As I am wondering how I will get out of the area, I see someone approaching down the road. I tense up for a moment thinking it’s another crazed person, but I relax as I realize it is Raphtalia. I walk to meet her and we come together on the outskirts of the clearing.

“Naofumi-sama?”

“Yes?”

“I want to tell you something.”

*Fumu*

“Alright, what is it?”

Raphtalia and I have been through so much together, I can at least hear her out even if it is likely she will act strangely too.

“…Naofumi-sama, I love you.”

Of course, everyone else was after me, I somewhat expected this.

Raphtalia’s eyes have an earnest look to them as she awaits my answer.

I think it over and I decide to answer positively. I had denied everyone else and that didn’t go well.

“Thank you Raphtalia, I like you too.”

“Really, you do?!”

“Yes, you are a cherished companion.”

“Oh Naofumi!” (TL note: she addressed him as Naofumi from here on since they are lovers)

Raphtalia stepped forward, embracing me; then, she looked deep into my eyes, as I looked back into hers, and she kissed me. Thought became fleeting as sensation overtook my mind.

The softness of Raphtalia’s lips against my own.

The smell of her hair.

The firm, yet tender grip with which she held me to herself.

Finally, after several seconds, she pulled away. Her face was red, but she had a happy gleam in her eyes and her expression conveyed her pleasure.

…

Neither of us spoke for a few seconds, still lost in the moments of that intimate union.

Finally, Raphtalia spoke to me.

“Naofumi, would you go on a date with me today?” (TL note: she addresses him as Naofumi from here on since they are lovers.)

“Alright, so long as it is away from the villages.”

I say this hoping that the others will leave me alone if they see that Raphtalia has already “claimed” me for the day.

“I know just the place. Come with me Naofumi.”

Raphtalia begins walking and I walk beside her. Shortly after we begin walking, Raphtalia’s fingers brush my hand. I think she’s trying to say, subconsciously, that she wants to hold my hand. Responding in the affirmative has been going well so far, I might as well keep going.

*Haa*

Raphtalia breaths in slightly when I grasp her hand.

We continue walking toward her destination. Along the way we pass by some of the female slaves, who look at us with disappointment written on their faces, as well as some of the villagers who begin gossiping with each other when they see Raphtalia and I walking hand in hand.

Finally, we reach the coastal ridges that flank the sea.

“Naofumi, there’s a little cove here that I liked to go visit when I was a child.”

“Aren’t you still a child?”

“Naofumi! I’m an adult in body and I’ve matured mentally through all the battles and experiences we have shared. I may have only lived for ten years, but I am not a child anymore.”

She protests vehemently. Maybe I’ve taken the wrong attitude toward her….

“Anyway, this cove is my secret spot. No one knows about it other than me—not even Kiel-chan.”

This place must be really special to her yet she is sharing it with me. I don’t really know what to say.

“Um, thank you for showing me.”

“You’re welcome, Naofumi.”

I follow Raphtalia through a narrow passage in the cliffs down to a small beach. It is a very secluded spot. I don’t think anyone will find us here. It is beginning to get late. The temperature is warm though it is February 14th, or this world’s equivalent, but as it is technically the winter season, the sun sets early. Right now it is beginning its slow descent toward the western horizon, spreading its golden, though reddening, hue across the water as if an artist had run a brush over a canvas.

“This is a very pretty view.”

“I know. I liked coming here to watch the sunset when I was younger.”

She carefully avoided the usage of the word child.

We continue watching the sun sink lower. I take a quick glance over at Raphtalia.

“Not as beautiful as you though.”

Raphtalia swings around to face me. Despite the dimming light, I think she’s blushing.

“Th-thank you. You really think so?”

“I know so.”

Raphtalia smiles.

“I think you’re handsome and brave. You’re caring, even if you don’t openly show it, and you helped others in need, even if they were demi-human. I don’t know what my life would be like without you. I don’t even know if I would still be alive without you. So thank you Naofumi. Even if you do seem to delight in other’s pain.”

…That last one wasn’t necessary, although I suppose it is true.

“You’re welcome. I’m glad I met you too. You were the first person in this world to believe in me and reach out to me with an open hand and kind look instead of a fist and glower.”

We don’t say anything more for a little bit. We simply watch the sun set together and the first stars begin to come out. As the dying rays of the red sun settle over the horizon, Raphtalia leans against my shoulder. At the last moment of light, I see a flash of green at the sun’s location. Raphtalia’s body heat begins to permeate into my own body and we share each other’s warm. I lean my own head onto hers and we watch the stars twinkle, the feel of each other tangible.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Finally, after I don’t know how long—it felt like a short time—Raphtalia stood up.

