Chapter 15: To the fools who gave me a place I belong.

—I, Anna Lyne, love Rena.

She’s my dearest friend, someone I never want to lose.

But I’ve taken so much from her and given nothing back.

I’ve always had a vague sense that Rena has a tendency to “make” others happy.

I honestly think that’s amazing, but apparently, it troubles her.

For Rena, happiness seems to come only after trials—like she has to overcome something to earn it.

I guess no one in this world can just receive happiness one-sidedly. But if someone were to die during those trials, Rena would carry that regret forever.

Still, how much of her “nature” is really responsible for all of it?

If every bit of trouble we’ve faced in our adventures was caused by Rena, it’d be like we couldn’t even have an exciting adventure without her.

But I don’t think that’s the case.

Sure, Rena has unique traits, and because of them, someone might end up happy.

But that’s just the result.

Our adventures are shaped by our choices and actions. If Rena’s luck is just giving us a little push, then—

At the very least, that makes sense to me.

There’s just one thing that worries me.

What if every time Rena brings someone happiness, she becomes unhappy herself?

I’d never accept that—Rena, who makes everyone else lucky, ending up miserable.

I haven’t repaid Rena.

I haven’t even seen her truly happy.

So the idea of her suffering? Unforgivable.

When we first met, my impression of Rena was simple: “small.”

But it wasn’t just her height—it was like she was shrinking away from the world.

There was this air about her, like she was keeping people at a distance.

Maybe she doesn’t mean to, but Rena has a timid side.

She’s afraid of making big decisions on her own.

—But then again, it makes sense. Rena’s actions invite both fortune and trials.

For someone who fears hurting others, it’s no surprise she’d fall into that kind of thinking.

But the real Rena isn’t like that.

She’s bright, lively, has an adorable smile, and above all, she’s as cool as any guy.

That’s the Rena I admired—the one I wanted to stay beside.

So—

“—Hey, Rena, is there something you wanna do?”

Once, I asked her that.

Rena usually leaves her hair a mess, so I’d love to style it and show everyone how pretty she can be.

It’s not like she can’t do it herself—she’s bad at makeup, but she’s had some practice with hair since she was little. She could manage on her own if she tried.

Like after she and Yous… well, the next day on their date, she’d done her own hair.

But whether she bothers every day is another story.

So if possible, I’d love to do her hair for her—but she only lets me sometimes.

This time, maybe because she was in a good mood, she didn’t hesitate at all.

As I played with her hair, I asked.

Rena hummed, sounding relaxed.

“What’s with the sudden question? Well… I dunno, nothing big, really.”

“Mm.”

Every time I ran the comb through her smooth hair, the tangled parts straightened out effortlessly.

I’m kinda jealous of how pretty and obedient her hair is.

But more than that, I just love messing with it—so that jealousy vanishes before I even notice.

“Just… living each day happily, going on adventures, seeing them through whether we fail or succeed, and—”

Narrowing her eyes, Rena smiled.

“—if Bronze Star stays a comfy place to be, that’d be good, I guess.”

“What about Yous?”

“Hah? What’re you talking about?”

She scowled, looking annoyed.

Not exactly honest—at that moment, she acted like she didn’t care about Yous at all.

But looking back, I realized… she never actually denied it.

So stubborn.

But maybe that’s just part of who Rena is, huh?

“Anyway, what about you, Anna?”

“Me? Well—”

The moment she asked, I got so happy I could burst.

My hands moved faster through her hair, and Rena complained it tickled, but I couldn’t help laughing.

“Hey! What’s so funny?!”

“Hehe—me?”

And then—

“I wanna be with Rena.”

"Yeah, that was my answer."

And then, some time passed.

Have we—Bronze Star—managed to become the kind of place Rena wished for?

---

"A toast—to our successful adventure!"

"YEAHHH—!!"

Cheers erupted at the leader’s shout, and glasses clinked all around. I, too, slammed my mug against my comrades’ before chugging the beer in one go.

Yeah… This is why we go on adventures.

Our second dungeon conquest was a success. We safely retrieved the quasi-S-rank drop, shipped it off to the kingdom (no way we’d keep something that volatile ourselves), and secured our reward. The leader said the higher-ups were impressed this time—apparently, we’ve got something to look forward to later.

Wait… does this mean…? Are we—Bronze Star—about to become heroes or something?

But for now, it’s time to celebrate.

After the toast, I glanced around, wondering where the hell Yous had wandered off to.

…And of course, there he was—surrounded by women, as usual. That fake-ass princely smile plastered on his face.

Actually, hold up. These girls know about me and Yous, right? And they still flock to him like this?

Ugh. Pisses me off.

Eh, whatever. Might as well mess with him.

"Heyyy, Yous-kun~ What’s with the fan club today, huh?"

"Uh… I mean, they just kinda show up…?"

"Tch!"

"Pfft— (fake spit noise)"

Honestly, the ones I’m really mad at are these girls.

"Like, y’all know about me and Yous, right?! This shit’s weird! I get it if it’s a joint party with another guild, but this is just us! Why’s Yous the only guy not hanging with the dumbass squad, huh?!"

—See, Yous’ whole "refined noble" act? That’s just for outsiders.

Everyone in our party knows he’s just another idiot. So why the hell do these girls keep getting in the way?

