The Red-Haired Swordswoman

Akane jumped off the chair at her desk. "W-w-whaaaa?"

After I composed myself, I looked her in the eye and said with a firmer resolve, "As I just said, I will be Miss Shinomori's guide for today."

I saw shock and then confusion on Akane's face. I also stole a glance at Maya, but she appeared to stare through both Akane and me. Maya didn't seem to care about the situation.

Akane walked from her desk at the front of the shop to mine further back. She stood right in front of me, stomping her left foot repeatedly next to my right. "Umm… Not once since we've opened this shop, have you tried to steal my customers. Mind telling me what you're trying to do?"

Akane was right, though. We always kept strict boundaries on how to split up the would-be heroes, realizing the importance of offering the best chance for experience and safety. We kept the mind how our skills best matched the hero we would be guiding, so it was no wonder Akane was a little irritated by this development.

Yet, I didn't want to make an even bigger scene in front of Maya. So, I leaned over to Akane and whispered, "Could we discuss this in the back room, not in front of Miss Shinomori?"

"Sighh…alright, fine." Akane turned back to face Maya. "Miss Shinomori, do you mind waiting a few minutes while I have a chat with Ha… umm, I mean, Mr. Kurotaka?"

"Sure, I can wait. Do you mind if I take a seat at your desk here?" Maya didn't seem phased one bit.

"No, no, not at all," Akane said. "Make yourself right at home."

My heart leaped again when I saw how Maya sat down. Everything about her seemed so elegant; I just didn't want to take my eyes off of her.

Akane seemed annoyed with me, so she shoved me into the back room while repeating, "Come on!"

I shuffled into the back room, bumping into boxes containing some stationary. Akane followed right behind me and slammed the door.

I hope Maya didn't see what happened when Akane shoved me in here. Maybe I can still make myself look good in front of Maya after I get out of this room…

Even though my mind was elsewhere, I knew what was coming next from Akane, so she didn't waste a moment getting to the point. "Soooo… this Maya Shinomori... you really want to be her guide? When you know she's a swordswoman who would make better use of a magic-type guide, like me, in that dungeon, instead of another attacker, like you?"

Of course, I knew it would be challenging to refute Akane, but I didn't want to give in to her. Something about Maya completely enthralled me... I didn't want to let this opportunity slip away without finding out more about her.

"Well…" I began in response while twiddling my thumbs. "You've noticed how much of a funk I've been in lately. I figured it'd be a nice change of pace to be a guide to someone with a little more talent…"

I knew I spoke half-heartedly, but there was some truth to it. With the reports about Maya in mind, I felt assured she would make my next dungeon trip a memorable one, breaking up the current streak of less-than-stellar performances.

Yet, I noticed Akane might not have totally bought my explanation. "Talent, my foot!!" she rushed right up to me again. "I saw the looks you were giving her; you can't fool me…" She then backed away a little.

Did she blush just now? I noticed Akane's face turn red every once in a long time while growing up, but rarely with such a meek presence.

Because I'd known Akane for almost my whole life, we were the best of friends. The townspeople noticed how we regularly stuck to each other, and I'd heard my fair share of rumors about the two of us.

It was apparent, especially to me, how pretty Akane was. I knew when the day would come, she and I might be more than just friends. But I felt happy with how things were right now between us, so I never really gave as much thought about anything more than just. I figured some folks in town anticipated the day when Akane and I would take the next step, but I felt no rush at all and believed Akane would always be there with me.

But yet, she then looked at me with such a longing expression and continued while staring at her feet. "Haru… we've known each other for so long… but I have to ask… umm… what do you think of me?"

I wanted to think I wasn't sure why Akane was asking me this question. No, I was pretty sure I knew why…

But was I ready to do something about it? As much as I wanted to take some time on the matter, I recalled Maya waiting outside. So, I decided helping her out would further delay thinking about the situation.

Thus, I gave the same answer I've always had whenever Akane breached the topic before. "Well, I've known you since we were kids, and I'm your business partner. So I think of you, and always will, as a precious little sister to me."

"Ohhh… ahhh… I see…" I thought I heard Akane breathe deeply just now like she was disappointed, but maybe it was just my imagination. "Alright…f-f-f-fine… You can help out Miss Shinomori then. I'll watch the shop again while you're gone."

Was it my imagination again that Akane sounded so deflated just now? I knew I imagined things a lot, especially when Akane was round, but I felt glad she gave me her blessing to be Maya's guide.

