"Ugh... Please, just a little slower... My legs have no strength left..."
This is all Rubia's fault...
"Pfft... You're like a newborn calf. Why are your legs shaking so much?"
"And whose fault do you think that is, Rubia...!"
"The only thing I did was poke you with my fingers."
"I told you so many times that I'm ticklish...! But you just kept going... You're so mean!"
After sharing some jelly peacefully, we spent time chatting about this and that.
At some point, the topic of tickling came up.
In my previous life, I wasn't ticklish, so I was sure I'd win when I poked Rubia.
But Rubia didn't react to the tickling at all.
And then... she counterattacked.
I... I nearly died.
I was holding it in, but I almost had... an accident.
I wasn't ticklish in my past life, so I thought I'd be the same, but...
I'm ridiculously ticklish now. So frustrating...
"Noah, you started it. If you swing a sword, you should expect to get cut. That's just how it works."
Rubia spoke in a smug tone, shrugging her shoulders.
How annoying...
So annoying!
"Comparing this to swords... Fine, a little teasing is okay... but you've been tickling me all day, from noon until now!"
"Your reactions were so funny that time just flew by. I didn't expect it to be that fun either."
"I was seriously about to die...! Didn't you hear me gasping for air? I was sweating so much I had to shower again!"
"Hmm... You gasping was... definitely surprising. But I stopped after that, didn't I? And to make up for it, I even helped you wash."
Rubia's nonchalant tone was making my blood pressure rise.
I could feel tension creeping up my neck...
I'm seriously so angry right now...
"You say you stopped after that, but it was already after sunset by then...! And about the shower, I said I could do it alone... Ugh!"
"Still, wasn't it refreshing? You were practically falling asleep while I washed your hair, drooling and all."
"I-I didn't drool! That was just water dripping from my hair..."
Well... maybe I did drool a little.
But Rubia's hair-washing skills are seriously incredible...
"If you say so, I'll believe you."
"Whatever... Just because I don't have my greatsword, you're bullying me... This isn't fair. And... let go of my hand already—"
I tried to let go of Rubia's hand, but...
We were standing in the middle of the street.
If I let go now, something bad might happen...
I'd never make it to the smithy alone...
Swallowing my frustration, I quietly grabbed her hand again.
"Do you really want to let go? Should I let go?"
"N-No..."
"Alright. We should be careful in case there's a mage nearby."
Rubia said in a cheerful voice, swinging our hands back and forth.
Since I was shorter than Rubia, the swinging made my whole body sway from side to side.
My legs, which were already shaky, trembled even more.
"R-Rubia... My legs are really going to give out...!"
"Then I'll carry you."
Her arm swung even harder.
"Ugh... If I fall, it'll hurt!"
"Aren't you a grown-up? Can't you handle a little pain?"
"W-Wait a minute...! Just earlier, you told me to be careful or I'd hurt myself falling off the bed..."
"Pfft... I was just joking. Oh no, this is bad... Noah, teasing you is way too much fun. What should I do?"
Rubia laughed softly and slowed her pace.
When we first met, she seemed so stern.
But as time passed, she became more and more playful.
Does this mean we've grown closer?
"Rubia, you've changed so much since we first met."
"And so have you. You're completely different from when you hunt monsters and when you're just being yourself."
Have I changed that much?
Maybe I have...
Hmm...
"S-So... which version do you like better?"
"Between cool Noah and silly Noah?"
"Yeah. And I'm not silly..."
I squeezed Rubia's hand tightly.
I wanted her to feel a bit of pain, but instead of letting go, she gripped my hand just as tightly.
Then, with a small smile, she spoke quietly.
"I like both. Whether you're silly or cool, you're still Noah in the end."
Wow...
I didn't expect that kind of answer...
I thought I gave her two choices, but she came up with a third one...
I was so flustered, I didn't know if it was because of her unexpected response or just because of the answer itself.
"Uh... Oh... R-Really...?"
"Pfft... Yes. So, Noah, what about me? Do you like the old Rubia, who used to be so harsh, or the playful Rubia I am now?"
"I-It's not like you were harsh... Um... I like both..."
"Noah, you can't just copy my answer. You don't have to lie either. I won't get mad over something like this."
"R-Really?"
"Of course."
"So I can be honest?"
"Yes, be honest."
Honestly... when Rubia and I first met...
She was... she was kind of harsh...
Always snapping at me... constantly angry...
"I... I like the Rubia now better."
"Hmm? Why?"
She told me to be honest, right...?
