The Same Choice
"Hm."
I'm currently riding in a carriage heading to the Back Alley.
"...Hehe."
Lulu, quietly nuzzling her cheek against my chest with a dopey grin.
"".........""
And the animal-like critters staring at her coldly.
"Haa."
I'd originally planned to bring only Lulu, but before I knew it, the carriage was packed with animals.
The black cat doll that Kania had brought to life a few days ago with upper-class black magic, able to move around constantly now. An owl with its eyes wide open. A pigeon wearing a dumb expression. And a canary, all shriveled up and glancing around nervously.
The black cat had slipped into my coat pocket at some point, and these birdbrains had flown in through the carriage window.
Thanks to them, the inside of the carriage had turned into a literal zoo.
For the record, I left the dog at home. It tried to follow me, but isn't a dog supposed to guard the house?
Well, part of it was that I hate having fur flying around in tight spaces, but still.
"Was I a bit too harsh, though?"
For some reason, the dog keeps coming to mind.
The way it clung to my pant leg, and when I told it to guard the house, it drooped its ears and made that pathetic, pitiful face...
"...Meow."
I'm thinking I should take it with me next time, when suddenly the black cat doll perched on my head starts kneading my scalp with its paws.
- Flap flap!
"Meow!"
And just like that, the owl launches its sudden retribution. The cat desperately fights back.
The canary watches in terror, while the pigeon, lounging casually by the window, stares at the brawl with a vacant look.
"...Peaceful."
I gently stroke Lulu, who's already dozed off after rubbing her cheek on my chest, and mutter to myself.
"Happy."
What I want—whether in the past or now—is these small, mundane days.
Well, this situation isn't exactly ordinary, but at least I'm not risking my life in battle or racking my brain over impossible dilemmas.
"Haa..."
I want to keep having days like this. Desperately so.
"Meow... Meooow..."
"Hoot!"
The black cat, putting up a fierce resistance, finally gets caught by the owl's talons, dangling in midair as its head gets pecked relentlessly.
For some reason, the owl's attacks today feel laced with deep grudge. Why is that?
"Heh..."
Chuckling at the amusing sight, I soon turn to gaze quietly out the window.
"Guess I gotta keep pushing."
Even if this life I want ends when vacation does, I can't just despair.
After giving the world its happy ending, I need to seize these peaceful, boring days, right?
- Clatter, clatter!
Lost in those thoughts, the carriage suddenly jolts.
"We've arrived—!"
The coachman's voice rings out.
Looks like we've reached our destination.
""......""
As I stretch and prepare to get out, I glance at the now-silent critters.
"No fighting. Stay put."
I sternly warn them, prop up the sleeping Lulu against the wall, and slowly step out of the carriage.
"Wait here. I'll pay whatever it costs."
"...Yes, sir."
After ordering the coachman, I pull out my cane and head slowly into the guild.
"Huh?"
Reaching the counter, the female clerk smoking a cigarette widens her eyes and asks.
"You're here quick?"
"...Where's Rosewin?"
"Waiting for you inside, Frey."
She flashes a grin and asks,
"Shall I show you?"
"...No need."
I wave her off and head for the basement, but she whispers quietly.
"Good luck, Frey."
Her expression somehow looks sad.
"...Yeah."
She's watched me court Rosewin since I was young, so it's no wonder.
- Creeeak...
Thinking that as I enter the Information Guild, I mutter inwardly.
'Maybe this time it'll be different?'
.
.
.
.
- Knock knock knock
"Yeees~? Who is it~?"
Rosewin calls out from behind the firmly shut door.
"It's me, Rosewin."
Frey's reply comes, and
"Ah."
Rosewin, who had been scowling, switches to
"Come in~"
a polite but businesslike tone.
"How have you been all this ti..."
Frey's face hardens as he opens the door upon hearing her.
"Ah..."
Because her room was plastered floor-to-ceiling with photos of a girl with ruby-colored eyes.
"Rosewin, who's that?"
After staring blankly at the photos for a while, Frey cautiously asks.
"What brings you here~?"
But Rosewin just smiles brightly and gets to the point.
"No, I just... wanted to see your face..."
"I'm kinda busy right now. If it's nothing important..."
"Oh, wait—I do have a request."
Seeing her indifferent reaction, Frey sits with a pitiful look and says,
"I'd like to place a request now... Possible?"
He asks, eyeing her carefully.
"Yeees~ Of course."
Only then does Rosewin turn from the flowers she's been tending to Frey, who now looks darkened, and asks,
"So, what request are you placing?"
Gone was the fawning, sycophantic, gentle demeanor she usually had around Frey.
Just cold, professional eyes and tone.
"Uh, um... First, info on the Church's youngest paladin."
"Why?"
"...You never asked for reasons before?"
As Frey frowns and retorts, Rosewin smiles faintly and replies,
"Just~ curious. Why suddenly need info like that?"
"Nothing big, just something to know..."
"Got it! Request accepted!"
Cutting him off, Rosewin starts to rise, but Frey quickly speaks up.
"Oh, and... all info on the Church too."
"Understood."
"W-Wait, you can just accept that easily? Church stuff is your..."
"Trust me! It's not like this is your first time."
With that, Rosewin stands.
"Both requests need extra investigation, so it'll take time. I'll send a letter when it's done."
"Uh, wouldn't it be better if you came in person? For security..."
"I'll put security magic on it. Don't worry."
She answers his questions curtly and heads for the door.
"Wait, Rosewin!"
"...Ugh."
Frey grabs her arm desperately, and her face twitches slightly.
"I, um... have something to say..."
"What?"
"Well... you see..."
Gazing at her anxiously, Frey
"Wanna... go on a date?"
pulls out a golden rose from his pocket and asks shyly.
