A warm and sunny day. Something that you would expect at the start of spring.

The air that flew through the window still carried the hint of the winter, but the tepid sunlight canceled out the cold.

I was sitting, and so did the man before me. Across the table, we stared at each other with a solemn look, drinking little by little from our tea to make it last longer.

“Let's hear it,” I said, twisting the cup with my hand.

He nodded quite shyly, before scratching his cheek in embarrassment. “Actually, there's someone that I like.”

Hoo? So a love request? While thinking that, I brought the tea closer to my mouth and savored the bitter yet sweet liquid that had grown warm.

“So? What's the problem?” Every request has its own challenge, if not, they wouldn't come here to ask for help in the first place.

“You see... We're of the same sex...” He seemed uncomfortable saying that, and understandably so. It was his secret that should be not spread out, and I am more than ready to keep it that way.

I placed the empty cup to the table with a faint thud before proceeding to speak. “So, is that the only problem?”

“He's older than me, too...”

“I see...”

Now the level of the difficulty had gone up. But I could still see myself accomplishing it, somehow.

But I have a feeling that there's more to it.

“And?” I encouraged the man to continue saying something.

“And... He got a child and a wife—”

Now, hold on just a second. I raised my index finger upward to stop his words. “Now I don't know about you, but I think that we should stop our conversation because I certainly cannot complete this.”

“Why! Because I'm gay!?”

“No! Dimwit! Because he’s got a wife and kid!”

He stood up from his seat and crossed his arms. “I won't leave! I need help because I really don't have that much time!”

“Leave! I'm begging you!” My voice was beginning to crack, but the man remained still, not listening to any of what I am saying.

“Please help me! This is the last day of his funeral! They will bury him at noon!”

“Oh, gods make it stop!” I covered my ears to protect the little innocent that I managed to retain.

“Why! Why won't you help me! They said that you will help anyone in exchange for money!”

“Damn right! But that doesn't mean I'll help you commit a crime!”

“He's my brother! How could that be a crime!?”

“It's getting worse!” I scrambled my already messy golden hair. I seriously didn't know what to do.

What f*ck is happening! Am I cursed or something!?

“And it's not that hard! You'll just accompany me, and I will do the necromancy! After we have sex, it's done!”

“Nonono! I don't want to think ANY of that!” I cannot take this anymore! I flung myself to the door of the room and opened it forcefully!

“Get out!” I shouted at him. He just stood there, not moving an inch. “Oh, you're not? You want to see why they called me Yellow Reaper?”

The rapier attached to my hip dangled, touching it, I glared at the man. He gulped down and made a face of resignation.

“Love shouldn't have boundaries.” It was his final throw before dragging his feet, exiting the room unwillingly.

“I'm making one right now!” He left the place, and I slammed the door, sighing to somehow ease my troubles.

Now the area was quiet. The bird chipping outside settled on the trees near the window. Since this was the second floor of the building, I could see the nest of that said bird.

It made me calm, especially after all that. The silent chair that waited for my return squeaked as I poured my weight into it, then I took a piece of paper from inside my coat.

I and the man before were wearing a white uniform, and sword at our waist. It was because we were the student of Reinhardt Academy, a school that focuses on teaching swordsmanship.

Aspiring knights came here to study. Most of the students here were noble that had a lot of money to spare, and I am here to take that extra coins they have, by resolving every odd quest that they hurled at me.

The paper was scented by a sweet-smelling perfume. Opening it, letters that were neatly written greeted me.

Dear Bigbro,

I finally enrolled at Meldrum Academy, and everyone here is intelligent and powerful! The buildings here are tall as mountains, big as seas! I cannot imagine how did they manage to do that, but I am told that it is magic that is responsible for the construction. I already made a lot of friends, and all of them are friendly and helpful to me. They treat me to lunch, aid me in my homework, greet me every morning—they are not males, okay? Are you jealous, perhaps? Worry not, Bigbro, my heart belongs to you, and only you. I hope you are doing fine in the noble mansion. I am very happy when you told me that you are working for the duke and earning a lot of money. I cannot thank you enough, Bigbro. I know how hard it is for you, paying my tuition and all. Even if you say that they are generous and gives you a lot of money, I still worry that there must be something they want in return. If something ever happens (hopefully, not) please come here and live together with me. I am quite lonely without you Bigbro. I love you a lot and always take care of yourself.

