The kitchen work at night was quite boring.
The sound of running water and the mechanical work always made people's attention unconsciously distracted.
Ryuu, who gradually got used to the companions around her, also got used to feeling distant.
For some reason, after meeting Shun today, a young man with the qualifications of an ancient hero who had never received Falna, she kept thinking about her original self.
At that time, everyone said that the Elf race had extraordinary appearances, and they thought so too. This must also be an undeniable fact. They were arrogant, had mysophobia, and didn't easily let others touch their skin.
There were also some Elf who felt that other races were ugly both internally and externally. They didn't want to communicate with others and lived in seclusion in the forest.
However, when Ryuu saw that her compatriots didn't identify with ethnic groups other than themselves and looked down on others as dirty existences, she had an idea.
Maybe the handsome Elf were actually the ugliest.
Such a thought would probably be considered heretical among Elf with a strong racial consciousness.
Among the villagers who were proud of themselves, she was the only one who had doubts and feelings of disgust.
Once she got this idea, she couldn't stop. She felt ashamed and left her hometown, wandering elsewhere... and then came to Orario.
Because Ryuu heard that there were gods, humans, and Elf in Orario, who transcended racial boundaries and gathered various ethnic groups. She thought maybe she could find something here.
Ryuu seemed to be looking back at her self at that time, looking down at her hands.
In fact, what she wanted at that time was a best friend who could respect each other.
Things that she couldn't get from growing up in Elf culture and Elf customs.
A friend who could appreciate each other's personalities and laugh together regardless of race or appearance.
Although it was difficult at first, when she met Goddess Astraea and her friends, the dream that Ryuu had been praying for finally came true.
It was the happiest time of her life.
Since then, she rarely remembered her self at that time.
Until Shun appeared, this young man and future hero who seemed to have no common sense made her unable to help but think back to her self when she first arrived in Orario.
Shun traveled thousands of miles to come here, what was he looking for?
"Ryuu... Ryuu...?"
His voice seemed to echo in her ears.
Soon, the plate in her hand was taken, which made her unconsciously tense, and she almost reached for the knife hidden in her lower back.
Only after Ryuu saw the man's gentle face, which was no less than the Elf, did she relax her body and raise her eyebrows as if she were angry.
"It turns out that being a simple pub assistant woman is tiring enough, and her attention can be very easily distracted."
Shun seemed unaware of the elf woman's displeasure, but instead sighed in a familiar tone.
"I saw you standing there with a blank look, so I just wanted to help you."
As Shun spoke, he bent down, his bright eyes seemed to reflect his gentle face.
"Let's discuss. If I help you finish this task, can you help me?"
"What is it? If it's to pay off a debt, I can't do anything."
Ryuu originally wanted to refuse, but after seeing the young man looking at her, she, who was cold-hearted and kind, agreed for the time being.
In her opinion, a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy who came to Orario alone was sad enough, so she should help him.
"It's nothing. I just want you to introduce me to Orario tomorrow and how to become an adventurer?"
Shun was very aware of Ryuu's soft heart, and put on a helpless expression, as if the person who had beaten the Level 5 adventurer before wasn't him.
"Please, I don't have much money. I'm not familiar with this place, and the only one I can ask for help is a kind person like you."
"Okay, just finish this for me, but quickly tidy up your bed..."
"Yes, mom!"
Shun looked like a hot-blooded soldier and immediately agreed, which made Ryuu laugh for a while.
About half an hour, the two finally finished their work.
Both Shun and Ryuu breathed a sigh of relief.
"Finally finished..."
Seeing Shun about to touch his cheek with his newly washed hand, Ryuu immediately grabbed his wrist.
"You have to dry your hands first, otherwise you'll stain your clothes."
Ryuu used a lecturing tone, but she took out a handkerchief and placed it on his hand.
She didn't know if it was an illusion, but why was this young man so clumsy in front of her? It made her feel uncomfortable.
