I Am Not the Heroine

Ugh.

The blue-haired female knight hesitated to walk forward, yet she kept moving in one direction.

Soon, the time promised by the mage was approaching.

When that time comes, she would finally be alone with the person she liked so much.

“How long has it been…?”

It’s definitely been over a year.

Since joining the hero party, she hadn’t had a moment apart from Rapirie and Ariya.

The last time they were alone together was probably during sword training with Aswel, who was chosen as the hero.

Even that chance had been lost for about two years as several knights joined the training afterward.

But now, the opportunity had finally arrived.

‘What should I talk about…?’

She had so much she wanted to say that she was unable to bring up any topic at all.

For this purpose, the plan she had crafted directed her to talk about today’s battle.

‘I’ll do what Rui suggested…’

If today’s plan goes well, similar situations would arise several more times in the future.

Then, she could talk a little bit every time.

No such events? That’s fine too.

Since Serelin and Aswel were responsible for the front line, she could easily socialize in the brief moments they had.

“Ugh…”

She hadn’t felt this nervous even in front of the giant magical creature in the Eastern region.

Serelin tried to calm her racing heart.

“Soon, Aswel will be coming here…”

“Um, Serelin?”

“Eek!”

She wasn’t mentally prepared yet!

But she couldn’t ignore Aswel either.

Ignoring him would mean the end of everything.

In the end, Serelin turned around awkwardly, unable to complete her preparations.

‘Huh?’

Aswel, not wearing his armor and dressed in casual clothes.

And on his chest, he had a sparkling jeweled brooch.

‘Was that something he always had…? Ugh… I don’t know.’

She couldn’t tell if that was something he always owned or if it was a new acquisition he got without realizing it.

But it didn’t matter. Now that they had met, she had to bring up the topic first.

“Ah, Aswel? What brings you here?”

‘I bit my tongue!’

But luckily, it seemed Aswel didn’t hear her.

“Ah… I was asked by Rui to escort him to the magic item shop.”

“I see.”

He was sharp as always. Just as her plan predicted, Aswel had come to the central commercial district.

“And what about you, Serelin?”

“I just finished the northern battle and came to rest. I wanted to drink some alcohol after a long time.”

“Alcohol? Didn’t you dislike it?”

“Well… Today, I feel like having a bit.”

Did he remember that much?

Serelin had to work hard to suppress the inner scream of embarrassment.

“Um… Aswel.”

“Yeah?”

Now, she had to speak up. The dense hero would never take the initiative, after all.

“If you have some time… do you want to drink together?”

“Um…”

And this considerate hero would usually agree to any request from his comrades.

“Sure. Sounds good. Where to?”

“I have a place in mind. This way.”

The operation to lead him to the restaurant went smoothly.

‘Thank you, Rui.’

The young mage was probably cheering for her right now.

Serelin sincerely appreciated it and walked alongside the hero to the restaurant.

…

“Here it is.”

The restaurant she recommended had a cozy appearance.

It was a small restaurant that provided meals during Serelin’s days as a squire.

There weren’t many seats available, but it was clear that this place focused on cooking.

“Welcome. Just sit wherever you like.”

The gruff tone of the owner led the two to a corner.

“What do you want to eat?”

“Hmm… I think a stew would be nice.”

And some alcohol too.

The food and drink came out quickly.

Aswel didn’t order alcohol, but two mugs filled with beer appeared on the table by Serelin’s order.

“Cheers~.”

“Cheers.”

The two wooden mugs clinked, with foam spilling over.

Contrary to Serelin’s worries, their conversation flowed smoothly from the start.

“So, today I came up with a variation of the basic sword technique…”

Of course, it was all about the battles and training they had done in the past.

But she was encouraged to start with such stories, and Serelin felt her tension gradually easing.

As they started to feel the buzz from the drinks, Serelin brought up another topic.

“…Remember when you used to speak politely to me, Aswel?”

Back when Aswel wasn’t yet an official hero, during the time she was teaching him, they spoke formally.

“Would you like me to call you that again, Master?”

