THE KENKI APPROCHES

The sun was shining down from directly overhead.

Its light brightened the main street north of Babel Tower.

Very few adventurers came up this way; civilians filled the street as well as a certain

open cafe . The seats were occupied by people laughing and enjoying the warmth of

the midday sun.

Bell and Lilly sat across from each other at a table surrounded by the parasols of the

many patrons enjoying their lunch outside.

"So, you're done with Soma Familia?"

"Yes. Because Lilly has no doubt that they think she's dead."

A day had passed since Bell and Lilly made their party anew.

Bell wanted to know about Lilly's current situation, and was listening to her

explanation.

"Since Lilly is dead, there is no reason for her to continue being involved in Soma

Familia. At the same time, Soma Familia won't come looking for her. Why would they?

Lilly's gone, after all."

Lilly continued, explaining that they shouldn't cause a problem for Bell, either.

Bell's brow darkened slightly as he took in Lilly's face, her clear eyes and charming

features now clearly visible thanks to the disappearance of her bangs, which vanished

upon her transformation.

"Don't worry about me… Anyway, are you sure you're okay with being labeled as

dead?"

"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Bell. But it's better to cut them off. Lilly doesn't have

anyone to rely on over there anyway… And as you know, Mr. Bell, Lilly is satisfied with

that."

Lilly was speaking from her heart. Bell understood, and decided not to push any

further on this topic.

He didn't want to reopen any of the girl's wounds, so he considered the matter

resolved.

"I'll take you at your word, Lilly. But I wonder if Soma Familia will find out? That you're

alive, I mean."

"Lilly can't guarantee that they won't, but she's spent the past two days erasing any

trail that could lead to her. There isn't any need to worry. Plus, Lilly has this."

Lilly lightly placed her hands on her head with a small thud and rubbed her hair. Her

usual chestnut-colored hair shifted to a dark brown as cat ears popped out of her head

just behind her hands. Her eyes had become a golden brown.

"Cinder Ella."

Thanks to this magic, Lilly always had an ace up her sleeve. No matter how anyone

looked at the girl now, they would see an Animal People child. While the shape of

Lilly's face was mostly unchanged, she looked nothing like the prum she really was.

As long as this "ace" was a secret, the chances that anyone else would be able to realize

this girl was Lilliluka Erde were one in a million. Bell himself had been shocked when

he found out about Lilly's magic.

"Umm, so then…"

"Yes, there's no problem. Even if someone found out, they would never be able to make

trouble for you, Mr. Bell."

Bell grimaced and nodded, not worried about his own safety. Yet at the same time, he

did feel relieved.

With things how they were, there was almost no way that Lilly would get caught up in

another dangerous situation. And even if she were, Bell would be able to help.

Truth be told, Bell felt angry and sad after hearing what Lilly had to say—angry at

those who would treat others as if they weren't people, and sad that those who did

would go unpunished.

However, thinking about it from Lilly's position, she shouldn't be involved with Soma

Famiila at all. To do so now would be like calling a pack of wolves onto both Lilly and

Bell.

As long as Lilly was safe, nothing else mattered. Bell forced his own misgivings out of

his mind as he arrived at that conclusion.

They'd already buried the hatchet.

While it wasn't completely gone, the distance between Bell and Lilly had almost

disappeared. They were comfortable enough with each other now to reach out and

shake hands.

It's a blank slate from today, Bell thought as a smile emerged on his lips.

"...Mr. Bell."

"Eh? What is it?"

"Is this really okay with you, Mr. Bell?"

"Huh?"

"Is it okay to forgive Lilly like this?"

At that moment, Lilly's expression was the exact opposite of Bell's, dark and dispirited.

She looked up at Bell with the eyes of a criminal begging for forgiveness.

"Lilly tricked Mr. Bell. She took advantage of Mr. Bell's kindness and betrayed him."

"..."

"And there's no way to return what Lilly stole. If she's forgiven like this, Lilly'll…"

This was the reason the two couldn't get much closer than a handshake.

Lilly felt horrible. Guilt hung over her head. She craved redemption.

She was tormented by the things she had done in her past. Bell had lost count of how

many times she had apologized.

Lilly had lost everything, due to recent events. All of the money and items she carried

with her, as well as her life savings of gnome jewels, had been stolen from her by a

former "ally" in Soma Familia. The knowledge that she had absolutely nothing to give

Bell to help make up for what she had taken from him was driving her mad.

No matter how many times Bell told her not to worry about it, rather than cheering

up, she looked more and more depressed. It was like she wanted some kind of

punishment, something more than just a slap on the wrist.

