As one would expect from a specialty product, there were many buildings in the streets of Gura that were clearly designed to look like Western-style confectionary stores or coffee shops. Some of them have exciting signs that say they are chocolate specialty stores.

I like sweet things. I like cream, I like bean paste, and I like chocolate. Chocolate is also my favorite. I like it so much that I always have a stock of chocolate bars as nutritional food. I like chocolate more than three meals a day.

If I had more time, I would take my time to go around, but unfortunately, I don't have time to stay that long this time.

The town was somewhat noisy because of the flags, but I didn't mind too much because it was the usual thing. If this had been the case when I first became a hunter, I would have been so worried that I wouldn't have been able to enjoy chocolate, but this was a good example of how even people with no ability can get used to it if they gain experience for nothing.

On the other hand, Tino, who was dressed more modestly than usual, seemed to be somewhat deflated.

She likes sweets as much as I do (although I have a secret sweet tooth). Normally, when she goes out to eat sweets, she looks so happy that it makes me happy too, but maybe she hasn't had much experience walking in a town with flags.

'Don't worry, Tino. Tino hasn't been out of the capital much, so it might be unusual, but you see flags all the time when you travel. Hahaha ...... I've lost track of how many times I've seen them.

'......? Is that so? ......'

And most of the time, Luke and his friends run into them and they get hurt badly. It's a good idea to take a look at the web and see if there is anything you can do to help.
Tino is not the kind of person to get involved in dangerous places, so I feel safe.

Still, I suppose it's the first time, so I can't help but be curious. It's a little strange to see Tino, who always seems to be calm and collected, casting anxious glances at the people milling about.

I'm still a better hunter than him. I think I should show him a good time.

'If you're still curious, you can go to ....... At times like this, close your eyes and cover your ears. Take a slow, deep breath and think of something pleasant.'

'............'

And if someone calls out to you, fold your arms and nod your head in agreement, pretending to be thinking. This is the key to escaping reality.
There is only so much one person can do. There are many other good hunters out there, and you can let them take care of the things that are outside of your responsibility.

Tino, who had fallen silent, got a little carried away and continued.

That's right. I've been thinking. Tino is overthinking - overly serious. It's true that she's a brilliant and talented hunter, but there are plenty of better hunters out there right now. If she took on too much, it would destroy her.

'Tino is doing his best, but he's still young, and I don't think it's a good idea to take on too much. Worst of all, you've got Lise and Cicely, so you should take it easy. You've been looking terrible since yesterday, I'm worried about you.

'! Yes,......, thank you, thank you,.......'

The dark circles have disappeared, but the fatigue is still there.






I strolled around the town with Tino, who had regained some of her energy.
The main store was located in one of the big streets. It was a coffee shop with a very stylish appearance. There seemed to be a lot of traffic, but no customers, probably because the flag was up. This was convenient.

The purpose of this visit was not only for the parfait. It was also for Tino's mental care.
Liz's attitude toward Tino had been bothering me for a long time. You'll be able to find a lot of people who are interested in this kind of thing.

I'm not a big fan of sweets,......, but if it's for the sake of the younger generation, I can't blame them.

We were shown to a sunny seat that overlooked the street.
The interior was as stylish as the store itself. Obviously, this was not a place where hunters would come.

I've been to every confectionery store and coffee shop in the capital, and I can say that I have high expectations for this place.
Tino's expression has returned to his usual one, and his eyes are shining as he gazes around the store gingerly. It was worth bringing him here if he was happy.

While I was smiling at the scene, Tino said with a wry look upward.

I've got some money for you from your sister ....... You can use it as you wish.

'............'

What is it? What is it? Are you my guardian or something? ...... I wish he'd at least let me dress up.


I ordered the parfait I wanted, being careful not to show my excitement. The sweet scent of the parfait filled me with the feeling that I was glad to have left the Imperial Capital.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what's going on in your life. ...... Let's think about the troubles that may arise after we return home.

I'm sure you'll be happy with the results. ...... You know, I'm sorry for making you worry about ...... me.'

'That's fine. I don't think you're bothering me, and I've always been bothered by Tino in the first place.'

'That's not ...... true.'

There is no one better than me when it comes to relying on others, but it feels good to be relied on once in a while.
Especially since Tino became a hunter half because of us. Why should we not be willing to be relied upon? ...... In fact, it would be nice to be relied upon a little more. I'm not sure if I can live up to that, though.