“Heh, it’s been a while since I heard that. But it’s fine. I’ve grown to dislike that title.”

“Oh, why?”

“Well…”

Perhaps Serelin herself didn’t realize until now that she was bringing up this subject.

But fueled by the alcohol and her fellow mage’s encouragement, she pushed forward.

“If we just have a teacher-student relationship, you wouldn’t pay me any attention, right?”

“…Huh?”

An utterly unexpected topic sprang forth.

This was more loaded with passion and emotion than the lines assigned by the mage.

“Heh.”

“Wait, what did you just say…”

“I said I don’t like it because you definitely won’t pay me any attention.”

The young mage hadn’t considered one point: how courageous Serelin would become when intoxicated.

Of course, she wasn’t aware of it herself.

“Aswel.”

“…Uh.”

“I’m really happy with our current situation. You and… me… Ariya… Rapirie… and Rui… moving together as a party.”

Once again, the mug met Serelin’s lips before returning to the table.

“But better than that is… right now. Just sitting here, chatting, and eating with you.”

“…”

“Why do you think that is? Hmm? Aswel, why do you think I feel this way?”

With that question, Serelin gazed gently at Aswel with soft eyes.

For some reason, Aswel’s face seemed to turn red.

Was it because of the alcohol? Or the lighting in this place? Or…

“Uh, Serelin. You seem quite tipsy…”

“No, no, I’m tipsy but I know what I’m saying.”

‘I’m’ not elegant and proper like Ariya, nor am I bright and cheerful like Rapirie.

And I’m not incredibly talented like Rui, contributing greatly to the party either.

What I possess is only our past relationship and distance.

Serelin wanted to bridge that gap a little closer.

‘But if I get too close, you might feel burdened.’

So, before Aswel could respond, she covered his mouth.

“The answer to my question… I want to hear later, okay?”

“…Okay.”

“Hehe, thank you. Then, I’ll head out first. It’s hot.”

Stepping outside, the cold evening air pierced through her lungs.

Releasing long-suppressed feelings felt refreshing like never before.

“All of this… is thanks to you.”

Aswel and her comrades had praised Serelin, and she had realized that she liked Aswel.

Without that kid, she would still be struggling internally.

She hadn’t confessed… maybe.

She had simply left a hint for Aswel, making him more aware of her.

From the look of shock on his face, it seemed this battle was something Serelin could consider a victory.

She didn’t know if her actions were right thus far.

But Serelin hoped they weren’t wrong. She was just praying they weren’t errors.

“…I need to pull myself together again starting tomorrow!”

With that cheerful thought, her tipsiness began to fade.

Serelin jogged for several hours before returning to the mansion.

*

“…”

Did I realize her feelings? Or did I really not know?

‘…I don’t know.’

Aswel gazed at the remaining drink, recalling the female knight who had just left.

In truth, it was at the point she posed that question that Aswel had faintly sensed something.

Love, or perhaps infatuation. Not quite that far.

But Serelin clearly had an interest in Aswel himself.

“Haah…”

To be honest, it wasn’t bad. No, it could even be seen as good.

Because Serelin had been a knight he greatly admired and followed.

It was only natural that he couldn’t help but feel some interest now that she showed interest in him.

But the reason Aswel sighed had to do with the other members of the party.

Just a few weeks ago, he had a similar thought after an event with Rapirie in the flower field.

Looking at Rapirie, radiant in the sunset and flowers, his heart had surged.

Now, when Serelin spoke, it was similar but different.

While seeing Rapirie made his emotions boil over like water coming to a fast boil, watching Serelin felt like seeing drops land on still water, creating gentle ripples.

Gulp. Gulp.

“Haah…”

Aswel began to feel increasingly confused. At least he was somewhat relieved that he hadn’t gotten tangled up with the saint, Ariya.

Nevertheless, he couldn’t ignore these conflicting feelings.

A female knight, who showed interest in him and whom he respected.

The elf princess, who had almost enchanted him in an instant.

And… the young mage, who kept bothering and occupying his thoughts, the source of his chaotic feelings.

He didn’t know.

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