Reunions and Revelations

"Hi, you two," Tristan said, approaching.

"How are the other two?" he asked, sitting down beside them.

Tristan smiled, impressed.

"Yeah..." Anne said thoughtfully. "But Kyle still hasn't come back."

Elena crossed her arms, a worried crease on her forehead.

Tristan shook his head confidently.

                                                                       A short silence fell. Then he added, glancing at the empty plates:

"Have you eaten yet?"

"No," Elena replied. "We'll wait until everyone is here. Just to celebrate Lys and Iris's success."

"Then I'll wait with you," Tristan said, leaning back in his chair.

A few moments passed in a calm and warm atmosphere.

Then, suddenly, the large door of the guild opened with an all-too-familiar creak. All eyes turned toward the entrance.

And there, in the doorway, stood Kyle.

He was there. Finally.

His clothes were clean, refined, almost elegant. He wore a long, dark coat with silver trim and a neat cut. From his shoulder hung a strange bag, finely engraved with glittering runes—clearly a magical object of great value. But even more than his outfit, it was the expression on his face that surprised them.

A broad smile lit up his features. A mixture of serenity, satisfaction, and pure excitement. He was beaming.

Tristan, Anne, and Elena instinctively straightened up. Even the other adventurers in the room fell silent for a moment, disturbed by the different aura the young man exuded.

Usually, Kyle would have skirted the crowd, head down, to find a quiet corner.

But this time…

He walked straight to their table, his smile still on his lips. He wasn't running away. He was coming toward them.

Anne, slightly speechless, was the first to react.

"Is… is this really our Kyle?"

"It's him…" Tristan replied, an amused smile playing on his lips. "But he looks… different."

Kyle reached them. He stopped, looked at them one by one... then simply said,

"I'm home. Sorry for the wait."

Kyle had barely sat down when a barrage of questions fell on him.

"Where have you been?" Elena asked, arms crossed, her gaze piercing.

"And those clothes?!" Anne continued, her eyes shining with curiosity.

"You look like you've had a really good week," Tristan joked, an amused smile playing on his lips.

Kyle answered without hesitation, his tone calm but relaxed.

"I was out doing some work for someone."

He looked at Anne and shrugged slightly.

"And the clothes, they're a gift... I think."

Then he turned his head toward Tristan with a small smile:

"And yes, it was... rather pleasant." »

But this calm wasn't enough to quell their curiosity. The silence lasted barely a few seconds.

"Who exactly do you work for?" Elena continued, looking more serious this time.

Kyle looked her straight in the eye.

"For Darian."

Tristan raised his eyebrows.

"Darian? The merchant they call the clairvoyant? I hope it's nothing illegal..."

"I hope so too," Kyle replied with a smile, adopting a deliberately dramatic tone.

The girls stifled a giggle, but Anne quickly continued:

"And what kind of work was it?"

Kyle replied, always frank:

"Slaughtering an ancient treant to recover its wood, fighting a band of trolls in a mine, eliminating goblins... those kinds of little missions."

Tristan grimaced, surprised:

"With missions like that, why not go through the guild?"

Kyle raised an eyebrow.

"Darian doesn't trust the guild much. He says it's largely under the influence of the nobles."

Tristan nodded slowly.

"Okay... I can understand that point of view, although it's not an excuse for everything."

There was silence for a moment, before Anne asked a more serious question:

"And you, Kyle... why did you agree to work for him?" »

Kyle smiled mysteriously.

"For two reasons. One fake and one real."

The others looked at him, intrigued.

"The fake: to have an adventure."

"The real: to get closer to Darian and get to know him better."

Elena narrowed her eyes.

"And... what did you find out?"

Kyle took a moment before answering.

"Darian seems... like a good man. The missions he gave me were intended to help his partners. And everyone who works with him trusts him completely. Plus, the majority of his staff are commoners."

Tristan scratched his head thoughtfully.

"So you think we can trust him, then?"

