Chapter 4: So I’m telling you guys, it’s a date!

—Time’s up.

I’d apparently been asleep, but my internal clock—honed to razor-sharp precision by years of adventuring—told me the time. In an environment where owning an actual clock is rare, you end up developing skills like this whether you want to or not.

Anyway, today’s agenda isn’t adventuring—it’s a date.

…Wait, no. Maybe a date is a kind of adventure?

In a way, adventure is about challenging the unknown. For someone like me, who’s never been on a date in either this life or my last, this definitely counts as a challenge.

Yeah, this is just another quest—another adventure.

Once I’d settled on that, I figured I’d gear up and head out.

…Except, bumping into Yous in the hallway dressed like this would be beyond embarrassing.

…Nah, the leader’s the one who set this up. Knowing him, he’d definitely account for stuff like this. The guy’s got social skills carved out of solid golem material—a real master of consideration.

In that case, no need to worry. Time to go.

Or so I thought, until I ran into Anna on my way to the dining hall.

"—Hey, hey, Rina? What’s up?"

"What’s up, Anna?"

She’d called out to me, so I turned around. She was making this exasperated face—what, got a problem or something?

"Where exactly are you planning to go dressed like that, nya~?"

"Where? On a date, duh. It’s almost time, so I gotta get going."

I answered like it was the most obvious thing in the world. But Anna just clutched her head and let out this long, drawn-out sigh.

This virgin’s really testing me—maybe I should roast her later for this.

"—If it’s about the time, the leader told Yous it’s been pushed back an hour. So turn your ass around and go back to your room."

"Huh? Since when? Nobody told me that."

"He just told Yous a minute ago, right before you came down. Yous got here first."

…Hmm?

"—And just like you, he showed up in his everyday clothes!"

What’s wrong with that?!

—Still tilting my head in confusion, I let Anna herd me back to my room.

"First of all, wearing your everyday stuff on a date is unthinkable."

"Don’t wanna hear that from someone who’s never even been on a date."

"Common sense! This isn’t my opinion—it’s common sense!! Say one more thing and I’ll knock you out!!"

Yeah, yeah. I let her strip me down without protest.

Standing in front of the mirror in my underwear—cheap stuff, since I ditched any pretense of refinement ages ago. Anna looked even more annoyed when she saw it, but I knew something.

The underwear she was wearing right now? Same brand, different color.

Anyway—

"Sure, a little effort’s fine for a date, but c’mon—it’s Yous we’re talking about."

"So?"

"He came down in his everyday clothes too, right?"

No way he wasn’t planning to show up like that.

And let’s be real—he’d never dress up for me of all people. I can say with absolute certainty: we’d have gone on that date in our usual gear.

"That! Doesn’t! Matter! Just because he shows up in casual clothes doesn’t mean you get to!"

"Okay, maybe for a normal date, but—"

"It is a normal date!! No matter how you two see it, a date is a date!! Got it!?"

"Y-Yeah, fine…"

I’d never seen Anna this pushy before.

She was so fired up, arguing was out of the question. Hell, she wasn’t even this pissed when we had that full-on brawl.

(Though to be fair, when Anna does fight, it’s because she’s got something she absolutely won’t back down on—and she’ll glare you down with terrifying conviction.)

"Now then—"

"What?"

"—Why is your wardrobe nothing but everyday clothes and gear?"

"Because I don’t own anything else?"

What’s her deal? Did she seriously think I had fancy outfits lying around?

—Whoa. Her expression just went full enlightenment. Like, beyond exasperation.

"Cut me some slack! I’ve never been on a date before! Unlike you, I don’t have a closet full of dust collectors!"
"Sh-Shut up! This isn’t about me right now! Ugh, fine—I’ll borrow something from Sonariya!"

She stormed off in a huff.

That girl buys a ton of "date clothes" every time, then ends up selling half of it when we move towns because she can’t carry it all. Pretty sure her wardrobe’s still packed with unworn outfits.

Oh, right—Sonariya’s another member of our party, a refined lady about my size. She’s got some dwarf blood, so she’s on the petite side.

"But still—"

Fashion, huh…

I fiddled with my hair—chopped short and left untamed.

Somewhere deep down, a part of me thought, Wow, what a girly thing to do. But whatever.

"…Might as well handle this myself."

With that, I reached for the long-neglected bag tucked in the corner of my wardrobe.

---

Yousrid was leaning against the wall next to the inn where Bronze Star was staying, dressed to the nines and brimming with nervous energy.

Passing noblewomen kept stealing glances at him, whispering behind their hands. No doubt they were talking about his appearance—but right now, every hushed murmur sounded like an accusation.

…I screwed up.

Regret still bubbled up from the depths of his heart.

Of all the things to do… No, more like—

I finally did it.

Shaking off the mental image of Rina sneering, "You didn’t just ‘do it’—you did her, huh?" Yous let out a sigh.

The surrounding women let out flustered squeals at his troubled expression, but he just felt itchy under the attention. Normally, Yousrid—the man known for his princely charm—would respond with a faint, practiced smile.

