Best thing’s to ask a maid about women, right?

Jewelry shop. Got dragged here by the alchemist I thought was a spineless wimp.

I’ve peeked through the shop window before, but I’ve never actually stepped inside.

“Huh?”

The alchemist ignored my confusion, calling out to the shopkeeper.

Looking for a gem that suits her. I think red would be best.

“Huh?”

The shopkeeper glanced at me for just a second, then smiled and rubbed Craft’s shoulder.

Yeah, yeah. That pale, watery blue hair—would look great with a blush of crimson!

Something about the shopkeeper’s pronunciation… it felt off. Not quite like the “burning” I knew.

Hey! Wait a second!? Why are we here!?

The alchemist scratched his head with calm indifference as I started panicking.

“Ah, got warned a bit, y’know.”

“Warned?”

“Yeah. You’re the one who suggested treating you to dinner, right? Just doing that ain’t enough, they said.”

“No, that’s not—”

“No, I mean… I realized I needed to make it right. Not just for you, but for me too. I’ve gotta show real effort. Taking this as a lesson in my own dumbassery, so… if you’d take it, that’d help.”

Clever.

This guy’s clever.

How the hell am I supposed to say no after that?

If he keeps stressing it’s all about fixing his own mistake, refusing would just make it look like I’m holding a grudge.

Seriously. So damn clever.

“…I understand.”

I had no choice but to agree.

The shopkeeper didn’t miss a beat—he held up a gem.

“How about this ruby? Deep red, like a fine wine. Really rich color.”

“Hmm.”

Craft stared at the offered ruby for a moment, then shook his head.

...No, I think this one suits her better.

Ah, I see! A carnelian! Yes, she might just suit that one here!

The shopkeeper’s raving about it, but compared to rubies, it’s a bit more orangey. Honestly, I think a ruby would suit it better.

Carnelian’s cheaper than ruby.

They’re starting with a pricey gem, then switching to something more affordable—already cutting off our reasons to refuse.

If I go back with a pendant on, my two sisters’ll have a fit.

And just as I'm thinking up an excuse, my right hand is suddenly seized.

(Hmm?)

The alchemist just shoved the ring onto his right ring finger like it was nothing.

I’ve got all my magic rings off today, so I’m completely lax.

Wait!?

You get it, right!?

Before I could even start fussing, the alchemist nodded with a satisfied expression.

"Yeah. Not the left hand... so it’s fine, right?"

I get it!

I know it’s not engagement or a proposal—still, I know a gift for a lover when I see one!

I blurted out without thinking.

"I like Raidock-sama!?"

Looking back later, I realized how mortifying that was—but with this dense idiot, I guess I had to go all out to get through.

But then—

"Ah. I’ll admit Raidock’s a good man... but there’s Solar. Maybe you should just give up on him?"

In other words...

Give up on Raidock-sama and go for me instead!?

"Truth is, I like both Solar and Eva, so I’d like to support both..."

Like!?

My head spun. Couldn’t think straight at all.

Even facing something as vile as a hydra worthy of a dragon, my rational mind—calm under pressure—was crumbling this easily.

"Size adjustment complete. Please."

I snapped back to awareness. Somehow, time had slipped by unnoticed. The adjusted ring now fit snugly on my finger.

The alchemist nodded, satisfied.

"Eva. This is my诚意. Please accept it."

I’ll say no.

Clear. Firm. I gathered steel in my chest and spoke.

"…if it’s just as friends…"

"Of course!"

Ah, wait—what?!

"Right, time for lunch. Let’s go."

The alchemist stared at me for a moment, my frozen panic amusing him, then nodded as if finally understanding something. He took my hand.

"Wha—?!"

"Sorry, sorry. Still don’t know my way around this town. This way."

I was just pulled along, dragged away.

You haven’t even told me where we’re going, have you!

I wanted to yell at him like that—but my voice wouldn’t come out. I was dragged all the way to the destination.

