Chapter 10:

Vol. 2 Ch. 1 Request of the Smith

Quina


Chapter 1

Request of the Smith

After eating I went to the blacksmith, since they won't be busy now, I can have them teach me smithing today.

"I'm here to learn metal working."

"I have been expecting you, Flame boy! come in! I'll make Cecil teach you!"

Flame boy? What kind of nickname is that? Why is this town full of weirdos?

I went inside the the back of the store which is the metalworking part of it and found a guy hitting a piece of metal with a hammer.

"Cecil, teach this boy how to Smith!"

"Oh! it's the boy with the bad glare."

Where have I seen this guy before?

He has Orange hair and yellow eyes and is probably a human race.

".... wait, you're that stalker!"

"What stalker?!"

"You were stalking Alex! I remember you!"

"Cecil, what is he talking about?"

"No! I was not stalking Alex!"

"Well, I don't really care... it's the flame of youth! HAHAHAHA!"

I'm getting a headache just being with this blacksmith.

"Oi stalker, teach me how to smith."

"I got to man the counter, I'll leave you with Flame boy, okay?"

The blacksmith left to the counter.

"Stalker, what should I do first?"

"Don't call me stalker."

"But you are a stalker."

"I wasn't stalking Alex!"

"Fine, fine... teach me how to smith."

"I'll teach you, but you need books."

"Books?"

"Yes books about smithing. or to be precise, about smithing materials like rocks, gems, metals, and others."

"Where can I get these books?"

"You need to go to the capital to read them."

"What? But I can't go there! How did you read those books? You're not a adventurer right? You're registered as a citizen."

"That's what I am about to talk about today, I have one compressed book than contains all the books, but I accidentally broke the glasses needed to read it so it can't be read anymore."

Glasses... It must be like those books from the pharmacy.

"I have the Glasses already... so let me have the book."

"No, I have a price for it."

"Then, how much do you want to sell it for?"

"I don't need money, I need something else."

"Let me guess... Alex?"

"........"

"I don't care, just tell me what you want."

"W-well..... the truth is...."

The guy looked to the side while blushing.

"I-I have a crush on someone."

"Alex?"

"Yeah..."

Alex is a guy, should I tell this person?

"So, your request is?"

"I want Alex to fall in love with me."

Okay, I should think about this. Should I accept this? I don't know anything about love. But I have read things from books that uses love as a centerpiece. I never understood the charm of those books but I remember some things written in those books that I might be able to use.

"....I don't know if I can succeed... but I'll try my best, but you need to give that smithing book to me, I don't want to waste time. I want to learn smithing right away."

"Don't worry, I will teach you the process on how this works. You don't need to read books to learn how to smith, you only need it to understand the materials and know more about them and how to handle them."

"So give me the book."

"Help me first, if I see any improvements with me or Alex's relationship, then i'll give you the book."

"Haaaa... fine, fine..."

Seems like I can't get it easily.

I went to the library.

"It's rare to see you here at this time."

"I have a stupid job... hey, can you help me?"

Maybe this berserker knows how to do it, she is the smartest person here after all.

"What do you need help with?"

"I need to learn how to make other people fall in love."

"What? You mean act like a cupid?"

"Yes, do I need arrows?"

"No, cupids are just man made imaginary beings, they don't exist."

"Then how do I do this stupid task?"

"Sorry, I can't help there... I don't know anything about love."

"What? Even you?"

"I know some things based on it.... Maybe you can—"

"The answers that come from Aceilette will probably be empty."

A voice came from somewhere.

Me and berserker turned to its source and it was Sensei.

"What do you mean, Rose-senpai?"

"I know you're smart. You probably have an idea of what love is based on knowledge. But you haven't experienced it yet. You're too smart so you tend to think logically so you don't easily fall in love."

""Sorry, but I don't get what you're saying.""

Me and berserker said in unison.

"For example, when you see a beautiful person, you tend to think. 'Because of human societies view on looks, this person is considered beautiful. This makes my heart rate fast because my body would think that a beautiful person would mean a better conquest based on animal instinct.'"

""What?""

".... or another example, when you see someone crying you think, 'I only get the feeling of wanting to comfort this person because of the protective instincts of mammals towards each other.' or something like that."

""Then what should it be?""

Both me and Accielette tilted our heads.

"It should be, 'I want to protect you and stop you from crying! I would be with you among all troubles!'"

""But that is the same thing you just said about protective instincts.""

"...I think it's useless to talk about this..."

Sensei breathed out exhausted.

Hmmmm... maybe sensei knows something about this.

"... Sensei, I want to make two people fall in love which other."

"Oh? Do you want my help?"

"Yes, but there is a problem."

"What is it?"

