- Before -


    A silver glint flashed and the reflected light danced sharply across the small room. Sunlight poured through the slightly open curtains and lit up the room vaguely as dust particles danced in the air.


    In this subdued yellow and brown hues, Aki sat on her bed with Shinshu purring in her hands. She ran a cloth carefully over shinshu, cleaning him up as well as checking for any nicks and damage. A slight smile donned Aki’s face as the joy that Shinshu projected to Aki was contagious.


    A contagious atmosphere of joy was in the air. Well, except for the pink fluff that was currently sulking on her expensive exclusive bed. Kit Kat was puffed up over the fact that Aki had actually left him locked up in this little room for the whole day yesterday!


    How could she just throw me in here and leave with that Red Hair servant!


    “Okay, okay. Next time I’ll bring you with me everywhere. But no complaining if it''s hard or if it''s dangerous okay?”


    Kit Kat turned away and refused to look at Aki, burying himself further into his bedding.


    “Come on… don’t be angry already…”


    Aki crawled on the bed over to the side table. She used her finger to poke at Kit Kat, trying to get a reaction. Aki’s lips twitched as her finger sank into the pink fluff and she began to persistently poke at it repeatedly. The room was silent besides some movement from Aki poking at the fluff.


    Poke, poke, poke, poooooke, poke.


    Kit Kat sniffed and glanced back at Aki. His eyes were round as if filled with unfallen tears, shining like little red gems. Fine! I’ll forgive you since you were begging me to.


    Aki let out a laugh as she saw Kit Kat physically defluffing.


    Knock, Knock


    Sounds of the knocks resounded through the room as Aki was preparing to bully Kit Kat further. Kit Kat’s ears perked up. Grabbing Shinshu, Aki opened the door slightly to check who’s outside.


    One downfall of this rented room was that they did not have peepholes nor a bolt. This caused Aki to amp up her vigilance. As much as it seemed ridiculous, you can never know if someone were to jump you at the door or create an ambush as you exit the room.


    But instead of a physical assault, it was an attack on the eyes with that bright red hair that has grown familiar to Aki. Rory was standing at the door twiddling his fingers with an apologetic look on his face. Aki sighed.


    “Come on, let’s go and get some food and talk.”


    Just before Aki closed the door, she felt a weight on her head. Rory''s eyes glittered at seeing the pink fluff. Reluctant to be left behind again, Kit Kat flew at his fastest speed after hearing that Aki was leaving.


    Passing the royal pain in the fluff to his faithful servant, Aki walked down the stairs to the inn’s dining area. Having the stew again sounds like a good idea.


    Aki slurped her stew. At the side was a sandwich, courtesy from Carol who was trying out a new recipe. Rory got a hamburger of sorts, with the meat patty totally outshining the tiny bread that topped it.


    The slight weirdness in this scenery was that instead of being focused on Kit Kat, Rory was picking at his food, unsure of how to open the conversation with Aki.


    “How are the other two?”


    “Eh?! Umm they’re okay. Yesterday night Flynn woke up and Adam brought him back home. His injury healed up nicely and the doctor said he did not need to return for any follow-ups. Apparently the potion you provided was a high class healing potion.”


    Aki did not know what grade that healing potion was since Heiki gave it to her. Takeshi did say that it was an effective one and told her that everything would be fine as long as she had it.


    “Thank you very much for your help yesterday!”


    Rory gave a little awkward bow.


    “So. umm... How was it yesterday? From your judgment…”This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Aki looked at the pensive Rory and for once, hesitated.


    It was rare for Aki who had to make life and death decisions often in her life to hesitate on something. Afterall, a moment of indecision could cost a life. And she learnt that the hard way.


    But now looking at the downcasted Rory, Aki hesitated. She did not know how to answer Rory without hurting his feelings. But why did Aki even care about such a thing like his feelings anyways.


    “For a start, I think Rory should stop acting like a goody-goody two shoes.”


    Shocked, Rory looked at her questioningly.


    “Stop catering to both of them. I know as a leader you try to compromise in order to prevent any conflicts in the party. But when it''s time to put your foot down, you should do it. Someone has to make decisions that benefit or for the safety of the whole group. No matter how difficult that order is. Could you order Adam to abandon Flynn on the battlefield?”


    Aki looked at Rory dead in the eyes.


    Rory gulped.


    It was as if Aki’s deep dark eyes, devoid of light, were sucking him into an abyss. Within it held scenes that Rory could not even fathom seeing and what… what did Aki have to do to protect her party?


    “If you can’t make those cruel decisions, it''s better if you’re not the leader. Or you guys can just stick to B or C class quests that wouldn’t put your party through dangerous and life-risking moments.”


    Aki shrugged.


    She had never understood ambition. The dream of attaining a higher status in society was a pain to Aki. And it was also pointless. The best life is to be able to live comfortably, without taking unnecessary and dumb risks that can cost you more than yourself.


    She just needed to be strong enough to protect things that are dear to her... or just not have any in the first place.