But I'm not asking for anything like that… Bell's face contorted as if he'd just lost an

argument. He looked back over the table at Lilly.

He wasn't good at this kind of thing—not just deciding punishment, but even looking

down on someone from a moral high ground made Bell uncomfortable.

Up until now, his situation had always been the opposite.

Bell racked his brain, trying to find some way to help alleviate Lilly's feelings of guilt,

when reinforcements arrived.

"He-ey! Bell!"

"Ah! Goddess!"

Bell stood up as the voice of a young girl called his name. Just as he expected, the

goddess Hestia had arrived at the cafe .

Hestia wasn't very tall. In fact, she wasn't all that much different from Lilly in terms of

height. The goddess wove through the vibrant crowd of customers and made her way

to Bell and Lilly's table.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Have you been here long?"

"No, not at all. I'm the one who should apologize. You had to take time off from your

job to come here…"

"Nothing to worry about. So then… this is the girl?"

"Ah, yes. She's the one I told you about…"

"I-I'm Lilliluka Erde. N-nice to meet you." Lilly jumped off the chair and made a quick

bow.

The two of them had come to the cafe today at Hestia's request.

Her intentions were clear. She wanted to see with her own eyes the supporter working

with the only member of her Familia.

If Lilly didn't receive Hestia's permission, their newly reformed party could be

disbanded before it even got started. Knowing that was a very real possibility, Lilly

couldn't hide her nervousness as she looked up to face the goddess.

Sensing the tension, a small "ah" escaped Bell's lips as if he suddenly remembered

something important.

"Oh no. I forgot to get a chair for you, Goddess…"

"...! What, it's nothing to worry about! With this many people, I doubt there's a spare

chair anyway. Go ahead and have a seat, Bell. I'll sit on your knee!"

"Ha-ha-ha, you sure like joking around like that, don't you, Goddess? Just wait here for

a minute. I'll go find someone and get another chair ready."

He left with a big smile on his face. It was the innocent smile of a child who knew

nothing of plots and schemes.

Hestia turned and watched him leave, standing still for a moment before her twin

black ponytails sunk like the tail of a sad puppy.

Lilly looked on in confusion at the dark cloud of sadness hovering over Hestia.

"…Wh-what luck. I wanted to find a way to get him to go away for a moment anyway.

It's no big deal."

"Y-yes."

Hestia plunked her rear end into Bell's now vacant chair, her face pouty and a bit red.

Lilly followed suit and sat down.

"Well, let's get right to it. Never know when he'll be back. No need for introductions,

right? I'm sure Bell told you who I am."

"Y-yes."

It would still be a few more minutes before Lilly realized in what direction Hestia was

driving the conversation.

While Lilly was a young prum girl, her youthful look and innocence were nothing

compared to Hestia's. The goddess seemed to exist right on the border between

"fetching girl" and "lovely young lady."

But that uncertainty somehow only accentuated her beautiful, fine features.

She was part mischievous troublemaker, but also refined—both elements seemingly

intertwined within her.

Sunlight that managed to find its way between the parasols struck Hestia's jet-black

ponytails, making them glitter around her.

"I'll ask you up front. Supporter, are you still trying to run any scams?"

"—"

Lilly was taken aback by the too-direct question.

Hestia didn't even blink as she stared across the table. Despite her looks, Hestia

possessed a dignity befitting a goddess.

Lilly suddenly realized she was being tested. Hestia had seen right through her.

As proof, Hestia had not said Lilly's name even once up to this point. However, after all

that Lilly had done to Bell, it was only natural that the goddess saw her as an

untrustworthy prum.

In response, Lilly spoke earnestly from her heart. "Absolutely not. Lilly was saved by

Mr. Bell. Lilly doesn't want to do anything that could hurt or betray him anymore."

Their eyes met, both unblinking. Neither looked away. The background noises of the

street and the cafe seemed distant.

No one can lie to a god. While she had heard the words before, it was not until that

moment that Lilly realized how true they were. Hestia could see right through her.

The gods and goddesses had the power to detect any lie here in the earthly world of

Gekai, if they felt like it.

"…Hmm, okay. I'll believe those words."

Hestia's words put a merciful end to an extremely long minute for Lilly.

All of the air that had built up in Lilly's lungs was suddenly released as the muscles in

her shoulders relaxed.

"Supporter, Bell is a very special person to me. He's my pride and joy, the center of my

world. My first member, my first family. I can tell you honestly that I don't want to lose

him."