Yours truly, Claire.

It was a letter from my sister, Claire. She was a magic-user and has great potential that even me, who did not know the workings of magic, could say that.

I neatly folded back the letter, sliding it to my coat, and gave a gentle smile.

My sister was the single sweetest thing I have in this world. She was smart and clever and attractive, she was everything that I could not hope to be. So that was why I wanted her to find a boyfriend already!

It was without a doubt, that most of the students in the magic academy were nobles or child of a wealthy merchant. If she could lead them by their nose, she wouldn't have to bear the pain of being poor.

If it was just me, then fine, I would become a beggar, no problem. But if it was her... Oh, just thinking about it made my chest ache.

As I was taking the mental damage to the image of my poor sister living beside the trash, the door came knocking then moved.

A woman, she wore a white uniform, too, the only thing that changed was her white skirt and black socks.

Her shoes clattered at her steps, drawing near me. She sat on the chair in front of me and folded her metal fan, placing it at her chin.

The girl has a smooth silver hair that was tied at the back of her head, it swayed so little at her refined movement. She's a noble, for sure.

I am guessing she has the same age as me, seventeen perhaps. Her body has a moderate proportion, the way she sat bridging her white legs suggest that she was looking down on me, or at least that what was I experienced dealing with this type of people back then.

With a business-like smile, I started to speak. “So, what can I do for you?”

“I am here to take your “business” and would like to consult my problem.” Though she responded relatively cold, she still have manners. Good, a sign of a stable customer.

“Do you want some tea?” I offered her, knowing that I would be refused. There was no way my tea would satisfy a high-class woman like her—but I couldn't be more wrong.

“Yes, please.” I widen my eyes hearing that. I left my seat and begun brewing the tea that I had brought for the costumers to drink.

“So it's true, that one of the strongest students is managing a sketchy enterprise.” I am not looking at her, but I could feel her eyes inspecting the room, the club room.

“Strongest? Hahaha, just where did I get a title like that. And it's not like this is sketchy or anything, I got permission from a teacher to start a club where the student pays me in exchange for a little help.” I replied. Deftly working with the tea, I poured the liquid from the cup and rested them into a tray.

“And what is the name of this club?” When I faced her, I found her staring at me with her red pupils. Oh, we have the same eye color.

“Helping Club. Because it's what I do, help people.”

“You jest. You're not helping anyone, but rather providing service for a hefty price, you should call this Service Club, I think.” There was a teasing tone in her lovely voice, but I paid it no heed and offered the teacup. She took it with a thank you, sipping daintily.

“It tastes good.” She said, putting the cup to the table before fixing me a gaze.

This girl was gorgeous, no question about it. Her icy atmosphere was hard to approach, though.

“So, about the request. There's this something that I will tell you, and I want you to answer me with all honesty you got.” She imposed herself by furrowing her eyebrow, so I wobbled my head up and down and readied myself to listen carefully.

What is it? Do we need to fight someone? A battle against forces of chaos? An impending monster that can destroy the city?

I was tense since the gravity of her voice was nothing to scoff at.

Slowly, she moved her well-formed lips and started constructing words. “There's this someone, not me, alright? She—but she's not me, are we clear?—always feel a tingling sensation whenever she met this certain man. She feels happy whenever they are talking, but angry when some other girls talks to him.”

She took another sip from the cup, before continuing her speech. Judging from the way she started her sentence, I doubt that I would have a normal conversation with this girl.

“Recently, the girl always feels dizzy when she's with him and cannot think straight. I thought at first that it's not something special, but my head has been full of him since the day we fought together.” She looked very delighted, her face flushed and her eyes swimming.

Oi, why did you used I and my? You're making this harder than what it's supposed to be.

I still haven't recovered from the man earlier, and now this? I squeezed the bridge of my nose. “So this girl—I'm not referring about you, of course—”

“Yes, the girl is not me, we have nothing anything in common, or did we ever know each other.” She quickly chided in with a straight face. She was beaming, I could almost hear her saying “It's good that you know that.”

“Y-yeah. So, this girl—”

“Wait, that girl you're citing is surely not me, right?” She shifted into a somber mood, glaring at me with her sharp eyes.

“Of course! Why would I even think that!” Shut up for a sec! Pain in the ass!