Most of the conversation is still about hunter relations.
It's not really appropriate for a date, but I'm not going to point it out. Tino is serious. He's serious about becoming a top hunter.

And I've got experience, so I can talk about it, if not my knowledge.

'What? Masuta, you've never been injured in battle before?'

'Because Luke and the others were so strong.'

Tino's eyes widen and he says in surprise.

The Anthem put up a barrier, there was a warding finger, and there were almost no attacks flying at us in the first place.
In the first place, my absorption rate of mana and materials is much lower than that of other people, so I don't stand out much in the battlefield. In addition, if there was nothing to do on the battlefield, there was no reason to get injured. There have been times when I have sat in a corner and watched the battle. I am probably the only hunter in the treasure hunter industry with such experience.

'That's great,............, I'll never be able to imitate that.

For some reason, Tino's respect for me is growing as I speak. I'm not in a position to be respected like that.


I felt a little bad about this misplaced respect, but I quickly followed up with Liz.

'...... Not getting hurt is nothing to be proud of. In fact, you should train your mind to be able to move with impunity even when injured. That's why, even though Liz's training may be hard, I think it's definitely for Tino's benefit. It may be tough, but Liz isn't doing all this just to bully Tino, so--'?

'? Yes. Your sister has been very good to me. I'm really lucky to have met you and your sister.

'...... Citri isn't a bad guy either. It's just that his sensibilities are a little bit different - you see, alchemists have that kind of thing, and he's not doing this to bully Tino.

'......? Yes, the Citrie sister is ...... a little bit, a little bit embarrassed to touch the body in front of the eyes of Murata, but not so much that she is being bullied - not always touched. It's not like I'm being bullied.

......? It's not a problem, is it?
I'm not sure what to make of it. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for and what you can do to help. In the first place, Tino is not the kind of character who tells lies.

You can find a lot more information on the web.

'............ Are you having a bad day or something? If there's anything wrong, just let me know and I'll take care of it, okay?'

'Yes, I'm fine. Rather, ...... Masutaa's request was the most heartbreaking--no, I know Masutaa is, you know, thinking about me, but... ...'

Tino looks down and mumbles an excuse. What did I do?
It's true I've made some incompetent decisions, but I've never done anything maliciously.

No, wait. But if that's the case, then what's the reason why I've been in bad shape?
Aside from the past, I didn't ask Tino for anything this time. Thinking back, I was even more harmless than usual.

At that moment, Tino's expression suddenly changed. He started to leave his seat, but when he saw me watching him, he hurriedly sat back down.

'I'm sorry, sir. I wasn't trying to listen to the voices outside, but they were loud, and your training made me listen naturally. I just naturally listened.

'What's wrong?

How good are your ears at hearing voices outside? I was standing against the window and didn't notice anything, so what the hell is going on with hunters?
I don't know anything, but Tino's face is up to his ears and he's talking fast.

I didn't fully believe in what Masutaa said. But, because of what has happened up to now, even if it was easy for you, for me it was life-threatening, and besides, I thought you were with me the whole time--I'm sorry. I'm so .................. ashamed of myself.

Tino clenches his fists in his lap and shrinks back.

I'm sorry you're embarrassed all by yourself, but we don't know anything about the situation.
The only thing I could figure out was that Tino didn't trust any of my words, and that her blushing face was very cute and appropriate for her age, which was a nice change from the usual.

Tino was so excited that he lost sight of the timing of the waitress carrying a tray with a gorgeous parfait on it.

'I've decided. I'll never doubt Masutaa's words again!

Tino raises his head as if he has made up his mind, and declares.
However, I don't remember doing anything that would earn me that much trust, and I'm a fool to begin with, so I don't want to be trusted too much, and besides - this is the few times I've heard those words.

I'm sorry I betrayed you so many times. It's all my fault.

'I remember hearing that word a few times.

'This time, it's true. Mastaaa. If Mastaa says the crow is white, it's white! Mastaa's will is my will!

Isn't that too much of a drop in tension? Well, I'm glad you're happy.
Just as I was about to shut up all my questions and answer with a knowing 'yes, yes, yes' as usual, Tino said while fiddling with his fingertips.

'So, sir. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at ...... I am sure you will not be able to understand what I am asking, but may I ask you for the ...... sake of posterity? Now the hunter outside was talking, ............ how did you drive the orcs out of the fort?

'...... Yeah, yeah, yeah.'

......What are they talking about?