It had been three months since Shinji had joined Running
Wolf.
He had decided to take the day off and not work as an adventurer.
Shinji left the inn in the morning and walked around the city alone.
He had a goal in mind, but he hadn't decided what he wanted to buy,
so he walked to the shopping district.
He looked around a few stores, but couldn't find anything he liked.
As he walked along, wondering what to do, he was approached from behind.
"You're
up early today, Shinji. I thought you were sleep in in the morning."
"Hi,
Renka. I'm looking for something today."
Shinji said good morning, and Renka smiled back. Three months was enough time for them to get to know each other, and they had built up enough trust that if they saw each other on the street, they would call out to each other.
"It's unusual. You're the type of person who decides what to buy before you make a move."
"That's usually the case. But today I was going to buy a birthday present for Alvin. It's in one month and four days from now, right?"
Shinji remembered the birthday he had been told about during his previous task. Of course, he remembered not only Alvin's birthday, but also the birthdays of Milis and Renka. This repeated attention to detail made a good impression on Shinji. Renka also impressed by Shinji's willingness to celebrate the birthdays of his friends.
"I guess so. Every year on his birthday, we get together and have dinner. Maybe we should ask Shinji to join us this year."
"If so,
I'd love to. I want you to ask them about it."
"Hmm, of
course they'd like that. All right."
Renka giggled at Shinji's polite request for permission.
"Are
both of them on a date?"
"Yes, they are. They went out in the morning. I was free too, so I thought I'd go shopping.
"Oh, really? If you're free, I was wondering if you could accompany me in choosing a present for Alvin. It would be great if you could give me some advice. Of course, I'll return the favor."
"Right.
Then lunch will be Shinji's treat."
"Sure,
sure."
It's not the first time the two of them have gone out together. In the past, there have been many times when Renka and Shinji would split up to go shopping for a party or to gather information for a quest, if necessary.
Renka had begun to trust Shinji to work efficiently for the party and didn't flirt with her even when they were alone, and she no longer felt uncomfortable when they were together.
This was not the first time that the two of them had gone out together. In the past, she had often worked with Renka when they had split up to buy things for the party or to gather information for a quest.
Renka had begun to trust Shinji to work efficiently for the party and not to flirt with her even when they were alone, and she no longer felt repelled by the idea of working together.
"So,
let's start from there. Have you decided what you want to buy?"
"I'm thinking of consumables or something that can be used on a daily basis. Maybe some desserts if we're having a dinner party."
"I
usually bake cakes, but Mil.."
As they talked, Renka led the way and started walking. Shinji started walking behind her, matching her pace. He was one step behind Renka, keeping the distance between them as friends.
***
They went to several shops, but could not find anything good, so
they could not decide. In the end, it was almost noon.
"Renka,
why don't we have lunch?"
"Okay. Well, let's go to the square there. There's a stall selling delicious lunches. It's a nice day, let's eat outside."
"All
right."
When they arrived at the plaza, they found a good number of people strolling around and chatting. There were a few couples who seemed to be lovers, and there were only a few places left where they could sit and eat. In addition, there was a queue at a stall that looked like a bento shop, and it looked like they wouldn't be able to buy anything right away.
"I'll
save a bench for you, can you go and buy one for me?"
"...Sure.
If I wait for you, I might get approached."
"It's
not easy being a beautiful woman. Here's my wallet."
Shinji handed his wallet to Renka, who smiled at him, annoyed at the
unpleasant pick-up that could occur if she waited alone on the bench.
"I can get change with two silver coins. You don't have to hand over your entire wallet."
"Isn't
that a problem for Renka?"
"Yes,
but... Well, okay."
With Renka's cautious gaze, Shinji was taken aback by what she was worrying about. When asking someone else, he should always ask for confirmation in a polite manner, but when he asks a colleague for a favor, Renka reacts as if she were dumbfounded by his reaction. He's happy to be trusted, though, on the inside.
Shinji sat down on a bench and looked over at Renka. When he saw Renka in line, he looked around. The weather was fine, the air was calm, and there were children running around in the square. As I was looking at this ordinary scene, I heard Renka's annoyed voice.
I looked in the direction of the voice and saw that Renka was being picked on by two men. The bento shop was some distance away, so they must have thought she was alone. Shinji sighed and walked over to Renka.
