Edric calmly walked outside the inn.
The moment his feet touched the street…
He drove a powerful kick straight into Brak’s face.
THOOM!!
The impact forced Brak to stagger backward two full steps.
He wiped the corner of his mouth, brushing away a thin trail of blood.
A grin spread across his face.
“Heh…”
Mana began gathering around his right fist.
The veins in his arm bulged as magical energy concentrated around his hand.
“Quake Fist!”
Brak slammed his fist into the ground with all his strength.
BOOOOM!!
A violent shockwave rippled through the street.
The stone pavement shook violently.
Everything within roughly five meters began trembling.
A thick cloud of dust rose into the air.
Brak smiled.
“It’s over…”
But the next instant…
His brow furrowed.
“Huh…?”
He looked around in confusion.
“Where’d he go?”
POOW!!
A fist burst through the dust cloud and smashed directly into his face.
The punch came so fast that Brak couldn’t react.
His body spun through the air before crashing heavily onto the ground.
He remained motionless for several seconds.
Then he spat blood onto the street.
Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he slowly climbed back to his feet.
His breathing had become ragged.
He glared at Edric with burning hatred.
“So this is how you treat your customers?”
He pointed angrily toward the inn.
“You’ll regret this!”
“I’ll spread the word across the entire kingdom that this dump isn’t worth staying in!”
Without waiting for a response, he turned around and walked away.
Ren watched him disappear down the street.
He scratched the back of his head.
“Man…”
A small laugh escaped him.
“That was insane…”
Just then…
Heavy footsteps echoed from inside the inn.
Thud…
Thud…
Thud…
Each step carried an unsettling pressure.
Edric froze.
The smile slowly vanished from his face.
All color drained from it.
“Ah…”
He swallowed hard.
“She saw the door…”
The footsteps continued drawing closer.
Before the owner of those footsteps even appeared…
“I’ve been standing here waiting for you to finish…”
A woman’s voice echoed calmly.
Far too calmly.
“…before deciding whether or not I should kill you.”
Edric turned completely pale.
Slowly…
He looked back.
“Ah…”
He forced out an awkward smile.
“S-Sis…”
A young woman with long crimson hair stood in the main hall.
Her eyes first settled on the massive opening where the front door used to be.
Then they slowly shifted toward Edric.
The faint smile on her face disappeared.
“Don’t ‘Sis’ me!”
She pointed at the destroyed entrance.
“Do you have any idea how much that door cost?!”
She marched toward him without hesitation.
Grabbing him by the collar—
“You seriously can’t do anything right, can you?!”
Edric simply smiled, already used to this.
“Calm down, Tessa…”
“It was an emergency.”
Ren watched the entire scene with complete confusion.
Lowering his voice, he whispered,
“This Tessa…”
“…is terrifying.”
Only then did Tessa seem to remember that other people were watching.
She blinked a couple of times.
Her eyes moved toward Ren, Mirelya, Garrick, and Lysera.
She immediately let go of Edric’s collar.
Then…
Without saying a single word…
She turned back toward her brother.
DOOOM!!
Her fist slammed directly into his stomach.
The blow knocked every bit of air out of him.
“Ugh…!”
Edric instantly dropped to his knees, clutching his abdomen as he struggled to breathe.
Tessa casually brushed one palm against the other, as though she were dusting off dirt.
“You should know when to keep your mouth shut…”
She looked down at him.
“…little brother.”
Garrick’s eyes widened.
“I thought this guy was pretty strong…”
He glanced back at Edric.
“She dropped him with one punch?”
Mirelya immediately raised a hand.
“I-I love this place!”
She forced an extremely awkward smile.
“L-Last Sip II is the best inn in the kingdom!”
She slowly backed away.
“I-I’m going upstairs…”
“T-To sleep!”
Without waiting for anyone’s response, she ran up the stairs.
Garrick followed her with his eyes.
“It’s rare to see Mirelya this nervous.”
Ren chuckled.
“Maybe she’s afraid of getting punched too…”
Before he could finish…
He suddenly felt someone breathing right beside his shoulder.
His entire body froze.
Slowly…
He turned his head.
Tessa was standing there.
Smiling.
Her eyes remained gently closed.
“And what exactly…”
“…did you mean by that?”
Ren stood completely still.
