*
Kainel always felt like a hero to her.
“I heard from my mom that elves have weird personalities!”
“So they’re just out there charming boys, huh? You sly vixen!”
“N-no! They’re just being…!”
When she first came to Lavrance Village as a child,
Ariel, admired by the boys for her striking looks, was isolated due to jealousy and envy from the other girls.
“There aren’t any elves among the Ten Heroes! That makes sense!”
“Right? They’re such cowards!”
“…That’s not true! I swear!”
The forest of the World Tree, burned by the Demon King. She had fled to a village that wasn’t exactly welcoming to her.
Her situation was somewhat expected in this world.
Her red hair was being tugged, and dirt smeared across her face. The girls surrounding her mocked her.
“Does just having a pretty face mean everything?”
“Look at those ears! They’re so gross! Kya-ha-ha!”
“..Ugh..!”
Tears streamed down her face from the stinging sensation. She felt bitter, wondering why she had to be treated like this. Her hand, pressing against the ground, was scraped.
It seemed like no one would come to her aid.
“Hey! What are you doing bullying one girl?!”
At that moment, a blonde hero appeared.
“The golden pup has arrived!”
“Is Kainel scared of us? More like disgusted!”
“Come on, you’re lucky! Ariel!”
It was Kainel, the boy of Lavrance Village.
He was already known in town for being good-hearted. There was no way he would just stand by.
Running in with a wooden stick, he looked just like a hero saving a princess!
‘Who’s that boy..?’
As she watched the girls, who had been tormenting her, run away as if they’d seen a ghost, Ariel felt an intriguing emotion stir within her.
The ones who had bullied her.
“They ran away. Now, can you get up?”
He offered his hand to help her up.
She pouted, thinking about her appearance.
“Stay away from me…”
“Eh? Why?”
“Because I’m an elf. A weirdo with a strange personality…”
She bit her lower lip, her voice had already cracked and choked out of her. Looking at her, Kainel only had a worried expression.
“…”
Minutes passed in silence, neither of them moving. Finally, Ariel spoke.
“You don’t… dislike me, right? My ears are way longer than others’…”
“Eh, to me, you’re just really pretty.”
“W-what..?”
“You’re just a very beautiful girl. Don’t worry about the jealous ones.”
His crescent-moon smile made her feel something different. Unlike the lecherous eyes from the other boys that lingered on elven traits, his blue eyes felt sincere.
“Those guys are cowards who always act in groups.”
“…”
“So if they try to mess with you, just come tell me.”
“W-why are you helping me..?”
“I really can’t stand people who think they’re hot stuff when they’re not.”
He scratched his head awkwardly. Then, he used magic to heal her small injuries. Something about the warmth on her skin made her tear up once more.
“Okay, all done! Good thing there won’t be any scars!”
When she saw Kainel’s relieved expression, she didn’t even think about why she had cried.
It was probably just that hearing someone care for her felt so refreshingly new. She couldn’t even remember what expression she wore.
Her cheeks probably felt hot.
It had to be from crying.
Certainly, it wasn’t love at first sight.
“Thank you, Kain..”
That day, Ariel met her hero.
The boy named Kainel.
*
“AAAH─! My arm, it’s broken!”
“My leg! My leg!”
“Stop whining, you’re just subdued.”
“K-Kai? When did you get here?”
He swiftly subdued the thugs that were tormenting her.
Kainel’s face was filled with rage, making him look scary. She understood why he was angry.
“Ariel, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?”
“Eh? Yeah! Just a little sting in my wrist…”
“Let me see, I’ll heal it.”
Ignoring the two writhing in pain on the ground, the blonde hero only had eyes for her well-being.
His restless gaze. His hair swayed in front of Ariel.
‘It feels just like back then.’
Ariel’s cheeks turned a bit red. The corners of her mouth couldn’t help but lift. The warming sensation of healing felt so familiar.
“…If it wasn’t for Licht, it could have been a mess.”
Now that he seemed relieved, Kainel muttered softly.
She felt a sense of curiosity from his words.
“Why Licht?”
“I just learned something good while training with him earlier.”
“What? Tell me too!”
“It’s a secret. Licht! Thanks for today!”
From a distance, the black knight waved his hand. Giving a thumbs up as if to say ‘well done.’ Kainel smiled at him.
‘What did he do this time?’
Looking back, that knight also helped connect her and Kainel during their first meeting. Kainel seemed to be getting closer to her after a long time and crossing lines still lingered in her mind.
Even if the distance had suddenly shrunk, she didn’t hate it.
“Hehe.. You really are a hero. Kai.”
“Was I ever a fake?”
Ariel didn’t mind it at all.
In fact, she wanted to thank Licht personally for helping her. The warmth conveyed through Kainel’s hand made her heart flutter.
