Chapter 18: 18 – Date with Loraine

I'm taking it easy today. 

Kain is busy helping the king with politics, and Yui is 'taking care' of the Adventurer's Guild. From what I hear, she's been doing a good job. Quest success rate went up by a margin in a single week. Everytime I stop by, I see maybe two to three tables' worth of members in the tavern rather than a full floor.

I run into Frey from time to time in the trade district and she's never been happier. Apparently there are plenty of capable members in the guild, they just didn't have a good boss to supervise them. 

Supervise is putting it lightly.

Loraine comes downstairs dressed in new clothes. It's an expensive low-cut gown that splits at the thighs. The dress came with a shawl around the shoulders that doubles up as a cloak when it gets cold.

 We bought it using the guild's coffers. We're not supposed to spend it on anything outside of guild-related expenses, but Yui's been pinching bit by bit and giving Frey a cut to keep her quiet. On top of Kain's royal wallet and the quest reward money, we're making steady money from the guild.

Under the table of course.

Making Yui guild leader was my smartest move yet.

Loraine wraps the shawl around my shoulder and pulls me off the couch. She pecks my lips, something that she's been doing a lot lately to tease me. I really can't handle her, she makes me too weak.

"Shall we go on our date?" She asks, smiling.

And by 'taking it easy' I mean, I'm freaking out because Loraine wanted to go on a date. I've never gone on a date before.

"Sure, let me just—" As I reach for my bat, my hand is yanked away from it.

Loraine grabs my hand and pulls me toward the door. "You don't need to bring your weapon. We're just going to take a walk and have dinner." 

"Fine."

The sun is coming down over the hills. Similar to on earth, this world paints the sky in orange and blue during sundown. I can make out a tiny crescent moon behind the clouds when I squint, the sight of it reminds me of Loraine's pendant.

I keep it close by more than I do Sacchan nowadays. 

Cynderace's main street is crowded in the early evening. Kain told me it has to do with many merchants arriving from across Dysentia. Hundreds of caravans pass through Scoth because it is at the crossroads to the rest of the kingdoms.

Wait.

Isn't this a romantic walk? No, wait. Of course, it is. I went along with Loraine's idea to go on a date. Why am I so nervous?

I hope my hands aren't sweaty. I'd feel more at ease if I had Sacchan in my other hand. Loraine and I have done things past just holding hands. I shouldn't be embarrassed by this. Why am I a nervous wreck?

First of all, when does a date even start? The moment we walked out of the house? Or when we get to a place to eat?

"Micchi? You're sweating bullets." Loraine leans over to look at my face.

"I'm fine! I'm not nervous or anything…" I say, glancing away.

I feel my hand pull back as Loraine slows down from bumping into someone. "Sorry, sir—"

"Watch where you're going, bitch!" The man shouts.

I grab the collar of his shirt without hesitation and pull him down to my face. "What good are your eyes if you can't watch where you're going? Hahh?"

"It's okay!" Loraine tugs me from behind. I shove the guy back and he scurries away sprinting.

"Sorry, my hand just reacted."

She gives me a doubting look. "You've been nervous since we left the house, haven't you?"

"I'm not nervous," I say, avoiding her eyes. "More importantly, where are we going?"

Her hands come together, eyes glittering. "I asked Kain to put together a list of fine restaurants in the artisan's district next to the market square. I want to try some of their food!"

Loraine leads me to the Azure Ward of the artisan's district. Unlike the ash-filled air of Lars' side, this end is full of sweet smells and spices. We make it to the boutique the moment it's about to close. Thankfully, they were willing to let us in as the last customers. They sell a whole variety of baked goods, each of them just as mouth watering as the next.

I can see why Kain, an aspiring hobbyist baker, would recommend this place.

As soon as we make our purchases, we take a seat across the store. 

Loraine pulls out a pastry that has a strange design on it. "Look how cute this is!"

"What even is that? A dragon?" I take it from her and stare hard at the frosting that forms something like a green lizard.

"Oh?" She gets distracted by a group of kids staring at us from the corner of a building.

There's maybe six of them. They look scrawny, faces sunken in from a lack of food. Even in this world, there are kids suffering. 

I get up and brush the crumbs from my pants. "Let's eat somewhere else."

Loraine tugs at my arm to stay. "They look hungry. We have the money, why don't we buy them some?"

Buying some for them would have been fine, but the boutique is lights out now. Loraine's shoulders slump. She looks down at the bag of pastries in her hands.