Not a single word came out.
Very slowly…
He turned his head toward the entrance.
Edric was still trying to get back onto his feet.
When Ren looked back at Tessa—
“Y-…weren’t you just over there…?”
She kept smiling.
“You still haven’t answered my question, sir.”
Ren desperately looked toward Garrick.
Then toward Lysera.
Both of them were casually whistling while pretending to admire the ceiling.
Neither had the slightest intention of helping him.
Ren dramatically threw both hands into the air.
“Aaaah!”
“Somebody save me!”
At that exact moment…
A woman’s voice came from the entrance.
“It’s been quite a while since I’ve come here…”
She smiled.
“But it looks exactly the same.”
Everyone turned toward the door.
Edric’s face immediately lit up.
“Ah!”
“Miharu!”
A woman with long black hair calmly entered the inn.
The instant Tessa saw her…
She immediately let go of Ren.
“Miharu!!”
She ran over and embraced her.
The two hugged like lifelong friends who hadn’t seen each other in years.
Miharu smiled warmly.
Then she looked toward Ren and Garrick.
“So you really came.”
She let out a quiet laugh.
“I hope Tessa and Edric haven’t caused you too much trouble.”
Ren simply smiled without saying anything.
“Saved by Miharu…”
Garrick folded his arms.
“You were right.”
He looked around the inn.
“This place really is much bigger.”
Miharu slowly walked toward him.
Stopping directly in front of him…
She quietly studied his face.
Garrick tilted his head.
“Uh…”
“Is something wrong?”
Miharu gently raised her hand.
She softly placed her palm against his face.
Ren and Lysera watched as her blue eyes glowed faintly for a few seconds.
Then Miharu spoke.
“You’re…”
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
“…sick?”
Garrick blinked in surprise.
“Wow…”
“How did you know I was—”
Before he could finish—
Edric suddenly pulled Garrick backward by the arm.
“H-Hey!”
Garrick turned toward him.
“What was that for?”
Ren spoke quietly.
“Stop taking advantage of Miharu’s special treatment.”
Garrick blinked.
“Special treatment?”
“What are you talking about?”
Miharu quietly laughed.
Standing beside her, Tessa folded her arms.
“When the three of us get together…”
She looked at Miharu.
“Me, you, and Edric…”
She smiled.
“It feels like we’re kids again.”
Miharu looked toward Edric, who was still arguing with Garrick in the background.
A small smile appeared on her face.
“Yeah…”
“Some things never really change.”
Tessa chuckled.
“My brother never gave up on you, either.”
Miharu sighed softly.
“Even after I’ve told him countless times that I don’t intend to be with anyone because I have to…”
Tessa interrupted immediately.
“Complete your life’s mission.”
She made an exaggerated face.
“You’ve said that about a thousand times already.”
Then she smiled.
“I’m only saying what I’d like.”
Miharu let out a quiet laugh.
“Fair enough…”
Her gaze finally settled on Lysera.
“And you?”
She smiled gently.
“Are you traveling with them?”
As she asked the question…
Her eyes caught a small detail hidden beneath Lysera’s clothing.
The hilt of a dagger hidden beneath her clothes caught Miharu’s attention.
Lysera answered naturally.
“Ah…”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“My name is Lysera, and I’m…”
In an alarmingly fast reflex—
She drew the dagger from her waist.
CLANG!!
The sharp sound of steel crashing against steel echoed throughout the inn.
Ren’s eyes widened.
“STOP!!”
He immediately rushed toward them.
Garrick and Edric also turned in shock.
Miharu and Lysera stood face to face.
Their blades pressed hard against each other.
Neither of them gave an inch.
Lysera tightened her grip around the dagger.
“What was that?!”
“Why did you attack me?!”
Miharu answered coldly.
“Tessa.”
Without taking her eyes off Lysera, she continued,
“What are you waiting for?”
“Get rid of her.”
Her voice turned serious.
“That girl belongs to the Assassin Class.”
Everyone’s eyes immediately shifted toward Lysera.
Under the pressure of Miharu’s sword, she slowly began to lose ground.
“Not this again…”
Ren stepped between them.
He grabbed each blade with one hand.
“Enough!”
Tessa raised her voice.
“Miharu!”
“Stop this!”
Miharu kept pushing.