"I told
you I was with a man."
"Let's
leave the guys who make their cute girl buy stuff and play with us"
"Yeah,
yeah. It'll be more fun with us."
Even though Renka refused, she glared at the men who blocked her way, but they did not show any sign of concern and continued to laugh and tangle with her. Renka was carrying a lunch box, so she couldn't push her way through. The men must have known that.
When Renka's frustration reached its peak and she opened her mouth
to shout, Shinji stood over her to hide her from the men.
"I'm
sorry. She's important to me. Can you refrain from doing that?"
Shinji's face was smiling as he looked at the men. But his eyes were not smiling at all, and he looked strangely intimidating, which put the men under pressure. At the same time as the men opened their mouths to say something back, Shinji increased his magic power and made it even more intimidating.
The men, who finally understood Shinji's threat, closed their mouths and walked away quietly. Although they were swearing, Shinji didn't care about the howling of losers. He just walked away.
"I
didn't think you'd be picked up even at this distance. Sorry."
"I thought so too, so... thanks. Thank you for coming before I yelled at them"
Shinji looked back at her and gave her an apologetic look, but she shook her head and smiled, thinking that Renka hadn't seen it that way either. When Renka offered him a lunch box and he took it.
"Because you look even more beautiful in plain clothes, they annoyed you. The clothes look great too. Let's forget about the pick-up and have lunch."
Renka was flustered by Shinji's quick compliment.
Renka was thrilled to hear a compliment from a close friend of the opposite sex, different from the the same sex Milis. She was used to being told she was beautiful, but she had never received a compliment that included fashion before.
Renka decided to cover up the fact that she felt flattered by the
compliment, even though she hated flirtatious words, so she speaking louder.
"I know,
I know! Let's have lunch! The lunches here are the best!"
"Oh,
it's recommended by Renka. I'm looking forward to it."
Renka could not help but feel that Shinji's smile, which should be the same as usual, saw through her inner thoughts. But he didn't make fun of her like Alvin did, so she felt at ease and headed for the bench with Shinji leading the way.
After a pleasant lunch, they headed back to the city.
However, the afternoon was a little different from the morning.
Shinji was leading and Renka was following.
Shinji walked in step with Renka. Shinji consulted with Renka about
the store clerk and where they were going as they proceeded.
Renka, who had always led Alvin and Milis, found it refreshing to be led by him. She was strangely excited by the sensation of working with a dependable man of the opposite sex, with no one older than her father around.
In the end, the two of them went around until the evening, but didn't find anything good. Shinji drove Renka back to her inn. At first Renka refused, saying it that he was in a different direction, but then she decided to take Shinji's advice to avoid being picked up. At dusk, it's easy for a pick-up girl to ask you out to dinner. After half a day of escorting, Renka felt less reluctant to rely on Shinji.
"I made
you stay with me for a day and we couldn't decide. I'm sorry about that."
Renka shook her head with a smile as Shinji apologized with an
apologetic look on his face.
"It's
okay. I had a great day too."
"Really?
I'm glad to hear that."
Renka was relieved to see Shinji's reassuring smile.
Suddenly, wasn't she the only one who had fun? She thought so. She thinks
it must be hard for him to deal with someone as unfeminine as Milis.
"Did you
have fun, Shinji?"
I didn't mean to ask, but the words slipped out of my mouth. I
thought I'd lost my mind, but that feeling was blown away by Shinji's words.
"Of
course. It was fun. Thank you for today, Renka."
Renka thought, "I'm glad to hear that."
"So,
I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah,
see you."
Shinji walked away. Renka watched his back for a while and then went
back to her room. Back in her room, Renka lay down on her bed.
When she thought about it calmly, she realized that today's shopping trip had been a date. It occurred to her. She had spent the morning picking out gifts, but in the afternoon, she had enjoyed spending time with Shinji. She was feeling a little lonely when they parted...
(No, no, no! It's not like I promised him a date, so it's no problem! It's not like he was hitting on me!)
She shook her head and jumped out of bed.
Yes, Shinji looked the same as usual. He was caring, but still
treated her as an equal friend.
For some reason, this bothered Renka.
_________________________________
- -
Edited by Kanaa-senpai
Thanks for reading...
