In a dimly lit office, a man sat behind a desk, his hand pressed against an earpiece. The darkness obscured his facial features, but the hunter's association badge and a few other insignias were visible on his uniform, glinting faintly in the low light.

"B-Rank hunter Michael has caused some more trouble?" the man asked, his voice low and authoritative. "Cover it up just like always and send the bill over to his guild. I don't see why you would contact me for something like this."

"Yes, we're already working on it... it's just..." The voice on the other end of the line trailed off, a hint of hesitation in their tone.

The man's brow furrowed, a sense of unease growing within him. "Just what? Did he kill someone this time?"

"No, the opposite," the person on the phone responded. "He was almost killed himself. I've sent you the video. It's been going viral on the internet."

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Confusion etched upon his face, the man picked up his tablet and opened the video he had been sent. As he watched the footage, his eyes widened, a glimmer of interest sparking within him.

He rewound the video, pausing it on an angle that clearly showed Vielle's face.

"Who is this girl?" He asked.

"We still haven’t been able to identify her." The person on the phone admitted.

The man's expression grew serious, a sense of determination washing over him. "Then hurry up, find out and bring her to me." he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.

With that, he cut off the call, the silence of the office enveloping him once more.

The man's heart raced as he stared at the image on the tablet, a grin slowly spreading across his face.

"For her to defeat a B-Rank hunter without so much as a scratch..." he muttered, his voice filled with excitement. "I'll have to recruit her before any of the major guilds get their hands on her."

-

"Mmmmn~" Vielle murmured, a delighted smile spreading across her face as she savored the juicy meat she had carefully sizzled on the tabletop grill before her.

Arlo and Vielle had found themselves in another Korean barbecue restaurant after leaving the Shard, their previous attempt to enjoy the cuisine having been interrupted by the earlier commotion.

As Vielle finished chewing, her gaze drifted back to the meat, which sizzled and popped invitingly at the center of the table.

"Is it good?" Arlo asked, deftly grabbing a piece with his chopsticks and dipping it in the sauce before taking a bite himself.

Vielle's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she exclaimed, "It's so full of flavor! The meat is tender and juicy... and this 'barbecue' sauce complements it perfectly!"

She eagerly grabbed another piece for herself with a fork, carefully dipping it in the sauce before taking another bite, her smile growing even brighter.

"These 'french fries' are also great! So crispy!" Vielle added, reaching for another fry and savoring its texture.

She then glanced over at the fizzy drink in her cup, taking a sip through the straw.

"Ha… the drink is so bubbly and poppy too~!"

Arlo couldn't help but smile at her excitement. "I'm glad you're enjoying it," he said, taking another bite of his own food. "Especially considering how much you were struggling with the chopsticks at first."

Vielle narrowed her eyes, pointing at Arlo's hands with a mischievous grin. "You're one to talk. It looks like you're struggling to use them yourself."

Arlo flinched, averting his gaze as a faint blush colored his cheeks. "I-I haven't used chopsticks in a while, that's why," he mumbled, his voice trailing off.

"All I hear are excuses," Vielle teased, sticking her tongue out playfully.

Frowning, Arlo aimed for his next piece of meat, his chopsticks fumbling as he tried to grasp it.

"Heh heh~ Looks like I was right," Vielle said, triumphantly picking up her own piece with the fork.

"You..." Arlo began, a hint of amusement in his voice, "looks like you're getting awfully comfortable, aren't you..."

‘Well, that’s probably for the best.’ Arlo thought to himself. ‘There’s no point in being stressed and worried about what happened at the ‘Shard’. Now we can only wait and see what happens-’

Arlo's thoughts were interrupted as a waiter suddenly approached their table, carrying a plate of dessert. The plate held a single parfait bowl, filled with a tantalizing mixture of chocolate and strawberry.

Vielle's eyes sparkled with excitement as she caught sight of the desserts, and she quickly finished her remaining food in order to try the sweet treat. Arlo, curious to see her reaction, decided to watch.

Vielle picked up the silver spoon, her mouth almost watering as she admired the chocolate and strawberry masterpiece before her. In terms of presentation, she rated it a perfect ten out of ten, but would the taste live up to its visual appeal?

Eager to find out, she scooped up a generous portion with her spoon and took a bite. The moment the flavors hit her tongue, she let out a delighted squeal, savoring the parfait as a blissful expression spread across her face.

"Mmmnn~ so goooood~" she murmured, her voice muffled by the heavenly dessert.

Arlo, watching her reaction with a mix of amusement and regret for not ordering one himself, couldn't help but ask. "...Is it that good?"

Vielle nodded enthusiastically, her eyes wide with excitement. "A-Arlo! This 'parfait,' you must find the recipe to make it!" she exclaimed, taking another bite and letting the flavors dance across her tongue.

"The recipe?" Arlo mused, his mind already racing with possibilities. "Do you think it'd be a good idea to produce it in the other world? If we open a restaurant, we might be able to generate a good amount of profit..."

"Huh?" Vielle looked up, a hint of surprise in her crimson eyes. "I wasn't thinking that far ahead. I just wanted to be able to make it on my own after returning to the other world."

