It was a few minutes after they returned from the volcano.

　Raffy and the others who had originally been asked to follow me as an escort quickly returned to their homes. As for this time's thanks, Wraith would do it again later.

　Rulimes retreated to Wraith's house early, probably from exhaustion.

　The two remaining Wraiths and Seth were outside.

'I don't want to go back there again,'
Agreed.

　As we walked in the direction of Seth's house, we exchanged some light banter. Most of it is complaining about the place we were just moments ago.

　We've been attacked by demons, fallen from great heights, and met a swarm of bugs. There's nothing good about looking back.

'Speaking of which, is Seth okay?'
Hmm, what?
No, you know. You've been interrupted by your brother, haven't you?　Then, well....

　Wraith slurred his words a bit awkwardly. It was flippant to say anything about someone else's home environment. Seth, who knew what he wanted to say when he saw Lace's simmering attitude, laughed in annoyance.

　It's not that it's hard to express your thoughts, it's just that you don't know what to do with yourself. It's just that kind of look.

''Well, I knew you didn't like me, and I'm still not entirely sure if you were going to get rid of me in the first place. Well.........

　The goodbye that Alda told me before I left for the volcano. Was she trying to get rid of Seth, or was she just trying to harass him?

　Seth nearly dies as a result, but it's unclear what Alda's true intentions were. But if Alda really did intend to get rid of Seth, then she's not sure what to do about it.

　Seth doesn't know what to do, but he's not sure what to do.

I'll just go home and see what happens. I'll just go home and see what's going on, and see if I can figure out what's going on.
All right. Let me know if you need anything.
Thanks, I will.
Well, good job today. I'll do the light silver experiment the day after tomorrow, so just in case Seth comes too.
Yes, sir.

　They made a promise and they parted ways.
　Wraith watched Seth's back as he disappeared into the hustle and bustle and sighed softly with a huff.

'I hope it's nothing...'

　It's not a matter of strong entry, although it's a growing concern for the same-s*x friend he's finally made, but it's not a matter of strong entry either. I just pray that nothing happens to Seth, even if an amicable resolution is difficult.

'Well,'

　Now Wraith has to think about buying ingredients for dinner and thanking Raffy and the others for their help. For now, she puts Seth in a corner of her mind and walks away.

I'm sure you'll be surprised at how much Raffy likes cute things. I'll look for something doll-related or something like that in the area.

　I briefly pick up the thank you note in my brain. I walk into the store in line with it and look around the store. It's a wide assortment of items, ranging from large dolls to lanyard-like items.

　However, the atmosphere, in which almost no male customers are likely to be present, almost makes Wraith's foot fall backwards.

''No, this is the place to hold on, Wraith.......!

　I pulled my foot back with steel intent and continued to push through the store with a zungeon. You feel like a soldier going to the land of the dead.

　You can find a number of different types of gifts in the store.

''Mmmm........''

　I groan in front of the cute doll with a serious expression on my face.

　Because of the difference in sensibilities that turned out to be the case with the Salamander doll, I can't help but feel uneasy about the gift. I had a feeling that it would be difficult if I didn't, and I was beginning to wonder if I should ask the clerk's opinion.

''Oh, Mr. Lace?''

　Lace turned around reflexively as someone called her name. Ahead of him was the guild's receptionist, Amelia, whose peach-colored hair was distinctive. But instead of her usual guild attire, she was dressed in plain clothes.

''What's going on here?''
'I was just thinking about a present for Raffy and Sylvia.
What is this all about?

　As soon as Amelia heard Wraith's words, her eyes blazed with a look of curiosity. From the way she looked, I could roughly guess what kind of expectations she had for Wraith.

''I'm only giving you a gift as a thank you.

　He says in an extremely flat voice as if to nail it.

'Nah, I see.'
'Why do you look so boring...'

　Amelia looks half-eyed and seriously disappointed. Perhaps she was expecting Wraith to give her a gift in the sense of an appeal to Raffy and the others. As for Wraith, it's not good to have such expectations.

''The only person of the opposite s*x who is close to Raffy-san and Sylvia-san in the same age group is Wraith-san, so...''
'Heh, I see. They're both S-class adventurers, and they seem to have a lot of connections.

　Even the Wraiths are involved with many different people. The connections of Raffy and the others who have lived in the royal capital for a long time will exceed the Wraith's by far.

