Ch.377Changed NPCs. (7)

“Adventurer Ray Sol! And Mr. Jack! Thank you so much! Regarding this matter, I’ll make sure to report to the Dean so you can receive a proper reward…!!”

“Ah, that won’t be necessary. We were concerned about this situation too. If you insist on giving us a reward, just don’t mention it to the Dean. We’re… acquainted with him.”

I swallowed the rest of my words—”because Ragni would get scolded”—and handed over the pig with burst eardrums and his underlings to the security team. Great! That’s done!!

“Well then, we’ll be going…”

“Ah, um! I’m sorry, but we need to take your statements…”

Stop!! Please! Stop!! I want to move while the sky is still bright blue! I rushed to the hospital to see the condition of people who wouldn’t open their eyes, confirmed the abnormal state of [Pseudo-death (Soul Detachment)], and threatened the one-armed bastard to decide whether it was death or just keeping his arm disabled. And it took about an hour to get here! The day isn’t over yet, and there’s still time left to dress up and go on a date with Ray!! Damn, should I just run away?! Yes, running away is…!!

“…I’m sorry, Jack. Because of me…”

“……”

Seeing Ray’s shoulders slump dejectedly, as if she had already accepted that giving statements was inevitable, I was at a loss for words. Ah, this isn’t right. I’m really annoyed. What should I do? Knock out the security team too? Is that the answer? I genuinely clenched my fist and gritted my teeth. Maybe I could go alone later and bow my head saying, “I did it for the date, I’m sorry.” Would they let me off with just a day or two in jail? Huh? They would, right? If not, I’d have to beg the Dean…!!

I reluctantly directed my fist toward the security officer behind us…

“Hey, Phil. Cut it out. These folks helped us without even taking a guild request. And look at them. Are you so clueless as a man that you can’t read the situation?”

Before my arm could rise, another security officer approached and told the one who had given us the request not to take our statements. Huh? Could it be…

“…Here, take this. As you know, there are many young students in Nativa, so places like this are rare. This one is… properly licensed, though it’s a bit expensive.”

“Since you said you don’t need a reward, take this coupon at least.” The security officer slipped something into my pocket, patted my shoulder, gave me a fist pump with a “Fighting!” and turned away, dragging the fallen nobleman with his subordinate.

What did he put in my… huh? Wait? Hold on. The subordinate has no tact, but this officer is way too perceptive…? Who are you? Are you perhaps an important character who appeared in the game?!

“…Jack?”

“Huh? Oh! We don’t have to give statements. Let’s continue our date.”

“R-really?!”

Did she think I wouldn’t want to continue our date? Ray’s eyes sparkled with genuine surprise as she turned her magic sword back into a ring and clasped her hands in front of her chest.

Ah, she’s so damn cute.

“My lady, would you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you until the end of our day?”

“Ha-haha! Of course!!”

Ray lightly took my outstretched hand, and I offered my arm again. This time, she wrapped her arm around mine softly, beaming with a bright smile. And then.

“Jack, can I say one thing?”

“Anything.”

“Um, calling me ‘lady’ and acting all noble-like makes me feel a bit uncomfortable!”

“Just be yourself!” she said with a bright smile, and I felt a little hurt.

No, I had put a lot of thought into this. Did it really not suit me? It seems the etiquette I learned in the Empire truly doesn’t fit me at all.

*

My date with Jack progressed quickly yet meaningfully. Just as he had picked out and bought clothes that suited me in the morning, we visited weapon shops I wanted to see and purchased new armor to replace my worn-out one. Of course, Jack made full use of his status window that only he could see, picking out various outfits that suited me best, especially…

[Ahem. How about this… one? The, uh, effects are quite good. Yes, the effects.]

When he recommended tight-fitting armor that clung to my body, I even tried it on for him, removing the dress I was wearing.

Hehe, I could tell Jack found me quite attractive! Especially the way his gaze fixed on my waist and thighs was almost exciting!!

After touring all the armor shops, since we had passed lunchtime, we stopped at a tea house and substituted a light dessert for a meal. Unlike usual, sharing various conversations “just the two of us” while eating dessert was truly sweet and delicious. Next, we went to an accessory shop that sold jewelry, but…

[…None of these have effects. That’s strange. There were plenty in Ponia.]

