Chapter 99: Sprouting Affection[1]

"Phew, that's a relief," I said with a sigh of relief.

"Uh, yeah," she nodded.

Th she continued speaking.

"...Thank you for today. If it wer't for you, I would have be in big trouble."

"What? If you decide to help, you should definitely help."

There was a brief silce after that conversation. It was definitely differt from usual, for both me and her. I suddly had a strange feeling, but why did she feel that way? Did she ev think of me as a man at all?

...No, that can't be. I don't think that's the kind of character she is.

At that momt.

[Complete the surprise quest 'High Elf Wants Help with Homework.']

[She is truly grateful to you.]

[Your successful handling of the unexpected situation and your manly attitude seem to have had a more positive impact on her feelings.]

[It seems like a little affection for you has sprouted in her heart.]

Huh...? What?!

Hogaaaaam?!

At that momt, I was so embarrassed that I almost screamed out loud.

A game where favorability isn't expressed as a number, but sometimes, a window like this will pop up, saying that your favorability has increased. Only th can you clearly tell that your favorability has gone up.

But.

I've never se a message like that from Hiresia. Of course, it's a window that rarely appears in the first place.

Aside from that, there were very few situations where I felt like my favorability had increased. She's a character that is difficult to please.

However...

I've already won her favor. That too, for sure.

So, it is inevitable to feel confused.

"Why is your expression like that all of a sudd?" Hiresia oped her eyes wide in question.

"Ah...I just remembered something I had forgott for a momt."

"What is it?"

"This." I took my lunch box out of my bag.

It was a pretty skillful response considering how flustered I was.

"Lunch...?"

"Yes, I prepared it just in case, but I just remembered it now."

I handed her my lunch box. She took it with a bewildered expression.

"But somehow, I ded up preparing very well. It doesn't look like the rain will stop any time soon."

"Yeah, yeah."

Huh?

...Why is she making that kind of expression over something as simple as a lunch box? You're not one of those easy elves. That's a very difficult elf.

I was so shocked that I could only laugh in absurdity.

At that time,

[Your well-prepared lunch box seems to have had a positive effect on her emotions. It seems like it will be a very pleasant meal.]

Another pop-up message window. What the heck is this...?

It's ridiculous.

"Okay."

As expected, she is a good elf. Especially now, definitely.

A momt of silce passed. She changed the subject.

"Why do you want to learn archery?"

A question that has never be asked before. I've never heard of it, ev wh playing as the protagonist.

I seriously considered the answer. There was only one answer.

"Because I want to become stronger."

"Why do you want to become strong?"

"To live."

That is the truth without a single lie. But to others, it might sound like nonsse.

But Hiresia's expression was serious.

"I can sse the desperation."

"That could be true. You only live once."

The words kept flowing out. Maybe it was nice to know that there was someone who took this story seriously.

"Everyone only lives once."

"That's true. But since you've lived a very long time, I think it might feel a little differt."

"I don't know. There were only people like that a me. But maybe I could feel the differce in the human world."

"It definitely will."

"Hmm."

Hiresia looked straight into my eyes. Today, her silver eyes felt mysterious.

She suddly blurted out a word.

"Focus."

"Yes?"

"There is no technique more helpful to the training of archery."

"Yes?"

"If you see the arrow, you can see the path of the arrow."

Those words hit me in the head.

Path. The path of the arrow. A technique that shows the lgth of an arrow. Can you see the lgth of the arrow?

...Why didn't I know?

It's like being able to study by looking at a model answer, or rather, a perfect answer.

A perfect answer that tells you which way to shoot and which direction to go wh the wind blows in which direction.

'That means...'

That she taught me this technique inttionally.

"Thank you, sior!"

I was so excited that I unconsciously grabbed her hand and expressed my gratitude, without knowing what consequces that thoughtless action would bring.

Holding a woman's hand.

I have lived a life where I refrain from holding the hand of a woman who is not my girlfrid.

However.

Is it because I feel too comfortable, or is it because I feel too grateful?

I ded up holding the hand of a woman who wasn't my girlfrid.