Leaving the guild, Roland naturally took the slender, fair hand of the girl beside him.
"…"
Levy tried to look nonchalant at the street to the side, letting her hand be slowly enclosed in his.
Feeling each other's warmth, the girl's heartbeat quickened. It was like her blood had begun to boil, leaving her whole body flushed and hot.
Levy drew a deep breath to calm herself, but the heat already rising in her made her head go light. She could only let him lead her along like a doll.
Just then, that familiar gentle voice sounded.
"By the way… which way is Mira's place?"
"T-to the left… go left."
Holding down the shyness in her chest, Levy pointed on reflex toward the fork to the left.
She'd lived in this town for years, after all; giving directions wasn't hard even with a fuzzy head.
The afternoon sun wasn't harsh. Roland tilted his head up with a faint smile, clearly feeling power draining from within.
But that didn't affect his good mood in the least.
He admired the fantasy-medieval buildings and the scent of freshly baked bread wafting through the air—everything felt so new to him.
Not to mention the cute blue-haired girl at his side.
"This world… is really nice."
"What?"
Hearing the murmur from beside her but not catching it, Levy asked without thinking.
Maybe she'd gotten a little used to it. Though her heart was still shy, she was already doing much better than at the start—
At the very least, she didn't have to walk with her head down anymore.
"I said… Levy-chan is really cute," Roland said, one hand lightly pinching his chin. "No wonder Jet and Droy like you so much."
"C-cute…? No way."
Levy widened her eyes and waved her hands quickly.
But the corners of her lips, which she couldn't press down, betrayed the joy in her heart for all to see.
The two of them, chatting and laughing, looked like a pair of lovers in the eyes of many passersby.
...
Where Mira lived wasn't far from the guild.
After about half an hour of walking, Levy stopped, while Roland curiously took in the surroundings.
The broad street was split by a canal. Tall trees budding with flowers lined both sides, and every so often a flat bridge of white stone crossed the water.
Mira's apartment building was on the north side of the canal. The buildings stood in neat rows, giving the area a refined, symmetrical feel.
Across from the residences was a huge park filled with trees whose species he didn't know—apparently not yet in bloom.
"They're cherry trees over there. Every year the guild's Cherry Blossom Festival is held there. It's a shame they're not in season now."
Levy clasped her hands behind her back, lively as she introduced the place.
"I see. No wonder Mira said the scenery here is nice."
Roland nodded.
He wasn't sure why cherry trees were here at all, but when they bloomed, the whole street would probably be swept up in petals.
"Come on, I've already found the uncle who's renting out a place." Levy tugged his sleeve with a smile.
The landlord was a man in his thirties. He wanted to travel with his wife for a year or so, and that was why he was renting.
Hearing that, Levy couldn't help but sigh, "That's wonderful. Your wife must be so happy to have a husband like you."
When I marry Roland someday… will we get to travel too?
The thought came to her unbidden.
Because he was eager to rent it out, Levy haggled the monthly rent down to 130,000 J—on the condition that they paid six months upfront.
That came to 780,000 J.
Levy didn't hesitate to front the money.
After jobs, she only ever took a small portion of the reward to buy books she wanted and rarely splurged. As a result, her savings had already surpassed most of the guild.
"I'm never going to pay this back, am I…"
Roland sighed, wearing a complicated expression.
Living at her place, eating her food… and now even six months' rent—maybe I should pay it back with my body?
After signing the contract, they stepped into the newly rented home.
It was a two-story wooden house. The first floor was mainly a sitting room and kitchen. Roland's bedroom was upstairs, and the hall also had a bath and toilet—everything you could need.
Since the owners were traveling with their whole family, it was essentially like renting the entire place for 130,000 J a month.
By the time they saw the original owner and his wife off onto a carriage, it was already dusk.
"Great! Now you've got a place to live!" Levy pumped her fist in delight.
From the look on her face, anyone would think she was the one who rented it.
"Thanks for all this, Levy."
Roland looked at the key gleaming with a metallic sheen and spoke from the heart.
He knew Levy was probably helping him so much because of the love's tear mole's influence…
But luck was luck—and he'd met an adorable girl like this.
Roland shook his head and tossed the thought aside.
"Come in. I'll treat you to something different for dinner tonight."
"What, what— is it those soup dumplings?"
"Pan-fried dumplings, ramen, hot pot, salt-baked snails, fruit pudding… anything you want."
"Hold on—did something weird just get mixed in there!?"
You can eat snails!?
Just imagining it made Levy's scalp tingle.
...
The moon was especially bright that night. After finishing her dessert—apple pudding—Levy lay on the sofa with a satisfied look.
Gazing out at the night beyond the window, she curled her lips, then sat cross-legged and stretched.
"Thanks for the food. I'll head home for today!"
"You know, you could just sleep here," Roland said, setting down the history book he was halfway through, half joking.
"T-that kind of thing… no way!"
At least… not yet!
Levy rubbed her flushed cheeks, then quickly stood and headed for the door.
When she opened it, a gust of cold wind rushed in, making the girl—wearing only an off-shoulder dress—hug her arms.
In the next instant, a black long-sleeved jacket settled over her shoulders, and the chill faded.
"…Thank you."
Levy gripped the collar of the jacket and turned to the Roland standing in the doorway.
Silvery moonlight fell across his face, and his gentle, refined features made her heart thump again.
"Um, Roland…" Levy lowered her head slightly, voice small.
"Mm?"
"Could you close your eyes? Just for a moment!"
"I mean, I can… but why?"
Roland arched a brow, puzzled.
"Please!"
Though full of questions, Roland closed his eyes—because he trusted the girl.
What came next was a soft, damp touch at the corner of his lips—carrying a faint taste of apple.
I just got kissed!?
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For 20+ Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!] [[email protected]/Draumel]
[Thank You For Your Support!]