It doesn't matter if you don't look at me, as long as you are happy.

The tournament is tomorrow. More and more people entered the city, as the tournament got closer. The city got crowded, and more irritating people showed up. Our days were spent peacefully, and Feric would buy me more books, which we read at night or from time to time, at the reading zone. He seems to enjoy reading the books, since he always had a happy expression as we read the books together.

Unlike before, he started to talk more and more, but he still wore his blank expression most of the time. Nero on the other hand, was always gone. He seems to be busy, and didn’t have much time to be with us. It’s a good thing that he found something he wants to do, but I just feel a bit sad that he wasn’t spending more time with the party.

No, his main reason for joining is to find a place that would accept him. As it is now, maybe people around him are starting to see him in a different light. If that’s the case, then I shouldn’t force him to stay with us. If he finally found a place to stay at, then as a friend, I should support him…but it feels too early, I thought we would be together for a little bit longer.

It just woke up, and Nero was about to go out of the room again. When he noticed that I was awake, he greeted me.

“Ah, morning Shera”(Nero)

“…You’re going out again?”(Shera)

He is no longer waking me up. Well, finding a new home is more important, I guess. Still, it just seems so fast…but I have to support him.

“Yes, I’ll be back by tonight. Anyways, I might go back late, so don’t wait for me. Sleep early ok? We have to get a good night sleep for the tournament tomorrow.”(Nero)

“Ok” I smiled at him.

He smiled back, and started walking out of the room.

If we have a tournament tomorrow, then isn’t it better to temporarily stop what you are doing? You are also a participant…

I took a bath, and by the time I finished, Feric & Ciela woke up. After I got out, Ciela entered the washroom. I sat on my bed, while drying my hair.

“Want to go out? I heard that the bookstores will get new books today, want to check it out?”(Feric)

…I don’t feel like doing anything, I just want the day to end. But since it would be rude to turn down his offer without a good reason, I guess I should go.

“Ok”(Shera)

After that, Feric & I went out. Ciela decided to rest for today, and pooch persuaded me to let him stay with Ciela. Feric & I went to the bookstore, and searched for new book. We got 3 new books, and went to the reading zone of the bookstore. There were only a few people compared to before, probably because most are busy preparing for the tournament.

As I started reading, I slowly forgot about my worries, and simply enjoyed the story in front of me. After reading, we went to a food stall near the park. We bought some food, and stayed at the park, which was filled with kids. Since there was no swing available, we sat on a bench. A familiar man approached us as we were eating.

“Eating again with your friend?” An old gairn approached us.

“Yup, anyways, where are the kids?”(Shera)

The old gairn’s name is Ranzal, we met him a few times while staying at the park. He is always taking his grandchildren to the park, and watches over them…or not. His grandchildren are too enegetic, so he loses sight of them from time to time.

“Hohoho they are running around the park. Young ones sure are energetic.” Ranzal sat beside us.

“Want some?” I offered him some food.

“Sure, I won’t reject a beautiful lady’s offer.” He happily took the food.

“Must be hard taking care of your grandchildren” Feric said that while looking at the children running around the park.

“Hohoho it sure is. Don’t worry, you will also experience it once you get a child.” Ranzal smirked while looking at the 2 of us.

“W…what are you saying old man?” Feric’s face turned red, and turn to the side.

“…how do you get a child anyways?”(Shera)

I know it is done with 2 people…I doubt a child could be created by kissing…so how? That got me curious.

Feric and Ranzal looked at each other.

“Cough…cough…don’t tell me you seriously don’t know how?”(Ranzal)

“Would I ask If I already know?”(Shera)

“Hohoho what an adorable lady. Very well, I’ll tell you how.”(Ranzal)

“Stop, don’t corrupt her.”(Feric)

Corrupt? Is creating a child actually bad? Don’t tell me we have to do a dark ritual or something.

The old man stretched his hand to me, he extended 2 fingers, and rapidly pushed his thumb between them. He repeatedly put his thumb in the middle of his 2 fingers, and pull them. Feric stood up, and grab the old man’s hand.

“Don’t show her such things.”(Feric)

“She will need to know about it sooner or later, or do you not want to do it with her.”(Ranzal)

“I…I want to…” Realzing what he said, Feric turned to me with a red face, and started shaking his head.

“I…it’s not what you think.”(Feric)

It’s just finger motions, even I could do it…but I don’t understand how this will lead to the creation of a child. I copied the old man’s hand motion, which surprised Feric. His eyes widened, and his face started to turn even redder. He grabbed my arm in order to stop me.

“S…stop that. It’s indecent.”(Feric)

“Huh? It’s just a hand motion.”(Shera)

“Hohoho To think you wouldn’t understand the motion…maybe I should show a deeper explanation.” Ranzal smirked while looking at Feric’s face.

“Grrr perverted geezer.” Feric’s face started to distort in anger.

“Young ones sure can’t take joke Hohohoho”(Ranzal)

We stayed a few more walking out of the park. The old man teased us for a bit…but I didn’t understand a thing he said, it was fun seeing Feric react that much though. I mean, he usually wears a blank expression, yet I just saw him get flustered and angry at the old man.