"I know what you're thinking, but all you're doing is spoiling them. If they want some, they can come try and steal it themselves." 

"They're just kids," she protests.

"How are they going to shape up and survive if they keep expecting handouts?"

Loraine pouts. "It's not always about surviving alone. Surely you had people in your life who helped you through. Friends, family, a partner before me?"

Her last word sends a nostalgic shock up my spine. The only face that comes up is Chika's, and seeing her in my head opens the floodgates of memories I don't want to remember. 

Senpai was never kind. She could have been a worse guardian than mine and Yui's family going by what she did to us. But she never lied to us. The world is a shit place. No one's ever done me any good if it cost them something. I've always had to fight for it.

But damn, would it have been nice to get free stuff outta nowhere.

Thinking about Chika made me lose my appetite. "I've got a bad taste in my mouth now. Hey! You kids coming over or do you want us to eat this in front of ya?"

Despite my invitation, they hesitate to move from their spot. Loraine waves at them, and fires off a spell that imitates small streaks of fireworks. The kids come running for a closer look, and she hands each of them something to eat. 

"Don't think I heard a 'thank you, miss' yet." I growl at them. One of them sticks their tongue out at me and they all sprint away. "You ungrateful—!"

Loraine grabs my hand and points to the partially smashed pastry in my fist.

I mentally smack myself for being so stupid. "Sorry. This date is turning out to be a mess."

"I still haven't had a bite yet. Ahh~" Loraine opens her mouth.

"Wait… you still want me to feed you this?" She doesn't budge an inch, but 'ahhs' louder until I finally bring it close enough for her to bite into it. Loraine even goes as far as licking my fingers. "This is… embarrassing in more ways than one, Loraine…"

"Maybe because it has your taste that it's delicious." She winks.

"G-Glad you like it." The half-eaten pastry is snatched out of my hand.

"Micchi, say ahhh!" Loraine raises it to my mouth.

"Do I really have to do this?" I ask, but the eager look on her face already gives me my answer. This goes on until I finish the rest of it. Loraine held onto it in such a way that I could only nibble off bites, blatantly extending this as long as possible. "You alright with a single bite?"

"No. This is my portion." She takes my hand that is still caked with frosting and licks it clean. "There you go. How was it?"

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"How was…?" I clear my throat. I thought she meant the licking. "It was good, maybe a little too sweet. Not a big fan of sugary food."

"What do you like to eat? I want to know something from your world!" Loraine prods.

"Well, I do miss food from back home. Actually, I've been craving gyoza. It's this bite-sized potsticker with meat, vegetables, and seasoning wrapped in flour skin. And talking about it got me craving it again."

"Maybe I should ask Kain to teach me how to make it." She says, laying her head on my shoulder.

I put an arm around her waist to hold her closer. "Nah, you don't have to. I doubt he knows how to make it since it came from my world."

"All it takes is some meat, vegetables, and flour to make the wrappers. How hard can it be? Wait here. I'll run to the market to buy some ingredients, and when we get home, we'll make it together!" Loraine springs from her seat, ready to take off.

"Wait, you really don't have to—"

Loraine plants a deep kiss on me, sealing my lips to keep me from protesting any more. She pulls away, leaving me speechless and then taking off towards the market.

"Tch. That girl…"

I don't know if I deserve Loraine. She treats me too well, and I haven't even done much for her except freeing her from the orcs. This warm feeling in my chest, is that what they call love? Do I like Loraine in that way, or am I just enjoying the feeling of being wanted?

At this rate, she's going to make me forget all about Chika— our senpai who made us who we are today, taught us to be strong, take shit from no one.

Maybe moving on is a good thing.

Sometimes I wonder if Chika didn't transfer to Osaka would Yui and I still be in Japan? Thoughts like these still bother the hell out of me. I don't mind leaving my shitty parents behind, and I'm sure Yui could care less about her disgusting pig of an older brother.

But everything we were working towards…

Conquering Chiba Prefecture took me two years. Somehow, Chika conquered all of Kansai Region one year after she transferred out. I'm light years behind her, and in this world, I won't ever see her again.

I get up off the fountain to stretch my legs. "Hahh… just making myself feel like trash thinking about it. Loraine sure is taking her sweet ass time shopping."

There are plenty of people out wandering around the city this late at night. If she was just buying ingredients for gyoza, it shouldn't have taken this long. I can even point out all the market stalls to buy the stuff, but I don't see her anywhere.

She wouldn't have gone home first without telling me. Shit.

