The Spearmaster and the Black Cat

.
After finishing the request handling right away, I waited for him outside the guild.
Ah, there he is.

“Yo! Did you wait for me?” (Shuuya)

It’s embarrassing, but let’s invite him.

“Nn, yeah… come.” (Eva)

A little later,

“Eva, where do you intend to take me?” (Shuuya)

“Nn, over there.” (Eva)

He showed an uneasy expression, but without minding that, I guided him to the restaurant which I call home.
Once we ordered the food from Lily,

“It seems that you were previously called ojou-sama, right?” (Shuuya)

“Nn… now is different.” (Eva)

I didn’t really want to talk about the Knightray family.

“I see…” (Shuuya)

“… Nn.” (Eva)

Shuuya began to look around restlessly.
I have to thank him properly…

“―Shuuya, thanks for coming.
I wanted to, thank you for having saved me.” (Eva)

“Aye, I’m also happy about the food.
Thank you!” (Shuuya)

Looking at his smile makes me very happy.
It couldn’t be helped that I wanted to continuously be together with Shuuya from now on, too.
I offered Shuuya to form a party while getting Lily to help out as well.
At first he refused.
It was a big shock, making me feel as if my visual field was covered by a gray veil.
Nn, but, at that moment I understood my own heart.
It told me that I like, that I love the gentle Shuuya who saved me.
The wish of not wanting to be separated from him reverberated in my chest and became painful.
He tried to refuse because he got entangled with a dark guild, but even so I honestly abode to the feelings of my heart.
Once I managed to persuade him somehow, Shuuya promised me that he would party with me from now on while smiling, causing my heart to race.
I was happy and naturally hugged Shuuya.
Tomorrow we would form a party, too.
I was looking forward to it.
I also wanted to meet with the cute cat-chan once more.
But, I wanted to meet with Shuuya even more so.
I felt really blessed as if a goddess of love had descended and mysteriously enveloped the room with warm colors.
Can’t tomorrow come as quickly as possible?

 

◇◇◇◇

 

We formed a party and I got to know Rebecca and Viine.
Viine is a slave.
Because she gave me the impression of defying Shuuya at first, I warned Shuuya and told him at the same time about my precious mind-reading ability.
Even after learning about it, he wasn’t scared and showed me respect.
He transmitted to me his feelings that I’m a beauty or that I’m cute.
Fufu, I’m glad.
I love you too, Shuuya.
But, my warning was meaningless.
It looks like I made a mistake in reading her mind.
Because I love Shuuya, I might look at women, beautiful women, with detestable and cunning feelings.
Besides, she’s a dark elf…
Her normal emotions differ greatly.
She was released from slavery.
Given that Shuuya trusts Viine, I will try to do so, too.
Even when I touched Viine several times after that while pretending for it to be a coincidence, she didn’t show any hostility, but instead even respected Rebecca and me.
I also got to know that she has feelings tinged with passion, almost like some sort of faith, which went beyond respect, towards Shuuya…
It was at that time that I understood that Viine loves Shuuya.

I must not lose.
I will wait for my chance.
Time passed while I thought about such things, and nowadays it’s even appearing in my dreams, weird dreams where Shuuya whispers lewd stuff into my ears…
But, that made me happy.
And then it was decided that we would challenge a magic treasure map.
The location on the treasure map is the labyrinth’s fifth floor.
Shuuya bought combat slaves for caution’s sake.
I think he did so because he wanted to protect us.
He also bought a big house.
Nn, I’m sorry for Dee and Lily, but I want to live here with Shuuya…
As we would challenge the labyrinth, the magic treasure map, on the next day, I went back with Rebecca.
On the way back home, I made a short visit to a magic tool shop, and bought a monster book.
Nn, let’s read the book today and study the monsters spawning on the fifth floor.
It will be useful for everyone.

 

◇◇◇◇

After talking with Dee and Lily, I headed to Shuuya’s place.
There we talked very elaborately about the strategy once more.

“It might be a surprise to you, but please listen.
The spirit Helme dwells in my left eye.
And I can call Burning Knights with the ring-shaped magic tool Darkness Prison Bone KnightsDark Hell Bone Knights.” (Shuuya)

I was startled.

