Side Story: Trying To Find Kindred Spirits

Did I ever mention that time I got a date? No? Well, you're right because I never went on one. So, I'll just write about the love lives of people I know. Cause… you know… MY BLOODLINE ENDS WITH ME!!! …I wonder if I can have children as a spirit. In any case, I questioned the people I know yesterday to write this. Let's start with Fina.

"Hi, Fina! How's your love life?!" [Solace]

"Where is this question coming from?" [Fina]

"I'm in a very emotionally starved state, so I'm essentially coping by doing this." [Solace]

Fina gave me a look of… pity?

"I do not have a significant other at the moment." [Fina]

"Ah, but do you like someone?" [Solace]

Fina's ears turned red.

"Oh~ Looks like you do! Who is it?" [Solace]

"Not telling." [Fina]

"Aw, please? Pretty please? Super duper pretty plea-" [Solace]

"Stop." [Fina]

So I left after getting told off in a harsh tone. Anyways, the next person in line was Lapis!

"Hey, Lapis! How's your love life?!" [Solace]

By the way, I did indeed use the crystal she gave me to teleport into her tower.

"Oh? Are you interested in me?" [Lapis]

"Perchance." [Solace]

"Hm." [Lapis]

With a wave of her hand, I returned to where I was before teleporting. Namely, the public bathroom. …It was awkward staring at the dude in the stall with me. Nevermind that, the next guest is Leon!

"Heya Leon! How's your love life?!" [Solace]

I found her staring into the sky while sitting on a bench. Can't say that's a weird thing, but definitely up there.

"...What's a love life? Is that a food?" [Leon]

"Nevermind." [Solace]

I moved on. Next was Raon.

"Hola, Raon! How's your love life?!" [Solace]

"I have a fiance." [Raon]

"Nice joke." [Solace]

I don't know why, but it was entirely out of reflex that I said that.

"I'm not kidding. It was arranged the day I was born." [Raon]

"Oh." [Solace]

That serious expression told me all I needed to know.

"W-Well, who's the unlucky girl?" [Solace]

"Unlucky? Are you here just to make fun of me?" [Raon]

"Uh… Yes, and no." [Solace]

Raon sighed.

"Whatever. It doesn't really matter since I've never met her." [Raon]

"...Why's that?" [Solace]

Raon looked at me as if I was stupid.

"Did I not mention it's been arranged? You don't need to know your fiance if someone else arranges it for you." [Raon]

"Ah, your parents did?" [Solace]

"Who else?" [Raon]

I nodded.

"Yep. You're right. Stupid question. I'll be leaving now." [Solace]

On to the next person. Let's see… On the list was… Wilharrow! The Hero himself!

"Yo, Wilharrow!" [Solace]

"Hm?" [Wilharrow]

It appeared that he was in the middle of training his swordsmanship. There he was, swinging a metal rod at a wooden log. Either way, I was just here to kill time.

"How's your love life?" [Solace]

"Empty." [Wilharrow]

"Real." [Solace]

Wilharrow paused.

"...Real? What's that mean?" [Wilharrow]

"It means that it was relatable. To me." [Solace]

"Oh." [Wilharrow]

Then he continued with his training. Next on the list was Leyhna.

"Wassup, Leyhna! How's your love life?!" [Solace]

She looked shocked to hear me ask that.

"Huh? What's that for?" [Leyhna]

"Just out of obligation. I know someone like you would never get a boy-" [Solace]

I got punched. Moving on. I also asked Burnes, the receptionist at the Adventurer's guild.

"How are you, old man Burnes? I came to see you." [Solace]

Burnes grunted.

"You again. First of all, I'm not that old. Second of all, why are you here?" [Burnes]

I shrugged.

"Wanted to ask you about your love life." [Solace]

"Ew. You? Interested in me?" [Burnes]

"I've been asking everyone I know. Don't think you're special." [Solace]

I gazed at him with disgust.

"I know you're single by the way." [Solace]

"Uh-huh. Why do you think so?" [Burnes]

"You're ugly, a prick, and to be honest… you smell like you look. Like a goblin's loincloth." [Solace]

Burnes' fingers dug into the wooden desk. Well, if he's pissed, I'm happy.

"Do me a favor? Stay here for another hour." [Burnes]

"Do I have a reason to?" [Solace]

"My shift ends soon, so I'd like to kindly ask you to wait. When I get off, I'm going to bash your skull in." [Burnes]

"Shiver me timbers. See ya later alligator." [Solace]

I didn't stick around for that. Then, last on my list is… Master!

"Master! How's your love life?" [Solace]

As per usual, I found him in his classroom.

"Well, actually." [Vincent]

"Huh?" [Solace]

I was so shocked to hear that I left my jaw hanging.

"How?! You're cooped up in this room all day!" [Solace]

"This isn't my real body, remember? I'm actually somewhere else." [Vincent]

To think that he lived somewhere else felt so weird. I sometimes forget that I'm talking to a wooden puppet.

"If you'd like to know, I am married." [Vincent]

"With who?!" [Solace]

"You may meet her one day." [Vincent]

Master put on his finest smile.

"She's quite the individual." [Vincent]

Damn. I hate happy couples.

"Next you're gonna tell me you have children." [Solace]

"I do." [Vincent]

"Eh?" [Solace]

"Two, in fact." [Vincent]

Ah… So this is what it's like to go band for band with someone, but then they pull out an image of their happy family.

"I've heard enough." [Solace]

I cried myself to sleep that night.