We were about to start the dungeon expedition right away, but Sofia stopped us.
"We need to prepare."
"We need to gather information too."
"Rushing in headfirst is the height of recklessness..." she said.
So, we decided to split into two groups.
Licorice and I would handle the preparations for the dungeon expedition.
Sofia, Aisha, and Snow would gather information.
"No waaay, just me and Fate, the two of us? Oh no, that's a problem. Licorice-chan, people might get the wrong idea! My fans might cry!"
"..."
"Come on, I was joking! Don’t look at me with those cold eyes. I might actually cry, you know?"
Honestly, I'd really appreciate it if she didn’t act so weird.
This is my hometown, so there are lots of people here who’ve known me since I was a kid.
Because of Licorice, strange rumors might start spreading.
Please, spare me from that.
"So, what are we buying?"
"The dungeon seems pretty big, so first we’ll need food and water. Also, a barrier to secure a place to rest, and potions are a must. After that…"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!?"
Just as I was listing off what we needed, a loud voice cut through and interrupted me.
Turning around, I saw a guy around my age standing in the store.
He looked at me in shock, flustered and surprised.
What’s this about?
He looked kind of familiar…
"Hey, are you... Fate!?"
"Yeah, that’s me..."
"What’s with that formal tone, huh? Don’t tell me you forgot my face?"
"...Oh!"
I remembered.
"Wait... could it be..."
"Yup!"
"Tize!? The guy who kept stealing snacks when we were kids and got yelled at almost every day!?"
"You remember that of all things!?"
Even though my childhood friend was yelling, I was happy.
It felt nostalgic.
When I fell into slavery, I thought I’d never see these people again…
That’s why it felt all the more emotional.
"Wait, what? Did someone say Fate?"
"Oh, you're right! It is Fate!"
"Wow, this brings back memories. Welcome back!"
From out of nowhere, a bunch of familiar faces gathered around.
Lan, Raid, Felicia… and many others.
Friends I used to play with...
Older kids from the neighborhood…
Even the aunts and uncles who always looked after me.
Everyone looked so happy to see me.
Their smiles were exactly the same as I remembered them...
"…I’m home."
And before I knew it, I found myself crying just a little.
――――――――――
After a nostalgic reunion, we went shopping, but…
"Ugh… sniff... I'm so glad…"
Licorice was crying from the emotional reunion.
She was actually crying more than I was…
She seems like the careless type, but in reality, she’s pretty sensitive and easy to make cry.
"Come on, stop crying already."
"Ugh…"
"If you go back with that face, Sofia and the others will think something’s wrong, you know?"
"I know that, but… but still…"
I couldn’t help but smile wryly.
But, not just that, I also felt warm inside.
The fact that she’s crying so much shows that she’s truly sharing my feelings, and that’s proof that she’s really there for me…
Yeah.
I’m honestly happy.
"Ah, it’s Fate!"
A voice suddenly called out.
It was so nostalgic that I almost ended up crying again.
"…Mint?"
When I turned around, there was a girl with a soft, gentle smile on her face.
She was short and had a baby face.
Because of that, even though we were the same age, she looked a few years younger.
But I knew she was actually a very reliable person.
Mint Fraulau.
She’s another childhood friend, just like Sofia.
"Wow, wow. It really is Fate. Everyone was talking about how you came back, and it’s true!"
"It’s been a while, Mint."
"Yeah, it’s been a while."
She still spoke in that laid-back, gentle way, just like always. That hasn’t changed, and it gave off a warm feeling.
"What are you doing?"
"I’m planning to go into a dungeon, so I’m getting ready for that."
"Wow. A dungeon? So, Fate, you’ve become an adventurer. Congratulations!"
"Yeah, thanks."
As I was happily enjoying the reunion…
"…Hey, Fate."
Licorice whispered to me softly.
"What?"
"I don’t know what your relationship is, but you shouldn’t talk to her too much. Wrap it up quickly."
"It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other, and you want me to do that?"
"It’s an order! And if you don’t, I might end up getting dragged into it..."
"Dragged into it?"
Confused, I tilted my head.
"…Fate?"
"Huh!?"
I flinched and turned around slowly…
And there was Sofia, smiling brightly.
"I believe I asked you to take care of some shopping… and who might this be?"
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