It had been three months since Shinji had joined Running
Wolf.
He had decided to take the day off and not work as an adventurer.
Shinji left the inn in the morning and walked around the city alone.
He had a goal in mind, but he hadn't decided what he wanted to buy,
so he walked to the shopping district.
He looked around a few stores, but couldn't find anything he liked.
As he walked along, wondering what to do, he was approached from behind.
"You're
up early today, Shinji. I thought you were sleep in in the morning."
"Hi,
Renka. I'm looking for something today."
Shinji said good morning, and Renka smiled back. Three months was enough time for them to get to know each other, and they had built up enough trust that if they saw each other on the street, they would call out to each other.
"It's unusual. You're the type of person who decides what to buy before you make a move."
"That's usually the case. But today I was going to buy a birthday present for Alvin. It's in one month and four days from now, right?"
Shinji remembered the birthday he had been told about during his previous task. Of course, he remembered not only Alvin's birthday, but also the birthdays of Milis and Renka. This repeated attention to detail made a good impression on Shinji. Renka also impressed by Shinji's willingness to celebrate the birthdays of his friends.
"I guess so. Every year on his birthday, we get together and have dinner. Maybe we should ask Shinji to join us this year."
"If so,
I'd love to. I want you to ask them about it."
"Hmm, of
course they'd like that. All right."
Renka giggled at Shinji's polite request for permission.
"Are
both of them on a date?"
"Yes, they are. They went out in the morning. I was free too, so I thought I'd go shopping.
"Oh, really? If you're free, I was wondering if you could accompany me in choosing a present for Alvin. It would be great if you could give me some advice. Of course, I'll return the favor."
"Right.
Then lunch will be Shinji's treat."
"Sure,
sure."
It's not the first time the two of them have gone out together. In the past, there have been many times when Renka and Shinji would split up to go shopping for a party or to gather information for a quest, if necessary.
Renka had begun to trust Shinji to work efficiently for the party and didn't flirt with her even when they were alone, and she no longer felt uncomfortable when they were together.
This was not the first time that the two of them had gone out together. In the past, she had often worked with Renka when they had split up to buy things for the party or to gather information for a quest.
Renka had begun to trust Shinji to work efficiently for the party and not to flirt with her even when they were alone, and she no longer felt repelled by the idea of working together.
"So,
let's start from there. Have you decided what you want to buy?"
"I'm thinking of consumables or something that can be used on a daily basis. Maybe some desserts if we're having a dinner party."
"I
usually bake cakes, but Mil.."
As they talked, Renka led the way and started walking. Shinji started walking behind her, matching her pace. He was one step behind Renka, keeping the distance between them as friends.
***
They went to several shops, but could not find anything good, so
they could not decide. In the end, it was almost noon.
"Renka,
why don't we have lunch?"
"Okay. Well, let's go to the square there. There's a stall selling delicious lunches. It's a nice day, let's eat outside."
"All
right."
When they arrived at the plaza, they found a good number of people strolling around and chatting. There were a few couples who seemed to be lovers, and there were only a few places left where they could sit and eat. In addition, there was a queue at a stall that looked like a bento shop, and it looked like they wouldn't be able to buy anything right away.
"I'll
save a bench for you, can you go and buy one for me?"
"...Sure.
If I wait for you, I might get approached."
"It's
not easy being a beautiful woman. Here's my wallet."
Shinji handed his wallet to Renka, who smiled at him, annoyed at the
unpleasant pick-up that could occur if she waited alone on the bench.
"I can get change with two silver coins. You don't have to hand over your entire wallet."
"Isn't
that a problem for Renka?"
"Yes,
but... Well, okay."
With Renka's cautious gaze, Shinji was taken aback by what she was worrying about. When asking someone else, he should always ask for confirmation in a polite manner, but when he asks a colleague for a favor, Renka reacts as if she were dumbfounded by his reaction. He's happy to be trusted, though, on the inside.
Shinji sat down on a bench and looked over at Renka. When he saw Renka in line, he looked around. The weather was fine, the air was calm, and there were children running around in the square. As I was looking at this ordinary scene, I heard Renka's annoyed voice.
I looked in the direction of the voice and saw that Renka was being picked on by two men. The bento shop was some distance away, so they must have thought she was alone. Shinji sighed and walked over to Renka.