“But, Tessa…”
Tessa answered firmly.
“I’ve known she belongs to that class ever since the moment she walked in.”
She stepped forward.
“But this is our inn.”
She looked Miharu straight in the eyes.
“Anyone who comes here is our guest.”
“And every guest will be treated equally…”
“…unless they start a fight.”
Ren was still holding both blades apart, cold sweat running down his face.
“Funny…”
“Five minutes ago, she wanted to kill me.”
Miharu glanced at Ren.
She realized that, by himself, he was holding back both of their weapons.
“What incredible strength…”
“Ah… never mind.”
She slowly lowered her sword.
“Very well.”
She sheathed it.
“You’ve made your decision.”
Garrick looked at Miharu.
“That stance…”
He smiled.
“And that strike…”
“You were a knight too, weren’t you?”
Miharu looked back at him.
“You were one as well?”
Garrick nodded.
“I was suspicious of her, just like you.”
He discreetly pointed toward Lysera.
“But without her…”
“…all of us would’ve died inside that cave.”
Ren stepped forward.
“Could you give her a chance?”
Miharu remained silent for several moments.
Then she let out a quiet sigh.
“I only came to visit my friends.”
She looked toward Tessa.
“You’re right.”
Then she turned toward everyone.
“You’re all guests here.”
She gave a small bow.
“I apologize for what just happened.”
She looked at Lysera one last time.
But didn’t say another word.
Turning toward the exit, she spoke.
“I’m leaving.”
She paused for a moment.
Then looked back at Ren.
“Your name is Ren, isn’t it?”
“Y-Yes…”
Ren answered.
“What is it?”
In the background, Edric silently watched Miharu.
Garrick lightly nudged him with his elbow.
He smiled.
“You like her, don’t you?”
Before Edric could answer—
Two customers suddenly raised their voices.
“Hey!”
“Where’s our food?!”
“Did the cook forget about us?!”
Edric jumped in surprise.
“Damn it!”
“The kitchen!”
He immediately ran off.
Miharu turned back to Ren.
“Ren.”
She smiled faintly.
“Could we talk outside for a moment?”
Everyone looked toward him.
Tessa smiled.
“It’s rare for you to invite someone out for a conversation, Miharu.”
She answered calmly.
“It won’t take long.”
Ren simply nodded.
The two stepped outside.
…
The street was silent.
Ren looked at her.
“So…”
“What did you want to talk about?”
Miharu folded her arms.
“Back at my bar…”
She looked directly at him.
“You said my eyes reminded you of someone.”
Ren blinked in surprise.
“Ah…”
“Yeah.”
He smiled.
“You remember that?”
Miharu took a step closer.
“Those eyes…”
Her expression grew serious.
The blue glow in her eyes intensified dramatically.
“Did they shine like this too?”
Ren stared at them for several seconds.
Then he smiled.
“Yes.”
“I was talking about a friend named Aoi.”
He looked into her eyes.
“I saw that same glow years ago…”
“…during a performance at a theater.”
Suddenly—
“Damn it…”
“I’m talking way too much about Earth…”
“She’s going to figure it out…”
Miharu continued staring directly at him.
“Hm…”
She paused briefly.
“And that girl…”
Her gaze became even sharper.
“Was she from this world…”
“…or…”
She locked eyes with Ren.
“…from another world, Hero?”
Ren froze.
He couldn’t say a word.
Miharu smiled faintly.
“I spoke to a Hero once.”
She looked up at the night sky.
“He used to say strange things too.”
Ren tried to sound casual.
“Wow…”
“Really?”
Miharu smiled softly.
“Well…”
She turned to leave.
“Now I’m certain you’re not from this world.”
Ren took a step toward her.
“Please…”
“Don’t tell anyone.”
Miharu shook her head.
“Of course not.”
Her expression turned serious.
“If Altherion Dren were to find out…”
Ren frowned.
“Who?”
Miharu smiled again.
“Never mind.”
She resumed walking.
“See you later, Ren.”
After taking a few more steps…
She stopped once more.
“Oh…”
She looked back over her shoulder.
“One last thing.”
Ren nodded.
“Go ahead.”
Miharu turned around completely.
Her eyes were far more serious than before.
“What do you know…”
She paused.
“…about Hyoren?”
