Regarding yesterday caseāā since the time my curse was removed, I couldnāt help but be conscious of Seiichi.
Yet, this morning, looking at the figure of Seiichi, somehow my chest isā¦ā¦ as if being squeezed, is attacked by a painful sadness.
Moreover, even though it should be painful, somehow it feels good.
But, as it was a new experience for me, I was baffled.
What is the cause of this sadness?
Furthermore, even though it has been like this from the beginning, looking at the familiar exchange between Seiichi and Saria, somehow I get this⦠depressing feeling, and start becoming displeased.
And, I start to feel really sad for some reason.
Thatās why, when I looked at Seiichiās figure, I ran away.
ā¦ā¦ I want to know the identity of this feeling.
But, once I know the identity, I somehow feel that there would be no return.
That I might lose something important. That is the feeling I have.
And that isā¦ā¦ very scary.
āIā¦ā¦just whatās happening with meā¦ā¦?ā
As it wasnāt directed at anyone, she murmured to herself.
āThen, want me to give you some advice?ā
āEh?ā
āGood morning, Altria-chanā
The one who talked to me, was the person who contracted us in the quest I did together with Seiichi, Adrianna-san.
By chance, she met me in the city, and just like that I was invited to Adrianaās house, where she would give me a consultation.
āā¦ā¦I, am somewhat weirdā
āWeird it is?ā
āDo you remember Seiichi?ā
āYes, of courseā
āThatā¦ā¦ Since yesterday, whenever I see him, my heart acceleratesā¦ā¦ I canāt find the words even though itās painful, I am happy, itās warmā¦ā¦ that type of feelingā
āFumufumuā
Adriana-san, while listening to my story, took a sip of tea.
āAnd itās not only that, wellā¦ā¦ that Seiichi, might have a girlfriendā¦ā¦ I think, that girl is really cute, and when she is talking happily with him somehowā¦ā¦ā¦ like I said earlier I get this painful feelingā
āI seeā¦ā¦ā
When Adrianna-san finished listening to my story, took a sip of tea again.
As expected, am I weird in some way?
Is it a side effect of removing the curse?
To me who was having uneasy feelings, Adriana-san took a breath, and affirmed.
āThatās love. Whats more, a bittersweet first love at thatā
āWha!? Lo, love!?ā
Without realising I, made a weird voice.
To the confused me, Adriana-san continued.
āYeah. Altria-chan ā¦ā¦ you, have fallen in love.ā
ā~ ~ ~ ~ Tsu !!ā
Being told directly at my face, itās like a fire burned my face, it is crimson.
Th, thatā¦ā¦ love, meā¦ā¦?
āIm, impossible! That me!? Absolutely not!ā
For some reason, I denied it desperately.
However, even with such a negative response, Adriana-san shook it off lightly.
āBut, what other explanation can there be? Moreover, Altria-chan is a very charming woman as well. Itās fine to have one or two loves, itās nor weird at all. Whatās more, is that you didnāt fall in love until now is weirderā
āTh, that isāāā
āWell then, what is that ring you have on your left hand ring finger for?
āTsu!ā
On reflex of being asked, touched the ring in my left hand.
On the ring finger of my left hand, is a ring embedded with beautiful purple gem.
And, the fact that the men gave a fitting ring on the left hand of the ring finger of a woman means-.
āA promise of eternal loveā¦ā¦ Thatās common sense no?ā
ā~~~~~~~~~~ Tsu!ā
As though looking in my mind, Adrianna-san confronted me with the appropriate words. With a face reddened to the maximum, with embarrassment so great it couldnāt be exlained in words.
Then, without minding such an appearance, Adrianna-san continued on.
āThanks to the ring that Seiichi-san gave you, your curse has been lifted, no?ā
āā¦ā¦yesā
āSeiichi-san, is most likely from the east countrys, so his common sense may be different, the ring may not have a deep meaningā
āā¦ā¦ā
My heart is, weird.
If that is true, then that is good.
