27 Chapter 25: Jealousy and The Foreboded Crisis

Chapter 25

"Ceres, how's the soup?"

"Let's see, let's see."

Ceres took a spoonful of the chicken(?) meat soup and placed it in a small saucer. Combing her side hair backwards using her fingers, she fixed it behind her ear. Slightly closing her eyes, single-mindedly focusing on the contents of the saucer. Seeing her figure like this, it makes me want to stare at her forever.

Then taking a sip from the saucer…

"Mm. It's good. Hans has quite got a good grasp of it already."

Saying that, her lips curled up into a smile. Then she placed her right hand on top of my head.

"Hm? What's this hand for?"

"What, you ask. Big sis is just praising you, aren't I? Very good, very good. *giggle*"

Covering her mouth with her left hand, she let out a soft giggle with her eyes closed. Opening them, she looked straight at me with another bright smile.

"Ceres doesn't fit the big sister character, so nah. And it's just one year, mind you."

"Muu."

Without replying to my provocation, she just puffed her cheeks, along with pursed lips. Haha. She's pouting. 'But that's no use, Ceres. That just makes me want to tease you more.' Or is what I wanted to say, but I swallowed my words before I could do so. Instead…

"Hahaha~ You being my big sister is still a hundred years early!"

I placed my left hand on my waist, puffing out my chest while having my right hand on her head.

"Heeh~"

Her pouting then turned into a sharp glare. The glare I used to receive when I first came here.

"Huh?"

"I see. Is that so? Hmmm~ You'll be sleeping outside today then."

"What are you saying, my dear big sister? Fall is coming and it will be cold soon, dear sister? You can't just leave me alone outside."

"*giggle* I'm just kidding."

*sigh* I really can't win against Ceres. And those sudden changes in her expression is unfair.

"Kidding aside, thanks for teaching me the recipes."

I didn't tell her that out of spite but with only grateful intention. I'm really thankful to her for teaching me about almost all of the recipes in the Lunaria Café. On our way back home, Ceres and I reviewed the recipes to kill time during the ride. Because of that, I'm now fairly familiar with almost all of them.

"Mm. Just ask me if you have points you don't understand."

"Got it."

"Oh my…~ Ufufufu…~ I woooonder what is happening right now…~? Ufufufu…~"

On the counter, where Anya and Sofiel usually receive the finished dish to be served to the costumers, there stood an Anya wearing a bright smile.

Yes. It should be a bright smile that should make you feel bright as well. That should be it. But… On the contrary… I can only feel bloodlust and murderous intent…

*shiver*

"Hans…~ Mind explaining~?"

*crack* *crack*

Anya was holding on to a metal tray, but instead of bending, cracks are forming from where she is gripping.

Am I going to die today?

"Ceres! I choose you! Use Distract!"

"Eh?"

A day have passed since we arrived from our travel. From the moment of our arrival, we just flopped onto our own beds because of the exhaustion. It took us some time on the way back because of the distance. But somehow, we arrived earlier than we have expected. Maybe because we didn't have to stop at some point to gather flowers.

"What's wrong, Anya? Did something happen? Your face is like those when a male customer asks me to go out… Hans is not doing that, you know?"

Ceres asked while I myself went to proceed to continue the rest of the dish. So she's even invited to go out like that by some male customers? Way to not value their lives.

Mainly because there's Anya.

"What's wrong, you say…~ What happened…~? Are you sick~? Or maybe, did you hit your head~??"

I glanced towards the worried voice of Anya and saw her checking out Ceres while touching her forehead from time to time. But stumbling upon her finger, Anya widened her eyes from surprise.

"A-Anya?? What's wrong?? I'm not sick or anything. I'm perfectly fine!"

"Ceres…~ What… is this…~?"

"Ah…! I-I-It's nothing! It's not a ring or anything like that! I-I-It's definitely n-n-not given to me by Hans or something…!"

Ceres hurriedly hid her hand behind her in an attempt to gloss over Anya's prying.

"… Eh… Hans…? Ufu… Ufufu…~ Hans~ Will you come here? I won't get angry, I promise…~ Ufufufu~"

I so can't believe those words Anya. And Ceres… How can you be so bad at lying…? If you want to hide that fact, at least make a better excuse.

That's right. That time, during the festival, I secretly bought the ring right after she went back to the inn. I just bought it in the spur of the moment. I just thought it would really look good on Ceres. But when I did try to fit it on her, and seeing the regret on her face when I tried to remove it, it's already a given that it'll be better to buy it for her. I mean, It's not that expensive and I thought she really liked it. There's no reason for me not to buy it.

