Chapter 3
"Good morning."
"Good morning? It’s already past noon."
"Sorry, it’s been a while."
"It’s not a bad thing. At my age, being desired as a woman feels amazing. But at this hour, everyone’s already working. We’d just be in the way, so greetings will have to wait until tonight."
True, mornings in the village start early, so that makes sense.
"Right. How about we combine greetings and lunch and head to Kazuma’s house?"
"Good idea. I’d love to see Haruka too. Let’s go."
Kazuma’s is the only diner in the village.
The name comes straight from the owner, Kazuma himself.
Kazuma is Rida’s father and runs the place with his wife, Haruka.
To me, Kazuma’s like an older brother. Neither Zect nor I could ever get the upper hand on him.
He’s ridiculously handsome and, being a diner owner, an amazing cook.
The recreations of dishes from my past life? I managed those thanks to helping out at Kazuma’s in exchange for his guidance.
Though we’re not blood-related, I think of Kazuma as my big brother and Haruka as my big sister.
Well, Haruka kind of forced me to call her that, though.
"Haruka, I’m back"
"Nee-san, I’m home"
"Oh, if it isn’t Shizuko and Ceres! I heard Shizuko went through a lot."
"Hehe, a little. But Ceres-kun saved me, so it’s all good."
"Huh, so this guy’s actually useful. Nice job, Ceres!"
Smack
"Nee-san, that hurts!"
Haruka’s got this habit of smacking me with an open hand for some reason.
"Like a frail girl like me could hurt you. Geez, Ceres, you’re so dramatic."
Smack
"Seriously, Nee-san, stop hitting my back—it hurts!"
"Oh my, you two really act like siblings. I’m almost jealous... even though he’s my husband."
"Right? I heard you married Ceres, Shizuko. That’s pretty bold!"
"Hehe, Ceres-kun really loves me! He said even an old lady like me is fine, so we went for it."
"Good for you, Ceres! You’ve always had a thing for Shizuko, huh?"
I don’t know why, but Nee-san’s always playfully smacked me around since way back.
"See, Nee-san, it hurts!"
"Haruka, Ceres-kun feels the same about you—"
"Haruka, the pasta’s ready... What? Ceres and Shizuko are back?"
"Kazuma-san, it’s been a while."
"Kazuma-nii-san, I’m home!"
Man, no matter how often I see him, Kazuma-nii-san is so handsome.
His teeth practically sparkle—he’s the quintessential cool chef.
After my parents died, he told me, "You can think of me as your dad or big brother."
Since Kazuma’s my brother figure, it naturally followed that I’d call his then-girlfriend Haruka "Nee-san."
Though she can be pretty rough with me.
Kazuma-nii-san says he’s jealous of that, apparently.
I could never tell either of them, but there was a time I had a crush on Nee-san.
Kazuma’s like a brother, and she was his girlfriend.
Plus, unlike Zect, Kazuma-nii-san’s the real deal—not some fake pretty boy—so I buried those feelings deep.
Looking back, maybe I kept quiet because I didn’t want to lose the brotherly bond with Kazuma or the sisterly one with Haruka. I just let it fizzle out on my own.
They’re such a perfect couple, anyway.
"Shizuko, Ceres, I’ll brew some coffee and bake a pizza, so take it easy. I’ve got work to do, so keep Haruka company for me. I’m counting on you."
"Thanks for the treat, Kazuma-nii-san!"
"Alright, I’m heading back to the kitchen."
With that, Kazuma-nii-san returned to his domain.
◆◆◆
After lunch at Kazuma’s, we came back home.
"Hey, Ceres-kun, you like Haruka, don’t you?"
Shizuko-san caught me off guard with that one.
"Well, she’s like a sister, so yeah, I like her."
"That’s not what I mean. Not as a sibling— as a man and a woman. Hehe, am I wrong?"
"When I was a kid, yeah. If Shizuko-san was my first love, then Nee-san was probably my second."
"True, Haruka does look young enough that she wouldn’t seem out of place with you."
Yeah, Nee-san looks ridiculously youthful.
She’s Rida’s mom, so she’s got to be in her late twenties or thirties, but she looks like she’s in her early twenties.