"Well.... this guy likes a girl but the girl is actually a guy. So that means that the guy needs to act like a girl to attract the guy that looks like a girl right? but if he acts like a girl but is a guy then that guy would know that the guy who looks like a girl is a guy because a guy acting as a girl definitely isn't natural to look at."

"What? Can you repeat that."

".... what if a guy loves a guy who looks like a girl? Of everything I have read about romance, there were no guy who falls in love with another guy."

"Then why not tell that guy that the girl he loves is actually a guy?"

"I can't do that because of certain reasons."

"Oh, you mean you don't want to hurt his feelings?"

"Why? I don't care about that... he just have something I need."

"Nameless-kun! Don't use love just to get the things you want."

"Why?"

"It's bad!"

"Why?"

".... I don't know... just don't do it!"

"...okay...."

"Nameless, from what I read, you just make them talk to each other and give them some sort of trigger that will make their heart rate increase."

Berserker said while reading a book she just opened. The book she's reading has no relationship to love, it's named [Top 10 unsolvable math problems].

"What trigger is that?"

"I don't know, from the books... it's always different every time, so you need to learn about the two people first before manipulating the events to get that trigger."

"So I need to stalk them huh?"

"Yes. You need to get information about them."

"So it's like this, I need to know their likes and dislike, compare them together, and simulate the event that will make them realize their similarities. That way, they will have something to talk about whenever they meet increasing the times of interaction. But the trigger should be a trigger that makes both of their hearth rate increase in an instant."

"Yes, so what you need to do is find out things that will make a human's heart rate increase and try to make those things happen."

"You two... you both say helpful things about love, but for some reason I don't like how you would do it."

""Why?""

Berserker closed the book and put it under the counter. What, did she solve the 10 unsolved math problems already?

Sensei continued speaking.

"... I don't know, if everything is calculated, it feels like you just force them to fall in love with each other."

"As long as it happens, no one gets hurt right?"

"Well... that is true."

"Okay then, I'll try that."

"Nameless, this is just from what I read from books... I haven't experienced it yet so you should adjust based on the situation."

"Yeah, I'm not a person who just looks in front like a Berserker."

"........"

For some reason Berserker did a wry smile on the last line that I said.

"Hey, Berserker... can you find me a book about those that might make a human's heart rate increase? I'll come back for them later."

"Yeah, sure."

"Well, then, it's time for me to leave."

So I just have to stalk Alex and Cecil and find similarities.

Wait... I have worked with Alex before, I should remember the information about her... I mean, him.

Let's see... he likes sewing... and ... caring for people... that's all?

Why isn't that guy a girl?

I went back to the blacksmith.

"Start teaching me the basics about smithing first, I'll talk to you about that request with you while working."

"Hmmmm.... okay, got it."

We went to a forge and he turned it on.

Fire came out of the forge.

"It's simple... just hold the material towards the fire."

Cecil held the edge of the long metal bar to the fire.

"When it turns hot, start hammering!"

Cecil started hammering the metal until it bends and thins out becoming a blade.

"Put it in the water when you want to cool it down."

She put it in the water and it became like a blade.

"So this is the end product... this is only a rushed work, but you probably know how to do it now."

"Yeah, thanks... it's pretty easy, but why do I need to learn about the materials?"

"It's what father said... you need to learn all the materials in order to master smithing. It is so that you know how to handle the materials you are using and also know what you should use for different purposes. This isn't the end of your training, my father will teach you the materials in that book. He has samples to all of it and you better study everything, from texture, hardness, temperature, and other things."

"So the book is not required after all?"

"Yes, but if you want to be a good blacksmith, you better learn about it. There is nothing to lose anyway, so why not just read it?"

So it's not like the potion books where you cannot create them if you don't read.

I started hammering a metal and tried forming it into a blade.

*Clang* *Clang*

While hammering I was talking to Cecil.

"Hey, what are the things you like to do?"

"Why?"

"I need it for your request."

"Hmm... I don't really know how to answer that. I guess just doing this job?"

"So, you like to smith and stalk Alex, that's all?"

"I don't stalk Alex! I just look at the clothes in the tailor shop."

Clothes? Does he mean the leather armor, fur gloves and those stuff?

"You don't have to lie you know? I already know that you love that person."

"Well... I also look at Alex, but I also look at the clothes."

"Then, why don't you just go in the store to look at them and try them on?"

"I don't want to... I'm shy."

"Why?"

"Eh? Ummm aren't conscious when you try to talk someone you like? You know... you get nervous and you just think that it's better not to talk to that person?"

"Huh? Wait, haven't you even talked to her?"

"Well...."

"A bonefide stalker."

"I'm not a stalker!"

"Still, in all the books that I read you need to be able to interact with the person if you want to love or something."

