"Ughhh... That was exhausting…"
After leaving the inn with Rubia, we had just finished a torturous shopping trip.
Even though the village wasn't very big, the shops were surprisingly well-stocked, so we spent ages wandering around, picking up various supplies...
"You did well, Noah. How's your new outfit? Getting used to it yet? I didn't expect to find Eastern clothes here."
"Hmm…"
Rubia seemed especially pleased with the outfit she picked for me.
I couldn't tell exactly what it looked like, but based on what I felt, it seemed to be an Eastern-style outfit, just like Rubia said.
It wasn't like Korean traditional clothing... More like an altered miko outfit or a yukata…? Something like that.
The kind with no buttons, where you wrap a large sash around your waist to tie it… that kind.
Apparently, it was made from the hide of a mutated ogre that once appeared on the plains of Havlon.
But for some reason, the right sleeve was long, while the left arm was sleeveless.
Did they run out of material while making it…?
"Is it uncomfortable?"
"No… The top is fine…"
"And the bottom?"
"Oh, well… The bottom is definitely comfortable too, but… there's nothing to cover… anything..."
I clutched my legs together and tried to pull down the hem of the outfit, which barely covered half of my thighs.
The material was good, comfortable, and breathable, sure.
But it was a dress.
A one-piece dress with the top and bottom connected.
And it was super short...!
One wrong move and I'd be flashing everyone in town...
It's like they really did run out of fabric…
And despite all my protests…
I mean, I practically begged to wear something else...!
But nothing else in my size was available…
Then the shop owner had a brief chat with Rubia and suddenly offered to give the outfit to us for free...
So now I'm stuck wearing it.
If I hadn't gotten this 15-gold outfit for free, I never would've worn it.
Seriously…
Do you know how many jellies I could buy for 15 gold…?
"We were really lucky. We got it right before they were going to throw it out. Hehe."
"R-right… Are you sure…?"
"Sure about what?"
"That they were going to throw it out…? I mean, the guy did say it was worth 15 gold… But then he gave it to you for free after chatting with you."
Rubia looked at me calmly and replied in a confident tone.
"Oh, I just asked how old the outfit was. It looked like it had been sitting there for a while."
"Really…?"
"Of course."
She was so casual about it…
Did we really just get lucky?
While I was busy debating it in my head, Rubia let out a disappointed sigh.
"I wish we had gotten you some new underwear too..."
"W-wha…?! Underwear...?! Th-that's something only someone like you would need! I… I don't need any! Bandages are enough for me…"
Rubia probably needed proper underwear because of her size, but…
I don't have that problem at all.
Bandages are more than enough. Honestly...
"True. Bandages are convenient, easy to remove."
"W-w-what?! R-remove?! What are you talking about?!"
I suddenly felt a sticky gaze on me and shifted uncomfortably.
"What do you think I mean? Don't you change your underwear every day?"
"I-I do... b-but..."
"See?"
"...Yeah."
Am I the weird one…?
Her tone and stare definitely felt off, but maybe I'm overthinking it…
"Your robe will be ready in a couple of days. Just hang in there until then."
"I guess I have no choice…"
My old robe was completely torn apart, so I had to order a new one.
Most people could buy something off the shelf, but since I'm so short, I had to get it custom-made.
Two whole days without my robe, stuck walking around in this outfit…
Feeling a little down, I reached for the bag of jelly I was holding.
Just touching the bag full of jellies made me feel a bit better.
I picked out a few and handed them to Rubia.
"Rubia, do you want some?"
"They're too sweet for me. You can have them."
"O-oh, really? Okay then."
Well, I guess that means I'll have to eat them all by myself. Hehe…
I stuffed my mouth with a handful of jellies.
Nom nom.
"Wow... It's strawberry! And… um… I'm not sure what this flavor is."
I ate too many at once to tell the difference.
How could Rubia think this is too sweet?
It's delicious!
As the blissful taste and chewy texture filled my mouth, I swung my legs back and forth.
I usually wear pants, so wearing a dress made my legs feel weirdly exposed. I couldn't keep them still.
The cool breeze brushing against my bare legs was nice, though...
I swallowed the jelly and reached into the bag again to pick out the next one.
I wonder what flavor it'll be this time?
After rummaging around for a bit, I pulled out one that felt promising.
I wonder…
"Hm. That one is—"
"N-no, don't tell me! It's more fun when it's a surprise!"
Since one hand was holding the jelly and the other was holding Rubia's hand, I couldn't use my sensing ability.
Not that it would've helped me tell the flavor anyway.
"Oh, is that so…?"
I nodded as I popped the jelly into my mouth.
"Mmm! Apple!"
I knew it! It felt like a good one!
I was in a great mood now, and my legs swung even faster.
Sweet things really are the best.
"The village is so peaceful. I wouldn't mind staying here a bit longer."
I quickly swallowed the jelly and responded to Rubia.
"But Rubia, didn't you say we were short on time…?"
That's why we took the risky shortcut and used horses instead of a wagon...
Wait.