"........"
Silence flows.
"Just once. Please, just once?"
Frey begins pleading with earnest eyes.
"I'll match your schedule. Whatever date and time you want."
"Uh, um..."
"I'll use every means at my disposal to make you happy. So, just once. Please?"
"....."
But Rosewin remains indifferent.
"...I've always wondered."
After staring at Frey coldly for a while, she slowly speaks.
"Why have you been giving me flowers and asking me out since way back?"
"That's..."
Frey trails off at her question, then
"I'll be honest."
clenches his fists, steels himself, and answers.
"...I like you."
Blushing, he continues softly.
"I fell for you at first sight when we were kids."
"....."
"Ever since that first day I met you, I've been trying to win your heart."
"....."
"Sure, the world calls me a scumbag... I'm pathetic, but I wanted to look good to you, at least."
At that, Rosewin's eyes widen.
"But now... honestly, I'm at my limit."
Seeing her reaction, Frey grows even more desperate.
"In a few months... I might not be able to treat you well anymore. No more gifts, not even proper flowers... I won't even be able to face you proudly..."
He swallows hard and says,
"...This feels like my last chance."
Looking at her with trembling eyes, he asks,
"Would you go on just one date with me? Please?"
"Hm..."
"If you don't want to, I'll stop. No more pathetic clinging. Just accept my 'sincerity' once. Please?"
"......"
As Rosewin ponders his words, Frey
"If I can convey my feelings fully, I'll do anything."
steps closer and says.
"Whatever you want, I'll make it happen. Just say it. I'll empty the family vaults, pour out all my remaining power."
With that, he extends the trembling flower toward her.
"...Please."
He whispers, eyes squeezed shut.
".........."
Rosewin stares alternately at him and the golden flower, deep in silence.
"Well..."
She slowly reaches for the flower.
"The one thing I wanted most in life, I already got recently."
Grabbing the golden flower, she says,
"But since you're asking so desperately."
She plucks it from his hand, smiles, and replies,
"I'll think about it."
""...........""
And long silence follows.
"Uh..."
Frey's hopeful face, upon her taking the flower, slowly twists.
"D-Did... anything pop up in front of you or something?"
His eyes go vacant as he asks.
"Huh? What?"
Rosewin blinks in confusion.
"......."
Frey bows his head quietly at her words.
"Hmm, but the color's a bit of a minus. I prefer red over gold."
Examining the golden rose he'd gone to great lengths for, she says regrettably.
"Last time... you said you liked gold over red..."
Still head down, recalling her words from his birthday ball, Frey mutters.
"...Never mind. It's fine."
He lifts his head with a hollow smile and turns away.
"Rosewin, thanks for everything."
"Huh?"
As Frey says that, Rosewin tilts her head.
"I've caused you trouble all this time. Sorry."
"Uh... um..."
"I won't bother you anymore."
Frey gives a sad smile, and Rosewin starts looking slightly flustered.
"Well, goodbye."
Forcing his reluctant feet forward, leaving her behind,
"Meeting you was always... fun."
He grabs the doorknob, turns his head slightly with a trembling smile,
"...Take care."
and leaves the room, closing the door.
"........."
Silence fills the room for a moment.
"Miss!"
Breaking the long silence,
"What happened!?"
a pale-faced female clerk bursts in.
"Frey canceled his guild membership!"
"...What?"
"How? He was such a loyal customer, why on earth...?"
Rosewin sits blankly as the frantic clerk questions her.
"Wait."
She stands and says,
"...I'll check."
.
.
.
.
"What the hell, suddenly? It's not like he's a runaway pup."
Rosewin grumbles as she exits the guild entrance and looks around.
"Frey~? You here~?"
She cups her hands around her mouth and
"Shall we chat a bit~?"
calls out loudly in all directions.
"Where are you even going after leaving our guild... Hm."
But her shouts don't last long.
"...Annoying."
Clutching her sore throat from dealing with too many customers, she scans anxiously, then scowls and mutters.
"Well, he'll be back soon enough."
Confidence now laced her voice.
"That guy's got no one but me, anyway?"
She knew from experience: he'd laugh off her tantrums, somehow fulfill her unreasonable requests, chuckle and pay even if she hiked the deposit, and cling smiling even after rejections.
To Rosewin, it was a given he'd return someday to stroke her ego.
"Tch, making me yell for nothing."
Still rubbing her sore throat, she ignores the inexplicable ache in her chest and turns back to the guild.
- Flap flap!
But then, wingbeats sound from somewhere.
"Wh-What? What..."
And the next instant.
"HOOOOT!!!"
"Kyaa!"
Intense pain hits her forehead, and Rosewin crumples to the ground.
"Augh..."
Clutching her throbbing forehead, groaning,
"...Huh?"
Her gaze fixates blankly somewhere.
"Hoot."
Next to the owl, now perched silently on the carriage window in the distance, glaring at her.
"H-Hey, Lulu? What's wrong..."
Frey, looking flustered,
"...Lick."
and Lulu, eyes closed blissfully in his arms, licking his face, enter her view.
"Lu.....Lulu?"
Having been offered a spot in the hero party recently, Rosewin knew her info well, of course.
"Wh-What? You're clearly..."
She tries to stand, face baffled, but
"Enough, Lulu."
Frey sighs, strokes her with a glum look,
"...Yes, Master."
Lulu glances at her on the ground with her Demon Eyes, then hugs his arm and rubs her cheek on his hand.
Watching that,
".....!?"
Rosewin's face goes slack.
- Neigh!!
"........"
Soon after, the carriage departs.
And from then, some change befalls Rosewin.
".......Ah?"
Though it was far too late.