Volume 2 Chapter 31: Reunion

We were enjoying our meal in a lively atmosphere.

On the grill, various ingredients like meat, vegetables, and fish were sizzling pleasantly, and the crackling of the charcoal was soothing.

The tense atmosphere between Fiona and Noel from when they first met had vanished, and even the Manager looked pleased as he sipped his wine.

“Here, Senpai.”

“Thank you, Noil.”

“Yeah…”

The only issue was that Fiona and Noel kept piling food directly onto my plate. They balanced it out so well that I didn’t have to do anything at all, though honestly, I didn’t need that much.

My plate was rarely empty. While I wouldn’t say I had a small appetite, I’m not a heavy eater either, so my stomach was already getting full.

But since they went out of their way to serve me, I couldn’t just leave it uneaten. I decided to wash it down with ale and reached for my mug.

“Huh?”

Even though I’d drunk about half of it, the ale hadn’t decreased.

Could this be some kind of magic ale mug that doesn’t empty? Heavy drinkers would be ecstatic over something like that.

“Oh, sorry, Senpai. Your ale looked so much better, so I swapped it out.”

“Oh, alright.”

Of course, that wasn’t the case.

As usual, Fiona had exchanged her mug with mine. She smiled sweetly as she explained, but I couldn’t understand what made hers different.

Was it fresher, maybe?

“…That’s not fair.”

As I tried to take a sip of the ale without a second thought, Noel muttered softly, sounding slightly displeased.

What’s wrong? Did she want to try drinking too?

“Would you like to try some, Noel?”

“Yeah, but… not that one…”

Could it be the freshness? Maybe that was the difference?

Noel didn’t take the mug I offered. Shrugging, I took a sip of ale myself.

“Oh-ho! That’s the stuff!”

The Manager was happily grilling cheese skewers at his own pace—a free spirit indeed. Maybe I could ask him to share some later. My stomach was full, but that looked delicious.

“Mind if I take some?”

“Go ahead.”

As I set my mug down, Noel, unlike before, picked it up with a cheerful smile. Strange. What had changed? I’d like to be able to tell the difference, too.

“Noel-san, it’s understood that anything Senpai drinks is for me to have.”

No, it’s not.

Fiona smiled serenely as she said that, but there was no such rule, of course. At least, it was the first I’d heard of it.

“Isn’t that something you just decided, Fiona?”

“Yes.”

Noel responded with a smile, and I nodded along.

“No way! Senpai!”

“Look, there’s no such rule…”

Fiona looked at me with pleading eyes, but clearly, Noel was right this time. Honestly, it didn’t matter at all.

“Alright, alright… Here, Fiona.”

To avoid any trouble, I speared a grilled green pepper with a fork and offered it to Fiona.

Her eyes sparkled, and she eagerly took the fork in her mouth. For some reason, she licked it once before pulling away, placing her hands on her cheeks as she chewed in bliss.

It felt a bit improper, but it looked strangely alluring when she did it. Beauty has its perks, I suppose. At least her mouth was now occupied, so that was a win.

“Mm-hm! This is it, this is it!”

The Manager was reveling in his grilled cheese, blissfully unaware of the commotion around him. I’d definitely be asking him to share some.

Just as I thought that, a loud thud made me jump. I turned around, startled. It seemed Noel had placed her mug on the table a bit too forcefully, and it was now empty.

“Noel…?”

Feeling a sense of foreboding, I hesitantly addressed her, only for her to lift her face slowly. She was frowning slightly as she looked at me, confirming my suspicion.

Yep, she’s definitely drunk.

“Me too…”

“Huh?”

“I want you to… feed me, too!”

“Oh, okay.”

She opened her mouth wide, sticking her tongue out a bit, and I hurriedly speared a piece of chicken with my fork to offer her.

However, she stared at the fork intently and shook her head.

“Not with that!”

“Huh?”

“With your hand!”

“Huh?”

“With your hand!”

“Oh, okay.”

She pounded the table insistently, and I reluctantly took the chicken off the fork, holding it up to her directly. It was terribly improper.

But she smiled contentedly at the sight before taking it into her mouth.

Along with my fingers.

“Ahh!”

Unfazed by my odd sound, Noel grinned, holding my fingers in her mouth. Her tongue moved across them, sending strange tingles through my body.

“Hey! Noel-san!”

Fiona’s voice rang out in a mix of shock and indignation, and she pulled me close to her, pressing the back of my head into her ample chest. She quickly took out a handkerchief and wiped my saliva-covered fingers.

Then, Fiona glared at Noel with a fierce look in her eyes.

“I want to lick Senpai’s fingers too!”

This doesn’t make sense. Why does it have to be like this?

Honestly, that’s just an absurd thing to say. I never thought I’d hear such words in my life.