"On the business side, yes, totally," Kyle replied. "As for the rest... I don't know."

"Why do you say that?" Elena asked.

 Kyle shrugged slightly, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"Precisely because he's too perfect. Kind, powerful, respected... but without a single visible crack. And I don't believe in a man who never shows his flaws."

At this, a quiet burst of laughter shook the table. Even Anne and Elena smiled. It was pure Kyle—that mix of wry humor and cold lucidity.

Yes, despite his elegant attire, Kyle was still Kyle. And in that moment, they were all reassured.

After a brief silence, Anne pointed to the bag on the young man's shoulder.

"And that bag over there... what is it?"

"I can feel mana emanating from it," Elena added, frowning.

Kyle patted the bag gently, proudly.

"It's a dimensional bag. I bought it with my paycheck." »

Then, with a wry smile:

"This will be very useful for our mission tomorrow."

The girls looked at the bag with interest. The item itself was rare, practical, and expensive. The fact that Kyle had bought it himself for the mission spoke volumes.

"You brought it to help us on the mission?" Anne asked, surprised.

Kyle nodded.

"I thought it would be useful... carrying equipment, potions, or even precious objects... that sort of thing."

The three looked at him, a little surprised, but genuinely touched. Kyle wasn't the demonstrative type, and this gesture, simple as it was, betrayed a desire to invest more of himself in the group.

"That's... really thoughtful of you," Elena said, smiling.

But almost immediately, she froze slightly.

"Oh... wait." I already picked up a dimensional bag from the supply room for the mission. I thought we'd need one, so..."

Kyle's smile faded briefly. It was nothing, and yet... a hint of disappointment could be seen on his face. He hadn't done this to be thanked, but he would have liked... to be helpful.

"Ah... I see."

He looked away for a moment, trying to hide his expression.

But Anne, attentive as always, reacted immediately.

"But don't worry! Two bags will be even better! We'll be able to spread the load better, and if we find a lot of resources in the dungeon, it'll be much more practical."

Kyle looked up at her and simply nodded gently.

"Yeah... that's true."

Then he sat calmly with them around the table. He seemed to have regained his composure, but the effort he was making not to show too much was obvious, at least to those who knew him.

"And by the way... where are the other two?" he asked, changing the subject.

Anne replied

"They came back late last night, completely exhausted after their mission. We haven't seen them yet this morning."

Elena added, with a hint of tenderness in her voice,

"We're waiting for them to eat together, to celebrate their success." »

Kyle nodded, then looked at the table.

"In that case, I'll wait too."

He sat quietly at the table alongside his companions. He glanced around before asking,

"And what was the girls' mission?"

Tristan, who was nibbling on a piece of bread, replied without looking up:

"They must have dislodged a lich, apparently."

Kyle raised an eyebrow, genuinely impressed.

"A lich? I understand, they must be tired after such a mission."

Anne, curious and looking to pass the time, suddenly offered with a smile,

"In the meantime, would you mind telling us about some of your adventures? We haven't had your recap since you got back."

Kyle nodded, delighted to finally have the opportunity to share a little of what he had experienced.

"With pleasure." »

He first recounted his encounter with an ancient treant, a colossal forest creature, then how he had protected a group of travelers attacked by a band of aggressive goblins. His stories captivated everyone's attention, accompanied by expressive gestures, sometimes comical details, and a few deliberate exaggerations.

As he began another anecdote, he caught a glimpse out of the corner of his eye of two still-drowsy figures coming down the guild stairs.

"Look, they're finally awake," Elena announced, discreetly tipping her chin.

Everyone turned their heads toward the two newcomers. Lys and Iris, visibly still drowsy, were walking slowly but purposefully toward their table. Once close, they greeted everyone in an almost coordinated voice:

"Hey everyone..."

Lys, who had barely emerged, looked up and noticed Kyle sitting at the table.

"Hey, Kyle... you're home. How have you been since?"

"Good, thanks. And you? I heard about your exploits, I'm impressed."