With her short, flaxen hair tied back with a headband, a great figure—not too big or too small in all the right places—she’s the perfect mix of beautiful and cute.
Her outfit—something like a T-shirt, hot pants knockoff, and an apron from my past life—only adds to that vibe.
"Yeah, Nee-san does look young—"
"Hehe, really young, right?"
Was it just me, or did Shizuko-san’s smile turn a little dark for a second?
"But I think Shizuko-san looks really young too."
Not to mention, I’m not into younger girls—that’s my problem. Probably best not to say that, though.
With Zect and the others, I had to force myself to keep up, but there was always this gap in how we thought.
Talking to them could get annoying sometimes.
"Hehe, that’s sweet of you. But if you like Haruka, shouldn’t you do something about it? It feels so different from how you were with me."
With Shizuko-san, there’s always been this lingering feeling deep down that "I could make her happier."
But with Nee-san, it’s different.
Kazuma-nii-san’s just too good a guy—I couldn’t bring myself to try anything.
When I lost my parents and was crying alone, he hugged me and cried with me.
Being a reincarnator’s grandson, he listened to me a lot. He’d take little me fishing or play with me all the time.
Nee-san and Kazuma-nii-san were always together, cheering me up when I was alone.
When I said I wanted to cook, they were thrilled, lent me the kitchen, and taught me so much.
Ingredients here are way different from my past world.
Kazuma-nii-san was the one who helped me figure out substitutes.
And Nee-san’s his wife.
I knew I couldn’t compete. More than anything, Kazuma-nii-san’s kind, and Nee-san’s always smiling by his side.
So I decided to be their little brother instead.
I could’ve been their son, but when I suggested that, Haruka told me to call her "Nee-san" and slapped me.
They were always so close and laughing together, and they welcomed me into that circle.
Butting in between them? Even I couldn’t do that.
Kazuma-nii-san and Nee-san became like family to me...
"Nee-san’s amazing, sure, but I gave up because of Kazuma-nii-san. We’re just siblings now."
"Ceres-kun... Back then, maybe that was true. But things are different now. If you still like Haruka, there’s no need to give up."
"Even so, her partner’s Kazuma-nii-san. There’s no room for me to step in."
"Is that so? I think you’ve got a chance now, Ceres-kun. Hehe, a chance to settle things amicably, even."
"Shizuko-san, you’re joking again—"
"Hehe, it’s not a joke. So tonight, Ceres-kun, you’re going to sneak into Haruka’s room. It’s a little lonely for me, but I’ll hold off for tonight."
"Sneak in? I can’t—"
"Hehe, sneaking in is an old tradition in this village! It’s not what you’re thinking."
"But sneaking in is still sneaking in, right?"
"Sure... but there are proper rules. As long as you follow them, it’s fine! And I think Kazuma-san would be okay with it too."
"Uh..."
"Come on, come on... Now that it’s decided, let’s practice for tonight!"
"But we’ve got to greet everyone, or it’ll be bad."
"Then I’ll handle the greetings as your wife, so don’t worry. Since you’ll be out sneaking tonight, I’ll invite Misaki and Sayo for drinks. I want to tell them about our marriage too."
"Alright... but is it really okay to sneak in like that?"
"As long as you follow the rules, it’s fine... Got it? You have to stick to the rules."
I didn’t even know sneaking in had rules.
And just like that, Shizuko-san convinced me to sneak into Nee-san’s room.
◆◆◆
Shizuko-san taught me the etiquette of sneaking in.
Sure enough, if I followed this, no one would get hurt... Convinced of that, I decided to go through with it.
"Ceres-kun, make sure you follow the etiquette... If you don’t, it’ll be a disaster."
Shizuko-san drilled that into me.
The woman must be 24 or older, or a widow.
Sit properly on your knees to the right of her bedding and wait until she wakes up.
Don’t speak first until she talks to you, so you don’t startle her.
Don’t embarrass a woman who accepts you.
If she rejects you, leave quickly without insults.
If she turns you down, give up.
That’s the gist of it.
It’s way softer than what I’d heard—it’s nothing like the wild stories.
Still, a stranger sitting by your bedside would be creepy, but in a village like this, almost everyone knows each other.