It seemed nothing caught Jack’s eye. Well, honestly, I was perfectly satisfied with just the ring he had bought me, but…

[Customer, customer. How about this? These pure silver rings are trending as wedding rings these days. We can set a gemstone the same color as your partner’s eyes on top…]

The ring the clerk recommended as I approached while Jack was browsing various accessories was honestly tempting. The ring was quite expensive, but it wasn’t about the price—it was about having a gemstone the color of his eyes. The thought of placing a gem the color of Jack’s orange, sun-like eyes on this ring, clearly showing everyone I was his woman, made my heart race. Of course, I didn’t say that much.

The clothes he bought earlier already cost nearly 5 million cans, and I didn’t want to burden Jack any further. And so, as the pleasant time flew by quickly…

“Jack. Shouldn’t we head home soon?”

“Huh? Already?”

I didn’t want to say this to him as we continued walking arm in arm, but the sky was starting to turn red. Ira might have returned home, and Ragni might have come back too. So it was probably time to go home. The date with him was so enjoyable and happy, but still.

‘…I’m still not worthy enough to be loved by Jack like Ragni is.’

He asked me on a date, but I got myself involved in another mess. The reason he bought me these pretty clothes was because I was lacking. I understand perfectly that in his eyes and in the eyes of others, I’m not properly recognized as his woman.

Every day I dress like an adventurer, carry a sword, don’t properly fix my hair, and fight at the forefront like men do. No, I rush into troublesome situations that even most men wouldn’t bother with. I haven’t cultivated myself as a woman.

Probably, at the first store we entered earlier, when I was happy about buying second-hand clothes, the store clerk looked down on both me and Jack, which is why he acted that way. I didn’t notice it, but Jack surely caught those glances.

“Now, I should go home and prepare dinner, right? When Ira and Ragni come back, they’ll surely be hungry!”

The most I can do—the most proper womanly task I can perform well—is cooking and brewing tea. If I don’t do my best at even this, I’ll surely become the least attractive woman among those around Jack. Of course, I don’t show this outwardly, but I just want to be enough for him to keep by his side. So I need to make an effort like this…

“…Well. Ragni said she’s staying at the Academy tonight? With Luxuria too.”

“…What?”

“And Ira seems to have argued with and cried over a friend she met after a long time. Gorg says she’s now sleeping at her friend’s house. She just fell asleep, so he’s not sure when she’ll wake up.”

The status window told me. Ragni stopped by the house to leave a note before leaving, and Gorg checked and let me know. Jack scratched the back of his head as he explained after I suggested going home, his gaze wandering in the air.

Wait, did I read that correctly? Could it be…

“…A-actually, I got a message from Gorg before we dealt with that nobleman. So…”

I was planning to spend the whole day with you. To show my gratitude too. Jack’s face looked red, perhaps because of the sunset. Um, so…

“…S-so today, it’s just the t-two of us at h-home…”

-Tap tap tap.

“…Huh?”

“Hmm?”

-WHOOSH!

“W-what?!!”

“Aah?!!”

The sky was still red and seemed clear, but when I looked up, a large cloud that looked exactly like a rain cloud suddenly started pouring. Ah, the clothes Jack bought me!! They’re getting all wet…!!

-GRAB!!

“Ah?!”

“The paper the security guard gave me mentioned a resting place nearby! Let’s go there!!”

Even if we’re going, is there any need to carry me like this?! Wouldn’t it be faster if we ran together?!! Jack lifted me up easily and started running quickly.

As if trying to avoid even the raindrops, he ran at an incredibly fast pace, passing by people around us and even overtaking a carriage ahead. Running and running, leaving the main road and entering between alleys, we arrived at…

“An inn? A castle? W-what is this building?”

“…I had a feeling it might be something like this.”

Let’s go inside anyway! he said as we entered. At the entrance, there was a sign that read: 2-hour rest – 1,000 cans. Overnight stay – 4,000 cans. Huh, an inn for 4,000 cans per night? Isn’t this a complete scam?! And what’s this 2-hour rest for 1,000 cans?! Do they have a bath made of healing potions inside?!

I ended up entering this strange pink building with Jack.

The [♡Hotel♥] sign at the entrance was a word I had never seen before and couldn’t understand.