Seiichi has Saria.
But he gave me a ring, isnāt that dishonest!?
Thatās why, I shouldnāt need to think about it too deeply.
By chance, the ring fitted perfectly on my ring finger.
Isnāt it fine?
ā¦ā¦even so ā¦ā¦ Even so, why I am so sad? So lonely?
If there is a deep meaning, there is the curseā¦ā¦ Isnāt it fine?
My own heart, I donāt understand myself.
Why, is it so painfulā¦ā¦
I donāt understandā¦ā¦
Unbeknownst, tears had accumulated my eyes.
While I had my head down in silence, Adriana-san spoke gently.
āAltria-chan, wonāt you admit it already?ā
āā¦ā¦ā
āYou, about Seiichiāā love himā
āāāā
With tear filled eyes, I slowly turn my sight to Adrianna-san
Mou, I canāt evade it anymore.
ā¦ā¦ I, about seiichiā¦ā¦ came to love him.
The moment that I admitted it, tears overflowed from my eyes.
Until now, there was not a guy who got close to me.
The guys in the Guild, and in the cityā¦ā¦ they were kind to me, but didnāt get close due to my curse, the first one who apprached me seriously was Seiichi.
When Seiichi, said I was needed, by everyone, that Seiichi liked me, I was really happy.
Gently, as to calm me when he hugged me from behindā¦ā¦ my heart felt warm.
I seeā¦ā¦ I- was in love.
To me that barely me noticed it, Adriana-san smiled gently and embraced me.
āTo the clumsy Altria-chan, I will tell you one thing, if the boy you like is talking to another girl, it is not weird for your heart to feel sad you know?ā
āā¦ā¦Is, that soā¦ā¦?ā
āYeah. It is jealousy. Excessive jealousy is bad, but a little bit is okay. Is it Altria-chan first love? To be confused is a very natural thing, itās normal.ā
āā¦ā¦Unā
āWhatās more, even if Seiichi-san has a girlfriend, it doesnāt matter. It all depends of the resourcefulness of the man, bigamy, it might be common outside the continent. If you donāt like that then, Altria-chan it is fine to become the first for Seiichi-san.ā
āā¦ā¦such a thing, I canāt do that. In the first placeā¦ā¦ I am not cute at all. Such a toned, rough womam. Itās obvious that Seiichi will think bad of me.ā
As I said so earnestly, Adrianna-san made a wry smile.
āmou, Altria-chan be more confidente in yourself. Next, I will introduce you to my friend that is well versed in romance, but first if Altria-chan doesnāt admit her own charm nothing will begin, Futhermore, Seiichi-san, do you thing he is the type to think such a thing?ā
āā¦ā¦ā
I shook my head in silence.
That guy is not the type to worry about such a thing.
If not, then he wouldnāt help me, that time when I stepped onto the metastasis trap. To seriously get close with me.
With the me, he properly caught me.
āā¦ā¦ I, wonder if is good for me to fall in love ā¦?ā
āYes.ā
āā¦ā¦ Wonāt I be a nuisanceā¦?ā
ānot at all. Rather, he should happyā
āā¦ā¦I seeā¦ā¦ā
I too, am glad I fell in love.
Mo, I wonāt be tied down by , I am gladā¦ā¦
-Finally, I can take the first step.
At that moment, I was attacked by a different feeling than the one until a while ago.
It is, unlike the feelings of a while ago, it was a very positive feeling.
āā¦ā¦Adrianna-san. I, what should I do to make Seiichi look my wayā¦ā¦?ā
āeh?ā
āUntil a little while ago, it was painful, and lonely ⦠although it was very hard, now I feel very happy. This feeling, itās the first time that I had itā
āā¦ā¦ā
āLike I saidā¦ā¦ my feelings, I want them to reach Seiichi. Even though this me is without a womanās attractivenessā¦ā¦ I still love him, and I want him to like meā
āAltria-chanā¦ā¦ā
āThats why, Adrianna-san. Thatā¦ā¦ first the things about love I donāt know about can you teach me about it? What should I doā¦ā¦ā
Adriana who was listening to my serious thoughts, nods and say at once with a smile.
