"Did we really just finish off the newbie-killer?"
Yunyun, arms around Shichen's neck and legs supported by his arm, stared at the still-smoking corpse that now slled faintly of roast at.
"I keep telling you—have so confidence." Shichen tweaked her delicate nose.
"Mm …," she mumbled, unused to the teasing.
"That thing only troubles rookies. For a wizard like you it's easy—your Sleep spell dropped it instantly, and your mid-tier magic is stronger than most people's."
"I see…"
"Feeling a bit surer of yourself now?"
"Uh-huh …" She nodded shyly.
"So—head straight back and report, or stay awhile?"
"Why stay—uh…"
eting his smouldering gaze, she suddenly understood.
"I-I'll do whatever you say."
"Do you realize how lethal a line that is?"
"Eh?"
"Not sure if you ant it, but … good thing it's ."
"It's because it's you that I said it," she murmured, cheeks crimson.
Shichen's throat bobbed; the bashful girl in his arms looked far too tempting.
"Yunyun, I might misbehave now…"
"Misbeha—mmph!"
Before she could finish, his lips covered hers. Wide-eyed, she took in the amber pupils, handso brows, clean features—he's really good-looking, she thought hazily.
"Mm … nnh—!"
Then his kiss deepened without warning, scrambling her thoughts.
Heart racing, face afla, she lted into the new sensation—her first kiss, tasting faintly of grilled at from the monster.
…
On the walk back they still held hands. Neither spoke; Yunyun kept her gaze on the ground while a charred hunk of monster floated obediently behind them, wafting savory fus.
"Oi, Shichen—bagged another beast?"
"Looks huge—must've been nasty."
"Just the two of you? Out on a date?"
"And holding hands~!"
"Don't you people have hobbies besides watching ?" Shichen shot back, unembarrassed.
Yunyun bowed her head lower yet still didn't let go—his grip was too firm.
She hadn't asked why he'd suddenly kissed her; the tingling mory filled her mind, more addictive than that hug two nights ago. She doubted she'd sleep tonight.
"We can't help staring—you show up whenever we're around!"
"Right, can't bla us when you're so obvious."
"Oh, it's Yunyun—I thought it'd be gumin."
"I figured it was Aqua."
"Shichen, you're Axel's hero—no fooling around! Pick one girl."
"I ship him with gumin—their bickering's gold!"
"Nah, Aqua matches him."
"Yunyun the best!"
Shichen twitched at the sudden shipping debate. Even in another world they ship people?
He decided common sense did not apply here.
"Co on, Yunyun—let's hurry."
"Y-yes."
…
The guild was even busier than in the morning; with the demon gone, everyone was free to eat and drink. Shichen spotted Kazuma chatting with a blond man.
"Big Bro!" Kazuma waved.
"What are you doing here?"
"Gathering intel, like you."
"Oh? Learn anything?"
"Heh! Lots of gossip. That ice-queen beauty Darkness you t this morning—turns out she's a noble lady."
"Ice queen, huh…"
"Sothing wrong?"
"Nothing." Shichen shrugged.
"Let introduce my new pal—Dust."
Shichen nodded to the amber-haired man. "I'm Shichen."
"Nice to et you, 'Hero.'" Dust replied.
"You two chat—I need to report our quest." Shichen tugged Yunyun toward the counter.
"Whoa, Big Bro—took a quest with just Yunyun? I see, I see," Kazuma smirked lewdly.
Shichen ignored him.
"Shichen-san—back already? That was fast, as expected!" Luna bead.
"Please don't call 'fast.'"
"Eh?" She tilted her head.
"Anyway, Yunyun and I dealt with the newbie-killer. The body's outside—char-grilled. Still want it?"
"Of course!"
"Want to inspect it?"
"No need—I trust yo—"
"Please check. No special treatnt."
"…As strict as ever, Shichen-san."
Luna led them out to verify the carcass—right as Darkness and Chris arrived.
"Shichen! Hello again!" Chris waved brightly.
"Fate brings us together," Darkness said—far too solemn.
"You two okay already?" Shichen eyed Darkness, now in only a black under-suit. His gaze drifted to her midriff—no visible six-pack.
"Staring so openly…!" Darkness flushed.
Shichen coughed. "…What brings you here? Looking for Aqua?"
"N-not really," Chris said quickly. "We just ran into you."
"We hunted the newbie-killer," Shichen explained.
"Impressive! We never even found it," Chris said.
"Guess we looked like newbies, so it hunted us."
"I see."
"Actually," Chris added, "Darkness wants to ask you sothing."
"Ask ?" Uh-oh.
Blushing, Darkness stepped forward. "M-may I join your party?"
"No." Shichen refused instantly.
"Ah! A flat rejection!" Darkness shivered in delight.
"…Why join us?"
"I'm party-less, you're strong, and you need a shield. I could—"
"Aren't you tead with Chris?"
"Only temporarily," Chris said. "Thief and knight don't combo well."
"Please, take her," Chris pleaded.
"Yunyun, what do you think?" Shichen asked.
"Eh? ?" She startled.
"Who else?"
"I-I'll follow your decision."
Shichen stroked his chin. "Hmm… maybe. On one condition."
"Condition? Do you want to—" Darkness breathed harder.
"It's not about you," he sighed, resisting the urge to smack her.
He turned to Chris. "Chris, I need a little favor…"
"W-what?"
~~~
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