I woke up.
Renia, obviously, was next to me.
Got used to it yet?
I felt... a little better. Not much, but enough.
I pulled my arm free from Renia's grasp and sat up, stretching.
It'd be nice to have a clock.
The room was dim, but morning light crept through the curtains. I stood and walked over to open the window. The sun was already bright.
Behind me, Renia stirred, letting out a soft, drowsy yawn.
"Hmm... good morning..." she mumbled, rubbing her eyes. Her voice was thick with sleep.
She was half-naked, of course.
"Morning," I replied.
"Hmm... where's Renia's morning kiss?" she asked, still sluggish.
"You don't get one."
"Lame." She pouted.
I grabbed my shirt from the chair. "I'm heading downstairs."
"Mmh... Renia will sleep a little more and follow..." She stretched, then flopped back onto the bed.
I left before she could say anything else.
—
The guild hall was quiet. Only Mini, June, and Mila were awake.
June hummed softly while cooking something. Mila was helping, passing ingredients and chatting with her. Mini sat curled up on the couch, knees together, hands resting on her lap.
"Morning," I said.
"Good morning~" June sang.
"Morning!" Mila smiled.
"G-good morning..." Mini muttered.
I sat down next to her.
My thoughts drifted as I leaned back against the couch.
How do I overthrow Selphira? Stuck in this mess, and I don't even know how strong she really is.
"Umm... u-uhh..."
Mini's voice pulled me from my thoughts.
I turned my head slightly. "What is it?"
"N-nothing... I was just t-thinking... you're up early," she murmured, fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve.
Poor girl. You don't have to force small talk. I preferred it silent and awkward.
"Really? I'd say you three are the early ones. I wake up at a normal time."
"Y-yeah... you're right..." She nodded quickly.
Silence again. Awkward, of course.
"...So, how was your life before all this? I want to know you better." I guess I didn't prefer it silent and awkward afterall.
Mini stiffened, her hands tightening on her lap. "G-get to know... me?" Her face turned pink.
"My, flirting so early?" June teased from the kitchen, not even looking up.
"Hah. If only you saw what Renia and Rin were like back in our world..." Mila smirked, shaking her head.
I wasn't flirting. Am I that much of a sinful man?
Mini fidgeted. "U-um... I wasn't very interesting back home... I just stayed inside and read books." She hesitated, then forced out a small laugh. "Now I hunt monsters instead of reading. Not much of an upgrade..."
Great. Love me a self-deprecating girl.
"I think you're pretty interesting." I sighed. "Everyone here would agree, definitely."
"R-really?"
"Y-yeah, isn't that right?" I turned to Mila and June. Honestly, I couldn't think of anything specific Mini stood out for, but I couldn't just say that now could I?That'd crush me if someone said it to me.
"Yep, Mini's a great girl." June smiled.
"Agree a hundred percent," Mila nodded.
Mini's fingers curled together, and she smiled, just a little.
"And besides," I added, "I wouldn't call myself the best student either. I skipped a bunch."
"R-really? Why?" She asked. "O-of course you don't have to t-tell me..."
"Light bullying when I was a kid. Renia kicked their ass."
Not proud to admit it but she was my bodyguard basically.
"I-i see... It was the same reason for me too." Mini muttured.
Not surprised. She does look bulliable.
"Anyways anything other you like besides reading?"
She giggled softly. "I-i love writing books... though I'm terrible at it..."
"What kind?"
She froze. Then, her entire face went red. "U-uhhh..."
"Rin, let girls have some secrets, alright?" Mila grinned.
Yeah. Not a good sign.
"N-no! I like writing romance! That's all!" Mini blurted.
Romance. Right. I believe that.
"Anyway, breakfast is almost ready," June said. "Can you guys wake the others?"
"Alright."
—
One hearty breakfast later, we were at the Adventurer's Guild. It was quieter than usual, fewer people hanging around.
For today's quests, my party had Ruby, Renia, and me.
"I'm planning to work your ass off today, Ruby," I said.
Ruby smirked, hands on her hips. "You'll be the one begging me to stop, princess."
Princess? Again? What's up with that? I feel like if I told her to stop, she'd probably do it more. Yep she's definitely that type.
"Rin can make Renia beg anytime~" Renia purred, arms locked around mine.
You know what to do in this situation?
If your answer is anything but ignore, you fail.
"Whatever. Let's go," I said, walking out of the guild.
"Hey, wait for me!" Ruby called, jogging after us.
Our target was elemental wolves. Nothing special.
The location was northeast of the town square. Shouldn't take too long.
"Rin," Renia said beside me.
"Hmm?"
"Renia loves you." She smiled.
I glanced at her. "What's that all of a sudden?"
"Renia hasn't said it in a while." She pressed her cheek against my arm. "Renia's love for Rin cannot be measured."
Even I might get flustered if you say that.
"Say it back." Her voice softened. "Rin. Say you love Renia."
"I do."
Renia bit my arm, lightly. "Full sentence. Rin. Loves. Renia."
Ruby groaned. "Ugh, so cloying... my stomach hurts."
Renia shot her a glare. "Who said the cow could speak?"
"Hah?! For the record, I'm not your slave. I can speak whenever I want, thank you!" Ruby huffed and walked up besides me.
Then she locked her arm with mine. What?
Foolish woman. You are courting death.
She smirked and deliberately pressed herself against me. "Oh no! My massive tits accidentally squished against Rin!"
Unbelievable. She's just begging for a beating from Renia.
Renia's grip on my arm tightened slightly. Okay not slightly, it hurts a fucking lot.