"That's what I want you to help me with! I just want to start talking with Alex."

"Is that all? I thought you wanted it to become something like in those fiction books."

"I know that's hard to do, and I only want something to start, I want to the one who makes Alex fall in love with me. I want it to be my efforts alone."

"Huh? That's so confusing... I thought you want me to make Alex fall in love with you?"

".........I mean... umm.... I just want you to help me on the start."

"Okay, that makes things easier."

*Clang* *Pshhhh*

I finished hammering the iron.

"......"

"Practice makes perfect, better try again."

The metal didn't look like a blade, but just a flat iron.

"I'll continue smithing for the requests in the shop. Just get a sample over there and try to copy the blade, that will be a good way to start."

She started smithing shop requests on another forge.

I did what he said and practiced by myself until 3:00pm.

"You can stop here... that's good progress for the first day, good job."

"Hey, come with me outside, we need to start up on your request."

"Don't you want to take a bath first?"

"Why?"

"Your full of sweat, don't you feel uncomfortable?"

"I'm used to doing manual labor, and I also have things to do later so I have no time to take a bath."

"Like what?"

"Woodworking, and the pharmacy at night."

"That's a lot of work, hey, what time is your woodworking?"

"I don't know yet, I'll find out later."

"If that's the case, why won't you just practice here after your woodworking and just go to the pharmacy after?"

"Why?"

"I think you need to take a bath after those hard work, you can take a bath here before going to the pharmacy, just bring some clothes and a towel."

"Is it okay?"

"Yeah, you'll stink after smithing, I tell ya."

"Fine then I'll take a bath first, hey I'll come back here after taking a bath and I'll start with your request, Ok?"

"Sure."

I took a pair of clothes and a towel from my bench, then headed for the lake.

On my way, I stopped by the library.

"Berserker, can I have the book."

"Here."

The book she gave me was 'Psychological Human Reactions'.

"Thanks."

"Sure."

I went out the library and headed for the lake.

While taking a bath, I was reading the book by the side of the lake.

I read something useful while reading.

[—Sometimes, emotions such as fear are receive differently by humans. Since fear increases the heart rate of a human, you can easily convert it to other feelings such as love when done with the right circumstances, this is called 'The suspension bridge effect' the reason for this is—]

So all I have to do is scare Alex? no, it's not as simple as that. I need to read other books.

"What?!"

While taking a bath I heard a voice from the window in front of me.

The lake is just beside the school, which is closed during night time.

So the school was empty every time.

That someone at the window about 10 feet above me. It was a female staring at me with a surprised expression.

She had blue hair that is on braided pig tails and blue eyes. She looks like she is the same age as me.

"What?"

"I-I-I'm sorry!"

The girl covered her eyes with her hands.

"Huh? Why are you apologizing?"

"I-I-I didn't mean to peek!"

"Why? What's wrong with peeking?"

"I-Isn't peeking wrong?"

"... I don't think so?"

"No! It's definitely wrong!"

The girl had a quiet and gentle voice, she was a shy type of person.

"Relax, I don't know what's wrong with you and I don't really care."

"........."

The girl calmed down, but she is still covering her eyes.

"...wha-what are you doing there?..."

"I'm obviously taking a bath."

"....In a place like this?..."

"What? Is something wrong? This is where I always take a bath."

"......isn't that weird?..."

"Why?"

"....Don't you need to take a bath inside your home?..."

My home was the bench.

"Home? I don't have a bath in my—"

"Celeste-chan, what's wrong?"

I saw a very familiar face coming near the girl.

"Ah! Don't look there! There is—"

"What are you doing there kid?"

"Why is this crazy brat here?"

It was Xeline.

"Xeline-chan! Why are you looking at him?"

"Huh? What's wrong?"

"Eh? uhmm... you shouldn't look at other people naked bodies."

""Huh? Why?""

Me and Xeline asked with confused expressions.

"I-It's not good!"

""Why?""

"Huh? Huh? I don't know..."

""Your weird.""

"Wha?! R-Really?!"

The girl was bewildered and confused.

"What are you doing here brat? I thought you only go to school for an hour?"

"Isn't it obvious? I'm here to teach Celeste-chan."

"...um, Xeline-chan, do you know him?"

"He's a kid who is being thought by onee-chan."

".... so he wants to learn how to make potions too?"

"Yes, it's impossible for his puny mind though."

"Oi, I don't have time to play with you today brat."

"I don't time for you too, let's go Celeste-chan."

"........"

"What's wrong Celeste-chan?"

"....it's just rare for you to get along with other people."

""We don't get along!""

I looked at the blue haired girl.

"Hey, who are you?"

