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| Ryuu and Bell went on a date in Orario!? |

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| Bookstore Date |

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"Cranel-san?"

It was the early afternoon, wrapped in the lazy warmth of the sun. Ryuu had left to go shopping for the tavern when she suddenly chanced across Bell.

"Ah... Ryuu, -san," responded Bell with an expression clearly indicating a certain awkwardness. Facing off against each other was Ryuu, dressed in her waitress uniform, and Bell in common clothing, having left his gear at home. Bell's two arms were supporting a towering pile of thick, heavy books.

"What are those books? Where are you carrying them to?" asked Ryuu.

"Ha, hahahaha.... uh, um," Bell flustered.

Ryuu had asked with the intention of offering help but Bell returned a feigned laugh. Bell was sweating and his cheeks were flushing red. While protectively carrying the tower of books, Bell slowly edged back. Ryuu's sky-blue eyes narrowed.

Considering Bell's guilty behavior, it was possible that the books he was carrying were of the perverted kind that the slovenly male deities so enjoyed. If that were the case, Ryuu couldn't let it slide. For the sake of both the love-struck Syr as well as staying true to the virtue of elves, Ryuu closed the gap to Bell at an unperceivable speed. Truly the speed of a former adventurer who had reached the second highest tier.

Ignoring the startled Bell, Ryuu took a book from the pile.

"Wha..!?" Bell chortled.

"These are... fairy tales? No, "Heroic Records"?" Ryuu murmured questioningly.

Having flipped open the book while Bell let out a strange squeal, an illustration sprawled across a page caught her eye. It portrayed a female elven warrior, emitting waves of frost, facing off against an enormous monster

“No, that’s… um…! While I was cleaning the bookshelves at our base, I found a book that I had read in my childhood. After reading it again, I felt somewhat nostalgic and um … !?” stuttered Bell.

“…”

“And so, um, since today was a break from the dungeon… I figured I may as well go shopping around bookstores and collecting these books…” explained Bell as his voice tapered off.

Perhaps feeling embarrassed at getting caught buying “Heroic Records” at his age, Bell’s visage reddened as he looked down.

Ryuu, who was always composed, was caught off guard by the explanation and stared blankly at Bell but soon regained her senses and smiled inwardly. There was no reason for Bell to be embarrassed over this, in fact, this was very much like him, she thought while feeling guilty about doubting Bell in the first place.

“… Don’t you have a bag?” asked Ryuu as she handed back the book.

“I had one earlier but… the books tore through the bottom just then”, replied Bell with an embarrassed smile.

“Then, how about I help out?” Ryuu offered without hesitation.

“Eh?”

“You have a fearsome number of books. I’ll lend a hand.”

Despite Bell’s suspicious demeanor earlier, Ryuu couldn’t forgive herself for doubting Bell. Her earnest elfish nature compelled her to do at least this much to make amends.

Seeing this, Bell’s eyes filled with gratitude.

“U-um, sorry about this. Besides, aren’t you in the middle of shopping for the tavern?” asked Bell.

“I have until evening to finish my shopping. It’s nothing to worry about. Besides…” replied Ryuu.

While reassuring a worried Bell, Ryuu suddenly delivered a line that crossed her mind.

“This journey will certainly be a perilous one. After all, we’ll be crossing through the sprawling Labyrinth City while seeking the records of legendary heroes.” Ryuu said solemnly.

It was a line based from “Heroic Records”, spoken to a hero embarking on an adventure in search of a legendary item. Despite looking a little embarrassed, Bell’s expression filled with joy at hearing Ryuu’s play on the line. It was as if he was a little child having “Hero Records” read to him by his elder sister.

“In that case… thank you. Please accompany me through this troubling journey,” thanked Bell

“My pleasure,” replied Ryuu.

Smiling at Bell’s enthusiasm, Ryuu embarked with the young man on a search for heroic records.

They first purchased two strong shopping bags, stored the books inside and went off to search the city’s eastern section. The heroic records that Bell was searching for were all niche and no one store had them all in stock. They visited stores operated by independent beastmen, various stalls scattered throughout back alleys with their wares displayed on top of sheets laid on the floor and flea market.

The day passed as the two stretched up, reaching for books in dark bookstores and knelt down, inspecting the spines of the books available at the flea market. Each time Ryuu found a title that Bell was searching for, Bell was overcome with delight. Eventually, the journey led the two near an antique bookstore.

“Ryuu-chan, Ryuu-chan~”

“?”

While walking with Bell through the streets, someone beckoned towards Ryuu. The person in question was an older human female who frequented their tavern. Excusing herself from Bell, Ryuu made her way towards the beckoning lady.

“So at long last, you’ve found a “good person” huh!?”

“…?”

“No need to play dumb! You’re on a date right now, right?”

