Romance.

I want to ask you to describe the notion of so-called love to me.

What is love? How does it start? Does it have an end?

I am a person who never experienced attraction or romantic love to any woman or man I ever saw. I was disinterested in the process: I had an important work and respectable place. Literally, there was no time for me to fool around and fall in love. Perhaps, I even despised the concept of love that mass-media tried to cultivate. And yet, love nonetheless tried to cause me pain once more.

“What is your answer?”

I did my best impression of a fish at this question to the person before me. My friend was in love with me at first sight, which was incredibly vexing, but a long line of males behind him was even more vexing. Honestly, when did I become so popular?

“I-It’s… You… Me… We”

It looks like my tongue refuses to move the way I want it. I must look adorable from the side, too shy to say even a word. As always, it is incorrect impression. My mind still tries to process this reality where I accidentally tripped a mine field of flags.

“I-I am not ready for serious relationships now!”

“Now? Does this mean I still have a chance?”

I hate to be not in control because I can get flustered easily and do brash decisions without realizing. I nodded my head, still embarrassed by the whole ordeal. I think I shouldn’t give him a false hope like this, but this happy look on his face was too much: I am not that cruel to kick a puppy.

“Ha-ha! Did you hear that, lot? I still have a chance over the lord of denseness!”

Wait, “the lord of denseness”? Who in the world is that? Could it be…

“Ah, I am next. It’s me Aaron, I am the blacksmith’s son. We used…”

“Of course, I remember how we discussed the possibilities of forging steel by using magic-produced fire. It was such nice and refreshing conversations, Aaron!”

His face turned red at my words. I wonder if he is ill or something. Normally, Aaron doesn’t leave the smithy because he hates cold, and yet, he is here only to say his farewells to me. Aw, he is such a nice guy…

“I-I am… I am okay with starting as friends!”

Aaron retreated after shouting these words. My, I always thought of him as a good friend of mine, but to think that he shared my sentiments all this time. I feel oddly refreshed…

After him, there were only perverts and even more perverts, and all of them tried to make a move on me. It was the most embarrassing hour of my whole life since the time I was scolded for adventure-hunting with Alan…

Here are the examples of their confessions:

“I want to eat the food you made every day for the rest of my life!”

“Hey, that’s my spot you are pinning after, Bob!”

“Damn it, Alan!”

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“I really love you and your face, and hair, and eyes, so become mine… Ah, your modest chest is fine, too!”

“Ah, excuse me, but could you please go and die horribly. I thank you in advance”

“Ah, Marie-chan has such nice ears. I want to lick them every day!”

“Alan! Alan! Come here!”

“Can I call you one-sama?”

“O-Of course, I don’t mind…”

“Can I also have se…”

“No! I mean… My soul is not ready for this!”

“Marie-chan is my waifu!”

“Am not!”

And if you think that was bad, imagine what happened to Alan. Well, nothing much… You see, when a group of girls (and one boy) appeared to say their farewells, Alan only told them…

“Ah, it’s so good to see you, guys! I may be leaving, but all you will still be here, deep within my hearth. Thus, all of you will always be by my side!”

… And hundreds of hearts exploded, and those who managed to withstand such powerful attack were blown by the force of his radiant smile. I felt something horrible churn in my stomach looking at this scene.

[At The Next Day]

“Are you ready, Alan?”

“Yes, sir!”

“You packed all the stuff you need? Also, it’s a ma’am”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Your scarf? It’s pretty chill outside at this time of year”

“I did!”

“And your second scarf?”

“Aye!”

“Any candies?”

“None!”

“Really?”

“Um… Only a small bag, ma’am!”

“I am proud of you, Alan”

“He-he~”

As I said that we sat into a horse-drawn carriage prepared by Percival-sama and started our journey to the capital. As the familiar images of our village I love so much were slowly disappearing, I started to muse over what would wait the two us in the future. 

Farewell, my precious home...

*Snore*

Damn you, Alan.