āLeave it to me! The perfect way to bring down Seiichi-san, Iāll teach it to you!ā
After such a promising remark, I had Adriana-san teach me a lot of things.
āāā
āāāSo there that happenedā
āhaaaļ½ Adventurers have it hardā
I Hiiragi Seiichi, had a small talk with Noado-san in the ācafe Akkorienteā that i entered.
Right now, I spoke about the story where I and Altria-san was mysteriously transported to a strange labyrinth.
āuhn, there is one thing I am curious, what happened to that > girl?ā
When I reached the part about lifting the curse, Ranze-san asked that.
āAbout thatā¦ā¦ for some reason I donāt know, she is completely avoiding meā
āAh? Why? Thanks to Seiichi her curse was dispelled no?ā
āThatās trueā¦ā¦ wellā¦ā¦ it may be a weird thing to ask but, a man, putting a ring on a woman left hand ring fingerā¦ā¦ does that have any meaning?ā
āUn? Thatās trueā¦ā¦ Seiichi wasnāt born in this continent, you were from the east country, then it is normal not to knowā¦ā¦ n? Wait a minute. That you ask this meansā¦ā¦ā
āā¦ā¦ As you have guessed. The item for lifting the curse happened to be a ring by chance, and without giving it a lot of thought, I put it on her left hand ring fingerā
āYou are lying!?ā
At my confession, not only Ranze-san opened his eyes wide, even Noado-san did so as well.
What should I do. I only have bad feelings.
āEttoā¦ā¦ is it as bad as expected?
āIt is not at the level of being badā¦ā¦ā
While Ranze-san was surprised, Noado-san properly explained to me.
āā¦ā¦Seiichi-san. In this continent, when a man gives a woman a ring, and put it on her left hand ring finger, it means a promise of eternal loveā
āBufoa!?ā
It was outside my expectations, what an absurd thing I did!
As I involuntary coughed, at the impatient me Noado-san said with his eyes half opened.
āā¦ā¦ I think it is beyond reparations in various ways. Even though I lived longer than you Iāve never made such a mistakeā
āā¦ā¦ it was unexpected to me tooā
āWhatās more, such an important oath? That is a lie, try to say it was a misunderstanding, there is no doubt you will be killed.ā
āUgh!ā
āLove alone is an important thing to a woman. In your country could be different, but here it is the most importantā
āā¦ā¦that true. After hearing the talk, Seiichi-san was actually a bitā¦ā¦ too thoughtlessā
āGaha!?ā
The words just now stabbed my chest! It did it! Stabbed!
Butā¦ā¦ thatās true
No matter how much I try to ignore it by thinking it didnāt happen, without a doubt I messed with a womanās precious love. If there is a misunderstanding, then it has to be cleared. I donāt want to become dishonest, but that isā¦ā¦
āWhat should I doā¦ā¦ā
To think I would be at my witās end .
In the first place, is not like I am well balanced with Altria-san!
With Saria too, I donāt think we are well balanced!
Then, Ranze-san said with a laugh.
āWhat to do you say, there is no other choice but marriageā
āhaa!? Ma,marriage!?ā
āAh? What are you getting surprised for? Anyways, a promise of eternal love, there is no other choice but marriageā
āTh, thatās trueā¦ā¦ But I haveā¦ā¦ā
Yes, i already, have an important woman called Sariaā¦ā¦ she is a gorilla though.
To such an answer, Noado-san got close silently.
āā¦ā¦Seiichi-san, so you had a woman who you set your heart on.ā
āā¦ā¦Well, yesā
āOioi, seriously!? You, even though you have such a suspicious get up are popular?ā
āSuspicious you sayā¦ā¦ā
Well yes, a man with his face hidden by a hood is quite suspicious. I am already used to it though.