''Well, Raffy-san is beautiful, Sylvia-san is pretty, and there are a good number of adventurers who woo her.
'You certainly seem to be popular, don't you? And yet you don't have anyone else of the opposite s*x to get along with besides me?
'That's right!　So I guess I'm just 'that kind of thing.'

　If Amelia's words are true, it's no wonder that they might indeed be in love. In that case, though, I'd be tempted to ask whether it was with Raffy or Sylvia.

　However, of course, Wraith and Raffy and the others do not have such a relationship.

'Well, you'll have to ask them directly about that. We're not the kind of relationship you'd expect us to have. I mean, why do you expect it in the first place, Amelia-san?
Because I know the personality of Mr. Wraith, and you see, it's easy to support him.
That being said...
'I could see that I was mistaken. So, have you decided on a present?
'That's what I'm trying to decide. I don't really know what's pretty for Raffy or anything like that.

　Amelia remembered Wraith's distress and said, "I see," she said. She immediately formed a good human smile and suggested.

'I can help you if you'd like?'
Are you sure?
Yes, it sounds like fun.
I know the reasoning doesn't seem right but please...

　We've just learned that Wraith and Raffy and the others don't have that kind of relationship, but then we see Amelia's willingness to stick together.

　As for Lace, I can only hope that she doesn't strive in a strange direction.

'I'm thinking of giving you a doll,'
It's true, Miss Raffy, you do like pretty things.
Yeah, I wasn't expecting that.
'By the looks of it, Miss Raffy is quite a maiden, isn't she?　Don't make the mistake of saying it's masculine. You'll cry quietly later.

　Looking at her normal tone and appearance, and the abilities of an S-class adventurer, I naturally thought she wasn't interested in pretty things. In fact, I have quite a bit of girlishness in me.

　When you think about it, hah, an unnatural memory comes back to me in the Wraith.

''But when I tried to give her an accessory before, she refused to give it to me because she wasn't good at it.
..........
What's wrong with your eyes?

　Amelia puts a hand over her mouth and gets half-eyed.
　As for Wraith, he's not happy about being amused.

'Well, in all seriousness, either it wasn't my hobby or I was embarrassed.
'Then I guess that means I made a bad choice. Well, this time, Amelia-san is there, so it should be fine.
I'm on it!　I'll pick one that grabs your heart.
No, just keep it simple, please.

　Perhaps not listening to Wraith's admonition, Amelia is looking at the merchandise with a taut look.

　Is there such a thing as a doll that grabs the heart in the first place? Amelia, who has been with Raffy longer than Lace, perhaps she sees something.

''What do you think of this?''
What's that?

　Looking at the doll that was presented to him as if it were full of confidence, Wraith spoke his honest opinion.

　I don't know what to call it, but if I had to name something close, it would be a synthetic creature (chimera). The doll, which seems to have been made by mixing various animals for the time being, was held in Amelia's hand.

　If you ask me if it's cute, I don't think so.

　It wasn't something that could be put to rest by a difference in sensitivity or some other issue. It's a look that can only be considered creepy by anyone.

　Wraith looked at her face, wondering if Amelia was joking again. With a smile and a pure smile, she said something like, ''You're cute.

''........?''

　This could be.
　A bad feeling passed through her chest. Lace picked up an adorable bear doll to try it out.

'Amelia, what do you think of this or something?'
'Hmm, I think it's good, but I think it's prettier this way. It's sure to win Raffy's heart!

　-- Oh, he's a bad guy.

　I got your opinion, but at the end of the day, it's not a gift. Honestly, it's harassment. At least Wraith doesn't have the confidence to be happy about being presented with the monster in front of him.

　However, before I asked her to help me, I'm not afraid to prod her opinion. For some reason, the trapped Wraith groaned in his mind, genuflecting.

　Something, there's no solution........!

Well then, I'm going to buy two kinds.

　Wraith chose a move of escape, in a sense. I didn't have the confidence to say Amelia well with words.

　--I'm sorry, Amelia. I don't have the courage to give that doll to you.

　Lace decides to give a reasonably sized, safe bear doll. At this point, I don't care what your taste is. Safe is best.

Is that so?　Well, it doesn't have to be one thing.
Yeah, I guess so.

　Heartbroken by the innocent goodness, Wraith got the gift.