Lys blushed slightly, looking down with a nervous chuckle.

"Oh... it wasn't much..."

Iris, who felt a little left out by the two of them, added with a pout,

"Hey, I was there too, you know."

"Sorry, Iris, you're right. Well done to you too. You did a great job," he said sincerely.

 Lys then teased,

"We would have even finished two days earlier if Iris hadn't screamed every time we encountered an undead!"

"Lys! This is supposed to stay between us!" Iris exclaimed, embarrassed, as everyone laughed.

You could clearly feel a great bond between them, strengthened by the ordeals they had just gone through together.

Tristan placed his mug on the table with a smile:

"Well, now that everyone's here, we can finally eat!"

"Were you expecting us?" Iris asked, a little touched.

"Of course," Anne replied. "We'll celebrate your return together."

The two girls took their seats around the table. Iris, curious, frowned as she looked at Kyle more closely.

"Wait... your clothes... they're different from usual."

Kyle grimaced slightly, embarrassed.

"Ah, that." I completed Darian's assignments yesterday, completely exhausted. I barely had time to inform him that I had fulfilled all of his requests... when one of his employees—or so I presume—ran into my lap."

He gestured at his elegant outfit.

"In an instant, a complete makeover. Then, without me understanding why, he shipped me off to a luxury hotel... And this morning, I found myself dressed like this."

"Must have been a gift from Darian," Anne concluded, amused.

"That's what I thought too," Kyle replied.

Lys looked at him, a little worried.

"Wait... you're working for Darian now?"

Kyle sighed slightly.

"It's a long story. I'll explain from the beginning..."

He continued his explanations while everyone ordered their meals. The plates began to arrive, bringing with them the appetizing smell of roasted meats, spicy stews, and freshly baked breads.

After a moment, between bites, Tristan gently rapped his fist on the table, adopting a more solemn tone.

"Tomorrow's the big day."

Kyle, his eyes shining with excitement, replied a little casually.

"A dungeon, huh? Nothing too complicated."

Tristan, who continued seriously, said,

"This isn't your average dungeon mission. We'll be the first to enter. There's no map, no clues." No adventurer has explored it yet. The traps and monsters will be unpredictable."

Elena nodded.

"It's up to us to lay the groundwork. That's what pioneering means. And it's part of our mission."

Tristan then glanced at his team.

"Who's explored dungeons before?"

Elena raised her hand.

"A few Rank F dungeons. Once, a Rank D. Nothing too dangerous."

Lys added.

"At the church, they made us enter small dungeons infested with undead to practice purification."

"Never been in a dungeon," Iris admitted.

"Me neither," Kyle said.

"Once," for me, Anne replied.

 "As for me..." Tristan said with a proud smile, "I went into a Rank A dungeon with my master."

"What?!" Iris exclaimed. "And what exactly is a Rank A dungeon?"

Tristan turned to her, adopting a professorial tone.

"Dungeons are classified by their depth and danger. A Rank A can be up to 90 levels, or even 100. Rank B: 75 to 50 levels. Rank C: 50 to 25. Rank D: 25 to 20. Rank E: 20 to 15. Rank F: 15 to 5. Rank G: less than 5 levels."

Lys nodded.

"So... the church dungeons were indeed Rank G."

"Correct," Tristan confirmed. "The one I explored with my master was an elementary dungeon." Fire, to be precise. We didn't get to the bottom of it, but according to him, the dungeon master was a fire dragon."

He lightly unsheathed his sword, the blade giving off a faint reddish glow.

"That sword is part of the loot you get back there after defeating the dragon."

Kyle's eyes widened.

"So if I understand correctly, killing creatures in a dungeon... they give rewards?"

"Not really. But, according to research, they say that dungeon creatures take form from magical items and materials, and defeating them grants them.

I don't have all the details, but from what my master explained, dungeons obey their own Laws."

Kyle suppressed a smile.