“Nn, spirit-sama?” (Eva)

“Eeehh!?” (Rebecca)

Rebecca also kicked up in fuss in excitement.
The slaves were really surprised.
Nn, since it’s Shuuya we’re talking about here, I thought that it’s quite possible and thus agreed with it right away.
Shuuya talked about things I didn’t really understand such as who’s going to be in the vanguard as forward in a one-top formation, the control tower as defensive midfielder, how to go roundabout, the importance of passing, or to keep the mind sharp so that the goalkeeper won’t be blown away, but somehow I got what he wanted to say.
Like this we had a detailed talk about the strategies.
We leapt to the fifth floor after accepting the requests at the guild as Innocent Arms.
We were able to proceed smoothly while defeating the various monsters spawning on that floor.
On the way we encountered another party.
They were members of a top clan.
But one of their members had been done in by a big group of Poisonous Flame Wolves.
There were in the middle of nursing that warrior who was suffering as his chest had been showered with flame poison.

“As it’s clear from the surrounding corpses, they encountered a mad spawn.
Besides, those injuries are due to poison? They look quite severe…” (Rebecca)

Nn, Rebecca is scared.
Certainly, that poison is frightening…

“Nn, the flame poison of Poisonous Flame Wolves.
(Eva)

I said while believing that we have to be careful as well.
Shuuya, who saw that suffering man, ran up and started to talk to them.
It looks like he plans to save him.
And, he really saved him.
Nn, being able to use such a water magic, Shuuya is truly amazing!
We headed to right below the two towers depicted on the map.
Even below those two towers, Shuuya saved a single warrior who was about to be done in by a guardian monster and rescued the warrior’s party.
The guardian, Death Emperor, was powerful.
Nn, even with everyone damaging it, it recovered right away.
But then Shuuya showed his true power!
He released a red chain I had never seen before!
Wow! The Death Emperor was crushed by being compressed into a sphere!
That’s what you call power!
Amazing, the red chain went shoo-shoo shoo-shoo.
I want to use it, too.
I naturally rushed up to Shuuya, who was releasing blood, together with Rebecca.

“Are you really alright?” (Rebecca)

Rebecca looks anxious.

“Yeah, I am.” (Shuuya)

Shuuya smiles as usual.
I tell him about my excited emotions.

“Shuuya, that just now was incredible! Red chains with a shoo-shoo and then shoo-shoo.
A new technique?” (Eva)

Nn, I will imitate it with the tonfa!
I want to become more skillful.

“Yeah.
With it, I was able to defeat the guardian.” (Shuuya)

“Nn, we have to collect the magic stones.” (Eva)

Shuuya smiled at me.
I naturally end up smiling back.
Shuuya is…truly gentle, strong and reliable.
After a rest.
We set down the magic treasure map.
A golden chest spawned and everyone banded together to fight the huge number of monsters that spawned alongside it.
Since Shuuya was dealing with the guardian by himself, we were swamped by the other monsters with the force of surging waves.
The high-class combat slaves bought by Shuuya were all excellent.
The golden chest was opened with Viine’s skill of a superior lock-picker, and we checked the items.
Without monopolizing those items, Shuuya again said that all his comrades will get their share as well.
I was allowed to pick what I want.
We also received hair ornaments.
And then there was the contest over the prized pearl necklace.
It was decided that Rebecca, Viine and I would play rock-scissor-paper.
I didn’t want to lose.
That’s why I cheated a bit.
We played a few times while I stretched out my hands towards the other two, touching their bodies and reading their minds.
In the end it was my victory!
Fufu, it was sly, but even the goddess of love should forgive me.
And then, far from the goddess of love forgiving me, she even gave me a chance.
Shuuya put the pearl neck around my neck.
I didn’t pass up on that opportunity.
Nn, I expressed all my highly-strung emotions.
Eyy, with my unshakable feelings I lifted my face and kissed his cheek.
Shuuya’s cheek was soft and there was also a slight sensation of his shaved beard.
I want to experience that sensation much more.
No sooner than thinking that, we separated.
Rebecca and Viine shouted, but I didn’t care.
I’m doing my best to express my feelings of love to Shuuya in my very own way.
Like this the magic treasure event came to an end.
We moved to the crystal while defeating monsters and testing our new weapons, and returned to the surface.
Since Shuuya said that he wants us to put on the shell swimsuits when we had the items appraised, I acknowledged it.
Shuuya is really lewd.
But, only Shuuya I will allow to be lewd.
Rebecca was surprised as well, but after she said that she won’t lose,

“―I will wear it as well!” (Rebecca)

she declared.
Even I’m not going to lose.
However, Viine had a triumphant attitude…
Certainly she’s a beauty, and her proportions are great, too.
…I don’t want to lose, but I’m losing confidence here.

