episode_0050

“Arin…”

Ian called her name once again—he’d lost count of how many times it had been today.

“What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”

If she’s offering to grant a request, I should take her up on it. After all, it was Ian himself who had implied he’d do anything for her, so he couldn’t exactly complain now, no matter how much he hesitated.

A man’s word was his bond—especially in front of a woman he held in high regard.

“Still, isn’t this a bit much…?”

For hours now, he’d been trailing after Arin, handling all sorts of odd jobs around the village.

Carrying bricks, chopping wood, hauling water—each task was grueling labor that drained his stamina. But for Ian, who had recently become a top-tier adventurer, none of it was particularly difficult.

In fact, at first, he’d even felt his heart flutter as he walked alone with Arin, seeing her lively side—something he’d never witnessed before.

But Arin, seemingly determined to clear all the village’s troubles in a single day, didn’t allow even a moment’s rest. Subtly—no, blatantly—she was rough in how she treated people.

“Did you say something?”

“…It’s nothing.”

His body had long since crossed into superhuman territory, so exhaustion wasn’t the issue. What did bother him was how she seemed to treat him like some kind of plow ox. It stung his pride a little.

The real Arin isn’t like this. The original really is the best.

Arin wasn’t oblivious to Ian’s sulking. Standing in front of him, laden with supplies, she playfully swayed a flower and said,

“Just hang in there a little longer! Then I’ll grant you one wish.”

“A wish?”

By nature, a woman offering to grant a wish had a certain effect on a man’s heart. Of course, if he took that too seriously and made some reckless demand, he’d either end up behind bars by nightfall or socially ruined by sunrise.

So no matter how tempting the offer, he absolutely could not reveal the desires buried deep in his heart.

The best course of action would be not to fall for such words in the first place—but alas, men were tragically incapable of that. Even Ian, with his exceptional self-control, was no exception when it came to Arin.

And Arin knew that very well.

Even if she could no longer use magic, her mind was as sharp as ever. It hadn’t taken her long to realize Ian had feelings for her—and she had no qualms about taking full advantage of that affection.

The one who loves is always the one who loses. What else could he do? Even knowing it was a trap, he had no choice but to walk right into it.

“Fine.”

Ian adjusted the load on his back and trudged forward in silence.

Still, women weren’t complete devils. They didn’t just throw around the word “wish” with anyone. If he kept his desires in check and used this wish as a way to slowly build their relationship, he might eventually reach his goal.

Of course, if he actually tried that, the moment Arin regained her memories, she’d cut ties with him immediately. But that was a problem for another time.

“A man who knowingly walks into the trap… Hmm, maybe he’s not so bad after all~”

Tilting her head slightly, she looked up at him with a mischievous smile. She knew exactly how men would react—and she played the part of a little devil perfectly.

Seeing this new side of Arin—one he’d never witnessed before—Ian’s heart raced.

…This isn’t so bad.

The only question was how Arin herself would feel once she regained her memories.

“She’d probably want to die.”

“Huh? What was that?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re smiling way too much for it to be nothing.”

Arin furrowed her brows and stared straight at Ian’s face. He turned away, but the thought of her flustered expression made him keep snickering, forcing him to cover his mouth.

“Ugh, you’re annoying…”

“Don’t worry about it. Looks like we’re almost there.”

Their destination was a mountain where the village men were farming. Natizan’s terrain, surrounded by mountains, lacked open fields, so farming on slopes was the only way to survive. Even then, most of the land was steep, making this the village’s sole supply source.

Ian set down the load on his back. The weight—enough to require five men to carry—left his shoulders, and he finally felt some relief. What he’d hauled all the way here were lunchboxes—prepared by Arin and the village women for the men working the fields.

“Everyone! I brought lunch!”

At Arin’s call, the men resting in the shade scrambled to their feet and hurried over. As she handed out the meals, the villagers thanked her, exchanging brief conversations one by one.

She seemed like a completely different person from the Arin he knew. Was this her true nature? Kind and gentle, it seemed everyone held her in high regard.

