231: You know, feelings—neither your own nor someone else's, you can't really tell, right?
The merchant girl Elrin rushes at me, excited.
I nod, getting slightly awkward looks from the crew.
She must really want those alchemical hardening stones. Best just calm her down for now.
"Promise I'll sell it properly."
Can't exactly say I meant to give it away from the start. Should I charge the regular Goldendown price?
Elrin grabs my collar with a terrifying intensity. I gently push her back and step away.
Damn, those looks from the girls are making me uncomfortable!
"Cheaper than I thought! Unbelievable! Of course I'll buy it all! Wait—do you have more?!"
Elrin yells, seeing the stones pulled from the barrel.
Could just alchemize more here if needed. But when I glance at Leifan, he shakes his head. Means leave it at that.
"Ah. That's all I've got for sale."
"So there's still more, huh?"
Erin suddenly starts making that face—(・・)—and wraps her arms around my arm.
Not gonna lose to something like that!
"Please... we're really in trouble here..."
My arm! My elbow! Squeezed!
Sorry I thought I could handle it—normal size compared to Shururu and Marilyn—but Eva size? That’s a weapon!
"Let go! I’m in trouble too!"
"Just a little. If you share, I’ll let go. Or even better... something even more intense..."
"N-no no no no no way!"
As I scream like a girl, Eva stands up, grabs both my face and Erin’s, and yanks us apart.
"That’s enough."
Our girls don’t mess around with personal space!
Got lucky this time.
Erin let go of my hand, suddenly shifting her posture—shoulders hunched, gaze lifted to the sky.
“Ugh. Acting all coy? That’s not you at all. If you’d kept it up, I’d’ve been dragged off to some empty room. My virtue would’ve been in danger.”
Think ahead, would you! I didn’t even *want* to, but still!
Eva stared at me, face twisted in disgust.
“Disgusting…”
“Not a single bit of that in me!”
Then, Maina—still perched on my knee with that sweet smile—pinched me hard.
…Ow, that actually hurts!
Back when she was weak, her attacks barely registered. But thanks to school and travel, she’s gotten way stronger lately.
Maybe it’s the curse being gone, but she’s definitely in peak shape now.
So, Maina, you’re hurting me!
Not the ribs! Not the ribs!
Evie’s gaze dropped even further, colder than freezing point.
"Seems like you’re having fun surrounded by women."
"Is that how it looks!?"
"My timing when I was with you—where’d that go...?"
"Huh?"
"No! Nothing at all! Anyway, Craft’s completely hopeless around women!"
"Way off base... No, never mind. Yes."
Evie stiffened her expression, turning sharply back to Elrin.
"Elrin. That’s enough. If you want more, we’ll pretend the first deal never happened. Craft, let’s go."
Her profile, sharp and rigid, pulled my eyes in.
The icy composure of a woman who stands on her own.
Funny. I don’t know when it started, but I’ve been watching her all along this trip.
To be honest.
I only just realized it recently, but I... kinda like the way Evie looks when she’s like this—sharp, unyielding, utterly herself.
If I’m being honest, I’ve been kinda obsessed with how Evie looks lately—sharp, unyielding, completely herself.
Like, when it’s Solal or Evie, or maybe I’m just weak for older-sister types?
Nah. Probably just in my head.
If Evie didn’t have the hots for Raidock, she’d be someone I’d actually wanna get closer to. She’s magic-type, and we talk the same language.
Anyway, that’s the kinda girl I’ve been noticing lately.
She lifts Maina off my lap, then tugs me up from the chair—kinda forceful, but honestly, it’s hot. Wait, no! Can’t be falling for her like that!
“Let’s go back to the room.”
Evie loops her arm around mine!
I get it, she’s pulling me along—but seriously, *ouch*!
She’s hitting me just like Erine does… no, no, stop that thought! Evie’s just trying to keep me out of trouble!
Calm down, heart. Stop pounding!
...Don’t die. Calm down, me.
Effortlessly, I was dragged into the men’s room on the second floor. Two-person room. Just me and Jitarou.
Speaking of Jitarou—man, he said he’d be out hitting on someone, so he’d be late getting back. That means it’s just Eva and me, alone in a dim room.
Only moonlight slipped through the gap in the poorly fitted window.
Shit.
The moment I noticed it, my nerves went haywire!
Eva’s arm was still on mine!
The silence hit hard. Her body heat seeped through. My heartbeat. Damn fast.
Wait—was that even my heartbeat? Feels like something’s off.
Eva-san… I’m glad you got me in here, but how long are we gonna stay like this?
I wanted to say it out loud—but my throat was dry as dust. No sound came out.
In the excruciating silence, Eva whispered, barely audible, like a breath.
"Craft, do you remember eating dinner with me once?"
"O-oh, yeah. Of course I do."
"Remember that promise we made back then?"
Promise... ah, that one!
"Y-yeah, of course. The one about meeting again at Desir's restaurant, right?"
Desir's been grinding since the early days of colonization. Now runs a few restaurants. Pretty impressive, huh?
"That's right. You didn't forget after all."
Good. Got it right.
"Sure. Once I get Kyle back on his feet, I'll take you there. Back then I said we'd split the bill, but this time I'm buying—on top of the thanks."
"Alone, just the two of us?"
I can't read Eva's face. She's leaning against me, but her eyes are turned away. Later, that big hat!
Magic users usually keep their expressions hidden—hats, big hoods, that kind of thing.
Good job, Magician Hat!
I’m gonna make this journey a success—no question. And I’ll pay everyone back for it. That’s what matters.
Eva suddenly raises her right hand.
“Up until now, I’ve kept it off… but I’ll be wearing it for the whole trip.”
The ring I gave her glints on her ring finger.
W-what’s this supposed to mean? Deep meaning? No meaning? I can’t tell.
My heart’s about to burst. Pounding like crazy. Just like when I was running from the boss hydra.
This is more nerve-wracking than the boss fight!
Facing the hydra was easier!
I steel myself.
“Uh… that restaurant… just the two of us…”
“Is that so…”
What’s that supposed to mean!?
Am I doing it right!? Wrong!?
I can’t tell if I’m right or wrong!
Maybe it’s not even about being right or wrong…
I don’t even know if she’s stunned or happy! At least look at me!
No! If I look at Eva’s face now, I’ll be even more confused! Just like this—just like this!
Someone help me!
Was it the scream of my soul? The door burst open.
Maina.
She was frozen in a dramatic sprawl, backlit so her outline burned against the light.
Seeing me and Eva so close, her face turned crimson with fury.
We glanced at each other, then scrambled apart in panic.
“Craft-sama… pervert.”
Ooooh…
Being called perverted? Worse than being called “dirty” or “weird.” “Pervert” hits harder.
I collapsed to my knees.
In that moment, Maina shoved Eva hard from behind, shoving her out of the room.
And the lazy knight just stood in the hallway, smirking. Help me, damn it!
No—please! Help me, I’m begging you!
◆
Jitarou returned. Slightly drunk.
"There were a few buildings linked to Akindoo Corporation out back in the village, and a tavern too. Heard about the volcanic region to the east... What’ve you done this time?"
I was alone in the dark room, kneeling.