"Thanks, Akane! Let me buy you dinner tonight to pay you back." I patted Akane and then walked past her.

"Nah… that's okay… you don't have to… you du…" Akane murmured. I was so busy opening the door and going back to my desk that I didn't catch her last word.

Thanks so much, Akane, for giving me this chance! Now I'll feel like I'm genuinely helping someone out!

While happy thoughts raced through my mind, Maya was still sitting at Akane's desk. "Miss Shinomori, I know this is the third time now, but I will be your guide for today. Please wait while I get my equipment ready."

"That is fine then. Please take your time."

Maya was so refined and elegant!

I quickly grabbed my bow and arrows and approached Maya at the front. "I deeply apologize for the wait, Miss Shinomori. Are you ready to go?"

"It was of no problem to me at all, and yes, I can head out." Maya stood up and turned to exit the shop.

I followed Maya out of the shop and closed the door without looking behind me. I didn't hear any other footsteps besides Maya's and mine; was Akane still in the back room the whole time?

Maya waited for me at the intersection a little distance away from the shop. "Thank you for your assistance today. Which direction are we heading then?"

At that moment, I fell into a stupor watching Maya and the incredible scenery behind her. The town of Kolm, where Akane and I grew up. I always admired its lush cornfields, tall scattered apple trees, and colorful mountains in the distance. The winds blowing through Kolm added an extra majesty to the town's allure.

My entire life in Kolm had been filled with laughter and peace. The town was still spared of the hard times befalling other towns and cities across the world in recent years. The people of Kolm enjoyed the quaint atmosphere and the friendly camaraderie that the town was well known for. And because of such an accommodating environment, Akane and I turned out the way we were now: caring and loving people who looked out for the well-being of others over our selves.

And because Kolm just had this natural beauty, adding Maya to the scene made it even more perfect. Her elegance in the shop was nothing compared to her image in this portrait with the town. Her hair flowing majestically, her regal expression enhancing the majesty of the scene… I felt I could just be swept away at any moment.

As I continued to gaze at Maya, she had been attempted to gain my attention. "Mr. Kurotaka?... Mr. Kurotaka?... Excuse me, but which direction is the dungeon?"

I shook my head, shaking myself back into focus. Remember, I still had a job to do! "Ohhh… I apologize, I was just trying to remember something. The dungeon is a 20-minute walk on this path in the opposite direction of the shop."

"Okay. We should be on our way then, Mr…."

"P-p-please, Miss Shinomori, you can just call me Haru."

"Okay, Mr…. I mean, Haru. And it is fine if you called me Maya then."

Yes! I'm glad she's fine with dropping the formalities! "…Sounds good! Let's head to the dungeon then, Maya."

We walked next to each other the whole time on the road. I tried to ask Maya about herself, but she didn't say much. She seemed to be admiring the scenery all around her and wanted to take it all in. Maybe she wasn't used to guys around her age? I didn't feel bored during the walk, but I wished she could have opened up to me even a bit.

I stole glances of Maya every so often during our walk, consumed by her presence. Her lack of revealing about herself added such a mysterious allure, overwhelming me at times. The more she held back, the more I wanted her to open up. And yet, whenever I looked at her, she kept her focus looking forward, and I admired her even more for the poise she continued to exude.

After the 20-minute stroll, we reached Helmut's Cave, the dungeon's location at the base of a mountain, and the dungeon's name. A magical spell that would revive all the killed monsters and bosses enchanted the dungeon so that amateur heroes could gain experience and treasure on each visit. A guide was essential to activate the spell and protect the inexperienced hero, especially in case of the threat of death. As part of my duties as a guide, I uttered the activation chant and saw the cavern glow to ensure that the dungeon had reset.

"So, this is it," Maya whispered. "I can test myself once again, and hopefully, I'll get a true challenge… Hehehehe…"

I looked over at Maya and saw a sparkle in her eyes. Did I imagine things again, or did she chuckle a little too uncharacteristically just now? "Umm… what was that?"

"N-n-n-nothing… i-i-it was nothing… Please ignore my sudden outburst. Shall we get going?"

"Surrrre… Right, this way then…"

Did Maya just lose some of her composure? Maybe she wasn't as wholly refined or elegant as she made herself out to be at the shop. I continued to harbor a little concern as Maya and I entered Helmut's Cave.