She’d only been in this village for a few months, yet Arin had blended in seamlessly. Watching the scene, Ian couldn’t help but smile fondly.

She looks good like this.

But that warm feeling didn’t last long.

“Thanks as always, Arin. Hey, which one did you make?”

“No idea. They all got mixed up on the way here. Not like the taste would be different anyway~.”

“Still, I’d love to eat something you made with your own hands.”

Once the older men had taken their meals and left, it was the younger ones’ turn. One of them, not even trying to hide his intentions, shamelessly flirted.

And he wasn’t the only one. Every unmarried young man in sight was either declaring they wanted to eat her cooking for the rest of their lives or outright proposing. Ian’s expression grew visibly darker.

“Uh, Arin… who’s this?”

“He’s an adventurer. Said he knew me from before.”

One of the mutts (?) flirting with Arin finally noticed Ian’s presence and shot him a wary glance.

Well, given Ian’s strikingly handsome face, it was only natural they’d be bothered by his presence next to Arin.

But rather than feeling superior, Ian was indignant that this guy dared to think he could interfere in his relationship with Arin. If Arin hadn’t lost her memories, this fool wouldn’t have even dreamed of approaching her.

“Hmm, what’s your relationship with Arin?”

“…We’re friends.”

“Ah, I see. Even so, you can’t just take our Arin away, alright? She’s become indispensable to our village.”

Though the young man spoke in a joking tone, Ian immediately sensed the strong territoriality behind his words.

Who the hell said she’s your Arin? I knew her long before you did. I fought the Hero’s Party for her. I got kissed on the cheek by her. I’m someone special to her. How dare you—

Barely holding back the torrent of words threatening to spill out, Ian grabbed Arin’s wrist and pulled her away.

“Looks like we’ve handed out all the lunches. Let’s go handle the next task.”

“Huh? We’ve done enough, we can rest a bit— W-Wait, hold on?!”

Dragging the struggling Arin along, Ian didn’t let go until they were out of sight.

“What’s your problem?! Acting so rough again—and here I thought you were a decent person for a second. Guess I was wrong!”

Arin stopped walking, rubbing her wrist as she glared at him.

“Sorry. I couldn’t hold back.”

“Huh? Oh~ That’s what this is.”

Arin blinked for a moment before her eyes narrowed, her lips and the corners of her eyes curling up.

“Are you jealous? Because I was talking to other guys? Getting confessed to?”

Poking him repeatedly with her finger, she grinned widely. The same smile that had made his heart race moments ago now only irritated him.

“Do you just smile so carelessly in front of any man? Do you enjoy seeing them fawn over you?”

His voice carried unmistakable displeasure. Of course, since they weren’t lovers, he had no right to tell her what to do.

But the thought of Arin’s pure, bright smile being directed at other men made it hard to control his emotions. She and I have a special bond. I don’t like it being treated like it’s nothing.

“No… I only act like this in front of you…”

“Only in front of me? Why?”

Her words brought him a flicker of joy—but also confusion. To the current Arin, he shouldn’t be any different from anyone else.

“Hmm, I wonder? Maybe it’s because I feel comfortable around you? Even if I don’t remember, maybe it’s because we’ve known each other for so long?”

Even now, with her memories gone, her goodwill toward him hadn’t completely vanished. Had she really thought that highly of him?

“It’s weird. I should hate violent people, but for some reason, I don’t dislike you. I thought maybe it was because you’re handsome, but that doesn’t seem to be it.”

As if his mood hadn’t just been foul moments ago, Ian’s spirits soared. He leaned in closer as Arin tapped his chin with her finger.

“Oh? What do you think of my face?”

The moment his face got too close, Arin quickly turned her head away.

“Ugh… Y-Yes, you’re handsome! Not that you don’t already know that. But I’m not some shallow girl who falls for looks alone, got it? Don’t get the wrong idea!”

Stammering, she avoided his gaze and quickly walked off. That part of her, at least, was no different from before, and Ian couldn’t help but chuckle.

Well, she’s the one who tempted me. She can’t complain if I enjoy it a little.

This time, instead of watching her from behind, he caught up and walked by her side.