“I told you to call me whenever something like this happens.”
“You were late! Even when I magically summoned you, you just said you were training!”
“Sorry, so can you walk now?”
Since when had her legs gone numb? Her limp body spoke of how frightening the previous situation had been.
“Hop on.”
“W-what?! No, I’m fine! I’m totally okay..!”
“Just stop being stubborn.”
Her body wobbled severely. Losing her balance, Ariel stumbled.
“Whoa!”
“You almost fell.”
Kainel caught her just in time. He really looked like a gentleman in moments like this. Ariel’s heart stirred.
“..What about Licht? Are you just going to leave him?”
“He’s fine, he told me to go on ahead. Besides, I’m rooming with Licht.”
“Really? Sounds like some fate!”
“Right? The events of today are just like that. Oops.”
After exchanging a few words, he lifted her up.
Their eye levels were now nearly the same, and the closeness felt like an embrace from behind.
“Where should I take you, Princess?”
His crescent-shaped eyes and warm voice tickled her ears.
“Take me to the girls’ dorm, Kai.”
She averted her gaze, afraid her face would burst. She usually could meet his eyes just fine.
‘Wow, he’s grown.’
Feeling the solid warmth of his back, Kainel, who she had seen as a childhood friend, was beginning to feel more like a man to her.
Her heart raced.
Thump-.
She hoped Kainel wouldn’t feel her small heartbeat. The warmth from his back spread to her chest, making her blush.
“You’re a bit heavy.”
“What!! Lies! I’m on a diet!”
“Sorry, it’s just a joke. Licht told me to say that.”
“..You almost made me mad.”
Had there been a change of mood? The hero joked with her just like they used to when they were younger and played without hesitation.
Yeah, they had been like this all along.
Comfortable yet thrilling.
More than just friends.
Would she ever be able to express her feelings? Her worries grew deeper.
As the moon waned, her emotions ripened.
“Thank you for protecting me.”
“No need to mention it.”
Ariel buried her face in Kainel’s back.
*
Kainel called out from afar.
“Licht! See you at the dorm!”
“Please take care of Miss Ariel!”
“We’ll go ahead! Knight!”
I waved my hand, greeting both Ariel and him.
“Don’t mention it. You’re going to have a tough time ahead of you.”
It was just a little help I offered. With all the flags broken, his true personality was coming out.
Good job, my golden pup. I’ll be reporting these jerks to the guards.
I have some sense of camaraderie towards Kainel.
No matter how much he fled at the end, we had worked hard together prior to that for the sequel, so helping him like this was no problem. Just take good care of Ariel.
My heart lifted a little. No matter how much [Black Heart] is a messy love line,
In [Night Heart], they need to become lovers first, so it makes sense.
‘The Status Window is working well.’
[Calculating Grand Route ending achievement rate..]
After saying goodbye to the two childhood friends, a small pink window appeared showing the results.
[Kainel♡Ariel 21% “NEW!”]
[PS. You’re really serious about the Saintess route, huh… Σ(ㅇㅁㅇ;]
When was I not serious?
‘So funny, really. Even possessing my body…’
I chuckled at that line. Even if an easier path exists, I’ll take the one I want.
‘After all, I only gather those types in my guild.’
Where are all the players that are only half-hearted about their game characters lately? They really don’t know the reality. The creator must have played the game at least a little.
Now that I think about it, I miss those guys. Have they cleared [Black Heart] yet?
“…It’s really gone up.”
Seeing the affection grow, I stretched, eliciting a cracking sound. The repercussions of my reckless training earlier seemed to be catching up to me. Maybe I should sneak into the boys’ dorm.
After thinking about the upcoming flags, I began walking for several minutes.
At that moment, a cold sensation touched my shoulder. Raindrops splashed onto the ground.
Tuk, tutuk-.
Shwaaa─.
“Oh, it’s raining.”
Kainel and Ariel probably made it in fine. Magic is overpowered. They probably have ways to avoid the rain too. The issue is me. I don’t have an umbrella right now.
“It’s really pouring like a hole opened in the sky.”
Is this spring rain? It turns out this world has it too. Even if I were to run, I have no mana to spare, so I’ll get drenched. The nearby shops had long closed, and the water was gathering around my feet.
Water was seeping in from my face. The scent of the downpour hit my nose.
Countless ripples formed in the puddles.
The surrounding area turned into a waterlogged mess as if a flood had washed through.
“Darn, my shoes are soaked.”
I accidentally stepped in a puddle. I should have avoided that.
My helmet was getting damp. It probably wouldn’t dry off easily.
Eh, whatever. I’ll just run…
Huh?
“…What are you doing?”
“Mardol?”
That’s what I should be asking!
The glass knight was casting a spell to create an umbrella-like barrier over my head.
