n

n

nAs he watched Serena sleep, he clenched his hand placed slightly over his chest and stared at the sky with widened eyes. His heart was beating so fast, it was almost as if someone had a gun pointed at his head and his face was as red as an apple.

n

"Wha...t...

"

nThose were the only words he could say, however despite that, he was in a shock, he didn't know what to think

nHe had no idea Serena felt this way, not to mention, to say it directly, such a thing was only possible because she got drunk, she was so different, john almost didn't recognise her.

nChest hurt when she saw me with another girl... Mad at me for not kissing her... D-Doesn't this mean, she likes me? Like romantically? John asked himself

nDing, ding, ding. Took you over a whole year. Zestari interrupted

n

"AH-

"

nJohn nearly shouted out, he had completely forgotten about Zestari.

n

"A-Ah, that's right, I forgot...

" John muttered

nThat's a bit cold, shouldn't you be thanking me? Zestari asked

nYeah that's right, thank you for safely dealing with the fallen mermaids, and for helping everyone

" Said john with a happy smile

nSomeone's in a good mood... Said Zestari

nLeave me be, more importantly, are you saying that I'm right and that you knew for over a whole year?.

nMaybe, but it wasn't my place to say

nBut wait... If you knew... Doesn't that make me... Dense?

nYou're on a streak today, did you bump your head during the fight? Or is it residue of my intelligence after giving back control?

n

"Oi, are you trying to pick a fight? I'd like to enjoy my good mood for a bit longer.

nGood mood, why? Do you acknowledge the fact that you romantically like her?

n

"H-Huh? Me like S-Serena romantically? H-Hah, that's a funny joke. Let's head back and discuss this later.

" John muttered as he picked up the sleeping girl and put her on his back

n...

nWith no reply from Zestari, John began walking back with Serena on his back. Unlike before, he was much more conscious of serena as a girl than before.

nSo as he carried her back on his back, he could feel the gentle gusts of her soft sleeping snores tickle the back of his neck.

nAlong with the sound of the waves hitting at the shore, it was very relaxing for John.

n

"Hey... What should I do?

"

n… Do you feel romantically attracted to Serena?

nJohn thought about this for a while, and decided to just be honest with himself

n

"Maybe... I'm not sure... I like her, I'm just not sure in what sense

" He replied feeling slightly embarrassed

nThen, what about the other girl? Ariel? Are you romantically attracted to her?

n

"I'm not sure either... I also like Ariel just as much as I like serena...

" John replied feeling even more embarrassed

nHe wasn't good with romance talks, but if he didn't ask her now, then he wasn't sure when would be a good time.

nWhat do you like about Serena?

n

"Serena? Let's see... She's beautiful, strong, determined but stubborn. She gets annoyed easily, and can get really annoying, but she cares for her friends and would be willing to do anything for them. She also has many cute sides to her, like how she sometimes sulks and has a hard time being honest... Now that I think about it, She really is like a tsundere...

"

nIs that so... hm... What about Ariel?

n

"Ariel? Hm... She's cute, kind, hardworking and somehow manages to do whatever she sets her mind to. She's rarely selfish and never really complains about anything. She has a lot of cute sides, she can be clingy and starts pouting when she fails at practising a spell that she wants, or how she can make really cute expressions when she's eating cake. I'm not sure what kind of dere she is...

"

nDere?

n

"It's a long story.

"

nSo, between them, who do you like more?

nEh?

nBetween the two, who do you like more?

nAfter thinking about it for a while, John looked at the sky before forming a small smile

n

"I can't do that.

"

nWhat?

n

"I can't pick, knowing that I'd end up hurting the other and ruin the current relationship our party has. Not only that but... I wouldn't know who to pick... I'm fine if things stay like this...

" John muttered as his happy expression slowly changed to a saddened one

nI expected more from you.

n

"What?

"

nGiving up before trying, you're not the kind to do that. Be more confident, talk to them once you're sure about how you feel, if the reject you, only then can you hold that face.

n

"...

"

nYou may be strong, but you're still a kid.

nEven if it was just words, it was the best and most help he could get.

n

"Thank you, Zestari

" John said with a smile on his face

nSuddenly his eyes closed and the air around him changed

n

"That idiot... I told him not to say my name out loud

"

nSuddenly, John's eyes opened again and he looked around

n

"Eh? What happened?

"

nWe swapped places, I told you to be careful when using my name, didn't I?

n

"Ah, right, I forgot.

" Said john as he approached the restaurant full of life and lights

nFinally, after a few minutes of walking, John reached the restaurant. John still hadn't seen master Sylvia since he woke up, and he needed to hand Serena to her since she was out cold.

nAs he entered the store, he quickly adapted to the lively environment. The adventurers still seemed to be cheering happily. John didn't bother in checking before, but they all seemed to be in their twenties.

nAnd for magicians, some were rather buff, while others just hid their body under a cloak. Those who had the cloak were a lot better at using magic

n

"John, you're back, what happened to serena?

" Ariel asked as she quickly came over

n

"She got drunk and fell asleep

" John replied as he let out a chuckle

n

"Sounds just like her

" As she also chuckled

n

"Mhm, have you seen master?

"

n

"Yes, she's at the table in the corner

"

n

"Ah, I see, thanks, I'll go take serena to her really quick, so she can rest.

"

n

"I'll help, um... also...

"

nAriel seemed to be hesitating to ask something, but john had no idea what it could be.

n