Ren stood perfectly still for several seconds.
Then he answered.
“H-Hyoren…?”
He frowned.
“What’s that?”
Miharu simply gave a slight shake of her head.
A faint smile returned to her face.
“Ah…”
“Forget it.”
She started walking again.
“See you, Ren.”
Ren watched Miharu leave, thoroughly confused.
A moment later, he returned to the inn.
Before everyone got up to head to bed, Ren looked at Tessa and smiled.
“Th-thank you for the soup.”
“It was really good.”
Tessa folded her arms proudly and lifted her chin.
“Well, of course it was.”
“I took my time making it.”
Garrick stood up from his chair.
“Well…”
“I think it’s time we got some rest.”
“We have to get up early.”
“Hold on.”
Tessa raised a hand.
“Before you all go to bed…”
She smiled.
“I made this soup as an apology for everything that happened today.”
Then she looked around the dining hall.
“And that goes for everyone else too.”
“Tonight’s soup is on the house.”
The customers immediately cheered.
“Now that’s what I’m talking about!”
“Thanks, Tessa!”
A man sitting in the back raised his mug and joked,
“Next time I’ll start a fight here just to get free soup!”
Tessa smiled with her eyes closed.
For a brief moment…
A heavy aura seemed to fill the entire inn.
“The next person who starts trouble in here…”
She slowly opened her eyes.
“I’ll be the one to throw them out.”
The entire dining hall fell silent.
Everyone broke out in a cold sweat.
Without saying another word, they quietly turned their attention back to their tables.
At the top of the stairs, Mirelya appeared.
She gave an awkward smile.
“W-Well…”
“I guess I’ll come back down too…”
“What can you do… hehe…”
She returned to the table with the group.
A few minutes later, everyone was enjoying the soup while praising how delicious it was.
Tessa smiled proudly at them.
“I wasn’t expecting anything less than compliments like these…”
She discreetly pointed at Ren, Garrick, Mirelya, and Lysera.
“Leon’s lackeys.”
Ren let out a sigh.
“Why do you keep calling us that?”
Tessa snorted.
“Because that deadbeat owes this tavern a fortune.”
She folded her arms.
“And he still had the nerve to send more people here.”
Garrick slowly opened his bag.
He took out one of the golden dragon scales.
“Will this cover his debt?”
The entire tavern fell silent.
Tessa’s eyes widened.
Her mouth remained slightly open for several seconds.
Edric also froze in place.
“W-What…”
“W-What is…?”
Mirelya’s eyes went wide.
“Garrick! You’ve had that in your bag this whole time?”
“Put it away!”
Lysera discreetly glanced around.
“Good thing there aren’t many people here…”
Garrick quietly placed the scale back into his bag.
Tessa approached the table, almost forgetting to breathe.
She lowered her voice.
“T-That…”
“Is that… a real Golden Dragon Scale?”
Ren opened his mouth to answer.
“Yeah…”
“I was the one who—”
“AAH!”
Ren suddenly jumped.
Mirelya had discreetly stepped on his foot beneath the table.
She stared at him with a forced smile.
Ren immediately broke into a cold sweat.
“I-I was the one who…”
He forced an awkward laugh.
“…found it.”
“Hehe…”
Tessa looked completely captivated.
“I want to see it up close!”
Garrick pulled the scale out again.
“Go ahead.”
She accepted it with extreme care.
Then hurried into the kitchen carrying it.
As soon as she disappeared…
Mirelya crossed her arms.
“Why did you do that, Garrick?”
“Didn’t you say we’d need money for our journey?”
Garrick smiled.
“We might need to come back here someday.”
He glanced at Edric.
“These people could end up helping us.”
Then he discreetly pointed toward the destroyed entrance.
“And…”
“I also felt bad about that door.”
Mirelya scratched the back of her head with an awkward laugh.
“Ah…”
“True…”
“Wasn’t Ren about to fight that big guy anyway?”
Ren looked at Mirelya.
“But I’m not the one who sent him flying.”
A few minutes later…
Tessa returned from the kitchen.
Her face was completely red.
Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
A huge smile stretched across her face.
Garrick chuckled.
“I guess that covers the door, doesn’t it?”
Tessa hugged the scale against her chest.
“Y-You’re…”
“Really giving this to us?”
“Yes.”
