Misunderstandings and 75% Truth
Mari glanced up at me nervously at Den's sudden summons. Her eyes silently asked for permission to go. I nodded lightly, and she followed him toward the shade of the village's largest oak tree. I didn't trail right behind but kept my distance, watching the two of them.
The conversation sounds didn't carry from afar, but the vibe made the situation obvious. Den's face was desperate, on the verge of tears, as he pleaded with clasped hands. It screamed confession scene. He must've been freaking out hearing Mari was leaving the village tomorrow. But Mari's attitude was ice-cold—not her usual bright smile she gave me, but arms crossed, head shaking firmly. No room for hope, her final courtesy.
In the end, thoroughly rejected, Den hung his head and turned away. Spotting me watching from afar, he shot me a glare mixed with resentment and rage.
'Did I reject you? Why glare at me?'
Under my indifferent gaze, he bit his lip hard and trudged off toward the village edge.
- That guy totally confessed and got shot down clean. He must've been desperate seeing Mari likes you. Heh heh, Hero scores another win!
The Holy Sword chattered merrily over someone else's heartbreak. Well, "one more win" did feel good.
A moment later, Mari returned after sending Den off. Her face was calmer and more subdued than usual.
"Talk go okay?"
"Yeah."
She answered curtly and stood right next to me. Then, very naturally, she took my hand—not her usual light arm-link or playful tug on my clothes. She laced her fingers with mine, gripping much tighter than before.
"Oppa, let's go."
That short phrase carried a quiet resolve.
- Oh, Mari's geared up like she's about to confess herself?
'Blame Den, I guess.'
We settled at the restaurant for an early dinner. Normally, she'd chatter nonstop about the dagger from the blacksmith today or joining up tomorrow. But she was unusually quiet, just staring at me intently or lips moving like she had something to say.
After eating, as the sunset began on the path—
"Oppa."
Mari's voice trembled faintly as she stopped me.
"I rejected Den's confession earlier. Know why?"
"..."
"I like you, Oppa. Have for a long time."
I'd expected it, but the straight-ball confession still made me swallow a quiet sigh inside. I couldn't just accept her feelings right then. Not just because I'd been tangled up with her mom until last night, but my whole situation was too messy to suddenly embrace this young girl's pure affection. Even if I needed to fill the Holy Sword's energy. Toying with a mother and daughter's hearts at once was wrong.
"Mari. You're heading out on a long quest tomorrow."
"....."
"This is a crucial time for you as an adventurer. Out there risking your life, getting swayed by emotions could be dangerous. Let's talk later—when you return safe."
Her eyes quivered at my words. But I added an excuse.
"And I'm a mercenary. Not ready to settle down in one place... or with one person. Giving my heart to someone like me would just leave you lonely in the end."
"....."
Her lips pressed tight at my words. I figured that'd convince her to back off a step. But she stared sharply.
"Is it... because of Mom?"
"What?"
"I know everything. You and Mom have been all sticky these past few days. You think I was too dumb to notice?"
My heart dropped. From the near-miss tangle at yesterday's training ground to the secret play under the table—had she caught it all? My mind reeled in panic, but I kept a poker face and shook my head firmly.
"No. Absolutely not."
"Really?"
"Really. What would I even do with an auntie like her...? You saw wrong."
After my firm denial, she seemed to mull it over, then spun a wild story in a totally wrong direction.
"Then you have another girl?"
"Huh?"
"Makes sense now! A strong, handsome guy like you can't be single. Who is she? Some noble lady? Or that super pretty female mage from your old party? Or maybe... an elf?"
- She's got rose-tinted glasses on. Strong, sure, but handsome? Debatable.
The misunderstanding snowballed. Elf? Next it'd be a dragon.
'Sigh, no choice.'
In the end, I decided to go with the truth—or 75% truth mixed with lies.
"Sigh... Mari. Truth is, I'm the hero who defeated the Demon King."
"What? You don't need to lie like that..."
As she started to tear up, I quickly channeled holy power through Ria into my hand and made the scars on her hand from arrow practice vanish.
"Demon King's dead, but I'm still on the mission the Goddess gave me. With this heavy fate, I can't just accept your confession and keep you by my side."
