Shizori led the way to the guild, plenty of people gave us weird stares.
H-haha...
"It's as if we are heroes who just returned from an important quest."
ha...ha...
She kept staring at the ground. "Y... yeah, I guess."
Ok... even I know that joke was horrible... but this atmosphere...
We arrived in front of a big building.
"So this is the guild?"
She nodded, clutching her stuff tight, nervous just like on her first day, but this time for a different reason..
I opened the door and we headed inside.
The guild hall went quiet.
Every pair of eyes in the room locked on us, some burned with anger, others twisted in disgust, and a few glinted with something darker, colder.
The worst of them all, though, came right from behind the counter.
That blood lust... my blood feels like it'll freeze over.
"SHIZORI!" The girl screamed as she slowly walked over.
She pushed me aside and stopped right in front of Shizori.
"I... I'm"
Slap!
Before Shizori could finish, the girl slapped her across the face.
I instantly drew my blade and held it to her neck.
Five adventurers also drew their weapons, holding them to my neck, and even more got ready to jump on me as well.
This is the worst thing that could have happened! Can we even make it out of here unscathed?!
That girl turned around to face me. "You better put your sword down."
My mind raced and left eye twitched.
Shizori started crying. "H... Hilde..."
HUUUUUH?! That girl is Hilde?!
"This is a misunderstanding! Would you be willing to hear her out?" I asked Hilde.
"This is none of your business, stay out of it." She glared daggers into me.
"None of my business? I'm here as her bodyguard!"
Please just hear her out!
She quickly glanced at my sword then back at me.
I sheathed my sword.
"Everyone stand down, I'll handle this myself!"
They followed her order.
"Upstairs, now."
Hilde led us upstairs to a private room.
It was small and practical, just a table and chairs on either side.
Is this their interrogation cell?
Hilde sat down and pointed to the chairs across from her. "Take a seat."
We sat down, Shizori still sniffled, and I crossed my arms.
Here we go again... another questioning.
"So? Let's hear what you have to say for yourself." She said while glaring at Shizori.
Shizori, teary eyed, defeated, slowly explained her the whole situation.
"Come here." She said.
Again?! I grabbed the hilt of my sword and glared right at her.
Shizori slowly got up and made her way over to Hilde, her face still down.
Hilde grabbed her shoulders and pulled her into a tight hug.
Huh?! Both our eyes widened.
Shizori teared up again and hugged her back tight.
"Didn't I tell you to come to me right away if you have any problems?"
Hilde patted her head.
Shizori leaned into her.
"Y... yeah, I'm sorry."
"But she did? She came as quick as she could."
"SHUT UP, no one's talking to you, creep." Hilde's glare burned as if she carved 'creep' into my back.
HUH?!
What's wrong with her?! Tsundere, no yandere much?
"Hilde... he did save me though..." She looked up at her with puppy eyes.
She's not even going to deny it?!
I leaned back and sighed. Thank god, Iworried over nothing.
"F... fine, BUT next time you better come to me right away."
Shizori nodded with a warm smile and wet eyes.
"So, you knew that she was innocent?" I smirked at her.
"Of course I did. Who do you take me for? Some dumb, gullible receptionist?"
Dumb, gullible? No. Scary, weird? Yes.
"How'd you know, though?"
She scoffed. "Only naive people would fall for such a weak story from Gai."
"A fresh beginner going after a well known D-Ranked adventurer, managing to shatter his sword but not take anything from him? Unlikely."
Tsk. "My gut feeling about him was right."
"Then why didn't you stop them?"
"To put it simply, we had no proof, and I didn't think he'd go that far."
"He called me p... precious merchandise, so we think it might not have been his first time."
Hilde sat back down and put Shizori on her lap, holding her tight.
I squinted my eyes. "Don't you think you are getting a little too close?"
"That makes it all even worse..."
She just ignored me?!
Ahem.
"Has something like this happened before?"
She continued patting Shizori.
Two grown adults... what am I even witnessing?!
"Not at all, usually he's more of a solo adventurer. While he does occasionally help others out, nothing much besides him being a little pushy ever came up."
Something's not right... What he said doesn't align with what he did... Did something change?
I scratched my chin. "So what happens now?"
"The issue is, Gai's accusations already spread far, and a lot of people believe him."
"It's all my fault." Shizori's head tilted down.
My eye twitched. "It's not YOUR fault, it's that D-Rank scum's fault!"
I stood up and slammed my hand on the table.
"B... but..." Her voice shook.
"No buts." My voice got quieter, darker. "All we have to do is find him, drag him here, and make him admit the truth."
Hilde held her hand. "This time unfortunately, I have to agree with Mr. Creep."
