A corner of the Zephyros Forest.

　We were in an open, open space in the forest.

　This is what adventurers call the "safety zone" (point).

　Each type of monster can have a different area of distribution.

　And this plaza existed right on the border between areas - a place where it was extremely difficult for demons to appear and disappear.

　There seemed to be only the three of us in the safe zone today.

　I didn't hesitate to take a seat in the middle of the square.

　It's nice to occupy the middle at a time like this to feel like a private party!

　Mei Fan sat down to the left of me as I sat down. A little further away from there, Meil sat down.

　And just there, Mei Fan's belly gurgles.

　She suppressed her rumbling belly with her hands while her cheeks stained with embarrassment.

''I'm hungry.''

Me too. Anyway, let's have lunch.

Yes!

　Mei Fan and Myl are the vanguard, so they will be trading swords and fists with demons directly.

　When it comes to me, I'm moving around in the forest, so I use my strength and the more I move my body, the more energy I expend.

　It was natural to feel hungry.

　I unfolded the package I took out of my belt pouch.

　Today's lunch is a sandwich I made while I was making breakfast. Between the bread, I put bacon, lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes. I also spread some butter on the back of the bread and sprinkled some black pepper on it.

　It's usually good on its own. If it's a sandwich, it's easy to carry around, and it's easy to change the taste of the sandwich just by changing what you put in it.

This is delicious.

　When he takes a bite, Mei Fan breaks into a happy face.

''Do you like it?''

'Yes!　I thought bread was meant to be eaten with jam or honey. It's amazing that you could come up with this kind of usage, after all, Gerald!

　To be honest, I'm troubled when people rave about something as simple as a sandwich.

　It's not even a rare food in the previous world....

　Well, it doesn't matter that Mei Fan is happy to see me.

Thank you for the food.

　Mei Fan, who had been obsessively biting into a sandwich, quickly flattened it down.

''You have an amazing appetite,''

And it was so good, I just couldn't resist.

　Mei Fan's cheeks tinted with embarrassment when I asked her what she thought about the way she was eating.

　I was noticeably aware that her gaze was even on my sandwich.

　From the pouch, I take out the portable food that Karius-san gave me and offer it to Mei Fan.

''This is the one Karius-san gave me, if you want, you want to eat this too?''

Yeah, you sure?

Yeah. I'd be in more trouble if he collapsed on an empty stomach.

Thank you!

　Mei Fan happily opened the package.

　Inside was a cookie. I wonder if it was made by Karius-san.

　A fragrant aroma spread through the air.

　The quality is amazing.

It's amazing. It's delicious!

　Mei Fan threw the cookie into her mouth with a happy voice.

　I tried to pick one up, but the moment I took a bite, the sourness of the lemon mixed with the savory flavor spread through my mouth and it was so delicious.

　

　It would be great to have a girlfriend like her. Karius, he's a guy, but....

　Contrary to Mei Fan's voracious appetite, Myl didn't seem to be eating very well.

　Even though Mei Fan was still trying to flatten his cookies, Meil hadn't even eaten half of his sandwich yet.

　Instead, he was looking down at the ground with a difficult look on his face.

　Why should I do it, I think.

　If there's something that's bothering you, you might as well listen to it.

　However, some people aren't good at confiding their problems and advice to others.

　Meir and I have known each other for a long time and I thought we understood each other to a certain extent, but I haven't seen many people worrying about it like this.

　So I don't know why it's the right thing to do, but.......either way, if there's something that's troubling you, you can't just leave it alone.

　I decided to call out to him.

'Hey, Meir.'

"...what?　Oh, yeah. What?

'I haven't eaten at all, but maybe you're not hungry?'

　That's the first thing I'll do. Anyway, I think it's more important to have a conversation in these situations.

　If it were me, when I'm in trouble or distressed, I would suddenly ask, "Is something troubling you? If someone asks me what I want to do, I feel that I would deny it at once.

　Human beings sometimes reflexively deny it when they are pointed out to you.

Ah....

　Meir looks down at the sandwich in his hand, as if he noticed that he was told to do so.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. .........I was out of it.

It's not very typical for Meir to zonk out in front of your food. Have you caught a cold?

No it's not like I have a cold or anything.

What do you mean, then?　Did I make a bad meal or something?

'Not bad!　Not bad, but tasty, but...

But?

I'm sorry, I just don't know what I'm talking about. I don't know what it is.

　He seemed more confused than troubled.

　It's rare for Meal to have this kind of unclear attitude.

　However, it is probably because of this lack of clarity that the person in question does not know what to do and is confused.

It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what to do. I'm not going to be able to say that it's a good idea.

　As if trying to cheer up Myl, who has turned over, Mei Fan calls out to her.

　With that straightforward kindness, Myl's expression relaxes a bit.

''Yeah. Thanks, Mei-chan. And Gerald too I'm sorry for dragging you down.

You're pulling my leg. If you're in trouble, you're pulling my leg.

But that was a close call back there.

　Meir says in a subdued voice.

　Earlier (...)

　I think he's referring to the close call he got in the battle with the Boar Bear.

I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, I.......I should have been able to defeat a boar, but I'm not. I don't know why I was delayed by a demon of that caliber, but.......next time, I'm sure you'll be fine.

　I'm sure Meir doesn't realize it himself.

　That the words "I don't know, but it's okay" are a contradiction in terms.

　I'm sure she would be anxious if she didn't think she had to be okay.

　But that, to me, seems like she's got one foot in the mud.

'It's not like that. Meir would have said, 'I had faith that Gerald would help us!　I love you! What a stupid thing to say.

Oh... yeah, maybe?

Maybe not. What's really going on, man?

I don't know what that is, but I don't understand it myself. But I'm a liability, you know.

No one says that.

But I'll do my best. I'm going to be stronger and next time you'll have to do better than that, won't that get in my way?

　Meir is thinking about it.

　But he doesn't realize that he's pondering.

　He doesn't understand why he's confused or impatient, or why he's in a hurry. It was like that.

　Come to think of it, Meir had gotten up early in the morning the other day to practice his sword.

　I thought at the time that it was the ambition I looked up to, but he might have felt a strong sense of frustration at that time.

　

　But I felt that even such words would have the opposite effect on the current melee.

'Well, don't force yourself to do it alone. You can rely on your friends, you know.

'Yes, Mr. Mill!　We're friends, we don't have to fight alone!

My guys, well, we're all friends, aren't we?

　I wonder why.

　Myl, who held his knees and muttered that, had some kind of lonely look in his eyes.