Part 6: Trial by Fire
AFTER poking around here and there in the Guild, I went back to the counter up front to apply for a room in the dormitory. The lobby was much more crowded than it had been when I’d arrived that morning. Some of the people milling around seemed to be novices like me, while others were carrying well-used weapons and looked like seasoned adventurers. There were a lot more rowdy folks now than there had been earlier too, as well as people who wouldn’t stop shamelessly staring at me. I really needed to buy some heavier clothes—and the sooner, the better.
I had borrowed just enough money from Ellie to get me through the immediate future. Once I finished my application for housing, I bowed my head deeply to her.
“Truly, I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me.”
“It’s fine, it’s fiiine,” Ellie said with yet another dismissive wave. Then she placed a hand on my shoulder and her expression immediately turned serious. Her face was a bit too close to mine, and I didn’t know where to look. “Besides, I invited you to join my team, Haruka. As long as you don’t forget that, we’ll get along swimmingly.”
“Oh, right, of course,” I said. “I’ll do my best to keep your offer in mind.”
I had no idea why she was so obsessed with recruiting me. But I found her unwavering attitude on the subject even more reassuring than her inexplicable kindness. Why does she keep reminding me, though? Did I come across as the forgetful type? Or ungrateful? When I thought of it, it hadn’t been all that long since I’d told her about my amnesia. Suddenly, things made sense. Or at least, that was what I convinced myself.
“By the way, what are your plans after this, Haruka?” she asked. “I’m heading to my lodgings once I make my report for work.”
I snuck a glance at the job board out of the corner of my eye. It had been difficult to get close to it that morning because of everyone clustering around it, but nobody was there now. The lobby was still buzzing with activity, but I could peruse the postings on the board much more easily. I’d been curious all day about the kinds of work pinned there. I’d still have to wade through a throng of people to reach it, but this time, my curiosity was strong enough to make it worth it.
“I thought I’d take a look at the job board real quick, then head to my room in the annex.”
“In that case, let’s look together.”
I shook my head. It might have been too late at this point to have reservations, but I didn’t want to tie her down any longer, and certainly not with something so trivial. Even I was perfectly capable of checking out the board myself.
“Thank you, but I’ll be fine,” I said. “I really only want a glance. I am an adult, after all.”
“That’s…not the problem,” she said, sounding a little strange. “Hmmm… You know what? You’ll understand when you’re alone. Go ahead.”
I barely caught the tail end of her comment because her voice had lowered to a near-inaudible mutter. Doing my best to put on a happy face, I thanked her once more.
“I truly appreciate everything you’ve done for me today,” I said cheerily. “I would love it if I could come to you for help again, if I need it.”
I didn’t know if I pulled off the smile properly. Even in my original body, I’d never been very good at smiling at others. From their perspective, it probably looked like my lips were just twitching awkwardly, but in reality, I was doing my darndest to express my gratitude.
When Ellie smiled back at me, I felt a rush of relief. Looks like my feelings got through to her.
“You don’t have to be so formal, you know,” she said. “Let’s grab a bite together whenever you happen to be free. We’re friends now, right?”
With her face turned slightly away, she sounded bashful. I was charmed by the sight. I covered my mouth with one hand, worried this particular smile would look creepy or weird.
How careless of me to become even the slightest bit smitten with a girl so much younger than me.
No, I wasn’t “smitten.” The little flutter in my heart was just because I was so happy to make a new friend. Or so I persuaded myself.
“Well, time’s a wastin’, so go inspect the board already!” Ellie shooed me away.
“Message received,” I said, hand still hiding my mouth. “Next time, I promise to treat you with the money I earn.”
“Okay, I get it, I get it! Just go, will you?” Then she leaned against the wall and sent me off. “Especially because you’ll be back sooner than you think.”
I thought I almost heard her say something, but it got lost in all the commotion in the Guild. I was more bothered by whether she’d interpreted what I’d just said as a pick-up line and would find me creepy.