I don't really know much about what girls like. Instead of accessories and stuff, all the girls around my age wanted guns and ammunition, or even additional rations at some point. Even I know myself that I'm inexperienced with these kind of stuff, but…

"Hehe…"

When I see her smile like that whenever she lays her eyes on it, I just couldn't help it. It's a simple gift from me. If she's really happy with it, then that's all I needed to know.

Still, when I was buying it, I thought she would just refuse to receive it again. But when I did give it to her for the second time, she just let me fit it into her like before and accepted it. I still remember her cute smile when I gave it to her. A smile bright enough that wouldn't fit someone who's still recovering from a fever.

She must be happy since she kept looking at it every time on our way home. If that's really so, then I'm more than satisfied and happy about giving it to her.

"Chef Ceres…"

Sofiel just got out of the changing room with her- I mean his usual frilly waitress uniform.

"Sofiel? Is there some problem? *smile*"

"… *shiver* What is this… This feeling of… something's off…"

"Even, Sofiel… Just what is wrong with you two? Muu…"

Ceres then pouted with her cheeks puffed. Darn that's cute.

"Pfft."

I couldn't contain my laughter so I turned the burner off and went to where they are. We are minutes away before we open the restaurant and we were just preparing for it, but it seems like we will need more time for this.

"Hans? What about the pre-cooking?"

Arriving to where they are, I was already greeted with a question by Ceres.

"Ehh~?! Name… By name…~?? I see, I see… Ufufu… Hans~ How do you want to be boiled~? Ufufufu~"

Anya… You're really starting to scare me now…

"It's already done. I already left the meat to be marinated. It's because you already finished most of them, I didn't have any more to do."

I then placed my hands atop her head for a pat.

"I see… Mm. Ehehe."

"Ehhhh~?! She let him pat her head…~??? Moreover… What is with that super happy expression…~~??"

"E-Even I can get happy when being praised, you know? Muu… G-Geez, Anya."

"My, my. Now this is something, is it not Anya? Hm? … Anya?"

"… A… A… A… A…"

Oh no no… Not good. The white of her eyes are showing. She clammed up from the shock.

"Anya, Sofiel, come here for a bit. Ceres, mind staying here?"

"S-Sure… Geez, what's wrong with you all?"

I pulled Anya by hand and dragged them inside the dressing room which is used by the waitresses. It only comprises of lockers and a long bench in the middle. With a thud, I closed the door behind me.

"Hans~! Just what happened to Ceres~! What did you do to my sister~!!?"

Oh, she already recovered.

Thinking of a way how to explain things, I unconsciously scratched my cheek.

When Ceres recovered from her cold and fever, we only had to wait for the rain to let up. Well, there was literally nothing for us to do but wait. We couldn't even have a simple conversation ongoing.

We just sat there while I hold her hand. Sometimes, I notice her nodding off and suddenly leans on my shoulder. But aside from that, we just enjoyed the tranquil atmosphere inside the house.

After the rain stopped, we went our way to a nearby town. I thought she would calm down after seeing the new scenery, but on the way to there, we still didn't talk much and silence filled the trip. Perhaps, because of what just happened or… should I say, because of awkwardness.

Though that being the case, it was certainly not a negative type of awkwardness. That I know for sure. Then I even tried breaking the ice and strike a small conversation with her, but she would just respond with, 'Mm' or 'I see.' There was no way to continue every topic that I throw at her. Though it's not like I don't understand why.

She must be quite embarrassed by her actions because of the fever. And it WAS after she told me about her past. I already expected something like that.

Fortunately, after some time during our way home, she got used to it and returned to being able to speak normally with me. I would lie if I say that she returned to her usual self, since she changed a bit. I know, since I'm the one who always received so much hate before.

But now…

"Hmm. For now let's just say she's gotten too darn cute."

"What's with that~?? I don't understand anything from that~! But I agree that she's gotten cute!"

"Uhm… Hans. You went with Chef Ceres to go the cemetery for her parents' death anniversary, right?"

While Anya is flailing her hands in the air, venting her frustration, Sofiel took his turn to ask.

"You know about the death anniversary?"

"Ah. Yes. It is something done annually so I have learned about it from some time ago."

"I see."

Well, Sofiel's been working here ever since the previous owner was still in position, so it's no wonder.

