Yesterday, I was supposed to meet one of the Four Heavenly Kings and engage in battle, but since that king turned out to be Lilith, I returned without even a single fight. My body and mind were fully prepared for the battle, but the zeal I had built up wasn’t going to just disappear easily. Because of that, I woke from a light sleep and, while others were still resting, considered the idea of stepping outside alone to swing my sword.
Now, Luna and Presia sleeping in my bed has practically become a meaningless act of sharing as my concerns from the previous night turned out to be unfounded. This has become such a routine that I skillfully moved out of bed without waking the two who lay there.
“Hmm.”
I accidentally stepped on Lilith who seemed to have fallen off the bed onto the floor, but she only made an unusual sound and showed no signs of waking, so I ignored her and slipped out.
“What are you doing?”
Nevertheless, there was someone already up and moving around in the still-dark room, where the sun had not yet risen. Lindy was up earlier than me, bustling about quietly to not disturb the others still lost in slumber. She was busy dressing up—trying on this dress, then that dress, in front of the mirror.
“Huh? You’re awake already? I knew it, didn’t I? All talk, but deep down, Alicia must have been looking forward to our date. So it wasn’t one-sided after all; I’m glad.”
“…You are always the same.”
Whether good or bad, Lindy has always been Lindy.
“Really? I think I’ve changed a lot since I met Alicia.”
Listening to Lindy, I realized how little I actually knew about her. What I knew of Lindy was only from the three years since our first meeting. We’ve only ever conversed occasionally about the Black Moon, without ever discussing her past in detail.
Still, Lindy doesn’t feel distant. The past three years spent working together were too clear and defining for that. If anything, we trusted each other enough just with our current selves, without needing to delve into our pasts.
“Hmm… Hopefully you’ve changed for the better.”
There’s one thing I definitely know has changed about Lindy. She stopped flirting with other women as casually as she used to. That she now flirts only with me is another story, but if being a Hero means sparing other women from her advances, I can live with that.
“Of course for the better. Alicia probably knows this already, but Elves have incredibly long lifespans compared to humans and other races. But one thing I can swear on is that out of the hundred… or the long years I’ve walked in this life, my time with Alicia has been the most meaningful.”
“…Is that so? Then that’s good. I’ll step out to swing my sword. If anyone looks for me, please let them know.”
Hearing Lindy’s embarrassing confession unexpectedly upon waking up, I couldn’t help but feel awkward. To avoid revealing how flustered I was, I scratched my cheek with a finger and gathered my sword, heading toward the door.
Right before stepping out, I glanced back and saw Lindy still cheerfully choosing clothes and cosmetics. I quietly watched her for a moment, then silently closed the door and exited the room.
“Pretty good, huh? How many women do you think you’ve charmed so far with tricks like that?”
Contrary to my initial concerns that Lindy might be up to something odd during our date, she proved unexpectedly dedicated to the experience. Every step we took was filled with sights, attractions, and delicious food, leaving no room for boredom. Additionally, there were moments like this when we walked side by side without much to do, enjoying the peacefulness. It was as if she had pre-planned the entire date perfectly with no flaws.
Even Lindy, who is the sole person aware of my true identity, considered my preferences as a man, ensuring I wouldn’t get bored.
“…If that was your joke’s purpose, it worked.”
Lindy’s face showed amusement, but then I realized my mistake. Mentioning previous women during a date is quite rude, even if you have no experience in romance like me.
“Ah! That place looks good. Let’s eat dinner there!”
I debated apologizing, but since Lindy didn’t look angry, just bemused, I quickly pointed toward a nearby restaurant to deflect. Pressing the issue with an apology might extend the conversation too far and become more of an offense.
“Eh. You always let things slide like that, don’t you?”
Fortunately, Lindy followed quietly when I took her hand and led her into the restaurant.
“Here’s our order!”
To cover up my earlier mistake, I quickly signaled the waiter upon sitting. It was still early, so there weren’t many customers, prompting a free waiter to quickly attend to our table.
“One salad, please. For the rest, how about… oh! Is there a couple’s set? Let’s go with that!”
“Customer, about the couple’s set…”
Generally, “couple’s sets” cater more to business rather than actual couples, but something seems different with this store. The waiter treated it like a real set for couples, even seeking our understanding.
However, I’m not that wasteful, even if I do receive funding from the Emperor.
Rising from my seat, I moved to sit by Lindy, then pulling her close, I smiled brightly at the waiter.
“We are a couple, see? Ah, is this shop discriminating against same-sex couples?”
Technically, we are in a temporary relationship, making me no liar while on this date.
Still feeling the server’s quiet stare, I edged even closer to Lindy, asking her.
“Right? We’re a couple, aren’t we? We’ve been on a date all day.”
I subtly gestured towards the bags we bought while shopping.
“Huh, huh… Y-yes, that’s right. Lindy and Alicia are a couple. Right! We are a couple.”
Thankfully, Lindy got the hint and played along, wrapping an arm around me as she grinned broadly towards the server.
“Ah… Yes! Then I’ll bring the couple’s set.”