According to Shizuko-san, this sneaking-in thing has a success rate of nearly 70%, for some reason.
What about locks, you ask? In a village where everyone’s familiar, hardly anyone bothers locking their doors.
That said, if you break the rules or force anything, the village youths will beat you senseless and kick you out.
Sneaking in might actually be a legit, rule-bound way to pursue romance here.
Shizuko-san went off to drink with her two close friends and handle the greetings.
"I could go say hi too, since there’s time."
I suggested that, but—
"You need to calm your nerves now, or you’ll mess it up. Leave the greetings to me. I won’t be back tonight, so do your best, Ceres-kun."
Being cheered on by Shizuko-san to sneak into another woman’s room... It felt awkward, but I waited for nightfall.
◆◆◆
Night came.
Around 11 p.m. in past-life terms. The village wakes early, so everyone’s asleep by now.
The lights at Kazuma’s diner were out—both of them must be sleeping.
I circled to the back and slipped in through the rear entrance.
Having played here tons as a kid, I knew the layout well.
Wait a sec...
If I’m not mistaken, didn’t they sleep together?
That’s no good—I can’t sneak in if they’re sharing a bed.
No way I’m doing this with Kazuma-nii-san right there.
Since I’ve come this far, might as well check things out.
I crept down the hall and peeked into the room where they used to sleep together.
Kazuma-nii-san was sleeping alone.
They definitely shared this room back in the day—what’s Nee-san doing elsewhere?
Puzzled, I checked another room two doors down and found Nee-san asleep.
"Mmm..."
She seemed fast asleep, so I quietly knelt by the right side of her bedding.
Not waking her is a man’s sincerity.
Even if my legs go numb, I’ve got to wait without disturbing her.
If she doesn’t wake up, I could be kneeling for hours—it’s pretty tough.
Pushing into a woman’s space like this, I guess this is how you show your intent.
In most villages, the gender balance is off.
Take me, Zect, and Mel’s group: two guys, three girls—one girl’s left over.
That’s not a big deal; the extra one can marry into another village, and it’s settled.
It’s trickier when there are more men.
Being an orphan, I’m an exception, but men generally don’t leave the village.
Farmers till the fields for a living—landowners need heirs and wives.
Even merchants staying in the village need successors. This village is prosperous, so even second or third sons get land split off or can reclaim more.
Shizuko-san said it started as a solution for excess men—pairing them with widows who’d lost their husbands.
Over time, it expanded to include women past childbearing age who’d finished their roles as wives.
This world’s like ancient Japan—life expectancy’s around fifty, so by twenty, you’re already considered old. That might be why this custom exists.
It’s in a lot of villages, with slight variations.
But not many people actually do it.
To me, it feels like a waste, but here, 24 is firmly "old lady" territory.
Even with this system, most young guys don’t go for older women.
Teen boys don’t usually pick someone older willingly.
Looks aside, it’s like a mid-twenties guy in my past life going for a woman in her forties or fifties.
Maybe some jerks insulted the women they approached.
That could be why rules like "no insults" got added.
Nowadays, parents often cave to their kids’ pleas, sell a bit of land, and buy a young slave instead. That’s the trend.
So while the custom lingers, hardly anyone uses it anymore.
That’s what Shizuko-san told me, at least.
◆◆◆
Kneeling until she wakes up.
Enduring this is tougher than I thought.
Nee-san’s been breathing softly in her sleep.
She’s in something like a tank top and hot pants from my past life.
It must be stuffy—she’s kicked off the blanket, and since bras don’t exist here, her shapely chest peeks through the shirt. Her long, gorgeous legs are on full display too—it’s seriously tempting.
(Huff, huff... ugh)
It’s not just arousal.
My legs are numb, and that’s starting to outweigh everything else.
(Huff, huff, my legs hurt...)
As I was thinking that, our eyes met.
"Ceres... what are you doing?"
"Nee-san, this is, uh..."
"You know what sitting on my right means, don’t you? You idiot, Ceres—!"
Smack
She slapped me out of nowhere.
"Nee-san, wait a sec—"
"No waiting! Are you mocking me, Ceres? Huh!? This isn’t a joke I can just laugh off!!"