“Noil. I’ve ordered some for you as well. I knew you wanted it, right?”

“Oh, yes.”

Thank you, Manager, but now isn’t really the time. If you could pick up on the mood, maybe help me out here?

“Ahaha… Noil’s fingers taste so good…”

Ignoring Fiona’s words entirely, Noel smiled dreamily, clearly savoring the experience.

So my fingers taste good, huh?

“Senpai!? What are you trying to do?”

“Oh, maybe it actually tastes good…”

Just as I considered testing it, Fiona grabbed my hand, stopping me.

“It obviously does! But if you’re going to test it, do it with your other hand!”

“Oh, okay.”

She was right.

Out of reflex, I’d almost put my right hand in my mouth—the same hand Noel had just held in her mouth. Even though Fiona had wiped it off, it still didn’t feel… ideal. So, my hand actually tasted good, huh?

With that thought, I decided to give it a try and licked my left hand. It tasted awful.

Honestly, there was no good reason to lick my own hand. It was gross, really. I felt like an idiot. But, you know, I had a bit of alcohol in me and was somewhat confused, so I couldn’t help it. Ironically, licking my hand actually helped me sober up a little.

“Let me clean this hand for you!”

“Wha—!?”

Just as I was beginning to calm down, my mind was thrown back into confusion.

Fiona took my hand, brought it to her mouth, and started licking it.

With a more practiced technique than Noel, she thoroughly licked my fingers. I wasn’t exactly qualified to judge, but Fiona was… probably better at it. Because… well… yeah.

“Oh-ho! That’s the stuff!”

The Manager, now holding skewers in both hands, was happily grilling cheese. She seemed to be preparing some for me, too. How considerate. But really, now wasn’t the time.

“F-Fiona… st-stop…”

If I spoke, I’d end up making strange sounds. My head was spinning. Why was she so good at this? How does one even practice something like this?

I had no other choice—I had to forcibly pull my hand away.

“Nn…”

Using a bit of body enhancement magic, I pulled my hand from Fiona’s mouth. Quickly, I stepped back from her, who now wore a blissful expression, and returned to my seat, wiping my hand on my clothes.

That was close. If I hadn’t stopped, Noil-kun might’ve had a growth spurt and turned into Noil-san way too soon.

As I stayed on guard around Fiona, I suddenly felt an arm wrap around my neck from behind.

“Uh…”

“Yeeees?”

A soft, affectionate voice whispered near my ear, accompanied by a warm sensation against my back—not as full as Fiona’s, but still soft. There was no need to check—I knew immediately that this was a tipsy Noel.

She gently nibbled on my ear, making me squeal.

◇

“Noil, do you like me?”

“Yeah, I like you.”

“Hehehe…”

Completely drunk, Noel leaned heavily on me. I responded with vague answers. It’s not wise to take a drunk person too seriously. At times like these, it’s best to empty your mind.

“Senpai, do you like me?”

“Yeah, I like you.”

“Yay!”

Fiona, clinging to my other arm, asked with a bright smile, so I replied with another casual answer. I couldn’t tell if she was drunk, but answering this way was the easiest way to avoid trouble. In situations like these, it’s best to keep a clear mind.

“And what about me?”

“No, I hate you.”

“Why!?”

Because you didn’t help me. Also, the Manager ate both pieces of cheese, adding to my grudge. Besides, she can drink endlessly without getting drunk. So a little joke should be fine. In situations like these, it’s best to stay firm.

“Oh, come on… Here, it’s ready.”

The Manager, holding out a perfectly melted piece of cheese, offered it to me. Both my hands were occupied, so I obediently opened my mouth.

Fiona looked like she wanted to say something, tightening her grip on my arm, but she didn’t stop me. I’d been craving that cheese, so I was grateful.

The cheese was just cool enough not to burn, melting smoothly in my mouth with a rich aroma and intense flavor. It was delicious. No wonder the Manager enjoyed it so much. She seemed to find joy in grilling it.

“Is it good?”

“Yes, thank you very much.”

The Manager, resting her head in her hand with a gentle smile, asked. After swallowing the cheese, I replied with my thanks.

She nodded, looking pleased. And just then…

The door of the Sumibi-tei burst open with a loud crash, and about five men strode into the tavern.

Each wore leather or iron armor, with swords and bows strapped to their hips or backs.

Clearly not ordinary folks, this rough-looking group sported broad, tipsy grins as they scanned the room.

“Look at this dump! Doesn’t seem like it’s worthy of us, the Wild Lions!”

Then why don’t you leave?

Hearing the large, short-haired man, who seemed to be the leader, I couldn’t help but think that.

They looked like miners. From their appearance, it was obvious.

However, they didn’t seem particularly well-mannered. Miners are supposed to demonstrate decorum as well as strength to rank up, but the Wild Lions’ behavior was… concerning.

