I can't reject my fan

After finishing the report concerning our attempted raid of the Demon Castle, I, Alice Ashglade, finally could take a rest from all the annoying paperwork. The plan was to relax for now before heading back into action, however, my break was disturbed when Zera barged into my room.

Apparently, she and the others took on a quest to hunt some goblins that were harassing a nearby village. At first, I was surprised that we were allowed to take on a quest that was far below our level, but the guild made an exception just for us due to the contributions we'd racked up so far. But it certainly felt weird embarking on a quest meant for new adventurers as the current top party in Esfar.

Using this quest as an excuse to take a break from demon hunting, Zera even managed to drag Harald and Sophia with her, who were already waiting outside. Thus, only Jean was missing. And fortunately, it didn't take long to find Jean once we stepped outside our inn.

"Ah, there he is! Hey, Jean! Which poor soul are you trying to hit on again?" Sophia yelled.

As they banter like usual, we began to attract the attention of those around us. I grew up with this kind of attention, so I didn't really mind, but I noticed Zera getting uncomfortable.

"Let's head back to the inn, guys. Zera found a quest for us, so let's discuss the details there." I said, smiling at Zera as gently as I could.

"A quest? Didn't we just come back from the Cursed Forest?" Jean wondered.

"Our little girl here snatched up a goblin hunting quest." Sophia chuckled with a wide grin.

"Goblins...?"

"Yes. Zera thought it would be a good idea to do something else aside from demon hunting." Harald elaborated.

"I see..."

Jean didn't seem to comprehend it completely, as he, too, must have thought that a party like ours shouldn't be able to accept a quest for lower-ranked parties. Still, he gave in and was about to follow us back to the inn.

"P-please wait!"

"Hm?"

The one who called out for us was the person beside Jean. I remember that Jean was talking to that guy before we arrived, but I didn't really pay attention to him because I thought that he was a fan of Jean again.

I looked at him, but the moment our eyes met, he averted my gaze. His face seemed to redden and he became more fidgety. Was he perhaps nervous?

"What is it, boy?" Sophia asked.

"I-I..."

He didn't necessarily stand out from others, nor did he seem strong. At first glance, he was just a normal boy. And yet, I felt strange looking at him. It was not because he shared the same hair and eye colors as I did. It was something different. But what exactly was it...?

"Hey, you're scaring him, Alice."

Harald put his hand on my shoulder as he smiled wryly at me. Without realizing it, I observed that boy as if he were a suspicious individual.

"S-sorry! I didn't mean to intimidate you! Are you alright?"

I scratched the back of my head as I apologized awkwardly.

"I-I'm fine." he replied as he showed a slight smile.

Following that, he opened his mouth again.

"I w-wanted to ask if I c-could accompany your party for your next quest!" he said.

The boy was nervous, but in the end, he was able to gather his courage. But it was not the first time someone had asked us to let them tag along for quests.

"Can you tell us why you want to come with us?" Sophia asked and this time, she appeared sterner.

"It's because I've admired you for a long time! I have always wanted to go on adventures with the hero and her party!"

Suddenly, the boy's eyes were sparkling.

"Don't you mean that you're just a fan of Jean and hope to become like him?" Sophia asked.

Whenever someone asked us, regardless of their gender, they would say that they wished to observe Jean and become like him. Naturally, we'd always reject them. We couldn't allow someone we didn't know well to take part in dangerous quests. Not only would they risk their lives unnecessarily, but they would also hold us back.

"Jean? No way." the boy responded as he laughed at Sophia's statement.

"I-is that so...?" Jean said, smiling wryly.

"Pft...!"

It was the first time I saw Jean look like that. I even had to hold myself back from laughing...!

"Hahaha! You're the first one to treat Jean like that, boy!"

Except for Jean, our whole party was laughing at him.

"Rather than Jean, it's..."

Then, the boy's eyes shifted to me.

"I-I'm a fan of A-Alice..." he claimed shyly.

"What...?" I muttered.

Despite being called the hero, there were rarely people on the streets who tried to come close to or interact with me. I was only called out if they needed help. In fact, Jean was more of a hero than I was, considering how the people were gushing over him. But I couldn't complain. After all, it was no secret how I was on the battlefield.

Even I was not fond of my other self.

"You're a fan of me...?" I repeated, still not believing what I'd just heard.

"I-it's Alice whom I have admired for so long! If there was an opportunity, then I was hoping to become like you!"

It felt weird. Not just my face, but my whole body warmed up. I didn't know what kind of expression I was showing on my face. I just knew that my lips were trembling and that I wanted to avoid the boy's earnest eyes.

"Wow, didn't expect that." Sophia stated, also surprised.

"Alice."

I looked over to Harald, who smiled faintly at me.

"Then, could you please tell us more about you? For example, what are your stats and what kind of skill do you have?" he asked gently.

Was he doing that for me...?

"My stats, huh...?"

The boy's confidence took a hit.

"T-they are mostly E-ranks... B-but my intelligence and speed are C-ranks!"

"H-huh...?"

Harald, who appeared like a saint just a second ago, was dumbfounded.

"Hahahaha!" Sophia laughed so much that tears came out of her eyes.

"E-E-rank?! Why do you suppose we would let you come with us?!" Zera yelled in disbelief.

"I-I know that I'm weak, but I still want to join you! I can carry your things, do the chores and even cook for you!"

"S-stop it, boy! I'm dying, hahaha!"

"I'm sorry, but we can't put you in danger..."

Sophia didn't straight out say it, however, she and Harald were surely against the idea of letting him come with us. Even Jean was currently finding the right words to reject him.

Everyone was pursuing him while forming a circle around him. And despite getting an earful from all directions, the boy's eyes were locked on me.

"I want to help Alice."

His eyes, which were as red as mine, appeared serious and determined.

"What could you possibly do?" Zera said sharply.

"I don't care what I have to do or what I have to sacrifice, I want to help you." he directed the words at me, ignoring the others around him.

Help me...? Why did he say that he wanted to help me? Did I look so pitiful to him? Or was it because I lost twice against the new Demon King? Did the words spread already?

"I may be overstepping here, but killing every demon is not your final destination, isn't it?"

"!"

I couldn't help but flinch at his words.

"W-what exactly do you mean...?" I tried to appear clueless.

Just who was that guy and how much did he know...?

"I..."

Now, everyone's attention was on me. I could feel the puzzling gazes of my comrades and I couldn't blame them. I mean, no one should know it. No one should be aware of that impossible wish of mine that was too foolish and embarrassing to say out loud.

"I don't know either..." he admitted, defeated.

Don't screw w-

"I don't know for certain yet what your goal is, however, I know that I can help you achieve it!"

"I have listened to your nonsense long enough now, boy. Sorry, but-"

"Sophia."

"A-Alice?"

I would maybe regret this decision later, however, my body moved on its own.

"What's your name?"

I knew I shouldn't trust this person. And I knew I shouldn't try and give myself false hope again.

"...Kageyama."

I was contradicting myself and would most likely continue to do so in the future, but I wanted to do it one last time. If possible, I wanted to chase that dream of mine one last time. The dream that couldn't even be granted after the death of the previous Demon King.

"Alright, Kageyama. I look forward to working with you."