Hestia paused for a moment, inhaling, and then continued.

"Bell has told me a lot about you, including your motivations for stealing."

"..."

"I have no intention of giving you any cheap sympathy. In fact, that would be

impossible. So, I have nothing to say on the subject… However."

She let the word hang to let Lilly know that this was the important part.

As she opened her mouth to speak again, Hestia's eyes blocked out everything except

for the girl.

"If you should do something, anything, that puts that boy in a dangerous situation

again… I will make you pay."

—Lilly couldn't move.

For a moment, she forgot how to breathe.

A very important fact had slipped her mind. While the girl in front of her didn't look

much different from anyone else around them, she was from a completely different

world. She was a goddess.

It was so obvious that Hestia had the power—like all deities from Deusdia—to turn

this entire city to ash in an instant, that Lilly had forgotten it.

Under a blue gaze so cold it sent icicles through her heart, Lilly drew power from her

true feelings to make a response. It took all of her might to open her mouth to speak.

"…Lilly swears to you. She will never do anything to put Mr. Bell in danger, Lady Hestia

in danger… or even Lilly herself, ever again."

Other cafe patrons continued their casual conversations with no idea what was

unfolding behind them.

The two of them sat there in silence for some time before Hestia closed her eyes,

signaling the end of that conversation.

Blinking several times, Hestia mouthed, "Okay" to the girl. Seeing that broke the ice

that had kept Lilly's body rigid, and she went limp. She was about to fall face-first into

the table but managed to catch herself at the last moment.

After delivering her warning, Hestia crossed her arms in front of her incredibly

bulbous chest and eyed Lilly silently. She started sulking. Lilly noticed the heavy aura

emanating from the goddess and did everything she could to make her body smaller.

"…Supporter. I'll be honest with you."

"Y-yes?"

"I hate you. I don't want you anywhere near Bell."

"!"

Lilly's eyes shot open as Hestia continued.

"It should be obvious. I knew you were bad news from the moment I first heard about

you—taking advantage of Bell's kindness and doing whatever you please. Even now,

you're trying to gain favor by acting like you've already paid your dues. What's your

scheme, you deceiving vixen?!"

The cat ears on top of Lilly's head from her "Cinder Ella" magic began to shake. The

prum then broke out in a cold sweat, confused by Hestia's choice of words.

"Besides, what's with you? You've been making that downcast face ever since I sat

down. I'm getting depressed just looking at you!"

It was like she was claiming Lilly's very presence made the food taste bad.

The goddess kept going, pouting like a toddler.

"I'll bet you were thinking about Bell, weren't you?"

"!"

"How did I know, you ask? Because I saw a look on your face that I only see when I

look in the mirror! Ahhh, I hate this! I don't want you spending time with Bell!"

Terrible waves of dread began to run up Hestia's back.

The other patrons had noticed something was going on, their eyes on the two girls but

inching away. Lilly looked like she was going to cry.

"Being saved by Bell made you turn over a new leaf, huh? Did you stop to think that

you're just going to cause him more trouble because he's too kind for his own good?"

"?!"

"He won't do anything to you for revenge, so you're feeling the crushing weight of guilt

on your shoulders. But if I may say so, you're just taking advantage of him. I really,

really hate you."

Hestia's words were blades, cutting deeper and deeper.

Hestia's eyes locked squarely on the prum. Lilly couldn't make a sound.

"Fine, then. I'll punish you in Bell's place. But just so you know, you have no right to

refuse. I'll give a pure 'Judgment' right here and now."

Air shot of out Hestia's nose in a flow of anger.

A dazzled Lilly could do nothing more than nod. There might even have been a part of

her that accepted the words of Bell's goddess and wanted to go along with them.

Lilly waited for Hestia's mouth to open again, every nerve in her body about to

explode.

As for Hestia, she was grinding her teeth together, menacingly towering over Lilly…

until words failed her. Hestia let out a deep sigh.

"Please, look after Bell."

"…eh?"

"Tch." Hestia almost spat the sound in Lilly's direction. "Let me just say this: I'm not

doing it for you. After hearing him talk about you, I'm worried about Bell. You could

say my fears were confirmed… He's easily tricked."

"..."

"So I ask you. Make sure he doesn't get fooled by some stranger. You must guard him."

Lilly sat there in shock. She gathered her thoughts, trying to respond, but nothing

came out of her mouth.

Hestia's gaze didn't allow it.

"You know, I'm not doing something cheeky like passing judgment on you, right? We

deities don't do that nowadays. The reason you feel guilty is because you won't forgive

yourself."

