* * *

“Come on. Zerbin’s leaving.”

The hero started walking.

“F-Fine. Just a quick introduction. He won’t remember me anyway, right? Damn it, whatever, I’ll do it.”

“You never know.”

Who knows? Guys might be more forgiving than girls.

I’m proof of that.

Though I can’t be sure if he helped me because I’m a guy or because he genuinely wanted to.

If it’s the latter, he might reject me again.

Still, I don’t want to assume the worst before even trying.

“Don’t get your hopes up,” Vicente grumbled, unusually shy for someone who’s normally so boisterous.

It amused me, thinking this was the power of the hero’s reputation.

I, on the other hand, had earned the hero’s permission to speak to him.

That alone felt like a badge of honor.

Grabbing Vicente’s arm, I said, “Stop dawdling, let’s go.”

“Hey!”

Dragging Vicente along, we approached the hero.

After yesterday’s incident with Carmen, I felt a bit awkward bringing someone else to meet him.

Still, this time I’d read the room better.

No unnecessary rebuttals to the hero, no matter what.

“Zerbin! What brings you all the way here?”

I called out cheerfully, and Vicente jabbed me in the ribs in alarm.

Was he asking if I was sure about this?

Of course, I was.

“….”

No reply, but he didn’t tell me to leave, either.

That was proof enough for me.

Not that I expected the hero to explain he was passing through on his way somewhere else.

I just needed a reason to start a conversation.

The hero looked Vicente up and down, seeming a bit surprised.

‘Thinking he’s interested would just be making the same mistake as last time.’

I remembered the mess that happened when I overinterpreted a glance.

Calm down, focus on gaining his approval first.

“Ah, this is my friend,” I began casually, waiting for a response.

If the hero said something dismissive like “So what?” or ignored me entirely, I’d drop it.

“Mind if I introduce him?”

“…Go ahead.”

Not “Sure” or “Do what you want,” but “Go ahead”?

That’s unusually direct for him.

Was he actually curious?

Maybe he was interested after all?

Should I have brought a guy from the start?

Still, I wasn’t sure if Vicente was the right choice.

Maybe I should’ve found someone stronger or more polished.

But the hero seemed intrigued by Vicente, so I’d work with that.

Turning to Vicente, I motioned for him to speak. “Go on. Introduce yourself.”

“V-V-Vice—uh…”

“….”

What the hell?

The guy was ridiculously nervous.

Sure, it’s a big deal to talk to the hero, but come on.

Carmen and Naike were unfazed, so I hadn’t considered this might happen.

The real problem was the hero’s patience.

“V-V-Vicente…”

A hero who dislikes people isn’t going to wait forever.

Five minutes tops.

This wasn’t working.

I had to step in.

Loosening up the mood should help Vicente calm down.

“Vicente Kin! Just call him Vicente.”

It’s only four syllables, and he couldn’t even say that?

I slapped him lightly on the back, and he turned to me, face flushed.

Stop looking at me—focus on the hero.

“He’s not usually this timid, but he’s nervous talking to you.”

The hero wouldn’t just cruelly say, “I’m disgusted, get lost,” would he?

Vicente nodded sheepishly beside me.

I’d never seen him this shy in my life—it was almost disturbing.

Hopefully, the hero didn’t find it just as off-putting.

“But isn’t it kind of cute, seeing a big guy like him act all bashful?”

Of course, I dressed up my words a little differently than my thoughts—it was an introduction, after all.

I wanted the Hero to take a liking to him as much as possible.

“He’s a veteran adventurer, knows a lot, and is strong. Definitely useful to have around.”

“Raul…”

Vicente called my name with a voice full of emotion.

He should’ve said your name properly earlier, not mine.

What an idiot.

Is this thing where he gets so flustered he can’t even speak properly in front of someone he likes… love?

I can’t imagine the Hero ever acting like this.

Thankfully, the Hero didn’t interrupt and listened to everything I said.

That has to be a good sign, right? Then, it’s about time Vicente did something, not me.

Just as I gave him a little nudge to go ahead and do something, the Hero spoke up.

“Is that all?”

Was I supposed to say more?

Like what?

I already said everything a third party could.

I considered casually dropping that Vicente is gay since the Hero seemed interested, but that felt out of line.

Besides, I didn’t get Vicente’s permission.

Maybe this is a signal for Vicente to muster up some courage and say it himself?

Either way, it’s not my place to intervene further.

Vicente was still floundering.

How has this guy managed any romance in his life?

I nudged him again, urging him to do something, anything.

“Are you going to let this opportunity slip away?”

“I asked, is that all?”

The Hero repeated, his piercing gaze firmly fixed on me.

Wait, not Vicente—me?

What else could I possibly say?

His voice was even lower than before, which made me suddenly tense.

But no matter how hard I thought, I couldn’t figure it out.

‘Have a good time?’

No, that’s definitely not it.

Damn, any hints?

Asking directly would be absurd, and dragging this out would only make things worse—it’d be like admitting I don’t know.

So, I decided to show some enthusiasm instead.

“Um… I really don’t know what you’re getting at. Could you explain a bit more? It’s not that I don’t want to answer—I genuinely have no idea.”

“……”

Yeah, figures. He wasn’t going to explain.

But seriously, how am I supposed to know?

“I see.”

That voice—it sounded utterly defeated.

A sigh followed, adding to the atmosphere.

Was the Hero… disappointed?

In what?

“Why? Did I do something wrong?”

Instead of answering, the Hero turned away.

Before I could say anything else, he started walking off.

Watching his broad back disappear at a pace only someone like him could manage left me flustered.

“What the hell? Why?”

He’s obviously upset.

But why?

He didn’t blow up, so it’s not like he’s furious.

So why won’t he say anything?

“Sorry!”

I quickly apologized to Vicente and followed after him.

Sitting here pondering wouldn’t get me anywhere.

I’ll just have to sweet-talk him into telling me.

“Zerbin! Wait up!”

The Hero didn’t tell me to introduce Vicente just to leave like this.

If I apologized and asked him, surely he’d—

“Get lost.”

…Or not?

“Come on, can’t you at least tell me why? I honestly don’t get it. I don’t want to upset you again in the future. Just a hint, please?”

Even though I begged desperately for any clue, the Hero turned around, his face bright red, and threw me aside without a word.

* * *