"A drop system, bosses, rewards... This world is getting more and more clichéd." It really feels like a video game…"

But deep down, this idea amused him more than it worried him.

Kyle, increasingly excited by this news, was now looking forward to tomorrow.

Lys then asked Tristan what they were going to do today.

"We have to pace ourselves," he replied. "There's no way we're going to get too tired the day before such an important mission."

Elena added.

"We should go buy some supplies first. We don't know how long the exploration will last, so we might as well be well prepared."

Tristan nodded and offered to accompany them. So, Anne, Elena, and he decided to go shopping together.

After the meal, the small group set off, leaving Kyle, Lys, and Iris alone at the table.

But a few seconds later, Iris stood up abruptly.

"I'll go with them too!" she called out before whispering in Lys's ear, "I'll give you a chance to get closer to him." Then, without waiting for an answer, she ran to join the others.

Lys stood there frozen, a little embarrassed, unsure of where to stand.

Kyle, who had noticed her reaction, wanted to break the silence.

"What did she say to you before she left?" he asked curiously.

But his question only made Lys more embarrassed, and she looked away, her eyes flushed with confusion.

Kyle, on the other hand, had never been alone with a girl. It wasn't that he was particularly shy, but he didn't like being in this kind of situation.

A moment passed. Then, mustering up her courage, Lys timidly suggested.

"Do you... do you want to walk around town for a bit?"

Kyle accepted with a big smile.

"With pleasure."

So, they left the guild and began exploring the capital together. Yet, even in the bustling streets, a silence still hung between them.

Usually, when they were all together, the conversation flowed naturally. But this time, alone, it was different. Kyle thought Lys was angry with him. Perhaps because of his sudden departure, or because he hadn't taken the time to explain himself.

Seeking to clarify things, he spoke.

"I'm sorry, Lys... For leaving like that, without saying anything. I didn't mean to worry you... And I apologize for not apologizing sooner."

Lys shook her head.

 "No, you don't have to apologize. I don't blame you, on the contrary... I admire you, Kyle."

Surprised, Kyle looked at her without understanding.

"Admire you?"

"Yes. You always do what you want, without worrying about what others think. You follow your own path, even if it's difficult. I... I wish I had that courage."

Kyle had never been complimented like that by a girl. He didn't know how to respond, so he just smiled sincerely.

After Lys's words, something changed in the air.

Kyle, who until then had always stayed away from this kind of situation, felt something click in his head. He could no longer ignore the obvious: the scenario had just changed. It was official. Romance mode activated.

He had always played his role brilliantly: that of the slightly off-the-wall hero, the one who never noticed that his friend had feelings for him. No, even worse: he had chosen to ignore the signs, the glances, the awkward silences. Love stories, not for him. And what he hated about romance anime was seeing the characters go around in circles for dozens of episodes, only to finally hold hands in the last one.

So, this time, he decided to do what very few heroes did: get straight to the point.

 He stopped abruptly in the middle of the cobblestone street, forcing Lys to stop as well. The afternoon sun bathed the city in a warm light, but the mood had just changed. He turned his head toward her, gazing into hers with disarming sincerity.

"Tell me, Lys. Do you have feelings for me?"

Lys blinked. She froze.

"What?!"

The world seemed to stop. Her heart was pounding in her chest. She felt her cheeks flush, and her throat tighten.

She wanted to reply, but no sound came out. She thought about denying it, saying it wasn't true, maybe making a joke. But she couldn't. Not this time.

A voice inside her whispered, "It's now or never." »

So she took a deep breath, stared at Kyle as best she could despite her embarrassment, and said a word. Just one. Almost a breath.

"...Yes."

Silence.

Kyle stood there, looking at her. He wasn't smiling, laughing, or avoiding her gaze. He wasn't running away either. He was calm. Present. He accepted her answer.

For the first time, Lys wasn't ashamed of having been honest about her feelings.