Garrick nodded.
“It’s already yours.”
He smiled.
“I hope that besides paying for the door…”
“…it also helps you settle some of your other debts.”
Tessa immediately sat down beside him.
She almost whispered,
“With this scale…”
She looked down at it again.
“We’ll be able to renovate a good part of the tavern.”
She took a deep breath.
“And we’ll finally be even with Leon.”
She looked suspiciously at Garrick.
“Was he the one who told you to do this?”
Garrick shook his head.
“No.”
“We did it because we wanted to repay your kindness.”
He smiled.
“Leon doesn’t know anything about it.”
Tessa mimed zipping her lips shut.
“My lips are completely sealed.”
She gave them a playful wink.
Then she placed both hands on Garrick’s shoulders.
“You look awfully tense.”
“Would you like a massage…?”
Garrick blushed slightly.
“N-No, that’s okay!”
“I…”
“I just want to finish my soup.”
“Thank you…”
Tessa laughed softly.
“Alright.”
She stood up.
“If you need anything…”
She winked again.
“Just let me know.”
Then she returned to the kitchen.
Edric, who had been serving another customer while listening to everything, walked over to their table.
He smiled sincerely.
“It’s been a long time…”
He glanced toward the kitchen.
“…since I’ve seen my sister this happy.”
Then he looked back at the group.
“Thank you.”
Mirelya smiled.
“It was nothing.”
Garrick added,
“We like you…”
“It was simply our way of saying thank you.”
“And honestly, this had nothing to do with Leon.”
Edric laughed.
“I heard.”
He gave them a small bow.
“Starting today…”
“Whether you like it or not…”
“…you’ll be special guests at this tavern.”
He paused briefly.
Then smiled knowingly.
“Just be prepared for Tessa.”
“When she’s happy…”
“…she tends to get a little carried away.”
Garrick laughed.
“Why do you say that like it’s a bad thing?”
Edric simply replied,
“Well…”
“You’ll probably find out.”
With that, he headed back to the kitchen.
The group finished their soup.
Some time later…
Everyone returned to their own rooms.
…
Later that night…
Ren was getting ready for bed.
Then he heard two knocks at the door.
Knock…
Knock…
He looked toward it.
“Who is it?”
Silence.
He scratched his head.
“I guess I’ll have to open it…”
As soon as he opened the door—
“M-Mirelya?”
She was standing there in her pajamas.
Her face was bright red.
She gently swayed from side to side.
Ren looked into her eyes.
Without realizing it…
His gaze slipped downward for a brief moment.
He immediately looked back up.
Closing his eyes for a second, he thought, The source of this chapter is g.com.
“Damn…”
“I shouldn’t have done that…”
“S-Sorry!”
“I didn’t mean to look at you like that…”
Before he could finish,
Mirelya interrupted him.
“I’m sorry.”
The two stood there in silence for a few seconds.
Ren blinked.
“Sorry?”
“For what?”
She lowered her head.
“For stepping on your foot earlier during the soup…”
She took a deep breath.
“And…”
“For getting angry with you.”
Ren smiled softly.
“Oh…”
“So it was you?”
He shook his head.
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Actually…”
He smiled faintly.
“If you hadn’t done that…”
“…I probably would’ve said something stupid.”
“So I guess I should be thanking you.”
Mirelya puffed out her cheeks slightly.
“You never get mad at me…”
“Why?”
Ren let out a quiet sigh.
“Look…”
“It’s cold out here.”
“We’ll talk properly tomorrow.”
Mirelya simply pushed the door open.
She walked into his room.
Ren’s eyes widened.
“M-Mirelya!”
“Wait!”
She walked to the center of the room.
Then turned to face him.
“What were you talking about…”
“…with Lysera outside?”
Ren blinked a few times.
“Oh…”
He scratched his head.
“We were just talking about life goals.”
Mirelya tilted her head.
“Life goals?”
“Y-Yeah…”
Ren replied.
“Like…”
“What each of us wants to do once all of this is over…”
He smiled faintly.
“Things like that.”
Mirelya remained silent for several seconds.
Then she slowly looked away and turned her back to him.
Her voice was quiet.
“Do you… like Lysera?”
Ren parted his lips slightly, but no words came out.
The silence lasted for a few moments.
