EP.4 1-2. The Dog Next Door and the Red Cat.
One of the few common points between a good game and a terrible game is that the storage always overflows.
The inventory slots that items take up are absurd.
In the original, there were diagonal, square, and even diamond-shaped slots. In the sequel, this led to storage management becoming a headache.
If you shouted, “Increase the inventory slots, developers!” it would just result in more good items piling up.
In the end, it was a zero-sum game.
“This brings back memories.”
I neatly stacked the luggage onto the carriage. I started building a partition on the back seat.
‘If there’s no event, make one.’
This was what the first person to conquer the Northern Grand Duchess said. And right now, I’m doing just that.
Like a couple’s seat in a movie theater, a cozy space just for the two of them was nicely completed.
I felt quite proud.
“Huh? You’re done organizing?”
Ariel appeared, her twin tails fluttering in the wind.
When did she get here? Her keen senses definitely don’t resemble those of a real hero. She must have been watching me do something strange.
In times like this, there was one good method.
‘I’m doing this to set you up with Kainel, so just play along.’
I whispered quietly into Ariel’s ear.
She gasped, covered her mouth, and nodded, her cheeks already lifting in a wide grin.
Yeah, give me more of these easy choices. Makes it easier to connect the love lines.
“What are you doing right now? Get away from her!”
Ah, got caught. Speaking close to her ear was spotted by the watchdog next door. He charged over with his fuse lit.
I needed to improvise.
“It’s nothing. I was just asking Miss Ariel if you two are really dating.”
“Y-Yeah! We didn’t do anything! Really!”
Saying it like that makes it sound like we got caught doing something bad. I’m innocent, Ariel. I’m pure and clean except for the Saintess route.
“Why do you care about that?”
The hero already had his hand on his holy sword. I could hear the grinding of his teeth.
Wait, watchdog.
“Because the carriage is a bit cramped, I thought I’d have to sit Miss Ariel next to me. Is that okay with you?”
“Of course not!! Ariel, come here. Let’s sit at the back.”
“Okay! Kai!”
With that, the hero pulled the magician’s wrist forcefully and walked right into the trap I had prepared.
Got him.
“You just said you’d sit with that guy?”
“Hehe… No~! I said I’d sit next to our amazing Kai.”
Seeing that, I couldn’t help but smile.
He took the bait. The red cat sat down on the back seat, smiling happily. I’ll leave the operation to you from now on. You even put on makeup today, after all.
Keep it up; I’ll even use the suspension bridge effect for you.
“Coachman, sir, let’s work together on this.”
I handed him a few more fairy tales. The old man’s eyes widened as he looked at me.
Why are you acting like this? You know what’s up.
***
The two childhood friends sat in the back seat.
Due to the space created by the walls on either side, their distance was close enough to feel each other’s breath.
With a sigh, the blonde hero opened his mouth.
“Ariel. All men are wolves. Don’t just follow anyone.”
“Okay. But why are you being so nice to me today?”
“Of course, it’s because of that black knight. You’re beautiful, and… gulp.”
Kainel almost made a slip of the tongue and held his breath.
“Huh?! What did you say, Kai? I didn’t quite hear~?”
“… Anyway, that guy in the helmet. I don’t like him. He looks like a wandering knight, just all show.”
“But he doesn’t seem like a bad person.”
Remembering what she heard while organizing the luggage, she smiled slightly. Setting her up with Kainel would only be beneficial for her, no matter how shy she was.
This was her chance.
“He’s a lunatic! All the guys who hit on you are crazy!”
“Then what about you? Don’t you like me?”
“…”
He couldn’t answer.
Looking at her face, smiling like a mischievous cat, the hero’s face was already red with embarrassment.
‘Annoying. Why is she suddenly acting like this?’
The hero had never felt jealousy before, but seeing a bonehead who seemed like he just rolled in from nowhere next to Ariel made his chest feel uncomfortable.
The holy sword of light was fine. So he wasn’t a villain.
But that made it all the more bothersome.
He hated the pure goodwill the black knight showed towards Ariel. Growing up in the countryside with no rivals was now a weakness for him.
