Chapter 179

“No, no, no, no.”

I waved my hands frantically.

This kind of misunderstanding needed to be cleared up quickly.

“If you feel sorry for your poor boyfriend who’s too weak to even stand up straight, please teach me some secret techniques to become stronger.”

“…”

Hiresia looked at me with an expression that said, “So that’s what you meant.”

She was glaring at me with resentful eyes, as if her mood had suddenly soured.

I’m sorry, I’m sorry.

I won’t do it again.

“Hmph, as if you’re living without being able to stand up straight.”

“No, really, I get hurt emotionally a lot too, you know? I try to act like it doesn’t bother me, but when I’m next to strong people, my confidence just shrivels up.”

“Even a passing dog would laugh at that.”

“Just what do you think of me?”

I chuckled and continued.

“Anyway, think about it. That weird guy who used shadow magic last time. If I had to face someone like that alone, I’d just die, you know?”

I explained, using Gulshan as an example.

He was the perfect example.

Hiresia’s eyes blazed with anger.

Probably because he was the worst person in her mind, someone who had tried to kill me.

“I should have killed him then.”

Hiresia gritted her teeth.

“Well, we can’t change what’s already happened, Senior. What’s important is preparing for the future. That’s why I’m asking you like this.”

“Hmm.”

Hiresia’s eyes became thoughtful for a moment.

Then she said,

“Rather than becoming strong enough to face someone like that, wouldn’t it be faster to learn how to run away?”

“…Please don’t set limits on human potential.”

“Don’t look at me with those pitiful eyes, it makes my heart weak.”

“It’s because I really am pitiful, so please teach me.”

“Ah, alright, alright.”

“Oh, as expected of Sen-“

“…is what I’d like to say, but…”

“…”

Hiresia suddenly changed gears.

This time, I was the one who got hit.

But her expression seemed somehow serious.

I asked with a serious look.

“Is there a problem, Senior?”

“There is.”

“What kind of…?”

“The rules of the High Elves.”

“Huh?”

I tilted my head at this unfamiliar term.

Was there such a setting?

I’d never heard of it before.

“Ahem, there’s a rule that says we can’t pass on High Elven secret techniques to just anyone.”

…That’s a lie.

That’s definitely a lie.

I could tell just from her awkward cough and the way she averted her gaze.

She was good at acting in front of others, but strangely, she was easy to read when it came to me.

Maybe it’s because I’m the only one she shows her true colors to.

Anyway, even though I noticed this, I decided to play along.

I needed to coax her well to get what I wanted from her.

“Oh, there’s such a rule? Then I guess I need to enter a relationship that doesn’t fall under ‘just anyone’.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Thinking it had worked, Hiresia’s eyes sparkled.

Her nodding movement was also full of life.

…Is that really so good?

I inwardly chuckled and opened my mouth again.

“Is being your boyfriend not enough?”

“Hmm, ahem… It-It’s slightly not enough.”

“Then?”

“Don’t you think something more is needed?”

“…”

No… how am I supposed to answer that?

This isn’t the concept we’re going for right now…

I barely hid my dumbfounded expression as I looked at Hiresia.

She was rolling her eyes while sneaking glances at me.

…Come on, you can’t do that when you’re the one who brought it up.

It seemed like she hadn’t really decided on anything specific.

In the end, it looked like I had to choose a carrot that would please her heart based on my intuition.

‘I kind of get what she wants…’

A closer relationship.

Something different from just being senior and junior.

When we were just senior and junior, she might have been satisfied with just being treated to meat, but now that we’re a couple, it’s natural to want something special.

‘If that’s the case.’

I thought of something.

It might not be anything grand, but I thought of something that could satisfy her heart.

“Alright.”

“Huh?”

“Let’s go somewhere together. Follow me.”

I extended my hand to Hiresia.

“Ah, okay… S-Sure.”

Hiresia took my hand, her face flushed.

Her shy appearance was cute.

I smiled and said,

“Alright, let’s go.”

* * *

We headed to a high-end jewelry store in the bustling district.

It was a store that exuded an aura of “No entry for people without money” at first glance.

Hiresia’s face turned pale, seemingly overwhelmed by that aura.

“C-Can someone like me enter such an amazing store…?”

She muttered in a deflated voice.

Come on, you’re a High Elf.

You’re a noble race recognized by the world.

I looked at her with an incredulous face, then remembered something.

‘Well, this elf is just a penniless student after all.’

Human money isn’t just given away.

While tuition and housing might be covered by scholarships and dormitories, living expenses are unavoidable.

Well, once she’s out of student status, she’d probably be able to earn enough money if she wanted to.

But that’s that, and right now she’s undoubtedly a student struggling with money.

I felt like I needed to extend a helping hand quickly.

Tap.

I took Hiresia’s hand.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. There’s no one more suited to such a classy place than you, Senior.”

“I’m not a person, I’m a High Elf…”

“Come on, it’s just a figure of speech.”

I pulled her with some force.

Towards the jewelry store.

She followed me, her face flushed red.

I opened the door of the jewelry store forcefully.

“Welcome, customers.”

Even the attending employee was dressed in a neat, high-quality suit.

As expected of a high-level store.

“Please feel free to look around.”

“We came to look at rings.”

“Ah, rings.”

The employee smiled with his eyes.

