Morning. The cold wind whispers, waking me from my slumber. Light enters my eyes.

What greeted me was the sight of the curtains dancing with the wind. Faint light seeps through the gaps.

I sluggishly tried to sit my body on the bed. Tried. There was a weight pushing me down. On my left was Senia, smiling happily while coiling her arms around my waist.

“…......”

I slowly closed in on Senia's ear, and whispered softly.

“….I know you're awake, if you don't move I'll hit you.”

“Eeeeh?! How did you know?! Nooooo~ Please, a little longer!~”

Senia jolts up and hugs me tightly, clearly refusing to let go. For the past three days that we've shared a room in the inn, she'd always try to crawl into my bed. Today is the first time she succeeded.

“….Haaah… Fine, only a bit more…”

“Yaaay! Saya, I love you~”

“….No kisses.”

“Iyaaah~

I blocked her lips with my pillow. Seriously, this girl. I only agreed because I don't dislike being hugged, that is as long as her hands—

“….Senia, I'll push you off you know.”

“It's fine right~ I know Saya's shy bu—”

“….Then, I won't let you hug me ever again.”

“Yes! This Senia will never attempt to lewdly touch Saya again! That's why, forgive meee~”

“…As long as you understand.”

“Hehehehe~”

She cuddles up to me.

….This isn't so bad.

“….Ah, that's right, today….”

“Guild matters can wait!!”

Senia stops my effort to get out of bed again. She hugged and cuddled me for another ten minutes.

******

“Uwaaaah~ Forgive meeee~ But Saya's too cute, I can't resist! Please forgive meee!”

For ten minutes, she just stayed like that, hugging and cuddling me... that I end up falling asleep again. And because of that, she continued to hug me until she herself fell asleep as well.

We slept for another hour.

“Saya felt so warm and comfy that I couldn't resist! I'm sorry, forgive meeee!~”

And because of that, I went to the guild late, and she's been like that ever since. It's not like I'm really angry, but if I get soft on her she'd do it again.

But this is embarassing in a way. She was loud so it was natural to attract attention.

“….Aaaah, I get, so quiet down. I'll forgive you, but there's no next time.”

“Really?! Waaaaah! Sayaaaa!~”

I'll forgive her for hugging me again just now.

******

I head to Ellio's counter. As usual, he finishes up work quickly. Senia stayed at the lounge.

"Ah... There you are."

"...Am I late?"

"Ah... Don't worry, it's only you for today."

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Ellio puts on a pair of glasses. Oh, is this his teaching equipment? It really suits him.

"Ah... I'll begin the explanation. First off is rankings."

"....If I'm not mistaken, adventurer ranks are.... F to S."

"Ah... That's right. Adventurers should only take quests they can handle. Rankings were made so no arrogant adventurer would take on an unreasonable quest."

"....Is it okay to take a higher rank quest?"

"Ah... It's actually recommended to do so. However, you can only take a quest one rank higher than yours. If you were to take a higher rank quest, then it is only possible if you have high ranking party members."

Hmm... So having a party really is recommended. I wonder why Senia doesn't form a party with others.

"Next is about parties and clans. Ah... You already know about the party, so I'll explain about the clans. A Clan is like a bigger version of Party. You can think of them as an organization of adventurers."

Hmm... That isn't so difficult to understand.

"Ah... Just so you know, the requirements for making a Clan is having a minimum of 10 members, and the leader having the highest ranking among them. Also, making a clan costs a sum of money. Because of this, only the high ranking adventurers have clans. Ah... The leader also has to be responsible in handling the members of the clan. It is common knowledge that the actions of one member affects the entirety of the clan."

"....Sounds like a pain."

"Ah... It really is. Let's continue. Lastly will be promotions. In order to have a rank promotion, you need to accomplish a task that the guild will give. Ah... Just so you know, the task varies and is almost different everytime."

"....Mm. I get it. So, as an F rank, how do I rank up?"

"Ah... Saya, you're misunderstanding something."

"...Hm?"

"Ah... Have you checked your Guild Card?"

"....I haven't had the chance to."

 "Ah... That would be bad. Take a look at yours right now."

"....Well, I don't have it. Senia took it."

"Ah... Is that so. Anyways, tell her that you have to know your rank by all means. That would be all for today. Ah... Also, I will be your personal receptionist starting today, and as your personal receptionist I forbid you to form your party with Senia as long as you don't know both of your ranks. Well then, good day."

Somehow, I just got my own receptionist. Well, it's Ellio so its fine.

Anyways, he has a point. I must retake my Guild Card back!

If, for some reason she doesn't want to give it back, then I'll have her tell me!

I also have to know Senia's rank.... I wonder what her rank is.

*************

 Back at the inn....

"Nooo~ I won't give it back!"

"....Stubborn."

She doesn't want to return my Guild Card after all.

"...Then, tell me my rank. Ellio said I need to know."

".........."

Something's definitely fishy. She doesn't want to return my card, and she doesn't want to tell me my rank.

Ah... Could it be?

"....Senia, what's your rank?"

"I'm... not telling..."

Senia avoids my line of sight.

I've got no choice, huh.

"....Ei."

"Uwaah!"

Surprise bear hug! Now tell me all your secrets!

"....It's okay. I've a hunch, but is my rank... higher than yours?"

"Nng... It's not but..."

"...I see. I've made you feel bad."

"That's not it! It's just..."

Hmm... If my rank is not higher, then it's possibly the same as hers, or just below.

"....Then I'll promise."

I look up at her with serious eyes. Staring at her with determination.

Senia looks at me with a sad expression.

"...I promise that no matter what, I'll stay with Senia. I'm your... adorable party member after all."

"Saya...."

Jeez, I don't know what I'll do with her. I'll pamper her for now I guess.

"....Let's sleep together this time, but no lewd actions."

"Hehehe~ Mm. Okay."

Later that night, Senia told me that both of us are C Ranks.

I can understand her sadness and pain. She worked hard for that rank, and I was given that rank on my first day.

Sure, my rank was given to me because of my high stats but...

Senia has experience. She knows how to be an adventurer more than me.

If I have raw power, Senia has skills.

"....But to be C Rank from the start..."

"That just means Saya is strong! Now Rayl can't argue anymore! After all~ We're both C Ranks!"

"....But why won't you party with anyone before?"

"Hmm~ I just don't feel like it. But Saya's different. Not only because you're so adorable, but because I feel really, reeeally safe with you, no matter where I go."

"....Was that your first impression of me?"

"Hehehe~"

Senia cuddles up to me and stays like that.

She won't say anything else huh.

Well... this isn't so bad.

"....Senia, good night."

"Mm~ Good night, Saya."

On that night, I slept within the arms of the first person that I trust in this world.

The feeling of satisfaction, security and happiness.

I slept feeling the warmth of Senia.