But she only laughed.
"Hmph. Renia knows Rin isn't into dumb bimbos, so tough luck." She tilted her head, looking up at me. "Right, Rin?"
"...Y-yeah."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
The weather is nice today.
—
Somehow, we made it to the town square without a murder.
A crowd had gathered in the middle, people chattering among themselves.
"Wonder what that is," I muttered.
"Check it out?" Ruby asked.
We approached, and Ruby stopped someone in the crowd.
"What's going on? A show?" she asked.
The guy shrugged. "Not sure. A mirror popped up out of nowhere."
"A mirror?" Renia huffed. "Why's everyone making a fuss over a stupid mirror?"
"Dunno, but people say it shows your future. Some say it grants wishes."
I had a pretty good guess.
Probably from my very, very seriously lovable demon master.
The crowd was dense, people whispering in hushed, eager voices. Some pointed at the massive mirror standing in the center of the square, its surface smooth and flawless, reflecting everything except the people in front of it.
I stepped closer. A mirror that shows the future and grants wishes? Sounds like a full blown scam.
Or maybe just a bunch of mirror monsters disguised as people. That's how this usually goes in anime.
"Renia doesn't like this," Renia muttered, tightening her grip on my arm. "Mirrors shouldn't act special. They should just reflect. Like good little mirrors."
"Sounds like a scam," Ruby said, folding her arms. "Who even believes this kinda stuff?"
The murmurs around us suggested quite a lot of people did. Some adventurers stood hesitantly, debating whether to approach. Others already had, their expressions shifting from confusion to horror or disbelief as they stared into the glass.
"Should we check it out? A mirror that shows the future and grants wishes?" Ruby asked. "Sounds fake, but I wouldn't mind getting a sneak peek of my glorious future."
"What's so glorious about cow pastures?" Renia muttered.
"Ugh, you are so lucky I don't beat up weaklings." Ruby rolled her eyes.
"Besides Renia doesn't need a stupid mirror to know her future. She'll be with Rin, forever and ever."
That sounded... ominous.
Still, I wasn't too eager to look into it either. If this really was Selphira's doing, then it wouldn't be some harmless party trick.
And yet… something in me itched to step forward.
I took a slow breath. "Let's just watch for now."
"Rin's curiosity is bad for him," Renia grumbled but didn't stop me.
Another adventurer approached the mirror hesitantly. A tall man with a scar across his jaw. He squared his shoulders, let out a breath, and stared into the glass.
For a second, nothing happened. Then his face paled. His lips parted slightly, eyes widening. He took a step back, shaking his head.
"No… that's not—"
He turned sharply and shoved his way through the crowd, pushing past people without a second glance. A few onlookers whispered, but no one tried to stop him.
Ruby frowned. "Okay, maybe this isn't just some dumb trick."
I stayed quiet, watching as another person hesitantly stepped up. This time, a young woman, maybe my age. She gripped the hilt of her sword tightly as she stared. Then, slowly, her hands began to tremble.
She staggered back, eyes wide with something between fear and heartbreak.
"Renia thinks this is stupid," she huffed. "If people are scared, then just don't go in."
"Yeah, but aren't you curious?" Ruby smirked. "Maybe it'll show you a future where Rin actually gives you a morning kiss."
Renia shot her a glare.
"Maybe they saw something they didn't want to see," I muttered.
Ruby sighed. "I mean, if it really shows the future, maybe it's not a future they wanted."
I didn't believe in fate. I didn't believe in things being set in stone. If I did, I wouldn't be fighting so damn hard.
And yet, the mirror stood there, waiting.
Daring.
My fingers twitched.
Should I?
"Don't," Renia's voice was suddenly sharp. She turned to me, her blue eyes locked onto mine with something uncharacteristically serious. "Rin doesn't need to look. It doesn't matter what the mirror shows."
Her grip on me tightened, almost desperate.
Curiosity killed the cat.
But I guess the cat would live another day.
"Yeah, you're right." I sighed and brushed a hand against her cheek.
"Oh, Rin..." Renia gazed up at me, placing her hand over mine.
Ruby let out an exaggerated groan. "Man, you two are always in your own little world. Kinda cute, but also kinda annoying."
Renia shot her a glare. "Who let the farm animal speak again?"
"Yeah, yeah, love you too," Ruby muttered, waving her off.
"Anyway, let's go. We've got a quest to finish."
As for whether the cat will come back... We'll see.
---
We finished the quest. Then another. And another. By the time we were done, I was level 29. Leveling up was getting harder.
"Phew! That's gotta be the last one, right?" Ruby slumped forward, hands on her knees.
"Let's do another."
"What?! No way! I'm tired and hungry!"
"Look who's begging now," Renia smirked before turning to me. "Renia can keep going a little longer."
"No, let's head back," I said.
"Oka—"
Her legs buckled.
Ruby collapsed too.
"Renia!" I caught her before she hit the ground, cradling her head in my lap. "Are you okay?"
What the hell just happened?
"She's fine, dear~"
That voice.
A purr, smooth and amused.
Selphira.
She materialized in front of me, appearing from nowhere, her smirk as unbearable as ever.
"Just a little sleepy, you know?" She giggled, twirling a strand of her crimson hair. "Anyway, I have a little task for you."
"What is it?"
"Tomorrow. Make some excuse for why you can't join them. We'll talk then."
Her smile widened.
"Till then, bye, darling~"
And just like that, she vanished.
A headache settled behind my eyes.
Well. That was a great way to ruin my mood.