"Did something happen while you were gone with Chef Ceres?"

"I want to hear that too, Hans~!"

Anya shouted while placing her hands above her chest as she leaned on towards me, wearing an impatient expression.

"Relax, Anya. Isn't your character changing just because we haven't seen you for the past 4 chapters?"

"Hans, I think that is not something you should say…"

"Well, setting that aside, hmm… Something DID happen… Yeah, but…"

I think it's something that should not come from me. And saying it to them without the permission of the person herself will only bring about bad impressions. For now, I only wanted to tell them to just act the same way and just hear the rest from Ceres herself.

"I think you should just ask Ceres. It's not something that I should say, that's why."

"Y-You…~ You two did something that can't be said…~?? Ufu… Ufufufu…~ It seems like you really want to be boiled alive…~"

"Relax, Anya."

*bonk*

I flicked her forehead to help her calm down. Really, Anya does really get riled up when it comes to her sister. I'm also starting to get worried about her future as Ceres' sister…

"That's it. Even though she's like that now, don't hesitate to treat her the same way as before. She's still the same Ceres, after all. Or more like… She just became her true self."

"… Hans…~"

"If that is how it is, Hans, then there will be no problem. Rather… It is reassuring since she is not that scary anymore… Hahaha…"

Right. Sofiel was a bit scared of Ceres before, huh? She-… I mean, he must be surprised by how Ceres changed her attitude towards him earlier.

"I will be going out first. I have to wipe the tables too, before we open."

"Got it. Hm? Anya?"

The door closed after Sofiel got out from the changing room, leaving only me and Anya inside. But Anya just stood there without moving an inch.

"Hans~"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you. Even without hearing from Ceres, I already know that you've done so much for her, for her to be like that. I mean, it's something that even I couldn't do for her… That smile. It's really something…~"

"We've already talked about this before, right?"

"Mm. I know. But… Still. I'm really thankful from the bottom of my heart."

Saying that, she placed both of her hands on her tummy and bowed deeply in front of me.

"… You're very much welcome. Though I don't remember doing much."

"Getting embarrassed~? Ufufu~ I'll just ask her the details later~"

"Sure."

*click*

"Uhm. Hans? Anya? We're going to open the restaurant soon."

The door opened and there was Ceres who's slightly peeking. She then entered the room after confirming we're inside

"Ah~ Right~ I'll be going now~ Ufufu~ Ceres. We'll talk later, okay~?"

"S-Sure?"

"I'll be going now too, Head Chef."

"… S-Say."

As I was about to go towards the door, I felt a tugging from my sleeves.

"Hm?"

"Ah. N-No… It's just. Aha… Ahaha… What did I want to ask, I wonder?"

"… It's okay. I'm listening."

I faced her direction with the door behind me, waiting for her to speak.

"… Uhm… What…"

"Yeah?"

She keeps looking on the floor as she fiddles with her fingers. Is it something hard to ask?

"… What were you… talking about with Anya…?"

Saying that, she kept looking at the floor while gripping the hem of her uniform. I could not see her face from my position but her ears are read as a tomato.

"Aah! F-Forget it! I-It's not like I'm curious or what…! I'm just curious or something… Ah! I'm not curious! It's just… I… I don't know…"

Which is it? Hahaha.

"…"

"What are you smiling about…?? Geez…"

She really likes puffing her cheeks when pouting, huh.

"We were just talking about how cute you've become, Ceres."

"Wha-??"

Ceres' face blushed from ear to ear and tried to hide it with her hands, but I caught the other where the ring that I gave her is.

"Just a moment."

"E-Eh???"

Hmm…

Focus…

And…

"There. That should do it."

"Wh-What did you do…?"

"Nothing. Just a simple magic trick."

"??"

"Come on now. Let's go."

"Ah, w-wait, Hans! What was that??"

…

..

.

"Uhm… Hans!"

"Hm? Ah. Tia. What's up?"

After the usual rush hour during the noon.

I got a bit too sweaty so I went upstairs to take a short shower to rinse. It's almost fall, based from what I've heard from Ceres, and will probably get cold sooner or later, but it still gets hot in this time of the day.

Getting out from the shower with a towel wrapped around my waist, Tia greeted me with her usual timid self. I guess, it's just her personality to switch from being timid to being proud from time to time.

