Ryuji enjoyed the sleep but couldn't help feeling cold during the night. After separating from Yumiko, he understood that the twin stars of destruction truly made them seek each other, but like the Rank system, it only added to their base affection.
He lay on the bed as the outside stirred with farmers and merchants setting up.
Soon, he would leave for the castle, so Ryuji took the time to relax and think about himself and what he wanted to do.
'It feels like I haven't seen Yumiko in a week, despite it being only a day. The effect of this bond is a little too strong. Yet, I don't think it would work if I didn't find her attractive.'
In reality, Ryuji felt an attraction to her from the day he went to school to hand in his documents.
'I am a lost cause who likes older women...'
The beastkin maid reminded him of his mother, who was strict with training or business but became soft and bubbly when finished.
He knew that relationships usually took longer to develop, but this was the first time he felt something towards another person in his life.
Though he worried about the effects of the calamity star, he wanted to sleep with Yumiko because she was Yumiko, not some stupid force trying to make him.
'I can always learn more about her in the future. If I miss the chance now, what if I die or she dies? This world isn't like my home. There is no peace!'
A resounding knock hammered his door several times, causing Ryuji to jump off his bed.
"Ah, coming!"
"Morning, Ryu! It's time to set off, and we will eat breakfast in the carriage." Simon's cheerful voice echoed as he laughed like one of those men in the shaving advertisements on television.
****
The group seemed to feel the effects of the ale from last night's victory meal. The two girls slept in the back while Paul paid extra for a driver to take them and sat beside him.
Ryuji didn't have a choice, as both girls slept against his arms. Simon chuckled before taking out a pendant with a pretty brunette. "Here, Ryuji, how do you think she looks?"
Simon passed the pendant closer, showing the lovely girl, who seemed to be in her mid-twenties, wearing a noble dress. "Wow... Such an elegant lady. Is this your wife?"
"Haha, she's my fiancée, and we will get married once I reach Rank-C! So please tank more for me, brother!" The voice of Simon caused the two girls to wake up, before kicking him in the face and complaining.
"Shut up!"
"Insect, I am sleeping!" Shelia's foul mouth sounded violent before she returned to using Ryuji's chest as a pillow.
Paul opened the wooden wall and watched him awkwardly deal with the situation. "Ryuji, after we reach the next town, we will discuss your plans."
"Of course." Since meeting them last night, Ryuji felt the party accepted him. He enjoyed having two older males like Paul and Simon to count on.
"Hey, Paul, are you heading home to the wife and daughter?" Shelia's sleepy voice suddenly rose as she left Ryuji to look outside.
"Yeah, the wife has been very helpful in training my new ability, and I want to head to the capital soon to meet my baby girl."
"Daughter?"
It surprised Ryuji that even though Paul only looked in his twenties, he already had a wife and child!
"Yeah, she just turned one and three months old yesterday, and I haven't seen her in a few days."
"Oh, here we go. Paul is going to brag about his cute daughter again..." Alicia snorted, but it seemed in good taste as she was the first to grab the photographs Paul handed through the window.
"Ah, she's adorable! How did the ugly Paul have such a cute daughter?" Alicia exaggerated her jokes, but Paul only smiled while watching the sunny field ahead as they approached the capital.
Ryuji admired Paul for finding such a family at a young age.
"Well, when a handsome guy like Ryuji gets married, there will always be a pretty wife or two, but they can't have him. Our part claims him as ours!" Simon joked with Ryuji, making the two girls turn to look at him, who shivered at the bloodlust and jealousy he felt from them.
"Hahaha, don't stare daggers! I will not fall to your evil ways!" Simon joked again with a brilliant smile while the carriage bobbed along the dirt path.
'I never realised that polygamy was a thing here. Even young knights seek more thrills? Will there be a second woman that makes me feel strange like Yumiko?'