"....oh, sorry for not introducing myself... I'm Celeste, Xeline-chan's friend."

"What? This brat actually has friends?!"

"I'm not like you, I know how to interact with people."

"Hooo? You only have one friend, and you're acting all high and mighty? That just sad you know."

"I don't have time to play with you loner, let's go Celeste-chan."

"......."

"What's wrong Celeste-chan?"

"....um, can I know your name?"

"Nameless."

"Nameless?"

"What's wrong?"

"N-N-Nothing!"

Celeste panicked while answering.

"So, what are you doing with that brat?"

"...I asked her to teach me how to make potions..."

"This brat actually has other things to think about other than making potions?"

"....well, while she teaches me she is also creating potions."

"Oi brat, don't disturb the schools peace."

"I'm not dumb like you. I don't make explosive potions when I work at school."

So she actually knows that she's noisy.

"....you're Roxelle-senpai's student... so that must mean that you already know how to make potions?"

"Yes, I make some... not as crazy as this crazy girl's though."

"At least he's progressing."

What? Did Xeline really just compliment me?

"Though his progress is slower than a rock."

Yeah I expected that.

"....you two get along well..."

""We don't get along!""

"Anyway, let's go Celeste-chan, don't waste time here."

"S-S-Sorry!....umm Nameless."

"What?"

"Can I see you again?"

"Why?"

"....It's just rare for me to see other people outside of school..."

She said wearing a lonely expression.

"Do you want to go outside?"

"Well....yes."

"Why don't you go outside?"

"I can't... the school doesn't allow us to go out."

"So what?"

"Huh?"

"Okay, wait right there."

I put the book down and tried to rise up from the lake.

"W-W-Wait! Please wear clothes first!"

""Huh? Why?""

"Just please! and Xeline-chan, cover your eyes too!"

"Eh? Hey! let my face go!"

Celeste covered Xeline's eyes while she closed her own eyes.

I wore the clothes.

"Are you done?"

"Yes."

She let go of Xeline and opened her eyes.

I jump over the 10 feet high window and went inside the school.

"W-Wha?! Eh?!"

"Oi kid! What are you doing?!"

I carried Celeste with a princess carry.

Since I have been hunting, working, and practicing the sword, I am stronger than an average 8 year old kid normal person.

I looked at her face to ask a question

"You wanted to go outside right?"

"......Uh-huh."

Her face was red for some reason.

"Hey, are you okay? Why are you so hot?"

"N-No! It's nothing!"

"Nothing is wrong right? Then here we go!"

I jump out of the window while carrying her and landed outside.

"Oi kid! What are you doing! I need to teach her!"

"Ha! Are you scared I'll steal your friend away from you?"

"You!"

Xeline tried to go up the window but she was too weak and she got scared looking down.

I put Celeste down on the ground.

"Now you owe me for this."

"......."

For some reason, Celeste is looking down with a beet red face.

"So this is how boys are huh...."

"Hmmm what do you mean?"

"Um... I mean... Isn't this wrong?"

"Why? What would happen?"

"I mean, we are breaking the rules."

"So? What would happen if they found you out?"

"Ummm... it would decrease my grades."

"What? Who cares about that? I thought you want to learn many things, if you stay holed up in this place, you won't learn a thing. Isn't the reason going to school to learn the same thing over and over again?"

"......."

"Why? Would you die if you get caught?"

"....no... but they might drag me back to school if they find out."

"Then just escape again."

"I don't know how to."

"I'll just carry you just like how we did it now."

She looked at me with a slightly red expression.

That will make her owe me more. Since she must be from a wealthy family because she lives in that school, it's good to make her owe me some favors.

"...but what if they lock it?"

"I'll break you out to help you get what you want no matter what."

"Oi kid! What are you doing!"

Xeline went to us, she went out of the front gate and went here.

"What? Do you want to make this kid hole up in there?"

"No, I don't care about that! She wants to learn about potions! don't get in the way!"

"So you're scared that I'll steal her away?"

"No, I'm scared that you will be a bad influence to her!"

"What? Are you her mother or something?"

"Someone like you won't know what friends are since you're a loner!"

"I have friends you idiot!"

"Oh really?"

"Yeah! more than you!"

"Those aren't friends, you just went to them because you need something from them!"

.....She's right....

"No! You just jealous because I have a lot of them."

"....hehehe..."

We heard a laugh from beside us.

"What's wrong Celeste-chan?"

"No... it's just that I am jealous of you two... you just do whatever you want without anything stopping you."

"Why would you stop doing something just because something is stopping you? just do something about what is stopping you and make sure they don't notice."

Like sneaking out, I hate those guards because it's harder to go out when they patrol. They will throw me back here and monitor me if they find me sneaking out.