āBut wellā¦ā¦ if you had a woman you like already. Then, together with that woman, just marry both and thatās all.ā
āAahh!? Both!?ā
At Ranze-san outrageous remarks, I raised a load voice instinctively.
āDid I say something strange?ā
āIye, it was quite strange! Normally you do it with one person in a marriage!ā
As I tell them with a loud voice, Renze-sam and Noado-san made a strange face for a second, then suddenly made a convinced face.
āIt canāt be, is the east country different?ā
āEh?ā
āWell, in this country polygamy is allowed. Heck, it was so common that I thought its not only this continent but everywhere was the sameā¦ā¦ā
What did you say!? Is polygamy allowed!?
Seeing me surprised, both of them made convinced expressions.
āIt seems I was wrongā
āā¦ā¦Well, even though polygamy is accepted, is rare to see it outside royalty or nobilityā
āMou, I am completely recognised as a person from the East, and polygamy hasnāt been approved there. Why?
Well that wonāt become a problem, I hope.
More important than that, first is Altria-san. Really what should I doā¦ā¦
As I was suffering from a headache, and thinking desperately, in front of my face tea was placed
āā¦ā¦ itās a tea made from Artel leaves that have a relaxing effectā
āEh? But I didnāt order itā¦ā¦ā
āā¦ā¦Letās say is my treat. Next just once, let me give you one advice as an elderā
ā?ā
āā¦ā¦Absolutely, donāt give an ambiguous answer. But I think it will be okay, Seiichi knows what should be done, and how heavy love is. So accept it or reject it, please be sure to do it firmlyā
āā¦ā¦ā
ā¦ā¦true.
An ambiguous answer is not allowed. More importantly, I wonāt allow it.
Even though I ended like this without realising, giving an ambiguous answer, itās the worst.
ā¦ā¦ If unknowingly I end in a situation similar again, I think I will be the worst
āā¦ā¦I understand, I with my mouth, will say it properlyā
āā¦ā¦is that soā
Noado-san heard my answer, and smiled contently
I drink the tea that has been prepared for me with much trouble, somehow getting my strength back in my body, and feeling in a better mood.
The taste, was a perfect mild sweetness.
Upon drinking it all, I am reminded of the time.
Come to think of it. I was talking quite a long time, it might be better to return soon.
As I thought so, thanked Noado-san, and stand up,
āThanks for the meal. The tea, was deliciousā
āā¦ā¦Thank you very much. I look forward to your next visitā
āThat so, let us talk the next time we meet.ā
Ranze-san said that to me with a smile.
āYes, by all means!ā
It was a good shop. Letās return again.ć
With such a determination in my chest. I left the shop.
āāā
āWhewā¦ā¦ Youthā
After Seiichi went out of the store, Ranze muttered so.
To such a Ranze, Noado quietly said.
āRanze , it is fine for you not to return home?ā
ć āAahā¦ā¦ if i want to go back. Someone will come to pick me upā
At Ranzeās words, Noado sigh.
āā¦ā¦No matter that I am here, coming here alone, isnāt it too much defenceless?ā
āBe at ease. I am not alone so its fine, Ruise is following me properlyā
āā¦ā¦haaaa. To come following you here everytime, Ruise-sama sure has it hardā
āThat canāt be helped. Itās his job after all.ā
āā¦ā¦if you the boss stop coming here, i think it will make it easier.ā
āThatās your fault because your food is so good!ā
āā¦ā¦It is so easy passing the Buckā
While sighing, Noado showed his bad state.
You can feel everywhere the peaceful atmosphere of Acorriente
āāā
āItās evening alreadyā¦ā¦?ā
I left the coffee shop Acorriente, Orly to find the sky stained orange, and muttered so.
āToday, it seems I wonāt be able to buy a horseā¦ā¦ā
Well there is no hurry, itās fine to do it tomorrow.
āHmmnā¦ā¦ letās head back to the inn?ā
I donāt know when Saria will be back.
