That's why Hajime listened to Tio's question without being bothered by it. Thus, he exhaled and recalled the midnight tea party under the moonlight. With the unpalatable tea, there was the white negligee and black hair which reflected the moonlight, whose owner swore to protect him, and at the last moment, she stretched her hand out towards him with a bitter expression as her companions pinioned her...
Unexpectedly, he felt a trembling hand on his arm which made him regain his senses. When he looked at the source, Yue was looking straight at him with strong, resolute gaze, and her trembling hand tightly grasped Hajime's sleeve.
Hajime matched Yue's gaze and returned to silently gazing at her with a soft and gentle gaze.
"Certainly, there was someone... However, even if I could return to those days, I will still tread on this path of mine."
"Heh~, why?"
Although she knew the answer from Hajime's expression, Tio still asked with a slightly amused expression. Without averting his gaze from Yue, Hajime used his other hand to gently grasp Yue's hand which was grasping his sleeve. Yue had a faintly smiling expression, and her cheeks were slightly dyed in red.
"Of course... it's because I want to meet Yue."
"... Hajime."
In the town of Holad, «Orcus Great Dungeon» made it possible to raise level quickly while selling the magic stones within the safety margin. Thus, Adventurers, Mercenaries, and Kingdom Soldiers gathered, together with a lot of merchants as their partner in business. The town displayed serious hustle and bustle. Naturally, the main street of such a town would have increased bustle.
Within the main street where a lot of people were doing their activities, Hajime and Yue suddenly halted and were looking at each other. They created their own world without minding their surroundings. They reached out to each other's cheeks, and their atmosphere looked like they were about to kiss at any moment. Though they had somewhat gathered a crowd around them, and they were showered by gazes filled with curiosity and jealousy, Hajime and Yue didn't notice them at all. They could only see each other.
"Tio-san, did you hear that? It isn't "you" that Hajime-san wants to meet, is it? It's only Yue-san. Once again, they created their own world. They don't even care about their location and situation. And we can only watch them from the side, can't we?
I feel it is about the time that such an atmosphere should be created between me and Hajime-san. Even though I'm always prepared to receive such treatment, it always passed me by, and to be treated as a regrettable character... No, I understand, you know? I know Yue-san is special. I yearn for a relationship just like those two, that's why I want to stay together with them.
What I mean is, it's natural Yue-san is special and I feel it's a good thing. Rather, Hajime-san who neglects Yue-san is not Hajime-san. If that happens and Yue-san becomes sad because of it, I'll be the one who beat Hajime-san to a pulp.
However, it is a however, kay? Recently, Hajime-san has become slightly dere~ I wonder if it's about time I climb the stairs to adulthood~ I expected that, but it didn't come true. No matter how special Yue-san is, wouldn't it okay for Hajime-san to look at me a little more? It is shameful for a man to refuse a woman's offer.
Even though it was easily understood that I welcomed him, he sloppily answered with a composed face to ignore it, this dimwit!, I thought so, but I never thought of complaining. I just want to flirt! Then, doing this and that on the bed! Even the hardcore play he did with Yue-san! I thought of those! So, what does Tio-san, the representative of all perverts, think!?"
"Sh-Shia. This one knows thou hast saved up thy resentment, but calm down. Rather, the one who shouted while not paying attention to the location is art thou. Also, to casually speak ill of this one in the end... To be treated as a pervert in such a public place, haa, haa, made everyone look at this one with cold gazes... Haa, haa, ngh, ngh."
In the middle of the main street, the rabbit-eared girl shouted she wanted to do erotic things while speaking ill of the perverted beautiful woman whom began panting due to the atmosphere. The people who had gathered due to their curiosity were taken aback and they backed away.
"Papa~, Shia-oneechan and Tio-oneechan are..."
"Myuu. Don't look at them. Just act as if we don't know them."
"...Shia... next time, I will tie Hajime and together with Shia..."
Shia's shout was noticed by Hajime and Yue, and they returned to their senses. However, for now, they acted as though they didn't know either Shia or Tio, and not looked at them because Myuu had become dumbfounded.
Although Yue whispered something frightening, Hajime decided he didn't hear anything. But if he was worried about it, he would think of the possibility of the trap the next time he is with Yue. But he wanted to be pardoned from doing that. If it is Yue, such a thing... would not... happen, right? Surely, probably... it'll be safe even though there's a previous offense! Hajime tried to persuade himself.
Because from the distance, What's with this commotion!, the town guards could be seen everywhere, Hajime reluctantly dragged Shia and Tio by the scruff of their necks to get out of this place. Every time they went to the town, gazes filled with envy and jealousy pierced Hajime who was surrounded by beautiful girls and beautiful woman... However, he didn't know why only this time he felt there were a lot of sympathetic gazes. Surely it's only his imagination.
* * *
Ignoring the gazes of the people, Hajime's party finally arrived at Holad branch Adventurer Guild. With Myuu on his shoulders just like before, Hajime opened the guild's door. Unlike the one in the other towns, the Holad branch's door was made of metal. The heavy sound became a signal that someone was entering the building.
It was the first time he came here, since the last time he was in town, he neither had business here nor did he had the time to go to the adventurer guild. The atmosphere inside Holad branch was just like an adventurer guild Hajime had expected from the beginning.
There were broken parts of the walls and floor which were roughly patched up. Mud and stains from something were here and there, giving an insanitary impression. The interior was just like the other branches where the counter was near the entrance with a restaurant on the left. However, unlike the other branches, alcohol was served here, and there were old men hanging around to drink during the daytime. There was also the second floor where Adventurer-like people were looking down by the handrails. The people in the second floor gave off the atmosphere of a strong group. He didn't know if it was an unspoken rule, but high-ranked Adventurers seemed to be on the second floor.
The atmosphere around the Adventurers was also different from the other towns. Everyone was glaring at them, and there was none of the heartwarming atmosphere compared to the one in Brook town. It could be said to be natural, because the Adventurers and Mercenaries were filled with spirit since these experts in battle and fighting demonic beasts would voluntarily enter the dungeon.
However, there was a tense atmosphere inside the guild and something seemed unusual. Something had obviously occurred since the Adventurers had serious expressions.
At the moment Hajime's party entered the guild, the Adventurers turned their gazes towards them simultaneously. Their gazes were so sharp, that it felt like it would be able to penetrate through them which made Myuu, who was still riding on Hajime's shoulders, to shout, "Eeek!," and she quickly clung to Hajime's head. Because Hajime appeared with a little girl on his shoulders while being surrounded by pretty girls and a beautiful woman, the Adventurers began to let out their bloodlust which contained various meaning. Myuu trembled even more. She was put down from Hajime's shoulders, and was now held with his right hand. Myuu buried her head on Hajime's chest to completely shut herself out of the surroundings.