Hestia intensified her glare, as if to say Don't go to Bell looking for forgiveness.

"If you want to pay him back, help him until he's satisfied. It's obvious. You know that

thing called sincerity? And finishing what you start? If you really have changed, then

prove it with your actions."

Hestia's torrent of words finally came to an end.

Hestia may have been harsh, but Lilly could sense the goddess's true colors.

The Goddess Hestia had given her a chance. She was merciful.

She was generous and noble at the same time.

Everything up to that point had been her personal feelings. But despite all that, she

decided to allow Lilly to be Bell's supporter.

She would extend mercy to anyone; she was a protector of those in need.

Thankful for her sudden warmth, Lilly silently looked up at Hestia before giving her a

deep bow of her head.

The aura between the two girls had become as tranquil as a lagoon hidden deep within

a forest.

"Sorry to keep you waiting—!"

"…I grant you my blessing to work with him. Please be sure to protect him. Just don't

do anything more than that."

"Wha…?"

Hestia's sudden warning broke the tranquility. Lilly's eyes opened in disbelief.

Before she could ask her what she meant by that, Bell set a chair down at their table.

The moment he opened his mouth to apologize yet again, Hestia quickly reached out,

snagged his arm, and pulled it into her.

"Ah—"

"Goddess…?"

"Shall we reintroduce ourselves? Nice to meet you, Supporter. Looks like you're going

to be helping my Bell out a lot in the near future."

Hestia put a little too much emphasis on "my." Her aura had changed once again. Now

she was like a tigress protecting her territory. Her cold stare from before had become

a line of fire, as if to say hands off or I'll tear you apart.

Lilly flinched away, her cheek twitching at Hestia's maneuvering.

She was a goddess. Generous and righteous, Hestia was worthy of worship and praise.

But she was also a child.

Or rather—a rival.

She was pulling Bell's arm up against her, purposefully creating a barrier in front of

him. A spark of anger flashed in the back of Lilly's mind.

They had come to a point of peace just a moment ago, but this was different.

Whoosh! Lilly reached out with both hands and grabbed ahold of Bell's other arm.

Lilly faced down Hestia's burning glare of death with her own defiant gaze.

"No no, the pleasure's all Lilly's. Bell has always been so terribly kind to Lilly, after all."

"...!"

A young prum on one side, a young goddess on the other.

They might have looked like cute little girls on the outside, but they stared each other

down with the faces of fully-grown women.

Not even tall enough for their legs to touch the ground sitting in their chairs, the two

young ladies glared knives at one another.

G-Goddess—?!

Bell's arm was being pressed into Hestia's rather extensive cleavage and he was

starting to panic. He had no idea what was taking place just under his chin.

In the battle of the two ladies, the goddess had claimed the first point.

"D-drat…! Just like a goddess… So those things aren't just for show…!"

"Did you say something, Supporter…?"

"Um, Lilly. What're you planning to do next…?" After the smoke had cleared, Bell struck

up a conversation.

Everyone had calmed down to the point that they were sitting peacefully in their

chairs. Lilly's eyes, currently a golden brown hue, looked at Bell in confusion.

"You don't exactly… have a home to go back to right now, do you, Lilly?"

"No, I don't. That was true before, too, but Lilly's staying at cheap motels."

Lilly flashed a nervous smile as Bell turned his attention to Hestia.

Although Hestia's lip twitched ever so slightly, she made eye contact and gave a big

nod.

"Lilly, if it's okay with you… Why don't you stay with us at our home?"

"…?"

"What I'm trying to say is, do you want to join Hestia Familia? It's just me and the

goddess right now."

Of course Bell knew that Lilly was already a member of Soma Familia, but he also knew

that she had no connection with them anymore.

That's why he thought he'd make the offer. Rather than leave her out on the streets,

why not invite her to join them? It was something that Bell himself wanted, too.

Hestia showed little reaction, and all that was left was for Lilly to agree.

"…Lady Hestia, is that okay? You don't hate Lilly…?"

"Hee-hee-hee… Don't get the wrong idea. No matter how much I don't like you,

ignoring a child in your situation goes against my principles. I came here today

knowing that I might end up hosting you until you find your next job."

Hestia's cheeks were turning red as she braced every muscle in her head to squeeze

out those words with a straight face.Her obvious lie made Bell grimace uncomfortably.

Lilly chuckled at the two of them before taking a deep breath and slowly shaking her

head.

"Thank you, Mr. Bell, Lady Hestia. But the thought alone is enough for Lilly."

