Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Hero Party?
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Sitting on a park bench, chatting idly with Arien—it hadn't been long.
Off in the distance, Lea and Estelle were heading our way.
'But their expressions...'
There was definitely joy there, but mixed in was some inexplicable reluctance.
Especially whenever their gazes turned to Arien, a strange wariness flickered across their faces.
Hmm... what on earth was this about?
Lately, I'd been holed up in the infirmary, so I hadn't had time to do anything wrong.
Besides, things had been fine just this morning...
Lea, who would normally come running with her bright smile, was approaching with a peculiar look, hesitating.
Watching her, an unexpectedly deep sense of regret and emptiness welled up in my heart.
...By now, Lea should have been glued to my side, chattering away in that clear voice of hers.
My head knew this was normal, but my heart felt a strange sense of grievance.
Pout.
Managing my expression, forcing back the lips that kept trying to protrude, I waved and smiled at the girls drawing closer.
Spotting me, Lea and Estelle broke into smiles of their own and came rushing over.
"...Ha, happy about it?"
"Huh? Of course. Lea and Estelle are my precious friends."
"Friends my ass... What girl looks at a friend with eyes that tender...?"
As I watched them with an unconscious smile tugging at my lips, Arien spoke up in a brusque tone from beside me.
He frowned, glaring at me with clear dissatisfaction.
Even then, I was doing my utmost to stop my lips from twitching.
Pout.
Why did this dopey grin keep slipping out?
Just seeing Lea and Estelle express their joy at seeing me...
The gloom I'd felt moments ago evaporated, replaced by soaring delight.
It was embarrassing, satisfying... some indescribable feeling.
Lea, now right in front of me, greeted me with a bright smile.
"Ehehe, Rowen! Did you wait long?"
"Haha... no, Lea. We just got here ourselves."
"Ugh... I could've come earlier! But Estelle kept saying she was scared and begging me to come with her..."
"...That never happened."
Even as she said it, Lea shot Estelle a sharp glance.
Estelle avoided her eyes, looking away awkwardly.
'Estelle... afraid of ghosts? Who knew.'
She wielded light magic herself, yet feared ghosts.
It was like hearing about a cat scared of mice.
Thinking back to our first meeting, when she exuded an unapproachable chill...
The image of her agonizing alone over ghosts was so cute, I couldn't help but laugh.
Estelle turned away, her face flushing red, while Lea glared at her.
And Arien watched the whole scene with a sullen expression.
It wasn't the happy smiles from the game.
But the Hero Party members together, aware of each other—that fact alone sent a quiet ripple of emotion through my heart.
'They... suit each other well.'
Lea and Estelle by the Hero Arien's side.
Of course, their gazes toward Arien carried that inexplicable wariness.
But at times, they wore oddly inscrutable expressions, as if sensing some fateful connection.
Just as I stepped back to watch the three grow closer—
Swish.
A familiar soft, warm sensation flowed along my arm.
"Hmm... That's Arien, right?"
"Yeah."
"And you said you share a room with him?"
Squeeze...!
Before I knew it, Lea had linked her arm with mine.
She gradually tightened her grip, pulling me into her embrace.
As if declaring she'd protect me from Arien, keeping me at a distance.
She flashed a subtle smile and stared at Arien.
'Why this all of a sudden...'
The mood had seemed decent just moments ago.
For some reason, after sniffing around intently, Arien hardened his expression and approached me.
"...I don't like her."
"Huh?"
"She looks all girly... and keeps eyeing you, Rowen."
"...?"
What was he talking about... Lea?
Doesn't like her?
It was hard to believe those words came from Arien, who always radiated bright energy.
Yet he eyed Lea with veiled hostility.
Estelle apparently felt the same; she'd sidled up to my side, shooting cold glares.
"......"
Not to be outdone, Arien met Lea's gaze with a crooked smirk.
Then, in a prickly voice as if to reveal his true nature, he spoke.
"How tacky... trying to seduce Rowen any way she can."
"...What?"
"Right? Pretending to link arms while slyly pressing your chest against him. Though it looks like you're enjoying it more than he is."
Arien pointed at my arm, practically buried in Lea's embrace, with his signature cynical smile.
Without waiting for a reply, she turned slightly to Estelle.
Lea's face smiled, but a vein throbbed faintly on her forehead.
"And Estelle, you're no different. Acting all aloof, but if you're going to be that tacky anyway, what's the point?"
"..."
"Why not just do it from the start? Hesitating like that, and you'll lose him to the girl right there."
...Crack!
Estelle tried to keep her composure upon hearing that.
But unable to ignore it entirely, her hand gripping me trembled faintly.
'What is happening...'
The atmosphere froze over in an instant.
The Hero Party members, who should get along...
Were glaring murderously, openly clashing.
What was this? Scary... I want to run...
But no helping it... If you girls don't get along, the world ends...
In the chilling silence that hung like a blade—
I swallowed my rising tears and mustered courage to speak.
"Um, Arien?"
"...What."
"You can't say things like that to friends..."
"...Ha, why take their side? They started it."
"True, but..."
"And who said they're your friends? You're my only friend."
Tap, tap, tap.
Arien stomped her foot in irritation, pouting at me.
Should I be glad he saw me as a friend, or sad it was only me?
Still, he stood defiantly, showing no intent to apologize.
"Now, everyone calm down. No one's in the right here, so stop fighting."
"......"
"If you're just going to keep bickering, let's part ways. I've never made friends who hate on others like this."
A strange chill hung in the air.
If I didn't calm this, the Hero Party wouldn't just disband—they'd become sworn enemies.
I had to act; instinct told me so.
Only after declaring we'd cut ties did the icy mood ease slightly.
"...Lea, apologize to Arien now."
"She called me tacky...!"
"Still. You said mean things first, right? I'll make Arien apologize too, so hurry."
"...Fine."
Still glaring at Arien in displeasure, Lea eventually surrendered to my nagging.
She offered an apology to Arien.
"...Sorry, Arien."
"..."
"Answer her, Arien."
"...It's fine."
"Good boy."
Both wore sullen faces, but the apologies had improved things a bit.
"...Sorry for the harsh words, Lea."
Arien apologized too, and the tension visibly subsided.
'What... they're not kids.'
Who fights like they want to kill over not liking each other?
With egos so strong they wouldn't apologize.
I felt like a kindergarten teacher mediating their reconciliation.
"I know it might be hard to understand... but personally, I'd love for you all to get along."
"..."
"Lea, Estelle, Arien—you're all incredibly precious friends to me."
"..."
"At least when I'm around... could you try not fighting?"
We had to live together, defeat the Demon King.
It'd be nice if we could get along...
"Seriously... if not for Rowen."
"...That's my line."
No one would bet on it looking at them.
I could already picture the turbulent future.
'Still... relief, I guess...'
At least for my sake, they'd promised not to fight.
No risk of bad blood—at least that much was a win.
No, would that satisfy...?
In the game, they even dated, inseparable.
Now, they looked ready to devour each other.
This wasn't the Hero Party anymore—it was the Rowen Party.
"Alright, shall we head out?"
"...Okay, Rowen."
"Do whatever..."
"..."
Swish.
Lea naturally linked arms; Estelle took my hand.
Arien watched from a distance, face stormy.
They all pouted, yet listened to me—relief? Or foreboding for the future?
I ignored the screaming intuition and moved forward.
Thus, leading Lea, Estelle, and Arien, I headed to the academy cafeteria.
"...I didn't get an apology."
Poor Estelle, naturally forgotten again today.