NOVEL WEB Chapter 61
61. When I’m With Haruto
After defeating the demons, we went to the guild to report.
The receptionist was the same lady who handled my request last time.
Luca explained.
“Haruto Riva here helped us. Could you add this to his achievements?”
“Not just exploration but combat too… amazing.”
The receptionist stared at me in surprise.
“…He might be promising. He’s not bad-looking either, a bit younger, but that’s fine. Maybe I can finally hit my marriage goal… hehehe.”
She looked at me intently.
Jeanette from the capital’s guild had the same reaction—are all receptionists like this?
“Can we continue?”
Luca asked.
“Ah, ahem, sorry.”
The receptionist quickly returned to her professional demeanor.
“So, he participated in the combat, even though he wasn’t formally hired, right?”
“The official request was mine. I asked for his help. He happened to be there and assisted beyond the request.”
Luca explained.
“We defeated them smoothly thanks to him. Right, Ivy?”
“…Yes, sister. Though I hate to admit it, without his defensive magic, I would’ve been killed…”
Ivy still looked frustrated.
She glanced at me and turned away.
So stubborn.
I couldn’t help but smile.
We finished reporting and left the guild.
“Well, I’ll be off. Thank you, sister. And—”
Ivy looked at me.
“For a Rank D, you’re not bad. I’ll grudgingly acknowledge you, Haruto Riva. See you.”
Still looking frustrated, Ivy turned away.
“…I’ll get stronger and make my sister acknowledge me next time.”
She muttered to herself and ran off.
“She’s upset she couldn’t defeat the demons alone. She’s not a bad kid.”
Luca said.
“She must be grateful to you too, though she can’t express it.”
“I got the message.”
I smiled.
“…Hm?”
I noticed a red line on Luca’s upper arm.
“Luca, you’re bleeding. Are you okay?”
“From the fight earlier.”
Luca looked at her arm casually.
“It’s just a scratch from a demon’s weapon. It’s fine.”
“You should treat it properly. It’d be bad if it left a scar.”
“A girl…?”
Luca looked puzzled.
“Yeah, you’re a girl, Luca.”
“I’m just a warrior.”
“You’re still a girl. Let me bandage it.”
I took out my first aid kit.
I disinfected Luca’s wound and wrapped a bandage around it.
She didn’t seem like she’d do it herself, at all.
Maybe she’s surprisingly lazy.
“…Thanks.”
Luca thanked me.
Her face was closer than I expected, making my heart skip a beat.
“Uh, Lilith and Alice said they missed you.”
To hide my nervousness, I brought up a new topic.
“They want to meet with you and Sarome again.”
“Missed me…?”
Luca looked puzzled again.
“We haven’t seen them in a while. Alice seems especially fond of you.”
“Haruto…”
“Hm?”
“Haruto, do you feel lonely when you can’t see me?”
Luca looked at me intently.
Our distance narrowed.
Her breath, sweet and close, made my heart race even more.
Though she’s a brave girl knight, one of the strongest Rank S adventurers,
Seeing her like this, she’s still younger than me—a cute girl.
“Yeah, I feel lonely.”
I replied nervously.
“So I’m glad we could meet after a long time.”
“So… Haruto too.”
“Luca?”
“Haruto too… feels lonely…! He wanted to see me…!”
Was she smiling?
Luca’s uncharacteristic behavior continued.
“…Oh, no, sorry. That was weird.”
Luca blushed slightly and turned away.
“Forget what I said…”
She looked embarrassed and confused.
※
The cold water felt nice on my flushed skin.
Back at the inn, Luca undressed and washed off the battle’s dirt in the bath.
Water droplets traced down her small, shapely breasts,
Over her toned abdomen, and the curves of her hips and legs.
──Luca, you’re a girl.
──Yeah, I feel lonely.
──So I’m glad we could meet after a long time.
Looking at her bare body, she repeated Haruto’s words in her mind.
“Mm…”
Her upper arm stung slightly.
She saw the bandage Haruto had wrapped.
“Haruto…”
She gently touched the bandage.
Just saying his name made her chest warm.
Battles had been Luca’s whole world.
Swinging her sword made her feel alive.
Human interaction was unnecessary.
Her life as a warrior defined Luca Avasta.
Yet──.
She sighed softly.
Hugging her naked body with her arms.
“This is the first time I’ve felt like this outside of battle. Strange.”
Her lips trembled as she spoke.
As if confirming her feelings by voicing them.
“When I’m with Haruto, I feel warm. There’s a strange ache in my chest. What is this feeling…?”
Bittersweet excitement.
The world seemed brighter.
The feelings budding inside Luca were unknown to her.