Chapter 2. The Neighbor’s Yellow Dog and the Red Cat
***
Childhood Friends.
If a long-time friend starts to seem like the opposite sex to you, what should you do?
This dilemma was something the blonde Hero was contemplating in front of his childhood friend’s door.
Ever since Kainel, the Hero, was chosen by the Holy Sword of Light, he had faced numerous hardships. Because of that, he decided to keep his distance from the person he liked.
‘Why is my heart pounding so fast?’
He was afraid that a confession might ruin their friendship, and even if that wasn’t the case, he didn’t want to leave her alone if he were to die as a Hero.
“Ariel, I’m coming in, okay?”
“Wait a minute, Kai!”
“What is it now? If you don’t hurry up, we’ll be late for the Academy.”
He opened the door. There she was, sitting in the center, basking in the morning sunlight, beautifully dressed.
She had just shed her youthful appearance and was now radiating the aura of a young lady who had just entered adulthood—a graceful elf.
Ariel, the Mage.
“Hehe… How do I look? Pretty, right?”
Her red hair was engraved in his mind, and he felt as if he could get lost in her eyes. Her face, whiter than usual, was glowing with a hint of color.
His heart raced.
However, he felt like he was the only one harboring such emotions. Fearing she would grow distant, he piled up lies once again today.
“…It’s just okay.”
He couldn’t be honest. He barely managed to hide his grin and took a deep breath.
“What?! Is that what you’re going to say? Do you know how much effort I put into this?!”
As soon as Kainel left the house, he and Ariel started bickering.
***
Lavrance Village. A quiet place known for its lavender perfumes and bath salts.
A tranquil spot with few people.
It was where the Hero and the Mage grew up.
The Hero of Light, Kainel, and the Mage of Blaze, Ariel.
As childhood friends,
They were known among the players as the “Yellow Dog and Red Cat couple.”
“In the end, we’re late. Am I right, or am I right?”
The neighbour’s yellow dog eats anything without hesitation. In *Black Heart* The harem route was also possible. I didn’t watch it because I didn’t understand that stuff.
“Can’t you just tell me I’m pretty once?!”
The red cat is not good at being honest about her feelings. Every time she uses magic, she thinks of the Hero, but only in the later part of *Knight Heart* Does she express her affection directly?
To sum it up, this is what happens when a clueless guy and a tsundere get together.
“See! It’s your fault! Kai!”
“Ariel, you woke up late too.”
‘I’ve barely arrived, and they’re already fighting.’
I came here to try to matchmake them after thinking it over at home, but what is this?
“Girls need more time to get ready! I woke up early!”
“Who are you trying to impress?”
They were arguing in front of the stable. Where did those lovebirds go?
“Hey, you two lovebirds? Could you stop your lover’s quarrel?”
To grasp the situation, I threw in a dialogue option that could gauge their favorability level, like in Episode 1.
Depending on how they reacted, I would be able to tell how things were going.
“What? Don’t be ridiculous! There’s no way I would be with this yellow mutt!”
“What, a mutt? You red-headed shrimp!”
I shook my head. They were beyond hope.
In the previous work, they were always together, but something seemed to be missing here.
“I’m really disappointed! You don’t even know how I feel!”
“Why are you sulking again?”
‘What could be the problem?’
Watching them shout at each other, I fiddled with the notebook in my pocket.
In Episode 1, they realize their feelings after the confession event. In Episode 2, they get married, and during the final battle against the Demon King, they flee together in a mysterious ending.
If there was a missing link between these events…
‘Could it be because of the Demon King?’
Well, only the unusual ones survive here. The Demon King of Truth, or Omniscient Demon King?
It’s seriously cringeworthy. Ugh, crap. I felt like I was losing my hands and feet. They should just overhaul the person who made up these names. Everything else was fine.
“Why did you put on perfume again? Do you think someone at the Academy will like you?”
“You idiot! Moron! Sea anemone!”
He’s seriously clueless.
You can’t see that Ariel’s makeup is different today? Her neck and face are practically two different colors. Even someone like me, who only played games, could tell.
…No, come to think of it, it’s probably on purpose.
My head throbbed. It’s clear that the Mage doesn’t dislike him. The same goes for the other side.
‘A tsundere elf straight out of the 80s and a typical clueless male protagonist. How did they get married in Episode 2?’
Oh, the Crown Prince isn’t here yet.
He was a new character suddenly added in *Black Heart*. A hedonistic libertine who indulged in a life of debauchery. That bastard who was only remarkable for his looks and wealth.
During the Demon King subjugation, he suddenly appeared and confessed to all the heroines unconditionally.
