Alpy376

  The following day began the same as any other: I woke up, carefully slipped out of the embrace of my new girlfriend, and got changed. Putting the majority of my hair back into my usual ponytail using the dragon-themed hair clip Luci got for me the day she confessed to me, which I had somehow remembered to remove st night, I cane to the realization that I still haven't gotten her any gifts since then. I should probably change that soon. Actually… I think I have a good idea on what to do.

  Once I had my usual adventuring equipment on, excluding my katana which was now repced with the magic one that supposedly only I could use, I sat in a chair by the bed and waited for my very own princess to wake up. I didn't take long before she sat up, rubbing her eyes.

  “Good morning, Mira.”

  “You too, Luci.”

  She got up to start changing, and continued the conversation with her back to me.

  “Have you been up for long? I've noticed you have all of your gear on already.”

  Luci turned to look over her shoulder at me as I answered.

  “Not for too long. You look cute when you're sleeping anyway, so I don't mind your sleeping in.”

  I fshed her a big smile and a wink, to which she responded by turning back around and resuming her activities with a small cough.

  “I-I see. Anyway… why do you have everything on?”

  “It's a surprise. I recommend you get your gear on too.”

  “Then, I look forward to what you have pnned.”

  Only a few, short minutes ter, she had everything ready. With a full quiver and her bow over her shoulder, and her golden-blonde hair tied into a ponytail like mine, I might just fall for her again.

  “You ready to go, Mira?”

  “Mhm.”

  I stood up and started walking at the same time she did, but instead of walking out the door when I reached it, I turned around and wrapped my personal elf in a hug. She gdly returned it with no hesitation, but there was still just a small bit tinge of pink on her cheeks. She gets cuter every day…

  I decided to see how far I could push things, so I leaned back and pulled her head down slightly. Then, when I saw her big brown eyes looking at me with confusion… I kissed her. Well, specifically, I just left a small peck on her forehead, but it was enough to turn her face bright red.

  “M-M-Mira!”

  “Hehe. Let's go get breakfast, darling.”

  Even her ears had a crimson tint to them as they tilted down towards the ground. Her face soon followed, as she seemed to have a sudden fascination with her feet.

  “Nn…”

  I took her hand and led her out the door, closing it behind us. She refusing to meet my eyes now, but I could tell from her smile that she was exceptionally happy right now.

  By the time we entered the tavern area she seemed to have mostly recovered, but her adorable smile never went away. Luckily, free breakfast was included as part of our stay here in the Rising Gear of Revenge, so we sat at the counter to wait for our food to arrive.

  I give this inn five stars for a speedy service, as we had barely gotten comfortable when our breakfast - French Toast - was set down in front of us.

  “You two dies enjoy the meal.” The owner turned to deal with another customer who had just entered, and that left the two of us with our food.

  I must say, this French Toast only solidifies my rating of this establishment. Starting with a slice of quality bread, toasted in a scrambled egg, and topped with a sweet, sticky syrup-

  “You two havin’ fun here?”

  Wait, that voice…

  “Rick?”

  “Yep. It's me. I already told you I'd be back today, didn't I?”

  Right… Honestly, I had kinda forgotten… Fortunately, Luci hadn't.

  “In any case, we weren't expecting you this early. Did you get everything?”

  “Mhm. It's all in the wagon outside. In other news, I got the rewards for the quest.”

  He set a heafty bag on the table, making a pretty loud bang when it was set down.

  “That's… a lot.”

  “Mhm. I know you weren't exactly struggling on funds before, but now I can guarantee you never will again. Three-hundred ptinum coins. I already took my third, the rest of it here is yours.”

  “Wow…”

  “Even the Regali-Pristel family can't afford to just throw this much money around…”

  “Other than that, we're all SS rank. Now, hurry and finish eating so you can get your stuff.”

  I feel like he really downpyed the fact that we're all SS rank… There's only like, three other parties at this level. In any case, I finished eating quickly, and we moved everything from the wagon to our room. Once finished we moved to say our goodbyes to Rick as he climbed onto the driver's seat. I was the first to speak

  “I'm gonna miss having you with us, Rick.”

  “Yeah. Remember, if you're ever in trouble, you'll have a whole kingdom backing you.”

  “Thanks guys. I'm gonna be stayin’ in Lithhelm for a while, helping out the rookie adventurers. Swing on by whenever you decide to have that retirement party we've been talkin’ ‘bout.”

  “Will, do Rick. I'll see you then.”

  I held out my fist towards him, and he returned it, bumping his knuckles against mine with a grin and a nod, and then he was off.

  We stood for a minute, watching as he rode through the vilge gates.

  “I guess we'll have to go visit soon.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Anyway, what was it you had pnned today?”

  “Ah, right! Follow me.”

  I was distracted by what just took pce, but… I guess he was only here for about ten minutes. For our first stop of the day, we needed to head to the gates ourselves. A short walk ter, I saw who I was looking for.

  “Hey! Adrian.”

  “Ah!”

  The young, startled foxkin turned around, only calming down once he saw us.

  “Oh. It's just you two. What can I do for you?”

  Now, it's time for what I really had pnned.

  “I just have a quick question for you.”

  “Um, sure? Ask away.”

  “What's the strongest monster I could hunt around here?”

  Yep. I wanted to take Luci on a monter hunting date today.

  “Hmm… Well, there isn't much inside Kitsune territory, but if you go towards the ocean to the west, I guess you might be able to find some dragons. That's a good three day round trip to the coast though, but if you really wanted to do that, I guess you could?”

  “Thanks.” I turned to Luci, who's eyes almost seemed to have stars in them. “So, how about it? You wanna go dragon hunting?”

  “Do I want to?! It's every adventurer’s dream to sy a dragon! Of course I ‘wanna’!”

  She nearly tackled me trying to hug me, but I managed to catch her and return her embrace. The cough of an embarrassed fox-boy brought us back to reality soon after, though.

  “So, Adrian. If anyone comes looking for us, that's where we're headed.”

  “Got it! If you're ready, I'll let you through now.”

  “We're ready.”

  “Great!”

  He opened the gates, and we stepped through. As they closed behind us, I took Luci's hand and started walking to the west.

  “So, how's this for a date?”

  “I couldn't ask for better. Let's go hunt some dragons!”