Thud
A blow to the back of my head—that really hurt.
I didn’t expect a kick.
"Hold on, just listen—calm down!"
"I am calm, Ceres... I’m asking why you did this!"
"Nee-san, I... I like you—ow!"
"Ceres, you mean as a sibling, right? Stop with the unfunny jokes! Even I get hurt..."
Another slap—I flinched and shut my eyes.
I totally forgot how scary Nee-san gets when she’s mad.
"Haruka, what’s the commotion!? Ceres, you okay!?"
Kazuma-nii-san woke up and grabbed Nee-san before she could hit me again.
Haha, it’s over.
Our sibling bond’s done for.
◆◆◆
Rubbing my cheek and hunching over, I ended up kneeling in front of them to explain.
"So, Ceres, why’d you do this? You weren’t just messing with Haruka, right?"
"Ceres, this actually hurts me! Explain what you were thinking!"
"Kazuma-nii-san, Nee-san, I..."
Kazuma-nii-san held up a hand to stop me.
"Let me say this first. Depending on your answer, our sibling bond might be over. Haruka, you too, right?"
"Of course! If Kazuma-kun hadn’t shown up, I’d have punched him!"
Pretty sure I’ve already been hit, but whatever.
This is totally my one-sided crush.
They’re such a tight couple—it’s finished.
Still, I should at least explain properly.
"I liked Nee-san. But I gave up because of Kazuma-nii-san."
"Ceres, you—!"
"Sorry, Haruka, quiet down for a sec! You’d give up a woman you love just like that? Was that all your feelings for Haruka amounted to!?"
His face turned dead serious.
Interrupting Nee-san mid-sentence? The usual Kazuma-nii-san would never.
I’ve only seen him this intense in the kitchen.
"That’s not it... Nee-san looked so happy next to you, Kazuma-nii-san. That’s why I could let go. She was always smiling, and you two seemed so perfect together—I was jealous."
Kazuma-nii-san’s expression softened just a bit, I think.
"I see. Well, Haruka and I both enjoy having you around, Ceres—we really thought of you as a real brother. Sure, Haruka looks young, but she’s Rida’s mom... We’re to blame for making you call us ‘Nee-san’ and ‘Nii-san,’ but she’s close to your late mom Milna’s age. Even so, could you still love Haruka?"
"Age doesn’t matter in love. If Nee-san accepted me, I could love her. But I wouldn’t want to make Kazuma-nii-san unhappy."
"Forget about me! Right now, I want to hear how you feel about Haruka!"
Kazuma-nii-san stared straight into my eyes, deadly serious.
"I can love her!"
"Haruka’s going to age. She looks young now, but she’ll be an old lady soon. Could you still love her then, Ceres!? Can you promise me that!?"
"I can promise!"
"Haruka, he’s saying this—what do you think?"
"Ceres, I’ve got a question. Why me? I changed your diapers when you were little. Sure, you said you liked me back then, but you were a kid. Don’t you think this is weird?"
"Look, when Ceres hits thirty—my age now—Haruka’ll be in her mid-forties. A grandma. Could you still want to be with her, love her, even then?"
"I... I could still love Nee-san."
"That’s what he says, Haruka... What now?"
"I don’t even know what to do anymore, Kazuma-kun."
"Then here’s my suggestion. Right here, right now, embrace Haruka in front of me... How about that!? If you want her, you can do it, right!?"
"If that’d get your approval... Sure, Kazuma-nii-san."
"Yeah, show me."
Nee-san’s face was shocked, her ears bright red.
No turning back now.
◆◆◆
In the dim light, with Kazuma-nii-san sitting a little ways off, I pulled Nee-san close.
"Nee-san... you’re so beautiful..."
I wrapped my arms around her neck and kissed her.
"Mmph—mmn, phew... Ceres, stop—mmph... Haa, haa..."
"You’re really beautiful, Nee-san..."
She honestly looks so young and gorgeous.
And she was always so kind to me.
"What Are you saying, you idiot! Let go of me!"
"Sorry... I don’t want to stop."
"You’re... such an idiot..."
Even as she said it, her face flushed red.