"It's because your weak that you need to do dirty handed things like that."

"It's not dirty handed, I guess someone who is as inflexible as you won't understand."

"...ummm, so what do I do now?...."

""Huh?""

"... I decided now because of seeing you two... I want to learn other things as well... so please teach me... both of you."

"I'll teach you Celeste-chan, let's go to my house first."

"I'll teach you first, let's go to the library."

I don't know the reason why I'm acting this way. Normally, I want some kind of payment before doing something for other people, but because of Xeline for some reason, I just want this girl to become closer to me.

I don't really care about things as friends, but I guess seeing Xeline have one, I wanted to steal it.

Or, is that really my reason?

"...umm...."

"Oi kid, you better return her back here later."

"What? Why should I follow your orders?"

"You're the one who started this, take responsibility... Oh, right, you don't know what that is."

"I would do that without you asking me, I'm just asking why should I follow orders from a stupid brat like you?"

"...ummm, please don't fight..."

""........""

We decided to temporarily have a ceasefire.

"So, what is the time that they will check your dorms?"

"...They start checking at 6:00pm, since they don't think anyone would sneak out, they sometimes don't check...."

So carefree. Well, since most students there are rich people, they must think that they are disciplined.

"Hmm...okay, come with me."

"Hey, why would she go with you?"

"You can just teach her potion making at school."

"Tch, fine then."

"....okay then... bye Xeline-chan,"

"What? Why are you saying that? I'll go with you."

"...ah... Sorry!"

"Oi, why would you come with us? I thought you only care about potions."

"I don't want my friend to be influenced by someone like you."

"Tsss, fine then, let's go."

I grabbed my things and went to the library.

"Berserker, here's the book."

I gave berserker the book I borrowed a few minutes ago.

"....well, this is rare."

"what?"

"You mostly go alone, now you have two people with you... and more surprisingly, one of them is Xeline-chan."

"This brat just tagged along."

"I don't want my friends brain rot because of you."

"If you ask me, it's you whose brain is rotten, you just lock yourself in your room being crazy."

"Before you two start fighting again, who's this girl?"

"...umm, I'm Celeste...it's nice to meet you."

"Oh, I'm Aceilette, it's nice to meet you."

"Aceilette? are you that Aceilette?!

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Aceilette! It was the best student in our school in history, with perfect marks in academics from the start to end without missing a point. And as well as the lowest in attendance in history!"

Yes, that's probably her.

"Wow, you're one lazy student berserker."

"They said I don't need to go to school, I want to stay at the library to get a large amount of books."

"Berserker, can you take care of Celeste if she goes here?"

"I don't know why she needs to be taken care of if she's just here in the library though? But Okay."

"I-I'll be in your care Aceilette-sama!"

"-sama?!"

"Since this brat is here, she'll help you, I have something else to do."

"....umm... I want to go with you."

"Eh? You will learn much more here in the library."

"We have a library at school... what I want to learn are experiences."

"Is that so?"

Well, experience and knowledge are two different things.

"Nameless, how was the book? Was it useful?"

"Yeah, but I need more info, can you get me other books?"

"Okay then, I'll just get the ones that are somewhat related."

"Yeah, thanks berserker, okay then let's go."

After handing the book to berserker I went to the bench and left my things there.

"...um, is it okay to leave your things here?"

"Huh? Of course it is."

"But, won't other people steal it?"

"Oh... I forgot that you don't know how things are here in this town, I'll tell you a summary."

"How things are?"

"Yeah, I said that I'm Nameless... but that name was given only by me to myself, the reason is that I don't have a given name so I called myself Nameless."

"Y-You have no given name?"

"Yes, given names are given by parents right? I have no parents so no one can give me a given name, people around town also don't know if I even have parents because by the time that they notice, I was already here in this bench. It was like I appeared here out of thin air. Because the mayor wants me to be independent(Well, he just wants to keep the tax money), he said that the town should just give me my everyday needs and since this bench was where I appeared, they decided to make this exclusively as my home."

"......thats.... so sad."

"Huh? Why?"

".... I don't know....it just feels sad."

Why was it sad? Is it that sad? I don't understand.

"I don't know why you feel that it's sad, but I actually like this kind of life. Parents are a hassle you know?"

Yes, Safu and Pine was somehow sad because of their parents for some reason.

Xeline kept quiet during our conversation with a serious face, I guess she's getting impatient about this long summary since she already knows this story like everyone else in this town.

"Hey, come on... I have something to do."

"?!"

I grabbed her hand and looked at her face with a serious expression.

She just stared back at me with a flushed face and answered quietly.

"...yes..."

I dragged her with me to the blacksmith.

"Oi Stalker, let's go."

