150 Instigator
Just a few days before the tournament started, I found Leon entering the Adventurer's guild.
"Huh? Leon?!" [Solace]
I flinched as I found myself staring into her eyes mere inches away.
"You smell different." [Leon]
"What?" [Solace]
It only took one sentence for her to get me so lost.
"...Um. Can you step away for a sec?" [Solace]
I found myself backed against the receptionist desk as Leon inched a bit closer.
"Alt?" [Fina]
Fina, who had been accompanying me to the guild, gave me a strange look.
"Who is she?" [Fina]
"Uh… I'm honestly not sure how I can explain this. And Leon, please step away. I am begging you here." [Solace]
"Then beg." [Leon]
That was not a response I was expecting.
"How about I get you a meal in exchange?" [Solace]
"Accepted." [Leon]
It was an instant response. Leon then stepped away like she promised.
"Alt? You haven't answered me yet." [Fina]
Her voice became a bit deeper. I'm not sure how to explain it, but it felt more menacing.
"You know her. She's Leon. The… transfer student?" [Solace]
I'm not sure why Fina asked me such a question. She was literally there when Leon transferred.
"That's not what I meant by "who is she"." [Fina]
She placed a finger on my chest. I felt some kind of invisible pressure on me until I heard Burnes whistle behind me.
"Oh, to be young. Can't believe you just asked a girl out on a date just like that." [Burnes]
Fina pressed her finger on me a little harder.
"Alt? Answer the question." [Fina]
("Burnes?! Not helping!") [Solace]
As gears churned in my head, Leon tugged at my arm.
"When are we getting food?" [Leon]
I suddenly had a bad feeling. Matter of fact, it was spot on as Fina pinched my side. Like, really REALLY hard.
"Ow?!" [Solace]
"Answer the question~." [Fina]
She spoke in a terrifyingly calm way.
"I don't understand the question!" [Solace]
I felt a pat on the back from Burnes.
"Tsk tsk. Not a very good way to avoid that question. Maybe you should try something else?" [Burnes]
"Burnes, can you shut up for a sec? You're not helping- Ow!" [Solace]
I felt Leon tug on me, causing the pinched skin of mine to stretch further.
"Food. You promised." [Leon]
("What are you, a child?!") [Solace]
"Hold on just a- Ow ow ow!" [Solace]
Fina twisted the pinched skin.
"The question is WHO is she to YOU. Understand?" [Fina]
I was at my limit for misunderstandings and some kind of invisible tension or pressure I was feeling. Therefore, I just spewed out whatever came to mind.
"Leon is just a friend of mine! She's like a little sister who likes food a little too much! That's why I promised to treat her to a meal!" [Solace]
Fina went silent for a moment before releasing the deathly pinch on my side.
"I… see. I apologize for my outburst." [Fina]
"What? Just like that?" [Burnes]
He wore a baffled expression.
"I can't believe you got away with that." [Burnes]
"Can you not try to phrase it in a way that can incriminate me?" [Solace]
Burnes leaned back in his chair.
"Over my dead body." [Burnes]
I don't know why this guy is like this to me. Either way, it was beginning to piss me off.
"What's your problem? Why do you treat me like this?" [Solace]
"If you think I'm going to answer you truthfully, you're dead wrong. I would spit in your face if the guild didn't ban me from doing so." [Burnes]
"Banned? You've spat in someone's face before?" [Solace]
Burnes paused.
"...No comment." [Burnes]
"You're disgusting." [Solace]
"Not as much as your face." [Burnes]
I wasn't even going to bother at this point.
"Alright. I'm gonna go take Leon out for a meal right now. I'll see you later." [Solace]
"Hm." [Burnes]
He gave me a nod of acknowledgement. It was around this time that I realized he disliked me, but it wasn't because of my personality.
"Fina, are you fine with getting a meal before taking a quest?" [Solace]
"I'm okay with it." [Fina]
Thankfully she agreed. There was just one problem though. I didn't know any restaurants around here. I've literally only visited the guild. Maybe treating Leon to the guild's food will work?
