By Zephyria 
It was shortly after lunch.
As soon as Herman arrived in front of the guild building, he sent word.
Upon receiving that contact, I headed down, bringing Ardian, who was following me closely. Herman seemed a bit surprised to see Ardian sticking to my side, but he didn’t show any reaction beyond that, as if it didn’t matter.
“What is it you wanted to talk about?”
I approached Herman, who was sitting on a flowerbed made of high-stacked bricks, and asked. With a serene face that betrayed nothing of his thoughts, he looked quietly between me and Ardian, then fixed his gaze on me and spoke.
“Ray. I like you.”
For a moment, I froze, not knowing how to react. I had definitely heard those words before and had rejected him. I thought that had settled the matter. But apparently not. Cloud was the same… I hadn’t realized he still held onto those feelings.
“I’ve thought about it… and I guess I can’t give up on you yet.”
As Herman continued, Ardian wore a displeased expression. For it to show on the surface like that meant his current state of mind was twisting violently. While I was choosing my words, Herman spoke again. He didn’t seem to care that Ardian was listening right beside him.
“So, I’m fine with sharing you with someone else.”
“……?”
“Could you make me yours as well?”
“No. I can’t share you with another guy, Ray.”
Ardian interrupted firmly. I don’t know why this guy is already operating on the premise that I would accept Herman’s proposal. Flustered, I frowned, feeling lost as to where and how to start tidying up this situation.
Just then, Herman, who had been watching intently, let out a chuckle.
“Sorry, I was joking.”
He tilted his head with a look of relief.
“Actually, I came here to talk about something else.”
Hearing that, I felt relieved. It was a tasteless joke, but not something I couldn’t laugh off. Ardian, however, still looked displeased, his eyes glaring fiercely.
“Stop playing around and get to the point.”
I gave a slight nod of my chin, and Herman laughed silently. The ‘point’ he then brought up was a proposal for Tom, Zeon, Ardian, and me to all make time and go on a trip together.
I didn’t know when that would be, but I answered that I would.
I could always take another vacation.
“But did you ask Tom and Zeon?”
“No, not yet. Nothing is decided.”
“Then it seems like something you could have discussed via Video Orb.”
By applying dimensional transit magic to connect their respective Video Orbs, they could have a group conversation face-to-face. I thought it was unnecessary for him to come all the way here. Even if he knew how to use Space Transition, the mana consumption made it inefficient.
“I just came to see your face, I guess,” Herman said with a shrug.
“Then I’ll be going now.”
“Already?”
“You’re busy. I’d feel bad if I kept you longer.”
Herman stood up, waved goodbye, and disappeared. It was such a clean exit that it made me wonder if he really had come all this way just to see my face once.
I looked back at the silent Ardian. His expression wasn’t great. He looked somewhat drained, and as I was debating whether I should say something meaningless to cheer him up, Cloud, who had come down to the first floor of the building, spotted us and shouted.
“I wondered where you went! What are you doing there?”
“Ah.”
“If you’re done with the paperwork, come inside quickly! I have a request for you!”
Always rushing. He can’t stand to see me idling.
Actually, I wasn’t quite finished with the paperwork either.
I tapped Ardian on the chest and said, “You should head back now too. You’ve been here since morning.”
At that, Ardian glanced toward Cloud and nodded. He left a brief peck on my lips before departing. Cloud, who had been standing with his arms crossed and watching with a sour look, muttered a word as I approached.
“Could you take the public displays of affection somewhere else?”
“So, what’s the request?”
Ignoring the sarcasm, I entered the building, and he followed with a shrug. As I took the documents Cloud handed me, his explanation followed.
“To put it simply, it’s a periodic patrol. The pay is good because of the patrol range.”
“Patrol? I don’t think I need to do something like this, do I?”
“That’s true. So, are you not going to do it? I’ve already lightened your load quite a bit.”