Since it was still early, we decided to roam around. As we walked, we saw Nero walking with someone. When I looked closer it was a female…that’s odd…something hurts. Nero was happily talking to a girl. We followed them, until they entered a house.

My chest suddenly started to hurt, did I eat something bad? I grabbed my chest, yet the pain won’t fade. I didn’t realize it but I was making a sad expression. Feric simply stood up, while looking at the house.

W…why? I don’t understand, it’s getting harder to breathe. I tightened the grip on my chest, but the pain was still there. A few moments after that, I could feel water running down my cheeks…Eh? I’m crying? My body started to lose strength, and I felt like I didn’t want to move. I simply wanted to curl around, and sleep. Feric noticed my reaction, and carried me back to the inn.

When we got back to the inn, Ciela & Pooch weren’t there…I don’t care, I simply want to sleep. Feric gently put me in bed, and sat beside me.

“I think it’s just a misunderstanding, he won’t do something like that.”(Feric)

What is he saying? I didn’t misunderstand anything, I simply saw him enter a house with a girl, and my chest suddenly hurts. I don’t know why, seeing him happily talking with another person, I should be happy for him. Someone other than us, was talking to him normally…yet why? Why does it have to be a girl?...wait, why am I reacting like this? He was just talking to a girl.

“…I see, you really like him.”(Feric)

Huh? Who do I like?

“He likes you too, and I am sure whatever he is doing, it is for you.”(Feric)

I don’t understand what he is saying, I don’t understand what’s happening, yet his words were making me calm down.

“I like you too...No, I love you. But seeing you like this is worse than you choosing him over me.”(Feric)

W…wait, what’s happening.

“If being away from him will make you this sad, then I guess I should give up. What’s the point of trying, if I will just take you away from the person you love?”(Feric)

“…wait, what are you saying? What’s this about love?”(Shera)

“Let me tell you again, you like Nero, and he likes you. If you stay ignorant about this, then he will really be taken away by someone.”(Feric)

“I…like him, but not like that…”(Shera)

All of it is happening too fast, I just wanted to travel with everyone…

“Sigh…you really are different. It is obvious that you like him, yet you ignore your own feelings. Let me ask you, what would you do if he decides to marry the girl he was talking to earlier?”(Feric)

S…since he is a friend…then I’ll support him…

“I…I will…”(Shera)

“He will live with that girl for the rest of his life, and he will cut his ties with you. It will never be the same again, and you will travel the world, without him.”(Feric)

H…he’s only marrying a girl…

“T…that’s”(Shera)

“So would you let him get taken, or will you take him back?”(Feric)

…I want to travel with him. I want to travel with Nero.

“I’ll…take him back.”(Shera)

“Do you like him or not?”(Feric)

I don’t know, but I don’t want to be away from him. I want him to stay with us, I want him to be with me…I…I like him.

“I like him”(Shera)

“Then stop being sad, and smile. Take him back, and travel the world with him.” Feric smiled at me while patting my head.

Ciela & Pooch came back an hour after that, good thing my regeneration ability healed my swollen eyes. We didn’t say anything about Nero, and simply spent the day like we always do. When night came, everyone was asleep except for me. I was waiting for Nero, and was sitting outside of our room.

When I saw Nero, I stood up. He was carrying a new bag with him.

“Why are you still awake?”(Nero)

“I was waiting for you.”(Shera)

“You didn’t have to do that, what if you wake up late tomorrow?”(Nero)

“You just have to wake me up like you always do.”(Shera)

“…”(Nero)

“I like you.”(Shera)

Nero’s eyes widened, and dropped what he was carrying.

“I saw you with a girl earlier, and finally realized that I want you to look only at me. I don’t want to see you with other girls, I want you to stay with me.”(Shera)

“I…is this real? You’re not joking right? Even I will get angry if this is a joke.”(Nero)

I walked to him, and hugged him tightly.

“I am serious, I don’t want you to go away. Even if you find a place to stay at, I don’t want you to stay there. I want you to stay with me, and travel the world with me.”(Shera)

“…”(Nero)

“I…I like you too.” Nero also hugged me.

“I love you, I always did. The first time I saw you, every moment with you, I felt really happy. I love everything about you, and I would do anything for you.”(Nero)

Hearing those words, it felt like a heavy burden was just erased from my body.

“I already found the place I want to stay at. The place that made me happy, and the place that accepted me. The only place I want to be, and that place is beside you and only you… I love you shera.”(Nero)

“I…I love you too.”(Shera)

We hugged for a few moments, until pooch went out of the room, and sat on the floor to watch us.

“Come on, please continue. Act as if I am not here.”(Pooch)

Both of us glared at him.

“Don’t look at me like that, It’s not like I am the only one looking.”(Pooch)

At his words, I looked around, and every room on the floor was slightly open. A lot of people were peaking at us, including Ciela & Feric. A bit after that, we could hear clapping sounds around the floor. I got embarrassed and ran back to the room.

