For Trivial Reasons
Time had slipped into late evening before they knew it. The sun had set, and darkness was gradually settling over the surroundings. The four of them sat gathered around the campfire. Cecily playfully poked Noel's shoulder, as if nagging for something. Noel silently filled Cecily's glass to the brim with alcohol.
"Ehehe..."
Cecily grinned broadly as she accepted the drink. She lifted the full glass and downed it in one go. Noel topped off her own glass and took a sip. Then she asked the others around her.
"Want me to pour for you guys too?"
"Ah, no. I'm good now. I can't keep up."
"...I'm fine too."
Yuria's voice carried an ominous edge of anger, like she was holding something back with effort. She probably wasn't thrilled about Noel and Cecily chugging away. Noel felt relieved. At least Yuria's ire wasn't aimed solely at her. Noel could use Cecily as a shield, hide behind her, sip moderately, and dodge Yuria's wrath.
Ilene spoke up in admiration, as if witnessing something remarkable.
"I knew Cecily could hold her liquor, but... Noel, you can really drink too, huh?"
"Ah. Yeah. I like it."
"How does it all fit in that tiny body? Amazing."
Empty barrels were scattered on the ground—a considerable number. Most had been drained by Noel and Cecily. Yuria and Ilene had barely touched theirs. It had been a while since Noel had drunk this much, and it felt good. At home, she had to watch Yuria's reactions and couldn't indulge like this.
Suddenly, an odd sensation settled on her shoulder. Turning, she saw Cecily leaning against her. Over her shoulder came the heavy, soft press of Cecily's breast. Cecily's sense of personal space felt a bit off. She was pressing too close. Was it the alcohol? Did she turn clingy when drunk?
...For some reason, Yuria's expression grew increasingly grim at the sight.
Ignoring Yuria's scary face, Noel addressed Cecily.
"...What're you doing?"
She wished Cecily would back off a little. This proximity was weird, no matter what. Cecily's pressed-close breast seemed to draw even nearer.
"Y'know, Noel..."
"Yeah?"
"You kinda have that adventurer vibe."
"......Huh?"
"Overall, yeah. Liking booze, and somehow feeling so reliable you wanna lean on 'em."
Noel was startled. Cecily had sharp instincts. It felt like she kept seeing right through her.
"Come to think of it, yeah? Adventurers loved their drink."
Ilene chimed in agreement, then glanced at Noel.
"...Reliable enough to lean on? Dunno about that. But yeah, adventurer-like. Kinda like the vibe at the guild."
"S-Similar? Me? To adventurers?"
Was it not something she could hide? Was there something unhideable? Anxiety bubbled up unbidden. It didn't seem like she'd been found out, though. Noel turned to Yuria. In times like this, Yuria was the only one to rely on. But Yuria's face had been fierce since earlier, glaring at Noel and Cecily like a beast ready to devour them. It was a little scary, but Noel shot Yuria a pleading look anyway.
Catching the glance, Yuria sighed deeply and spoke.
"That's not a good thing."
Yuria's grim expression softened a bit, returning to her usual face.
"It's a symptom of addiction. Can't have recovery potions, so switching to booze. Adventurers, Cecily... all of you."
And probably Noel too. She was aware of it.
Yuria approached Cecily and snatched the glass from her hand.
"So, confiscating this. That's enough for today."
"Uh... yeah."
Cecily handed it over meekly.
...Noel's would be next, huh? She quickly gulped down the remaining booze in her glass. The bottom showed. Her head buzzed faintly from the alcohol.
"Yours too."
"Yeah. Take it."
Noel handed over her glass obediently. It was already empty. Yuria seemed unusually cold to her today. Normally, she wouldn't go this far. What had Noel done wrong? She'd drunk less than Cecily. Wasn't even that buzzed. Was it the drinking? If not, what else could she be mad about? Noel had no clue. Reading Yuria's mind was still beyond her.
Noel stood, brushing off her seat. Looked like the drinking session was over. Yuria silently patted the dirt off Noel's butt. The light taps felt oddly nagging, laced with resentment.
Before full night fell, they hurried out of the church. Time to part ways. Cecily and Ilene saw them off at the entrance.
"Well, we'll head out then. See you later."
Yuria bid farewell to the two behind them. Ilene, leaning against the church gate, replied.
"Yeah. Get going quick. Before it gets darker."
Was this girl not heading home?
"You not going home? Planning to crash here?"
"Yeah. Cecily drank a ton. Worried about her."
Despite her looks, she had a good heart. Noel liked that straightforward personality. Minus the weird pranks, she was solid.
"Come to work tomorrow for sure. No more skipping like today."
"...Yeah, that's the plan."
Noel waved goodbye to them. Then hurried off before it got too late. After about five steps, Cecily called them back.
"Um... Noel. And Yuria."
"Yeah?"
Cecily hesitated. She seemed to mull it over, then continued.
"Come play again."
She gave an awkward smile. Probably embarrassed. Cecily couldn't see, so smiling back wouldn't register. Instead, Noel made it clear with words.
"Sure, next time."
With that, she quickened her pace again. Any more delay, and it'd be pitch black.
The two walked side by side down the suburban path. The sound of footsteps crunching dirt came from beside her. Maybe from the booze, they were uneven. Am I pretty drunk? Her vision swayed a bit, dizzy. But something else nagged more. On the way back, Yuria's mood felt off. She'd been shooting Noel dissatisfied looks, not hiding her discomfort. An awkward, stifling tension hung between them.
Noel asked first.
"What's up?"
"What do you mean?"
A curt reply. Still, Noel pressed on.
"You've been like this since earlier. Something you wanna say?"
"Nope."
"Doesn't look like 'nope'..."
She clearly had plenty to say.
"You wouldn't get it, Noel. Just 'cause your body's a girl's."
"Uh... huh? Suddenly?"
"Body's a girl, but inside it's the same. No different from me."
Well, yeah. Otherwise it'd be weird.
"Got close with Cecily, huh?"
"Y-Yeah... friends."
"Looked real cozy, stuck right together."
"Ahaha..."
Got it. She was jealous? Felt like Noel was stealing her friend? Couldn't blame her—sudden interloper snatching a close pal. Noel understood. But it was a misunderstanding. Noel had no intention of taking Yuria's friends. If anything, the opposite. She just wanted to get along with Yuria's circle. Better to clear it up—no room for complications.
"It's not like that."
"Not like what?"
"I like you more than Cecily. Obviously?"
More than Cecily, Ilene, anyone—Yuria was best. Yuria alone was Noel's favorite person in the world.
"...Huh?"
"I like you, Yuria. That's why I can get along with your friends."
Had to be. Yuria had been Noel's reason to return from the war's heart. After it ended, she'd welcomed back the nothing-accomplishing Noel. Yuria made normal life possible. Noel couldn't live without her now. So she'd do anything for her. Getting along with her friends? Easy. Plus, they all seemed great today. Good enough for Yuria—hell, Noel wanted to ask them to keep hanging with her.
"So, misunderstanding cleared? Not mad anymore?"
Noel gazed warmly at Yuria's face. Yuria stared back blankly. Then her cheeks flushed, she gritted her teeth, and scowled.
...Mad? Why madder? Noel hadn't said anything wrong.
"Noel... you're such an idiot."
"...Did I mess up somewhere?"
Yuria whipped her head away. Then clamped her mouth shut, saying nothing more. On the way back, only their footsteps broke the silence.
Really don't get it. What'd I do wrong? Noel pondered the whole way. But no answer came.