Kyle, still motionless, looked at Lys attentively. She was... cute, really. Her flushed cheeks, her shifty eyes, her sincerity—everything about her seemed fragile, but also courageous. In his old world, he had never experienced this kind of moment. He knew that as a man, he would surely have taken such an opportunity to say to himself, "That's it, a girlfriend!" But this world was different. More dangerous, more primal, more predictable. The feelings also seemed more intense.

And above all, it wasn't just about having a girlfriend.

He thought about all that time spent with Lys. The missions, the meals, the knowing glances, the discreet bickering. She wasn't just a "cute girl." He liked her. A lot. And that's what made him even more lost.

What if he said yes, and hurt her later?

What if he said no, and hurt her now?

He didn't know what to do. And for once, none of his anime references could help him.

Lys, who could see his hesitation, opened her mouth timidly.

"You don't need to answer me now..."

That phrase, typical of heroines we see losing in love, rang like a bell in Kyle's mind. A flag.

But instead of running away or avoiding the subject, he decided to do what he did best: go against the grain of clichés.

"Why?" " he asked, his voice calm.

Lys looked at him, surprised.

"Why... is this only happening to me now? And how is this possible?"

She wanted to say something, but he raised his hand slightly and continued:

"We've only known each other for a few weeks. And I... I hide a lot. Really a lot. You know almost nothing about me."

He fixed his eyes on hers. It wasn't an accusation, nor a rejection. Just a truth, lying there between the two of them.

Lys fell silent, taken aback. She lowered her eyes for a moment, clearly searching for the right words. Then she took a deep breath, raised her head, and replied:

"I don't know why. I don't know how. I just know that... I love you. And for now, that's all I know."

Silence.

 It wasn't a flamboyant declaration, nor a polished speech. But it was sincere. Raw. Pure.

And in this world filled with danger, uncertainty, and secrets, perhaps it was this kind of simple truth that mattered most.

After Lys's response, Kyle sighed inwardly.

"What's this shortcut?" he thought. "A real stroke of genius to force romance into the storyline..."

But instead of continuing to ruminate, he decided, for once, not to analyze everything.

He stopped thinking. He listened to his instincts.

He smiled at Lys.

"Honestly... it's nice to hear that kind of thing from a pretty girl."

He didn't say it with the intention of being flirty. It was just... the first thing that came to mind.

Lys blushed fiercely, a little taken aback. Then she gave him a shy smile.

"Thank you..."

Kyle blinked. He hadn't even realized he'd complimented her. He frowned slightly, confused by the "thank you."

"You know," he said next, "You're really too good for me."

Lys froze then. Her eyes lost some of their sparkle. She thought she heard a polite rejection. One of those things you do to avoid hurting anyone.

"I see... sorry," she murmured. "We'd better get back. The others are probably already at the guild."

But Kyle, still not quite following the emotional logic, replied calmly.

"No. I want to keep walking with you."

Lys stared at him, confused.

"Why? After rejecting me, you still want to stay with me? Do you want me to suffer?"

Kyle, still in his semi-conscious state, improvising his life like a blank page, blinked.

"Wait... there must be a misunderstanding."

Lys seemed lost. She hugged herself.

"Then why? Why do you want to stay?"

He simply replied,

"I just enjoy your company." »

Then he added with a small smile:

"And if I understand correctly, you have a thing for lonely, mysterious, and slightly weird guys?"

Lys looked at him for a long time, then began to laugh softly. A real laugh, light and sincere. Then she shook her head.

"That's not what I like about you."

"Oh yeah?" Kyle said curiously.

"What I like... is the way you follow your desires. You don't cheat. You live as you are, even if it's strange. You do what you feel, in your own way."

They continued walking side by side. Lys gradually regained confidence. The silence between them was no longer heavy.

Then she began:

"And you, Kyle... what's your type of girl?" 

He thought for a moment, referring to all the stories he'd read, then replied:

"I like girls who have their own story. The ones for whom romance is in the background, not the main focus.

The ones who are strong. Independent.

The kind of woman willing to face the whole world, including the one they love, if it means fulfilling their dreams."

