Chapter 473: Chapter 473 - Soft Spot
"To continue, once I reached S-Rank, I decided to start taking on Quests by myself, without any party members. It was pretty scary and nerve-wracking at first, but after I completed my first solo Quest, I got a lot of confidence and kept at it, plus I’d earn more money too. Before that, whenever I formed parties with other Adventurers, they’d often take most of the reward and leave me with barely anything, but once I started working solo, that was no longer a problem.
You know the rest. I attracted too much attention, the Nobles didn’t take kindly to my rise through the ranks, so I was framed, almost killed, and then you saved me. And now, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, I get to enjoy incredible forms of entertainment that those snobby Nobles could never even imagine, I’m no longer being ridiculed and harassed after enduring that shit on a near-daily basis, and I even get to eat good food. I know I’ve said it before, but...thanks for saving me that day, Larrk, I’m really grateful to you," She smiled warmly.
Woah...she’s so cute. Think my heart skipped a beat just then.
"Sure, don’t mention it. Honestly, it really was mostly just a whim, but now, I’m glad I saved you. When I ended up in this world, I figured I’d just live in isolation and keep to myself, I really wasn’t planning on keeping any company around me. After everything and everyone I lost in my previous life, I convinced myself that I had no interest in forming any connections in this world, I didn’t want to feel like I was replacing them.
But now, I have no complaints about how things have turned out. If I’m being honest, when you came into my cave after I saved you, I was mostly thinking about how I should get you to leave. But it wasn’t long before that notion disappeared from my mind entirely. I’ve genuinely enjoyed these last couple of months or so. Even though I’d made up my mind to be alone in this world, I’m glad I ended up befriending you," I admitted gratefully.
"Huh? Wait...does that mean we’re friends?"
"Uh...are we not?"
"I-I don’t know, I’ve never had a friend before. Friends, huh? That...that sounds nice," She mused, before a slight, bashful smile spread out across her face.
"So cute..."
"H-Huh?!"
"Oh, crap, did I say that out loud? Sorry, guess it sort of slipped out," I smiled apologetically.
"N-No, it’s okay, you don’t have to apologize," She muttered awkwardly, fidgeting slightly as she went quiet for a moment, before adding, "Hey, um...I kinda have a request, if that’s okay?"
"Hm? What is it?"
"Well, uh...this is kinda embarrassing but, you know, since we’re f-friends and all, I was thinking, um...could...could you maybe call me by a nickname?!" She blurted out as her face turned red.
Huh?
"Uh..."
"I-I always heard other Adventurers call each other by nicknames, and even though I hated those people, I was kinda envious of that. People rarely called me by my name to begin with, let alone a nickname...unless Commoner whore and bitch count as nicknames, that is. So, could you-...a-actually, never mind, forget I asked! This is so embarrassing..."
She really is quite adorable. Think I might be developing a bit of a soft spot for her.
"I don’t mind calling you by a nickname, if that’s what you want. Let’s see...how about Celes?" I suggested after mulling it over, as I reflexively patted her head.
"O-Okay! Also, um...what are you doing?" She inquired in bemusement.
"Oh, sorry, I wasn’t really thinking," I responded, pulling my hand away sheepishly.
"I-It’s okay, I didn’t hate it or anything...actually, it felt kinda...nice. A-Anyway, um...should I call you by a nickname too?"
"I mean, I don’t mind, but my name’s pretty short, so coming up with a nickname based off of it would be tough. But look at it this way...you’re the only person in this world who knows my name, so there’s kinda no need for a nickname. I mean, I did introduce myself to those S-Ranks, but they’re dead," I pointed out.
"Yeah, that’s true...but what if you meet someone else who you become friends with? They’d probably call you by your name too, wouldn’t they? And then, I won’t be the only one who knows it anymore," She frowned apprehensively.
Huh, didn’t expect her to be so possessive about this...can’t say I hate it though.
"If that does happen, they’d probably be your friend too, right?" I reasoned.
"Wait, really?"
"Yeah. Alright, how about this? I’ll only introduce myself as Larrk to anyone we both end up considering to be friends. And to anyone else...I’ll use my last name, Stryker."
"Okay, that works!" She nodded, before pausing and adding, "Uh, I’m sorry...I feel like I was really pushy just now."
"Hey, it’s cool, I don’t mind. All your life, you’ve been surrounded by people who’ve put you down, you’ve never been able to relax around anyone and just be yourself. So, I’m not going to hold it against you...though, I will call you out if or when you ever go overboard," I informed her wryly.
"Sure, just let me know and I’ll apologize and make sure not to repeat the same mistake," She stated with a determined look on her face.
"No need to take it so seriously, you know," I laughed, resisting the urge to pat her head again.
This is...nice. And yet...a part of me can’t help but feel wary. My new body is immortal, but Celes isn’t. Eventually, she’ll die, while I continue to live on...I don’t want to lose anyone else, not after everyone I’ve already lost.
No, calm down, you’re overthinking it. I have no idea what the future holds, anything could happen. It’ll be for the best if I just live in the present and avoid thinking too far ahead.
"Hm? You okay, Larrk? You look kinda tense."
"Huh? Yeah, I’m fine, nothing to worry about," I assured her with a smile.
