““Are you a reincarnated person!?””

As if struck down by the lightning, Liliana shot a gape at Lander who was doing the same to her.

“N-no way...! T-there's really another one besides Keizo and me...”

How long had it been for her to utter the name of the hero once again? She had a suspicion already, that they were ones that like her and Keizo. Souls that should not belong in this world.

The two were met with the gazes of their companion as they wondered what was happening between the two.

“Is something wrong Liliana?” It was Shen who broke the ice and questioned with her usual alluring tone. Her vision darted back and forth between Lander and Liliana, before speaking again. “Whatever it is, I think you guys should talk about it once we got in the city.”

To her remarks, the two nodded. They should be on guard on the surroundings or else they might get ambushed. Though the possibility of it was low considering they have the ears of an elf and the sight the feline ranger. But still.

The party proceeded with reserved steps and cautious manner as they went on to their journey.

Liliana kept her wariness as she gawked at the incoming city walls. She can hear the faint of carriage ruckus and the neigh of the irritated horse.

From time to time, the wizard would catch Lander looking at her, opening his mouth, then withdrawing his head to the front as if nothing ever happened.

She, too, wished to say things. But she supposed that this was not a good place to talk about something so serious. Soon the party entered the gate, along with merchants who were yelling and bartering as they reached the city.

It was the same as ever even with the imminent threat of giants. There were turmoil, and turmoil creates opportunity, and opportunity attracts merchants. It was those principles as to why the dealers still haven't evacuated the place.

The clamor of the throng set the party at ease as they were now heading to the Guild. With that in mind, Lander delayed his stride so he can match Liliana's footing.

“C-can we talk later?” He asked, glancing left and right and making sure no one was eavesdropping.

Liliana answered with a simple “Sure,” and offered a nod to the man. They weaved their way through the swarm of people before arriving at the door a distinct pub-like establishment.

Pushing the door outwards, the party was shortly greeted by adventurers busied by their own quest. Settling to a certain table near the windows of the building, the party sat down while Raka goes to the reception desk, waiting patiently for his turn.

What before Liliana was an aroma of tea brought by Shen as she went to order food for them. Liliana grabbed the cup with bare hands, rotating it several times before seizing a small sip.

The hot sensation spread through her mouth, gulping it, then letting out a weary sigh. She heated up a bit and let out a delighted smile.

“This taste good.” She declared directly at Shen, who twitched her ears in agreement.

“I really like the smooth flavor of black tea.” The elf replied.

Lander and Risha also drunk their tepid drink and made an almost melting face.

Liliana turned her head to Raka's location and saw the adventurers properly lined up. It would take a while before the party could get their reward. She was thinking of what to do to her money once she got it when suddenly, Lander called out to him with a trembling voice.

“Liliana...” He strutted from his seat and then gestured at her.

“Ah, yes.” She responded, and obediently followed Lander as they go to the nook of the Guild.

Things were awkward between the two. Not knowing what to say, as if they receiving a confession to someone.

“So... You're a reincarnated person...? You came from Earth?” Liliana decided to take the first step, facing Lander who nearly averted his gaze.

“Eh, yes. You too, right?” He seems blushing, but why was that? Liliana ignored all of that as she goes into contemplation of what to say next.

From a point of view of a bystander, they two were awfully close, physically. Well, it was because they had no choice since the Guild was awfully jam-packed.

“You reincarnated as a baby?” She muttered softly. To which Lander bobbed his head, resembling that certain wobbling figure that existed in their previous world.

“Yeah! You too? Man, it was hard wasn't?”

“Pff! Sure it is!” She recalled her past, of how much struggle and humiliation and embarrassment she had to endure just to survive as an infant.

She laughed, putting her one hand into her stomach while the other to her mouth. “How about the language? It's really difficult to learn this language.”

“That's true! I took me a year just to understand what my parent is saying!” Lander exclaimed. Then he began to talk about his own hardship, using his hands as a pen, he drew his action energetically.

“When I learn that this world has magic and monster, man, I was really excited!” For the young man, there was no greater joy than to live in a world that was filled with adventure.

“But I guess it's kinda hard too, dangerous even.” He said as he slumped his shoulder depressingly. This world was harsh, he had lived long enough to experience it directly.

Liliana made a difficult expression before saying, “I know right?” And then she smiled dryly. “I thought that I'll level up like crazy and then fight some dragons during my spare time.”

Forget about dragons, I can't even face a troll alone. She thought. Just how disappointed she was with reality.

“Hahahaha... Those isekai novels sure didn't help us at all!”

At his words, they both snickered. “No cheats or whatsoever, even a little experience multiplication cheat would suffice!” Liliana stomped her boots on the wooden floor, generating creaks that soon buried by the dozens of steps beside her.

“Or that create any weapon cheat.” Lander added.

The two hit off pretty nicely. It was like the awkwardness between them did not happen in the first place.

“Anything except that slave-making cheat. I really don't like those stories.” Liliana expressed, clearly distaining the idea of forcefully commanding someone.

“I'm not really fond of that myself,” Lander replied, scratching his cheek for some reason. The two had a lengthy conversation that only possible to them.

Talking about how they miss Earth and their friends and family. Or how having some kind of vehicle like car would be nice in this world. Time had passed away without the two noticing.

“I wonder if guns would work with monsters here?” Now their discussion was about technical advancement in this planet.

“I think they would!” Liliana exclaimed, and then as if remembering something, she shifted her gaze, to where her party was and saw Raka making his way back to the table.

“I think we return to the table, Lander.” Liliana's delicate voice rung even in this rowdy place.

“Yeah.” Lander promptly replied to her.

Liliana was about to move her legs when some adventure, who was in the hurry—presumably on a quest—collided to her with such force.

She was shoved back, her feet tiptoeing, her arms flailing. “Whaa!”

“Liliana!” Lander was a warrior, so reacting fast was one of his selling points. He hurriedly yanked the willowy hand of Liliana to him.

“Ah!”

“Eh!”

And thanks to that, Liliana fell deeply into his chest. Her sweet citrus scent wafted to his nose, her silken hair touched his shoulder, and her slender body was embraced within his arms.

“Sorry!” She said, not minding as to what just happened, letting out a troubled smile. Accident occurs some times, nothing to fret about. But unbeknownst to her...

Budump! Budump! His heart, beating furiously, his face flushed. He remained still for a few moment, not knowing what to say, before opening his mouth. “No...Problem...” Lander can only stare at her yellow bright eyes as if sucking him in.

She regained her footing, stepped backward to put a distance to him and her, then swiveling around as her hair flew out.

“What's the matter? Let's go!” She peeked back at Lander from her shoulder with a questioning face.

“Yes...” Did she hear that? He was sure that he almost whispered those words, but Liliana nodded and started ambling again.

The warmth of her body was still present to his chest, her smell still lingered inside his nostril. Budump! Budump! He could feel his heart jumping viscously as he operated his feet.

What was this feeling? He wondered. It was the same thing he felt when his senpai from another world talked to him.

But this is different... It's stronger... His blurry vision watched the back of Liliana, her hat bounced up and down, and her pink hair jolted left to right.

It's destiny... Right? It has to be. Lander thought to himself.