Andā¦ā¦ there is also the matter with Altria-san
āā¦ā¦Really, I am so useless,ā
I made the decision, but when the time to convey the facts came. I became afraid.
In this world, the act I did, is something more important than on Earth.
āā¦ā¦ I was thrown out of destination, I know I am useless butā¦ā¦ā
While muttering so, i was heading to a certain location.
That is the orphanage where Saria was.
ā¦ā¦Really so pathetic, I am the lowest.
While I was feeling anxiety alone, I naturally went to Saria.
This lowest and miserable me, I fell into a murderously dull mood.
I, with a dull mood, headed to the orphanage.
Before long, the church where the orphanage came into view.
āā¦ā¦ I arrivedā
I sinked into a more depressed mood.
With such a mood, it happened when i was about to enter the church.
ā-Seiichiā
ā!!!!ā
In a speed that surprised even myself, I turned around.
āā¦ā¦Altria-sanā
The one that was standing there, is the person I should confront with the truthā¦ā¦ Altria-san
āā¦ā¦ā
āā¦ā¦ā
Altria-san and I, we both stay silent facing each other.
The sunset is on Altria-san back, so I canāt see her expression.
There is no one around, just Altria-san and me alone.
For a while, there was a time of silence.
ā¦ā¦Altria-san is in front of my eyes.
Now, isnāt it the time to tell her the misunderstanding of the ring.
I might not receive forgiveness, but shouldnāt I apologize?
Of course, I am scared that my relation with Altria-san might end.
⦠It is scary. Super scary.
But⦠To keep silent, to cheat herā¦ā¦ is even worse.
Thatās why, say it me. Open your mouth.
What do I fear.
Say it, say it, say it, say itā¦ā¦!
āAhā¦ā¦ Altria-san! Thatā¦ā¦ The ring-ā
ā-ā
Finally I summoned the courage, but the moment I thought words were flowing.
My mouth was closed by something soft, and I was unable to speak.
āTsu!?ā
āā¦ā¦ā
Within reach of my face, there is Altria-san face that has her eyes shut with all her strength.
And, my lips and Altria-san lips areā¦ā¦ overlapped
Iā¦ā¦ now, what I am doing?
Why are my lips, and Altria-san lips overlapped?
This isā¦ā¦ kissā¦ā¦kiss, a kiss?
ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦
āļ½ļ½ļ½ļ½ļ½ļ½ļ½ļ½ļ½ļ½Tsu!?ā
I who understood the situation, suddenly felt my face become hot.
Iā¦ā¦Iā¦ā¦ and Altria-san, kissā¦ā¦kissedā¦ā¦!?
After I analysed the situation I can only stand there with my face bright red.
Still, Altria-san without minding, gentlyā¦ā¦ continued with a clumsy kiss.
Now, I and Altria-san were in a posture of confronting each other.
In addition, from the impact of receiving Altria-san attack, the hood hiding my face fell of.
Altria-san, who finished the long kiss, downcasted her face.
āā¦ā¦ That, donāt say itā
āEh?ā
āā¦ā¦ I knew, that Seiichi, didnāt have that kind of feelings, when you gave me that ringā¦ā¦ā
Such a thingā¦ā¦ in other words, that I didnāt give it to her in order to swear eternal love.
ā Well that-ā
āBut, it doesnāt matterā
My words have been blocked by Altria-san words with a clear tone.
Then, Altria-san buried her face in my chest.
āA relationship, I donātā¦!ā
āIt doesnt matterā¦ā¦! Becauseā¦ā¦ I came to like youā
ā!ā
Altria-san, shouted so in my chest.
āItās the first time, this feeling! I know Seiichi has Saria. Even a woman like me knows how super cute she is!ā
āā¦ā¦ā
āButā¦ā¦butā¦ā¦ I fell in love with you! My chest hurts looking at you!ā
āAltria-sanā¦ā¦ā
āI amā¦ā¦ no good? I canāt be beside Seiichi?ā
āThatās notā¦ā¦!ā
āIt canāt be helped. falling in love! I am not feminine, not cute at all, without charm it was impossible! But even so, I, fell in love with you Seiichiā¦ā¦ā
After Altria-san said that, she started sobbing in my chest.