She paused, considering his words as she indulged in another spoonful of the sweet treat. "But that's a good idea," she added, her voice muffled by the dessert.

"What? You want some for yourself?" Vielle asked, a mischievous glint in her eye as she pulled the bowl closer to her, hiding it from Arlo's view. "I've never had anything this tasty before, so even if you ask me, I won't share it...!"

Arlo turned his head away, a frown tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I- I didn’t want it anyway," he mumbled.

Hearing his response, Vielle couldn't help but giggle. She scooped up another piece of the parfait with her spoon and extended it towards Arlo, a bright smile on her face.

"I was joking. Have a bite." she offered, her eyes sparkling with warmth and amusement.

Arlo glanced at the spoon, then back at Vielle, his cheeks growing a shade redder as he leaned in and took a bite.

"How was it?" Vielle asked, watching intently as Arlo savored the parfait.

"It's good..." he admitted, his voice soft and slightly embarrassed.

"Isn't it?" Vielle agreed, her smile growing even brighter.

As Arlo continued to chew, he couldn't help but stare at Vielle's lips, his mind racing with thoughts.

'I'm nineteen... even if I never had a girlfriend, aren't I too old to be getting flustered by an indirect kiss?' he wondered, shaking his head and glancing back at Vielle, who was eating peacefully, seemingly unbothered by the intimate moment.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

'She doesn't look the slightest bit bothered...'

Watching Vielle enjoy the dessert, a sudden realization struck Arlo, and he recalled an important matter they needed to discuss.

"It's good that you're enjoying yourself, but don't forget that we need to discuss what we're going to be trading from your world," he reminded her, his voice growing more serious.

Vielle finished chewing the final scoop of the parfait and turned to Arlo, her expression shifting to match his more somber tone.

"Yeah, in regards to that, I have a few ideas. But I'd first like to see some of the products produced in this world before making a decision," she responded, her brow furrowed in thought.

Arlo nodded, his mind already planning their next move.

"If it's just that, then we should probably head to a supermarket. That should help you with your decision... But we should hurry since it's getting late," he said, turning his head to gaze out the restaurant window beside them, his eyes fixed on the setting sun.

"By the way, Arlo, I've been wondering something," Vielle said, her crimson eyes fixed on him, a glimmer of curiosity shining within their depths.

Arlo turned to face her, his brow furrowed slightly. "What is it?"

"Where did the Gates come from? And why was this world chosen but not mine?" Vielle asked, her voice filled with a mix of intrigue and concern.

When they had left the Shard, Arlo had taken the time to explain the existence of Gates, Hunters, the Awakened, and the mysterious Evolution Energy to Vielle. She had been fascinated by the topic, her eyes widening with each new discovery.

She had even asked Arlo to demonstrate his ability to her, but unfortunately, he had to explain that he didn't possess one.

"I don't know. As of this moment, no one does. Or at least that's what they told the public." he responded.

Vielle gazed out of the restaurant window, her eyes distant and thoughtful. "I'd like to inspect one of these Gates when we have an opportunity. But we'll leave that for another day since, like you mentioned, it's getting late."

Arlo had already shown Vielle a video of what a Gate looked like using his phone, but she seemed insistent on wanting to see one in person. He wasn't sure of her reasons but assumed it was simply due to her insatiable curiosity.

"Yeah, it is." Arlo murmured, gesturing to one of the workers for the bill.

Seeing this, Vielle turned to him, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Arlo, allow me to thank you for today. You're a really kind person. Not only did you bring me to this wonderful world, but you also showed me an amazing view and delicacies from here... I can't find the words to express how grateful I am."

Upon hearing her words, he nervously scratched his cheek and averted his eyes.

"You don't have to thank me... Everything I've done was either because I owed you or because there was something I could get out of it... I don't deserve to be called kind." he muttered, his gaze growing cold as he avoided meeting her eyes.

His reaction surprised Vielle but her smile never wavered, even as she noticed the discomfort in Arlo's reaction to her gratitude.

"Either way, thank you..." she said.

"..."

Arlo found himself at a loss for words, the familiar feeling of unease that accompanied receiving thanks from others settling over him. And yet, for reasons he couldn't quite explain, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips, a glimmer of appreciation shining through his discomfort.

-

"Where are we heading now? To a 'supermarket'?" Vielle asked, her crimson eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Yeah, we..." Arlo began, his voice trailing off as something caught his eye while staring out the car window. "Stop the car, please," he called out to the driver, who promptly brought the vehicle to a halt.

After paying the driver, Arlo and Vielle stepped out of the cab, finding themselves standing before an unexpected sight.

"Arlo, this place is—" Vielle started, her eyes widening as she took in the scene before them.

"A cemetery." Arlo finished, his voice somber.

The cemetery stretched out before them, a sea of weathered tombstones and overgrown grass. Arlo's heart grew heavy as he stared at the hallowed ground, his mind flooding with memories of the past.

"Sorry, Vielle," Arlo muttered. "There's something I want to do here quickly."