 

◇◇◇◇

Once I consulted with Dee and Lily about Shuuya’s offer that I can visit his mansion everyday, Lily began to cry.
“At last you’re going to leave me behind and run to a man.
I’m shocked.”
She put me on the spot by repeatedly saying such things.
But, I managed to avoid further troubles since Lily calmed down once Dee chided her.
And once I headed over to Shuuya’s home…he was out.
Viine was with Shuuya.
It seems they went out together.
This time it was me who suffered a shock and almost cried.
A tinge of anxiety crossed my heart.
Delusive thoughts are despicable, but black emotions surged up within me.
I’m well aware that I usually don’t show my feelings on my face, but unsightly emotions, which made my body shiver like during the winter’s cold, ended up appearing openly.
Rebecca arrived at Shuuya’s place a bit later too.
She talked to the combat slaves in the mansion with her usual, confident attitude.
She got angry with her face looking as if she’s about to cry, and from her worried blue eyes I clearly knew that she’s nervous deep in her heart.
Nn, but I wonder, what’s with that blue flame occasionally appearing in her eyes.
It’s possible that the fire of jealousy is burning in her as well.
Just like in me…
She seems mortified about Shuuya having gone out together with just Viine.
Nn, comrade.
Once I looked at her face, my liveliness returned a bit.
Since Rebecca was talking to the slaves as if blaming them, I join in as well.

“Not being able to meet with Shuuya is lonely, disappointing.” (Eva)

I made sure that they would tell him that.

“Eva, let’s go out together for today! There’s that store we talked about the other day and such.” (Rebecca)

“Nn, agreed.” (Eva)

Once I left Shuuya’s home together with her, I observed an unfamiliar woman enter.
A pretty woman with loosely hanging hair and a bandana coiled around her head.
I felt slightly curious, but still went around various stores together with Rebecca.
We entered an old-fashioned magic store showcasing magic scrolls.
I bought a dubious book that had detailed records of monsters spawning in the labyrinth and the Great Savannah.
I was guided to a delicious bakery, and to a store that makes egg confections.
We strolled around while eating cotton candy with dried grapes added inside which were sold at a stall.
Far from a temporary distraction from the loneliness, I was able to spend a really enjoyable time.

“Eva, how about doing something like this from time to time? I have a lot of fun.” (Rebecca)

“Nn, I have fun as well.” (Eva)

“I’m glad.
In the past I had friends, but once those bad rumors about me started to crop up, they distanced themselves…Eva, joining a party with you, going shopping together like this a few times; I know it’s a bit late, but is it fine for me to see you as my friend?” (Rebecca)

Rebecca…
The first friend besides Lily, I’m happy.

“…Nn, gladly.
I didn’t have any friends since coming to this city, so please take care of me.” (Eva)

“Yaaay, love ya, Eva.
I also like the gentle smile on your face.” (Rebecca)

“…Thanks.
Rebecca, you’re cute as well, and your blue eyes are pretty.” (Eva)

“Ahaha, thanks.” (Rebecca)

Today I couldn’t meet with Shuuya, but I managed to properly become friends with Rebecca.

“Eva, it’s a little topic change, but Shuuya and Viine are together, right?” (Rebecca)

“…Yeah.” (Eva)

Nn, as expected, she thought about the same things.
Even without touching her, I understand her feelings.

“Somehow, Viine’s recent, elated expression bothers me…” (Rebecca)

“Nn, certainly…” (Eva)

I have a bad premonition.
She said she’s his servant, though.
If I ask Shuuya while touching him, I will understand the outer layer of his mind, but in Shuuya’s case it’s difficult to judge since he’s basically a cluster of good will towards those he likes.

“…I, even if I lose, I will certainly recover…ah, Eva, we’re friends, but I will grab Shuuya’s heart first!” (Rebecca)

I widened my eyes due to the clear proclamation of war.
Rebecca is also serious about Shuuya…

“…Nn, of course.
But I will win again.” (Eva)

“Ah, the rock-scissor-paper from the other day, eh? But, there’s no rock-scissor-paper in love, fufun.” (Rebecca)

“Fufu, since Shuuya and I share a secret, I will win without fail.” (Eva)

“Eeehh…s-secret, you say? What is it!?” (Rebecca)

Rebecca acts suspiciously while being flustered.
Cute.

“Nn, I won’t tell.
Even if we’re friends, love is a different matter――” (Eva)

I advance in a cheerful mood while making my wheelchair rotate.

“Aah~, don’t run away~!” (Rebecca)