And I feel like, it's been so long since I've seen her too after our travel. Being here like this, it makes me happy to see her again with her usual timid self. Phew~ I'm being healed…~

"Awawa…! Just what are you wearing in the middle of the day?! Hans, you perv!"

Tia used her hands to cover her eyes, but she's still peeking through her fingers.

"Hm? I have my towel around my waist. It's not like I'm walking around naked, right?"

"That may be, but still!"

Ahaha… What's with this girl? She's so cute. It makes me want to tease her more.

But that's enough for now. It seems like she wanted to tell me something serious. So I got my clothes and wear them instantly. It's still my usual black buttoned long-sleeved shirt and dark denim pants. I'll just wear the apron later.

"Well then. You have something to talk about?"

"Yes…"

After breathing in and out, perhaps trying to calm herself down, her flush face is now replaced with a composed and serious one. But on the side note, she still looks like she's anxious or worried.

"Uhm. We formed a contract right?"

"Yeah. That's right."

"And even though I hid the fact about my identity from you, you still accepted me and protected me. Moreover, you did not change how you treated me."

"Tia?"

"I am really grateful for that."

"What are you saying? You've said more than enough about that, right? Well, I'll say this no matter how many times. You're always welcome, Siestia."

"…~!! I told you… You do not have to call me that…"

Saying that, she held the hem of her shirt while fidgeting on her feet. Still not used to being treated as a princess by us, I see? Or…

"B-But… I will personally allow you to do so if you really say you want to…"

"Hmmm… Nah. I'll stick to Tia. It's more like you."

"I-I see… H-Hehe… Ah. Not that! Uhm… Hans."

"Yeah?"

"Well… I have not yet told you about this one more thing that concerns the contract…"

Hm? Why is she being so nervous again?

"Oh, is that right? Then please let me hear it."

"Y-Yes. Uhm… That is… After the contract… There is a link that is connecting us. It won't get cut no matter what but… It can deteriorate after some time.

"So you mean that it can be severed if not maintained?"

"That is right… And if severed once, it cannot be connected again."

"What?? Why didn't you tell me sooner? I even went away for days. Is it still connected?"

"Yes. The proof is the symbol on your palm and my back."

I looked at my palm and saw the symbol of our contract. I heaved a sigh of relief upon seeing it still there.

"Uhm… It's certainly weakening but… it must be restored once a month so I still have some time."

"It's almost half a month though… Well? What do I have to do to restore the depleting link?"

"T-To… restore the link…"

"Yeah?"

"We must stick our forehead together!!"

She shouted with her head hanged down.

"Sure. Why not?"

"EH?!?"

I mean, it's just sticking our foreheads together. It's not like it's something outrageous or perverted.

"How can you be so calm?? We will be sticking our heads together you know??"

"Well, yeah. It's just our foreheads sticking together."

"Just… you say. Ah. I forgot you are a person from another world… I see… Still… Feel even just a little bit embarrassed, will you? Muu…"

"Hm… Is it something to be embarrassed in your race?"

"Embarrassing… It's more like, it's only done between married couples…"

"Is it more embarrassing than a kiss?"

"It is!!"

Ooohhh… Culture shock. Now that's something that didn't cross my mind even after staying in this world for quite some time now. To think there's a custom like that for the Faunalians. Is that why they're very conservative with their ears? Hiding it always in a hat or something.

"I see. Is that also why you always wear hats?"

"Yes…"

She then puffed her cheeks and pouted.

"Sorry, my bad. It's just something new to me so I didn't know. I'll make you a pudding next time."

"Pudding!? From the ring of it, it sound so sweet and delicious!"

After hearing the word, her eyes glimmered as she held her hands on top of her chest, as if she's praying.

"It is, it is."

"U-Umu! I will forgive you! Ehehe…~"

Maybe it's like those for cats and some animals? Like when cats rub their heads to their owners when they are comfortable with them? Though comparing them to animals is another thing…

"Alright. Let's restore it."

"Y-Yesh!"

"Relax. I'll lead so don't worry."

"O-Okay… Aaaah… I've readied my heart but… Uu…"

It's really something that needs readying of one's heart, huh…

We took our seat on the couch in the leaving room. I felt a slight jerk after I placed my hands on her soft cheeks. Staring at each other, now I feel like we are readying for a kiss.

"Tia."

"Y-Yes…"

"Here I go."

