The D-Rank Guild Master of the No. 1 Guild

Planning the trip wasn’t difficult. At least, I didn’t need to worry much about money.

Aria, being the CEO of Korea’s leading emerging game company, had an abundance of money. And now that money rightfully belonged to me.

Moreover, since it was the off-season and a weekday, most of Korea’s attractions were easy to get tickets for.

Even getting plane tickets was easy. Of course, we wouldn’t be spending enough time to justify flying abroad.

But then I paused to think. Our trip was only going to be one night and two days.

Short as it was, it meant we had to spend one night away from home.

…I wonder if Akata has any specific thoughts about this?

Is he thinking about ‘that meaning’ for our first night alone together?

“Is there somewhere you want to go?”

I was so used to planning and leading everything that I didn’t realize Akata was also looking up ideas online.

He probably tried to plan a date course, but soon realized he didn’t know Korea as well as I did and changed his approach.

“Will you go wherever I want to go?”

“Yes. I have no preferences. I’ll like wherever Rudel wants to go.”

Though it wasn’t the mood, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Akata’s brown eyes widened.

“It’s been a while since you did that.”

“Did what?”

“It reminded me of when you were young and just held my hand without any plans of your own.”

Akata’s expression always turned adorable when talking about the past. Maybe embarrassed? He pursed his lips slightly, turning a bit reddish.

He probably didn’t like mentioning his past self because he wanted to appear as an adult man to me.

But that made me want to tease him more.

Anyway, when asked about where I wanted to go, a place came to mind. I looked into Akata’s eyes and said lightly,

“An amusement park.”

Akata blinked a few times in confusion, then habitually pecked my lips when my face came within a certain distance.

Leaving me flustered, he bent over the computer monitor and searched for ‘Korean amusement parks.’

After looking through various images, Akata nodded in understanding.

“Oh, it looks like the place that appeared as a background in the chase scenes. It looks quite cute, actually. It’s cute that you like such places, Rudel.”

“I’m not wanting to go with the excitement of a child…”

Realizing my excuse wouldn’t work, I just let Akata laugh and proceeded to book the amusement park tickets.

About two hours later, we were in South Korea.

A place hard to replicate in the game world.

And a place to deeply experience the nostalgia of reality.

A symphony of colorful hues. Above our heads, a rollercoaster carried screaming passengers.

Strangers hurried by, each contributing to the cacophony of their stories.

The atmosphere was filled to the brim with happiness, excitement, and good vibes.

Akata seemed a bit uncomfortable with the large crowd, but he overcame it by holding my hand and resting his head on my shoulder.

“Akata, are you okay?”

“Yes.”

“Are you tired? I’m sorry for bringing you here.”

“No, it’s okay. I think I understand why you wanted to come here.”

“You’re going to say I have a cute taste, aren’t you?”

“That’s not it.”

Akata muttered sullenly.

Well, he’s perceptive. It seemed Akata had finally figured out my true intentions. I smiled and patted the side of his head.

It had been a while since I’d been in a place full of people who had no interest in me. It felt awkward yet comforting.

It was a great way to refresh my mind.

Unlike me, however, Akata drew a lot of attention.

I had a common hair color and face, so I could easily disguise myself with sunglasses. But Akata was too conspicuous, so he had to wear a hat as well.

Because of the hat and sunglasses, we couldn’t ride the fast attractions and had to be content with just sightseeing.

Even though his identity was hidden, his good looks couldn’t be concealed, so if Akata was alone for even a moment, people would mistake him for a celebrity and ask to take pictures or talk to him.

Fortunately, as far as I knew, not a single photo was taken. We managed to escape unscathed.

“Phew, real celebrities must have a hard life.”

Feeling like I was on a secret date with a celebrity, I told Akata as we finally escaped to a secluded rose garden.

“Standing next to you, it’s like a commoner next to an idol.”

That joke was a bonus.

Akata looked at me as if he heard something nonsensical and said,

“You’re the most beautiful in the world.”

“…”

I didn’t know how to respond. I averted my gaze and mumbled awkwardly.

“Among game characters, there are especially many who are infatuated with me.”

“I see…”

“Don’t act like it’s someone else’s story. You’re the worst of them all.”

Akata touched my cheek and smiled warmly.

I glanced around. There were a few people passing by, but no one was looking at us, and it was quiet.