He paused for a moment, looked at the pinking sky.

"Their dream doesn't have to be grandiose. They just need to have something that defines them... other than being 'someone's mate.'"

Lys felt her heart beat faster. She'd never seen him like this. And in that moment, she realized: she only knew a small part of Kyle. He was even more incredible than she thought.

They talked for a while longer, then Lys asked another question:

"And... what, for you, is an ideal relationship?"

Kyle seemed almost surprised by the question, but answered bluntly:

"If one day I end up in a relationship... I want it to be with someone who is, above all, my friend.

Someone with whom I can talk about anything, dream together, debate, laugh, even in silence. Someone with whom I can be myself.

Someone with whom time stands still without us even realizing it."

Lys drank in his words. In this world where might was king, where women often had to step back or play a role, Kyle's words resonated like a breath of fresh air.

She understood then.

If she wanted to one day walk alongside Kyle, she couldn't just wait for him or follow him.

She had to live. For herself. She had to become his equal.

That was the paradox:

To get closer to him... she had to distance herself, to forge her own path.

The sun was almost set. They had spent all day together.

So, as if to lighten the mood a little, Lys asked him,

"And if we hadn't been friends, and had just come and declared my feelings to you like that, what would you have said?"

Kyle chuckled.

"I probably would have said something classy like, 'I don't want a woman who wants me.'"

Lys burst out laughing.

"How arrogant..."

They continued walking side by side, their shadows stretching gently in the fading light.

And with that shared smile... they returned to the guild.

Kyle and Lys finally arrived at the guild. The atmosphere was peaceful, dimly lit by the hanging lights and the familiar smell of hot food. The girls were gathered around a large table, eating dinner. As they arrived, several faces turned toward them.

"Oh, here you are at last!" Elena said, a hint of concern in her voice. "We were all a little worried, you know..."

Lys apologized immediately, slightly embarrassed.

Kyle, for his part, replied with his usual detachment:

"We just went for a walk... We lost track of time."

He glanced around the table.

"Where's Tristan?"

"He's with Julie and Edward, the guild master. They're finalizing the details for tomorrow," Anne replied.

"I see..."

Without another word, Kyle grabbed a piece of bread, nibbled at it absently, and then gave them a small bow.

 "Good night."

"Good night," Kyle, the girls chorused.

As soon as he disappeared up the stairs, everyone's eyes turned to Lys, who was sitting calmly with them. A soft, almost dreamy smile still played on her lips.

"So, how did it go?" Iris asked directly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Good," Lys replied simply.

But Iris wasn't one to be satisfied with such a vague answer.

"Just 'good'? Did you two get a little closer at least?"

Lys's smile widened slightly, and she nodded.

"Yes."

Iris was about to ask another question, but Elena intervened gently:

"Iris, calm down a little. You're going to start attacking her." »

"But I just want to talk about love," Iris defended herself, pouting. "This is a conversation between friends, right?"

Anne, amused, tilted her head toward Lys.

"Look at her face... Lys is clearly on cloud nine. She's literally floating. That's why she's lost for words."

Everyone started to smile, even Iris, who, despite her frustration, understood that something beautiful had truly happened. That look, that smile, that attitude: everything about Lys betrayed a new emotion.

"I'm going to bed," Lys said softly, her cheeks still flushed.

"Goodnight, Lys," the girls whispered.

Iris watched her walk away, her heart at peace.

"It's okay," she murmured to herself. "It seems like things are finally moving forward between the two of them."

Lys climbed the stairs to her room, her heart still light despite her accumulated fatigue. Each step echoed softly on the wood, as if to mark the end of an extraordinary day. Once alone, she collapsed onto her bed, her breath still a little uneven, her cheeks burning.

She thought back to Kyle's words, his smile, that disarming sincerity that made her vibrate despite herself. A new feeling, both fragile and powerful, had taken hold within her. It was neither a game nor a dream: it was real. And it gave her both courage and a gentle fear.