"Wha… Wh-why?!"

"Lilly would feel bad for taking advantage of your kindness again, and… Lilly is still a

member of Soma Familia."

Laughing at Bell's stunned reaction, Lilly reached around her back from over her

shoulder.

Even Hestia squinted her eyes, thinking about the status engraved at the tips of Lilly's

fingers.

"As a member of Soma Familia, Lilly isn't allowed to go to Mr. Bell and Lady Hestia's

home. If the fact that Lilly was staying there were found out, it would cause trouble for

both of you. Lilly couldn't forgive herself if that happened."

"I-I'm not worried about that… Oh." Bell was just about to take a bite out of his lunch

when he suddenly realized something important and froze.

This was no longer just his problem. His family would be in danger as well.

Bell closed his eyes as though a sudden headache had struck him. Forcing his eyelids

half-open, he looked over at Hestia.

"Supporter, what are the conditions for leaving Soma Familia? Is it forbidden

altogether? What did your god say about it?"

"Soma has never said anything directly… But most likely, Lilly thinks it involves a large

amount of money."

"Money, huh…"

Besides members, the main thing that Hestia Familia lacked was money.

Thanks to Bell's efforts in the Dungeon, the two of them were much better off now

than they had been a month ago, but they still had to save as much as possible. The

most money they could hope to offer at this point would be around 10,000 vals.

And even if by some miracle Bell and Hestia were able to raise enough money to pay

for Lilly's release, there was no way that Lilly would be willing to accept it.

"Is it that difficult to break away from a Familia…? I know someone who has…"

"It's up to the god. Some will listen to that kind of request, others won't."

The risk of leaving a Familia was all on the person leaving; it was also hazardous to

the Familia itself. The biggest risk was, of course, information being leaked.

No matter how dissolute the god or goddess was, this level of Familia management

needed to be handled very delicately. Generally speaking, deities preferred to avoid

their members leaving the group.

"The person you're talking about might have circumstances that they can't discuss."

Hestia spoke to Bell after a quick glance at Lilly. Both Bell and the prum understood

what she was getting at.

Lilly still belonged to the same Familia, but at the same time was separate. She was no

different from a street cat, a stray adventurer.

As for the person who had received permission to leave their Familia—Mama Mia, the

owner of The Benevolent Mistress—Bell had a feeling that Hestia was right.

Considering a few things that Syr Flover and the others had let slip in conversation,

it's very possible Mia might have some "special circumstances."

Even without asking directly, Bell was getting a good sense of just how difficult life

was for people who left their Familia.

"…What about people who didn't choose to be a part of the Familia? They don't have a

say it in it?"

"A child is part of the family. Farmer's children become farmers. That's how it is, Mr.

Bell."

If a child's parents were already members of a Familia, that child was destined to join,

whether they liked it or not.

Looking at it from the god's or goddess's perspective, the child was the parent's

responsibility. It wasn't as though the god had asked to have a crying baby in their

home, so they weren't likely to take care of it.

To be blunt, it wasn't the god's concern.

In the end, permission to leave a Familia came down to the god's disposition. Did they

have a generous streak, or not?

Because if the member was unlucky, they could be asked for an unreasonably large

sum of money, or be given an impossible task to complete as their god watched from

a distance, enjoying the show.

Bell looked over at the smiling Lilly with concern in his eyes.

"Without Soma's assistance, you can't update your status… and I suppose you can't

covert."

"Probably not…"

"But you're not planning to stay at this level forever, right? Are you planning to pay

him a visit at some point?"

"Yes. Lilly knows it's not an option right now, but Lilly will go to Soma when the time

is right. Lilly's not sure if he'll listen to her, though…"

With Lilly's words, the conversation came to a sudden end. The three of them sat in

their chairs, deep in thought.

Amid this thick but delicate silence, Bell raised his head to ask Lilly a question. "Well

then, what are you going to do, Lilly? Stay by yourself in some room again…?"

"Actually, there is an old gnome that knows Lilly well… Not Lilly Lilly, but close enough.

Anyway, he should be willing to give Lilly a hand. Lilly's planning to stay at his shop

for the time being. Ah, of course she'll be working! She'll do her best not to use her

magic and to do honest work."

Bell heard no waver in her voice. The knowledge that Lilly had a plan in mind made

him feel a little better.

I think I should talk to Eina again…

It was difficult to think about, but Bell couldn't see any way for the Soma Familia

situation to be solved without Eina Tulle's help.

It was the Guild's policy not to get involved with problems concerning Familias unless

something major was taking place.