The way she looked away was adorable.
I pulled her closer, kissing her again, and slid my hand along the inside of her thigh.
"Stop—ngh! It’s in front of Kazuma-kun! Quit it!"
"Sorry, Nee-san... I can’t give up on you."
"Idiot... You’re really an idiot... You’ll regret this someday, I swear...!"
"I won’t..."
Smack
"Nee-san, ow... Sorry... Did you hate it?"
"Don’t give me that pathetic look... It’s not that I hate it. Just calm down a bit. You really won’t regret this!?"
"I won’t regret it."
"Fine... I’ll stop resisting... Here, ngh—"
Nee-san kissed me herself.
I quickly slipped off her hot pants and underwear.
I couldn’t help but notice Kazuma-nii-san’s eyes on us, and Nee-san looked incredibly embarrassed, so I decided against taking off her top.
"No, stop, this is too embarrassing... Ceres, no, no, no... I said no... Ohhh—Ceres, stop, no, Kazuma-kun’s watching, Kazuma-kun can see us!!"
Even though she protested, Nee-san accepted me in the end.
◆◆◆
When it was over, I looked around—Kazuma-nii-san was gone.
"Ceres... you’ll really love me, right? After something like this, I’m done for... If you say otherwise now—!"
Smack
"Nee-san, that hurts!"
"Idiot, it’s because you didn’t say you love me right away!"
"I love you, Nee-san!"
"Good. That’s better."
Something felt off... What’s going on?
The door opened, and Kazuma-nii-san stepped back in, looking at us.
"Haruka, you done already?"
"Kazuma-kun... yeah."
"Good for you."
What’s happening? I can’t wrap my head around this!
◆◆◆
"Ceres, sorry for deceiving you like that. I owe you one."
Out of nowhere, Kazuma-nii-san apologized.
"Kazuma-nii-san, what’s this about?"
"I’m sorry for testing you like that. From the start, I was ready to let Haruka go if you wanted her."
"What do you mean? I thought you two were this perfect, lovey-dovey couple—did I get that wrong?"
"That’s not wrong. Kazuma-kun and I are childhood friends, and we’re still close."
"Yeah, we’re probably closer than most couples in this world... just not in the way you’re thinking, Ceres."
"Sure, we’re childhood friends and married, so we were always together, but... well, Kazuma-kun and I haven’t been intimate in over ten years."
"Guess I’ll spill it since you’re like a little brother. By the time I started calling myself your big brother, that part of our relationship was already over. We had Rida, so Haruka fulfilled her role as a wife. When Rida joined the hero’s party, we lost our successor, but we never even thought about having another kid."
"Exactly. After Rida, our romance pretty much ended. I might look young, but I’m... well, an old lady now. Past my prime as a woman. So when Ceres came along, I was shocked."
"That’s why I told you— Ceres still likes you even now."
"Idiot... Who’d believe that!? A young guy like him liking me..."
"Really? Even when he was five, he’d cling to you all the time. Honestly, he already had a man’s eyes back then, didn’t he, Ceres?"
"Well... it’s embarrassing, but yeah, Kazuma-nii-san’s right."
"See? This guy’s been into you for at least ten years, as far as I know. That put your mind at ease, right?"
"Yeah."
"Sure, the romantic part with Haruka ended ages ago. But she’s still my dear friend and childhood buddy. I figured we could keep living like this, and I wouldn’t hand her over to some jerk who’d make her miserable. But since it’s you, Ceres—someone I see as a little brother—I’m okay with it."
"Thank you so much."
"Haruka, you’re fine with this now, right? You were pretty into it with him just now. You can go to Ceres with peace of mind."
"Ceres... you really won’t regret this? I’m close to your late mom’s age, you know? Is that okay...?"
"I’ve liked you since I was little, Nee-san."
"No helping it then. You’ve grown into a hardcore old-lady lover... I’m not much, but please take care of me."
"The pleasure’s mine."
"But seriously, Ceres. Shizuko, now Haruka—you’ve always been into older women. Is it because you lost your mom so young?"
"Maybe something like that. To me, Nee-san’s still young and beautiful."
"Idiot... You’re really something, Ceres..."
