How did I fall asleep during such an important time? What the hell am I doing? The last thing I remember is Miss Charlotte saying 'I love you too Aria." I'm so embarrassed at myself right now. Why is my stamina so low whenever I enter my [Tangible] form? Does it have to do with my HP stat or something?
I slowly open my eyes to a welcome sight, Miss Charlotte is right there in front of me, and we're hugging each other tightly.
This woman loves me and I love her. I can't feel anything other than happy and warm right now. This morning, with the birds chirping outside, the sun rising, is just purely blissful.
Miss Charlotte opens her eyes and smiles kindly at me, and I return it.
"Good morning my sweet Aria."
"Good morning Miss Charlotte."
We have a small laugh and get up to prepare for our day. I put on the blue, white, and burgundy outfit that I got recently from Miss Charlotte.
"Miss Charlotte, I want to be an adventurer." I say to her as I finish buttoning up my blouse.
"Oh my, I was wondering when you were going to say it. You've gotten the taste of glory and you want to chase it eh?"
"Y-yes. That's true… but it seems really fun, and we could maybe go together with Kenji and maybe Meeka and it could be really fun!" I say, embarrassed that I was seen through so transparently.
Miss Charlotte pats me on the head. "Get rid of the words 'could maybe' there Aria. We're definitely going together. We said we'd be together forever, so there's no reason we can't be adventurers together. Kenji and Meeka can come too. You're right, it will be fun, because I'm with you."
"Miss Charlotte, do you have any idea how romantic you sound right now? I'm going to become completely emotionally dependent on you if you keep saying stuff like that all the time while I'm still groggy in the morning."
"I suppose I must keep sweet-talking the woman I love then. It's not a shame, I just want you to fall deeper and deeper in love every day." Oh you flirtatious woman, aya.
It's wonderful that she wants to be an adventurer with me! Exploring the world with her is number three on the list of priorities in this world, behind living an enjoyable life with her and surpassing Kenji once and for all.
"Well, if we're all going to go on an adventure together, we're going to need to prepare supplies, food, and weapons. We'll need a few tents and sleeping bags, magic tools to boil water and cook food, a real weapon for Kenji, and extra clothes." Miss Charlotte says. "You should go talk to Kenji about it, I'll talk to Meeka."
"Alright! I'll go talk to Kenji right away. Miss Charlotte, I bet Meeka will agree right away if you tell her Kenji's coming." I say, laughing. This is perfect.
I'm going to become an adventurer with Miss Charlotte, Kenji, and Meeka. We'll fight monsters, discover treasure, expose corrupt nobles, and save damsels in distress. Okay, maybe we won't do some of those things, but discovering treasure is non-negotiable! I give Miss Charlotte a hug as I run through the door towards the inn. Kenji, here I come!
===
Knock knock knock.
"Kenji, let me in."
"Give me a second Aria, I'm coming."
Kenji opens the door, and lets me in. His room is even messier than it was yesterday…
"Kenji, what would you think about becoming adventurers? Miss Charlotte's already an adventurer, and I think it would be a lot of fun to explore the world and uncover secret treasure and other things."
"Yeah, I guessed this was going to happen. The second I heard that there was an Adventurer's Guild, I knew you were going to want to join it. I already bought a sword in town to get ready for when you eventually came asking me." Kenji says with a sly smile. Am I really that predictable? Was it so obvious that even osmium Kenji knew I would want to be an adventurer before I did? "More importantly Aria, how did it go last night with Charlotte, I saw the two of you walking back to her house holding hands. So what happened eh? Did you confess your undying love and then fall asleep in each other's loving embrace?"
"Yes."
"I see, so what happened?"
"We had a lot of fun walking around the festival, and then I decided it was time to tell her. We went back to her house and sat on her bed, and I told her how I felt about her. I told her I wanted to make her happy and that I wanted us to be together forever. I personally think it was quite the romantic confession if I do say so myself."
"I see, so you were able to confess your feelings for her. Good job Aria, I'm proud of you. What happened after that?"
"Well so she hugged me and then she told me she loved me and then I fell asleep."
"You fell asleep? I heard from Meeka that you took a nap before the festival, just how quickly do you get tired Aria?"
Hey, it's not my fault I have zero stamina! "I get tired very quickly when something mentally or physically taxing happens. Since that was one of, if not the most stressful times in my life, I ended up exhausted. So I fell asleep hugging her and it was great. I really love her." I say, attempting to explain my inexplicable lack of stamina.
"So getting back to the topic at hand Miss Newlywed, I'm totally happy to become an adventurer with you and Charlotte."
"I think Meeka is going to join us too, so the more the merrier, right?"
"Yeah, having more people will be fun. I'll also get somebody to talk to so I'm not just a third wheel."
===
Meeka's POV:
"Meeka, can you help take out the trash?"
"Yes mom!" I say, grabbing our trash can and running to the dump.
I sigh and wipe the sweat off my forehead as I put the trash in the pile that will be disposed of later today with magic tools. Speaking of magic tools, I wonder how Charlotte and Ghost Lady are doing. I want to see Kenji, so I'll try to make an excuse.
As I'm walking back to my house whistling, I see Charlotte talking to my mom. They look like they're having a fun conversation.
"Oh Meeka, hello! I had something I wanted to ask you."
"Okay Charlotte, do you want to go to my room and talk?"
"Sure."