"Eh? Roxelles little sister? and who is this girl?"

"We don't have time for that, come on we need to do the request, I also need to go to my next job you know?"

"Okay, let's go!"

Cecil went with us and we went in front of the tailor shop.

"Go in and introduce yourself."

"Oi, oi, oi! What is this?"

"You said that you want Alex to fall for you right? go in!"

"If it was that simple, then I would've done that ages ago!"

"Yeah, but you didn't because you're stupid, now go in!"

"I don't want to!"

"Why?!"

"I'm shy!"

"Oi kid, what's this about?"

"This person's request was to make the tailor lady's....offspring to fall in love with her."

"Fall in love huh? I read in the library that you need to have interaction with the other individual first before that happens."

"See?! Even this brat knows! Hey go in!"

"I don't want to!"

"Ummm, Xeline-chan, Nameless-san I don't think it will be that easy."

""Huh? Why?""

"Huh? umm... I don't know, I can't explain."

"Yes! Finally, someone who understands!"

"Celeste-chan, can you explain why?"

"I don't know... but, you get nervous when talking with someone you love, like you don't want to mess up in front of them.

"Celeste, you sound like you are someone who can help us. So you know love huh?"

"Huh?! No! I mean...I-I!"

"Celeste-chan, can you tell us what love is?"

"Huh? umm... I don't know."

"Then how did you know that you love someone?"

"I-I can't explain... but when I felt it, I already know that it's love... it's like your heartbeat becomes so fast but it feels good. When that persons looks at you, you feel happy and exited. When he touches you, you feel like you'll be safe in his arms."

"This girl is right! She's more useful than this kid with the bad glare."

"Oi, I don't have a bad glare."

"Celeste-chan, how did you fall in love? Can you explain it to us? I want to know."

"I want to know too, when was it? I read that a trigger is needed. Can you explain what event triggered your love?"

"Wha? No, I can't say it!"

""Why?""

"It's just... please don't ask me anymore!"

"Little girl... could it be?"

Cecil whispered something to Celeste.

"Wha-Wha-Wha?!"

"It looks like I was right!"

Celeste was red because of whatever Cecil whispered.

"Oi stalker, what did you say?"

"It's a secret."

"What? How can I help if you guys hide information from me?!"

"Sorry, but I cannot say anything."

"Why?!"

"I'm now this girls, Celeste-chan, was it?... friend, I don't want to say anything that she doesn't want me to say."

"How the hell did you even know that she doesn't want you to say something! Ahhh! I don't get it!"

Never have I seen Celeste say anything to Cecill and I'm sure that Celeste didn't say anything that she didn't want to say. How did this stalker find out about it?

"Kid, just stop it... it looks like we can't get any information from these two..."

"Sigh, for once... this brat is right."

Xeline looked at Cecil to ask him some questions.

"Hey, you want that person to fall in love with you right?"

"Yes."

"Then why don't you go in and have an interaction with her?"

"I'm nervous."

"Why?"

"Because I don't know what to talk about with her."

"Then, just tell her that you love her."

"I can't do that!"

"Why not? In the books I read in the library, they fall in love with each other whenever they do that. I have no Idea why they had to delay it, but you just need to say it right?"

"No! It's not that easy! You need to take it slowly!"

"Huh why?"

"I don't know."

"......."

Xeline looks annoyed because of the conversation.

"You can't talk to Alex huh? then... why won't you just do something."

"Do something?"

"Yeah, oi brat... you remember what sensei said something about love, right?"

"Oh, I remember that... it was when we were about to kiss, right?"

""?!""

Both of them looked surprised about what Xeline just said.

And Celeste looked like the world ended.

"Yes, in other words, you just need to kiss her without talking, that is the same as telling her that you love her."

"Wait! Wait! You two, can you tell me that story?"

"What story?"

"That story when you said that you are about to kiss!"

"What? That's just useless information, why would you want to know that?"

"It's not useless information!"

"Huh? Why?"

"Wait... let me clarify this... you know what a kiss is right?"

"Of course, it's locking lips together, right?"

*Breaks*

"Celeste-chan?! What happened! Hey, she looks like her soul just left her body!"

"Oi, what happened?!"

"Just explain that kiss! it's the cure to her, she looks like she would die of heart failure any moment!"

"Huh? Fine then! We were about to kiss, but Roselyn-sensei stopped us. When she said that it should only be done to say I love you to the other person, both of us stopped. Love means someone you care about right? Since we both don't care about each other, we got disgusted and decided never to do it."

"Wait... that doesn't explain why you were about to kiss!"

"Eh? Umm... it was to deal with Onee-chan!"

"Onee-chan?"

"Roxelle Onee-chan."

"Ohh... okay, I understand now."

