"Hmm?　Inn?"

"Eh, yeah. It's a cheap inn."

"Ohhh~"

They had brought him to Refleia's inn.

Huh? Why an inn?

"This way, this way. Let's get inside before the innkeeper sees us."

Refleia firmly grabbed his arm and marched steadily up the stairs.

I just followed along helplessly.

My head felt hazy, and I couldn't quite grasp what was going on.

Or maybe she was drunk too.

She opened the door at the end of the hall, pushed him inside, then locked it from behind.

The room was slightly better than the one I'd rented.

Reflia looked rich, but perhaps she wasn't quite as wealthy as she seemed.

　

She lit the lamp in the room and sat down on the bed.

The flickering, fragile light swayed gently, casting an eerie glow on Reflia's graceful figure.

"……I said I'd thank you, but actually, I don't have much money."

"S-so, that's okay. You don't have to force yourself."

"No, I really want to thank you. That's why... well... I couldn't think of anything else..."

As she spoke, Reflia unbuttoned her shirt, one button at a time.

After hesitating, she removed the shirt, revealing only a delicate silk slip beneath.

The clear outline of her pale, full breasts became visible, and I looked away.

I never thought this would happen.

I feel my dizziness fading rapidly.

Rather than happiness, confusion comes first.

"Reflia. I've only just arrived here. Is this kind of gratitude something common in this place?"

"No... it's not common... I think. But I somehow knew it had value... Ah, but since I've never done it before, I'm not sure if I can do it well..."

Reflia says, her eyes glistening.

Her voice, her shoulders, even her fingers tremble as she turns her body toward me, inviting me with a resolve as if she's prepared for anything.

"It certainly has value. If it's with Reflia, I'd give you as many gold coins as you want... no, actually, its worth can't even be measured in money."

"I-I don't think it's that valuable, but... I'm glad you feel that way... And really, I do think highly of you, Hikaru..."

She hooked her fingers onto the strap of her slip, closing her eyes.

I sat beside her, gently stopping her hand.

"…But let's go back to basics—back then, saving Refleia was something I did on my own. I wasn't asked to help... In fact, you could say I took over during a battle, seizing the enemy from someone else."

That kind of action is considered a violation of etiquette in MMORPGs.

Of course, this world isn't a game, but I needed to justify it somehow.

"N-no, I did ask my servants to come help, and there's no doubt Hikaru saved me."

"Alright, let's say I was the one who saved you. Then, if someone else helps you in the future, will you keep doing something like this? This time it was me, but if it had been another man, he wouldn't have hesitated to take you in his arms. Aren't you a traveler? Isn't this acting like a common prostitute?"

"S-So... you can't say that... like I'm a prostitute...!"

"That's exactly what you are. What's the difference?"

I thought to myself, giving sermons in another world—what a ridiculous notion—but this one had to be said.

She's an idiot. She looks like she might be smart, but unfortunately, she's impulsive, shallow-minded, overly self-conscious, and utterly kind-hearted to a fault.

I've always felt jealous of my younger sisters' boldness, both in mind and appearance, so I can't just leave a girl like this alone.

She might look like a proper companion, but that's exactly why I need to say this.

Above all, I was furious.

"I... I just couldn't think of anything else. And... I thought, if it were Hikaru, that'd be okay... She appeared from the darkness... She looked so cool..."

Refrea mumbles, eyes downcast, making excuses.

Maybe she seemed better than she really was, since I'd just been saved by her. It was dark, after all.

When she hunches over, her chest accentuates, stirring something deep within me—but I really want her to understand.

"Refrea. Being an explorer means helping and being helped in turn. You don't need to keep track of every little favor. If you really want to repay me, just treat me to a meal—nothing more is needed."

Honestly, I don't even know the real principles of being an explorer.

But in a battlefield like a labyrinth, it's only natural for humans to help one another. What we're doing is "hunting." It's perfectly normal for hunters to assist each other.

"But but... according to our family's teachings, we must repay any debt we've borrowed..."

"That's exactly what I'm talking about—how to repay that debt. Suggesting repayment through one's body is the idea of a madman. If you helped some explorer, and that person happened to be a handsome youth, what would you do if they said they'd repay you that way?"

"Kick them away..."

He just stares down at the ground, silent as ever—Reflia.

This kind of persuasion is hard. I can't be sure whether he truly understands, and I'm not necessarily right myself.

In truth, I'm just imposing my own values on him.

"...I'm a man, so if you ask me whether I'm unaffected, of course I am. Reifrea is beautiful and captivating. ...But I don't like it when it's like this—just a gesture of thanks. I don't want that."

Speaking these words, I myself couldn't even figure out what to do.

Reifrea lowered her head and remained silent.

I took a deep breath and pulled out the status board.

I myself needed to calm down.

(Viewers... they're increasing. This moment is being watched too...)

The real-time viewer count had quietly surpassed 200 million.

Compared to recent standards, that's about ten times more.

Spending time with Reifrea had been enjoyable.

Probably, it wasn't just because she was beautiful—those were trivial details. I think I just missed having someone to be with.

Being alone was lonely.

I just wanted someone to laugh with, someone beside me.

But that's weakness.

I'm still drunk, still not fully grasping the reality of this situation, but I know for sure I'll regret what I've done by tomorrow morning.

Getting involved with me will expose Refreia herself.

That would be trampling on her dignity.

"…Anyway, just being able to have dinner with Refreia was enough for me. If you're still going to be an explorer, don't ever do something like this again."

Honestly, I don't know if she can really change.

But I'm certain this will sever our connection.

She's been silent ever since, probably furious. Anyone would hate being lectured like that.

In the end, I only hurt her with my selfishness.

But that's fine.

We were never meant to be in the same world.

I stood up from the bed.

If I leave like this, it'll be over.