Chapter 8
The next day, after the goblinsâ nest had been eradicated. <Running Wolves> activities were put on hold.
All of them were exhausted, so there was no way they could object, and they unanimously decided to take the day off to rest.
But Renka still woke up early in the morning, as she usually did. Although she woke up, she didnât feel like getting up, so she rolled over in bed. As she did so, her thoughts naturally drifted to the events of yesterday.
(Yesterday⌠was a terrible mistake. We almost got wiped out. No, if Shinji hadnât been there, we would have been wiped out. It was such a screw-upâŚ.)
As a ranger, she supposed to be wary of the trap, and yet she was so shaken up that it made entire party got caught in it. Because of this, sheâs depressed and failure as a ranger. Besides, knowing that her friends is still saved, she should remain calm. She should have known this in her head. And yet she still rushing.
(I have to make sure this doesnât happen again. Shinji also told me to do my best next time)
She suddenly remembered that Shinji had put his hand on her head. Itâs a big manâs hand. It was the first time she had been touched by anyone other than Alvin. But this was unusual behavior for Shinji, who maintains an appropriate distance.
Still, the touch was gentle, and it made her confused head immediately calmed down at that time. Thinking back on it now, she doesnât feel bad at all. Rather, she would like to be patted by him again, this time tooâŚ
(What am I thinking? No, no, no! That was an emergency thing!)
She rolled from side to side on the bed to disperse the fantasy that came up.
But then, she thought.
(Alvin was still coolâŚ)
She remembered his back as he stood alone against the hordes of goblins. And her heart fluttered at the sight of his bravery as he wielded his great sword in all directions to annihilate the goblins. Although she was desperately shooting her bow during the battle and she couldnât get a good look at him, he was still the same brave figure she knew from the past.
(Iâve put both Alvin and Milis in danger⌠I should do something to apologize!)
She pondered for a while. And then, Renka got off the bed and started to change her clothes. She changed into her green robe, her normal adventurerâs style, and left the room. After that, she walked to Milisâs room next door and knocked.
âMil, are you awake?â
She waited for a while, but there was no response. She wondered if she was too early. Thinking that she was too early, she knocked on Alvinâs room next door.
âAl, are you awake?â
âRenka? Iâm awake, you can come inâ
After hearing Alvinâs voice, she opened the door. When Renka entered Alvinâs room, she looked at him as he lay slack-jawed on his bed. He was completely exhausted, as if his bravery of yesterday had been a lie.
âYouâre not dressed properly⌠but thatâs okayâ
âIâm still a little sleepy. I was wondering if I should take a nap. Whatâs wrong?â
Renka sighs at Alvinâs words, but then laughs wryly.
âI want to apologize for my mistake yesterday. Iâd like to treat everyone to dinner this evening, if thatâs convenientâ
âSeriously? Me and Mil are fine. Iâm looking forward to Renkaâs dinner! You know, our hometown soup, please make it!â
âOkay, Iâll put the soup on the menu. Iâll ask Shinji too if heâs available. Even if Shinji doesnât like it, the three of us can eat it together and Iâll prepare something else for Shinjiâ
âOkay. Iâm looking forward to it! Iâll let Mil knowâ
Alvinâs carefree smile at the mention of yesterdayâs events warmed the cockles of her heart. However, Renka had no intention of revealing this feeling at the moment.
Alvin has a girlfriend named Milis. She could tell that the two of them had feelings for each other. Renka thought that she would reveal her feelings to Milis when Alvin had risen through the ranks of the party to a higher rank⌠to the point where Alvin could have two wives.
After all, when someone reach the rank of upper-intermediate, there will be a lot of women who want to become their second wife. Still, the law of this country stipulates that a man can only marry no more than two wives. So, in order to prevent Alvin from getting into any trouble with women, she thought she would run for the position and tell him that she wanted the three of them to get along as well as ever.
(Geez, this insensitive man is completely unaware of my feelings⌠though I think Mil somehow knows that I like Alvin)
âIâm going to go talk to Shinji and buy some food. As for dinner⌠well, letâs say about the sixth bell after noonâ
âOkay! Be carefulâ
âYeah, see you laterâ
After saying goodbye to Alvin, Renka headed to <Hidden Dragon Inn> where Shinji was staying.
* * *
After arrived, Renka entered the <Hidden Dragon inn> and called out to Charlotte, who was sitting at the counter.
