Chapter 6: Renka Isn’t Used to Being Treated Like a Girl

Three months had passed since Shinji joined <Running Wolves>.

It was a rest day, and they had decided not to take on any adventurer jobs.

Alone, Shinji left his inn in the morning and wandered through town.

He had a purpose for shopping, but he hadn’t decided what to buy, so he headed to the shopping district.

After browsing several shops without finding anything suitable, he was lost in thought when a voice called out from behind.

“You’re up early today, Shinji. Didn’t you say you usually sleep in in the mornings?”

“Hey, Renka. I’m out looking for something today.”

“Good morning,” Shinji said, and Renka returned the greeting with a smile. Three months was enough time to build trust, to the point where they’d call out to each other if they spotted one another in town.

“It’s rare for you. I thought you were the type to decide what to buy before moving, Shinji.”

“Normally, yes. But today, I’m thinking of buying a birthday present for Alwin. It’s in a month and four days, right?”

Shinji had remembered the birthday he’d casually heard during a chat. Of course, he also knew Meelis’s and Renka’s birthdays. These small gestures of consideration were strengthening his positive impression. Renka, too, felt favorably toward Shinji for wanting to celebrate a comrade’s birthday.

“True. We always gather for a meal on birthdays. Maybe we should include you this year.”

“I’d love that. Could you check with the other two?”

“Hehe, of course they’ll say yes. Got it.”

Renka chuckled at Shinji’s polite way of asking for permission.

“Are the other two on a date?”

“Yeah. They went out this morning. I was bored, so I thought I’d do some shopping.”

“I see. If you’re free, could you help me pick out Alwin’s present? I’d appreciate your advice. I’ll treat you to lunch as thanks, of course.”

“Sure. Then lunch is on you, Shinji.”

“Of course, that’s fine.”

It wasn’t the first time Shinji and Renka had gone out together. They’d often split up for party errands or quest information gathering, and Renka had frequently paired with Shinji. Even alone, he never flirted with her, and she had come to trust his efficiency in working for the party’s sake, so she no longer felt averse to spending time with him.

“Then let’s head that way. Have you decided what to buy?”

“Something consumable or something practical and unobtrusive, maybe. If we’re having a meal, dessert could be an option too.”

“Usually, Mee bakes a cake, though.”

Chatting as they went, Renka took the lead, and Shinji followed, keeping a comfortable distance...one step behind her, not too close.

After visiting several shops without finding anything suitable, they still hadn’t decided on a present. By then, it was nearing lunchtime.

“Renka, how about lunch?”

“Sure. Let’s eat at that square over there. There’s a stall with delicious bento boxes. The weather’s nice, so let’s eat outside.”

“Got it.”

When they arrived at the square, a decent number of people were strolling around, chatting in groups. Several couples seemed to be on dates, and the few spots to sit and eat were quickly filling up. The bento stall had a line, suggesting it would take time to buy.

“I’ll secure a bench. Can you get the food?”

“…Sure. If I wait, I’ll probably get hit on.”

“Being a beauty is tough, huh. Here’s my wallet.”

Imagining the annoyance of being hit on while waiting alone, Renka made an irritated face. Shinji handed her his wallet with a wry smile.

“Two silver coins should be enough for change. You didn’t have to give me the whole wallet.”

“I trust you, Renka.”

“Sure, but still…”

Renka gave him a look as if to say he was careless, while Shinji responded with an exasperated expression, as if to ask what she was worried about. Though he was meticulous about checking with others when asking for help, he was oddly lax when it came to requesting favors from comrades. Renka returned a similarly exasperated look, though inwardly, she was pleased to be trusted.

Shinji sat on a bench and watched Renka join the line. Scanning the surroundings, he saw children running around in the peaceful square under clear skies. As he took in the casual daily scenery, he heard Renka’s irritated voice.

Turning toward the sound, he saw Renka being hassled by two men. The bento stall was a bit far from the bench, so they probably assumed she was alone. Sighing, Shinji headed toward her.

“I already told you, I’m with someone.”