Hold on…
"Wait—Rubia! What happened to our horses?!"
Now that I think about it, they're nowhere to be seen…!
"Oh… They're dead. The gnolls got them. Poor things…"
The jelly in my hand slipped from my grasp and hit the ground with a soft thud.
"W-what…?"
I'd forgotten about the horses, but… dead…?
No way… I mean, they were annoying and frustrating, sure…
But to think they died…
They listened to me when I held the reins carefully…
I even felt like I was getting through to them at times…
Sure, they spat at me, but still…
It felt like raising a pet, you know?
I thought we'd eventually get along…
My throat tightened.
"W-what… They're really… dead…?"
"Pfft! Haha! I'm just kidding."
"W-what…? A joke? So they're not dead?"
"Nope. They're safe at the stables. I made sure all our stuff is packed too. Don't worry, they're alive and well."
"R-really…?"
"Really. We can go visit them later."
Whew… What a relief...
Even though they were a pain, they carried us safely this far, and I was starting to get attached.
But… I don't remember bringing them into the village…
Wait…?
I didn't hear their hooves clattering at all…?
"B-but… I didn't hear any hoof sounds on the way here... Are you sure they're not dead and you're just lying to me? Like, bringing a different horse and pretending it's the same one…?"
A bad memory surfaced, and I tightened my grip on Rubia's hand.
Back when I was in middle school, I bought a chick for 500 won outside the school gates.
One day, I noticed its chirp sounded different, so I asked my mom if it was still the same chick.
At first, she kept insisting it was the same one, but after my relentless questioning… she finally told me the truth.
My original chick had died, and this one was a new one…
She didn't want me to be sad, so she replaced it without telling me… She said this one was more expensive and healthier…
But still!
I had grown attached to that chick during the week I had it…
I didn't even get to bury it with my own hands…
Didn't even get to say goodbye…
Ugh… I'm going to cry again.
So…
It's not like that, right, Rubia…?
After a brief silence, Rubia carefully answered.
"They're wearing protective boots. Their hooves were getting pretty worn down."
"Ohh… They're wearing boots. So they're really alive? Let's go see them later!"
"Yes, we can. But Noah."
Rubia's voice suddenly took on a serious tone.
"Yeah…?"
"This might be a bit of a sensitive question, but…"
Her grip tightened around my hand.
"Is it true you can't sense anything without your greatsword?"
"Uh… W-well…"
She figured it out…!
Emergency!!!
It must've been my earlier comment that tipped her off…
"N-no…"
But wait, Rubia told me her secret…
Should I keep hiding mine?
"Ugh…"
Maybe I should just tell her.
I trust Rubia, after all.
I leaned in close and whispered as quietly as I could.
"You're right… I can't sense anything without my greatsword."
Then I gently pulled back and hooked my pinky with hers.
"So promise me… You won't tell anyone. Not even Hermilla knows. It'll be our secret, okay?"
Rubia didn't respond right away.
"R-Rubia…?"
"It's our… secret?"
"Yeah."
Rubia squeezed my pinky tightly.
"I see. So now we're… really close friends, sharing secrets?"
Gasp…!
"R-really close friends…!"
"Hehe… Yes."
I felt a warm swell in my chest.
"So earlier, you asked if it was okay even though we're short on time, right?"
Rubia unhooked her pinky and interlaced her fingers with mine again.
"Yeah. That's why we took the horses and the dangerous route."
"That's right. My original plan was to only spend about ten days."
"Th-then… shouldn't we leave soon?!"
"It's fine. Even if we're a little late… I think it'll be okay."
Rubia let out a deep, hesitant sigh.
"Hmm… You said you ran away, right?"
"Yeah…"
"So… Does that mean they'll come after you again? Like the knights from before?"
"...Yes."
"And what do you want to do, Rubia?"
Since we were sitting so close, I could feel Rubia's hair tickling my face.
She must've turned to face me.
"I… I don't want to go back yet."
"Really?"
"Yeah… It's pathetic, right?"
I shook my head.
"No. Not at all. So, Rubia. Should I help you?"
Should I save you, Rubia?
"How?"
"I just need to beat up anyone who tries to take you, right?"
"You'd do that, Noah…?"
"You think I can't?"
I tapped my chest with my free hand.
"I'll defeat all those nobodies."
After all…
I'm the best friend of the gorgeous Rubia, the 8-year veteran of Black Sun, and the second-ranked PvP player.
I can handle them.
"Nobodies…? Pfft, haha! Nobodies?"
"Y-yeah! You don't believe me…?!"
Rubia's hand moved to pat my head.
"I believe you. Of course I do. If I don't trust you, Noah… who else would I trust?"
"Exactly, right? So just relax. I'll take care of everything."
"Okay. Please, Noah. Protect me."
"For how long?"
Rubia went quiet for a moment.
Then, with a smile I could practically feel, even though I couldn't see it, she replied.
"For the rest of my life."
Until the day I die.
"I got it."
I'll protect you for life.
"Trust me."
I'll make sure you don't die, no matter what it takes.