“But, Kai.”
“Huh? Oh! What is it, Ariel?”
Momentarily entranced by her, his reason wavered. The first thought was that this was dangerous. He hadn’t experienced being this close since they were eight years old.
“I just feel like it’s been a while since we’ve been this close.”
“R-Really? I don’t remember us being distant, though.”
“When you saved me from being bullied as a kid, you really looked like a hero.”
She was looking at him intently. Underneath the softened gaze, there was a sparkle. She even wore makeup.
“I’m still a hero.”
“… Lately, I’ve been feeling a bit neglected, Kai.”
She puffed her cheeks a little.
His mind was already full of thoughts about Ariel. Memories of childhood and her current mature self were blending together. It was these aspects he couldn’t handle, and so he had kept a certain distance for years.
This was too stimulating.
‘Let’s just endure until we get to the academy… Kainel…’
He was trying to catch his breath and calm himself.
He had to keep his distance.
“Whoa.”
But just then, the carriage shook violently.
Their shoulders bumped, and her scent filled Kainel’s senses.
The scent of lavender.
Her red hair fell onto his shoulder.
“Are you okay? The road’s a bit rough. Perhaps you should come to the front seat.”
Then, the man named Licht called out from the front. His slightly visible brown eyes were looking at him. It sounded like a provocation.
Honestly, he felt a bit annoyed.
“… Ariel. Hold on tight.”
He grabbed her hand from his side. He could feel her warmth, and sweat started to form.
“Whoa!”
The red-haired girl screamed again in surprise.
Their fingers interlocked.
Now, whatever happens, happens.
***
‘Things are going well.’
I checked the situation in the back seat. The road to the academy was rough, after all. The village where Kainel and I lived was a beginner’s haven, in gaming terms.
There was no way the road was well-maintained.
“The people in the back seat seem to be quite heated.”
“I agree.”
The coachman I had asked to act as a lookout said.
“No, we’re not!”
“It’s not like that!”
See? Even with just this, their reactions are so clear. Their eyes look like they’re dripping with honey.
Well, elves are known to love only one person forever.
Kainel, with his head hanging low and looking only at the ground, and Ariel, gazing straight at such a hero.
This is it. This is why I like *Knight Heart*. The soft, tender emotions.
Their faces, already flushed red up to their necks, looked like two well-ripened persimmons placed side by side.
“…Ariel, be careful not to fall forward.”
“Of course, I will. I trust you, Kai.”
He adjusted his posture. Now he was fully focused on her. They were even holding hands now.
You really are the hero of light I know.
Kainel shows such a gentlemanly side even with just a little push from me.
‘This is exactly why Ariel fell for him in the first place.’
A boy who saved her from being bullied in childhood, like a true hero?
And he didn’t see her as just an elf, but as a girl. If it were me, I would’ve fallen for him too.
“Hmm, I have a question.”
“What is it?”
“Don’t you think they’re practically dating already?”
“They say they’re just friends.”
Coachman, nice one. I’ll call you ‘teacher’ from now on!
“They’re just friends.”
“…”
He seemed deep in thought. A little more, just a little more.
At least it’s better than the ‘corruption route.’
‘If you made childhood friends fall in love, take responsibility.’
I decided to have a little fun.
“It seems like dusk is approaching.”
“It has gotten quite dark. Dear guests, perhaps we should camp here for tonight…”
It’s here.
“D-Dusk!?”
“Ariel! Don’t freak out! Ugh!”
I triggered Ariel’s fear of bugs. A loud commotion ensued from the back seat.
You two will have no choice but to sleep in the same tent now. Hold hands while you sleep, like you used to.
Turning my head with that thought, I saw the situation was more serious than I expected.
“Calm down. Calm down. There are no spiders here.”
“Kainel…”
Ariel’s face had turned pale, and she wasn’t even using the affectionate nickname she’d been using until now. Kainel was looking at her with a serious expression.
‘Maybe I went too far.’
I never thought she’d have such a reaction just from a wordplay that only happens in the game. I’m finding out for the first time how she reacts in real life.