A long silence followed before Ryuu understood the meaning of the lady’s high pitched statement.

“Syr-chan is doing well for herself and you know, since you’re so beautiful, I’ve been thinking it’d be great if you’d find a good person soon… But since I didn’t see any guys hanging out with you, I’ve been getting worried. Seeing this is a quite a relief!” the lady said as she alternated looks between Ryuu and Bell, who was standing a short distance away, waiting for their conversation to end.

Considering how Bell and Ryuu were each holding matching bags while leisurely visiting second hand bookstores, all the while engaged in friendly conversation… “I see, I see… This is bad,” thought Ryuu.

“Not to mention, that’s the victor of the War Game, Little Rookie, right? You sure have high standards–“

“It’s not a date.”

“Eh, but—“

“It’s not a date.”

“Ryu-Ryuu-chan—“

“It’s not a date. And please make sure you don’t speak about this to Syr,” interrupted Ryuu one more time as she drew closer to the lady with a serious expression.

“O-ok,” stuttered the lady, while nodding furiously.

(This definitely isn’t a date and I have no ill intent. That much is certain. However, this guilty feeling when I think about Syr is… Perhaps I should part ways with Cranel-san here…No, that would be far too irresponsible… to just doubt him with no grounds, offer help, only to leave him to suit my own convenience… There’ll be no end to the shame.)

While walking back to Bell, Ryuu’s thoughts swirled in conflict. Her guilty conscience towards Syr clashed with her gratitude towards Bell, leaving her in a limbo.

“Ryuu-san, did something happen? It looked like that was an acquaintance of yours but…” asked Bell as he looked at Ryuu with a sense of worry.

“…No, nothing happened. Let’s go.”

The decision Ryuu reached when she returned to Bell was to continue on their hunt for books. In a corner of her heart, she apologized to Syr.

“We’ve gathered quite the collection didn’t we… Thank you very much, Ryuu-san”

“I’m glad to be of service.”

After walking around everywhere, the two finally sat down on a wooden bench in the eastern side of Central Park. The bags placed by their feet had swelled to the point of bursting. Bell seemed extremely content at having managed to gather so many of books from the Heroic Records. Seeing this, Ryuu’s expression also loosened.

“Did you read the Heroic Records when you were a child?” asked Bell.

“No, my family lineage’s duty is that of a guard… my household serves to protect our village throughout the generations so I didn’t have much of a chance. Even when I came to this city… If it’s ok with you, could you tell me about the tales?”

Against the backdrop of a water fountain sparkling as it scattered the sun’s rays, Ryuu asked the question. Bell’s face suddenly shone radiantly and leaned forward like an excited rabbit.

“Sure, leave it to me! Um, what should I start with… “Dungeon Oratoria” is a famous title, on the other hand, “Dungeon Holy Legend” is somewhat unknown, hmm.”

Seeing the usually reserved Bell suddenly burst out talkatively as he started pulling out books out from the bags left Ryuu feeling rather bewildered. At the same time, it was also quite refreshing to see that Bell had this side to him - how he could be so passionate over something like others his age.

“And my grandpa said he liked the story “Argonaut” and…”

Bell knew a lot of titles that Ryuu had never heard of before and gave a detailed description of each to Ryuu. As he described the Heroic Records, his red eyes glittered like a ruby gemstone. Ryuu felt her gaze become enveloped by that glitter and a sense of ease washed over her. Wrapped in that tender sensation, she felt a pleasant ache in her heart. Unconsciously, Ryuu smiled as she parted her lips.

“I… like you when you’re talking about the Heroic Records like that.” Ryuu murmured.

“Eh…?”

Bell’s frozen visage abruptly flushed red.

“No, that was… um, please don’t take that the wrong way. How should I put it… You were charming and brimming with a childlike innocence… It was that sort of feeling.”

“Chi-childlike….?”

Bell’s shoulders drooped as he heard Ryuu’s flustered follow up. As if sharing Bell’s sinking emotions, Ryuu realized her blunder and tried to rephrase her remark but couldn’t find the right words to string together. The heated flush wouldn’t ebb away from her cheeks, nor would her pounding heart calm down. The result was Ryuu’s lips opening and closing soundlessly.

(It’s not a lie…)

For a moment, Ryuu cast down her eyes and confronted the emotions inside her.

(Those enchanting eyes, glittering like the numerous tales he spoke of … I like them)

Having ascertained her true feelings, Ryuu looked back up.

“Cranel-san…what I just said wasn’t a lie,” said Ryuu, looking directly forward, away from Cranel.

“So…please tell me more about those stories,” continued Ryuu as she watched the water fountain rise and fall.

--Because I want to see those pretty eyes again.

The desire in her heart morphed into words conveyed to Bell. Ryuu gently took the book from Bell’s hands and placed in on her laps. Seeing this, Bell beamed.

“Sure!”