I closed my eyes and closed the distance of my face to hers. With only a few seconds…

"Ah…"

With a slight voice coming from Tia, I felt our foreheads touch. It feels warm to the touch. I could stay like this forever. Not moments after, I feel my core shaken like the time when I formed the contract with Tia. Like something is being pulled inside my chest and connecting to Tia.

Slowly and surely, I really feel like the depleted link is being restored like a bridge being repaired.

But on the side note… I feel like I'm doing something I shouldn't. Our position also tells me that it can be dangerous. The stairs leading downstairs is just behind us. If someone were to happen seeing us like this, kissing is the only interpretation for them.

"Eh…?"

*clang*

…

*sigh* Why am I not surprised?

"Hans… and Tia… k-k-k-kiss…"

From this voice, is it Ceres?

I waited for the restoration to finish. After a soft 'ding!' inside my head, I then turned my way towards Ceres. There I found two broken cups with spilled coffee on the floor. And a Ceres with a quite shocked expression.

Standing up immediately from my seat, I…

"Ceres. Let me explain real quick."

"Awawawa…! Ceres…??"

Tia, who's left seating on the couch, flailed around in desperation. I guess she understood what kind of situation we are in right now.

"I-I just thought you would want a c-c-coffee so… H-Huh? W-What are you going to e-e-explain? F-First of all, why are you explaining?? Ahaha… I-It's not like wh-what you do concerns me, r-right? H-Haha."

Ceres, being flustered, didn't look at me with her eyes just kept wandering around the living room.

"O-Oh… The cups."

She then crouched down to pick up the broken cups.

"Wait, Ceres."

"I mean, I d-don't even care who or what you want to k-k-k-kiss, anyways… Y-You're just my subordinate, anyway. Wh-why would I c-c-care about you?"

Huh? Why is she being flustered like this? Did she not want to see us like that? Well, it IS ME kissing a girl who looks like a child no matter how you look at her. But that as it may be, I don't have any guilty feelings. It's just something needed to be done to restore the contract's link. And it was not even a kiss.

Then why is she like this? Her face is red, her eyes are moistened with tears, and sweat is pouring down on her forehead.

I tried to pull her hand to stop her from picking up the broken pieces of cups to avoid her injuring herself but…

"S-Sorry…"

… She pulled her hand back.

"Ceres…?"

"U-Uhm. I have to go somewhere! Take care of the restaurant for a while…!"

"Ceres, wait!"

She hurriedly walked downstairs without looking back.

"Hans… Do you not have to follow her and explain what happened?"

"…"

I know I have to follow her. I know. I know I should explain what happened and tell her it's just a misunderstanding. That Tia and I was not kissing and it's just a way of restoring the link of our contract. I guess I have to tell her about the contract too. I'm not guilty about it since it was really not a kiss. I know I have to explain.

But…

Why?

Why do I have to? Why do I want to? Why do I want to correct the misunderstanding? Is it because I'll be labeled as a pervert? No… It's not like it's something that will bother her that much at the least.

And…

And just like she said, she doesn't care about it. Maybe it was just me who thinks that we got closer during our travel. Maybe for her, it was just another episode of me being annoying.

If that's so… Then why did she call me by my name?

"…"

No. Forget about that.

First, why did she had to walk away?

And second, why could I not move my feet and follow her?

Lastly, why do I want to follow her in the first place?

"Tch…"

I scratched my head because of all these complicated thoughts inside my head. There are a lot of unknown information and unknown feelings included, I don't think my mind can't keep up. Should I add more crystal points to my Intelligence?

"My bad, Tia. I'll just explain things when she comes back. Haha. I wonder what happened to her?"

"Hans… Are you really saying that…?"

On one side, it looks like Tia has calmed down. But on the other, I feel like her mature side is surfacing.

"Y-Yeah… What's wrong?"

"*sigh* Hans. I may be a small and is always treated like a child, but even I know how to read the mood."

"Y-Yeah…?"

"I've been looking at Ceres when you came back and I already noticed."

"…"

"Even for you, I'm pretty sure that you noticed already, right?"

"That's… But…"

"I don't want it to come from me but… Hans is being pathetic right now, so listen…"

"That's not…"

"Ceres is…"

I closed my eyes and averted my eyes.

Don't say anything more than that.

"Hans!"

"…!"

Wha…? Why did I think that? Why did I don't want Tia to say anything more?

I…

"*sigh* If that is what Hans want, then I will not say anything anymore. I guess Ceres was right calling you an idiot before."