…Wait.

If I think about it, they’re not after Yous. They’re doing this to mess with me.

"Oh? Finally figured it out? Guess losing your virginity did make you a little sharper~"

"Mhm~ Sooo? How was it? Was Yous big—"

"SHUT IT!! And no, I don’t remember! You know I blacked out from drinking!!"

The girls scattered with exaggerated shrieks as I lunged.

Cowards.

"…Tch."

"Ahaha… rough day?"

"You knew what they were doing. Could’ve shooed them off."

"Nah, I figured you’d handle it."

I’ll end you.

…Bastard. He was in on it.

Of course he was. No way he’d turn on that obnoxious princely charm at every party otherwise.

What, they like seeing me pissed off? Fine. I’ll give ‘em a show.

I plopped down next to Yous where the girls had been, slouched with my legs spread, and chugged my drink like a sailor.

Hah. Watch my "feminine charm" plummet, losers.

"Anyway—"

"—Mornin’, Rena-chaaan~ Yous-kuuun~"

A soft, drunken voice interrupted us.

Sonariya-san wobbled over, cheeks flushed, reeking of alcohol.

Ugh. How much has she had?

"You two~ not drinking? C’mooon, it’s a party~ Here—"

"Whoa! St-stop! It’s overflowing—!!"

Our mugs were suddenly overflowing as she poured with unsteady hands. Just as the alcohol tsunami threatened to drown us, Parareya-san swooped in and hauled her away.

"Ah~ Parareya-san~ Let’s~ make babies~ Ehehe…"

"……It’s nighttime, you know."

Wait, isn’t "making babies" usually a nighttime activity?

…No, what the hell am I saying?! Besides, for these two, "making babies" is less about procreation and more like photosynthesis or something.

Anyway, Sonariya-san, with her dwarf blood, loves alcohol. On the other hand, Parareya-san, being a dryad or whatever, barely drinks.

The scary thing about Sonariya-san is how she naturally alcohol-harasses people with that soft, floaty voice—making it impossible to refuse. You just… accept the drink. Like it’s fate.

Honestly, half the party’s probably already blackout drunk thanks to her. And the terrifying part? She cracked open a whole barrel at the start and has been wasted since.

Still… I don’t hate watching these two.

As we chuckled at Sonariya-san being dragged away, I took a sip of the drink she’d poured me.

…Yeah. Tastes good.

"…So? What’s up, Rena?"

"Oh, right—"

"Ahh! There you two are—!!"

Anna came barreling in, arms full of liquor bottles.

Of course it’s you.

"Mooou, getting all lovey-dovey over here? What’s the occasion?"

"We ain’t lovey-dovey, dumbass! The only thing you love is booze and bottles, Anna!"

"Ehehe~ Maybe so! Mwah!"

Anna kissed a bottle.

How many "lovers" has this idiot had? Ever since her first kiss with a cheap ale-filled mug, she’s been a full-blown bottle-kissing menace.

The scary part? She doesn’t remember any of it—still thinks she’s never been kissed.

Yet, when she brags about her "experience," it’s weirdly convincing. Guess her subconscious recalls those drunken bottle romances.

Anyway, Anna flopped onto our table and—

"Renaaa~ Are you… happy?"

"Hah?"

…The hell? Can she read minds now?

"Rena has to be happy, y’know?"

"The hell’s that mean?"

"‘Cause… if I don’t make Rena happy, I can’t pay you back for everything…!"

"Pay me back, huh…"

I patted her head and glanced at Yous.

He was sipping his drink with a wry smile—same as always.

Yeah… Nothing’s changed. Not me, not Yous, not even Anna.

—What I’d wanted to tell Yous was about my own happiness.

He’d said it before: "Trust us. Even if I can’t protect you alone, the whole party will."

Sounds naive.

But when we’re drinking and acting like idiots like this… it feels true.

"…You already paid me back. Hell, I’m the one who owes you now."

"Ehehe~ Thaaanks…"

"Dumbass. If you’re too drunk to remember this tomorrow, it doesn’t count."

"Haha…"

Yous laughed beside me.

Shut up. I only forgot last time ‘cause I drank too much!

"But… yeah."

I looked around.

Our leader was striking poses for his cult-like admirers. Sonariya-san was nuzzling Parareya-san’s cheek.

…And everywhere else? A battlefield of passed-out morons. How much did Sonariya-san feed them?!

Some idiots were doing Cossack dances. Others were taking bets on who’d puke first.

…Yeah, I can’t judge.

If I find this chaos fun, I’m just as much of an idiot as they are.

Noticing Anna had already started snoring, I smiled and turned to Yous.

Ah, damn it all.

"—As long as this is where I belong… I’m plenty happy."

I actually said it.

---

——The next morning.

I woke up naked. Next to Yous.

Again?! GODDAMMIT, WHY CAN’T I REMEMBER ANYTHING?!

Ugh, I feel sticky… Wait, last time I didn’t look at Yous, but damn, his body’s all hard and muscular…

Then I remembered.

What those girls whispered last night—

—I might’ve lifted the sheets to check.

……………Wow.

And then—

"……Uh. I’m awake, you know."

Yous sounded mortified.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Ah.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"

Early in the morning, my loud screams filled the inn.