The next morning was began with bright and peaceful. Kazuto and Hanamori walked toward the guild. Kazuto had his hands behind his head, looking relaxed.
"So, Hanamori," he began, "I'm just thinking we should take a quest as much as we could and back to the academy before it starts? We shouldn't absent too many times."
Hanamori puffed her cheeks. "That was your fault! You're doing too many quests in this weekends!"
He laughed. "Yeah, yeah. I guess..."
She gave him a look. "Hmph! Just don't pick the quest that is too hard for us.."
Kazuto smirked. "Whether I pick it or not you'll always come with me right, my partner?"
Her face turned a little pink, and she turned her head away, embrassed,
"Don't say things like that so casually…"
He chuckled quietly as they reached the guild entrance. Kazuto got excited, clenched his fists.
"Alright, Let's quickly pick a quest! We can't be late for the academy!"
"I agree." Hanamori nodded, replying with soft smile.
They both walked toward the board, checking the every quests.
"Hmm…" Kazuto confused, rubbing his head. "We've got goblins, skeletons, silver wolf… isn't the last one we met it yesterday?"
"Yeah, but I think anyone haven't take it yet," Hanamori said.
"Is it that strong that adventures don't want to take this quest?" Hanamori confused.
"I can't believe that we manage to escape from it!" Kazuto blinked. "We were too lucky back then."
Her face turned away, blushing a bit, turning pink, "That's because you saved me...Hoshin.."
Kazuto opened his mouth to reply—
The door swung open with a bang, slamming against the wall. And then, thr guild became quiet. Everyone silented. No one dare to move.
A group of four adventurers stepped inside, their armor looked expemsive, weapons were strong. Their leader — a tall guy with spiky red hair and a smug grin — looked around the room like he owned the place.
Suddenly the guild filled with whispers.
"They're back…"
"The B-Rank party… 'Crimson Fang'…"
"Ugh, not again…"
Hanamori's expression tensed.
"Kazuto… they're known for picking fights. Let's just stay out of their way."
Kazuto frowned slightly. "Bullies, huh…"
Kazuto made a fist.
"Interesting... Let's see what they got..."
The Crimson Fang members stepped toward the counter, pushing aside anyone in their path. One adventurer dropped his drink as they shoved him, another stumbled back to avoid being hit. No one dares to move or talk back to them.
"Move it, trash!" one of them barked.
Kazuto and Hanamori stepped aside—well, Hanamori did. But Kazuto didn't move. The leader stopped in front of him, eyes narrowing. "Oi, kid. You're deaf or what? I said move."
Kazuto looked up at him calmly. "Don't you see I'm checking the quests on the board?"
"Are you blind or something?" He added.
The guild went silent.
One of the adventure in the guild whispers to the guy beside him.
"Oi oi, this guy has no fear at them.."
Even Hanamori's eyes widened. "K-Kazuto…we should back up.."
"Hum? Back up? For what?" Kazuto turned and replied.
The red-haired leader sneered. "Heh. You've got guts, I'm interesting in you, kid!" He leaned closer.
"But big talks can't save you in a fight, rookie."
Kazuto didn't flinch. "You're the one who is talking big than you can do."
The man's expression changed. He got pissed off. But before he could say anything, two of his party members noticed Hanamori standing beside Kazuto.
"Hey, look at that," one of them said with smirk. "Didn't know the newbie brought such a cute girl."
The other smirked. "Hey, little girl, why don't you abandon this loser and hang with real adventurers?"
Hanamori's face changed. "I would rather die instead of hanging out with you guys."
Kazuto's eyes narrowed dangerously. The bullies stepped closer, reaching toward her. "Come on, we'll show you what real—"
Shing!
Before the guy could finish, cold steel touched his neck.
Kazuto's sword was drawn in a blur, the edge of the sword pressing lightly against the bully's throat. The entire guild froze.
Kazuto's expression looked calm but his eyes were deadly serious.
"One more step, and I'll make you meet dead end."
He grabbed the guy's shoulder and pulled him close, using him as a shield while his eyes glared straight into the leader's.
"If you go any further…" he continued, his voice echoing through the guild,
"…I won't let anyone walk out unharmed."
The leader's grin faltered. His eyes were like looking someone terrifying at Kazuto's blade and Hanamori's frightened expression. He became sweaty.
The guild had gone silent — everyone watching. The other adventurers, normally too scared to interrupt, now stared in shock as the F-rank rookie stood up against the B-rank bullies.
The leader clicked his tongue.
"…Tch. You got lucky this time, kid."
He stepped back slowly.
"We'll let you off for now. But next time…"
Kazuto's eyes narrowed further. "Next time? So, you mean... you will revenge to us?"