A Mary Sue character who garnered all kinds of scorn.
‘Should I try using that method?’
It’s still spring, so winter like in Episode 1 is a long way off. I can’t witness the confession event where they reveal their feelings to each other.
Then, let’s go with the love rival route. It’s the surest way to get them to marriage, at least.
After all, it’s because he’s afraid of growing apart from his childhood friend that he can’t be honest with his feelings.
“All the carriages have already left! How are we going to get to the Academy now, you idiot Kai!”
“We’ll figure something out.”
What an indecisive guy. Time for you to have a taste of a confession attack.
With a crescent-eyed smile, I recalled the cringeworthy smile of the Crown Prince. No matter how much I think about it, I can’t get used to those lines.
How did they even dub something like that? It really gave me the creeps.
“Would you like to go to the Academy with me, my beautiful lady?”
I couldn’t help but reveal my teeth in a grin. It’s a good thing my face is hidden by the helmet at times like this.
Thanks, special perk.
“Huh, wh-what?”
“What did you say?”
At that moment, Kainel’s expression stiffened. Ariel, though a bit surprised, was observing his reaction, and judging by her lifted lips, she seemed pleased.
The reaction is immediate. It’s working well.
“Your hair like rubies and your pure appearance have captured my heart, my lady!”
“I’m… just a commoner…? And who are you, anyway..?”
“Who are you? And why are you acting all familiar with our Ariel?”
I exaggeratedly spread my arms wide. I don’t want to do this either, but seeing Kainel’s reaction, it’s working well. He should develop a sense of rivalry seeing this.
To seal the deal, I cleared my throat and induced the line that would confirm the route. Your ordeal starts now. They say marriage is the grave of life. Congratulations.
“Ahem. I didn’t realize you were already in a relationship. I apologize. You said earlier that you weren’t…”
“Huh? Me and Kai? Th-that’s impossible!”
“You two make such a lovely couple.”
“…”
With just those words, Ariel’s face turned so red that it was hard to distinguish her hair from her face. Kainel clamped his mouth shut. A bit disappointing.
He should’ve said, ‘If you know, then get lost!’ Is it still not enough?
I thought this would end quickly, but this is quite sad.
“My name is Licht. I’m an incoming student at the Academy, just like you. Since I have a carriage with me, why don’t we travel together?”
I placed my hand over my chest and bowed courteously. Since Kainel dislikes pretentious people, this should be quite effective.
You wouldn’t like it if the person you care about got taken by the type of man you hate the most, right?
It’s mentioned three times in the character manual.
“Oh? Is that really okay?”
“I don’t like it.”
“Kai, teleporting is expensive.”
“What’s wrong is wrong. How could I possibly travel with that butter guy?”
“But…”
Then, the two went off to talk a bit further away, leaving me behind.
I felt Kainel’s gaze prickling the back of my head. He’s probably cursing me. It feels a bit off to have this done to me by a character I liked in the game.
‘Should I stop?’
A few minutes later, he approached me. His footsteps were heavy and determined.
“Hey, don’t try any funny business with Ariel. If you do, I’ll make you get off the carriage right away.”
“Understood.”
The Hero growled and glared at me. Do you really like Ariel? Then why aren’t you dating her? I couldn’t help but sigh, thinking about how to untangle this frustrating situation.
After he said that, the Hero and the Mage started loading their luggage onto my carriage.
“Ariel, this is heavy, so I’ll carry it.”
“Huh? Oh? Thank you!”
Watching their friendly interaction, I racked my brain. I looked at the belongings filling up the carriage. But I felt like someone was watching me.
What’s this? I’m only interested in our saintess.
The Hero, seemingly uneasy, started placing the luggage haphazardly. Ugh, he shouldn’t do that. I approached them and spoke.
“Excuse me, may I?”
I tried to appear as friendly as possible. This should ease their wariness, right?
“Ah… You’re Mr. Licht, right? Thank you for offering to take us along! I’m sorry I didn’t thank you earlier!”
“I’m grateful, but don’t get too close to Ariel. Once we reach the Academy, we’ll go our separate ways, alright?”
“Why are you being like this, Kai… He’s offering to help us…”
Ariel, who greeted me with a bright smile, and Kainel, who was on high alert. This is a good sign.
Let’s see you get completely tied down.
“Would it be alright if I handled this? I have some experience with this kind of thing.”
“Huh? But it would be difficult for you alone…”
“…I’ll be watching from behind in case something falls out.”
Time to use the inventory management skill I used to love.
Have you guys ever heard of inventory Tetris?