As soon as he spots Rinny, he breaks out into a smile, puffing merrily on his cigarette. His bulky build makes him seem pretty tough, but the smile makes him look sweet. Although it clashes with his piercing gaze!
Wait a minute. Did he just ask if we’re on a date?
“We’re d-d-definitely NOT on a date!” I correct him at once. “My name’s Miku! I recently joined the Lanakiller guild!”
I have to make sure he knows he’s wrong right away! Otherwise, Claire will get angry. To think we’re on a date, just because we’re walking together… Although, to be fair, if I saw a boy and a girl walking somewhere together, I’d assume they were on a date, too. Ugh, I’m no good at this kind of stuff.
“Bwahahaha! You’ve got a mouth on you, girlie. Your tail’s all puffed up! How adorable!”
“Don’t tease her too much. She got freaked out this morning just seeing me half naked!
“R-Rinny!”
Wells has an air of maturity about him. Although he teased me when he first saw me, for some reason, it didn’t make me feel uncomfortable. Honestly, the real jerk is Rinny, bringing up that incident from earlier! And with everyone looking at me, my face is redder than ever! Ugh!
“Oh, really? How cute! You’ve got a real sweetie on your hands. She’s a rare find nowadays. Take good care of her, Rinny.”
“Oh, I’m well aware. Her sister’s been nagging me to make sure I keep an eye on her, and I’m doing just that.”
Wells smiles cheerfully at me while taking a puff from his cigarette.
I was worried at first, seeing the dismal state of his store, but Wells seems really cheerful and energetic. I’m not sure how that relates to his skill, but based on a first meeting alone, I too, agree that his talent is going to waste, hidden away here.
“Well, forget about that for now. There’s something I wanted to discuss with you before you open shop,” Rinny says.
“You’re saying you didn’t come out here just to see me? You’re killing me.”
“Haha! Don’t say things you don’t mean. Besides, you know what brings us here.”
There’s a camaraderie between them that reminds me of old drinking buddies. It’s clear they’re on good terms. However, all they do is constantly tease each other, making it difficult to tell if they’re actually joking or being serious. It seems like the people who seem the friendliest and are the easiest to get along with are the ones you need to watch out for the most. They’re good at putting you off your guard. I believe Claire referred to folks like that as con artists.
“Wells isn’t one of the love interests, but I like him. Watch out, though, ’cause he’ll pull a fast one on you if you’re not careful!”
That’s what Claire told me once while telling me about her game, but I’m not worried. He might like to take advantage of people, but I know he would never do anything to hurt those close to him. I’m not sure if this Wells is the same as the one she knows, but based on what I’ve learned so far, I don’t think I need to be worried about anything.
Just as the thought crosses my mind, Wells suddenly slaps his forehead and shakes his head, as if in shock. The look on his face is one of deep sadness.
“Now, why would you go and say a thing like that? I really thought my friends were coming all this way just to pay me a social visit! Aww… I’ve got feelings too, you know? And they hurt like anyone else’s! Thanks for ruining my day… I’m not in the mood to talk to anyone anymore…”
As I gasp in surprise, Rinny whispers in my ear, “He’s saying he’ll only listen to what we have to say depending on how we go about it. He can be a real pain like that…”
Oh, I get it. He’s like a small child. I thought as much. But wh-what do we do?
At a loss, I watch as Wells turns around and, with shoulders slumped, trudges back into the store. We can’t let him go without talking about what we came here for! I suddenly call out to him.
“Um! Excuse me! Wells?”
“Hmm?”
Having not thought this far ahead, I have no idea what to say next.
I mean, we just met! I don’t know anything about him! I don’t know what he likes to talk about, or more importantly, what topics to avoid. I don’t know anything! Part of how you get to know people is through conversation, so… Oh, wait! That’s perfect.
“I want to know more about you!”
“Ack! Miku?!”
That’s right! In order to become friends with someone, you have to learn more about them! Which is why I said what I did, but…huh? Why is Rinny so flustered? Did I say something wrong?
“Pfft! Bwahahahaha! She really is quite something! That’s the most passionate and direct pickup line I’ve ever heard! I can really feel the love!”
Seeing my obvious confusion, Wells, who’d been so sad just a moment ago, bursts into peals of laughter. That’s when I realize my misstep.
“Eep! I wasn’t trying to hit on you!” My cheeks are flaming red and just as hot. It seems all I’m doing today is blushing like crazy.
So, he was just messing with us the whole time!
“Oh? But I was so psyched to have a girl as cute as you flirt with me! You didn’t mean it, huh? Oh, well.”
“I DID mean it! I really do want to know more about you, Wells! Truly! I just didn’t mean it like that!”
“Hrm? Then how did you mean it? Tell me.”
He lifts my chin with the tip of his finger, bringing his face close to mine, before grinning with devilish delight.
That look in his eyes is so enchanting! Oh, gosh! What do I do?! Claaaire!