"I'M NOT A CREEP!"
"What's your plan now, Mr. not a Creep? Do you have any leads?"
I groaned. "I'll just have to search around until I find him."
She chuckled. "Well, for now you should lie low and give me some time. I'll see what I can find out about his whereabouts."
"How are you going to do that?"
"Don't underestimate this guild." She smirked at me. "Just give me a few days."
"Fine, let's go, Shizori. We'll come by and check in in a few days."
She got up from Hilde's lap.
Hilde grabbed her from behind, glaring at me. "Where are you planning on taking my Shizori?"
Shiver.
That blood lust again, she really wants to kill me...
"I... I'm her bodyguard after all?"
"It's okay, Hilde, he did save me, and now we are stuck in this together."
She hugged Hilde tight.
"If Shizori gets as much as a scrape, I'll find you, and you'll face the whole guild's wrath together with Gai."
What did I get myself into...
We stepped out of the guild, the sun already setting.
"A few days, huh." I stretched. "Hilde really doesn't like me much, does she...?"
She chuckled. "Are you surprised, after how you pointed your sword at her?"
"W... what choice did I have though... she just out of nowhere slapped you." I glanced at her.
At least she seems better now.
"I'm glad it didn't get worse, though." A bright smile formed on her face.
"Same, I was really worried for a second that this might turn into a whole fight."
"So what should we do now?"
"Considering how dark it's getting, we should head for an inn and rest up."
"I know a cheap one I've been staying at. I can really recommend it." She said proudly.
"As long as the bed is comfy, I'll be happy."
She took me to the inn that she had been staying at.
As we were about to head inside, Shizori froze in place, her face paled, and her expression went blank.
There's no way... I forgot... I usedup ALL mymoneyforthatquest!
And Gai claimed the whole reward...
No. No. No. What do I do now?!
"Shizori?"
"I... I don't have any money." She whispered, her voice cracked on the last word.
Her gaze dropped to the ground, cheeks flushed.
"I used up all my money when..." She trailed off, the memory of Gai flashed behind her eyes.
Her free hand clenched at her side, knuckles whitened.
She looked small. Fragile.
Gosh... looking this helpless really isn't fair, you know?
"...I'll cover it for you."
"I appreciate it, but I can't accept that."
"Why not?"
She glared at me. "I can't just have others take care of all my issues. I have some pride as well!"
Pride, huh? She'd rather sleep outside than accept a little help? Respectable but also dumb...
"Then let's do it like this. I'll just loan you that money, and you pay me back later."
"B... but..." She couldn't finish responding.
"Either you take it or we'll both have to sleep outside." I smirked at her.
Like hell I could sleep well knowing she'd be sleeping in the streets.
She pouted, cheeks puffed out, reddening.
"Checkmate, accept your defeat, and just let me help you."
Reluctantly she agreed and we entered the inn.
"We need two rooms for three nights." I said to the innkeeper.
"I'm sorry sir, but we only have one room left."
Oh, lucky me? Banzai to the isekai life! The legendary 'One Bed' trope is real!
Internally a wide smirk grew on my face.
"No problem, we'll take it."
W... what is he saying?! There's no way, is he planning on doing...? Her mind raced, face flushed.
"Three nights? That'll be 2 silver and 2 copper."
"Are you sure about this, Alex?" She whispered to me.
"Being in the same room makes protecting you easier." I whispered back to her.
It does make sense... or is that just an excuse? She narrowed her eyes.
I handed over 3 silver coins. "Thank you, keep the change."
The innkeeper handed me the key. "Upstairs, second room from the left."
While we walked upstairs the innkeeper chuckled with a smile. "Youngsters these days..."
We walked inside the room, I placed down my gear near the table and sat down on the bed.
The bed is so soft, BUT also SMALL?! My mind raced.
"I... I'll just sleep on the floor." Her face bright red, clutching her staff.
"Not happening, It's just s... sharing a bed, not a big deal right?"
RIGHT?! It's just 2 adults sharing a bed! ...Then why is my heart pounding so hard?!
"It's just... It's a little embarrassing..."
What if he does something... I still don't trust him! Her face turned even redder.
I took my clothes off, laid down on the further side of the bed like a plank, staring at the wall.
"J... just lay down, I won't look."
"If you turn around... I'll make sure it'll be the last thing you see!"
The room felt silent.
All I could hear was the soft rustle of her clothes coming off, and no matter how hard I tried, my mind kept painting her in nothing but underwear.
Her every step as she walked to the bed.
The mattress dipping when she lay down beside me made my heart skip a beat.
Gulp.
That was all she did, just lay there, yet my heart feels like it's about to jump out of my chest!
