I Wanted a Cute Girl to Cast Healing Magic on Me, So I Kept Protecting My Allies—and Ended Up with an Overprotective Party - 14

Chapter 14: The Mystery of Why Things Always Turn Out This Way

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Because Emil had made up her mind to become an adventurer, the three of us ended up forming a party. But Karinka-san was A-rank. I didn’t think an A-rank like her would be able to take on any worthwhile quests while teamed up with two F-rankers like me and Emil.

“Karinka-san, I don’t mean to completely derail the conversation, but Emil and I are F-rank, you know? Someone like you, an A-rank, could easily join a much stronger party. Are you really okay with this? Of course, we’d be more than happy to have you with us.”

“Oh, of course I’m okay with it. Remember how we ran into those lizardmen on the grasslands on the way to this village? You took the initiative and handled one of them yourself. Throwing yourself into danger for the sake of your comrades… Most people can’t do that so easily.”

“Ah, well… I only did that because I wanted to gain experience and get stronger, so it’s really not that noble.”

If I was going to live as an adventurer, I couldn’t avoid battle. And I figured things like agility and reflexes could only really be learned through actual combat, so I wanted to start getting used to it, even just a little. Besides, I also had a hidden goal. I wanted Emill to cast healing magic on me!”

Please refrain from commenting that this was actually my main goal. Thank you. 

“You don’t need to be so modest. And I want to support Emil, too. Mint told me that Emil has a lot of potential as a healer. So I’d really like to help her grow.”

“Mint-san said that about me? Ehehe, I didn’t know that! I’m so happy! Maybe Karinka-san thinks the same? Did I do a good job with my Heal spell?”

“Of course I think so. A-and that Heal back then… It was really well done…! Even if Heal is the only spell you can use right now, your ‘level’ should rise as you continue your activities as an adventurer. I’m sure you’ll become a great healer one day.”

In this world, the term “level” wasn’t something expressed in numbers, but rather something you sensed—at least, that was what Mint-san told me. Apparently, if you keep working as an adventurer, you would come to know the moment when your level increased. I hadn’t experienced that yet though.

Emil was openly delighted by Karinka-san’s praise. 

Do healing spells even have a “skill level” or anything like that?

“By the way, Emil. I’d like to find a place to stay soon—do you know any inns around here?”

“There aren’t any inns in this village.”

“Wait, you mean we have to head back now? It’s already evening, though…”

“Come on, Rikuto-san, what are you talking about? You can stay at my place, of course! I’ll show you the way!”

…Emil was acting differently than usual. This Emil felt different from the usual reserved one. Which one was the real Emil? The room Emil led us to was about the same size as her little sister Marie’s room—not very big.

Because of that, the furniture was kept to a minimum in both quantity and size. But for some reason, there were two beds. Two beds. …Two.

“You two can sleep here, okay!”

Wait, wait. “You two can sleep here, okay!” she says so casually, but… Wouldn’t Karinka-san be uncomfortable with this arrangement?

“Is it really okay? Thank you, this is a huge help.”

Yet despite my concern, Karinka-san accepted it without hesitation. 

Am I the weird one for worrying about this?

When it was time to sleep, I ended up alone in the room with Karinka-san.

“It’s a bit late to ask, but… Is it okay if I call you Rikuto? We’re no longer a guardian and client—we’re party members now.”

“Of course.”

“Thanks. And there’s something else I wanted to ask. Um… Is Emil’s healing always like that?”

“Well, when I injured the inside of my mouth, she held my hand the whole time.”

“I-I see… Well, maybe she has her reasons. Anyway, let’s get some sleep.”

With that, I looked again at the two beds. There was only about fifty centimeters between them. 

That’s kinda close…

After the lights were out and I closed my eyes to try to sleep, I soon heard Karinka-san’s soft, steady breathing. It sounded so graceful that I realized—women really do sleep this quietly. The first woman I ever shared a room with was Karinka-san.

The next morning. Today was the day her little sister Marie had her medical checkup. The doctor was going to examine whether the elixir had worked properly. After being treated to breakfast, we waited for Emil’s parents to return.

Around midday, the three of them came back, and Emil immediately asked.

“How was it?”

The results were good. The malignant growth on her organ had vanished completely. However, because her strength had diminished due to the illness, she would still need to continue going to the clinic for a while until she recovered fully.

“Emil, Marie is fine now, so from now on, you should do what you want. You want to become an adventurer, right?”

“Yeah. But… Are you really okay with it, Dad, Mom?”

“We’ll be fine. And since this is what you’ve decided, Emil, we’ll support you. Please treasure your desire to use your Heal spell to help others. There might be a reason you were given the power to heal.”

“Okay. Thank you!”

“Please take care of Emil, both of you.”

“Take care, Onee-chan!”

Now that she had her parents’ permission, all that was left was to officially register our party with the guild. After a long journey back to the city of Galiano, we submitted our paperwork and officially became a registered party.

Before I knew it, I had formed a party straight out of an isekai anime: one guy with a silver-haired beautiful girl and a blonde beauty. 

Strange how things always turn out this way, huh?

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