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THE following day, we continue our adventure once we’ve confirmed that Leila has fully recovered. When she asked us to stay with the Evenfall Lions until they defeat the Demon King, we couldn’t answer immediately, so she told us we could let her know after this quest is over.
Kazuya and I appreciated the break. Her story was a lot to take in. I still don’t fully understand this world and, to be honest, I don’t really get the whole deal with the Demon King. I like Leila and the others, but the word ‘yes’ isn’t on the tip of my tongue.
However, it does feel like the wall between us and the Evenfall Lions has crumbled a little. And something else has changed, too. I’m not sure why exactly, but Kazuya politely asked Luke to teach him how to fight.
Luke was surprised by the request, but immediately smiled. “Sure, but I don’t think I’ll be that good a teacher. I don’t have any experience teaching others.”
That notwithstanding, the two began to practice every break. When they did, Leila would look on and say things like, “Nice work, you two!” and “Must be nice being so young.”
We wandered without finding the owl demon and, after a few days, Luke and Kazuya became closer as they trained. I’m wary of getting in the way of a striking blow, so they let me make a nuisance of myself by observing from a safe distance.
It confirms for me how strong Luke is. The muscles he uses to heft his sword are pin-up worthy and, even better, his steely core is unshakable. The cherry on top is his superhuman strength. The teddy bear God told us that there’d be people in this world who are extra-strong, and I have no doubt Luke’s one of them. He’s so special that he’s known as a hero.
So he’s only toying with Kazuya. Kazuya stopped practicing at my dojo after the accident, but before then, he was a student there. He’s no match for me, but his muscles are good and he’s as talented as other veteran students I taught. Even so, Luke has to treat him with kid gloves. He’s so strong. I wonder who’s stronger, me or him…
I follow his movements with my eyes, sure I can only do so because he’s not putting his heart into it yet. If we were to have a match here—What?! No! Why am I thinking like I’m starved for a fight?!
I’m a petite, dainty cook in a new world. I don’t want to test my skills! Even if every time I see the two of them practicing, temptation almost lures me to jump into the fray!
It makes no difference who’s stronger. I don’t care! Ignore me! It’s fine that Luke’s stronger! If he is, I’ll be the weak girl I’ve always wanted to be. A cool, princely lover will protect me! My eyes blur looking at the ground as my imagination races.
What if Luke finds out that I’m not weak? What would he think?
He’s nice to me. He’s kind. He takes care of me and jumps in front of me when monsters appear. I’m positive he only treats me that way because he thinks I can’t defend myself. And sometimes he gets that shy look… Maybe he only looks at me like that because I’m weak.
I don’t know why, but I feel depressed. I’m not trying to deceive him, but say he learns I’m not weak and it leads him to dislike me—I don’t want that. I don’t want him to stop smiling at me bashfully. I don’t want him to stop looking at me with passionate glances that make me wonder if he like-likes me.
“Damn you… You’re a beast,” Kazuya says, knocked to the ground again.
I push my thoughts about Luke deep down and turn to watch them.
“You’re stronger than I expected you to be, too,” Luke addresses Kazuya. “Enough that it’s surprising, to be honest. Why are you a merchant? Of course, your magic is powerful, but you seem suited to a combat role.”
Kazuya looks up cockily from where he’s sprawled. “Different people are best suited to different things. In a combat role, I’d only ever be average.”
“Oh? Are you planning to become a leader of merchants?”
“A leader of merchants? That’s small potatoes. I’m going to take over the merchant class globally. I’ll lead the leaders. I’ll be the merchant world’s equivalent of the Demon King.”
“You’d be a tough one, I’ll give you that. I doubt I’d be able to beat you.”
“That goes without saying.”
The two of them banter while attacking and defending against each other. They seem to have reached common ground, somehow. Maybe this is what friendship between guys looks like.
Although Kazuya can be stand-offish when he wants, for some reason, I notice that he’s being considerate when chatting with Luke…
…….
Wait a second.
Kazuya, are you kidding me? You fancy Luke?!
My imagination explodes as a scene writes itself in my head.
“Kazuya… I feel strange when I look at you,” Luke says with a blush.
“Oh, you feel weird? Tell me how you feel, exactly,” Kazuya says with a wicked smile. He slams his flat palm into the wall beside Luke, pinning him. That’s right; it’s a wall-slam!
“How?” Luke pauses, then says, “I don’t know. I’ve never felt like this before…”
“Want me to show you?” Kazuya asks, then whispers, “Luke…”
Kazuya smirks and plants his foot heavily between Luke’s legs, up near his crotch. The bang of his stomp echoes in the air. It’s a crotch-slam!
Shockingly, Kazuya goes so far as to clasp Luke’s chin between his thumb and forefinger to tilt Luke’s face towards his own.
A triple-combo! A wall-slam, a crotch slam, and cupping his chin! Who wouldn’t go wild for that!
Their faces draw closer and closer…
No! Stop! I can’t take this any further!
Just as I’m about to get dragged under by wave after wave of dangerous fantasy, Luke interrupts me.
“Sakurako? Can I have a word?” He’s standing in front of me with an energetic smile, covered in sweat. Just beyond him I see Kazuya slouched on the ground, drinking water from a canteen to perk himself back up.
Yikes! I was too caught up to realize they’d finished sparring!
“Yes!” I blurt out.
“I’m thinking of taking a dip,” Luke says.
“Taking a…dip?”
“Yeah, there’s a spring near here. I’m sweaty after that workout and could use a wash. What do you think? You’re welcome to tag along, or you could join the others.” Luke wipes the sweat from his forehead.
I see. We’re a hundred feet or so from where the others have set up camp, so Luke’s just asking if I wanna go with him or go back. But if I go with Luke… That means I’d see him naked!
Ack! No, no, no, what am I daydreaming about?! That can’t be what he meant! I shake the image of Luke half-naked out of my head. “Um, I’ll go back to Leila and the others.”
“Don’t peep at us!” Kazuya pipes up with a knowing smirk.
“I would never peep!”
Damn it, Kazuya! Don’t tease me like that in front of Luke! What if he thinks I’m shameless enough to peek at people while they’re bathing? Granted, I am curious what Luke looks like all stripped down. I bet he’s muscular all over. I’d love to see—
“S-Sakurako?” Luke says, slightly bewildered by my stare boring into his pecs.
Whoops. Sorry. My thoughts got away from me again. I draw on all my mental reserves to pull myself together and take off, yelling ‘farewell’ over my shoulder.
Anyway… Kazuya and Luke had a ball together. But I thought Kazuya had a thing for Ganzi! I didn’t expect him to switch to Luke! I don’t wanna be Kazuya’s rival in the fight for Luke’s affections. Kazuya’s got game. Everyone in our neighborhood thinks he’s an angel, but I can’t help but shudder at how big the difference is between how he acts most of the time and how he really is when his mask slips.