I, what should I do?
I already, have Saria.
Polygamy may be allowed, but I am an Earthling.
Earthā¦ā¦ specially, Japan ethics are getting in my way.
I am pathetic.
Altria-san is important.
But this, I donāt know how should I cherishā¦ā¦someone from the opposite sex.
Sh*t!
No matter how much strong my status is, now itās useless.
I have, to make a choice
āā¦ā¦I-ā
āCan you accept her? Seiichiā
ā!?ā
At the abrupt voice we heard, Altria-san and I are surprised.
Following the origin of the voiceā¦ā¦ Saria was there, standing.
āSa, Saria! This! Thatā¦ā¦!ā
āIt is fine, I understandā
I feel like a dad caugh in an affair
āSeiichi, about Altria-san, can you accept her?ā
āBu, butā¦ā¦ is that fine with you?ā
Though it is a bad talk, I want to cherish Altria-san, as a member of the opposite sex.
But, I already , have Saria.
Because Saria is here, I about Altria-san, canāt look at here that way.
But, Saria was, with a little lonely smile, nodded.
āUn. Of course, I think is sad that I wonāt be able to keep Seiichi for myself, but, Seiichiās charm, as I thought it is impossible to keep it all for myselfā
āSariaā¦ā¦ā
āFuthermore you know? Seiichi. A Strong male, will atract women naturally, that is the law of natureā
A, a male she saysā¦ā¦
To me who knows Saria was originally a Gorilla, this is not particularly strange, but Altria-san who doesnāt knows tilts her neck.
āThats why Seiichi, about Altria-san, acept her ok? Because, I too love Altria-san!ā
āSariaā¦ā¦ā
Altria-san, is staring at Saria in a state of admiration.
āSariaā¦ā¦is it fine?ā
āUn!ā
Unlike before, with a big smile, Saria said clearly
Ah, sh*t
I am so clumsy.
Sariaā¦ā¦
If a woman doesnāt give me a push in the back, I canāt even make a single decision.
Because I began to fall in self-loathing, I shook my head immediately to switch my thoughts.
I return my line of sight to Altria-san in my chest.
Then Altria-san noticing my sight and looked at me.
For a moment, her eyes opened wide open, for seeing my face for the first time.
Her clear gold pupils, now wet with tears, were looking up at me anxiously.
āAltria-sanā
āā¦ā¦Alā
āEh?ā
āAbout me, call me Al. Thats is what people close to me call me, it is my nicknameā¦ā¦ So dont use honorific!ā
Saying so very shylyā¦ā¦ Altria-san made a wry smile.
āI understand, Alā
āā¦ā¦Unā
Making a happy face, Al stared up-from-under me.
I extend my hand, to Al cheek naturally, the me from before couldnt do it normally.
But, now for some reason, without worrying, I can do it naturally.
ā¦ā¦think, you can do it
The most important thing is, Al
āI too, about Al- I love youā
ā!ā
So next, from me this time, a kiss was given to Al.
The problem from before, I canāt feel them anymoreā¦ā¦
The kiss with Al, tasted like tea of Artel leafs that brewed Noado-san. A faintly sweet, very gentle kiss.
Very slowly we separated our lips.
āAl, even though I am unreliable, shamelessā¦ā¦ I will work hard, so that you donāt regret falling in love with me.ā
āā¦ā¦Unā
āI will cherish youā
āā¦ā¦Un!ā
As I declared clearly, I hugged Al.
āWith this, you are the same as me!ā
From behind me, Saria comes and hugs us.
Seriouslyā¦ā¦ I canāt win against Saria.
In front of the church stained by the sunset, as if to bless us, the bells resounded in the city.
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