Chapter 63

"Something you want to talk about?"

Narseena, with a serious expression, stared at me intently. Feeling the pressure from her gaze, I repeated her words. A bad feeling I couldn't shake made my face twitch. However, Narseena, seemingly unaware of my discomfort, opened her mouth.

"S-S-S-Should we buy a shared house for the party!"

"!"

...And with those words from Narseena, I realized my premonition had come true.

"Y-You know, we made quite a bit of money from the Phoenix hunt. Plus, you know, our bond... I mean, not that it's wrong, but... well, you know... I mean, the bond! I think it's better to strengthen the bond within the party!"

Narseena, her face turning bright red, spoke even faster. I could only catch about half of what she said, but even so, I could tell how much she wanted a shared house. If Narseena had a dog's tail, it would be wagging furiously right now.

"E-Eh... well..."

However, I couldn't answer her immediately. I knew from her attitude that Narseena had been eager for a shared house for the party. After all, she had brought up this topic many times before.

...But I had no intention of buying a house right now, no matter how much Narseena wanted it.

To convey this, I felt a pain in my chest as I opened my mouth.

"Maybe it's a bit early for a shared house for the party? You know, it's better to save money for emergencies..."

The words that came out of my mouth were a poor excuse. Narseena and I, having defeated the Hydra and the Phoenix, had a considerable amount of money, more than enough for a house. Narseena must have known this as well.

"...Yeah, you're right. It's important to be prepared for emergencies... Maybe later."

...However, even though she understood, Narseena, realizing I wasn't enthusiastic, withdrew her suggestion. She tried to hide her disappointment behind a smile.

"Hehe, I'll go for a walk to clear my head."

Narseena laughed and started walking away, her back showing a drooping tail in my mind, making my chest ache with guilt.

But I couldn't follow her as she left...

◇◆◇

"Haa... I guess it didn't work out..."

After telling my brother I was going for a walk, I wandered the streets with a heavy heart. I knew my brother wouldn't approve of a shared house for the party.

Because no matter how many times I asked, he never agreed. I wasn't that dull; I could tell he wasn't interested in buying a house.

"...But it's not like he hates me, right?"

...Still, the reason I kept asking my brother about a shared house was because of this insecurity.

If my brother approved of a shared house for the party, it would be the best proof that he didn't hate me. This thought made me ask him repeatedly, even though I knew it was a bother.

"...I'm such a bad girl."

Feeling guilty about my actions, I couldn't help but say this out loud.

However, even as I thought this, I couldn't control myself. The reason was the change in my brother's attitude towards me.

When we first reunited, my brother didn't outright refuse when I asked about a shared house. He would decline with a calm, almost paternal tone.

...But recently, my brother clearly lacked that calmness.

He seemed uneasy whenever I brought up the topic of a shared house. He even suggested we stay in separate inns, his face turning red.

I managed to avoid the topic of separate inns, but I couldn't feel relieved. My brother's attitude towards me had clearly changed, and I had no idea why.

...This made me feel uneasy. What if he hated me?

...Every time I thought this, I felt a squeezing sensation in my chest. Each time, I tried to convince myself that my brother, who still treated me kindly, couldn't possibly hate me. But I couldn't shake off the unease.

"Haa..."

I let out a small sigh, feeling the unease.

In such times, I should probably consult someone. But among my acquaintances, I couldn't think of anyone with extensive dating experience.

"Hmm? But recently, I feel like I met someone with a lot of dating experience..."

Feeling like I had forgotten someone, I started searching my memory.

"Oh, Narseena, what are you doing here?"

"Kyaa!"

Suddenly, a voice called out from behind me. Lost in thought, I hadn't noticed anyone behind me and let out a startled cry. My face turned red with embarrassment.

"Ah..."

But when I turned around and saw the person, I was struck with a shock that made me forget my embarrassment. After all, the person behind me was the one I had forgotten, someone with extensive dating experience.

"Um, is everything...?"

"That, that! Laila, can I ask you for some advice!"

"...Eh?"

My desperate voice made Laila, the healer of Sieg's guild-affiliated party, look surprised...

◇◆◇

"So, I'm worried that my brother might have started to hate me..."

This was in a cozy café. The room was filled with a warm atmosphere, and many people were relaxing.

...But among them, I, Laila, was in an unimaginable crisis.

"I don't think that's the case."

On the surface, I answered Narseena's question calmly. But in reality, my palms were sweating.

"Really? I'm still a bit worried, but it's reassuring to hear that from someone with a lot of dating experience like Laila."

"R-Really?"

Narseena's face showed genuine relief. However, what would normally be a charming smile now felt like a heavy pressure on me.

...The reason I was in such a bind was due to Narseena's misunderstanding.

Narseena seemed to think I was a woman with extensive dating experience. But the truth was far from it.

I was still a beginner in love, still in the throes of my first love. Narseena was more experienced in love than I was. ...But because I had confidently accepted her request, I couldn't tell her the truth and was now sweating as I listened to her.

If I had known it was a dating advice request, I would have found an excuse to avoid it, I thought resentfully of my earlier decision to accept Narseena's request. At the time, I had agreed without hesitation because I hadn't performed as well as I had boasted during the Phoenix hunt and wanted to repay Armia for her help. But now I realized it was a clear mistake.

"Recently, my brother has been suggesting we stay in separate inns, looking anxious..."

"...I don't think you should worry about that."

Why did I have to listen to the love stories of people more experienced in love than me, I sighed inwardly. The dull Narseena didn't realize that the reason her brother suggested separate inns was because he was starting to see her as a potential romantic interest. This wasn't a bad thing, unlike Sieg, who showed no reaction despite living in the same house.

"But my brother absolutely refuses to agree to a shared house for the party..."

However, I couldn't understand why Raust was so against a shared house for the party. It seemed excessive to avoid a shared house just out of shyness. Perhaps it would be better to ask Sieg to talk to Raust and find out the reason, though I wasn't sure if I should tell Narseena this.

"...Should I be more bold in my approach?"

"Maybe that's a good idea."

I continued to think as I talked with Narseena. ...This made me lose focus in our conversation, but fortunately, neither of us noticed, and time passed.

"Oh, it's already this late..."

I realized the time had passed when I heard Narseena's words. The sky was getting dark, and I was surprised at how much time had passed.

"Thank you so much today! I'll try to be more proactive as you suggested!"

But Narseena, unaware of my inner thoughts, bowed her head. Her words, which I hadn't really heard, made me flustered for a moment.

"Um, good luck."

I couldn't admit I hadn't heard, so I managed to say this with a vague smile.

"Thank you so much!"

My attitude was probably quite suspicious, but Narseena, determined to take action, didn't notice and bowed again before walking away.

The bell on the café door rang as Narseena left. I realized the number of people in the café had significantly decreased since we entered. It seemed we had been there for quite a while, but the café wasn't closing yet, as there was no sign of closing on the door.

"Haa... I'm so tired..."

I decided to rest for a bit until the café closed.

"Hmm..."

After Narseena left, the thought I had been suppressing resurfaced. I had been keeping it hidden, but now that Narseena was gone, I no longer needed to worry. I leaned lazily on the table and spoke.

"Narseena, you and Raust are clearly in love... I'm so jealous... Maybe I need to be more proactive too..."

These heartfelt words, more like a monologue, dissipated into the air, unheard by anyone.