............... Huh?

At my words, Mr. Zeke sounded dumbfounded.
Then he freezes in that state for a little while.
I wondered if he still didn't understand the meaning of that figure, and I was worried.

'Oh, no, I'm sorry. I didn't think you were that prepared: ......

But after a little while, Mr. Zeke came back to himself.
Apparently, my fears were unfounded.
I guess I just froze up a little in surprise.

'No, it's okay. Is it okay if we continue the conversation?

Oh, yeah.

Understanding this, I make sure that Zeke's awareness is solid and we continue to talk.

'About the party co-housing, I'm not going to buy it now. ...... The reason for this is shameful, but I can't have the certainty that I'll be in the same house as Narcena and not make a mistake.

I feel self-loathing to myself, but I still tell Zeke without lying.
Of course I'm not going to let lust get the better of me and mess with Narcena.

...... Still, if you ask me if it's absolutely possible, I won't be able to nod to that.

It's a good thing that you're able to get the most out of this article.

So I'm not going to buy a joint house unless we get into a relationship where Narsena agrees to let me get my hands on it. Maybe Narsena will allow me to get my hands on it. ...... Still, I don't want to take the easy way out if there's a chance that Narsena will be sad.

That was my reason for not buying a co-housing unit.
It's the same reason why I would change my mind about staying at the same inn.
I'm sure Narsena doesn't dislike me at all.
But as long as I don't know if Narsena is feeling affection or love, I'm not going to touch her.

So I didn't plan to buy a joint house before I confessed.

'Oh, right: ......'

At my words, Zeke's face shows surprise and he tells me as much.

'...... No, if you're that determined, why haven't you confessed?'

But the next moment, Zeke seemed to question something, and his face turned dubious as he spoke the question.
It was a natural question.
If you've heard Narsena's story, you'll know how much she wants communal housing.
There was a reason why I hadn't confessed to Narsena while she wanted a co-housing that much.

...... Actually, I'm not quite ready to confess yet.

Prep?

'Yes. As a matter of fact, the necklace I was going to give to Narsena if I could get her to confess is still unfinished: ......

Oh.

At my words, the next moment Zeke screamed as if he realized something.
Seeing the expression on his face, I realize what Zeke has noticed.
Just before I met Mr. Zeke, I had been in the ornamental shop, and I realized why.

Yes, the thing I am currently asking Nasia-san, the decorator, to make for me is the necklace I am about to give to Narsena.

'I was thinking that if Narsena would accept my confession, I would want to leave her something tangible. Because then Narsena would no doubt be pleased.

I speak to Zeke, remembering how I felt when I asked Nasia-san for the necklace.

...... As a result of the elaboration on the ornaments, I made Narsena wait too long, which was just a bypass.
But asking for a necklace was an act of wanting to proceed as much as possible to please Narsena.

...... What a surprise to see you go that far.

When I finished listening to my story, the surprise on Mr. Zeke's face was one that I couldn't hide.
His words were the best proof that he was questioning my words.
However, Zeke's words did not make me feel uncomfortable.

Because I knew that this was a natural reaction for adventurers.

Love among adventurers, it's usually much drier.
Some high-ranking adventurers treat women as objects.
The love affairs of such adventurers usually consist mainly of physical relations.
From Zeke's point of view, who knows this, it can't be helped that I'm an alien to him who goes to this extent.
But what others thought of me didn't matter to me.

'It's nothing, this much is nothing.

If you're happy with Narsena, it's because what other people think of you is of little consequence to me.
That's how special Narsena was to me.

The memories of the past with Narsena come back to my mind.
A few years ago, we talked in the carriage.
How she was the first to become a party member when I was banished from the Sword of Lightning.
That we fought together with the mutated Hydra.

Now, Narcena was more than just a person I had feelings for.
She is an irreplaceable benefactor, a unique and trustworthy companion, and an existence that I love more than anyone else.
That's what Narcena is to me now.
I can only use clichéd words to describe such a narcena as special.

But the thought that's contained in that word is not weak.

Even if people laugh at me for being clumsy, I want to make Narsena happy as much as I can. I want to see Narsena happy.

So I'm determined to do everything I can to make Narsena happy.
I may not be able to repay the great favor Narsena gave me, but I'm determined to show my gratitude.
Still, I decided to show my gratitude.

...... Really, that's odd.

Hearing my words, Zeke-san sputtered out those words.
His eyes were wide open, showing how upset Zeke-san was.

'But it's not bad,'

But the next moment, Zeke laughed at that.
At those words, I smile too.
I'm sure that Zeke is a person who thinks the same way I do.

...... Well, depending on how you feel about Narsena, it could all be a waste of time.

...... But then I remembered a certain concern, and my smile clouded my smile.
Yes, after all this preparation, I still don't know if Narsena will accept my confession.
I'm sure she doesn't hate me, but I haven't been able to determine if the feelings that Narsena has for me are affectionate or romantic.

You're ...... dull.

What?

But when Zeke heard of my seriousness, he made no attempt to hide his dismay.

'Look at that attitude: ......... No, that's not something I should be talking about.

I was stunned by the expression on his face, and Zeke opened his mouth to say something else, but he immediately shook his head, interrupting me.
I looked at him suspiciously at his attitude, but he didn't say anything else.

'Well, what the hell. I think you'll be fine.

Just instead, Zeke-san utters a clumsy encouragement.
I let out a small laugh at Zeke's words.

Zeke had said to me that I was odd as an adventurer, and it was the same with Zeke-san.
I've never seen a good-natured adventurer ask me for advice on love like this.
I laugh as I think about that.

''Thank you for everything,''

Then, deciding that I've already told you what I need to tell you, I get up from my chair and bow my head.

'Yeah. Good luck.

With that last word from Zeke, I left the store.



◇◆◇



My steps were light after leaving the coffee shop.
The last few days I've been feeling a little nervous at the thought of having to tell Narsena how I feel, but after talking to Zeke, I think I'm doing a good job of relaxing.
I'm grateful to Zeke for that, and I quicken my pace.

Currently, I'm heading to the adventurer's guild that I was going to go to before Zeke-san stopped me.
As for the funds, there is still some left over from defeating super-difficult monster clans, so there is plenty of money left over.
Therefore, there was originally no need for me to take the quest.

But there is no need to be troubled by the large amount of funds, and I also had other reasons for wanting to take the quest.
It was to try out the physical enhancements that I couldn't do when I fought the Great Sword of the God of War.
Other than that, my body was burning up because I had reaffirmed my feelings for Narsena.

When I arrived at the guild, I started looking for quests, pushed by that excitement.

''Where's ...............?''

But the next moment, the blood drained from my face as I saw a huge poster on the reception desk of the Adventurer's Guild.

...... The poster stated that I, Raust and his party are forbidden to enter the labyrinth for unwarranted violence against the Adventurer's Party.