* * *
Honestly, even doubting that feels like a sin.
The night I confessed about the regression, Bati held me in bed and whispered with such sincere conviction—
‘You’re the one I love.’
He said… he loved me.
“I don’t know what happened, but don’t think of yourself as worthless.”
So—don’t put down the person you love so much.
Since Bati said that, I should listen.
And honestly, he’s right.
Who actually enjoys watching someone they love spiral into self-loathing?
Even I would jump up in protest if Batistated beating himself up for being bad at socializing.
That’s such a small thing—I’m right here beside him, I can cover for that!
No one’s perfect at everything!
If people were supposed to be good at everything alone, we’d all live solo lives.
Why do you think we form parties and live in groups?
Even the gods gave oracles telling us to team up—so we could make up for each other’s weaknesses!
Compared to all of Bati’s other strengths, that’s such a tiny, tiny flaw.
“Why do you sound so weak in your answer?”
“……”
Yeah… compared to how I was shouting I’d try harder earlier, it’s a pretty big difference.
But I can’t help it.
When I think about it from a different angle, Bati’s words are totally reasonable—but when I apply it to myself, it just doesn’t sit right.
I mean, Bati only has a couple of minor flaws, while I… I’m not really on that level.
It’s still hard to believe in myself.
Right now, when I haven’t accomplished anything yet…
“Can’t you cut me a little slack?”
“No.”
“What happens if I don’t? You gonna scold me?”
Bati was silent for a moment.
“…I won’t let you call me by my nickname anymore.”
“……”
So cute.
Incredibly, unbelievably cute.
Not a flick on the forehead, not a terrifying bear hug like last time—his punishment is the nickname?
Isn’t that way too adorable a threat to come from the strongest hero alive?
I can’t take how lovable he is.
Did I seriously get that jealous over Fer back then?
Enough to assume just threatening to take away his nickname would be enough to get me to obey?
‘But Gaspar calls him Bati too… If I’m the only one who can’t, that’s kind of…’
It’d honestly hurt a lot.
Even that guy gets to call him that?
Sure, he’s doing it without permission.
Still, if his trash of an ex-mentor and a priest he barely knew as a kid get to say it, and I don’t—that’s just unfair, isn’t it?
‘Yeah… I really don’t like that idea.’
No way.
No matter what, I will keep calling him by his nickname.
He already gave me permission once—he can’t just take it back!
That’d be so petty.
Of course, I don’t actually have the guts to say any of this out loud.
“Th-then… can you compliment me a little more?”
On my own, I keep doubting if I’m really a good match for Bati.
But if the Hero himself praises me, I think I could find the strength to believe in myself.
After all, Bati would never misjudge something like that!
“A compliment…”
The fact that he didn’t answer right away made my heart beat uneasily.
Bati’s not the type to toss out empty words, so if he says I’m helpful, it has to be true.
Still, the anxiety bubbling up inside me probably means I don’t fully trust myself.
A part of me wonders—what if Bati is just being kind for my sake, trying to cheer me up?
From my own judgment, I’m not someone worthy of his admiration.
“…I’m the one who went out to gather intel today, sure. But if you hadn’t been there, I never would’ve done it alone.”
Bati murmured gently.
His voice was so warm, it made all my worries melt away.
“But it’s because it was you that people gathered like that. Oh, and Heros wouldn’t have shown up if I’d been the one out front, either!”
“No way.”
I was feeling so good that I hyped him up even more—but he shot back firmly.
“I don’t want to say more than three sentences to a stranger. I only stepped up because I knew you’d handle that part.”
Oh.
Bati really, really doesn’t like socializing.
I knew that, but since we’re so different, it surprises me every time I hear it.
So, I’m the communication guy, huh?
I mean, I did kind of know that.
But couldn’t anyone fill that role?
Doesn’t mean I’m anything special, right?
“But can’t you get basic intel with just three lines per person? Like: ‘Talk.’ ‘Show me proof.’ ‘Got it.’ That’s three.”
“Three sentences per day.”
“……”
That’s… beyond imagination.
To think someone this introverted could exist…
Maybe when the gods shaped Bati, they accidentally poured all his social skills into someone else.
Or maybe they gave him so much strength, they had to balance it out somehow.
If that’s the case, I must’ve looked amazing to Bati, being able to strike up conversations with strangers so easily.
So, that’s it. In Bati’s eyes, I look amazing.
“I’m sure there are plenty of people better at socializing than me… but hearing that from you makes me feel really good!”
“What are you talking about? Gaspar is sociable too.”
Ah.
“But out of all those people, the only one I trust is you.”
Bati pulled me into his arms.
His strong arms wrapped around me, and his reliable embrace welcomed me warmly.
That alone made me feel happy—but the words he whispered into my ear made my heart tremble.
And it wasn’t just his warm breath against my ear.
‘Someone I can trust.’
Yes.
That’s why, when I had hit rock bottom—when I’d lost everyone I cared about—I took Bati’s hand.
Because he was the only one who still saw value in me.
He picked me, like I still had a reason to live.
Back then, I didn’t understand why, and I was anxious all the time trying to figure it out.
But now, I know.
“Thank you.”
There might be a lot of sociable people out there, but someone who’s both sociable and trustworthy?
That’s rare! Most adventurers have skills, sure, but good character?
Not so much.
And if we add “handsome” to the list, I don’t think anyone in Swindlin is more qualified than me!
Yeah, hearing Bati praise me really does give me confidence.
I should start treating myself a little better too.
“I should be the one saying that.”
“Huh? Why you?”
I’m the one who got praised, aren’t I?
“If it weren’t for you, I never would’ve known there are people out there who genuinely want to help me.”
“Bati…”
“For life.”
The weight of those words hit hard.
And I couldn’t deny them.
Before returning, Bati had fought for humanity all on his own.
He might’ve been part of a party, but he was always alone at heart.
And he seemed fully aware of it.
If I hadn’t come back—if I hadn’t stepped into his life—he never would’ve accepted help, even to the bitter end.
“I thought anyone who came praising me was just trying to use me.”
Gaspar!
I’ll never forgive that guy!
“The more they praised me, the more…”
Bati trailed off, clearly struggling with the emotion.
I couldn’t take it anymore and threw my arms around him tightly.
“You get it now, right? That so many people genuinely respect you! They don’t just want to talk to you out of politeness—they’re desperate to help you in any way they can!”
He gave a small nod, a faint smile forming at the corner of his lips.
Just seeing that soft smile spreading across his usually expressionless face made my heart feel warm and full.
“Seeing so many adventurers stepping up, saying they want to help me… it’s really not a bad feeling.”
I’m so happy!
Thanks to me, Bati’s world has expanded! He’s started looking at others with fewer prejudices.
When Bati first stepped up, I was too overwhelmed with emotion that he trusted me and my friends—I didn’t even think of it this way.
I was just relieved that he wouldn’t have to suffer alone anymore.
But now—
“I did this!”
* * *