The two of us enter my house and go into my room.
"Meeka, do you want to become an adventurer?"
"I mean, it seems fun, but do I really have an opportunity to?" I ask, tilting my head. What is she getting at?
"The reason I asked is because Aria wondered if you would like to go and be an adventurer with the three of us. The both of us thought it would be really fun to go on an adventure with you. She also told me to tell you that Kenji would be going."
My eyes light up. I've just been invited to be an adventurer with Kenji! I don't need to make excuses to go over and see him anymore? Thank you Ghost Lady for this opportunity. I won't waste this chance you've given me. I'll be like your sweetheart Charlotte and seduce Kenji with my womanly charms.
"I'm not as strong as the rest of you, will it really be okay if I join you all? Won't I just slow you down?"
"You're strong enough to pull your own weight Meeka, and I know you're a hard worker who will do her best to get better. What's important isn't how strong or tough you are, but your ability to enjoy the adventures. We're a group of four, we're not going to do anything that will put us in real, life-or-death danger.
The joy of being an adventurer is getting stronger while exploring new places. It doesn't matter if you start off weak if you're trying your best to improve yourself. So please, don't worry about it Meeka." Miss Charlotte says. That was an inspiring speech.
She's right, it doesn't matter how strong I am now, because I'm sure to become stronger. I'll become stronger so I can protect Kenji and swoop in to save him like he did for me. He's sure to fall in love with me then! Fu fu fu.
"But I have to clear it with my mom first…"
"Oh, I was talking to your mom earlier when you came back. She said that if you wanted to be an adventurer, she would support you with all her heart."
"Really? That's great! I'm going to go tell her right now!" I say, running out of my room as quickly as possible, my feet almost slipping as I make a sharp turn.
"Mom, mom! Is it really okay to become an adventurer?" I ask with stars in my eyes.
"Yes Meeka. As your mother, it's my duty to support you wherever you go. Just know, you can always come home. If you go, I'd hope you stay with Charlotte and Miss Ghost and her brother. I'd feel safer knowing that you're with trustworthy people, but if you want to go off on your own, or join a different party, I can't stop you. Just make sure you stay safe Meeka, and also make sure to have fun." My mom says, her eyes tearing up.
"I'm so thankful that you're my mother. You've always been so supportive of me. When I wanted to become a hunter for the village, you were the one who bought me my first knife and taught me to dismantle rabbits and rats. When I wanted to learn how to read, you scraped your money together and hired a tutor. I feel bad about it, but I'm going to pay you back. I'll send my reward money home so you can live a better life mom! You've been taking care of me, so it's my turn to take care of you!" I say, my eyes getting a bit wet as well. I start to feel a tear roll down my cheek as my mom smiles and holds my hands.
"Meeka, there's no need for you to send your hard-earned money home."
"No buts mom! You're accepting the money I'm sending you!" I say triumphantly. I really want to take care of her for everything she's done for me. "I'll work hard as an adventurer and stand at the top!" I hug my mom as we both cry. I'm going to make you proud mom, just watch me!
"Well then Meeka, you better get packing!" She says, patting me on the back.
"Yes!"
I rush up to my room to pack my things quickly. Charlotte's sitting on my bed waiting for me.
I quickly pack my things while talking to her about what we'll be doing and where we'll be going. We'll be going to the nearby city, Romero. She also told me all the juicy details about Ghost Lady Aria's super romantic confession of love last night. You go girl.
I tell Charlotte I'm ready to go as we head out of the house. I turn back and run up to my mom to give her a kiss on the cheek and a hug.
"Bye Mom, I'll see you later!"
"Have a fun trip Meeka!"
As Charlotte and I are walking down the street, a boy about 18, Robby, comes up to her.
"Um, Charlotte, I heard you're leaving the village, so I wanted to tell you something."
Oi, are you about to confess to her? Are you a moron? I know Robby's a bit of a rude guy, so I'm worried about what he'll say if it is a confession when he gets rejected.
"Sure, go ahead, I've got to leave soon though." She says.
"Charlotte, I've always liked you, you know? So would you consider staying here and marrying me?"
Wait, what? Where do you get the audacity to say something like that at a time like this. Charlotte looks angry and indignant. She looks like a bird who was asked not to eat by a worm. If looks could kill, Robby would be dead.
For the record, Robby's always been rude to Charlotte, saying how working with magic tools is a man's job, same with hunting. He's the type to say that women should be subservient to men. Gross. There's zero chance Charlotte would ever be interested in him, even if Aria wasn't in the picture.
"Do you know what you sound like right now Robby?" Miss Charlotte utters in a low voice. "You're saying you've always loved me, yet you've always criticized every little thing I do. That's quite disgusting if you ask me. I already have a person I love, and it's Aria Togata. Not you."
"What, you're in love with a woman? That's not right, women are supposed to date men!"
Oh Robby, you've done it, you've trapped yourself in this one. I'm sorry for your loss.
"Robby, if you say that all my hobbies and interests are the ones men should have, then why is it a surprise that I would date a woman?"
Yep, you walked right into that one you sexist idiot. Robby starts to cry and runs away. Don't come back!
"Gosh, people are so rude these days. Let's go Meeka, Aria's waiting for me!" She says, her frown instantly flipping into a bright smile.
We make our way to the village gate where Aria and Kenji are waiting. Oh Aria, if you only knew what your lover just went through...