"You don't have to apologize. If there's something you need to do, then the 'supermarket' can wait." She responded.

"...Thank you."

With a deep breath, Arlo stepped forward, Vielle by his side, as they passed through the gates and into the cemetery. The sound of their footsteps echoed through the stillness, the only disturbance in the tranquil atmosphere.

As they walked among the tombstones, Vielle looked around, taking in the appearance of the cemetery. It was quite similar to the ones she was familiar with in her own world.

After a while, they stopped before a group of tombstones, their surfaces smooth and unblemished compared to the weathered markers that surrounded them. Vielle's gaze drifted over each one, taking in the pictures and names etched upon their faces.

Three of the tombstones belonged to men, and one to a young woman. They were all in their twenties, their youthful faces smiling out from the photographs.

The girl was called Tela, her picture showcasing adorable features and short, dark blue hair that framed her face like a halo.

Beside her lay Justin, a young man with black hair and a neatly trimmed beard, his eyes filled with a quiet strength and determination.

The second man was named Oscar, his messy black hair and the dark, tired circles beneath his eyes hinting at a life filled with struggles and hardships.

The third man, Henry, seemed to be the youngest of the group, his brown hair and eyes shining with the innocence and optimism of youth.

Arlo had taught Vielle how to read the dates of his world, and she could see that they had all passed away in the same year—just one year ago in this world.

Vielle turned her gaze to Arlo, who stood with his head lowered, a look of shame etched upon his face as he stared at the tombstones.

Just as Vielle considered asking him about the people they had come to visit, Arlo's voice broke the stillness.

"I'm sorry, everyone," he began. "It's been a while since my last visit, and I didn't bring any gifts this time either." He paused, his fists clenching at his sides as he struggled to find the right words. "Honestly, I still feel like I have no right to be here..."

"But I wanted to tell you… That I was able to save them—a new party I met. This time, I didn't run away." His voice grew quieter, a hint of uncertainty creeping into his tone. "I know it doesn't make up for anything, and it won't bring you back, but I needed you to know that I'm changing, even if it's slow progress. I can only hope that one day you'll forgive me."

As he spoke, tears welled up in Arlo's eyes, blurring his hollow gaze. Without another word, Arlo bowed deeply before the tombstones, a final gesture of respect and farewell. He then turned and walked away.

Vielle followed after him, her crimson eyes watched as Arlo rubbed the tears from his eyes, his shoulders hunched.

As they left the cemetery and waited for a cab, Arlo noticed Vielle's somber expression. He hesitated for a moment before speaking, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Vielle, do you mind if I vent to you a little?"

She moved closer to him, her crimson eyes meeting his. "...I don't mind."

Arlo took a deep breath, his chest heavy with the weight of his words. "Those tombstones you saw belonged to my old party. They're all dead because of me."

'What am I doing? This is a bad idea. I shouldn't tell her about this and lower her opinion of me.'

Despite his doubts, the words spilled from his lips like a confession. "We were in a life-and-death situation, and when it mattered most, I ran away, leaving them behind."

'Shut up… stop talking…' Arlo thought to himself, his inner voice screaming in protest.

Vielle listened silently as Arlo went on. "You saw their pictures, right? They were young, full of life, with bright futures ahead of them. But I took that away, just like that. I'll have to live with that guilt for the rest of my life."

He turned to her, a bitter smile twisting his features. "That's why all the nice things you said to me today... I don't think I deserved to hear any of them. Because deep down, I'm just a selfish piece of shit…"

Arlo slowly turned his head away, his hollow gaze fixed on the sky above. The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating.

"I'm sorry for suddenly dropping this on you, but I feel like you should know what type of person you were going to be working with from now on… If what I told you made you decide to change your mind, then I would understand."

After hearing Arlo's confession, Vielle took another step closer, her gaze joining his as they stared up at the darkening sky.

"Arlo," she muttered. "I've lived a long life, and I've met a lot of different people. From that experience, I can say this... The fact that you're here, that you're trying to change and make amends, says a lot about the kind of person you are."

The wind whispered through the trees, carrying with it the faint echoes of the city beyond.

"You're not a selfish piece of shit, Arlo," she said, her lips curving into a bright smile. "At least not the Arlo that I know..."

Arlo slowly turned to Vielle, his expression raw and vulnerable, tears streaming down his face. In that moment, he didn't bother to hide his emotions.

"Do... do you really think so...?" he asked as he lowered his head, his shoulders shaking with the force of his tears.

Vielle's smile softened, her hand reaching out to gently rub his head, her fingers running through his hair in a soothing gesture of comfort and reassurance.

"Yeah..." she responded, her voice filled with unwavering conviction. "And you don't have to worry. I'm not going to change my mind about working with you."

Arlo's heart raced as he felt the warmth of Vielle's touch, the sincerity of her words washing over him like a soothing balm.

“Vielle…”

Screech.

The sound of a cab pulling up to the curb interrupted their moment, and Arlo and Vielle turned to see the vehicle waiting for them, its headlights cutting through the gathering darkness.