Now I look like the only bad guy here.
Kainel, ignoring my gaze entirely, was only concerned with Ariel’s complexion. His serious demeanor made me feel a sudden pang of guilt and remorse.
‘There is one way.’
I decided to use a buff item to make up for my mistake.
—Here, take this.
I pulled out a candy from my pocket and discreetly handed it to him, out of Ariel’s view.
It was a personal gift of apology.
I carefully gave him a thumbs-up as a sign of encouragement. With this gesture alone, Ariel probably wouldn’t notice.
“Ariel. Try this.”
“Candy..? Where did you get it, Kai..?”
The hero who had received the candy from me offered it to the red-haired mage.
“Well…”
Seeing Kainel’s clueless expression, I made a ‘shush’ gesture with my index finger.
Hold on, this is all because of you. From now on, it’ll be hard to veer off the route.
“I bought it for you, Ariel. You like sweet things, don’t you?
I originally planned to give it to you when we entered the academy, but since the situation is like this, try it now.”
“Hehe… It’s sweet. Thanks, Kai.”
In the midst of Kainel’s rough palms and Ariel’s delicate, white fingers, a sweet love made of sugar was exchanged.
With the candy in her mouth, she rolled it around inside her cheeks, showing him a happy smile, like a squirrel, enjoying the sweet sensation on her tongue.
‘Wow, he’s really pulling this off. I didn’t see this coming. Kainel, you’re really capable when you set your mind to it, aren’t you?’
Seeing her return to a peaceful state, Kainel’s lips curled up in relief.
I expected a confused expression, but it was surprising.
Then, as if expressing his gratitude, Kainel gave me a small nod.
I felt a sense of recognition blooming inside me.
Yeah, I’m not your enemy. I’m more like an ally.
The bond between Kainel and me strengthened. This is how the pure childhood friends route should go.
Ariel, now looking at him with an even bigger smile, thanks to the candy.
I cheered internally.
“This looks like a good spot.”
The happy time didn’t last long; the carriage stopped. Eerie cawing sounds echoed around.
The cold night air of the forest.
“It’s a bit chilly.”
“Yeah, it is.”
At some point, Kainel and Ariel had ended up sticking closely together.
She had wrapped her arms around his and wasn’t letting go. They’re not even embarrassed anymore.
“There are only three tents. Since it’s come to this, I’ll stand watch. Teacher, please use my bedding, and the two of you can sleep with what you’ve brought.”
I lowered my voice, muttering as I unloaded the bedding from the carriage.
Honestly, I didn’t want to sleep with couples around, and practicing swordsmanship all night had become a habit for me, so I could manage for a day.
And I really felt sorry for putting the two of them together after all I had done.
“We’ll take one.”
Then, to my surprise, Ariel’s voice came out.
She was clutching Kainel’s arm with a seductive expression. The saying that a quiet cat is the first to jump on the stove wasn’t just a metaphor.
“W-What, Ariel?”
Kainel’s expression froze in shock at her unexpected declaration.
“Are you sure about this?”
I asked for confirmation. Even though I had stirred things up, I still felt sorry for them.
“Yes.”
“Are you really okay with this?”
Kids these days are quick. Or maybe I’m just getting old. The sadness of never having experienced love was creeping in.
“Actually, I’m a bit scared of bugs… If Kai stays by my side like before, I’ll be fine. Right, Kai? Like we used to sleep together?”
“Uh… Yeah? Right, let’s sleep together. We’re childhood friends, aren’t we?”
“…”
I looked at Kainel with a comforting gaze as he had just pressed the fast-forward button straight to marriage. Well, their affection meter was already at MAX, but they were both reacting like this.
How did they hide their feelings for each other? A mutual tsundere route? Probably not.
“Then let’s do that. Could you light a fire?”
The sound of the crackling wood and the flickering flames filled the air.
The young love between these two was about to ignite like the firewood.
Some time passed.
While I was practicing swordsmanship during my night watch,
“Licht, right? Let’s talk.”
The watchdog next door approached me.