    The table fell into silence while the dining area buzzed with boisterous conversations. It was as if they were cut off from the outside world as they each sank into contemplation.


    “Hey Aki, need a refill for that?”


    A cheerful voice broke their thoughts. It was Carol who was standing next to their table holding a pitch of ale. Aki smiled.


    “Please, thank you.”


    After Carol left, Rory seemed as if he had made a decision.


    “Yosh, I need to find them and open a party meeting.” Rory clenched his fist on top of the table. Looking at the newly filled cup, Rory grabbed it and downed the whole thing in one go.


    “Thanks, Aki. I feel like thanking you is all I have been doing these days. I hope next time when we invite you for a quest again you would accept. We’ll show you that we have changed then!”


    Rory stood, patted Kit Kat and left the inn with resolute steps.


    -


    “Hey Aki!!”


    Aki was walking down the streets heading towards the Hunters guild when she was stopped.


    Adam was running towards her and breathing heavily and stopped in front of her. Sweat glistened on his face, making it shine as if diamonds were embedded into her skin. Envious gaze looked over at Aki as Adam flashed his signature refreshing lady killer smile.


    It almost blinded Aki.


    Aki squinted and turned and walked away. Adam’s smile withered.


    “Wait… Wait Aki.”


    Adam jogged up to Aki in a rush.


    “Okay okay, I''m sorry. I shouldn''t have flipped out like I did during the quest. Rory gave us a talk down and warned us on our mistakes. Don’t be angry anymore?”


    Aki entered the ever deserted Hunter’s guild and Adam trailed behind her. Stopping in front of the empty receptionist, Aki casted her eyes which lacked any form of emotion at Adam.


    “Look, I''m really sorry okay, i won’t-”


    “It’s not me that you should be apologizing to, right? Did you apologize properly to Rory?”


    Adam was stunned speechless.


    “I know that Rory is the leader but you as a party member should also be helping and supporting him. And I don''t know what is going on with you and Flynn but just go and confess and shag and get it out of your system. Don’t involve your personal issues during a mission and get your whole party killed. GET YOUR ASS IN SHAPE!”


    “YES MADAM!”


    Adam automatically saluted as Aki brought out her commanding voice as she got more and more agitated. It reminded him of the military runs that they had to do when they were still in the academy. Aki exudes an atmosphere of authority that demands total obedience and if not… Adam gulped.


    Aki blinked at Adam’s reaction. It seems like the years of training the Nishimura’s undercover troops had been ingrained into her and Adam brought that out when she felt irritated at his behavior.


    Aki breathed out and waved her hand dismissively.


    “Just go. And do whatever you need to do.”


    As if being granted amnesty, Adam backtracked as fast as he could and got out of the guild.


    “Ha… haha… hahahaha!!!”


    A burst of laughter rang through the otherwise empty guild. Goosebumps traveled up Aki’s back.


    At the end of the lounge, a person was slumped on the dusty sofa. The man got up and walked towards Aki. As he stepped out from the shadows, his crimson eyes twinkle in amusement.


    “For a little girl, you sure pack a lot of punch.”


    His hair was a deep dark blue that turned out almost black. Across his golden left eye was a faint scar that did not impact his vision which was set off even more with his full black combat uniform. He seemed to be about 20 years of age. Carrying a devilishly beautiful vistage but with a slight feeling of a rogue and laziness that cloaked over him as seen in his slight slouch.


    Still despite the lazy atmosphere, Aki could still feel the sharpness of his aura. He’s dangerous.


    Aki braced herself as a hand reached over her. But it wasn’t an attack but the hands made a rough ruffle on her head.


    “Keep up the good work.”


    The man grinned at Aki. Walking past her and out of the guild, what he left behind was a bewildered Aki with a head of messy hair.


    ~~~~~~~~~~


    - After -


    The protagonist of the otome game was now on the verge of being blown away. The dragon was flying higher and higher with Aki directing it according to the information displayed on the smart brain.


    “Surround.” As Aki casted a double barrier, a light magic circle surrounded Aki to protect them from the inertial and high altitude.


    When they finally broke through the layers of clouds, they ended up almost at the verge of heading into space. White puffs of smoke escaped as Aki breathed and admired the blue at the horizon.


    It was breath-takingly beautiful.


    And a few meters away was the goal. A lone white cloud and growing on top of it, was surprisingly a very ugly mushroom.


    No no, that''s a Bisporus. A herb that is effective for cleansing the body of impurities. It was almost miraculous in the way it healed the body.


    Aki unearthed, no uncloud the plant, being careful not to hurt its roots. For a cloud, it was not made of water and air, but soft fluffy material like cotton wool.


    Kit Kat was now doubting his life and decisions. Cadburry thought that she was now even more mighty as she was probably the first dragon to fly to such heights.


    Satisfied with getting the loot, Aki patted Cadbury.


    "Now that''s done, it''s time to head back to turn in our spoils."