Hearing my words, her attitude loosened up as she covered her mouth with the metal fan she held.

“So, back to what I'm saying. This girl, who is not related to you nor you know each other, is feeling happy when she sees this certain man, am I correct?”

“Yes, yes.” She was satisfied with my sentence and finally kept her quiet.

Another sigh broke out from me as I composed the next words that I would say. “Based on my long time experience in this job, this feeling is a common emotion that many of the students of this school possessed. I have seen it many times, and therefore, I conclude that what this girl—who is not you nor I suggest that it is the case—is currently experiencing, what we called love.”

“L...Love!?” Her commotion caused ripples to the tea, sending droplets to the table. “F-forgive me...” She said, clearing her throat with a cough.

“It's fine,” I assured her with a wave of an arm. “But more important is, I have to see this girl as soon as I can. Just from hearing your tale, there is a high chance that this is her first time experiencing love, and we need to caution her as soon as possible.”

“It's my—her first love indeed! Amazing, you sure are attentive.” Behind her metal fan, I could see her gaped mouth.

“Yes, I've developed this skill to help me complete my request.” As if that's the case dumbass! You're just too easy to read!

“I see. I thought at first that this club is nothing but a way to grab money from the innocent student, but I couldn't be more wrong.” Her voice has a melodic ring to it as she was speaking merrily.

Why are you only right about that part dammit! Now I feel guilty!

I hid my hand in my underarm before responding to her calmly, trying to cover the roller coaster of emotion that I was feeling right now. “So where's this girl. She may be in danger if I can't see her soon.”

The girl squirmed at my question as she roamed her sight around the room. “I... I will tell you something. But promise me not to tell others, alright?” She gave me a reluctant look. She aired herself with the metal fan.

“Hmph!” I snorted. “What's here stays here. I am a professional. I won't do something petty as leaking out information from my client.”

To which she gave a relieved breath. Somehow, she was trusting me, though I do not know as to why was that.

She watched me noiselessly, waiting for me to take a drink from my cup, before finally speaking. “To be honest, that girl is me, and I lied to you.”

“Pfff!” The tea spilled from my lips, creating a mini rainbow as droplets dribbled from my chin.

“Looks like I completely fooled you, it's an honor to trick someone as perceptive as you.” She chuckled to herself. Finding my silly action amusing.

Like hell it is! I'm only acting like this because it's freaking obvious that you wanted me to! This bitch! “I... I didn't expect that...” I wiped my mouth with my hand shyly.

“Now,” I said to her, catching her attention. “What do you want to do with this man. Do you want to start a relationship with him?”

She let out a thoughtful hmm. “I don't know, really. But I guess being his lover sounds nice.”

“Then that settled it!” I clasped my hand together. It produced a sharp sound that echoed throughout the seemingly quiet room. “Our main goal is for the two of you to end up together! How's that?”

I was loud and clear, and it certainly reached her ears, but for some reason, she waited a few moments to answered back. “Is that really the best-case scenario?”

“Of course! A fulfilled first love is a privilege of the lucky few. Think of it, you and the man you're in love with, living in the same house, spending the time with each other. Isn't that wonderful!?”

“Wonderful...?” She stared at the ceiling with a dreamy expression, presumably imagining what I just had said.

That's good and all, but we need to finish this conversation as soon as possible so I can complete the request quickly.

With the snap of my fingers, she regained her senses and faced me, still high from her thoughts.

“How about it, its a deal?” Saying that I extended my right arm to her.

Her well-formed lips curved into a glamorous smile. She then gripped my palm firmly and shook it. “It's a deal. I shall expect good things from you, Elric.”

“Huh? You know my name?” I was surprised, I did not remember introducing myself.

“Of course, why won't I know the name of the one that swept the first-year tournament last year?”

Hahahaha... I... I completely forget about that. I was dumb and young and hot-headed last year, urged by the desire to earn money and make name for myself.

Well, that was all in the past. I am a changed man now. My sister was already enrolled in the academy, the tuition fee was manageable, somehow. The problems that had driven me wild was no longer present.

“Then, what name shall I call you then?” I asked the girl and retracted my hand back to my pocket.

She lifted the hem of her skirt and gave an elegant bow. “My name is Lisa, a second-year just like you. I am very pleased to meet you, Yellow Reaper.”

With a girl this beautiful, I wonder if I was really needed to intervene with her love life.