They understood when I said Onee-chans name.

Celeste looks like her soul came back to her body and Cecil calmed down.

When I saw this, I felt amazed by Onee-chan for some reason.

"Haa... that's a relief..."

"Huh? Why?"

"N-No! It's nothing!"

"Good for you huh, little girl?"

Celeste became red.

This guy said that he had nothing to talk about with Alex.

"Hmmmm, you said you just nothing to talk about, right? Since there are clothes inside the store, why don't you try that?"

"I might get nervous and mess up you know!"

"I don't have time for this! you two stay here... Come here stalker!"

"Huh?! Hey!.... What? This kids too damn strong!"

I gripped Cecil's arm and dragged him inside the store.

The other two watched from outside.

"Alex-san!"

"Hmmmm? What is it?"

"Wha..Wha..Wha.."

"Hmmm? aren't you Cecil-san?"

"?!"

"You know him?"

"Yes, from the blacksmiths, right?"

"Then that makes things quicker, this guy--"

"Nooooo!"

"What?"

"...what's wrong Cecil-san?"

"No... ah ummm."

Cecil put his mouth close to my ears and spoke.

"....hey, don't tell this person my feelings!"

"....I won't! you already told me I just have to make you talk to each other right?"

"Huh, oh... alright."

"I'll also tell her something that will cover up your stalking."

"Wha?!"

"We should assume Alex noticed already, I have an excuse for it."

Alex tilted her...his head because of us two whispering to each other.

"Alex, Stalk---Cecil here actually wanted to try some clothes, but for some reason he can't because it doesn't fit a blacksmith. He has been wanting to wear clothes for a long time so he kept looking at this store."

"So that was the reason you were always looking in here... don't worry, I won't tell your father about it!"

"Tha-Thank you very much!"

"Come here! I'll let you try some clothes."

"Okay!"

"Here... Here... and, here!"

"Ummmm..."

"Don't be shy try them out!"

He tried them out one by one.

For some reason... Cecil isn't satisfied.

"Ummm... Cecil-san... didn't you like them?"

"No... it's just..."

"....you don't have to tell me, I'll let you try some clothes from the store house!"

"N-No! You don't have to!"

"I insist! Come back tomorrow!"

"B-But!"

"No buts! You will come again! Nameless-kun, make sure he comes here even you have to drag him!"

""Y-Yes!""

"Okay, Let's go..."

"Bye Cecil-san, Nameless-kun."

"See you!"

"B-bye... Alex-san!"

After Cecil pitifully said goodbye, went out of the shop.

"Nameless-san! That was great!"

"No, that would've happen even if this kid wasn't there."

"Yeah, yeah... I know that but shut up brat, I don't have time for you now... Hey stalker, I thought you wanted to wear clothes? Why didn't you look happy?"

"Well..."

Cecil looks dejected for some reason.

"....hah... fine, I'll help you out tomorrow, I'll make sure everything is solved."

"...okay..."

Why the hell is he depressed?

"Okay, time for me to work, Celeste, I'll pick you up later at the pharmacy at 5:30 to return you to the school."

"Okay."

"Well then, see you later."

While leaving I took a glance at Xeline and she glanced back, our usual greetings.

I went to the woodworking shop.

"Oi old man, teach me."

"You're so late, I'm tired, just come tomorrow at around 12:30pm."

I looked at him he really looks tired.

"Tch, and here I thought you were strong."

"What's that you meddling kid?!"

Since he's tired, it can't be helped... if that's the case then.

"Hey, old man... judge me on playing, I need your opinion."

"Fine."

He agreed instantly, probably because this was for her daughter that passed away.

We went to the music room.

"Okay, I'll start."

I played the piano.

While playing I was thinking of Safu.

No, to be exact... I was thinking about her last performance.

She played the all the pieces perfectly.

Why can't I do that?

Why am I so incompetent?

Am I just being arrogant?

I finished playing while thinking of those.

"....Well?"

"It sounded horrible."

"Heh, I expected that."

"Why are you playing like that kid? You look like you're holding back or something?"

"........"

"You're scared for giving your best and not surpassing Safu aren't you? because you think your value will decrease if you did your best and still couldn't match safu?"

"......"

He was right... He was exactly right.

"If this is how you play, you will never surpass Safu, no... you will be stuck at level forever."

"....Fine then! I just have to do my best, Right?!"

"Stop talking and start playing, I don't want to hear your voice."

"Tch, just wait old man... I'll perfect all of these in no time!"

This old man was like pine. He's serious when judging, no... he was better. Maybe because he heard his daughter play longer than Pine.

I started playing again.

Every piece I played, the old man would say. "Not good.", "Just give up kid", "You really expect me to be happy with that?".