- Yep, yep. Having another girl stuck to your side makes the secret mission real hard.
Ria's agreement in my head stung a bit. Anyway, now Mari would give up.
"Then take me too!"
"What?"
"I'll help with your mission right by your side! I'm a proper adventurer now! Fighting together would definitely help!"
Tsking at her stubbornness, I drew the line colder and firmer than ever.
"No. You can't get involved in this fight."
- Right? It's a solo mission requiring deep resonance with women!
Her face crumbled at my rejection. Tears welled up.
"Because... I'm just D-rank... A burden, useless to you?"
"Mari, that's not—"
"Sorry... Pretend you didn't hear that."
She turned to flee, hurt. I grabbed her wrist quick and yanked her into my arms.
"Wha—hey...!"
I kissed her tear-streaked cheek softly and tenderly.
"It's not because you're weak. Don't make dumb misunderstandings like that."
Her tears stopped at my gentle comfort and the warmth on her cheek. As I thought relief—
She threw her arms around my neck, yanked me down, and smashed her lips against mine. Soft pressure, sweet breath rushing in.
"Pha..."
After the short, intense friction, she pulled back gasping, glaring at me. Her face flushed crimson to her neck, but her eyes burned fiercely, like she'd devour me right there.
"You think I'm a kid? Trying to brush me off with a cheek peck?"
Bold as hell.
'Pushing her away won't work.'
Instead of rejecting, I planted a clear goal.
"Fine."
"Get strong enough to hit B-rank... no, A-rank adventurer. Return then, and I'll let you stand by my side."
"...For real?"
Her eyes widened at my conditional okay.
"Promise! I'll train my ass off and come back super strong, so you better not eye other girls and wait for me!"
- That's gonna be tough, Mari.
'Sorry, Mari.'
**
"Got everything? Potions? Water skin full?"
At the inn entrance, Mari wore leather armor, big bow and quiver on her back, my bought dagger at her waist—ready to go.
"I got it all, Mom. Geez."
Her mom hugged her shoulders tight in a brief, loving embrace, worry plain for her daughter.
"Be careful. No getting hurt, okay?"
"I know, I know. Worry about yourself and eat properly."
After bidding auntie farewell, I walked Mari to the village edge. There, her party waited ahead.
She stopped, looking up at me wistfully.
"Oppa, I'm off."
Her eyes brimmed with reluctance despite the calm act.
"Yeah. No injuries. Do your part out there."
"Yeah. I'll grow steady like you said and come back."
"When your name reaches my ears... I'll come find you first."
"Yeah! I'll wait!"
She turned back waving big several times as she went. I waved lightly back.
'Hope she never needs the Secret Technique...'
I prayed to the Goddess in my heart for the first time in ages.
Soon, her figure vanished in the dust.
The inn hall echoed only with the soft wipe of a rag on tables now that Mari was gone. Glancing at the counter, auntie sorted closing with a blank look, shaking off the emptiness and anxiety of her daughter's departure.
"Sian, you're back? Mari... went okay?"
"Yeah. Watched her go with the party."
Even hearing that, her face stayed dazed. To lighten the mood, I tossed a light joke.
"Sis. If you make that face every time she leaves on a quest, you must've sobbed in the inn corner when she first set out as an adventurer."
"I didn't... Just never get used to it."
'Gotta loosen her up.'
I snuck up from behind and hugged her waist tight.
"Eek?!"
"How long you gonna keep getting surprised?"
Her shoulders jumped, but I ignored it, burying my nose in her nape and inhaling deeply.
"Ngh, S-Sian... Wait a sec..."
"Hoo—haa..."
"It's... daytime. What if someone comes in...?"
"Mari just left, inn's empty now."
I gently massaged her stiff shoulders and neck.
"Haa..."
She sighed softly, her rigid back going slack. The hands pushing me away dropped obediently as she leaned into me.
We stood silently embracing, gazing at the hall. Then, in a wistful voice, she spoke.
"Being held like this... feels so warm."
"....."
"Sian."
Head against my chest, she asked carefully.
"You'll... take off someday too, right?"