"Mmmh! This is absolutely delicious."
The villainess of the game—the ice-cold princess who, in the story, becomes a monster capable of freezing the entire world—was currently sitting across from me, happily enjoying some sweets at a bakery we'd found a few days ago.
After our last adventure with Kaida's group, it seemed the captain of the Golden Troupe had kept her word and reported our success to Director Goldenlaw.
I honestly thought she might've taken all the credit as she seemed to always do in the game. At least, now I don't have to worry about her until her time in the spotlight starts.
"I personally find it way too sweet for me. I prefer other tastes more than sweets." I told Fran as I took a bite of a particularly sugary sweet.
Director Goldenlaw did reward us afterward. Fran and I didn't earn enough points to rank up, but most of Kaida's group did—including Kaida herself.
"Sweets aren't common in Montanev, so I like to try as many as I can whenever I'm away from home."
I swear, the gap between how she acts around others and how she behaves with me will never stop surprising me.
"I've never been to Montanev… or anywhere else, really. What's it like?" Of course, I already knew from the game. But silence felt wrong when I was with her, even if it wasn't awkward.
"There's never a day without snow covering the streets. It gets dark early, so kids usually stay inside their homes." She took a slow bite of her cupcake as we stopped to sit on a park bench.
"Then Aurum Academy must feel completely different, right? I heard snow is rare here, even in winter." It was currently winter—about the second week of the game's timeline.
"Your peasant mind clearly can't comprehend that I've traveled to other countries since childhood." She scoffed, nibbling another bite of the small cupcake.
"I guess you're right."
Her words reminded me of before I came to this world. It's strange—I can hardly remember my previous life. My memories, and even Alen's before I took over his body, are nothing but blurry, formless thoughts.
"Is something wrong, Alen?" She placed a hand on my shoulder, her tone filled with worry. "You look distracted."
"I-I'm fine. Just thinking."
"About what?"
"About how, even though Director Goldenlaw gave us a free day, I still have to attend my close-combat magic class." I sighed in defeat.
"I already told you—you're not going to that class! Not with those things on your face!" She poked at the bruises and bandages on my cheeks, and I pulled back at the sting.
"But I need to go."
"You don't! I told you last night—you're being punished for being reckless. Especially for helping that disgrace of a human."
"She's not a disgrace."
I couldn't help but laugh a little. Her hatred toward Kaida always caught me off guard.
Initially, I thought I'd hate Fran way more now that I'm interacting with her as a real person and not a fictional character from the game. But I never found her... let's say distate... for others something I'm put off by.
"She's incompetent and had to ask you for help," Fran said, crossing her arms with an angry pout. "And don't get me started on her sins."
No matter what I said, there was no convincing her otherwise.
"I'm serious, you… peasant!" She leaned in close, her icy glare inches from my face. "I don't want you anywhere near that sinner. Got it?"
From the corner of my eye, I noticed an old woman passing by, giggling behind a blush.
"But I couldn't just ignore someone who asked for my help."
"Then I'll have to keep a close eye on you—just to make sure you don't get tainted."
I laughed awkwardly as she leaned back. "Then I guess I can relax a little if you're watching over me."
"No! You've got it completely wrong!" Her voice rose, though her red cheeks betrayed her anger. "You should be avoiding danger so I don't get worried! Not putting yourself in more of it!"
"I-I'm sorry…"
"As long as you understand…" she muttered softly, looking away.
Then she stood up and began walking down the park path, not waiting for me.
"Are you hungry again?" I asked, standing to follow.
She's going to make me lose all my savings at this rate. I'll have to go dungeon diving soon.
"N-no, I don't eat that much…" she said, flustered. How does she eat that much and still look like that…?
Fran shines mostly for her elegant, slim, and lean body... and her lack of... attributes in both front and back of her body...
Flat as a board in both sides... the community always joked about it. I don't know, I always found Fran really cute and attractive.
"Hey, boy! You look promising. Interested in joining our group?"
I blinked.
"I can tell you've got the spark only true adventurers have!"
The man looked about mid-thirties, with a receding hairline big enough to reflect the afternoon sun.
"I promise you, our group—Mountain Hoppers—is well-known here in Aurum City, especially among students like yourself!"
He didn't even acknowledge Fran, which was a mistake. A big one.
Before I could answer, he grabbed my hand and started shaking it wildly, grinning with the fakest smile I'd ever seen.
He shoved a card into my palm. "We're affiliated with Aurum Academy, I assure you!"
Fran grabbed him by the collar and yanked him backward, slamming him to the ground.
"Let's go, Alen. This park suddenly feels filthy—with pests."
I followed her, ignoring the man still groaning behind us.
"Why didn't you push him away sooner?" she asked. "That trash doesn't deserve your time."
"I was just surprised. I didn't expect to be scouted so suddenly." I scratched the back of my head.
"At least he recognized that you're… someone worth recognizing."
…
…
"Hey, Fran," I said after a moment. "I was thinking of exploring a low-level dungeon to earn some money. Want to come with me?"
"…If I have free time… maybe." Her cheeks turned as red as her eyes.
We stopped walking, both distracted by a group of street dancers performing for a small crowd.
After she'd kind of agreed, neither of us spoke again. It wasn't an awkward silence—just… a warm one.
"I-it's a nice dance," I said.
"I-it's nice… for a bunch of lowly peasants," she muttered, looking away.
…
…
"T-tell me when you plan to go dungeon exploring. I—I want to make time for that."
"I-I will…" I coughed, and we stood there quietly until the performance ended.
One of the dancers walked through the crowd afterward, holding a hat for donations. They didn't pressure anyone, but their grateful smiles made it hard to refuse.
"Pfft. Those peasants are getting nothing from me," Fran huffed, crossing her arms. But when the dancer approached, she slipped a couple of silver coins into the hat.
I couldn't stop laughing as her cheeks flared pink again.
"Wait, Fran," I said as she turned away. "I need to go somewhere before we finish our free day."
She stopped and waited for me to take the lead.
We walked southwest for about five minutes, until the streets grew rougher—the poor part of the city.
"Why did you want to come here?" she asked, irritation slipping into her voice.
I just chuckled, glancing around. "I have something to do."
Then I saw him.
"Hey, man. How's it going?"
The homeless man looked up. His clothes were torn, his head bruised, and there were faint red stains on his shirt.
"I have nothing to give you kids," he said wearily, sinking deeper into his old couch.
"No, man. I don't want anything from you." I smiled gently. "Actually, it's the opposite." I held out a small pouch filled with copper coins. "Last night, you were robbed of this, right?"
He stood, eyes widening. "Wh—why do you have that!?"
"Oh, you know… the group that camped here last night got taken care of. I was told to return this to you." I dropped the pouch into his hand and stepped back.
"B-but no one was—" He froze, realization dawning on his face. He understood that Fran and I had been part of the group that stopped [Crossed] last night.
"And one more thing—have you seen a demi-human woman around here? Bunny ears, works… at night."
He hesitated. "You can try August the Eighth Street. Look for a place with a cat-girl logo—[Cat Scratches]. She might be there."
"Thanks." I smiled as Fran and I turned to leave.
"Since it's daytime, you probably won't find her yet!" he called out after us. "But thank you… truly."
"I can't believe you're making me do this," Fran muttered, crossing her arms.
I laughed softly, rubbing the back of my neck. "Sorry, Fran."
"Don't say that… I'm not mad," she said, her blush returning as we continued walking side by side.