Chapter 7

"Here you go~"

"Ah, thank you very much!"

The scene shifts to the Guild Master's room.

Towa poured the tea and placed it in front of me.

Her voice was a bit strained, but I hope she can understand my feelings.

To have such a beautiful person serve me tea with a smile.

This is the first time in my life, which has been devoid of women.

Yeah, I'm really, really happy. I can't help but grin.

"Don't worry, I won't eat you. Maybe it would be just one bite for Krush though~"

"Ahaha, you're joking, right?"

"Do you think I'm joking~?"

"......"

"Just kidding~♪"

This person's expression never changes, so I can't tell if she's joking or serious.

I feel a bit uneasy at Towa's words.

But everyone else seems more interested in the sweets in front of them.

"Look, Kohaku! Chocolate chip cookies!"

"Cookies are yummy!"

"Hey, you two, that's not very ladylike."

Clair and Fenrir are enjoying the cookies.

...Wait, can wolves eat chocolate?

...Well, they're actually幻獣種 (phantom beasts), so it should be fine.

I take a sip of the tea.

Honestly, I can't tell the difference in the tea leaves, but it's delicious. I think it's delicious.

Towa, who had been watching this, tilted her head curiously.

"The cookies are disappearing on their own~. Is it the phantom beasts~?"

"Ah, yes. They're all enjoying them... I'm sorry, they're being a bit too enthusiastic..."

"Hehe, I'm glad they're enjoying them~. These are homemade, you know~"

Homemade cookies!

I have to try the homemade cookies made by such a beautiful woman!

"Chomp. I ate it."

"Ate it! Ate it!"

"What!?"

These guys... they ate them all...

"Please don't worry, Master. I've saved a portion for you."

"Thanks, Sphere...!"

"It's an honor... *fist pump*"

As usual, she's doing a hidden fist pump.

But it's obvious, Sphere.

I give a slight wry smile and take a bite of the cookie Sphere gave me.

"Delicious. So, so delicious!"

"Hehe, I'm glad you like them~"

They're ten times better than I imagined.

I can understand why Clair and Fenrir were so excited.

I savor the cookies and wash them down with the tea.

...Still, this room is so fancy.

Pink carpet.

Pastel blue sofa.

Clear glass table.

Deformed dragon figurine.

Luxurious chandelier.

Dried flower decorations.

And a sweet, intoxicating scent.

This is the Guild Master's room of the Tamer's Guild...

Honestly, it's so girly that I feel a bit uncomfortable.

The Guild Master's room in the Tarkorai Kingdom was much more run-down.

Walls discolored by cigarette smoke.

Half-eaten, rotting food.

Scattered wine bottles.

A knife stuck in the door.

This is the difference between a rough old man and a delicate woman.

"Um, can we talk now~?"

"Ah, yes, please."

Towa placed something wrapped in silk on the table.

"What is this?"

"Please open it~"

I wonder what it is.

I carefully unfold the silk.

What appears is a brooch made of bronze.

It's circular, divided into four sections, each with a sun, crescent moon, star, and beast emblem carved into it.

"This is...?"

"It's the brooch that proves you're a member of the Tamer's Guild~"

"O-Oh! This is...!"

I take the brooch, which is flawless.

It's heavy... incredibly heavy.

But it's not the physical weight.

I've been running around for seven years to get this.

The weight of those seven years is contained here.

It's been a long time... really, really long.

I was looked down upon.

Called a liar.

Labeled as incompetent.

But I kept pushing. I kept going.

Because of those words from Dad, I am who I am today.

It's overwhelmingly joyful.

"...But this is... a bronze plate, right?"

Guild members have ranks.

They are determined by the color of the plate, from Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, to Mithril.

Normally, when joining the guild, everyone starts at Iron.

But this... it's clearly a bronze plate.

In response to my question, Towa laughs with a bell-like voice.

"Kohaku is a phantom beast tamer and fought on par with my Krush~. So, as a special case, you'll start at Bronze~"

"R-Really? Is that okay?"

"Yes~. No one will complain~"

Towa gently envelops my hand with the bronze plate.

"Work hard, Kohaku. Towa Eilhim will support you~"

"......"

Ah... this is it. I can't.

I can't stop.

I can't hold back.

I can't suppress the overwhelming emotions.

For seven years, I've never been expected to do anything.

Not even once.

But Towa... she gave me the words I've always wanted to hear.

Work hard.

I support you.

These words pierced my dry heart.

Tears, warm and wet, stream down my cheeks.

As I become aware of them, my eyes sting even more.

"K-Kohaku!? What should we do!? What should we do!?"

"Kohaku, look, look! Sit! Lie down! Good boy!"

"Calm down, both of you. First, I'll show you my belly dance..."

"Calm down, you!"

Ah, no. I'm worrying everyone.

But I can't stop. What should I do...

Then, Towa leans forward and places her hand on my head.

When I look up, she's smiling more gently than ever.

"I don't know what your tears mean. But... I understand that they are not light. ...Cry now. If it will make your heart lighter."

I cried.

I cried.

I cried.

Without looking away, without caring about Towa or everyone else.

I just cried, endlessly.

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