Chapter 2

“Hey, hey, Imilia! Listen, listen!”

After finishing her shift at the guild, Lilina approached a woman with short brown hair named Imilia.

“…It’s the middle of the day. Why are you so noisy? Let me guess. It’s about that boy again, isn’t it?”

“That’s right!!”

Lilina’s voice echoed throughout the entire guild.

Perhaps the shrillness of her voice had gotten to her, because Imilia instinctively covered her ears.

“…You’re so competent at your job, so why do you become such a hopeless mess whenever that boy is involved?”

“T-That’s harsh!? I’m not that hopeless!”

“That’s rich coming from you. Things might seem to be going smoothly from your perspective, but to everyone else, it’s a complete disaster.”

“H-How can you say that…? I-I just get nervous whenever I’m in front of Rex…”

“…I actually feel sorry for that boy.”

“…I-Is it really that bad?”

“Yeah. I’m pretty sure you’d get the same answer if you asked anyone else.”

“Ugh…”

That’s right. This woman named Lilina became so nervous whenever she was around Rex that she sometimes ended up treating him coldly.

For example, if she ever tried touching Rex’s hand…

She would probably find it difficult to even look him in the eyes for quite some time afterward.

That was just how inexperienced she was when it came to romance.

“B-But I talked to him a little today! And listen to this! He even wished me a happy birthday!”

“Oh…? That’s nice. How kind of Rex to do that.”

“W-Why won’t you say anything nice to me…?”

“Because, normally, if you treated someone the way you treat him, you wouldn’t even get as far as receiving birthday wishes. You’d be lucky if you could have a conversation with him at all.”

“Ugh… B-But…”

“No excuses. So, Lilina, are you really okay with never being able to talk to Rex again?”

“Th-That’s impossible! I don’t want that! If I couldn’t interact with Rex anymore, I…”

Tears began streaming down her cheeks as she broke into sobs.

Seeing Lilina like that, Imilia apparently realized she had gone too far and hurriedly tried to comfort her.

“I-I’m sorry, okay? Don’t cry so much. Rex is a kind boy, so he won’t just abandon you that easily.”

“…R-Really? Rex won’t start hating me?”

“…………I can’t guarantee that.”

“W-What…? Th-Then what should I do, Imilia!?”

“What should you do…? Well… First, you need to fix that cold attitude of yours.”

“B-But I can’t do that when Rex is right in front of me…”

“Stop being so timid and just try it. Here, pretend I’m Rex.”

“Ugh… Imilia is Rex… Imilia is Rex… Imilia is Rex…”

While repeating those words like a mantra, Lilina stared intently at Imilia.

And then, in an instant, her expression changed.

“……What do you want?”

“That’s how you’re starting?!”

Lilina’s completely unnatural way of speaking made Imilia blurt out her honest reaction.

“Um… Lilina? How have you been lately? How’s work at the guild?”

“Work? What business is that of yours? And don’t speak to me so casually. You’re making me sick.”

“…..Okay, okay. I understand perfectly now… Just go ahead and ruin your own life.”

Imilia spat those words out as though she were giving up on Lilina. She stood up from her seat and started to walk away.

“W-Wait a minute! What do you mean by that!? I-I really did try my best, you know! Hey, Imilia! Don’t abandon meeeee…!”

“Damn it…! There’s nothing I can do about that cold attitude of yours! Just give up already!!”

“Nooooooo!!!”

And so, what was supposed to be a romantic consultation turned into another conversation between friends, unfolding once again inside the guild.

Yes, apparently, she was…

Incredibly inexperienced when it came to romance.

“ACHOOO!!”

A tremendous sneeze rang out through the town.

Rex rubbed his twitching nose and looked around.

“…W-What was that? Is someone talking about me or something…? I feel like I sensed an incredibly powerful presence for a moment.”

Despite what he said, there was no sign that anyone nearby was talking about Rex.

“…Well, whatever. I should just head home.”

Carrying the reward money Lilina had given him earlier along with his belongings, Rex made his way home.