“Come on, don’t stick with a guy who makes his cute girlfriend do the shopping. Hang out with us instead~”

“Yeah, yeah. It’d be way more fun with us.”

Despite Renka’s refusals and glares, the men blocked her path, smirking without a care. Unable to push past while holding the bento, Renka was stuck. The men were clearly exploiting that.

As Renka’s frustration peaked and she opened her mouth to yell, Shinji stepped in front of her, shielding her from the men.

“Sorry about this. She’s my precious person. Could you back off?”

Shinji’s expression toward the men was a smile, but his eyes were cold, exuding an unsettling pressure that intimidated them. As they opened their mouths to retort, Shinji heightened his magical presence, intensifying the pressure.

Finally realizing the threat, the men closed their mouths and slunk away, muttering curses. But Shinji didn’t care about the defeated dogs’ barking and simply watched them go.

“I didn’t expect you’d get hit on even at this distance. Sorry about that.”

“I thought so too… Thanks. You came before I had to yell.”

Turning back, Shinji looked apologetic, but Renka shook her head with a smile, admitting her own misjudgment. When she handed him the bento, he took it.

“Dressed casually, you’re even prettier than usual, Renka. That outfit really suits you. Let’s forget about those guys and have lunch.”

Shinji’s casual praise threw Renka off balance.

Indeed, today Renka had put effort into her outfit for the rest day. Her favorite light green dress highlighted her figure perfectly.

Though she was used to being called beautiful, she’d never been complimented on her fashion by someone close to her, especially not a man like Shinji, who wasn’t a fellow woman like Meelis. Her heart raced. Despite usually disliking flattery, she found herself pleased, and to cover it up, she raised her voice.

“R-right! Let’s have lunch! These bento boxes are the best!”

“Yeah, since you recommended them, I’m looking forward to it.”

Though Shinji’s smile seemed normal, Renka felt he might see through her. Yet, unlike Alwin, who would tease, Shinji let it slide, giving her a sense of relief as they headed to the bench together.

They enjoyed their lunch, then returned to town.

But in the afternoon, the dynamic shifted slightly.

Now, Shinji took the lead, with Renka following.

Matching her stride, Shinji consulted her while negotiating with shopkeepers and deciding their next stop.

Accustomed to leading Alwin and Meelis, Renka found being guided novel. Having no close older men in her life besides her father, the experience of relying on a dependable man felt strangely thrilling.

In the end, they spent the evening together but found nothing suitable. Shinji escorted Renka back to her inn. Initially, she refused, citing different directions, but she relented when he mentioned warding off evening suitors. Dusk was prime time for men to approach with dinner invitations. After half a day of his escort, Renka’s resistance to relying on Shinji had lessened.

“We spent the whole day together and still couldn’t decide. Sorry about that.”

Apologizing with a remorseful face, Shinji was met with Renka’s smile and a shake of her head.

“It’s fine. I enjoyed the day too.”

“Really? Then I’m glad.”

Relieved by his smile, Renka felt at ease.

But then, she wondered if she’d been the only one enjoying it. Was it hard for him to deal with someone like her, who wasn’t as feminine as Meelis?

“D-did you have fun, Shinji?”

She hadn’t meant to ask, but the words slipped out. Regretting it, her concern was dispelled by his response.

“Of course. I had fun. Thanks for today, Renka.”

She felt genuinely happy.

The warmth of that feeling was close to what she felt for Alwin...comforting and pleasant.

“Well then, see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, see you.”

As Shinji walked away, Renka watched his back for a while before returning to her room. Lying on her bed, she calmed down and realized their shopping might have been like a date. The morning was for the present, but the afternoon was clearly about enjoying time with Shinji. At their parting, she even felt a twinge of loneliness…

(N-no way! It wasn’t a planned date, so it doesn’t count! He wasn’t hitting on me!)

Shaking her head vigorously, she jumped out of bed.

No, Shinji had been his usual self. Considerate, yet treating her as an equal friend.

For some reason, that left Renka feeling oddly unsettled.