“With this, you are officially my onee-san.”(Ciela)

“Congratulations”(Feric)

“Ah...eh, thanks.” I jumped to my bed and covered my body with a blanket.

I stayed like that, and a few hours passed…I was still awake. I couldn’t sleep, I can’t get Nero out of my head. When I tried to peek out of the blanket, my eyes met with Nero’s eyes, so I quickly covered my face with the blanket.

“…”(Shera)

“S…so you were also awake.”(Nero)

“Y…yeah, I couldn’t sleep.”(Shera)

“Me too, I can’t stop thinking about you…I love you.”(Nero)

W…what is this guy saying? There are other people here you know? Don’t say such embarrassing things…but…I also love him…wait if I don’t reply now then he will think I hate him.

“I…I love you too”(Shera)

Happy with our talk, we both fell asleep. I had an odd dream though…Nero and I were both alone in a room, he was hugging my tightly as our lips touch. His body moved around, like what Ciela did to me…it’s not my imagination…my brain is just moving on its own. And like that, for the first time in me 43 years of being alive, I had a slightly perverted dream. I was so happy that I slept like a log, so a familiar voice woke me up.

“Shera wake up.”(Nero)

Unlike before, just hearing his voice gave me a lot of strength. I didn’t want to sleep, I wanted to stay awake and be with him. I woke up, and hugged him the moment I saw him.

“I love you”(Shera)

Nero was surprised by my sudden actions, but hugged me back, and smiled before replying.

“I love you too.”(Nero)

“UWOOOOO LOVE IS IN THE AIR!” Ciela raised both of her arms, and started jumping.

“Master has grown up.” Pooch proudly looked at me.

“You should first arrange you things before flirting, we have a tournament to go to.” Unlike before, Feric was smiling…I felt it is forced though, maybe he is trying to practice showing more emotions.

“By the way, I have a present for you.” Nero proudly presented me the bag that he was carrying last night.

“I worked hard for it this past 2 weeks, I hope you like it.”(Nero)

I got excited, he just gave me a present. I quickly carried the bag, and smiled at him.

“Thank you.”(Shera)

“No, it’s not the bag, look inside.”(Nero)

At his word, I opened the bag, and saw a light armor. It was made out of purple metal, and soft gray leather.

“I spent a lot of time working to buy that. Wear that for the tournament, don’t worry it was made by someone great. You remember the girl you saw with me yesterday? Her dad is a master blacksmith, and I asked them to make that armor for you. I got it for 20 gold coins, since I helped with creating that armor.”(Nero)

“20 gold coin is expensive, how did you get that much in 2 weeks?”(Shera)

“I just helped with creating other armors, since my physical abilities are quite high, I was able to help them a lot. And I got a bit of help from Feric, I borrowed 15 gold coins from him, he didn’t know what I used them for though.”(Nero)

I looked at Feric and asked.

“You let him borrow such a huge amount of money?”(Shera)

“I believe that he will pay it back, and as a friend, I have to help him.”(Feric)

“…”(Shera)

“You don’t like the armor?”(Nero)

“I didn’t say that.”(Shera)

“Then try it on, I am sure you would look good in that.”(Nero)

Nero’s smile made me forget everything…that’s cheating. Anyways, I tried the armor on, and despite the intimidating metal of the armor, it was light. I could freely move, and the armor doesn’t hinder my joints. It feels like it was specially made for me. Well, he did ask a master blacksmith to make it for me…hehehe…just for me.

I showed it to everyone, which made them widen their eyes.

“I…it looks good on you.”(Nero)

“Thanks”(Shera)

“No, seriously, the dark color of the armor compliments your white skin and hair. You look like an armored goddess.”(Nero)

“I agree, you look beautiful yet intimidating while wearing that. You look like a dignified empress, or even more.”(Pooch)

“Beautiful.”(Feric)

“Let us show the world you beauty onee-san.”(Ciela)

By the way, Feric also bought equipment for the others, so we were all going to the tournament with new gears, except for pooch, who will stay in the room. We went out of the room, and started walking to the dome. There were more people in the city, especially since the tournament will start today.

Except for me, the others were wearing plain looking equipment…which made me feel a bit guilty. I asked the others if it is ok, and they nodded. They said that since I am the leader, I should have better equipment. I wanted to argue about that, but all of them joined forces against me…unfair.

As we made our way to the dome, more and more people were looking at us. There were 3 lines on the gate, one for the audience, and two for the participants. There was a short line, so we took it. The people around stared at us, and one started talking.

“Miss, this line is for gold or higher ranked adventurers. No matter how pretty you are, or how expensive your armor is, you can’t go to this line.”(Gairn)

“…I didn’t know about the line, but I do not see the reason why I am not allowed in this line.”(Shera)

“Miss…”Before he could start speaking, I showed my plate in front of his face.

“P…platinum?...492?”(Gairn)

After that, everyone looked away, and stayed quiet. I was worried since Nero & Ciela weren’t gold rank, but the guard said, as long as the party leader is gold rank or higher, we can enter using that line. After that, the long awaited tournament finally started…after a long speech from the king.