🌸🌸🌸
THE next morning, while we’re bidding Marie and Jabrin goodbye, Jabrin gives me my school uniform back. I could have let him keep it as a thank-you gift, but then it’d be like our previous world never existed… Jabrin must’ve noticed that it had sentimental value. Not only does he return it, he thanks me for lending it to him. He’s such a nice person.
Also, Marie loads us up with potatoes. They’re such a lovely couple.
Like Leila predicted, a lot of other parties are already gathered at the place we agreed to meet the Evenfall Lions. A crowd of mighty warriors mill around the town’s gate, all armed and ready to slay the owl demon. Employees from the Guild are assigning which party covers which area of the forest.
“We’ve been assigned the deepest part of Kakinefil Woods. I hope we don’t have any trouble finding the owl demon there,” Leila says.
“Which direction is Kakinefil Woods?”
“To the west side of town. It’s full of monsters, but it’s a famous hunting and gathering ground, because it has an abundance of rare medicinal herbs.” Her tone turns serious. “The further in you go, the more likely you are to encounter strong monsters.”
Ganzi surveys the scene with a grim expression, scratching his head. “Still, the Guild’s letting any random party join in. There’s an E-class party over there. They’ll be wiped out if they chance on the owl demon.”
“Indeed, the Guild’s tackling this job in a lax fashion. We’d better find the owl demon and take care of it before anyone gets hurt.” With those grave words, Leila walks tall toward the gate. I trail close on her heels.
Our first adventure! I’m kinda excited… No, it’s dangerous; I shouldn’t get excited. But it’s been a long time since I’ve been on a camping trip. When I was little, my family and Kazuya’s used to go camping in the mountains. One time, my dad—he adored the outdoors—was like, ‘Let’s all go bear hunting!’ We had bear hot pot that night. I love that memory.
Next to me, Kazuya covers his mouth with his hand, his skin pale.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“Uh, the forest is reminding me of when we went camping that one time ages ago, and you popped up in front of me covered in blood, waving a bear corpse around. You hacked it up right in front of me, and then we had to eat it… Ugh.”
“Really? It was delicious!”
“I don’t remember how it tasted. All I remember is you looking gory.” Kazuya frowns with a shudder. He’s so sensitive.
“Sakurako!” Leila calls me, and I whip around to see handsome Luke immediately in front of me.
Ack, my face is heating up! I can’t help it, he’s so hot!
“Er, seeing as this is your first quest, if you don’t mind, I could teach you anything you want to know, if you want,” he says falteringly.
Luke’s not an illusion, is he? He’s not a product of my imagination? I feel just as shy as I ask, “Is that okay?”
He nods, smiling. “Sure! If we don’t come across monsters on the way, we’ll have plenty of downtime, and we’ll probably take breaks often, so I can definitely teach you whenever we’re free.”
Hooray! Luke’s so cool and nice! How’s a girl supposed to keep her heart from fluttering?! Squee!
I guess I wasn’t subtle, because Kazuya steps between Luke and me. “Ahem. Luke, we don’t especially need you to teach us.”
“It’d be our pleasure, Kazuya!” Ganzi joins the conversation, locking Kazuya in a headlock from behind. “I’ll take you under my wing, since our roles are similar. I’ll teach you what spells you can cast.”
“No, I don’t…need…”
Ganzi steers him away.
Luke’s nose twitches and his grin fades to a pained smile. “That Ganzi… He always makes things awkward.” Luke glances at me, his eyes swimming, then stammers again. “S-so if there’s anything you’d like to ask me about, feel free, anytime.”
“O-okay.” I blush in sympathy. His face is bright red! Does he like me? Really? He must, right? It’s like that? This conversation would make no sense if he didn’t! Aaah! What a cliché! Spring’s finally here for me!
Before now, all that’s happened when I make eye contact with guys is they run away or shrink in horror. I’m overjoyed that I came to this world!
Kazuya’s sharp voice raises in volume behind us. I look over my shoulder to see him arguing with Ganzi. Those two are getting along famously. Kazuya hardly ever lets his guard down to show his true personality.
Is there a chance he’s…crushing on Ganzi? Ganzi’s got a decent face and is a full-grown adult, which could well be Kazuya’s type. Spring has sprung for me, and I want it to come for Kazuya, too. I’ll be in his corner if he’s in love.
I shoot him a warm smile.
For some reason, he glares back at me with genuine disgust.
Eeep. It’s enough to send a chill down my spine.