After all, this is a tavern for the general public. Miners aren’t banned from coming here, but there’s a district to the north with bars specifically for miners. Most miners go there instead of intimidating regular folks like this.

Had they come here on a drunken whim? It’s quite a way from the miners’ district.

Causing trouble for regular people could get them in trouble with the Miner’s Guild, or at worst, they could even lose their license.

But then again, there’s the saying about leaving sleeping dogs alone.

The staff and patrons looked frightened and confused, but that wouldn’t help. If they reacted, it would only draw attention. Just blend into the background, like me. They’d think you were part of the scenery.

Luckily, we were in the farthest booth, out of sight. If we stayed quiet, maybe they’d ignore us.

“Hey?”

My plan crumbled instantly.

The men noticed us, grinning suggestively as they made a beeline toward us.

Why? Then I realized—no matter how much I tried to fade into the background, the people around me stood out too much.

“Hey, there, fancy boy, looking mighty cozy, aren’t you?”

See? Called it.

The red-faced leader scowled down at me with a smug grin. Too predictable.

I looked at Fiona and Noel, sandwiching me on either side, with the Manager across from me… Yeah, I’d probably punch me too if I saw this.

But hey, it’s not as good as it looks. It’s exhausting.

“I’ll kill them.”

“Fiona, stay.”

“Yes.”

Fiona, who had whispered in a quiet yet terrifying voice, nodded obediently when I stopped her. She usually hesitated more, but I remembered she still wore the Love Lover collar on her neck. That was fortunate.

But that didn’t solve the problem. Fiona was subdued, but the situation hadn’t improved. Noel was now peacefully dozing on me, and the Manager was still grilling cheese.

“I’m Garth Cordius, leader of the Wild Lions and a D-rank miner. You’ve heard of me, right?”

“Haha… Sure.”

Never have. Sorry.

D-rank, though—that’s impressive. He’d be considered a solid miner. But why act like this? Alcohol is scary. I should probably limit myself.

“Well then, you get it, right? How about you share those girls with us and get lost?”

This was a problem.

If it were just me getting roughed up, I wouldn’t care. But if this was their intention, it was a different story.

As a man—and for their safety—I couldn’t leave.

It would be like throwing them to the wolves. These Wild Lions would become prey.

I didn’t think the leader, as a D-rank, could handle the Manager and Fiona. Even Rett-kun, a B-rank, got thrashed by them.

“I… can’t do that.”

“Huh?”

Cordius glared menacingly at me as I reluctantly answered.

I could feel Fiona gritting her teeth so hard I thought they might shatter. The Love Lover collar must have held her back; otherwise, she’d have snapped by now. Noel was asleep, and the Manager was still grilling cheese.

What now?

“You… You’re underestimating—”

“Miners causing trouble for the general public is inexcusable.”

Just as Cordius was about to snap, a calm, dignified voice cut in.

“What the… Who the hell?”

Cordius, clearly irritated, whipped around, only for his jaw to drop in disbelief. His party members, as if suddenly sobered, stared in stunned silence.

“Garth, if you’re going to make any more trouble, I can’t overlook this as a fellow miner. Understand?”

“Y-yeah…”

“Then leave quietly. I’ll let this slide without reporting it to the Miner’s Guild.”

“Tch… Fine, I get it. Sorry.”

“You’re apologizing to the wrong people. You should be apologizing to this tavern, its patrons, and most of all, to them.”

“Ugh… S-sorry!”

Cordius turned, grimacing as he looked at me with resentment.

“And… to you too.”

“Oh, uh, sure.”

That was hardly an apology, but I nodded. Whatever got this situation resolved, I’d take it. I could understand his frustration. I wouldn’t be thrilled to see a guy like me either. Sad, really.

With that, Cordius and the Wild Lions hurried out of the Sumibi-tei. As they left, a calm silence settled over the tavern, like the passing of a storm.

“Everyone, I’m so sorry. To make up for this disturbance, I’ll cover everyone’s bill tonight. Please, eat and drink to your heart’s content. And to the owner, I’ll ensure they never come near here again.”

The atmosphere gradually returned to normal, albeit with lingering tension.

The person who saved us now turned to face us.

With the Wild Lions out of the way, I could finally see them—and my eyes widened. Fiona clung tightly to my arm. Noel was still asleep. The Manager kept grilling cheese.

Long, silken blonde hair reaching down her back and emerald green eyes.

Her refined, almost artistic features.

Dressed in a long-sleeved, ethnic-style coat and half-pants, with slender, elegant limbs.

Though taller and more mature, her face was unmistakable. She was the same girl who once saved me just like this—

“Elle…?”

“Yes, Noil. I’m glad you remember me.”

Elle—Elshan Farsheed—smiled, her captivating gaze nearly making me fall for her all over again.