“An excellent choice. All of our products are specially crafted by renowned artisans, each with its own unique value. The rings are no exception, of course.”

“Good. Show us.”

“Yes, I’ll guide you, customers.”

We followed the employee to where various rings were displayed.

Rings made in various shapes and materials.

The common point was that all the materials were precious metals and gems.

The sparkling light cast a beautiful glow around.

Such beautiful and special radiance could only be seen in a jewelry store.

Hiresia couldn’t take her eyes off the sight.

No woman dislikes beautiful accessories.

It seemed the High Elf was no exception.

“Who will be wearing it?”

The employee asked.

“Both of us.”

“Oh my, I see. Could it be wedding rings?”

Hiresia’s cheeks reddened at the mention of wedding rings.

…Don’t get embarrassed at every little thing.

When a couple of marriageable age enters a high-end jewelry store together, isn’t it natural to ask that first?

“No, not that. They’re couple rings.”

I answered.

I came to the jewelry store thinking that while proposing might be too much, couple rings should be fine.

“Co-Couple rings…”

Hiresia’s ears twitched and her face reddened again.

Her face showed clear joy, even as she felt embarrassed.

It was as I expected.

It was an excellent choice to satisfy her heart.

“Ah, couple rings. Hehe, unlike in the past, most young couples these days get couple rings.”

The employee continued with a smile.

“And I’m not sure how you’ll take this, but these days, people don’t treat couple rings lightly. They tend to put a bit more effort into it, you know? I think it’s because it’s a meaningful symbol between lovers. Ah, of course, I’m not trying to push you towards expensive ones, please don’t misunderstand.”

This employee knows how to subtly create an atmosphere for selling expensive items.

Maybe there’s some incentive for selling well.

But anyway, I’m not the one choosing.

“Senior, choose whichever one you like.”

I said with a smile.

“Huh? M-Me?”

Hiresia was flustered.

“Yes, you should choose what you like so you won’t regret it later.”

“Wh-What about you?”

“I’ll like whatever you choose for me.”

“Ugh.”

Hiresia’s ears twitched again.

But she didn’t look unwilling.

No, she probably likes this.

“Hmm…”

Hiresia carefully examined the rings.

But soon, as if she was having difficulty deciding, she rolled her eyes and asked the employee.

“Um…”

“Yes, customer.”

“What’s popular usually?”

“Ah, you mean what’s popular for couple rings? It’s gold, of course. Yellow gold, rose gold, or white gold rings with beautiful engravings are very popular. Those who are willing to spend a bit more often choose ones with gems added. Of course, honestly, the price can be quite high. So for those who find it burdensome, instead of diamonds or rubies, they choose rings set with more affordable gems like garnets, onyx, or amethyst to balance economy…”

Hiresia’s eyes seemed to be spinning.

This was too difficult for her, who was far removed from high-end jewelry.

Of course, I didn’t really know much either.

I smiled wryly.

This won’t do.

I’ll have to help her here.

I whispered softly into her ear.

“Don’t worry about anything else, just choose what you’re drawn to.”

My words seemed to calm her down.

“…O-Okay.”

She swallowed hard and looked back into the glass display case.

How much time passed?

Finally, she made her choice.

“That one…”

A white gold ring with a sapphire.

The clean white gold color and the ethereal blue light created a beautiful radiance.

‘As expected, the eyes are honest. The expensive ones really do look better.’

I chuckled inwardly.

Sapphires are also expensive gems.

Add to that the beautiful craftsmanship by a renowned artisan, and the price was undoubtedly high without even needing to think about it.

“An excellent choice, customer!”

The employee said with a smile.

She seemed pleased to sell an expensive item as a couple set.

The employee immediately prepared the rings.

I paid with a check.

“Here you are. And…”

The employee’s eyes sparkled as she continued.

“You two look really good together. Love that transcends race is so wonderful. I sincerely support you.”

Her voice and expression were sincere.

She seemed to feel warm herself, seeing the heartwarming sight of an uncommon interracial couple.

Do we really look that good together to others?

I feel like I fall short compared to the elf lady who’s too beautiful…

“Lo-Love that transcends race…”

The elf lady was blushing again, fixated on those words.

Please stop reacting to every little thing.

“Thank you for your support. We’ll come again.”

“Yes, please do come again.”

We left, leaving behind the smiling employee.

* * *

“Hehehe.”

Hiresia couldn’t stop laughing.

She kept staring intently at the couple ring on her left ring finger.

Come to think of it, this was the first time I’d seen a ring on her hand.

I might be the first among all players.

To put a couple ring on her hand.

Somehow, my head is lifting and my shoulders are straightening…?

Is this the pride of a man who’s become a couple with an unobtainable heroine?

“Do you like it?”

“Hehe, of course.”

Hiresia looked at me with smiling eyes.

I think it’s the first time I’ve seen her face so clearly showing her happiness.

Is it just because of the couple ring?

No, it’s probably not just that.

I thought that some anxiety she had about our relationship in her heart was resolved by this couple ring gift.

In other words, she gained certainty.

Although it’s not as good as a proposal, she’s taking this event so meaningfully.

It was certainly a meaningful event for both her and me.

I felt like it was a good thing in many ways.

“Then now we…”

“Heh, is there a need to say it?”

Hiresia said with a fresh smile.

“Tell me anything.”