Finally, he answered awkwardly,
“L-Like her… as a companion, yes. After all, she saved your life, remember?”
Mirelya remained motionless.
Her face grew even redder.
Her eyes trembled slightly as she turned back to look at him.
“T-That’s not the kind of ‘like’ I’m talking about…”
Ren looked around the room, clearly uncomfortable.
“O-Oh…”
“You mean… that kind?”
He scratched the back of his neck.
“I don’t think so… hehe…”
Mirelya took one step toward him.
Then another.
“Can you say that…”
“…while looking me in the eyes?”
Ren swallowed nervously.
“W-Well…”
He looked away again.
“You’re wearing pajamas, so…”
“…I don’t really want to stare…”
She stepped even closer.
Now she was standing right in front of him.
“I don’t mind.”
Ren felt his face grow burning hot.
Without meaning to, his eyes drifted down for just a brief instant to the thin fabric of Mirelya’s pajamas.
“M-Mirelya…”
She kept her eyes fixed on him.
“Don’t… you like me?”
Ren looked only at her flushed face for several long seconds.
Then he took a slow breath and stepped back.
“Mirelya…”
He closed his eyes for a moment.
“I’m sorry.”
His voice became quieter.
“I… have a lot of things I’m still carrying.”
He slowly opened his eyes again.
“And… I still can’t forget someone.”
Mirelya slowly lowered her head.
She stood perfectly still for a few moments, her hands hidden behind her back.
Then she quietly asked,
“…Did you love someone back in your world?”
Ren let out a quiet sigh.
“Y-Yeah…”
He looked toward the window.
“Even… even though we didn’t have any ties left by the time I had my accident…”
A small, bittersweet smile appeared on Mirelya’s face.
So faint it was almost impossible to notice.
“If you two weren’t connected anymore…”
She slowly raised her head.
“…Then why?”
Ren closed his eyes once more.
“It’s… complicated.”
He smiled, but there wasn’t any happiness in it.
“I’m sorry, Mirelya.”
He slowly lifted his head.
“I feel like…”
“…I’d only be using you.”
He paused.
“As if I were trying to fill a hole that’s still inside me.”
Mirelya remained motionless for several seconds.
Then she quietly walked toward the door, never lifting her head.
Ren watched her back.
“If you end up being angry with me…”
He gave a sad smile.
“…I’ll understand.”
She stopped with her hand resting on the doorknob.
Without turning around, she answered softly,
“Thank you… for worrying about me, Ren…”
She opened the door.
Already standing outside, still with her back to him, she added with a tiny smile,
“But… I wouldn’t have complained if you had said yes.”
The door slowly closed.
The room fell silent once again.
Ren ran a hand through his hair.
“I’m sorry… Mirelya…”
He stood there quietly for several seconds.
Then his eyes drifted toward the wall.
His expression grew distant.
“Misaki…”
He slowly closed his eyes.
“If someone had told her…”
“…that I died in that truck…”
He took a deep breath.
“…How would she have reacted…?”
…
The memory resurfaced.
It was a lively night.
Ren was at a karaoke lounge with Misaki Arai and all of his friends.
The room echoed with laughter.
Sakamoto Aoi, Takase Hina, Kanzaki Mio, Yamada Riku, Yamamoto Souma, Fujimoto Takeo, Shinohara Mai, Takumi, and Hanae…
Everyone was enjoying the evening.
Ren pointed the microphone at Riku.
“Your turn to sing, Riku.”
Riku made a face.
“But I already sang!”
Takeo burst into laughter.
“Give him a break, Matsuda.”
“He sings terribly.”
Riku folded his arms.
“But not as terribly as you.”
He grinned.
“You’re great at acting, Takeo.”
“Singing… not so much.”
Mai let out a small laugh.
“Come on, guys.”
“Let’s just enjoy the night.”
Hina lifted one of the notebooks she was carrying.
“I’m starting a new manga.”
She smiled.
“This time, the main characters are college students.”
Aoi tilted her head slightly.
“College students…”
She smiled.
“Like us?”
Mio flashed a mischievous grin.
“Hina…”
“It’s so obvious.”
She discreetly pointed at Riku.
“Just make it a story about marrying Yamada already.”
Hina shot to her feet.
Her face instantly turned bright red.
“M-Mio, you…!”