Shun wiped his fingers with a smile, then handed it to her. When their fingertips touched again, Ryuu suddenly realized something, and suddenly looked at the man in front of her carefully for a few seconds.
Ryuu originally wanted to say something, but a head with black cat ears appeared from the crack in the door.
"Ryuu, Takema's room is ready... take him there."
After saying that, Chloe shrank back, followed by several girls who were playing around and slowly walked away.
Ryuu seemed to be used to her friends' fun, so she turned around and took Shun to his room.
Have to admit, Mama Mia is also someone who looks serious but is actually gentle.
Although Shun still owed a lot, the accommodation environment arranged was the same as the ordinary staff room, and he wasn't found just in the utility room to send him away.
Ryuu helped find a bed, and after helping Shun tidy up the bed, the sound of girls playing on the bed after taking a bath could already be heard next door.
"So, that's all for today. After helping the pub tomorrow, I'll take you to the Guild in Orario. Takema-san, please have a good rest."
"Okay, good night. You're a kind, beautiful, and noble Elf. I'm very happy to meet you today." Shun replied with a bright smile.
Ryuu turned around and left until she reached the door and placed her hand on the doorknob. After hesitating, she turned to look at him and whispered:
"Um... Takema-san, can I shake your hand again?"
Such a request made Shun a little confused, but he still agreed, extending his palm and gently holding Ryuu's hand.
This time, Ryuu seemed to be staring at the hand they were both holding with full concentration.
"Indeed, the feeling I felt before is true..." Ryuu muttered in a low voice, looking at him with a somewhat complicated look.
"What?"
"No, nothing!"
Ryuu quickly withdrew her hand, turned around and left in a hurry, even a little panicked.
"Anyway, thank you for your help tonight, see you tomorrow."
Shun looked down at his hand and thought for a moment. Only after he thought about a certain angle in his memory did he suddenly realize something.
In the Danmachi world, Elf were a very proud race. They considered people from other races ugly.
That is, if it wasn't an Elf they identified with, even the gods wouldn't let them touch them.
That was already equivalent to the body's instinct.
Regardless of whether the Elf wanted to or not, their bodies wouldn't let someone with a bad heart touch them.
Like being pricked by a needle, the human body would instinctively pull its hand back.
Except for someone who was recognized, the Elf would reflexively resist those who wanted to touch them.
In other words: he seemed to have gotten Ryuu's approval.
Only two people had received such treatment in Ryuu's life.
The first was her close friend, Alise who invited her to join the Astraea Familia, the second was Syr who picked her up and saved her, and now Shun's appearance has become an important factor in Ryuu's life. The third person held her hand, but she didn't let go.
This also explained why Ryuu was acting strange and running away.
This was the first time in her life that she had been touched like this by a man.
Shun lay on the bed after turning off the lights. After recalling Ryuu's reaction, he suddenly felt that maybe the difficulty of conquering the Elf in the Danmachi world would suddenly become 'easy mode'.
Thinking about this, Riveria's figure flashed in his mind.
❀❀❀
The next day.
After helping Ryuu handle the work, the two asked permission from the pub manager, Mama Mia, and went out together under the teasing of other girls.
More than ten minutes later, Ryuu took Shun to Northwest Street.
Because the Guild was located here, many adventurers could naturally be seen on Northwest Street.
That's why this is the street where adventurers come and go. The number of shops selling almost everything was filled.
There were many weapon shops selling weapons and armor, pharmacies selling healing potions, prop shops with various items, and bars where adventurers could spend their leisure time.
As Shun explored these shops, Ryuu told him about the armor inside, especially some magical armor that was expensive but very powerful.
"Although low-level potions are difficult to help you with your martial arts and strength, when you enter the Dungeon later, remember to bring a few bottles. Besides, you need to prepare the weapons you have, it's best to go to the shop owned by the Hephaestus Familia..."