Chapter 9: The First Kiss Tastes of Lemon

“Well then! Sorry for the trouble yesterday! As an apology, I made a lot! Eat your fill! Cheers!”

“Cheers!!”

At a corner of <The Resting Bough Inn>’s dining hall, the four members of <Running Wolves> gathered for a dinner party. The table was laden with dishes Renka had prepared using the kitchen, and with the toast, everyone dug in.

“As expected, your cooking’s the best, Renka! The soup tastes like home. The pork flavor’s soaked in, so good… I crave this sometimes~”

“When we’re adventuring, there’s hardly time to make stews… Renka-chan, it’s delicious~”

“Good. Eat lots. Another ale, please!”

“Coming right up!”

Alwin dug in eagerly, while Meelis savored the soup slowly. The hometown soup was their favorite, so Renka had made extra. She ate while ordering more drinks. The response was prompt, and the young landlady brought fresh ale, swapping out empty glasses.

“Yeah… it’s really good. You’re a great cook, Renka. The meat’s perfectly cooked, and the sauce is just my taste.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

Shinji, cutting his steak into small pieces, smiled. Satisfied, Renka nodded. His straightforward praise genuinely pleased her.

“But now we’re upper mid-tier… I wanna reach advanced rank fast.”

“Al-kun, you’re getting ahead of yourself. We just ranked up yesterday, you know?”

Tipsy, Alwin was chided by Meelis, who pouted in displeasure. Renka and Shinji chuckled.

“Advanced rank feels like a whole different level. No point rushing. Keep doing what we’ve been doing, and we’ll get there eventually,” Renka said.

“Well, I think we already have the strength of lower advanced tier. Just stay cautious and steady,” Shinji added, sipping his ale.

The three turned to him in unison. Confident as ever, Shinji made Alwin tilt his head.

“How do you know that?”

“Hm? My old party was lower advanced tier.”

His casual bombshell shocked the three. “Whaaat!” they exclaimed. Shinji looked puzzled.

“What’s so surprising?”

“It is surprising! When you joined, we were lower mid-tier! Weren’t there higher-tier parties you could’ve joined?”

“Now I get why you’re so calm, Shinji-san…”

“What are you even thinking… seriously,” Renka muttered.

Their varied reactions made Shinji laugh as he continued.

“I checked other parties too. In the end, <Running Wolves> was the best. I saw Alwin, Meelis, and Renka as bundles of talent. Back then, party rank wasn’t a criterion for me.”

Gulping down his ale, Shinji rattled his glass for a refill. The three listened quietly.

“And turns out, my judgment was right. You’re all good people, and the party vibe is great. I want to keep pushing forward like this. …What?”

Uncharacteristically embarrassed, Shinji wrapped up. By then, the three were grinning oddly at him. Alwin slung an arm around his shoulder.

“I’m glad it was you who joined, Shinji! Let’s drink more! Mee, Renka, drink up!”

“You need to pace yourself, Al-kun.”

“It’s fine once in a while! I’ll drink too!”

“Even Renka-chan… Shinji-san, stop them, please~”

“Sorry. Today, I’m on Alwin and Renka’s side.”

With a firm look, even Shinji refused, and Meelis gave up with a “Well, fine…”

Talks of their hometown days, Shinji’s past, and more flowed endlessly, the party lasting late into the night.

“Al-kuuun…♡”

“…”

Meelis dozed off, face planted on the table, mumbling. Next to her, Renka had passed out too. Seeing the two out cold, Shinji and Alwin stopped drinking.

“Let’s call it a night, Alwin.”

“Yeah~… Drank a lot~… It was fun.”

“Yeah, it was. Let’s drink again. Just us guys next time?”

“Sounds good!”

Alwin grinned happily. Then, noticing the sleeping pair, Shinji chuckled.

“Should we wake them and get them to their rooms? We need to clean up too.”

“Waking them feels wrong. Let’s carry them. I’ll take Mee, so can you handle Renka?”

With that, Alwin easily hoisted the sleeping Meelis onto his back. She mumbled, “Al-kuun♡,” still half-asleep.

“I feel bad carrying her without permission…”

“It’s fine. Just to bed. Then we’ll clean up together.”

“Got it. If anyone complains, cover for me, okay?”

“You bet!”

Shinji slid his arms under Renka’s back and knees, lifting her in a princess carry. Following Alwin, he walked behind.

The motion roused Renka slightly. Opening her eyes, she saw Shinji’s face close to hers. Unaware of her, he carried her calmly, and she surrendered, feeling no discomfort...only her heart racing at his warmth.

“Renka’s room is that way. See you later!”

Shaking Meelis for her key, Alwin headed to the next room. Shinji addressed Renka in his arms.

“Renka, do you have your key? I’ll lay you in bed.”

“…Yeah, here…”

Her response was surprisingly clear, making Shinji chuckle.

“Can you stand and walk to bed on your own?”

Their eyes met. His gaze held only concern. Despite her heart pounding from his hold, Shinji seemed oblivious. For some reason, that frustrated her.

“Open it… carry me like this.”

Though she could stand, she pleaded in a soft, needy voice. Her heart raced even more, but Shinji only nodded calmly. Unlocking the door, they entered her room.

Carrying her to the bed, Shinji walked slowly. Unbeknownst to her, he cast a weak aphrodisiac spell, heightening her arousal.

Mistaking the magic’s effect for his strength or the alcohol, Renka’s heart raced. His face so close, she was hyper-aware of him, yet he remained as usual.

Laying her on the bed, Shinji slowly withdrew his hands, making no improper moves. Though expected, she oddly wondered if she lacked charm.

As he started to stand, she felt a pang of regret.

He wouldn’t do anything.

That frustrated her.

Impulsively, her arms wrapped around his neck and head.

Renka pulled him close and kissed him.

Their first kiss, a mere touch, tasted of the lemon liquor Shinji had last drunk.