Chapter 17: The Gap in Status and the Path to Happiness

—Anna’s return had stirred up quite the commotion.

As a result, Rina had completely frozen up, unable to move. Her face was beet red as she curled in on herself, silently staring at the play as it resumed without saying a word.

The others who had returned after Anna didn’t know what Rina had been up to, but between Anna—who was still blushing and sneaking glances at Yous and Rina—and Rina herself, whose face was burning red, they could roughly guess what had happened.

And as for Yous, caught in the middle of it all, he was still reeling from the shock of Rina’s sudden boldness.

I’ve never seen Rina act that forward before.

Even Rina herself seemed to have never imagined she’d go that far. Now that she’d regained her senses, she had completely shut down, shrinking into herself.

It was undeniably adorable, but it also felt like she was rushing things. Honestly, even Yous himself barely remembered what had happened yesterday.

Was this her way of venting pent-up frustration? Or was she just feeling pressured and acting in haste? Yous couldn’t tell.

Either way, with Rina in no state to talk, he’d have to leave those questions for later.

Another thing on his mind was the content of the play itself.

A romantic tale between a young nobleman and the girl who supports him.

The motif was clearly based on Yous and Rina—though their appearances and personalities were nothing alike, the core traits matched: Yous being a popular man among women, Rina watching him with unconscious dissatisfaction, and so on.

I guess that part must be what made it famous.

Anna would probably know the details.

"So, a play based on us, huh?"

Though intermission was over, they were between scenes, and since they were in a private box, a little chatter wouldn’t be an issue.

"Yep! Yous and Rina’s lovey-dovey couple act is pretty famous, you know?"

"That much? Well, enough to inspire a whole play, so I guess it’s a thing..."

"Totally! You two might not notice it, but you’re popular with everyone—young and old, men and women, no matter their status!"

"Status?"

The word caught his attention, and Rina’s body twitched slightly.

"Mhm! Yous’s like a dreamy prince, right? So noble ladies are all over him—apparently, this play was funded by fathers who wanted to show off to their daughters."

"I see..."

I doubt Rina’s father would be among them, though.

If there was one person in the world who despised Yous the most, it would undoubtedly be Rina’s father.

They hadn’t met face-to-face since the incident, but given how strained things were between Rina and her father, Yous could only imagine the man’s hatred for him.

"Well, with Platinum disbanded, the adventurer world’s been lacking star power. People are probably hoping for fresh faces."

"...The leader should be bringing back results soon, then."

Platinum had disbanded thirty years ago, right after reaching S-rank—a decision forced upon them by circumstances unknown to the public.

Now, three decades later, the emergence of a new S-rank party wouldn’t be surprising.

And with their sudden rise, their achievements in dungeon conquests, and the growing anticipation, it felt like the time was near.

If that happened—their goal would finally be fulfilled.

Hearing that Yous was generally seen as the "prince" in their dynamic was good news.

It meant the truth about Yousrit and Rinaria still hadn’t spread.

"...Do you think those two can be happy?"

Anna suddenly murmured the question.

Those two likely referred to the play’s protagonists, modeled after Yous and Rina.

Their circumstances were far from ideal—a man who defied his family to run away, and the girl who helped him.

No matter how much they grew to care for each other on their journey, their differences could still tear them apart.

Anna probably wasn’t drawing a direct parallel to Yous and Rina, but her words still made Yous pause.

"Yous** and Rina have to be happy. They can’t let misfortune—or even forced blessings—break them."**

But their status wasn’t the only issue.

Even if Rina had reached a personal resolution about her condition, it wasn’t like it had disappeared—her conclusion had simply been to rely on others and live with it for the rest of her life.

The real challenge was yet to come.

"...I know. That’s why I got stronger—so I could blow every obstacle out of the way."

"Wow, someone’s fired up~ But, uh, no lewd stuff in public, okay?"

"Ghk—!"

"Cut her some slack, Anna. She’s had enough."

It didn’t go that far. Yous was pretty sure Rina had snapped out of it before things escalated.

She’d definitely become more open compared to before, but right now, she still needed liquid courage to face Yous properly.

Even now, the atmosphere had her tipsy in its own way.

Once she sobered up, her self-consciousness would return—Yous doubted her core had really changed.

If so, then they’d need to reach another conclusion soon.

And this time, it wouldn’t just be Yous’s words—Rina would have to speak for herself too.

"O-Okay, the play’s starting again! Focus, focus!"

"Got it."

With that, he cut off the conversation and turned his attention back to the stage.

The play was finally reaching its climax.

Naturally, the central conflict was the fate of the protagonists’ love.

For two people whose stations should never allow them to be together, overcoming that divide was their final trial.

So how would they solve it?

The answer was simple—or rather, there was only one possible solution.

—Gain achievements great enough to make it acceptable.

The same path Yous and Rina were still striving for. The most realistic method they had.

---

Returning from the Play, I Collapsed Face-First at the Tavern Bar

I’d done it. I’d really gone and done it.

Why? Why the hell had I done that?

Was I out of my damn mind?

The thoughts spun violently in my head, hitting me with enough self-inflicted shock to make me want to tear myself apart.

