* * *

Vasco’s gay too, so it’s not like Naike’s gonna bite.

This could even be a good opportunity for them to bond.

Leaving Vasco grumbling, I quickly followed the Hero.

“Hey, sorry. Are you mad? Naike didn’t mean any harm.”

The Hero looked down at me without a word.

He wasn’t exuding full-on hostility yet, but he still had that sharp, intimidating aura that only a Hero could pull off.

His cold gray eyes bore into me.

“I think he was just really excited at the thought of traveling with you. You’re basically every adventurer’s idol, you know?”

Still no response.

I honestly couldn’t tell if he wanted me to keep talking or to shut up and disappear.

But since I wasn’t dead yet, I decided to gamble on the former.

“Even I chose to stick with you when you agreed to take me along. It’s not like we’re trying to inconvenience you! We’re just… really grateful.”

“……”

His lips twitched.

He was about to speak.

“Y-you were saying?”

“……”

“Was it something I did wrong? If so, just tell me!”

His eyes narrowed, his gaze growing fiercer.

That pressure was no joke.

My skin prickled, and I clenched my fists to stop myself from trembling.

It’s fine!

I’ve faced worse on battlefields with him.

“You spoke first.”

Huh?

What does that mean?

Could he not be a bit clearer?

Of course not.

If he were the type to express himself easily, he would’ve fallen in love ages ago.

But thankfully, he continued.

“You said you’d stay by my side.”

Oh.

Oh, no.

‘Stay calm. Don’t overthink this.’

It could simply mean he acknowledges me as a comrade.

But in Hero-speak?

It likely translates to:

You brought along someone who’s supposed to be Vasco’s conversation partner.

Why are they bothering me?

You promised to stay by my side and keep other people away.

Fair enough.

I brought Naike along because I didn’t want Vasco to feel left out.

But as a hero with extreme social awkwardness, even the slightest show of wanting to get close could be overwhelming for him.

Come to think of it, maybe he was being considerate by not exuding his usual intimidating aura.

‘Still, this attitude is a bit much.’

It’s not like I’ve been clinging to Naike and talking his ear off.

I only introduced myself because we met for the first time and greeted him.

Isn’t it too much to dislike that?

Honestly, I felt really bad for Naike.

Since we’ll be working together for a while, I’ll need to take responsibility and improve his impression of me.

If both the hero and Naike end up thinking this collaboration was the worst experience ever, it’ll cause all sorts of problems.

The hero might never let me bring another woman along on these missions, and Naike, traumatized by the whole ordeal, would likely spread negative rumors when he returns.

And then, bad impressions of the hero would linger among women of their age group.

Ugh, this is just bad all around.

But there’s nothing I can do right now.

Maybe… a compliment?

“Well, like I said, you won’t be a hindrance. Naike, you’re strong. Really strong. Your physical strength alone is several times that of most men.”

Naike shot me a look that seemed to say, ‘And your point is?’

Oh, the pain!

That glare feels like it’s stabbing me in the heart!

But I swallowed hard and pressed on.

“You’re also kind and attentive to your teammates. Even though there are four of us, which is a lot, you don’t have to worry about a thing!”

“Obviously.”

……

Right. Of course.

I’m the one who brought this group together, and the hero is already doing me a huge favor by tolerating it.

It’s true, but his cold response stung.

Despite my efforts, it felt like I hadn’t conveyed a single positive thing about Naike.

Maybe the hero just… isn’t into Naike?

No matter how pretty or nice Naike is, there are people in this world who aren’t moved by a sweet and gentle woman.

If that’s the case, at least I’ve learned something—one type of person excluded from the hero’s ideal type.

Better confirm it properly.

“But… don’t you think Naike is pretty?”

The hero’s brow twitched slightly.

Not sure what that reaction meant, but it definitely wasn’t enthusiastic agreement.

“She has that pure and delicate look. Plus, her figure is…”

Gods, I can’t believe I’m reducing a fellow adventurer to this.

I’m sorry! I’ll make up for this during the loot distribution!

“…Her figure?”

The hero’s interest sparked in an unexpected area.

So, he does prefer women with good figures?

That’s a common preference, right?

“She has a big chest. And a slim waist.”

“……”

“W-Wait! Don’t look at me like that!”

The hero abruptly grabbed his reins and started to move forward, as if he couldn’t stand to stay any longer.

Sure, rating a teammate’s body is a garbage thing to do, but he asked first!

This isn’t fair!

I hurriedly followed him, but the hero’s expression had morphed into one of utter contempt.

Ugh, I wanted to disappear.

Seriously.

What do I even say now?

Ah, crap. Just wait a second and don’t leave!

I ended up chasing after him, babbling an explanation.

“You asked, so I answered! I don’t even care about women’s chests, no matter how big they are. I like men’s chests more!”

Oh my gods, why did I say that?!

That’s not something you tell someone you’re not even close to!

But the hero stopped walking.

Why?

Well, if it worked, maybe I should keep talking…?

“I mean, you know, muscular chests built through training! With rippling muscles! The epitome of strength! Solid and firm!”

Why am I explaining my preferences here?!

If I were smarter, I’d have found a better way to handle this.

At this rate, I might as well have died back there!

Actually, no—I don’t want to die.

“……”

“I’ve been working on my body too, but people who are naturally gifted are on another level, you know? Broad shoulders, thick chest… something that feels full in your hands when you grab it…”

Gods, why am I spouting this nonsense?!

Just shut up!

I bit my tongue.

Too bad I didn’t do it sooner—before the hero quietly looked down at his own chest.

Thinking about it now, I had basically been describing him.

I’d been too flustered to notice, but…

Oh no.

Did I just sexually harass the hero?

---

I couldn’t think of any brilliant way to fix the situation.

“No, I’m sorry! I absolutely didn’t mean it like that!”

“Absolutely?”

“Really! Not even a little bit! Not at all!”

Although I couldn’t help but realize at the very end that the hero’s chest did match my preferences.

Please let this slide.

“I’m really sorry!”

Unable to bear the awkward atmosphere, I spurred my horse and bolted.

I knew the hero wouldn’t come chasing after me to restart the conversation.

Running away was the only option.

And so, our disastrously messy party set out.

Riding was the only thing that distracted me from my embarrassment for a while.

Galloping on a horse felt good—the wind, the rhythm, the connection with the animal.

But you can’t ride all day.

You have to stop to eat, sleep…

As soon as we dismounted, all my stupid mistakes came flooding back.

After dinner, I slunk behind a rock and sulked.

I couldn’t sleep.

I felt guilty about Naike, ashamed of my idiotic rambling, and unsure how to make amends with the hero.

Maybe I was wrong to think someone like me could save the world.

“What are you doing, curling up like a pill bug?”

“Reflecting on myself.”

“Why would you even do that?”

“You wouldn’t understand—you’ve never cared about mental health.”

“This jerk. I came to check on you, and this is the thanks I get?”

Vasco crouched in front of me, looking annoyed.

“What’s going on with you?”

Honestly, I was kind of touched.

Even if Vasco only checked on me because he thought I had some incurable illness.

Between Vasco, Naike, and everyone else, I suddenly felt lucky to have such good people around me.

It made me want to try harder to protect them.

“Hey, Vasco…”

“Why are you pausing dramatically? Should I go find a healer?”

He still thought I was dying.

“I think I sexually harassed the hero.”

“……”

Vasco’s jaw dropped.

* * *