Of course these comments made me do better. These was the comments that I needed and not the ones that Pine sugar coated.

I finished playing and it's 5:30.

"It's time for me to go old man."

"Yeah, yeah... you better get better next time."

With that I left the shop and went to the pharmacy.

While walking I realized something.

"Wait... this feeling..."

This feeling... I was tired in playing the piano non stop... This feeling...

"This is it! This will solve the problem!"

Why wasn't this in the book I just read? That author sucks... Well, I guess this isn't really psychological right? So I can't blame that author.

I went to the pharmacy and outside the door was Xeline and Celeste.

"Let's go."

"Yes!"

"Hey, you better get her home safe."

"Yeah, yeah."

Xeline went inside the pharmacy.

"Let's go then."

"Yes!"

We headed to the lake to make where we can jump over the window.

While walking I thought of something convenient.

"Hey, I know something that will make your life easier."

"What is it?"

"Since I can do woodworking tomorrow, I can just make you a ladder. That way, you can just climb up and I don't need to carry you over anymore."

"...But, how? If you leave it there they would just find it... and I'll be found out if I carry a huge ladder."

"Don't worry, I'll make you a ladder that can be folded easily."

"But, they only didn't notice me earlier because I was with you and Xeline..."

"There's a pathway behind the library, if you go that way, you can avoid people from your school."

"......."

"Why? are you scared to climb the ladder?"

"Ah? N-No! It's just..."

"....I can't carry you all the time you know? You need to do it yourself."

"S-Sorry!"

We reached the window of the school.

"Hmm? It's closed..."

"What should we do?"

I jump and grabbed the windows ledge.

"Hmmm... I think I can deal with this."

I jumped down.

"Hey, I will force the window open for no, but I will set something up so you can open it from this side from now on."

"How?"

"...keep this a secret okay? Can I trust you?"

"A secret?"

"Yes... you will be the only one who knows."

"A secret... just between the both of us... yes... I'll treasure it."

".....okay then...."

I went to the rocks and grabbed a nail and thread.

I jumped up the ledge again and forced it open with the nail.

*thud*

I wrapped the string around the lock behind the window, placed the nail just on top of the window, then pushed it down.

After pushing it down, I used it as a wedge for the string.

This will open the window if the string is pulled down on the other side.

I went inside the building.

"Hey! I will lock this window, Can you pull that string after I lock it?"

"Y-Yes!"

I locked the door and gave her a nod.

She nodded back and pulled the string.

The string magnificently opened the lock.

"Yeah, this is okay... I'll just deal with the ladder later."

I jumped down again.

"Keep it a secret that I have stuff hidden here... okay?"

"...okay."

I grabbed her in a princess carry again.

She turned red.

"...ready?"

"Uh huh..."

I leaped to the window and placed her inside.

"Well then... this is goodbye."

"Wait! I want to go out again tomorrow..."

"Why?"

"I want to see how Cecil-chan's situation progress."

".... fine then, what time? I'll fetch you here."

"Ummm.. around 3:30!"

"Fine."

"Goodbye!"

I jumped down the window then headed to the pharmacy.

"Hello Onee-chan."

"Center-chan! I missed you! Where have you been!"

"Sorry, did I miss a lot of work?"

"Forget about that! I missed you!"

Onee-chan gave me a hug.

"....Onee-chan, it's been 5 minutes already... and didn't sensei ban you from hugging me?"

"I'll hug you as long as I want today!"

"......."

She hugged me tight for 10 minutes before letting go.

"..... are you finished?"

"Yeah! Thanks Center-chan!"

We went behind the counter to make potions.

"Center-chan, Xeline-chan brought home a friend today... I'm happy for her!"

"Eh? Is that so..."

"Yes, now I have three siblings!"

A third victim.

"Oi!"

Someone called me from the stairs.

"You sent her home properly?"

"Yeah, yeah..."

"Good."

She went up the stairs.

"......."

"Center-chan?! What was that!"

"What?"

"You sounded like a couple!"

Okay... this is onee-chan again... so it's a solo mission now? Well... I left Xeline that one time to solo again, so it's my turn this time.

"We just did something together today."

"Kyaa! a date? Why didn't you invite me!"

"Ummm..."

"Invite me next time!"

".... okay, tomorrow."

"Really?! Okay!"

"Come to the lake at 3:30"

"Okay!"

I worked until 7:00

"Bye Center-chan!"

"Bye Onee-chan."

I went back the bench to eat.

I won't hunt again today, the reason is I might get wounded.

If I get wounded today, they will find out about my hunting because of what I was about to do tomorrow.

Since I have no one to spar with, I just practiced swings and did archery training after I ate.

When 11:30pm came I took a bath at the lake then slept.