Fortunately, the server didn’t suspect a thing and immediately took our order and went into the kitchen. Watching the server, red-faced and whispering “Gyaa!” while running back, was somewhat embarrassing but relieved that we weren’t among many other customers.
“Alright, let go now?”
“Tch. Should’ve ordered more.”
Today, I thought Lindy might stay calm, but once the opportunity arose, her old habits kicked in and she placed her hand on my rear. Probably why the server had become flustered seeing Lindy act like that in public.
I returned to my original seat, facing Lindy. Despite this calm appearance, she’s practically a perfect Elf.
“You should really quit your habit of flirting and harassing women like that.”
“Mom! I haven’t done that for three years. Has Alicia seen me flirt with another woman recently?”
Recalling Lindy’s words, I pondered.
“Didn’t you touch Lina’s rear while she was sleeping?”
“…That was a mistaken touch while I was asleep. That doesn’t count! Then how about that time you broke into Luna’s shower?”
“That’s because you were too fast…! Anyway, forget it.”
Lindy drank her water quickly, then loudly slammed the glass on the table and exclaimed,
“Anyway! I’ve really stopped all that, so please don’t misunderstand. My interest is solely in Alicia.”
“Now that you mention it, why me exactly? Out of everyone, Lindy, you know my real identity as a male.”
The truth that I am Zeno Franz is unknown even to Selian, who shares my memories from my past life. Perhaps only the Goddess knows my true identity in this world, besides Lindy.
Besides, Lindy’s preferences are limited to women. There’s no reason for her to like me, knowing the truth.
“Or do you think that since I am essentially a man who likes women, it would be convenient for both of us?”
It’s true. Homosexuality isn’t common, and Lindy might find someone like me quite convenient.
Even though my appearance is unmistakably feminine, Lindy and I share a fondness for women, albeit for different reasons.
Not that I have any particular criticism of Lindy in this regard. After all, many people marry without love in this world. Despite my inexperience with romance, I understand the absurdity of pure love.
Still, I can’t shake the feeling of being used.
And so, while I trust Lindy as a friend, I’ve kept a distance regarding a romantic relationship with her. Intentionally or unintentionally, I’ve pushed her away.
“…Is that what you’ve thought about me all this time?”
But then Lindy returned to my question with an icy tone, her voice piercing through the three years we’ve known each other. She may never have shown anger before, but now, there’s no mistaking her emotion.
During the times we’ve looked in each other’s eyes over the years, this felt somehow like the first time meeting her gaze.
“I’ve flirted recklessly with many women in the past, and they have criticized me for my lack of standards. But despite that, no one, not even Alicia, has the right to invalidate my current sincerity.”
Our eyes met. Even though we’ve exchanged countless glances over the years, it felt oddly like our first real interaction.
“I don’t love you because you’re male inside or because you just outwardly appear female. To think I love Alicia solely because it’s convenient is an insult to the time we’ve shared over the past three years.”
Lindy looked directly at me, then slowly spoke.
“I… love Alicia the person.”
The icy tone she had used before gradually softened into earnestness, and in her voice was a subtle tremor.
For the rest of the meal, Lindy acted as usual—flirting and making jokes.
But I couldn’t merely go along with her as I normally would. She had courageously shown me her feelings despite her fears, and I couldn’t disregard that.
“…I’m sorry.”
As we walked silently side-by-side back through the quiet streets to the inn, I offered Lindy a quiet apology.
“I thought I knew you well, but it seems like I didn’t understand you at all.”
She’s likely gone through many changes these past few years as well.
“Maybe I won’t be able to give Lindy an answer. At least not until after we defeat the Demon King.”
Thus, I gave Lindy another blow.
But no response came. Concerned she might be hurt, I turned my head, only to find her lost in deep thought.
“Lindy?”
Even calling her name got no response. She was so immersed in thought that when I waved my hand in front of her, she finally looked up.
“Huh? You called?”
“What’s on your mind?”
“Nothing, really! Don’t worry about it.”
Despite my careful observation, Lindy’s face showed genuine thought, not feigned ignorance.
“Come on! Let’s hurry!”
As I debated whether to bring up the topic again, Lindy began walking ahead of me, leaving no time for further contemplation. Curious about what she was thinking, I followed her.
“Lindy? Is this the right way?”
As we walked back on the dark streets, it somehow looked different from the familiar path to the inn.
“Of course. It’s the inn; I never said we were heading to the one we’ve been staying at.”
The building before us wasn’t the one where Freesia and Luna were waiting but an entirely different inn.
“Anyway, you…”
“Why not?! If we’re on a date, this is part of it! This isn’t strange!”
“That’s enough. The day’s outing ends here! Let’s go back to the inn.”
In any case, leaving Lindy no chance to maneuver me into the inn, I turned around to head back to the original accommodation.
“Tch.”
Finally, Lindy gave up with a short sigh from behind me.
Many things have changed and will continue to change. Still, she is and will forever be Lindy.
I quietly smiled in a way she couldn’t see, turning my back on her.
