* * *

“No, I mean it! The story came from someone who’s known him for a long time.”

“Who? Zerbin doesn’t even have parents. Do these people even know that?”

“Well….”

There, see?

You don’t know either.

“Making a fuss over vague, baseless stories.”

I thought I’d responded objectively, but Ricardo just bristled even more.

Was he embarrassed at being called out?

“You’re supposed to take my side! We’ve known each other longer! Or have you gone crazy over that monster brat just like the others after spending time with him?”

That feels like more than just embarrassment.

Is it jealousy?

I want to tell him not to call Zerbin a monster, but looking at how worked up he is, I doubt he’d listen.

“What’s there to like about such an arrogant, rude guy?”

Did Zerbin steal someone he likes?

I wasn’t sure why he was being so frantic, but it was getting annoying.

I should calm him down and send him off before the food I came here for sells out.

“Don’t tell me he’s your type, and that’s why you’re so mad?”

“…”

Uh-oh.

“Who cares if he looks flashy? A good adventurer needs credibility. Haven’t you heard the stories? Anyone who crosses him disappears without a trace.”

I blanked out for a moment at a sudden thought, but Ricardo kept rambling.

“Even if you’re close to him, if you upset him once, he doesn’t hold back. The underground already has him pegged as dangerous. But because he’s talented, he’s got backing from a noble family, and they cover everything up.”

“If you upset him once, he doesn’t hold back?”

What nonsense.

He forgave me for ruining three of his matchmaking attempts.

He even came to meet me after I spouted nonsense about pitying him because he looked lonely.

If anything, hearing this nonsense only made me more certain these rumors were baseless.

Who the hell spread this crap?

If I find out, I’ll personally break their skull.

There’s no point wasting more time listening to this.

“You don’t usually associate with difficult people, do you? Don’t get involved with dangerous folks…”

“Rick.”

I deliberately used his nickname and grabbed his hand.

Ricardo flinched but didn’t pull away.

“What’s with the bandage on your hand? Did you get hurt?”

“W-What do you mean? Just a scratch from fighting a beast… Why’re you being so mushy?”

I gently traced the bandaged area with my finger.

His hand twitched nervously.

“Because I care. I got so caught up in someone else’s business that I didn’t even notice my friend was hurt.”

“It’s no big deal… Adventurers get injuries all the time, you know?”

“Injuries can get dangerous if you’re not careful. What if it gets infected? Take care of yourself. It worries me.”

“Oh.”

“…Like I said, I’m fine! I don’t need you to fuss over me!”

His face turned bright red.

His cheeks, even the tips of his ears, were flushed.

He tried to pull his hand away, but I held on tighter, making him even more flustered.

If someone else saw, they might think he was embarrassed because he’s shy, but no.

Compared to the ever-composed Zerbin, Ricardo was incredibly easy to read.

Ah, so that’s it.

‘He likes me.’

I have no idea why.

I can’t even remember doing anything to deserve this.

All that trash talk earlier must’ve been about Zerbin because Ricardo’s jealous.

Maybe he’s worried I’ll end up dating Zerbin since he knows my type and thinks it’s a possibility.

Too bad for him, I don’t have the luxury for romance while carrying the weight of saving humanity.

‘Love, huh…’

Watching him badmouth someone so obsessively wasn’t a good look, but does this kind of desperation count as true love?

I still don’t understand love.

But, anyway.

I know Ricardo likes me, but what am I supposed to do about it?

I can’t just tell him I’m not interested and leave.

He’s a good friend and companion, but I’ve never been romantically drawn to him.

If he confessed, I’d remember, but nothing comes to mind.

This is probably something he’ll resolve on his own.

Not much for me to do here.

He’s a good friend, so I’ll just play along and send him on his way.

“Let’s drop it. Want a potion?”

“Why would I waste a potion on a scratch? It’s not worth it.”

“Don’t be so stingy. Think of it as a token of my care. If you don’t need it, carry it around and think of me.”

I pressed the potion into his hand, wrapping my fingers around his for emphasis.

Normally, I wouldn’t act this touchy, even if I’m friendly.

He noticed the change and started stammering again.

“Why… Why would I think of some shady guy like you? What nonsense!”

“Wouldn’t my name pop into your mind if you end up using this in a crucial moment? Treat me to something when that happens.”

“Well, if it’s just that much, sure.”

After giving him an excuse for our next meeting, he mumbled while tucking the potion away.

But as he packed the potion, he couldn’t stop glancing at the hand he had reluctantly let go of.

It seemed that in Ricardo’s mind, Zerbin had already been erased entirely.

“Still, I don’t like badmouthing people. Gossiping about stuff you don’t even know is true just makes you look petty, you know?”

“Well, you’ve got a point there.”

Look at him change his tune.

I found it amusing but didn’t point it out since this was what I’d intended anyway.

Ricardo, claiming he wasn’t usually the kind of person to indulge in rumors, started rambling excuses about being caught off guard by unexpected news before being dragged off by a colleague who had come to fetch him.

I guess he had things to do but ended up sticking around with me instead.

At least now, he wouldn’t badmouth Zerbin outright in front of me anymore.

‘Came all the way to the market and just talked the whole time.’

Finally, I could focus on the actual purpose of being here.

I scanned the surroundings to find the street vendor I had in mind.

“…Filthy homo bastard.”

What the—?!

I was aware Heros was still lingering behind me.

So, it wasn’t the suddenness of hearing his voice that startled me but the chilling tone of it.

It was as though all the malice in the world had been condensed into his voice—sticky, murky, and bubbling with hate.

What’s with him all of a sudden?

Don’t tell me he thinks there was some strange tension between me and Ricardo?

“Well, yeah, I am a homo. So what?”

His words were obviously meant to provoke me, but they didn’t faze me at all.

Because it’s true—what’s the big deal?

“But seriously, you’re hilarious.”

I wasn’t upset, just baffled.

“You’re clinging to me because of a man, lurking around like a creep, and then acting like you’re above it all, drawing some line in the sand.”

“Don’t compare me to someone filthy like you! As if I’d harbor depraved desires like yours!”

Heros suddenly exploded in anger, his face turning red and purple with emotion.

What’s his problem?

“Why would you assume I have depraved desires, anyway?”

It’s unfair.

All I want is for Zerbin to find true love and be happy—that’s my pure and genuine wish!

It’s not like I want to take that place for myself, even a little!

“Are you projecting? Seeing others that way because that’s how you feel? Why not just be honest with yourself?”

Not that I’d ever introduce someone like Heros—petty, vindictive, and narrow-minded—to Zerbin!

“I can’t forgive someone like you fawning over anyone and then hitting on Zerbin, too!”

Sure, I didn’t have much to say about the earlier fuss I made with Ricardo, but still.

“And what gives you the right to decide whether I get close to Zerbin or not…?”

“Argh!”

Maybe I shouldn’t have said that last part to someone unhinged.

Heros, eyes wild, grabbed the axe strapped to his back and charged at me.

So he really was going to do something stupid.

* * *