So it's fine to tell the truth, right?
"The Rubia I first met was... w-well... kind of ag—"
"Kind of what?"
Rubia's voice dropped, taking on a darker tone.
If I say she was kind of aggressive... something bad's going to happen...!
But she told me to be honest...!
She said I should speak my mind!
"S-She was... scary."
Yeah. I held back, because I didn't want to hurt Rubia's feelings!
"Were you really going to say scary?"
"O-Of course."
"Hmm... Well, alright. I knew I wasn't very pleasant back then. I've already apologized before, but I'll do it again. I'm sorry, Noah."
The hand holding mine lowered slightly.
"It's fine... I didn't really mind. But, uh... Rubia."
Thinking about when we first met reminded me of something...
The coffee I made for her.
She said it tasted bad back then...
She didn't mean that, right?
It couldn't have been that bad, right?
"Yes?"
"That first coffee I made for you... Was it really that bad?"
"Do you want me to be honest about that too?"
I nodded vigorously.
I clenched my lips tightly shut.
I had to keep a neutral expression, no matter what she said.
I put on my most serious face.
Alright. Bring it on!
"It tasted like dirt mixed with water."
"Ugh..."
My tightly shut lips flew open.
The serious expression I was holding onto completely crumbled.
"Was it really that bad...?"
"Yes... I'm sorry, but it really was that bad..."
"O-Oh... Then, what about the coffee I made in the forest? The one I gave you when we woke up in the morning?"
I practiced so much for that one.
I even failed a lot...!
"That one... Hmm... It was definitely better than the first time."
"And the taste?"
"It was... like dirt mixed with coffee?"
"Gasp..."
"Don't worry. I'll teach you step by step. You'll get the hang of it eventually, Noah."
Rubia patted my shoulder reassuringly.
The power of my zero-point skill in craftsmanship...
No matter how much Rubia teaches me,
No matter how well she explains it...
There's no way I'll ever improve!
My coffee will always taste like muddy water!
Bring it on, Rubia! Bring it on, world!
"Noah, why are you clenching your fists so tightly? Did you resolve to practice hard?"
"Huh...? No, it's just... my palms are a little itchy..."
"Want me to scratch them for you?"
"N-No, it'll just get itchier if you scratch..."
It was strange.
When Rubia scratched my palms, it felt as itchy as if she were scratching my feet.
When your palms itch, the best solution is to just press them with your nails.
"Let me know if it ever gets itchy again. I'll scratch it for you."
Rubia's voice was mischievous as she lightly brushed her nails along my ear.
"Eeek!"
"Pfft... Shall we get going again? If we're late, the shop will close."
"Y-Yeah..."
I rubbed my ear, now warm from embarrassment, as we cautiously continued walking toward the smithy.
* * * *
"We're here. Is everything alright from when you fell earlier?"
"Yeah... I'm more embarrassed than anything..."
We finally made it to the smithy.
On the way here, I bumped into someone and fell, but Rubia healed me, so there were no injuries.
"It's fine. No one saw you."
"B-But you saw me."
"I don't count. We've bathed together, after all. So what's there to be embarrassed about?"
"Eek! D-Don't say things like that in public! If someone hears—"
"Shall we go in?"
The doorbell chimed as Rubia cut me off and opened the door to the smithy.
She's getting bolder and bolder...!
"Ah! Welcome! Perfect timing, it's ready!!"
Hephaestus greeted us loudly, recognizing us immediately.
"H-Hello."
"Great timing. How did it turn out?"
"Of course it turned out well! The previous smith had done such a neat job, so it was easy to repair!"
"O-Oh, I see..."
"Please have a seat. I'll bring it to you right away!"
Following Rubia's lead, I sat down in a chair behind her.
"I'm glad the repair went well. Still, it's a bit surprising. The last time I saw that smith, they didn't give off that kind of impression..."
Rubia seemed to be deep in thought, recalling the previous smith.
I told you!
He might seem gruff, but he's actually a really good person!
"Rubia, you shouldn't judge people by appearances...!"
I slapped Rubia's hand lightly as I said that.
"Oh, right. That was rude of me."
"Hurry up and apologize..."
"Uh, sorry, Mr. Smith from Alrba."
"Here it is! Which one would you like to check first?"
Just as Rubia finished apologizing, Hephaestus came running over, making a rattling noise.
"M-My greatsword! Give me the greatsword first!"
Rattle, rattle—
"Here you go! Please check it carefully! There might be some defects!"