As the organization that makes Orario tick, the Guild didn't have time to worry about

the misfortune of individual adventurers and supporters.

Their role of "support" only involved teaching the adventurers and supporters ways

to harvest magic stones more effectively. They didn't typically listen to personal issues.

Bell held his temple with one hand as he realized he had been spoiled by Eina's

kindness.

"Hey, hey, are you sure it's all right, forcing yourself on some poor old guy like that? I

could introduce you to the manager at my job, you know," said Hestia.

"No, no. Lilly doesn't want to be around when someone forgets how to use a magicstone stove and blows the whole stand sky-high. Thanks for the offer, but Lilly politely

refuses."

"How do you know about that?!"

"Stories about the Loli goddess's curse and the disaster on North Main are quite

famous in this neighborhood, so…"

"Eeeeeeek!!!! Not in front of Beeeeeellll!!!"

"Mmmmph?!"

At any rate, thought Bell, as long as they're willing to put up with my white-haired head,

I'll bow to the girls laughing in front of me any day.

Finally seeing honest laughter coming from Lilly for the first time was infectious, and

he broke into a smile himself.

I make my way at a brisk pace down Northwest Main: "Adventurers Way."

I've said good-bye to the goddess and Lilly, and am en route to the Guild headquarters.

I can't shake the feeling that I need to at least let Eina know about Soma Familia, and

other details of the conversation we just had.

The shops lining the street are already open, every one of them busy and lively.

Since adventurers travel this street daily, the shops in this area do their best to stand

out with their building design. That accessory shop over there has a waterfall of ale

running down the sides of the entrance for decoration, and the item shop next to it is

built from ash-colored bricks that look solid as iron. Every shop window has its

highest-quality items lined up and on display.

I wonder if most adventurers are taking the day off, as there are a ton of tough-looking

demi-humans in street clothes out shopping right now. Most of them are in small

groups, like they're in the same party, milling around together as they chatter about

this and that topic, laughing often.

That would be so nice. Always being with a group of friends who know you better than

anyone else, fighting for each other, even shopping together… Honestly, I'm a little

jealous.

Ah, there it is. A massive temple on the side of the road, a pantheon.

I walk through the front garden and between the white marble pillars of the Guild

headquarters.

It's just past noon, and most adventurers are in the Dungeon by now so the lobby is

mostly empty. The sheer whiteness of the massive hall really stands out when almost

no one is here. Without the usual crowd of fellow adventurers blocking my vision, I

find Eina almost instantly.

"...?"

She's got a customer at her window.

A single adventurer, standing across the counter from Eina, is holding something

wrapped in a white cloth.

Eina's nodding. She looks troubled somehow, like they're talking about something

serious. I'm so focused on Eina's expression that I don't even glance at the adventurer,

whose back is to me as I carefully walk up to the counter for a closer look. But out of

the corner of my eye, I notice the long blond hair and sleek, feminine features.

Eina notices my presence when I'm just a few meders away. Her emerald-green eyes

shoot open in surprise.

That starts a chain reaction.

The person at the counter slowly turns to face me.

Wha—

From beneath swaying golden locks appear two golden eyes.

A soft, rounded chin, and thin neck. Even if I hadn't noticed her milky white, smooth

skin, she would've still struck me as beautiful.

There's a slight look of surprise, seeing me standing here, on a face so gorgeous that

it's on par with the goddesses themselves.

Miss Aiz Wallenstein.

I forget to breathe as the three of us just stand there, a triangle of surprised silence.

"…"

"…"

"…"

My gaze is locked firmly with Aiz's, but I can see Eina's eyes jumping back and forth

between us as well.

Now I can't breathe at all. All I can see are those golden eyes, my mind completely

blank.

The silence continues.

Keeping my face unchanged, I force my right leg backward and slowly turn my body

away from her.

The moment I hear one of them say, "Huh?" I make a break for the door. Every fiber of

my being wants out, now!

"B-Bell! Wait!"

I ignore Eina's voice echoing after me, just running, running, running.

My feet pound on the white marble floor, my arms pumping so hard that my shirt

might catch fire. Almost out the door!

—Why the heck would Eina be talking to her?!

—What the hell is going on?!

This can't be good. I shake my head to get all the images of bad things that might

happen to me out of my mind. My instincts lead me out of the lobby, my ears burning

red as I put on speed.

Breaking through the confusion outside the front door, I blaze through the front

garden and dash toward the safety of the crowded street.

But at that moment, I feel a sudden burst of wind from behind me.

