorry! I got a little carried away. Um… What did you say again?” I hesitantly ask, knowing it’s far too late now. I feel like she had asked me something, but I hadn’t been paying attention. I feel so bad.
“Miku… You’re a natural airhead, aren’t you?” Candice asks through narrowed eyes.
“She is…but isn’t she just adorable?” Claire answers for me. “That’s my twin sister Miku. I’m Claire. I promise you have nothing to worry about when it comes to us. I just want us to be friends.”
“Hmm… I think I get it! Well…fine! I’ll be your friend!” Candice says.
Huh? A natural airhead? I might be a little slow, but that’s a little rude! Claire agreed pretty readily, though. It seems like they’re both getting along, at least. Hey! No fair! I want to shake hands, too!
It only takes a little begging before she finally accepts my handshake as well.
“I hope we get along,” she says, and I’m relieved that we somehow ended up on friendly terms after all! But why are both Candice and Claire patting my head? Aren’t I older than Candice?
“Th-They eliminated every obstacle in the way of her joining…” Ektor sighs.
“Give it up, Ektor!” Rinny elbows him. “You originally wanted Candice to join our guild anyways, right?”
“I did, but I don’t want any misunderstandings, either. Seriously.”
I can’t help but overhear the conversation between Ektor and Rinny.
What does he mean by misunderstandings? It seems pretty obvious how much Candice adores Ektor. Does he find it more annoying than cute? I have no idea how.
As our conversation winds to a close, Kiefer folds his arms, musing aloud, “So, now what? How many others do you have? I’m sure we’re not the only ones you’ve asked.”
It really seems like nothing gets past him…
“Yeah, we just need three more, and then we’ll have enough members,” Ektor answers, sounding somewhat exhausted.
“Three more, huh? Who were you thinking of asking?”
“Angela, Wells, and Marino.”
“Wowie… Throwing me into a pack of real weirdos.”
“You’re just as weird, so I think you’ll fit in just fine.”
It sounds like Kiefer is familiar with the remaining three. All weirdos, huh? Hahaha… Will everyone really be able to get along? Oh! There’s one small detail I really want to know the answer to, though.
“Will Kiefer and Candice move into the guild hall with us?” I ask.
The mansion is so huge that there’s more than enough space for all five of us. Since Claire and I are sharing a room, that means ten people can live there comfortably. Still, Kiefer has his workshop here, so it’s not like he needs a place to stay.
“Oh? You really want me to live with you that badly?”
“What?”
He grins at me as he takes a step closer. I can tell Ektor and Claire are instantly put off, the air practically bristling with electricity, but I don’t see why everyone’s so upset. I just want everyone to calm down.
“Of course! I want to get to know you better. And Candice, too,” I say, smiling at Candice.
It’s only natural you’d spend time together in order to get to know your new friends better. So why is everyone looking at me like I grew a second head?
I tilt my head to the side, clearly confused.
“Oof…”
“Uh-oh! I think Ektor’s dead.”
I’m startled when Ektor suddenly falls to his knees as Macro watches on coolly, only the corners of his mouth twitching in amusement.
Did something happen…?
Completely at a loss, I look over at Claire, only for her to tell me not to worry about it.
It’s too late for that! I’m worried!
“Ektor?!”
“Hahaha! This is quickly becoming far more hilarious than I could ever have imagined! Ahhhhahaha!”
I watch on as Candice rushes over to Ektor while Kiefer doubles over with laughter, clearly amused by something. Rinny is also holding his belly as he laughs out loud, and I feel myself growing more and more frustrated, having missed the joke!
“My Miku is the cutest girl in the entire world!”
And to make matters worse, Claire busts out that statement, practically bursting with pride. I have no idea what’s going on anymore. I guess it’s fine, though! Claire’s compliments always cheer me up!
“Back to the topic at hand,” Kiefer says, trying to get us back on point. “I’m really happy to hear you say that, Miku, but I can’t spend too much time away from my workshop. I have no intention of ever leaving. Regardless, I’d still love to be your friend. Feel free to stop by whenever the mood strikes!”
“Really?! Thank you so much, Kiefer! I’d love that! I hope we can be great friends!”
“Hahaha! I hope so, too. You truly are a cutie, Miku.”
I take his hand in both of mine, shaking it up and down vigorously, as he laughs delightedly. I guess it is kind of childish, but he seems incredibly friendly, like everyone’s big brother.
“You’ve been telling us to swing by for ages, but every single time we do, you just push your new-fangled prototypes on us!” Macro complains.
“Ahhaha! That doesn’t change the sentiment behind the invitation, though. Besides, you can’t deny that my gadgets are pretty useful.”
I get it now. It seems like he lives in his workshop. He gets so absorbed in his work that he has a hard time tearing himself away from it. It makes sense.
“Well then, I’ll just have to make time to come visit you then. How about it?” I offer.
“How sweet of you! You’re always welcome anytime. Come on over whenever you want. I almost never leave the place!”
“There you go making promises you can’t keep! He never steps foot outside his door when he’s busy with work, and when he’s not working, he’s usually asleep!” Candice chimes in.
I thought maybe the solution might be for me to visit him, but it seems like that won’t work after all. Speaking of which, didn’t they basically have to drag him out of the house earlier? Hrm… Maybe it’s a miracle I got to meet him at all.
“In short, this bozo is like a brother to me, and he will die if I leave him be, which also means I can’t leave, either. I gotta watch out for him! But you’re always welcome to visit whenever you want, Miku, and maybe I can visit you from time to time!”
“You’re a really thoughtful cousin, Candice. It’s very sister-like of you to care for him. I’m looking forward to hanging out with you! I hope we can be great friends!”
I have a feeling I’m going to get along great with both Kiefer and Candice. It looks like I suddenly have two new friends! Hee-hee… Next time I come, I’ll be sure to bring some treats with me!