The Crimson Fang members scowled and turned around. "We're retreating for now," the leader growled, glaring. "But we'll remember your face, brat."
They ran out of the guild, slamming the door behind them. The guild silenced for a few seconds…
Then suddenly —
"Wooaaahh!!"
The entire guild filled with cheers. Adventurers clapped, some whistled. Kazuto didn't know what is happening right now.
"You gave them a lesson, kid!"
"Finally, someone stood up to those jerks!"
"It is about time someone put them in their place!"
Kazuto blinked, lowering his sword, slightly confused. "…Wait, seriously?"
A burly adventurer walked up, patting him on the back so hard he almost stumbled. "You're brave, kid! We've all wanted to do that for months!"
Another grinned. "They've been bullying everyone here. No one dares to disobey them. They should get a lesson for bulling other."
The guild receptionist smiled warmly. "You've earned everyone's respect today, Kazuto."
Kazuto scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "Ahaha… I just did what I have to do."
Hanamori slowly walked up to him, her expression soft and shy. She gently tugged on his sleeve.
"Kazuto…" she whispered.
In Kazuto's mind: Wait.. did she call my first name?
He turned to her. "Umm.. yeah?"
She looked down, cheeks pink, and smiled softly. "Thank you… for protecting me."
For a moment, Kazuto's heart beat went faster. The way she looked at him — gentle, grateful, and pure — it made his chest tighten.
"Ah..umm. yeah..," he stammered slightly, rubbing the back of his neck again. "I mean, of course, I can't let them take you away from me. You're my partner, right.. Arisa?"
Arisa's eyes widen. She was surprised that Kazuto called her first name. Arisa blinked, then smiled wider. "This is your first time call me Arisa, Kazuto."
"Ehh.. you call mine first. So, I have to counter back." he replied, forced to calm but smiled.
The guild suddenly fell quiet again — then a receptionist said "Oho~ what's this? Did we just witness a love confession?"
Both of their expressions changed, shy and blush. Another voice joined in.
"Look, they're blushing!"
"Kids in these days were having more experiences than us!" someone shouted, and the guild burst into laughter.
Arisa gasped, covering her face with both hands, her cheeks now a bright red. "W–Whaaat!? N-No! It's not like that!"
Kazuto's own face flushed slightly, and he sighed, trying to stay composed. "Guys, come on, seriously…"
One adventurer elbowed him playfully, leaning closer to Kazuto, and patted on his back. "You're the lucky guy. Don't let this chance miss. We're supporting you!" He gave a thumbs up to Kazuto.
Kazuto groaned. "Give me a break…"
But deep down, he couldn't help smiling a little. Arisa peeked through her fingers, still red-faced. "They're so mean…" she said quietly.
Kazuto leaned closer and whispered, just teasing her, "You even look cute when you're embarrassed."
Her hands flew up again. "S-Stop saying that!"
"Hey, I'm just telling the truth!" he laughed.
"Ugh, you're the worst…" she muttered, but her voice was soft — no real anger behind it.
Finally, Kazuto sighed, placing his swords back. "Well… at least that's one problem solved."
Arisa glanced at him. "Do you think they'll come back?"
Kazuto shrugged with a calm smile. "Maybe. But next time, I'll be ready."
Then he looked up toward the ceiling as if realizing something —.
"Seriously though… Hey, God! You forgot to give me mana and now you're sending bullies my way? What's next? I can't wait for the next one!!!"
Everyone in the guild blinked. Arisa tilted her head. "Kazuto… what are you looking at?"
He coughed awkwardly. "Ah—uh, nothing.. nothing.."
She gave him a suspicious look. "You're so weird sometimes."
He grinned. "Yeah, but that's what makes me cool."
"Cool? More like crazy," she muttered under her breath, but she was smiling.
The adventurers around them laughed again, chatting and joking. For the first time since arriving in this world, Kazuto felt truly happiness, joy — even respect.
As they walked out of the guild together, the sunlight gleamed off his sword. Arisa smiled softly beside him, still a little pink but clearly happy.
Kazuto glanced at her and smiled faintly. "Hey, Arisa..."
"Hm..?" she answered back.
"I think… this is the beginning of something good." he said.
She looked at him curiously. "You mean our adventure?"
He grinned. "Yeah. That… and maybe a little more."
Arisa blinked, then blushed again. "I–Idiot… What are you thinking! Kazuto... Hmph.."
Kazuto chuckled quietly. "Heh. I'm just joking Arisa.."
The two of them walked down the street side by side — their journey as adventurers, partners, and perhaps something more, just beginning to take shape.