What is WRONG with me?!
I felt the warmth radiating from her on my back.
I apologize to all the MCs I've made fun of about how embarrassed they got in these situations!
Always thinking, "oh if it was me, I'd do this or that".
Yet I can't even find the courage to turn around.
This is way more intense then it looks!
Like how am I even supposed to sleep?!
She whispered. "Goodnight Alex..."
Get a grip Alex! Internally slapping my cheeks.
"G... goodnight Shizori."
Sleep came faster than I expected.
The next thing I knew, warm sunlight was hitting my face, and birds were chirping outside.
Already morning...? I yawned while stretching my arm out.
I woke slowly, the first thing hitting me being warmth, not just the blanket, but something soft, warm, and breathing pressed along my entire left side.
What's this feeling?
It feels so good...
My brain lagged for a second, still half-asleep, before the realization slammed in.
Something, someone, was curled into me!
I slowly lifted the blanket.
Arm draped over my chest, soft curves pressed against my side, face tucked into my shoulder, and legs tangled with mine.
"Shizori?!"
She slowly opened her eyes, barely awake, and looked up at me.
"Good mooorning..."
"G... good m... morning." The blood left my face in a rush, replaced by buckets of sweat.
I'm dead...
Half asleep, her gaze drifted from my face downward.
She blinked slowly, then her eyes focused on our position and widened.
Kyaaaaaaa!!
Her shriek echoed through the room as she kicked my side, sending me flying into the wall.
B... but I'm innocent...
Maybe the floor would have been a better idea...
I passed out. When I woke up she was already dressed and waiting for me.
"So what should we do today?" I asked as I got ready.
Hmpf! She gave a small, sulky pout, cheeks puffed out.
"How about I treat you to something?"
She peeked at me with one eye.
"Maybe a nice breakfast?"
"Hmm... you think that's enough? After what you've done to me?"
I didn't even do anything though... Women are scary...
"How about this then, a nice breakfast, and after that we'll get a tea and sweets?"
"Sweets...? You mean... real sugar sweets?" Her eyes lit up.
I raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, what other kind of sweets would I mean?"
Oh no, don't tell me this is a world where sugar is rare to come across?!
Yaay.
"This will be my first time trying sweets." She jumped around like a kid.
A small smile crept onto my face. This world isn't so bad after all...
My stomach growled. "But breakfast first."
We headed downstairs and I approached the Innkeeper.
"Do you offer breakfast as well?"
"Yeah, it's not the most lavish meal you'll find, but it's proper home cooked."
"We'd like two breakfast meals with some water then."
"That'll be 6 copper."
I placed the 6 copper coins on the reception, and we took a table in the corner of the room.
"Coming right up!"
"I wonder, is food at pubs or restaurants that much better?" Shizori asked me, her head slightly tilted to the side.
That's surprising. Isn't eating and partying at pubs kind of the standard for isekais?
"You haven't been to a pub yet?"
She shook her head.
I wonder... what kind of an upbringing did she have...
"Well, not necessarily, at pubs, food doesn't have to be the best since most are too drunk to taste it anyway."
"Restaurants, though, are the opposite, the food is what makes them shine, and the drinks are like a finishing touch to round out your visit."
"I see, and so the more expensive, the better they are?"
"At times yes, but not always." I whispered to her. "A little secret from me... the best food is and always will be... homemade food."
"So we are about to eat the best food there is?" She giggled.
"Yeah, we might have a hidden gem here on our hands." I chuckled.
"Sorry for the wait." The innkeeper set down two bowls of oat porridge with a few bits of dried apple, a hunk of dark bread, and a mug of water each.
"I hope you enjoy the food."
She smelled the porridge. "It smells so good!"
Yeah... reminds me of the porridge my mom used to make when I was little...
Will I be able to taste anything similar again...?
We both took up our spoons and ate our first bites.
"You were right, it tastes amazing!"
A tear ran down my face.
"Alex?! Everything okay? Was it too hot?"
"N... no. No, I'm fine, it's just way better than I expected. With just a little sugar, it would be perfect."
Just how she used to make it...
Shizori barely held a laugh back. "Really? Crying over food? You are such a child."
He's so weird... I've never met someone like that.
"I'm not a child! I'm just reminiscing."
"About what? Crying while eating food?" A wide smirk on her face.
I glared back at her. Just you wait... I will get my revenge!
It was so delicious we practically devoured our food.
"We should definitely eat here again."
"Absolutely." She agreed.
"Thank you for the amazing food." I shouted to the innkeeper.
"I'm glad you liked it, I hope you eat here again."
Next up, some amazing sweets! Hopefully they don't cost me a fortune...