****
The journey back didn't take too long. After two hours, they finally pulled into the castle, where they met the knights; it was strange that entering a dungeon would teleport someone so far away; apart from the basic dungeons, the others would teleport the party further away, depending on the difficulty.
Simon and Paul taught Ryuji this: "Remember that most dungeons from rank F to C are within the capital area; the furthest might take three hours by carriage, and the archmage of the kingdom creates the portals in the castle to help train troops faster."
"But some teleport directly back to the base; they usually give us an item to do so. That is boring, though, so we came back naturally this time, haha," Paul added while showing the teleportation token that Ryuji remembered Alan and the knights using for their first dungeon.
"Thanks for all the help, guys."
Ryuji stood at the gates and waved at the two. He thought of Simon's engagement and Paul's family and felt a sense of belonging; then Alicia and Sheila popped up out of nowhere and kissed his cheeks.
"Here's your reward."
"Don't forget to come back next week~ hehe."
Paul and Simon exploded with laughter as Ryuji's face turned slightly red with embarrassment.
They messed his hair around as Ryuji watched them return to the garrison while looking back several times, laughing, and Alicia would jump and wave to him.
"See ya, lil'bro!"
"Later, Ryu!"
"Bye-bye Ryuugee!"
"Take care of yourselves, everyone."
When he turned away, he noticed a small sack in his pocket, and inside there was a note.
—Thank you very much for the wonderful party.
We hope to keep you as our tank forever, even if impossible.
Then, a year is enough! Please find inside your cut of the money and a few potions to keep your cute partner safe.
This bag can hold up to 20 unique items with a limit of 99 for each item and won't get heavier than it is now!
***
'These guys...'
Ryuji found ten silver inside the bag, with several magic potions in red and blue, which were likely quite expensive. Their bottles rattled together as he felt a sense of belonging that he had not experienced before.
'They already gave me an item ring... now a bag, is it for Yumiko?'
Just after the normal training time, Ryuji wondered about Yumiko; however, a warm object landed behind him before he could think, and a voice resounded in his ears.
"Ryuji?"
'Her perfume... did she wait for me?'
Ryuji couldn't help turning to grab her in a big hug, feeling like he hadn't seen her for over a week; even though they had eaten together a day ago, her soft blonde hair smelt amazing as she whispered in his ear. "Missed me?"
"Mn."
It was the first time he hugged her affectionately, causing her heart to race as she tapped his shoulder and smiled at him. "You didn't get hurt, right?"
"No."
Ryuji could only act like himself and didn't know how to say anything else.
Because he made sure of his feelings, he leaned forward and gave her a moment to move, but Yumiko closed her eyes and leaned towards him as their lips touched; their kiss lasted a few moments before he whispered, "Let's go home."
Yumiko looked at him with narrow eyes while wrapping her arm around his, squeezing his thick muscles. When Ryuji looked at her with a smile, she spoke to him with a bright face.
"Alright, I hope you're ready for our next mission! Because we will go hunting and battle as partners next time~ and I won't stay here alone!"
"Yes. I would love that."
"Eh!?"
Yumiko smiled when Ryuji nodded.
As they walked to their small room in the castle, Yumiko watched him from beside and tried to forget seeing the two adult women kissing him in the archway; unable to forget, she kissed his cheek as if to rewrite their lips with hers.
"I saw those girls, hmph."
Ryuji turned and looked at Yumiko's smile and thought she was talking about Paul and Simon messing his hair up. "Oh, those are my party members from the dungeon."
"Oh, I thought they were two girls from the training hall flirting with my man... Haha." Yumiko sighed in relief.
"I... well, they kissed me because they had some beers last night, and it was just a celebration thing, okay?"
"Haha, don't worry; should I drink with you tonight as well?"
"If you want to lose your virginity, sure."
"Ahahaha, I'm joking. Let's head back before training starts."
Yumiko forgot her jealousy toward the two women. With a red face, she guided him back while biting her lower lip and considering his offer, a strangely dreamy look in her wet eyes.