- Before -

A figure clad in black zipped through the forest, moving so fast that only a remnant of a shadow flashed by. While speeding up, the shadow expertly avoided the trees as it chased another figure ahead.

The one being chased looked back at his hunter and could feel cold sweat dripping down his back. The one that was chasing him had a silent and imposing atmosphere who was getting closer and closer by the second.

It would have been such an intimidating sight for anyone looking… if it was not for the pink fluff desperately clinging on top of the hunter’s head, with its cute round eyes watering and crying out.

“PIIIYAAAAAAAA!!!!!”

Aki was out on her hunt as usual until she came up to an empty spot where the herb was supposed to be. After venturing through the thick tropical forest with sweat sticking to her skin and mud aching her boots, an angry nerve popped up at her temple as she snapped, stared at the empty ground.

It wasn’t that the herb did not grow there or some animal got to it before her. No, there were signs that a human had just recently dug it up.

Although the Herb was named Ran-nun-cul, used as a health supplement that can even make a cripple run, Aki had never expected the Herb actually ran.

This was the fifth time in a row that this had happened!!!!! Aki stomped her foot.

The first time was brushed away by Aki as an accident. The second time was a coincidence. The third, fourth and now the fifth - Aki. was. pissed.

Sensing the gloomy aura coming out from Aki, Kit kat and Cadbury froze behind her mid-frolick.

Aki lifted her hands and waved in a circle, as if rewinding time, and a little fog illusion appeared, showing her what had happened. Curious and amazed at the magic, Kitkat flew up and perched itself on Aki’s head to get a closer look at the illusion.

After seeing the direction where the Herb thief had gone, Aki suddenly dashed off, leaving a stunned Cadburry behind and Kit Kat familiarly clinging onto his life. Again.

- After -

Aki walked along the familiar streets that brought so much nostalgia. It has been almost three years since the first time that she came here. She could still remember the confusion and trepidation she felt when she first tripped here. Although loneliness was a familiar feeling then, it soon gave way to warmth that filled her heart.

The winding alley brought her to a familiar run down storefront that reads “Heiki’s Store”. Looking up at the same old wooden sign, Aki’s lips lifted into a small smile.

A hand gently landed on her head, rustling her hair. Turning back, she was met with a pair of smiling crimson eyes. Compared to the first time that Aki met him, Roku has matured even more, shedding the last of his youth.

He was not beautiful per say but his handsome regal face and confident gait carried a bearing and atmosphere that turned heads and made people admire from afar.

“I’ll be heading off to the palace first. I will meet you at the inn later.”

“Okay, you stay safe too.”

Nodding her head while unintentionally nuzzling against Roku’s hand, Aki said her farewells as Roku made sure that Aki had everything she needed. After confirming that Aki had entered the store, Roku finally turned his eyes away.

A bell on top of the door rang cheerfully.

“Welcome to- Aki!!!”

Heiki was seated at the counter as usual, working on what looked like a magic staff. Looking up casually to greet the customer, he was met with a very big surprise.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Leaping up, Heiki reached Aki in three big steps and gave her a warm hug. Nestled in the warmth, Aki smiled and patted Heiki’s back in return.

“AKI’S HERE???!!!!”

From the back of the shop, a booming voice could be heard and followed by a series of crashes. A light laugh bubbled from Aki. Bursting out while covered in soot, Takeshi rushed up and hugged them both, lifting them up high and spinning in the air.

“TAKESHI!!! PUT ME DOWN!!!”

“AKIIII!!!! IT’S BEEN SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO LONG!!!”

“Hahahahaha!!”

It has been almost a year since Aki had met Takeshi and Heiki in person. Although they kept in touch via messages and the occasional calls, meeting in person was always much more reassuring to Aki.

Not only being able to confirm their safety with her eyes but also feel their warmth and touch, hear their voices unfiltered and also take in their scent. Oh, this felt so much more real.

After the Academy Test incident, Aki had continued with her Herb hunting as usual in the city. But as Aki’s rank progressed, her quests required her to travel further and even to other continents, and she was unable to stay at the capital for any extended period of time.

Despite that, Aki still tried her best to return to the Capital when she could or went to Colkirk during their academy breaks to catch up. Even if it was only a few times a year at best.

It has been two years since Takeshi and Heiki graduated from the Academy. Takeshi immediately signed up as an adventurer aiming to become a first class mage. Heiki too signed up as an adventurer but it was mainly for easier access to materials he needed to smith his weapons. When he didn’t need the materials, Heiki could be found in his grandfather’s shop instead.