Smack
"Ow!"
"Ah, sorry!"
"Man, you’re unreal. What’s next—going after Sayo and Misaki too?"
"No way, two’s plenty! Sure, they’re both gorgeous, but I can’t handle that many wives."
"Got it... But you’re something else. Calling every woman way past marriageable age ‘gorgeous’ like that."
"Ka-zu-ma-kun, want to have a little chat about that last bit?"
"Just kidding!"
"Speaking of, what’s Shizuko up to today?"
"Shizuko-san said she’s drinking with Sayo-san and Misaki-san tonight."
"Oh? Ceres... I’ve got a hunch, but you might end up with four wives."
"Hey, how does that even happen? Ceres said two’s enough!"
"I just remembered an old promise... Well, maybe not."
"No way, that’s not happening, right? So, Kazuma-nii-san, what’s your plan now?"
Running the diner alone’s gotta be tough...
"Well, with Haruka gone, not right away, but I’m thinking of heading to the capital. Maybe buy a young slave who can work as a maid and open a fancy café."
"Sounds cool. But do you have the funds?"
"It’s a bit tight, but I’ll manage somehow."
I pulled a pouch with a hundred gold coins from my storage bag.
"Kazuma-nii-san, use this if you want."
"No... I can’t take that."
Kazuma-nii-san pushed it back without even checking inside.
"I’m like your little brother, right? Isn’t it normal for a brother to help with his big brother’s dream?"
"Fair enough... Alright, I’ll take it."
"See? Kazuma-kun’s off to buy a young slave girl. Our man-woman relationship ended ages ago."
"Yeah, true."
Even if the romantic part’s over, the ‘family’ bond isn’t.
Maybe Kazuma-nii-san feels like he’s sending a daughter off to marry, giving Nee-san to me like this.
"Kazuma-nii-san, I’ll make Nee-san happy, I swear."
"Yeah, do your best."
"You bet!"
I took Nee-san’s hand, and we left Kazuma’s diner behind.
◆◆◆
"No way, ugh! Why do I have to deal with this annoying crap after hunting or finishing a quest!?"
Back at the inn, Mel was throwing her usual tantrum, in a foul mood.
"Mel, don’t say that... We’ve exempted you from the other chores, haven’t we?"
"But, Zect, this is so tedious. I’ve got to log every little thing—where we bought what, all of it—and even write up plans for what we’re doing next. How the hell did Ceres manage this? I’ve got mad respect for him now."
Dark circles hung under Mel’s eyes.
Scratching her head in frustration, there wasn’t a trace of that cute girl left in her.
"Sorry... That’s all I can say..."
"I’m busting my ass here, and the church still yells at me—‘Your handwriting’s sloppy,’ ‘There’s no plan.’ I’m so done."
"That’s why I got chewed out with you, didn’t I? I can’t do more than that."
"I know... Sigh No helping it, I guess."
Things were never like this when Ceres was around.
All I could do was stare blankly at Mel tearing at her hair.
◆◆◆
"Sorry, but could you swap laundry duty with me today?"
Rida came up to me with a troubled look.
We’d divvied up the chores, but fights over cooking and laundry being too hard led to a rotation among the three of us, minus Mel.
"Rida, come on, I’m a guy. I don’t want to wash women’s underwear."
"Figures... You’ve got it easy, Zect. The holy sword just needs a wipe—no maintenance. But my sword loses its edge fast if I don’t care for it. Remember that time I couldn’t cut an ogre’s arm and nearly got us all killed? I don’t want to go through that again."
True, the holy sword’s blessed by the goddess—no upkeep needed beyond a cloth wipe.
Guess I’ve got no choice but to ask Maria to switch with Rida.
"Maria, sorry, but—"
Sprawled out, Maria cut me off with a scowl.
"No way! I just finished a job and was finally resting. I’ve got to buy medicine and cook soon! Stop dumping everything on me... Last time, too—"
Ugh, fine...
"My bad!"
I’m a freaking hero—why am I stuck washing women’s underwear!?
I’ve got to admit it. Kicking Ceres out was my total screw-up.
Who’d have thought the hero’s party didn’t need the three core roles (saintess, sage, swordmaster) most—it needed him?
