The guild hall had barely returned to normal from Haruto's "heroic" feast when he found himself dragged into yet another assignment.
"Aurelian!" the guild master barked, waving a quest scroll. "We've received reports of a rogue wolf pack terrorizing the trade route to Silverpine Forest. Since you're… well, you're our hero now, you're going!"
Haruto froze mid-step.
(Trade route? Wolves? Hero? I just barely survived goblins!)
He glanced at Lyria, whose calm, expectant eyes met his.
(Great. She's here. I have to look cool… somehow.)
"Yes, of course! I mean… I'll handle it!" he said, trying to sound confident. Instead, his voice cracked. The guild master didn't notice. Nobody ever noticed.
---
The Forest of Chaos
By late afternoon, Haruto and Lyria arrived at the edge of Silverpine Forest. Towering trees cast long shadows across the path, and the distant howls of wolves sent shivers down Haruto's spine.
"Stay close to me," Lyria whispered, her hand brushing against his arm. "The forest can be dangerous."
Haruto swallowed hard.
(Yeah, I can see that… I might be more dangerous to myself than anything else!)
He stepped carefully, trying to mimic the dramatic stance of an anime hero. One hand on his sword hilt, the other stretched dramatically in front.
A branch snapped beneath his foot. He froze. A wolf's eyes glinted in the underbrush.
(Oh god, it's real… they actually exist!)
Before he could even think, a blur of motion shot across the path. A figure leaped atop a fallen log and swung a gleaming sword, cutting a wolf down in one clean stroke.
"Ha! Not today, you furry beasts!"
Haruto blinked. The figure was a girl—or something like a girl. Pointed ears peeked from her tousled hair, a tail swishing behind her, and eyes glowing amber with fierce determination.
She landed in a crouch, chest heaving, a wild grin plastered across her face.
"Who dares step into my fight?" she demanded.
Haruto opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
(I… I'm supposed to be the hero… she's taking all the glory!)
---
The Accidental Hero
The wolves, startled by her ferocity, regrouped and charged. Haruto panicked.
(Think! Anime tactics! Wait, which tactic…? I can't…remember ahhh!)
He swung his sword wildly, tripped over a root, and somehow collided with a wolf, sending it flying into another. Two more wolves retreated in confusion.
The Beastkin girl turned slowly, eyes narrowing. Then she tilted her head, impressed.
"Not bad, human," she said, a teasing smirk forming. "You've got… flair."
Haruto's face flushed red.
(Flair? You mean sheer clumsiness!)
He opened his mouth to protest, but a wolf lunged from the side. Reflexively, he jabbed his sword again. The wolf skidded to the ground, stunned.
The Beastkin girl's grin widened. "Okay, okay… you might be interesting. I like that."
---
Once the wolves scattered, Haruto wiped sweat from his brow. He tried to act heroic, chest puffed out.
"Fear not, fair warrior! I, the hero… shall protect you!"
The Beastkin girl laughed, tail flicking. "Hah! You call that protecting? You're lucky you didn't trip again!"
Haruto groaned internally. (She notices everything!)
Lyria, standing quietly beside him, clapped lightly.
"Well done, Haruto. That was… quite impressive," she said.
Haruto turned, panicked.
(She's seeing this too?! How does she think this is impressive? I almost fainted from fear!)
The Beastkin girl tilted her head toward Haruto, golden eyes gleaming.
"I'm Kiera," she said, bowing slightly. "And human hero… you're going to be my rival. I'll see if you're really worth all this fame."
Haruto blinked.
(Rival? RIVAL?! I can't even stand without tripping!)
Before he could protest further, Kiera hopped onto a nearby rock, striking a dynamic pose. "Until I beat you, I'm coming along. Don't even think about refusing!"
Haruto's jaw dropped. Lyria's eyes sparkled with approval.
(Another admirer… sort of… yes, this is heroic!), she thought.
---
And so, Haruto, Lyria, and Kiera formed an awkward trio.
Haruto: internally screaming, externally trying to look like a competent hero.
Lyria: calm, devoted, completely convinced of his heroism.
Kiera: energetic, competitive, teasing, already challenging Haruto at every step.
The forest echoed with the laughter, barks, and footsteps of their first misadventure as a team.
(If I survive this… maybe… just maybe… I could actually be the hero they all think I am…) Haruto thought, though deep down, he knew it would be mostly luck.
---
As night fell, a shadow moved silently through the trees. Red eyes gleamed in the dark.
"The Hero gathers companions faster than expected," a cloaked figure murmured.
"Our master will be most pleased… or angry."
Haruto, oblivious to the danger lurking nearby, tripped over a root and fell face-first into the dirt.
Kiera laughed loudly. Lyria sighed softly, smiling.
And thus, the adventures—and misunderstandings—of the first harem truly began.