"Harsh. Haha…"

I could only laugh wryly at her remarks. Tia is really mysterious from time to time. One time, she's like an innocent little girl who knows nothing about the world. Then the next, she'll just scold you at something you yourself don't even know about.

Calling me and idiot and all.

But.

Maybe she's right, after all.

…

..

.

[Ceres' POV]

"*pant* *pant* Why… *pant* did I run away…?"

He…

He was kissing Tia… right? Just thinking about that scene, all I can deduce from that is Hans kissing Tia…

*prick*

"Uu…"

My chest tightens whenever I recall it. It also happens when I saw him together with Anya inside the changing room. Like a constricting sensation, something is binding my heart and making me suffocate. Uu… I even feel like sometimes, I can't breathe. Whenever I try to think about what Hans and Anya were talking about all alone in the changing room, it makes it unbearable. What is this feeling…? Geez…

"Phew… I guess it's already my reflex to come here whenever something happens, huh…"

I found myself at the base of the bell tower where I frequent to whenever I have something on my mind. Or even when I just feel down. This was also the place where I was kidnapped by my parents' killer.

*shiver*

Remembering that time, as expected, I still feel uncomfortable.

However…

In those times also, his face resurface in my mind in an instant.

"Hans…"

Aaaahh!! My minds so hazy!! My hearts beating crazy since earlier! Or like… Even just when I try to remember his… face… like… Like, in the first place, why??

GEEZ!!!

"*inhale* … *exhale*"

I need to calm down.

I climbed the stairs that leads straightly to the top where the huge bell is fixed. It is usually rang every specified time. It's still past 1 right now so there's still no problem for me to be here. I-I think?

"*sigh*"

Just what am I doing…?

I leaned my whole body on the railing.

Along with the heavy heaved sigh, it was followed by a soft sweep of fall breeze and made my hair flutter in the wind. I held it down with my hands and closed my eyes to prevent the dust from irritating them. When I open them, I saw the usual scenery of the town under the clear sky. There are only a few clouds from here and there, making the sky seems so vast and spacious. The light from the sun is directly bathing the houses and buildings that spread across the town.

It's really a beautiful place. And just by having this special spot where I can look at it, like I am seating on a VIP seat on a grand performance of an orchestra, I feel so lucky that I ended up arriving in this town after everything that happened.

It is a beautiful place. That I already know. I've been coming here ever since I first arrived here, after all.

But… Why do I feel like it's different than usual?

It's much brighter than before. The wind feels so crisp and fresh. The sound of the birds are like sweet lullabies. And my heart feels so light…

Was there any changes in the town that I didn't notice during my travel to the cemetery with Hans?

*sigh*

"Hans…"

I'm thinking about him again. This is the first time… I know he made me realize things and I'm really grateful to that… But. Just remembering what happened earlier…

Uu…

I even blurted out words I didn't mean. Saying that I don't care about him at all and such… First of all, why am I that bothered by it?? Tia likes Hans, I've known that for a while now. There's no wonder that that will happen eventually. She's already an adult, she's a princess of a kingdom on top of that. Well, she has some childish points, but… Even so…

She's cute. She's docile and honest. She admires Hans more than anyone.

And here I am. Just because I was so bothered by what I saw, I said hurtful things to him, being dishonest and all… There's no way Hans would do that to me…

"*sigh*"

Why am I like this…?

…

H-Huh…?

"W-Why am I comparing myself to Tia?"

And did I just think I wanted him to do that to me???? Like… k-k-ki-kiss… me too??!

"… Aah… Aaaah…!"

I-I-I-If that's the case… Was I… getting jealous over it?? Huh…? Jealous?? Me?? Why??? Jealous of Hans?? But that will be weird and will look like I wanted to kiss Tia!

Th-Then…

I was jealous of Tia…?

And that was the final touch… I felt all my blood rushed upwards to my head and face. My face feels so hot, even my ears. I'm tearing up because of the emotional turmoil… Uu…

"Is… that really it…?"

Let's say! Right… Let's say, it really IS jealousy… then for what reason am I jealous…?? W-Well, if you think about it. I've come to like him. Yes. He's a good person. AS a person. That I know for sure. That I've come to like him now. But… As an opposite sex…

["Ceres… Close your eyes."]

["H-Hans… Be gentle…"]

KYAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!!!

Geez! Geez! Geez! Geeeeez!! Cereees!! What in the world are you imagining????

