Chapter 8: Renka’s Shaken Heart

The day after annihilating the goblin nest, <Running Wolves> took a break.

Everyone was utterly exhausted, so there was no debate...unanimously, they decided on a rest day.

As usual, Renka woke early in the morning. Though awake, she had no motivation to get up and stayed sprawled on her bed. Naturally, her thoughts drifted to yesterday’s events.

(Yesterday… I made a terrible mistake. We almost wiped out because of me. No, if Shinji hadn’t been there, we would’ve. That’s how bad it was…)

As the ranger, she should’ve been cautious of traps, but she panicked and triggered one. The failure weighed heavily on her. Knowing someone in danger, she should’ve stayed calm. She knew that in her head, but…

(I can’t let this happen again. Shinji told me to do better next time.)

Suddenly, she recalled Shinji placing his hand on her head. A large man’s hand. Besides family and Alwin, no one had touched her like that before. It was unusual for Shinji, who always maintained an appropriate distance.

His touch was gentle, and her chaotic mind quickly calmed. Even now, recalling it, she felt no distaste. In fact, she almost wished he’d done it again, maybe even stroked her…

(What am I thinking! No way! That was just an emergency thing!)

Rolling side to side on the bed, she tried to shake off the rising fantasies.

Then, inevitably:

(Alwin was so cool, as always…)

She remembered his back, standing alone against the goblin horde. Swinging his greatsword wildly, annihilating them, his bravery made her heart race. During the battle, she was too busy shooting arrows to watch closely, but his heroic figure was unchanged from what she’d always known.

(I put Alwin and Meelis in danger… I need to apologize somehow!)

After some thought, Renka got out of bed and started dressing. Changing into her usual adventurer gear...the green outfit...she left her room. Walking to Meelis’s room next door, she knocked.

“Mee, you awake?”

No response after a while. Thinking she might be too early, she knocked on Alwin’s door next.

“Al, you awake?”

“Renka? Yeah, come in.”

After his voice, she opened the door. Entering, she gave Alwin, sprawled lazily on his bed, a skeptical look. Completely drained, he looked nothing like yesterday’s hero.

“You’re not even dressed properly… Well, whatever.”

“I’m still kinda sleepy. Was thinking of napping again. What’s up?”

Sighing at his words, Renka smiled awkwardly.

“I want to apologize for yesterday’s mistake. I’d like to treat everyone to dinner tonight. Would that work?”

“Seriously? Me and Mee are fine with it. Your cooking, huh? Can’t wait! Make that soup from back home! Extra pork!”

“Sure, sure, I’ll add soup to the menu. I’ll check with Shinji too. Even if he can’t make it, we three can eat. I’ll prepare something separately for Shinji.”

“Got it. Looking forward to it! I’ll tell Mee.”

Alwin’s carefree smile, even after yesterday, warmed her chest. But for now, she had no intention of confessing her feelings.

Alwin had Meelis as his girlfriend. Their mutual affection was obvious. Renka planned to confess when their party rank reached upper mid-tier...when Alwin could afford two wives. In this country, men could marry up to two women legally. She wanted to volunteer as his second wife to protect him from messy romantic entanglements, ensuring the three could continue living harmoniously.

(This dense guy has no clue about my feelings… Mee might suspect I like Alwin, though.)

“Well then, I’ll talk to Shinji and buy ingredients. Dinner will be… let’s say, around the sixth bell this afternoon.”

“Got it! Take care~”

“Yep, see you later.”

Waving goodbye to Alwin, Renka headed to <The Burrowing Mole Inn> where Shinji stayed.

Arriving, she entered and approached Charlotte at the counter.

“Excuse me, is Shinji here?”

“Um, I haven’t seen him yet, so he’s probably in his room. May I ask who you are?”

“It’s Renka. I’m from the same party.”

Charlotte nodded and stood up.

“Mom! I’m going to call a guest to their room, so can you handle the front desk, please!” she called, heading to the back. Renka watched her go with a warm, amused look. What an energetic girl.

“Sorry… she’s a noisy one.”

“I think her energy is a good thing, yes.”

A woman with the same hair color as Charlotte, likely her mother, emerged, apologizing. Renka instinctively offered reassurance. Soon, Charlotte returned.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Shinji was awake. I can show you to his room if you’d like? You might come here often in the future.”

“Sure, please.”

Bowing slightly to Charlotte’s mother, Renka followed Charlotte to Shinji’s door.

“Here it is. I’ll head back to the front!”

“Thanks.”

With a quick bow, Charlotte hurried off. Renka knocked lightly on Shinji’s door.

“Shinji, it’s Renka.”

“I’ll open it now.”

The door opened almost immediately. Shinji, dressed in his usual robe, greeted her. Compared to Alwin’s disheveled state earlier, his composed demeanor made Renka chuckle wryly.

“Morning, Renka. Why the funny face?”

“Morning. I just came from Alwin’s room...he was still half-asleep, sprawled on his bed… The contrast was too much.”

“Hahaha, that’s so like Alwin.”

His exaggerated laugh made Renka agree, “True.”

“Sorry for the trouble yesterday. As an apology… well, I want to treat everyone to dinner tonight. I’ll cook. Would that work for you?”

Hesitantly, Renka gauged his reaction. Shinji nodded with a smile, showing no sign of blaming her for yesterday.

“No need to worry… though it was a big mistake. I’ll gladly accept your gesture.”

“Good. And, um…”

Renka fidgeted, looking uncomfortable and embarrassed. After a pause, unable to find words, Shinji waited patiently for her to calm down. Closing her mouth once, she tried again.

“Thanks for telling me to try harder next time, even after I failed. Without those words, I’d still be dazed. You really helped me.”

“No problem. And I should apologize too. It was an emergency, but sorry for touching your head.”

Their serious gazes locked, but Shinji’s apology turned Renka’s face bright red as she recalled the morning’s confusion. Instantly, Shinji cast a weak hypnotic spell on her...a brief, fleeting magic that made her speak her thoughts aloud for a few seconds. Naturally, Renka didn’t notice.

“N-no need to apologize! It couldn’t be helped! And I didn’t mind at all! I even wanted you to stroke me more… Aahhh, what am I sayingggg!”

Her unfiltered thoughts spilled out, panicking her. Shinji watched with gentle eyes. Slowly, his hand reached for her head. Though she could’ve dodged, Renka let it rest there.

His touch was incredibly gentle, carefully stroking her hair.

Her panicked mind regained clarity, though her face grew hotter with embarrassment.

“Calmed down?”

“…Yeah, annoyingly so. You’re so composed.”

Pouting to mask her embarrassment, Renka sulked. Shinji chuckled softly, continuing to stroke her hair gently. There was no lewdness in his touch, and Renka surrendered to it.

“I’m older, so I should be.”

“Sigh… Talking with you makes me feel like such a kid. Should I call you ‘big brother’?”

“Oh, then as your brother, I’ll look forward to my sister’s cooking. I like beef...can you include that? Need help carrying stuff?”

Even her best retort was smoothly deflected by Shinji, who turned it into a playful suggestion, making her laugh and nod.

“Of course. I’ll make steak! And I’ll put you to work, so come along!”

“Yes, yes, as you wish.”

Slipping from his hand, Renka headed for the inn’s exit, with Shinji following.

They enjoyed shopping for ingredients together.

Renka thoroughly enjoyed their time alone.