Suddenly, she's standing between me and the street, her blond hair flowing in the

breeze she created when she ran past me.

"—DAHH?!"

I see her, but I'm going full speed. There's no way I can avoid slamming right into her,

and I watch every horrifying second of it in slow motion through my wide-open eyes.

"Bell? Miss Wallenstein?!"

I clench my eyes tight just before impact, but I can hear Eina's footsteps as she comes

out of the Guild… Wait, where's the impact?

I carefully open my eyes only to see a thin arm wrapped around my stomach. Another

is supporting my back. She is holding me…

I look up a little higher. She's looking down on me, her eyebrows low.

"…Sorry. Are you okay?"

"—I'M S-SORRY!!"

My face bright red, I practically jump out of her arms.

I take a moment to collect myself, and the sudden jolt of seeing her starts to fade away.

It seemed that I'd been… held.

"What do you think you're doing?! Running off like that when someone is trying to talk

to you is very rude, I'll have you know!"

"I'm s-sorry, Miss Eina…"

I apologize to a very angry Eina out of reflex, but my eyes are drawn to Miss

Wallenstein.

The moment her gaze meets mine, I quickly look away and ask Eina a question.

"S-so what is all this…? Why are you… and you…?!"

"Ah… Miss Wallenstein wanted to talk with you, Bell."

"Huh?!"

Eina heaves a sigh at my total lack of understanding, and tells me nothing more.

My eyes snap back to Miss Wallenstein as she takes the white cloth off the thing she's

holding.

An emerald-green vambrace emerges.

I don't think my eyes have ever opened wider than they do at that moment.

"She found this in the Dungeon and wanted to give it back to you personally. She came

to me to ask to set up a meeting with you."

She speaks with a matter-of-fact tone, like it should have been obvious. As for me, I'm

still in shock.

Three days ago, I fought against wave after wave of monsters on the tenth level of the

Dungeon. It got knocked off my arm in the chaos, but I'd been so focused on catching

up to Lilly that I didn't take the time to retrieve it…

That's when it hits me. The mysterious adventurer who cleared a path for me,

protected me… was her.

"…Bell. I'll leave the two of you alone to talk."

"Huh?!"

My shoulders spin violently in Eina's direction as soon as her words hit my ears.

Screaming silently under my breath, I make one last plea to her.

"W-wait, Miss Eina! I'm begging you, please stay here with me…! I—I'm dying here!"

"You're a young man, aren't you? There are many things that need to be said, so man

up and say them, all right?" She gives me a quick nod and mouths, "Good luck."

Eina is probably just trying to be nice and give us some privacy, but the thought of

being alone with her is enough to make me cry. Eina turns on her heel and goes back

into the Guild. Suddenly I understand how a puppy feels as it's abandoned in a box by

the side of the road and watches its master get smaller in the distance.

"…Umm, here."

"!"

Hearing her voice makes me spin around and take the vambrace from Miss

Wallenstein in one movement.

She's almost my height; barely tall enough to look me in the eyes. And she's staring

right at me.

My whole body has to be red by this point. My mouth is shut tight.

"I apologize."

"Huh…?"

"It was my fault that that Minotaur wasn't slain, and caused you so much trouble and

injury… I have been hoping for a chance to apologize since then. I am very sorry."

I can't believe my ears or my eyes, as she lowers her head in a light bow. Getting a grip

on the situation, I force my mouth open and drive the words out.

"N-no, no! It was all my fault for going down to the fifth level in the first place! You've

done nothing wrong, Miss Wallenstein! Actually, you're my savior! I'm the one who

should be apologizing to you, I'm the idiot who turned cocky and got run around in

circles… S-sorry!"

Shaking from head to toe, everything that I have to say suddenly comes spilling out of

my mouth at once.

After all that I've been through—every time she's saved my life—to have her apologize

to me makes me want to disappear off the face of the earth out of embarrassment.

"Well, um, what I'm trying to say…"

I think my face is going to melt from how fast I'm racking my brain for the right words

to express what I've wanted to say for so long—until finally they come:

"For all the times you've rescued me… THANK YOU SO MUCH!"

I bow as low as I can without face-planting into the street.

I can see the stone blocks of the road as a bead of sweat rolls down my nose and drops

to the ground.

The sounds of the people in the street around me seem distant, drowned out by the

thumping drum in my chest.

Neither of us moves for several seconds.

I finally work up the courage to look up and straighten my back.

Miss Wallenstein is just calmly standing there, with the slightest hint of a smile on her

lips.

"—!"