Seated around the counter with tea, they held their rectangle table meeting.

“So what’s up Aki? Why did you suddenly pop by without saying anything?”

“I just had the opportunity to drop by on the way to the Capital. So I can’t stay for long. The Hunter Guild Master has called for a Guild meeting.”

“WOAH!! A hunter’s guild meeting!! That’s the first time I have heard of it!”

“That’s really rare. Who is the Hunter’s Guild Master actually? He never shows up for those Royal occasions or even guild meetings with the other guild masters, so there’s no portraits drawn of him even in the news. Is it true no one really knows what he looks like?”

Aki shrugged at Heiki’s question. Aki was actually really curious herself. After being in the Hunter’s Guild for 3 years, this was the first time the Guild even had a guild announcement. The only point of contact Aki ever had from the administrative side was just Misha.

“I also have never met the guild leader. Maybe the rumours were true and he’s actually…. A stuffed bear?” Aki lips curled up as she conspired with them.

“Did that guy follow you back as well?”

“Yeah, but Roku needed to go report some work to the palace first.” Aki nodded.

“Tsk… You guys have been traveling around together for about a year right? How is it? Did he give you any trouble?”

“WHAT?! ROKU BULLIED YOU?!”

Looking at how worried Heiki was and how angry Takeshi was just at that thought, Aki laughed. Feeling both amused yet comforted, Aki reached out to pat both their hands on the table. Now she really had a lot of people that cared about her.

“No, he didn’t not bully me. My hunting quests are going smoothly, but he ran into some complications with his hunts, so I decided to work together with him a little more, so we will still be travelling together.”

Heiki frowned. The first time that Heiki saw Roku was during the Academy Test where he had spared together with Aki. They haven't had any interactions since, besides hearing from Aki’s stories while they were working together.

Although Roku seemed strong, his cold eyes always gave off the feeling of a bystander. Even if a man was dying in front of him, Heiki believed that Roku would be comfortable enough to not lift a finger and just watch the man die if it did not concern him.

But looking at how Aki was safe and how her eyes lit up when talking about her adventures with Roku, Heiki decided to put that thought at the back of his mind. Aki could stand up for herself and even if worse comes to worse, she still had him and Takeshi supporting her.

After confirming that Aki was fine, Takeshi launched into a conversation retelling the stories of his own adventures. Starting out from F rank, both Heiki and Takeshi had raised their ranks to A rankers in two years.

Although with higher ranks, they would have more obligations and responsibilities to the adventurer guild, it also came with some nice perks like discounts on materials or priority in quests and more. Their Rank also gave them some red-tape conveniences that they can by-pass easily now too.

Content to listen to Takeshi’s stories as Heiki injected some points into the stories, Aki took a sip of the tea that warmed her inside out.

Luckily they are fine, Aki thought as her eyes darkened with emotion behind the hot tea’s mist.

Although the Guild gathering was true, the main reason why Aki decided to come back and drop by urgently was because she had picked up news that Nobles were getting assassinated.

Although most Nobles that were targeted were those high in ranking and power within the political scene, sometimes because the nobles were just at the scene, they got eliminated together as well.

It all seemed so unprofessional to Aki to touch people who were not targets. But Aki decided not to think too deeply about it, having already washed her hands off that career.

Aki knew in her head that both Takeshi and Heiki were fine and having them not being any central figures and plus as adventurers which nobles seemed to look down upon, made them even less likely to be targets.

However, she just could not put that worry away. It nagged her mind day and night, even creeping into her dreams. Seeing her so preoccupied with worry, Roku was the one that suggested they stop by, just to check in casually and it has been a while since Aki did her usual visitations.

It was only after seeing them both healthy and alive in front of her right now, being able to touch and also feel their warmth, could Aki put down the weight in her heart.

The sun dipped behind the horizon and the sky was starting to be filled with millions of twinkling stars as they chatted.

For dinner, they tasted another of Takeshi’s creations that was conjured by his new wand that Heiki had just fixed.

It was not only powered by magic but has incorporated the latest technical magic system that has become trendy as of late. Although it was still a bit unstable, especially with Takeshi’s tremendous magic output, they managed to come up with something with Aki’s help as well.

After countless booms and laughter, they filled themselves with delicious food and boundless joy.

Looking from the outside, the warm glow of the lights from the shop and the bustle created a peaceful and tranquil scene in the dark.