And that was the problem.

Being called a "noble-hearted gentleman" meant he was constantly under the scrutiny of women. His habit of catering to their expectations stemmed from personal reasons—or, more accurately, from an inability to bear disappointing others.

Call it integrity or stubbornness, but Yous was a man shaped by the weight of external expectations.

Which was why the ones who ignored all that and still tried to shake his composure were the most troublesome.

Glancing at his reflection in the window, he took in his appearance.

When going out with women, he always dressed appropriately—not just to avoid embarrassing them, but because he had to meet their expectations.

But today?

Today, he’d gone all out.

A date was, at its core, a private affair. Unlike formal wear, overdressing would be just as bad as underdressing. The key was striking a balance—effortlessly stylish, yet natural enough to put the other person at ease.

And Yous?

He excelled at that balance.

At banquets, he was always in demand. Just last night, during the victory celebration, women had naturally gravitated toward him as he drank. Rumor had it that Yous was the perfect one-night companion—flawlessly considerate, effortlessly engaging.

In fact, his presence alone could turn an ordinary mixer into a battlefield for female adventurers. And since he was already taken, male adventurers loved dragging him along—no competition.

So yes, Yous had long since mastered the art of looking good for such occasions.

But this time?

This outfit had been outright rejected.

"This isn’t ‘dating’ attire—it’s ‘entertaining’ attire," the leader had said.

Isn’t a date just a man entertaining a woman? Yous had wondered.

Regardless, today’s fashion was excessive.

The theme? Cutting-edge trends.

Adventurers, by virtue of their fame, occupied a status akin to celebrities. As such, their fashion often set the standard for the latest trends.

And right now, Yous was dressed in the hottest look sweeping the adventurer scene.

Even he had to admit—the leader’s choice was impeccable.

(Though part of him thought, Isn’t this a little too much?)

Ten minutes after being unceremoniously shoved outside to wait, the inn door finally opened.

Shaking off his gloom, Yous shifted into "date mode," ready to greet his partner with his usual smooth smile—

"—Hey, been waiting for you, Ri—…na."

—And then, his voice died in his throat.

The girl standing there wasn’t the Rina he knew.

No, what stood before him was nothing short of a fairy-tale maiden.

A white, flowing dress accentuated her petite frame, painting the image of an ethereal girl standing in a sunlit meadow.

But what struck him most was her hair.

Normally, Rina’s locks were a wild, unkempt mess—typical of a rough-and-tumble adventurer.

Now?

Combed to silken perfection, tied back with a large white ribbon.

Her porcelain skin and shimmering golden hair created a contrast so vivid, it was like stepping into a painting.

Yous couldn’t look away.

No—it wasn’t just admiration.

He was remembering.

A platinum-haired girl in a field, bathed in sunlight.

A scene so surreal, it felt like a dream.

…How long ago was that?

"…The hell’s your problem?"

A gruff, distinctly un-ladylike voice snapped him back to reality.

He’d been staring.

Rina’s scowl made it clear she wasn’t thrilled with his reaction. No doubt she’d spent the last hour being lectured inside—"Even kobolds dress better!" "An orc wouldn’t wear pearls like that!"—and now assumed Yous was judging her too.

"I, uh…"

His brain had short-circuited.

Normally, smooth words flowed effortlessly. But right now?

Nothing.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. He was the experienced one here—the one who was supposed to lead this date.

And yet—

"You… look really good."

That was all he could muster.

How she’d take it?

Well.

Rina’s face turned a spectacular shade of crimson.

---

W-Wait, hold on—

Who the hell are you even complimenting?!

Who am I? Rinaria the Untamed—a rough, uncouth woman with zero femininity. Hell, can you even call me a woman? My gender identity’s about as clear as mud!

…Oh right, I was literally made one last night—by this guy standing in front of me, no less.

—WHAT THE HELL AM I EVEN THINKING?!

This is way too vulgar! And Yous—god damn it, you’re supposed to be the smooth one here! Say something better than that! Aren’t you Mr. Prince Charming or whatever?!

—Yousrid was, without a doubt, popular.

The kind of popular where women swarmed him like moths to a flame, even at casual gatherings. His problem? He was too perfect. Flawless manners, impeccable attention—never favoring one woman over another. It was like watching a master host at work.

The result?

Perfect for a one-day fling.
Hell on earth for a lifetime commitment.

Yeah, turns out being too desirable just makes you undateable. Kinda envy that problem, honestly.

—Not the time for existential tangents, Rina.

A quick glance at the window confirmed her face was a disaster. And—wait, were those idiots from the party spying on them from inside?!

"H-Hey, Yous!"

"Y-Yeah, Rina?!"

"We’re leaving. Now. I’m not letting these peeping freaks get away with this!"

"R-Right… Yeah, let’s go."

Without thinking, she grabbed his hand and started power-walking down the street.

After a few steps—

…

…Why the hell am I holding hands with Yous?

Her brain blue-screened.

All she could do in response was yank on her own burning cheeks like her life depended on it.