“It’s getting late. We should probably head back before anyone worries.”

I am reluctant to leave, but I grasp Raphtalia’s outstretched hand and she helps me up from the sand.

“Maybe we can come here again sometime.” (Raphtalia)

“I’d like that.” (Naofumi)

We climb back up the narrow passage and begin walking toward the slave village.

We hold hands on the way back with Raphtalia leaning her head against me as we walk.

“Oy there, is that the lad?”

The familiar figure of the armor shop Oyaji appears out of the darkness.

“I was looking for you. People have been wondering where you have been.”

A grin spreads on his face.

“I see, the little lady has finally won over the lad eh?”

“What are you talking about?”

As I ask, Raphtalia has a contented grin on her face.

What did he mean by finally?

“We’re headed back to the village now.” (Raphtalia)

“Alright, well, I’ll leave you two alone then.”

Oyaji walks again with a small smile on his face.

We finally make it back to the village.

I walk Raphtalia to her house. We stand there together for a second.

“Thank you for spending the evening with me Naofumi. Good night.”

Raphtalia gives me a brief peck on the lips before turning and going into her home.

Suddenly, I remember the dream I had of Raphtalia confessing her love in a field of flowers and how I had responded back. Could it be that my subconscious was hinting that I really do love her? But that would make me a pedophile right?

While thinking this, I wander back to my own home and into bed.

I open my eyes to a new morning. My memories are a little fuzzy. I remember that everyone was acting really weirdly, but I can’t remember what happened in the evening. Oh well, it mustn’t have been too important or I would have remembered.

I am greeted at my tent by Taniko.

“Rat wants to see you.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know, she just asked me to go get you.”

“I’ll go talk to her.”

I walk to Rat’s bioplant laboratory.

“Shield-sama, how are you feeling?”

“A bit tired, why?”

“Do you remember what happened yesterday?”

“Vaguely, except the evening.”

Rat nods knowingly.

“You were drugged.”

“What?!”

“Well, I was trying to modify a bioplant in order to make it produce a love potion that I could give to for Valentine’s day so you could use it on whomever you wanted, but something went wrong. Instead of producing a liquid potion, the bioplant produced a vapor of love. The symptoms include causing temporary unconsciousness, memory loss, and a major amplification of people’s feelings toward each other.”

“So that’s why everyone was acting weird the other day?”

“I’d assume so.”

“What do you mean, ‘I’d assume so?’”

Rat had a sheepish look come over her.

“Well, I actually just woke up. Since I was right near the source of emission, I blacked out for over 24 hours. The bioplant informed me of what happened to it and I surmised the rest from there.”

“Well, that explains a lot but it doesn’t explain why it didn’t affect me.”

“You have a high resistance to alcohol right Shield-sama?”

“Correct.”

“I hypothesize that because of that resistance, that the love potion affected you differently.”

“You say that you can’t remember last evening at all right? Everyone else I’ve talked to so far does remember all of yesterday. I suspect that the memory affected you more than others.”

That would explain a lot.

“Rat, don’t do this again.”

“I won’t count.”

You better not!

I walk out of Rat’s lab and bump into Raphtalia.

“Naofumi, thank you for yesterday evening. It was one of the best times of my life.”

“What happened yesterday evening?”

“…! You didn’t forget did you Naofumi?!”

Raphtalia’s tail was bristling. She looked really mad.

“Well, I kind of did but--.”

“HOW COULD YOU FORGET OUR FIRST DATE?!!”

Raphtalia punches me and runs off sobbing.

What’s with her? First date? These questions swirl through my clouded mind. I come to a realization though. Raphtalia must have been affected by the love potion temporarily and asked me on a date while smitten with me.

Why is she mad though, that potion was temporary? It’s not like she actually loves me. She just holds me in high regard and is fond of me for saving her from slavery. Those feelings must have been amplified into ones of love under the effects of the potion. I guess any girl would be mad if someone forgot about a date, love potion induced or otherwise. Oh well, she’ll get over it eventually.

Even if we did love each other, we couldn’t be in a relationship. That would make me a pedophile right… or would it? I have a recollection of Raphtalia confessing her love and how I had responded back. Was that a dream or reality? An image of her kissing me pops into my mind, it felt right. What if I really do love her?