"Uu… My brain can't keep up…"

… Th-That's… Maybe I'm just caught up with everything that happened during our travel! Yes! That's it! What is that they call it? Suspension bridge effect?? I've heard a scholar relaying that in one of his books! Stating that whenever two people of the opposite sex faces danger together, they may misunderstood their fast beating heart into that of love… Right. I just wanted him to place all his attention to me because he's the only one who knows my past… Yes… That's it…

"But…"

Just thinking about a conclusion from all that…

It just fits. There's no doubt in my mind. It's like a lost puzzle piece is finally placed where it belongs.

"… *sigh*"

So is that why I was that flustered…? And my chest tightens when I saw Anya and Hans together and him kissing Tia? I…

I got jealous. *sigh*

So this is the feeling of jealousy. It's suffocating, it's painful, and I just want to do something about it but I don't know how. My heart keeps beating fast and it makes me want to see him sooner…

"*sigh*"

Be that as it may… I never thought that a day would come that I would imagine myself k-k-kissing someone… after all that happened to me in the past. It's just plain impossible for me to bear these kind of feelings now. Moreover, these kind of girly thoughts.

It doesn't suit… me, does it? I mean…

I am crude, dishonest, and hot-tempered, I always told him how I hated him, kicking him, punching him, and telling him I don't care about him…

Uu… Why am I like this…? Why can be just like Anya and be kind to everyone? Why can't I be like Tia and be honest? Why…

Am I not the one he kissed…?

…

..

.

[Hans POV]

"Anya? Have Ceres not come home yet?"

"Now that you mention it…~ She's late~"

It's already 8 in the evening and Ceres is still not home since she went out after she saw me and Tia.

"Did something happen between you two~?"

"Hmm… Kind of."

I told her what happened during the afternoon as Tia also listened by the couch. Anya is cooking for dinner and I was sitting on one of the chairs in the dining table. I tried to explain every details without including anything unnecessary about the contract.

"I see~ Fufu. That Ceres~ So? You two didn't really kiss~?"

"A-Anya!!"

"We did not. What we were actually doing is… Something I can't say."

"Hmm~"

"Hans. It's okay. You can tell Anya."

"You sure?"

"Yes. Anya is also an important person to me. I don't want to hide anything from her."

Seeing the resolve in Tia's face, I then told everything that happened from when I fought the Chaos Wolf together with Tia. Also showing her the Beast Soul Activation where Tia transformed to her adult form.

"Th-This is… Tia…~??"

"Yeah. And I see it still ripped her clothes."

"Kyaaaaah!! Don't look Hans!!"

I remembered how the effects of Beast Soul Activation affects my status so while dodging Tia's punches, I opened my Status Display to check things. It's been a while since I've actually took my time and check the changes in my Status.

...

<STATUS DISPLAY>

Name: Hans Alius Schmidt

Race: Human

Class: None

[Title/s]

Contracted One, Black Sheep

[Status]

Strength: 206(+206)(+412)/9999

Agility 82(+82)(+164)/9999

Intelligence 498(+498)(+500)/9999

Defense 15(+15)(+30)/9999

[Skills]

<Active Skills>

Mana Detect Lv. 10/10

Crush Strike Lv. 10/10

Beast Soul Activation Lv. 1/1 (Activated)

Mana Burst Lv. 6/10

Telepathy Lv. 1/1

Night Vision Lv. 1/1

<Passive Skills>

Status Lv. 1/1

Harden Lv. 8/10

Damage Resistance Lv. 8/10

Beast Soul Link Lv. 1/1

Crystal Points: 469

There it is. It doubled my Strength, Agility, and Defense. And the word 'Activated' appeared by the side of the skill.

"Do not dodge it, Hans!!"

When I defeated all the Dire Ligers before, I never thought Mr. Mirchel would give me all of the monster crystals as thanks/reward. As a result, I now have 469 crystal points after absorbing all of them. Unfortunately, they didn't drop any mana core so I didn't acquire any new skill from them.

After absorbing all of the monster crystals, I remembered saying to them as an excuse that they all dispersed into different parts of the world after coming up with a wish, which is then granted by a dragon. Perhaps thinking that I was just fooling around and that there were no monster crystals in the first place, they just laughed it off.

...

[Name]: Hans Alius Schmidt

[Class]: None

[Sex]: Male

[Level]: 52

[Race]: Human

[Rank]: F

[Title]

Black Sheep

[Skills]

[Active Skill]

<Telepathy Lv. 1/1>

[Passive Skills]

[Quest/s]

(None)

[Party Members/Raid Members]

(None)

And next is my Bracelet Terminal.