Seriously, between last night and today, I was completely losing it. At this point, I’d rather just be feverish—at least that’d be easier to excuse.

But… I’d meant it.

For that one moment, I hadn’t cared about the consequences.

Was it because one of my fears had finally been resolved?

…Or was it because the next looming fear was already breathing down my neck?

The leader had told us the results looked promising.

Soon—very soon—we’d be making our move.

I could feel it.

And if that was the case… then what about me?

Lost in my thoughts, I drowned myself in alcohol.

No, wait—scratch that. It wasn’t the future I was running from. It was the past. The sheer, gut-wrenching regret.

What the hell was I thinking?! Did I seriously believe we could’ve… finished in that short amount of time?!

"Hahaa~ So that’s what happened, huh?"

"Ugh… I wanna crawl into a hole and die…"

Sonariya, drawn by the scent of alcohol, had come to console me.

Part of me wanted to keep it all buried, but by tonight, the whole party would know anyway. It wasn’t like I could hide it—Anna wasn’t the only one who’d seen me. The others had been there too.

Honestly, Sonariya was the rare exception, having passed out drunk before the whole mess even started.

"Still, a play based on you guys? I kinda wanna see it now~ Should’ve gone with you."

"Anna’d take you anytime, no prob. Doubt we’ll get the private box again, though."

"Anna-chan does love her theater~"

Personally, I’d have recommended street performances instead.

Nothing beat the sheer, over-the-top spectacle of magic and stunts they pulled off. Sure, theater had its own flashy effects, but the focus was always on the story—actors and scripts, with magic as just a supporting element.

Street performances? Pure, unfiltered showmanship. Magic for magic’s sake, all about wowing the crowd.

For someone like me, that kind of simple, brain-off entertainment just fit better.

Plus, theater had this whole highbrow cultural vibe that felt way heavier than the otaku stuff I’d drowned in back in my past life. If I wanted to turn my brain to mush, street acts were the way to go.

…Wait, I’m getting off track.

"So, Rina-chan and Yous-kun almost started making babies in public, huh~?"

"Could you not phrase it like that?!"

Damn it. Sonariya had zero filter when it came to words like "making babies," which made her the worst person to complain to about this.

I needed to change the subject. Reliving that shame was not happening.

(Though, by nightfall, my little… episode had spread through the party. Thankfully, nobody teased me about it—probably figured I’d suffered enough. Their consideration just made it worse!)

"…But the wall between me and Yous is gone now. No doubt about it."

"Mhm, mhm~"

"I decided to rely on everyone more… and it lifted a weight off my chest."

The words came out haltingly.

Because, really, this was what had been eating at me.

"After this quest, we’ll finally be stepping into legend territory… Feels weird to be worrying about the future when everything’s so celebratory. It’s messed up. I’m happy right now, so why…?"

"I don’t think that’s strange at all."

Sonariya’s voice was unexpectedly subdued.

When I looked up, her usual airy smile was gone—replaced by something almost melancholic.

It was… weird. Seeing her like this.

But—

"I get scared too, you know? Parareya’s wonderful, but… I don’t know if we’ll always be this happy."

"But you’ve been married for, like, two years now? You two are perfect together."

"Thanks~ And yeah, I think we’ll be okay. But sometimes… I still wonder, what if we’re not?"

Sonariya had her fears too.

And Parareya probably felt the same.

But they didn’t let it stop them.

Dealing with fear was different for everyone—but moving forward despite it was one way to live.

For me, though? That was hard.

I’d always believed that being happy now was enough.

But I also knew… "now" wouldn’t last forever.

"But here’s what I think. Being happy right now? That’s proof we can be happy again—even if we end up miserable later."

"Proof we can be happy… again?"

"Yep. ‘Cause in the end, happiness and misery are just… stops along the way. Points we pass through."

"…Points, huh?"

"Mmhm. So I’ll keep pushing forward—to reach the next one."

If my curse really did cycle between joy and suffering…

If life itself was just a series of ups and downs…

Then what if—

"…What if right now is just another miserable stop on the way?"

If even these worries themselves are just another stop along the path of misfortune—

"Then I'm sure the next stop will be a happy one, don't you think?"

"...Yeah."

—Then surely, what awaits us now is just another trial—another stop—on the way to my happiness.

And if that's the case...

Then overcoming it is just another step I have to take.

"...Thanks. That actually helps a lot."

"Mhm! I know you and Yous still have something big to face, but..."

—Ah, right.

Sonariya knows.

She knows we're hiding something—Yous and I.

But she doesn't press. She just... lets it be.

"I know you'll be just fine!"

Her smile is bright, encouraging.

—Damn it.

I can't help but think...

I really don't deserve her.

And then—

"Heeeeeey, everyone!!"

—As if answering my resolve, the leader finally returns to the inn.

Which means—

"Good news~!"

All eyes snap toward her.

And the leader—grinning like an idiot—delivers the verdict.

Ah.

So this is it.

"Bronze Star is officially... S-RANK!"

—Time to make our stand.

This is what we've been working toward.

Our greatest achievement as adventurers.

And now...

Now we use it.

To force that bastard—my father—to acknowledge Yous.

To make him accept our engagement.

No matter what.