I nodded enthusiastically as I received the greatsword.
That familiar tingle, that painful yet welcome sensation, filled me as I felt the familiar weight in my hands.
"Heh... Hehe... I missed you so much..."
Before I knew it, a goofy laugh escaped my mouth.
So what!
I hugged the greatsword close and rubbed my cheek against the blade.
The smooth texture, the coolness, the weight... I missed this!
"Uh... Could you, um... check it, please?"
Oh, right...
I need to check it properly first...
I'm known as the Red Beast that tears through fiends, after all.
I have to maintain my dignity!
"A-Ahem... I am checking it. This is how I do it."
"Pfft—"
"O-Oh... I see... Got it...!"
Rubia was laughing at me, and Hephaestus looked flustered.
Awkwardly, I stopped rubbing my face against the sword and ran my fingers along the blade.
Hmm, it's not as good as Mr. Alrba's work, but it's solid enough.
Next, the grip...
I stood up and walked to an open space.
"Is it okay if I give it a few swings?"
"Of course!"
Hephaestus nodded enthusiastically.
"Thank you...!"
First, I tested the balance...
I grabbed the greatsword with one hand and swung it horizontally.
I tried to make it look as cool as possible.
After all... I am the Red Beast that tears through demon...!
Whoosh—
Hmm, it feels about the same as before!
Next, a vertical swing.
Whish—
That's a pass!
Now, a diagonal swing with both hands!
Swish—
Nice and clean!
I gripped the hilt tightly, twisting and shaking it to test the strength.
Everything felt sturdy and well done!
I hadn't expected much, but this exceeded my expectations!
I gave Hephaestus a slight nod.
Just a slight one.
I wanted to bow more deeply, but... I had to maintain my dignity...
Hmm... Still, I should give a proper thanks.
"It looks good. Thank you."
I bowed deeply.
"That's high praise...! T-Thank you!!"
Hephaestus bowed deeply in return.
But it seemed like she bowed lower than I did, so I bowed lower too.
Hephaestus lowered her head even more.
And so did I...
"Umm... How about you both stop bowing now...?"
"Your name was Noah, right? Please, Noah, raise your head first!!"
"N-No... Hephaestus, you go first..."
"I can't!!"
"Ugh..."
I had no choice but to awkwardly raise my head.
Hephaestus, who had been watching me, raised their head as well.
"So, how much do we owe you?"
Rubia pulled out her purse and asked.
But I quickly stepped in front of her.
"No, I'll pay. It's my equipment, after all."
I should handle my own things!
I said it confidently and coolly, reaching for my coin pouch...
"Uh... Wait...?"
Where's... Where's my money...?
Even after reaching deep into the pouch, turning it upside down,
Checking my inner pockets and even inside my shoes,
The money was nowhere to be found.
I was so focused on walking, I didn't even notice how light my pouch had become...
"Noah... Did you lose your money?"
"Uh... I think so..."
Rubia patted my shoulder.
"It's okay. People lose things sometimes. We'll find it on the way back."
"Y-You think so...?"
"Of course. How much was it?"
Feeling a cold sweat run down my spine, I reluctantly spoke.
"W-Well, when we came here, I exchanged all the silver coins you gave me into gold coins, remember...?"
"Wait, don't tell me..."
"In total... I lost 27 gold coins... Hic, including the money I already had... Sniff... M-My... Hic... My entire fortune..."
Tears welled up in my eyes.
A few drops slipped from my closed eyelids.
My hands started trembling.
I felt like I was going to faint from dizziness at any moment.
But I clenched my fists and held back my tears.
I'm an adult.
I have to find it.
I will find it.
I'll expand my senses as much as possible, even if it makes my head explode.
I have to find it!
As I clenched my fists and steeled my resolve, Rubia spoke softly.
"Noah, don't panic, but... I think that person you bumped into earlier might've stolen it."
"W-What...?"
"The way they moved was suspicious. I thought they were just drunk, but... I think they were a skilled thief."
"R-Rubia... Hic... I-Is the thief... Sniff... already gone with my money... Hic... W-What do we do...?"
Rubia gently wiped the tears from my eyes.
"Even if we're not sure, no matter what happens..."
Then she grabbed my hand and started walking, leading me along.
"We'll find it. No matter what."
Her determined figure, walking ahead of me, reminded me of the time in Alrba when she sold my things.
But.
This Rubia, right here,
Was so, so much cooler than that Rubia.
"Hic... Y-You're twice as... Hic... cool now..."