"Loraine!" When I call out her name, all I get are weird looks. 

I run up to one of the stalls selling flour. It's the closest one I see, so Loraine must have stopped by.

"Hey, old man. You see a dark elf come by? Expensive-looking green and blue dress, cloak over her shoulders?

He gives me a look like he's too busy to be bothered and goes back to weighing sacks of flour. I grab him by the neck, causing him to drop the bag and spilling white powder everywhere.

"Ears must be giving out, old man. I'm looking for a dark elf! Answer the fucking question," I say, tightening my grip.

"Sh-Sh-She and a group of men went south, past the alley! That's all I saw!" 

"If you're wrong. I'll grind your bones finer than the shit you're selling." I throw him to the ground. Before I leave, I grab a sack of flour, toss him a gold coin, and race off in the direction he pointed towards.

I run down the avenue glancing into the alleyways on both sides of the street. I'm beginning to lose hope until I see one of the kids we saw earlier. He beckons to me, and points into the alleyway before darting off.

"You paid your dues and then some, kid." I say to his back.

Tall buildings make for a narrow walkway wide enough for only three people shoulder to shoulder. Further down Loraine is being dragged by three men, a gag over her mouth, and metal collar on her neck.

"Hey!" I punch the side of the wall to get their attention. Debris crumbles down my arm. 

"Crap…" One of them mutters. He and another pull out a sword, and the third man's hand glows with magic. "Careful, that one works for the crown. I hear she's an S-rank in the guild."

"Mmmhii!" Loraine struggles to break free. If she's not casting any spells, something must be keeping her from doing so. 

Is it the thing on her neck?

"You know, I was having a pretty damn good date with my girl. Then you guys had to come and ruin the fun." I crack my knuckles as I walk up to them. Fortunately, I don't have Sacchan with me. It would be over too quick. "Been a while since I fought in an alleyway. It's my favorite place to fight. Wanna know why?"

"Yahhh!" One of the swordsmen rushes to try and slash me. I can see it. He's too slow. When he swings for my neck, I dive in to block his elbow.

"Because beating people into the wall is therapeutic!" A single punch craters him into the side of the building. He falls forward, but I grab his head and smash it into the wall a second time.

The second swordsman charges and swings wide, his sword catches along the wall. 

"Alley ain't no place for weapons. It's all fists!"

He guards his face, expecting a punch. I kick his knee instead and hear it snap, then tackle him into the wall.

"Kah!"

The last one has Loraine in one hand, and with the other fires off a barrage of spells. Blasts of many different elements slam into my body, but they're not strong enough to keep me from advancing. The enchanted clothes protect me from every spell. 

I get a few steps closer to him before he turns his hand on Loraine. "Stay back or the dark elf bitch gets it!"

"You just called my girl a bitch, didn't you?" I dash forward, closing the distance in a split second and grab his wrist. The spell fizzles out from his hand as I crush it in my grasp.

"ARRGGHHHH!"

His other hand tries to let off a spell, but I slam him into the wall. 

Loraine's collar breaks easily in my hands. It looks like the same collar Bracca forced her to wear. As soon as I pull the gag from her mouth and untie her bindings, Loraine wraps her arms tight around me.

"I'm sorry… I was caught and put you in danger!" She sobs into my shoulders.

"Don't sweat it. You okay?" I ask.

Loraine nods, then gestures to the men on the ground. "Yeah. Who are they?"

Two of them are out like a light, but the mage is still clinging on to consciousness. Good thing the inhabitants of this world are sturdier than the folks back on earth. Having your whole body slammed into concrete usually makes you a vegetable.

"You could've just gone after me, but you just had to come after my girl. Who the fuck sent you?" I ask, picking him up by his hair.

"I'm not telling you shit—"

I pull him right up to my face. "Oh? We've got a martyr over here. Loraine, does this world have public toilets?"

She peeks out of the alley to check. "We do. There's one nearby, did you need to go?"

"You're in luck," I tell the mage. "I'm going to introduce you to a swirlie."

The man's arm flails wildly as he tries to push his head out of the toilet, but he's too weak as a mage. My strength keeps his head perfectly dunked inside the bowl while Loraine fills it with water.

"Hahh? How do you like that? If shit is all that comes out of your mouth, maybe we can put some back in ya!"

This might be the most nostalgic thing I've done since coming to this world. Frankly, I'm glad he resisted. I wouldn't have thought about doing this if he just spilled the beans.

"Cough! Urk…it was… Oaks! No more… please," he confesses.