Everyone looked at Riku.
He was smiling like a little kid.
Aoi giggled.
“I think Yamada likes that idea.”
Souma crossed his arms.
“I’ve only seen Yamada smile like that once.”
“When he got tickets to his favorite band’s concert.”
Ren laughed.
“That’s true.”
“And when he won that video game too.”
“He had the exact same face.”
Riku shrugged.
“Why are you all making fun of me?”
Then he looked at Hina.
His smile grew even wider.
“I’m the one who’s going to marry the most beautiful girl in the world.”
Hina completely froze.
She grabbed a magazine from the table and hid her face behind it.
Mio burst into laughter.
“Easy there, Yamada.”
“You’re going to make Hina’s heart stop.”
Takumi stood up, microphone in hand.
“Well…”
“I guess it’s my turn.”
Hanae immediately stood up beside him.
“Let’s sing together!”
Takumi smiled.
“We still need to work on our timing, Hanae.”
She folded her arms, pretending to be offended.
“We already have perfect timing.”
She smiled.
“You’re just the only one who hasn’t noticed.”
While the two of them searched for a song…
Ren absentmindedly glanced at Aoi.
For just a brief instant…
Something caught his attention.
A strange blue glow reflected in her eyes.
Ren frowned slightly.
He gently nudged Souma with his elbow.
“Hey, Souma…”
Souma turned toward him.
“What is it?”
Ren kept looking at Aoi.
“I don’t know if you noticed…”
“…but Aoi…”
Souma looked at Ren.
“What’s with Aoi?”
Ren hesitated.
“Well… it’s her eyes…”
Souma looked back at Aoi.
Then turned to Ren again.
He frowned.
“Her eyes?”
“What are you talking about, Ren?”
Ren let out a silent sigh.
“Seriously… am I the only one who noticed?”
While everyone laughed and talked around the table, his gaze slowly wandered across the room.
That’s when he noticed Shinohara Mai.
She was sitting on the opposite side.
She wasn’t talking to anyone.
She was simply staring at him.
Her expression was unusually serious.
Then…
Almost imperceptibly…
She gently shook her head from side to side.
As if silently telling him not to say anything.
Ren’s eyes widened ever so slightly.
“Shinohara…?”
For a few seconds, he remained completely still.
“Hey, Ren!”
Souma’s voice pulled him back.
“What is it? Spit it out already!”
Ren blinked twice.
He took a deep breath.
Then gave an awkward smile.
“Ah…”
He scratched the back of his head.
“I was just wondering when you two are finally going to sing that duet.”
Souma stared at him for a moment.
“Huh…?”
Then he turned toward Aoi.
Their eyes met.
Aoi smiled.
Souma smiled back.
Then he looked at Ren again.
“Maybe later.”
“We’ll sing it eventually, Matsuda.”
He smiled.
“Thanks for asking.”
Ren chuckled softly.
“Alright… hehe.”
Without thinking, Ren quietly slid his hand across the table until it rested on top of Misaki’s.
She looked at him in surprise.
“Is something wrong, Ren-kun?”
Ren simply smiled.
“No…”
He gently squeezed her hand.
“I’m just… happy that things worked out between us.”
Misaki immediately blushed.
She lowered her gaze to the table.
“D-Don’t say things like that here…”
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
“I-It’s embarrassing…”
Ren laughed softly.
“Sorry.”
“It just slipped out.”
Misaki couldn’t help smiling as well.
While everyone kept chatting…
Ren discreetly looked toward Shinohara again.
She wasn’t watching him anymore.
Her gaze was now fixed on Aoi.
Ren also looked back at Aoi for a few moments.
But…
There was nothing unusual anymore.
She was simply laughing beside Hina and Mio, completely carefree.
Ren frowned slightly.
“I’m sure…”
“I’m sure I saw something strange in those eyes…”
…
The memory slowly faded away.
The karaoke room…
The laughter…
The voices of his friends…
Everything gradually dissolved.
Ren slowly opened his eyes again.
He was alone in his room at the tavern once more.
Silence filled the room.
He remained seated on the bed, staring at the floor.
Then a melancholic smile appeared on his face.
“I wish I were nineteen again…”
He slowly closed his eyes.
“I wish I could go back…”
“…to that karaoke night.”