I couldn’t help but kiss him.

When our lips parted, Akata’s lips curved into a pleased smile, as usual.

We had seen most of the sights, and I was starting to think about leaving the amusement park when I took out my phone.

It was one I had activated under Aria’s name.

I dialed a number I had memorized long ago and waited for the call to connect.

It didn’t take long for a surprised “Huh!” to come from the other end. The person was delighted by my call.

[“Rudel! I’ve been waiting so long! Are you in Korea?”]

Just hearing Han Nayeon’s voice lifted my spirits and made me feel cheerful.

Akata, intrigued, leaned in to listen to my phone conversation.

“Yes. Sorry for the sudden call, but I can meet you this evening. Do you have time?”

[“Yes, yes, yes, yes! I’ve been wanting to see you!”]

“And I’ll be bringing someone with me, is that okay?”

[“Oh, sure! Who? Lilith?”]

“No.”

[“Unahar?”]

“No.”

After failing to guess twice, Han Nayeon paused to think. Then, I heard her gasp in realization.

“Rudel, is it… your lover?”

The key point here is that Han Nayeon didn’t ask if I was bringing a lover. She realized the person beside me was Akata, the only Agasa guild member she hadn’t met in person, and asked if he had become my lover.

Akata, overhearing the conversation, turned a shade of pink. I could almost see the pulse in his neck thumping.

“Yes.”

My response was a straightforward affirmation.

[“Eek!”]

Although Han Nayeon originally supported ‘Rudel x Unahar,’ she was always a fan who prioritized my happiness, so I was sure she’d warmly welcome Akata as well.

* * *

Visiting Han Nayeon’s home, we enjoyed tea and chatted about recent events until late into the night.

“Are you going to stay over at my place?”

I exchanged a glance with Akata.

He seemed to want to say something urgently but closed his mouth when our eyes met, probably because he was conscious of Han Nayeon’s expectant face.

I broke eye contact first and answered Han Nayeon.

“No, we need to head back. We’ll stay over some other time if the opportunity arises.”

At that moment, Akata’s hand, which had been holding mine under the table, gave a slight tremor.

“Aww… Okay! We can meet again! I’ll see you off!”

We left Han Nayeon’s house. There were no pedestrians on the sidewalk, only cars with headlights passing by.

Akata grabbed my arm.

“Are we really going back home?”

A strange atmosphere hung in the air.

Akata seemed to have mustered a lot of courage to hold me. I could see his lips trembling.

“What do you want to do?”

In the interview, Akata jokingly said he was spending lonely nights alone.

But in reality, we had never shared a room. Our fortress still had individual rooms.

Akata embraced me.

“I want to spend more time with you.”

More than his voice, I could feel his heart pounding loudly.

I lifted my head from his chest and looked up at him, a smile curling on my lips.

“Actually, I reserved a nearby hotel with my phone earlier. I didn’t call for a taxi.”

Akata was momentarily stunned. Then, unable to hide his swelling emotions, he hugged me tightly.

“That’s so mean. Were you testing me?”

I laughed, avoiding his gaze, but I knew there would be plenty of opportunities to get back at him tonight, starting the moment we entered the hotel room.

Akata seemed to understand this too, as he didn’t press further.

He gently pushed me onto the bed, hands on either side of me.

Then he leaned in for a deep kiss.

After checking my reaction and seeing no objection, he slowly unbuttoned his shirt. But he stopped halfway to gauge my response again.

Our eyes met, and it seemed he was trying to read if I truly wanted this. He might have been savoring the tension of the moment, finding exhilaration in the hesitation.

His eyes were those of someone desperate and longing.

“I’ve, for a very long time, always imagined this whenever I looked at you, Rudel.”

Despite the significance of his words, his voice was timid, and his touch was gentle.

Just by holding my waist lightly, his breath quickened.

A while later, it was my turn to take a shower. When I came out, Akata was peeking from behind the door.

He had one towel wrapped around his waist and another folded in his hands, covering his chest.

“Come here quickly.”

Akata, eyes downcast, approached quietly.

I reached out to him, grabbing his shoulders and pulling him closer.

As the two towels fell to the floor, my back hit the bed.

“If I’m not good, please tell me.”

He whispered against my neck.

…In the end, I couldn’t say anything.