Chapter 43: Is This Feeling Friendship Or Something More?

Alise lay sprawled on her bed, her crimson hair spread across the sheets like fire. Her fingers lightly brushed the spot on her forehead where Akira had kissed her just moments ago. A soft giggle escaped her lips, one that danced between bashfulness and joy. She rolled over onto her side, buried her face into her pillow for a moment, then touched her flushed cheeks with both hands. "Ahhh... What am I even doing?" She muttered under her breath, kicking her feet slightly. Suddenly, a knock interrupted her flustered daze. "Alise, we're coming in!" came a familiar voice from beyond the door. Startled, she jumped up as if struck by lightning and darted toward the door. With a hand still pressed to her warm cheek, she cracked the door open ever so slightly, peeking through like a guilty child. When she confirmed that Akira wasn't among them, she exhaled in relief and allowed the three girls to enter. Lyra stepped inside with a smirk that said more than words ever could. She teased, "Oh my, oh my~ Who would've thought that our shining, righteous Alise—perfect in mind, body, and heart—would be flustered like a maiden in spring?" Alise's eyes widened. "L-Lyra, don't tease me!" Ryuu, ever the voice of reason, smiled faintly. "It's normal, isn't it? Alise is a girl too. If someone suddenly kisses her, even she would feel shy." Her words immediately drew suspicious glances from the other two, who turned toward her like wolves catching the scent of prey. "Well now." Lyra purred, narrowing her eyes, "Ryuu, that's awfully specific. Don't tell me... were you also attacked by Akira?" As if struck by lightning, Ryuu raised her hands and gestured frantically in the air. She hurriedly said, "N-No! That's not what happened! It's just... Kaguya asked me to greet Akira at the door once, that's all!" "And?" Lyra leaned closer, her expression full of intrigue. "When I... When I wished Akira would call me by my name, he suddenly did. Then he grabbed my hand." Ryuu confessed, her voice shrinking to a whisper as her ears turned red. Lyra snorted, arms crossed. "Tch. That's it? No dramatic kiss, no lingering embrace, no forbidden fruit nibbled in the shadows?" Feeling the mockery in Lyra's tone, Ryuu puffed out her cheeks and snapped back, "What? Holding hands is embarrassing too!" Lyra clicked her tongue and said, "Only a pure-hearted germaphobic elf like you would turn red from something so tame." "And you!" Ryuu jabbed a finger at her. "You say you're experienced, but you don't even have a boyfriend! Even your pursuit of Finn failed miserably!" A gasp echoed as the verbal sparring escalated. The graceful elf had taken off her gloves. "What did you say?!" Lyra's eyes blazed. "You little punk! You can't even talk to a man without stammering. Akira probably thinks of you like a scared cat!" As their bickering intensified, Kaguya rolled her eyes and let out a long, tired sigh. She turned to Alise, who was still standing awkwardly near the bed, and asked calmly, "Enough about them. Alise... do you like Akira?" That one simple question instantly silenced the room. Ryuu and Lyra froze mid-argument, their faces shifting to curiosity as they waited for her response. Alise blinked, startled at the sudden question, then let out a soft breath. The warmth returned to her cheeks, but this time it wasn't embarrassment—it was gentleness. She sat down on the edge of her bed, a thoughtful expression appearing on her face. "...I do care about him deeply." She said at last, her voice calm but tinged with hesitation. "I like Akira a lot. But I don't think it's... love. Not yet, anyway." She looked down at her hands and continued, "It's more than friendship, but not quite that step beyond." The others listened silently, their expressions softening. "Besides." She added with a wry smile, "I don't think Akira loves me. That kiss earlier... I think it was meant to comfort me, not because he's in love." Her words hung in the air, giving off a bittersweet feeling. "He gives off the feeling of someone desperately clinging to something precious." She said, clutching her chest gently, "Like a child afraid to lose the only warmth they've ever known. Maybe... he's carrying something we can't see." Ryuu nodded slowly and said, "Akira... does express his emotions freely. Most elves are reserved, but he's different. He acts without hesitation." Alise continued, "He's also always worried about us. Almost like he sees something we don't. Maybe... it's intuition, or something more." "Or he's just that big of a worrywart." Lyra muttered, scratching her head. "Still... he's only been with us for a short time, and yet he's giving up so much. Why?" She clenched her fist, torn by the idea that someone would prioritize them over themselves. Kaguya said nothing for a long moment. Her eyes dimmed, recalling the first time she had taken Akira into the dungeon. He'd worn a smile then—bright, almost carefree—but his eyes were so terribly sad. Like a lost soul pretending to have found a home. "He reminds me of myself." Kaguya murmured. "Someone who had no place in the world and came to Orario, hoping to find one." She paused, her voice lowering. "Maybe that's why he holds us so dear. Because we're his light." After that, the room grew quiet again. Kaguya glanced up at the others, noting the way their cheeks glowed faintly, their eyes lost in reflection. None of them would admit it, but they were all close to crossing that line between friendship and that kind of affection. A knowing smile tugged at her lips. "You really are a sinful man, Akira." She whispered, more to herself than to anyone else. "Even I've fallen for you." — — — At noon, the sun hung lazily over Orario, casting a golden warmth over the towering Guild building. Most adventurers had already disappeared into the depths of the dungeon, but the guild hall remained alive with activity. It wasn't just a place for paperwork or briefings—it was the central hub of the city's beating heart. Thanks to monopolizing the city's magic stone trade and urban management, the Guild had long since grown into a power greater than most nations. Its grand halls were gilded and vast, filled with soft sofas, polished wood counters, and wide screens that constantly updated with information from across the dungeon floors. Free amenities, up-to-date intelligence, and a gathering of like-minded souls made it a hotspot—not only for adventurers but for gossipers, dreamers, and braggarts alike. Boasts echoed from table to table. "Fighting dragons? Bah! Let me tell you about the time I single-handedly tamed a floor boss!" But in truth, these adventurers knew: living was more than just swinging a blade. Surviving the dungeon wasn't just about combat prowess—it was about navigating the undercurrents of fate, luck, and friendship. After all, one wrong move, one wrong companion, and your bones might decorate the lowest floors of the dungeon forever. So, in this place of casual laughter and unspoken fears... They kept their spirits up. And told each other again and again— "We are the best."