Chapter 23: The Angel and the Mysterious Date – Part 1

“ I’m hooome!”

“Oh, welcome back. You seem unusually cheerful today.”

“Nii~!”

Sena had returned.

“Can you tell? Starting tomorrow, we’re getting a break from adventuring for a while!”

“Really?”

“Yeah! We actually took down this super-strong monster in the volcanic zone — something called a ‘Named-whatever!’”

“A… Named-whatever?”

“Uh-huh! It was a monster, the toughest one we’ve ever faced! But the reward’s amazing — everyone was so shocked!”

“Heh, I see.”

I didn’t quite grasp the details, but it was clear she’d accomplished something big. Even with her rare Gift — Blessing of the Sword god — she was still just a fledgling adventurer.

“Are you sure you weren’t a burden to the others?”

“Nope! I was awesome as always!”

Ah, there it was — her trademark baseless confidence.

Honestly, she probably didn’t even realize how much extra work she made for the people around her. Especially for Shifa-san… I really ought to thank her properly next time.

“Alright! I’m gonna sleep, and sleep, and sleep some more!”

“That’s your idea of a vacation?”

Well, she had been pushing herself nonstop lately. A little laziness wouldn’t hurt.

“Oh, right! Onii-chan — Shifa-chan said she wanted to see you.”

“Eh? Shifa-san did?”

“Yeah! She said it was to thank you for the potion.”

“W-When did she want to meet?”

“I didn’t ask that far, but maybe try visiting her tomorrow? She’s off too.”

“I… I see.”

Yesss! Finally!

I’d thought that chance had slipped away forever. She’d mentioned thanking me before, but when nothing came of it afterward, I figured she’d just forgotten. Apparently not. She’d actually remembered.

“Nii-nii?”

“Sorry, Milk. Sena will take care of you tomorrow.”

“Nii…”

“H-hey, don’t look at me like that. I’ll be back the same day… probably.”

The next morning.

After cooking and setting aside food for my sister — who had loudly declared her intention to sleep until noon — I was just about to head out when someone knocked at the door.

Who could that be, at this hour?

When I opened it, a silver-haired angel stood before me.

“Good morning, Geo.”

“S-Shifa-san?! G-Good morning!”

“Um… did I come at a bad time?”

“N-no, not at all!”

“But… you look like you’re about to go somewhere?”

“Ah, well, um—”

I couldn’t exactly blurt out, ‘I was just on my way to your house,’ so I fumbled awkwardly for words.

“Hmm? Well, if you’re free, that’s good.”

“Y-yes!”

She looked a little puzzled, but thankfully seemed satisfied with that answer.

“Do you have time today?”

“I do! Absolutely!”

“Really? Then… would you like to go out together?”

Her tone carried a hint of hesitation, as though she were afraid I might refuse — and that softness hit me square in the chest.

C-cute…!

A beauty like Shifa-san inviting me out? Any guy in his right mind would drop everything to say yes! And yet, she asked so timidly, almost shyly — it was impossibly endearing.

It also confirmed something for me: there was no way she had any experience with men. Yeah, no question.

“I wanted to thank you properly for the potions… Geo?”

“A-ah! Of course, yes! I’m totally free today!”

“I’m glad.”

And just like that, I found myself going out — or rather, on a date — with Shifa-san.

“Those recovery and chilling potions helped me a lot,” she said as we walked side by side.

“No, I only provided the ingredients…”

“But without them, Merlin couldn’t have made them. And she sold them for so cheap.”

She smiled softly as she spoke, her voice carrying the warmth of genuine gratitude. Hearing that, I silently thanked my [Home Garden] Gift once again.

“By the way, thank you for always looking after my sister, too. She doesn’t… cause trouble or anything, does she?”

“Not at all,” Shifa-san replied immediately. “Sena’s really talented. She’s already one of our party’s key members.”

“Really?”

It didn’t sound like polite flattery. If anything, it was the calm, matter-of-fact statement of someone describing what she truly saw. Blessing of the Sword God really was that powerful, it seemed.

Well, maybe calling her a key member was still a bit of a stretch, but I wasn’t about to argue.

“So… where are we going today?” I asked, trying not to sound too eager.

“I thought about it,” she said, her tone serious.

“R-really?”

“Yes. I tried my best to come up with something.”

She… planned a date? Just for me?

That thought alone made me grin like an idiot. I quickly turned my head away so she wouldn’t notice my face melting into a stupid smile.

“…?”

After a short walk, we arrived at—

“Um… this is?”

“The Adventurers’ Guild.”

“…Right.”

Why the Adventurers’ Guild of all places?

Well, she probably had her reasons. Trusting her, I followed inside.

“This is the lobby. That’s the reception desk. Over there’s the quest board. The second floor’s an inn.”

She pointed each feature out with gentle precision, like a teacher giving a tour.

Of course, I already knew. Becoming an adventurer had been my dream once, and I’d visited countless times just to watch.

“There’s a training hall in the basement. Want to see it?”

“S-sure.”

When I nodded, Shifa-san led the way down the stone steps.

Below was a wide, open chamber echoing faintly with shouts and clashing steel. Adventurers practiced sword swings, spellcasting, and sparring across the room.

I’d been here before, too — back when I’d still fantasized about being one of them.

Shifa-san stood quietly beside me, watching the trainees in silence.

What… exactly was this supposed to be?

I tilted my head in confusion — just as she turned to me.

“Geo, are you having fun?”

“Eh? Ah, y-yes…!”

“I’m glad.”

…Shifa-san really was a mystery.