Chapter 13. Crisis and Opportunity (2)

Although I received a white nun’s habit, which I could only see as a Saint’s habit, there were other things that were troubling my mind.

To be honest, when I first met Ria, I never thought we would become this close.

When I saw Ria cooking ramen for me in the middle of the night, I thought, “She really does have a good side, just like a heroine.”

She was someone who said she would protect me, and although she was a bit mischievous, she was fundamentally a good person, so I thought we would become somewhat close.

No, actually, if I think about it, I think I did think we could become close ‘to this extent’.

Whether it’s web novels or light novels, heroines often have very natural physical contact with each other. Hugging, linking arms, linking elbows… In the first place, it looks pretty when beautiful female characters are doing that, and it has a good effect when illustrations are made. So, even in romantic comedies without yuri elements but with harem elements, such illustrations often appear.

Therefore, in this world, which closely resembles those novels, I think a certain amount of physical contact is natural. Stroking heads, or getting tangled up while sleeping.

Ria hugging me, or me hugging Ria, all happened by chance when we were unconscious, so we could consider it an accident for now. Nothing more significant happened.

In fact, Ria and I rarely have physical contact beyond holding wrists or linking arms. Well, we did dance once, but from that, we… Well, I think I felt something, but Ria probably didn’t feel anything.

So, this is a case where it’s unilaterally strange on my part.

I think I see Ria… well, as a romantic interest. No, in this case, should I say as a same-sex interest first?

Either way, it’s an incredibly complicated emotion.

It’s still closer to feelings of friendship. She’s a friend, but a friend of the opposite sex. Someone you consider with possibilities open, you know? It’s like knowing a quirky, tomboyish girl who hangs out with a group of guys. That kind of feeling.

If she asked me out, I’d raise both hands and shout “Yes!”, but I don’t want to confess first.

It’s not because I dislike it emotionally, but because I’m afraid of breaking this relationship, so I can’t confess.

No, think about it.

She’s strong, beautiful, and kind, and she says she’ll protect me. In reality, there might be limitations, but this world is a fantasy world filled with superhuman beings who can cut cars with a sword.

Wouldn’t it be impossible not to be drawn to her?

We protect each other with our lives, so it’s impossible not to feel anything. If Ria considers me her same-sex, then maybe, but since I consider Ria my opposite sex.

“Why?”

“Huh?”

“What are you looking at so intently?”

At Ria’s words, I blinked.

This was a classroom. A classroom at the Hunter Association.

Well, even though it’s called a classroom, it’s a place that’s ambiguous to be called a school, but the things we learn are definitely helpful. Especially for someone who wants to become a hunter.

In such a classroom, Ria and I naturally sat in the very back row. Side by side.

During the breaks between classes.

I must have been looking at Ria without realizing it.

“Hmm?”

Ria tilted her head. Although she had cut her hair short, her shiny and soft hair flowed down beside her face.

The way she naturally raised her hand to tuck it behind her ear was so beautiful it made me wonder if she was doing it on purpose.

What would she say if I called her beautiful here?

…I have called myself beautiful before.

I still think I’m beautiful, but the problem is that no matter how pretty a woman is to another woman, it doesn’t mean much. I’m not interested in women, so what’s the point of the person sitting next to me being pretty?

“Is there something on your face?”

“No, it’s just…”

To Ria’s question, I unconsciously gave a vague answer and looked away.

I suppressed the sigh that was about to escape.

The clothes Ria is wearing are a black nun’s habit. It seems I’m the only one who has received the white habit so far.

“…”

Ria seemed to sense something from my reaction.

“Here.”

Ria rummaged through her bag, took something out, and handed it to me.

It was chocolate. Nothing special, just small, individually wrapped pieces in a transparent plastic bag, not very expensive chocolate.

“No, I’m not hungry, so don’t think that.”

“Really? If you’re not going to eat it, then never mind.”

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t eat it.”

I quickly took it before Ria could take it back.

Ria’s hand brushed against my fingertips.

Normally, it wouldn’t have mattered. But precisely because I had been thinking about Ria just before, it made me feel unnecessarily conscious of it.

The soft touch of my fingertips lingered for quite a while.

Although in reality, it was less than 3 seconds.

*

The Hunter Association building has many facilities.

Many small and medium-sized associations often don’t have a blacksmith inside, and many don’t even have classrooms like this one. There are also many cases where the number of association members can be counted on one hand.

It is said that such associations often outsource weapon production and training to other large associations. Large associations earned quite a lot of money from such things.

Well, I don’t really care about what other associations are like.

“Whoa, whoa, hold on a second!”

As I entered the blacksmith’s shop, the person inside quickly held out both hands and shouted.

“Are you trying to come in wearing those clothes right now?”

At those words, I blinked for a moment and stood there, then looked down at my body.

The Saint’s habit… no, this white nun’s habit doesn’t have much difference in design from other nun’s habits. It’s just very white overall, and it has some gold embroidery, making it slightly decorative.

However, seeing that pure white color, I understood why the other person tried to stop me.

“It’s not like a little something getting on it will cause a big problem.”

“No, still… just a moment.”

Although I answered with a smile, the other person still seemed uneasy.

It’s been like this every time I’ve gone out lately.

Even before, when I walked with Ria, not many people stared at us intently.

The nun’s habit was close to black, and it didn’t look much different from other nuns’ habits.

In contrast, this white nun’s habit and veil were excessively conspicuous.

It’s a modern blacksmith, so they actually use advanced equipment to hammer, but it was definitely a color that would make you feel a bit sorry if something got on it.

The other person went somewhere and came back with a large apron, handing it to me. It was a thick leather apron that seemed impossible to damage even if poked with something sharp. I don’t know what kind of leather it was, but it was very heavy.

“Is it okay to go in now?”

“Of course! There’s probably no one here who wouldn’t welcome you, Sister.”

I smiled, nodded, and went inside.

Ria followed closely behind me. Even though there’s no one here to harm me.

Hmm, some of the materials on the shelves looked a bit dangerous.

“What brings you here today? Do you have a request…?”

“Yes, I have something I’d like to request.”

As I said that, I placed the small pouch I was holding on the counter.

Inside the pouch were holy items I had created.

I myself have said many times that I don’t want to become a Saint, and in fact, I am not a Saint yet- but honestly, what is inevitable is inevitable.

The more I use holy power, the more my body gradually adapts to it. The wound on my hand, and the blood flowing from that wound, might be a result of that.

While I deny becoming a Saint of the church, honestly, I am somewhat suspicious of the fact that my body might have been created as a saint in a religious sense.

And, normally, if that happens, the danger Ria would face would far exceed what can be described as mere danger.

“This is…”

The other person was surprised by what they saw as soon as I opened the pouch, and I calmly said.

“Using that stone, can you make a sword that constantly flows with holy power?”

Ria looked at me with slightly surprised eyes.

“Ah, yes, that might be possible with a little research. However, what this is made of…”

“…”

I hesitated for a moment and then opened my mouth.

“This was made by imbuing it with my blood.”

“What?”

“What?”

The two people looked at me with expressions of shock. Ria’s gaze, in particular, was a bit scary.

No, even though I harmed myself, I still treated the wound properly.

…Well, I guess that’s not the real issue.

I rolled my eyes to avoid Ria’s gaze and said.

“So… please, I beg you. It might be needed someday.”

“Ah, yes.”

The person who had been standing there with a dazed expression replied a little belatedly.

“I will… do my best.”

For now, that was enough.

…

No, Ria’s gaze didn’t seem satisfied with that, but anyway.