Hmm… As I thought. There's not much change in the data, after all. As there's no status here, the information here is not affected by the skill. Aside from my level that is now raised to 52, there's no changes so far. On our way home, we encountered some monsters and had to eliminate them to continue our travel. And because of those, I gained experience and leveled up a bit. Now, I'm half-way until the next rank.

Though, It's still a long way to go.

*bzzzt*

"Hm?"

"Is there something wrong, Hans? *pant* and do not dodge! *pant*"

"Ufufu. Here, Tia. These are my clothes~ You can wear them for now."

"Waaah… They are so pretty, Anya! Thank you very much!"

"Fufu. It really is Tia~ I'm relieved~ Here, let me hug you~!"

"Huuug~!"

While I was being overwhelmed by the sudden burst of cuteness in the dining room with Anya and Tia as the source, I began to wonder what is the buzzing in my head was.

*bzzt* *bzzzzzzt!*

It's also getting worse. Is this like during a Telepathy?

*bbzzzzzt* Yo-… un! *bzzzzt*!!

It's someone's voice?

*bzzt!!*

"Youn-… un!!-… wher-… the chef-… gir-… l?!-…"

It's choppy, I couldn't make anything from it.

"Hans~? Is there something wrong~? Wearing a complicated expression~?"

"It's nothing. I think someone's trying to use Telepathy on me. But it's buzzy, I can't understand anything from it."

"Is it Ceres~?"

"Based from the voice, it's not but…"

Right… Ceres has yet to come home. And now this weird Telepathy. I'm having a bad feeling about this.

*bzztzzt!!*

"Youn-… n!!-… Tak-… chef gir-… awa-…!! Hur-… y!!-…"

"Chef…? And… This voice…"

The guild master, Florensia?

"Florensia? What's wrong?"

Even from between the buzzes, I can hear the impatience in her voice.

"Jus-… take-… the chef girl-… away-…

"Huh?"

"-… And RUN AWAY AS FAR AS POSSIBLE!!!"

"Wha-??"

*fwooosh!!*

"Huh??"

What was that?? Something like a powerful surge of wind…

"Did you feel that Anya?"

"…"

"Anya?"

"…"

Why is she not responding?

"Tia?"

"…"

What the… even Tia… What is happening?

I tried to wave my hand in front of their eyes but they're eyelids didn't even move at all. I also tried shaking them but it felt like I was touching a non-budging wall.

"… What in the world…"

Now that I tried to look around the room, the flame in the burner that should be flickering is not moving at all, it's like I'm looking at a picture. The steam is also there like it was painted above the pot. There are no sounds at all aside from my foot steps and my breathing. The usual cry of the cicadas is also gone. And the strangest of all…

"The color of the surrounding is off… Like the color has faded into a black and white image…"

Just what happened after that surge of wind? It also felt like a powerful burst of mana was detected by my Mana Detect.

But before that…

"The Telepathy from Florensia."

'Chef girl' and 'run away as much as possible'…

…

Chef girl…

["The girl in your restaurant. Ceres, is their target, young'un."]

…!!

Darn it!!

"Ceres!!"

…

..

.

Chapter 25 End

<STATUS DISPLAY>

Name: Hans Alius Schmidt

Race: Human

Class: None

[Title/s]

Contracted One, Black Sheep

[Status]

Strength: 206(+206)(+412)/9999

Agility: 82(+82)(+164)/9999

Intelligence: 498(+498)(+500)/9999

Defense: 15(+15)(+30)/9999

[Skills]

<Active Skills>

Mana Detect Lv. 10/10

Crush Strike Lv. 10/10

Beast Soul Activation Lv. 1/1 (Activated)

Mana Burst Lv. 6/10

Telepathy Lv. 1/1

Night Vision Lv. 1/1

<Passive Skills>

Status Lv. 1/1

Harden Lv. 8/10

Damage Resistance Lv. 8/10

Beast Soul Link Lv. 1/1

[Crystal Points: 469]

[Name]: Hans Alius Schmidt

[Class]: None

[Sex]: Male

[Level]: 52

[Race]: Human

[Rank]: F

[Title]

Black Sheep

[Skills]

[Active Skill]

<Telepathy Lv. 1/1>

[Passive Skills]

[Quest/s]

(None)

[Party Members/Raid Members]

(None)