âIâm sorry. Is Shinji here?â
âI havenât seen him yet, so I think heâs in his room. Excuse me, who is it?â
âCould you tell him that Renka is here? Iâm a member of his partyâ
Charlotte nodded and got up from her seat.
Then, while says, âMom! Iâm going to call guest from his room, so please go to the reception desk!â, she went to the back of the inn. Renka looked at her with warm eyes, saying that she was a cheerful girl.
âIâm sorry⌠sheâs a noisy girlâ
âI think itâs good to be energeticâ
A woman with the same hair color as Charlotteâs, who had taken her place, apologized with an apologetic look on her face. Renka couldnât help but follow up. While she was doing this, Charlotte returned.
âIâm sorry to keep you waiting. Shinji-san was awake. I can show you to his room if you like.â
âYes, pleaseâ
After bowing lightly to Charlotteâs mother, Renka was led by Charlotte to Shinjiâs room.
âItâs here. Then I have to go to the reception!â
âThank youâ
Charlotte bowed and walked away. Renka knocked modestly on the door of Shinjiâs room.
âShinji, itâs Renkaâ
âIâll open it nowâ
As soon as she knocked, the door opened. He was dressed in his normal robe and greeted Renka. The difference between him and Alvin was enormous, and Renka couldnât help but smile.
âGood morning, Renka. Whatâs wrong with your face?â
âGood morning. When I went to Alvinâs room earlier, he was lying on the bed as if he had just woken up from sleep⌠The difference was so drastic that I couldnât help myselfâ
âHahaha, thatâs just like Alvinâ
In response to the deliberate laughter, Renka also agrees too.
âIâm sorry for the trouble I caused you yesterday. As an apology, I would like to treat everyone to dinner tonight. Iâm the one whoâs going to cook⌠are you available?â
Renka spoke timidly, looking at Shinjiâs face. And Shinji nodded at Renkaâs suggestion with a smile. There was no sign of blame for yesterdayâs failure.
âDonât worry about itâŚit was a big mistake to say. But Iâll appreciate Renkaâs feelingsâ
âYeah, thatâs good. And, wellâŚâ
Renka looks uncomfortable and embarrassed as she struggles to speak. It seemed that she was unable to speak for a while, but Shinji waited patiently for Renka to calm down. She closed his mouth once and then opened it again.
âEven if I fail at that time, Iâll do my best next time. So, thank you for telling me that. If it hadnât been for your words, I would probably have been left in a daze. Youâve really helped meâ
âOh, youâre welcome. I have to apologize too. I know it was an emergency, but Iâm sorry for touching your headâ
Shinjiâs apology caused Renkaâs face, which had been staring at each other with a serious expression, to turn red. She remembered the confusion of the morning. Then, Shinji immediately cast a light hypnotic spell on Renka. Itâs a weak spell that lasts only a few seconds and makes her say what she thinks. Of course, Renka, who was turning red and, in a hurry, didnât notice.
âI-Itâs fine if y-you donât have to apologize! It canât be helped! And I didnât mind at all! Itâs not that I donât like it, rather I wanted you to pat me more⌠Ahh, what am I talkinggg!â
What she was thinking just came out of her mouth, and Renka was very panicked. Shinji is looking at the panicking Renka with gentle eyes. And Shinjiâs hand slowly reached to Renkaâs head. She could have avoided it if she had wanted to, but⌠she quietly accepted Shinjiâs hand on her head.
She was aware that her panicked thoughts had regained her composure and that her face was getting hotter and hotter with embarrassment.
âHave you calmed down?â
ââŚYes, Iâm frustrated. But I can afford itâ
Renka pouted as if to cover up her embarrassment. Shinji smiled and gently stroked Renkaâs head. She does not feel uncomfortable with the gentle touch, and Renka is at her ease.
âIâm older than you. And Iâm trying to beâ
âHaa~⌠It seems Iâm still a child when I talk to Shinji. Do you think I should call you Onii-sama?â
âOh, then letâs see what my little sister cooks for me. I like beef, will it be on the menu? Do you need a baggage handler?â
Shinji easily evaded Renkaâs retort. And then, she laughed at the suggestion and nodded.
âOf course. Okay, Iâll make you a steak! So, follow me!â
âYes, yes, as you wishâ
After a few minutes, Renka removed Shinjiâs hand from her head and walked towards the exit of the inn. With Shinji followed behind her.
And so, the two of them enjoyed shopping for preparing the dinner.
Renka really enjoyed the shopping alone with him.
And she let her guard down even more.
