Chapter: 37
The tavern was loud with laughter, clinking glasses, and the smell of grilled meat drifting through the air. Hunters filled the seats, celebrating a successful raid. At the center of it all, Hiroto sat at the bar, his cheeks already red from too much sake, while Anya sat beside him, trying her best to keep her composure.
Hiroto slammed his empty cup down on the counter.
"Bartender! Another! I deserve it I've gotten stronger!" he shouted proudly, puffing his chest out like a child showing off a toy.
Anya sighed, resting her chin on her hand. "Here we go again…"
Hiroto leaned close to her with sparkling golden eyes. "Yessss! Now I can finally challenge Takeda-san!"
The whole bar went silent for a moment, then erupted in laughter. Even the hunters drinking behind them started whispering, "Challenge Takeda? This guy's crazy!"
Anya covered her mouth, trying to hold it in, but then she burst out laughing. She slapped the counter and said between chuckles, "The last time you tried that, he beat you with one finger!"
The image replayed in her mind—Takeda, calm as ever, simply poking Hiroto in the forehead and dropping him like a sack of rice.
Hiroto's eyes filled with tears instantly. He grabbed her sleeve, crying loudly.
"Anya-sannnnn! You are always so cruel! Why must you remind me of that shameful dayyyy?"
He rocked back and forth like a child throwing a tantrum, earning more laughter from the hunters around them.
Anya smirked. "Because it's funny."
But even as she laughed at his ridiculousness, inside she thought something else. Hiroto really is different from other SS-ranks. He doesn't care about fame or showing off his title. He just… fights because he wants to protect people. Even among the elites, he might be the strongest in Japan. But he's still an idiot. Always childish.
Her smile softened as her mind drifted back to the past.
...
Years ago, she wasn't the respected S-rank hunter sitting at a bar. She had been a rogue her power wasted on stealing. Banks, gem stores, warehouses… anything that could bring her money. Not because she loved crime, but because there was no support, no place for someone like her to belong.
One night, she and her group of rogues hit a gemstone vault. Everything was going well—until he appeared.
Golden eyes. That smug, idiotic grin.
Hiroto.
He wiped the floor with all of them in minutes, showing them the impossible gap between their strengths. Anya had felt true fear that day.
But then something unexpected happened.
Instead of handing them over to the Bureau, Hiroto extended his hand.
"You guys are weak, stupid, and reckless. But hey… if you want a real place, join my guild. We don't need criminals—we need family."
Anya, stunned, stared at him. "Why… why would you do that?"
He shrugged, smiling. "Because everyone deserves a home."
That was the day her life changed.
Back at the bar
Anya blinked, realizing she was smiling to herself. "Things never change, do they?" she whispered.
When she opened her eyes, Hiroto was staring at her. Not his usual goofy grin..but a strange, gentle gaze.
"Eh?" She tilted her head. "What's with that look?"
Hiroto leaned in, face suddenly serious, and said:
"You know, Anya-san… you're pretty."
The words hit her like a hammer. Her face turned bright red, her heart skipped, and the bar suddenly felt way too hot.
"EH?! W-WHAT ARE YOU SAYING, YOU IDIOT?!"
Without thinking, she punched him square in the face. BAM!
Hiroto flew backward off his stool, landing flat on the floor, holding his nose.
"GYAAAAH! NOT AGAIN, ANYA-SAN! My poor noooseee!" he cried, rolling around like he had been shot.
The whole bar roared with laughter. Hunters slapped their knees, some nearly spilling their drinks.
Anya turned away, her face still burning red, muttering under her breath. "Idiot… stupid idiot…" But she couldn't hide the tiny smile pulling at her lips.