◆

The place we arrived at was a fancy restaurant I’d never set foot in before.

Around the central fountain, upscale shops and restaurants abound.

I knew the adventurer’s guild was nearby, sure, but I’d never actually stepped inside.

The alchemist walks into that fancy restaurant without a second thought.

Craft, it's been a while.

A plump man stepped forward, smiling as he approached the alchemist.

Hey, Dezair. Heard you've started running a restaurant, not just a tavern.

"Yeah. Normally I’d leave the shop to the serious manager, but since I heard Craft was booked in, I’m handling things here today."

“Haha! Feels weird, not dealing with adventurers, huh, Zaid?”

“Yeah, I know. Come on, enjoy my pride and joy—today’s feast!”

“Ah!”

The plump middle-aged man was, in fact, Zaid, the tavern-keeper who usually catered to adventurers. I’d seen him before, but today he was in a fine suit—hadn’t recognized him at first.

He led me to a private room. Just the two of us.

God, I’m sweating.

The meal started with appetizers.

The alchemist—once an adventurer—ate with no hesitation.

Right. That’s why the spoons and forks were lined up. Use the outer ones first.

“Craft, you were an adventurer once, right? Where’d you learn manners like that?”

“Huh? Ah. I’ve got a maid named Ryuuko. She’d show up now and then with course meals, and taught me basic table manners. Not just that—when we were invited to the Marquis’s estate, Kyle even gave me a few pointers.”

“Ah, I see.”

A meal served by the Marquis? Naturally, you’d need at least basic manners.

When the King summoned us, we were all gathered in a separate room with adventurers and commoners. Didn’t really pay attention back then.

But now that I’m in Raidock’s party… might be important from here on out.

“I suppose I should learn a few more manners.”

“Then how about eating together again? This place won’t give us a hard time.”

“Yeah, that sounds good.”

Then it hits me.

Wait—is this another date invitation!?

This guy’s just… naturally aggressive!

“No, um…”

“Next time, split the bill.”

I could only manage a quiet “Yes, well…” in response to that untroubled smile.

The meal… ended deliciously, enjoyably. I was annoyed, though.

The alchemist, being a former adventurer, had plenty of shared topics, and the conversation never flagged. Annoying, but true.

When we stepped outside, it was already dark. I’d braced myself for another invitation to go somewhere else, but he just said goodbye without hesitation. Annoying, but true.

Back at the inn, Eva and Marilyn bombarded me with questions. I’d thought neither of them cared about romance, but their eyes were shining. Annoying, but true.

I waved them off with half-hearted replies and collapsed onto the bed. I was more drained from battle than from training. Annoying, but true.

I slept like mud, so I didn’t even notice how strange it was that some parts of my annoyance felt… off.

◆

“Welcome back.”

"Hey."

When I got home, maid Ryuuko was waiting for me.

"Did it go well?"

"Yeah. Thanks to Ryuuko’s advice!"

If Ryuuko hadn’t helped me out, I’d’ve just bought him dinner and called it a day.

That’d’ve been dishonest.

"Would you mind explaining how you handled it? In bullet points."

Don’t make it complicated.

I brush my memory over today’s events and explain.

- Dressed properly.

- Gave him not just food, but a physical apology, just like Ryuuko said.

- Avoided my left ring finger, exactly as instructed.

- Made real friends.

- Didn’t act stiff, and treated him to a good meal.

- Made a promise to eat together again, to study manners.

"Something like that?"

"Understood. There are plenty of rooms in this mansion, so no matter how many you add, it’s fine."

"Yeah? Oh, got it."

Don’t know why the conversation just jumped ahead, but I guess it means it’s fine even if Lord Jabir’s students keep piling on. I nodded anyway.

Then Ryuuko murmured under her breath.

"Guiding my master more properly is also my duty."

Didn’t fully get it, but I was silently satisfied—she really was a reliable maid.

Ryuuko—“As planned.”