* * *

“What’s this? Is that all it takes? No wonder the air feels so heated—it must be all these horny men crowding around.”

Carmen, who had just ordered more drinks, shot me a sly glance.

She seemed to be taking my earlier explanation as lightly as a joke.

“If you’re hanging out here of all places, I guess you’re really not interested in Zerbin?”

“That’s impossible…”

She finally believed me, but what’s with the “impossible”?

Did Naike seriously have high hopes for that?

If it weren’t Naike, I might’ve smacked someone on the back by now.

We don’t even suit each other in any way!

“By the way, Raul. Do you have time tonight?”

Before I could answer, Vicente slung an arm around my shoulders, leaning in close.

His sultry tone made it painfully clear what he wanted.

Didn’t Naike just act all buddy-buddy earlier, asking if I’d just gotten back?

Vicente must’ve been keeping busy despite only recently arriving in Swindlin after his last mission.

In the past, I wouldn’t have had a reason to say no.

But now, it’s a different story.

I came here to scout potential matches for the hero, not to find someone for myself.

Unfortunately, tonight, the place wasn’t particularly crowded.

So, instead of fulfilling my purpose, I was stuck chit-chatting with friends about trivial matters.

If I were to pick someone decent from this lot, Vicente might be the best option.

Despite his cocky demeanor, he’s decently handsome, well-built, and not bad at all.

His skills are about the same as mine, but he was lucky enough to encounter an incredible mentor after a demonic attack.

You know those retired knights in novels who live quietly in the forest, hunting, until danger threatens the kingdom?

That kind of person.

Although Vicente didn’t become overwhelmingly stronger thanks to his mentor, he did survive countless life-or-death situations because of them.

That mentor might even be able to help the hero.

And, considering the hero’s personality, this role seems like a better match to introduce.

“Why are you hesitating? Let’s just do it. Seriously, it’s been so long because of work. Ugh, I feel like my parts are gathering cobwebs.”

“…Yeah, no.”

“Just for tonight! Just tonight! Can’t you make an exception?”

“Ugh.”

When I hesitated to answer, Vicente must’ve taken it as rejection because he launched a physical attack.

His arm around my shoulder became a full-on bear hug, pulling me into his chest.

The way he squeezed me left me slightly short of breath.

“He said no. You shouldn’t force it.”

Naike’s voice cut in, icy and warning.

But Vicente wasn’t one to back down over something like that.

If he were, he wouldn’t cling so persistently to someone as visibly unwilling as me.

Struggling against his grip was futile—his hands were like iron.

It wasn’t a big deal.

My flexibility made escaping such situations easy enough.

Vicente knew that too.

But…

“This sensation…”

It was oddly reminiscent of being held in the hero’s arms.

While the hero’s embrace was much more comforting, it had a similar strength and warmth.

The faint memory surfaced, unbidden.

Could this mean some self-hypnosis might help me sleep better and have fewer nightmares?

No! I’d never dare to compare the hero to anyone else.

Sorry, Vicente, but if it comes down to you versus the hero, it’s a landslide victory for the hero.

Skill aside, the hero is destined to save humanity.

And let’s not even talk about how much better his body is.

Still…

Tonight’s incident keeps bothering me.

I didn’t sleep well before, but this is on a whole other level.

The hero had to pick me up and comfort me despite hating physical contact.

If I don’t want this to happen again, I need to figure something out.

Somehow, I have to sleep better.

For now, the hero’s love is more pressing, so I’ve been putting it off.

But maybe… just maybe… this could be a solution worth testing?

“Fine, let me go. You’re crushing me.”

I relented in the end.

When I tapped his arm, Vicente grinned and released me.

“See? Should’ve agreed sooner.”

“That’s borderline blackmail, isn’t it?”

Carmen cackled.

She seemed to be enjoying my predicament far too much.

Adventurers all have terrible personalities.

No wonder it’s so hard to find someone suitable for the hero.

“Blackmail or not, as long as you achieve your goal, who cares? So, what now? Drink more? I can wait.”

What should I do?

If I wanted to finish and get to bed, it’d make sense to leave now, given the hour.

But tonight’s drinks were to comfort Carmen.

Leaving when she’s still in full swing feels wrong.

“Wait, what? You’re not going?”

Instead, Carmen waved me off.

“Why stick around drinking with guys whose minds are already in the bedroom? Put it on my tab and pay me back later, okay?”

Her bluntness was almost refreshing.

Vicente whistled approvingly.

If their tastes aligned, they’d be quite the pair.

“Well, I’m off. Sorry, Naike, for leaving early after dragging you out.”

“Don’t be. I enjoyed hearing your stories.”

Naike’s sly smile made me uneasy.

“Don’t you dare talk about this anywhere, got it? If Zerbin tries to kill me over it, I won’t die alone!”

“I wasn’t going to! How dare you think I’m a gossip! I’m disappointed in you.”

Yeah, right.

Naike’s pale face hinted she was holding back laughter.

Good thing I warned them.

People love gossiping about public figures.

That could’ve ended badly.

Feeling lighter, I stepped outside.

“Oh?”

Vicente grabbed my chin, inspecting my face under the streetlight.

Before he could say anything, I shoved him off.

“What’s with you lately? Are you trying to date me?”

“Gross!”

As expected, Vicente recoiled in disgust.

After being the one to grab me, no less.

“Nothing like that! The lighting inside made it hard to tell, but your face looks terrible under the streetlamp.”

Damn it.

Do I really look that bad?

Enough for the hero to go out of his way to book me an inn?

It’s true—I need proper sleep.

“It’s just a lack of sleep. Once I catch up, I’ll be glowing again. Don’t worry about it.”

“Why aren’t you sleeping? Don’t tell me it’s because of that?”

“No.”

“An incurable disease?”

I tried to dismiss the thought, but the words slipped out anyway.

Now this false rumor had spread beyond control.

What am I supposed to do about this now?

Is the hero going to get suspicious and ask me about it again?

“If it’s not that, then what is it? Why can’t you sleep?”

“I don’t know. Maybe I accidentally brought back an evil spirit during the last trip. I keep waking up from nightmares.”

Vicente stared at me intently, his gaze clearly trying to figure out if I was lying.

I held his gaze, not blinking, meeting his eyes with equal intensity.

“You’re not lying, are you?”

Well, the part about having nightmares was true.

“Tsk.”

Vicente hesitated, standing there instead of moving.

I pulled on his arm, impatient.

“Are you coming or not?”

“Yeah, yeah. I mean, I was planning to have a good tumble since it’s been a while. But now I’m worried about pushing you too hard when you’re in such a sorry state.”

“Sorry state? Just because my skin’s a little rough? As long as my lower half works, I’m good to go as a partner, right?”

When I first got to the shop, he’d barged in, demanding to hang out for one night.

Now he’s acting like he has a conscience?

This is confusing.

* * *