Kaaahhhh… Air escapes from my lungs again as a new wave of embarrassment shoots

through my body.

I lower my chin, hiding her smile behind my bangs.

Even the butterflies in my stomach are blushing at this point.

"…"

"…"

No one says a word.

As the two of us stand in silence, the only thing moving is time.

This is a bridge that all adventurers and normal people alike must cross. But all I'm

able to do in the spacious front garden of the Guild is stand there, unable to make a

sound.

"You're doing well… in the Dungeon?"

"Y-yes!"

She breaks the silence, and I respond as quickly as I can.

She continues talking, her facial expression almost void of emotion.

"Looks like you can make it down to the tenth level now… That's impressive."

"No, not at all! I've only gotten that far because I have help! I've still got a long way to

go! I haven't even come close to reaching my goal yet…!"

Being complimented by my idol out of the blue like that is too much to handle. Here

comes a new wave of panic!

My hands fly up, shaking back and forth while my eyes spin.

"I mean, when I fight monsters in the Dungeon, I'm just winging it like a total amateur.

I don't know how many times a monster's almost gotten me. I know I have to get

stronger, but I'm still just so weak and I don't feel like I'm getting better at all, well,

um…?!"

My nerves are squeezing words out of me at a rate I've never felt before. At this point,

I don't know if I'm trying to sound humble or modest or what.

"…"

Miss Wallenstein just stands there, staring silently at the panicked mess that's trying

to talk to her: me.

Finally, she moves. She reaches up slowly with one hand and strokes her chin, as if

thinking about something.

It takes me a few seconds to notice because I can't see straight, but I gain my bearings

long enough to ask her a question.

"Ah… um, is something wrong?"

She doesn't respond right away. Instead, a look of uncertainty passes over her face as

she throws a punch at the air between us. She holds that pose for a few more silent

moments.

A look of nervousness overtakes her face before she opens her mouth to speak.

"Shall I… teach you how?"

"…Huh?"

"…How to fight. You don't have anyone to teach you, am I right?"

It takes me quite a while to understand what she is asking.

My eyes open wide; I feel like I'm going insane.

"W-why… why would you offer something like that…?!"

"…Because you look like you want to get stronger, I think. I understand that feeling,"

says Miss Wallenstein, adding something about it being a way to pay me back for the

trouble I went through.

How can she be so calm?! It feels like my head is about to explode!

I can learn how to fight? From her? The very person who I want to catch up to will

teach me?

Is that okay?

Am I understanding this correctly? It's not a mistake?

I'm still nothing compared to her, and yet I have a chance to learn by her hand? Even

physically touch her?

But then there's the problem with her being in a different Familia.

My mind spins with questions, but they're no more than an attempt to hide my true

feelings.

I want to talk to, know about, and spend time with her.

Just thinking about it makes me feel crazy, but the deepest place in my heart wants

nothing more than an opportunity to be together with her.

As all the thoughts swirling around with me are about to tear me apart, I think about

the obvious answer and try to string the words into a response.

"…"

Aiz watched in silence as a very flustered Bell tried to collect his thoughts.

There were no lies in what Aiz had said to Bell a moment ago. She could hear his

earnest desire to get stronger, and she could relate to him. That was reality.

But of course, she didn't make the offer out of pure good will. There was something

she wanted to know.

The first hint of something different was the silverback.

Then it was the fact he'd made it down to the tenth level.

Aiz had seen this boy pull off one miracle after another, witnessing an unbelievable

amount of growth in his skills and abilities in a very short amount of time.

The raw newbie she happened to run into during the Minotaur incident had improved

enough to draw her interest.

How'd he do it…?

She wanted to know the secret of his growth. Study it.

For herself.

This was a major reason why she'd offered to train him.

"I don't know what you could do with how I am now… but if you're going to offer…"

"…"

At the same time, she felt a bit guilty.

The boy believed that her suggestion was based on pure generosity. Hiding her true

motives from him made her heart twinge.

Bell held his head as he spoke, words once again leaking out of him mouth as Aiz

calmly watched.

She grabbed the hilt of the sword at her waist as a way of cutting through her own

misgivings.

"…U-um, Miss Wallen… stein…"

The boy looked up.

His face was still red, making his stark white hair more intense than usual. But his eyes

were focused as he looked into hers, before throwing his body into a deep bow.

"I will learn everything you are willing to teach!"

At last, a strong response.

Looking at the resolve in his eyes, Aiz promised herself that as a way to apologize for

her true motives, she would do everything in her power to meet his expectations.

"…Very well. I will do my best."