"I told
you I was with a man."
"Let's
leave the guys who make their cute girl buy stuff and play with us"
"Yeah,
yeah. It'll be more fun with us."
Even though Renka refused, she glared at the men who blocked her way, but they did not show any sign of concern and continued to laugh and tangle with her. Renka was carrying a lunch box, so she couldn't push her way through. The men must have known that.
When Renka's frustration reached its peak and she opened her mouth
to shout, Shinji stood over her to hide her from the men.
"I'm
sorry. She's important to me. Can you refrain from doing that?"
Shinji's face was smiling as he looked at the men. But his eyes were not smiling at all, and he looked strangely intimidating, which put the men under pressure. At the same time as the men opened their mouths to say something back, Shinji increased his magic power and made it even more intimidating.
The men, who finally understood Shinji's threat, closed their mouths and walked away quietly. Although they were swearing, Shinji didn't care about the howling of losers. He just walked away.
"I
didn't think you'd be picked up even at this distance. Sorry."
"I thought so too, so... thanks. Thank you for coming before I yelled at them"
Shinji looked back at her and gave her an apologetic look, but she shook her head and smiled, thinking that Renka hadn't seen it that way either. When Renka offered him a lunch box and he took it.
"Because you look even more beautiful in plain clothes, they annoyed you. The clothes look great too. Let's forget about the pick-up and have lunch."
Renka was flustered by Shinji's quick compliment.
Renka was thrilled to hear a compliment from a close friend of the opposite sex, different from the the same sex Milis. She was used to being told she was beautiful, but she had never received a compliment that included fashion before.
Renka decided to cover up the fact that she felt flattered by the
compliment, even though she hated flirtatious words, so she speaking louder.
"I know,
I know! Let's have lunch! The lunches here are the best!"
"Oh,
it's recommended by Renka. I'm looking forward to it."
Renka could not help but feel that Shinji's smile, which should be the same as usual, saw through her inner thoughts. But he didn't make fun of her like Alvin did, so she felt at ease and headed for the bench with Shinji leading the way.
After a pleasant lunch, they headed back to the city.
However, the afternoon was a little different from the morning.
Shinji was leading and Renka was following.
Shinji walked in step with Renka. Shinji consulted with Renka about
the store clerk and where they were going as they proceeded.
Renka, who had always led Alvin and Milis, found it refreshing to be led by him. She was strangely excited by the sensation of working with a dependable man of the opposite sex, with no one older than her father around.
In the end, the two of them went around until the evening, but didn't find anything good. Shinji drove Renka back to her inn. At first Renka refused, saying it that he was in a different direction, but then she decided to take Shinji's advice to avoid being picked up. At dusk, it's easy for a pick-up girl to ask you out to dinner. After half a day of escorting, Renka felt less reluctant to rely on Shinji.
"I made
you stay with me for a day and we couldn't decide. I'm sorry about that."
Renka shook her head with a smile as Shinji apologized with an
apologetic look on his face.
"It's
okay. I had a great day too."
"Really?
I'm glad to hear that."
Renka was relieved to see Shinji's reassuring smile.
Suddenly, wasn't she the only one who had fun? She thought so. She thinks
it must be hard for him to deal with someone as unfeminine as Milis.
"Did you
have fun, Shinji?"
I didn't mean to ask, but the words slipped out of my mouth. I
thought I'd lost my mind, but that feeling was blown away by Shinji's words.
"Of
course. It was fun. Thank you for today, Renka."
Renka thought, "I'm glad to hear that."
"So,
I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah,
see you."
Shinji walked away. Renka watched his back for a while and then went
back to her room. Back in her room, Renka lay down on her bed.
When she thought about it calmly, she realized that today's shopping trip had been a date. It occurred to her. She had spent the morning picking out gifts, but in the afternoon, she had enjoyed spending time with Shinji. She was feeling a little lonely when they parted...
(No, no, no! It's not like I promised him a date, so it's no problem! It's not like he was hitting on me!)
She shook her head and jumped out of bed.
Yes, Shinji looked the same as usual. He was caring, but still
treated her as an equal friend.
For some reason, this bothered Renka.
_________________________________
- -
Edited by Kanaa-senpai
Thanks for reading...