"Hey, guys, what if we ask Ceres to come back?"
It’s late, but... he was essential to us.
For a hero’s party, ‘going back’—even a short distance or a few days—is something we shouldn’t do.
Our job’s to reach the demon king’s castle ASAP and take him down.
The church’ll probably complain again.
Normally, the party’d object, but...
"Yeah, we’re screwed without Ceres. If one scolding ends this paperwork hell, I’m all for it... Let’s get him back."
"Right! Ceres’s sword maintenance was top-notch. I’m in!"
"True... He’s the only one I trust with supply runs, especially medicine. I’m in."
Yeah, even if it tanks our rep a bit, we’ve got to bring him back or we’re toast.
"Then it’s settled—let’s get Ceres back."
Done deal.
"Great, but what do we offer him to come back?"
Offer?
"Rida... What’re you saying?"
"Zect? Did you forget? We dumped all this work on Ceres and cut him loose with some awful words."
"I... don’t remember being that harsh... We parted amicably, didn’t we?"
Maria gave me a look like I was hopeless.
"Really? Mel got a necklace from Ceres. You made her take it off and put on one you bought instead. Then we said awful stuff and kicked him out. Could you forgive that if it happened to you, Zect? He left without a grudge, but he must’ve been crushed... Right, Mel? He treated you so well."
"Uh... well..."
Mel just looked down and clammed up.
Oh, right... Thinking back, his eyes when he left were so damn sad.
If it were me, I’d have punched someone.
But he just walked away without a word of complaint.
"Mel... Am I really not needed?"
"... ..."
"I want to hear it straight from you."
"You’re not needed anymore!"
"Well, Zect’s a good guy. Be happy!"
"Y-You... knew?"
"It’s obvious if you pay attention. Anyone else, I’d duel them, but Zect? I can let it go."
"I’m sorry!"
"Don’t worry about it."
He was way too kind...!
And what did I say to him? Come on, remember!
"Go back to your village quietly, live a slow country life as an adventurer, or find some weak party to join."
That’s what I said... I’m... I’m a monster!
I got too full of myself—what an idiot.
I stole my best friend’s girl and kicked him out.
If I were him, I’d never let it slide—I’d lose it.
But he...
"Don’t worry about it! Next time we meet, let’s laugh it off... Thanks for everything. Hope you all live happily!"
And he left.
It must’ve stung. It must’ve hurt like hell...
"Next time we meet, let’s laugh it off."
Even he couldn’t laugh then—it was the flip side of that feeling.
How could he? After something so unfair.
I’ve got a bad habit with women... but I never should’ve touched Mel.
I shouldn’t have gone after my best friend’s girl.
I’m such a scumbag.
"There’s no way Ceres will come back... He even bought me a necklace, and I swapped it for yours right in front of him. I hurt him so bad... What do I do? I didn’t mean it like this..."
Even then, he was the bigger man. Since I was fawning over Maria and Rida, he kept lonely Mel company.
Mel’s on the verge of tears, but if she hadn’t fallen for me back then... No, that’s not it. I stole her when I didn’t even like her that much. It’s my fault.
"No, harsh as it sounds, Mel, you knew what you were doing. But I was just as bad—riding high, dumping all the chores and sword maintenance on him."
"Rida... Saying that now doesn’t help."
Rida’s looking down, eyes averted, but it’s too late. Ceres barely slept, handling chores and sharpening Rida’s sword at night.
"I’m guilty too. I shoved all the supply runs—medicine, consumables, everything—plus inn bookings onto him. We’ve got to offer Ceres something big to make up for this, or it’s hopeless."
Even Maria, usually stone-faced, seemed to dip her head a little.
"Yeah... I’ll think it over for a bit."
But I’m the worst—hogging all my childhood friends’ women without a thought for Ceres’s feelings.
"""Right."""
The price to offer Ceres... All three of them know it too.
We took his girl and his place—what’s the least we can give back?
Return Mel, then? No good.
Would Ceres take back someone who hurt him that bad?
I wouldn’t...
Then... Rida or Maria?
No way... Unlike Mel, I actually love them.
I don’t know what to do…
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