After leaving the guild, Roland naturally took the slender, fair hand of the girl beside him.
"..."
Levy looked at the street beside them nonchalantly, allowing her hand to be slowly held tighter.
Feeling the warmth between them, her heart began to pound, and it felt as if her blood was boiling, making her entire body feel hot.
Levy took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, but the rising heat had already made her mind fuzzy, and she could only let him lead her along like a doll.
Just then, that familiar, gentle voice suddenly sounded.
"By the way... which way is Mira's house?"
"...To, to the left."
Suppressing her inner shyness, Levy subconsciously pointed to the fork in the road on the left.
After all, having lived in this town for so many years, she could give directions without a clear head.
The afternoon sun wasn't glaring. Roland looked up with a slight smile, clearly feeling the power in his body fading away.
But it didn't affect his pleasant mood.
Admiring the various medieval fantasy-style buildings and smelling the aroma of baking bread wafting through the air—everything was so new and fascinating to Roland.
Especially with a cute, blue-haired girl by his side.
"This world... is really nice."
"?"
Hearing the whisper beside her, Levy, who hadn't heard clearly, asked subconsciously.
Perhaps she had gotten a little used to it. Although she was still shy, it was better than at the beginning.
At least she didn't have to walk with her head down the whole time.
"I was saying, Levy is really cute!" Roland smiled slightly, lightly pinching his chin. "No wonder Jet and Droy like you so much."
"Cute... I'm not."
Levy's eyes widened as she quickly waved her hands.
However, she couldn't suppress the smile on her lips, which revealed the joy in her heart for all to see.
The way the two of them were laughing and talking, from the perspective of many passersby, they looked just like a couple in love.
............
Mirajane's place wasn't far from the guild.
After walking for about half an hour, Levy stopped, and Roland curiously observed their surroundings.
The originally wide street was divided by a river, with tall trees bearing flower buds planted on both sides. Every so often, there was a flat bridge made of white stone.
The residential building where Mirajane lived was on the north side of the river. The buildings were arranged in neat rows, giving them a unique, symmetrical, and delicate feel.
Across from the residential area was a huge park filled with unknown trees—it seemed it was not their blooming season.
"Those are cherry blossom trees over there. The guild's cherry blossom festival is always held there, but unfortunately, it's not the blooming season right now."
Levy explained cheerfully with her hands behind her back.
"I see. No wonder Mira said the scenery here was nice."
Roland nodded.
Although he didn't know why there were things like cherry blossom trees, he imagined that when they bloomed, the entire street would be enveloped in a sky full of petals.
"Let's go, I found the uncle who's renting out his house," Levy said with a smile, tugging on his sleeve.
The person renting out the house was an uncle in his thirties. The reason for renting was that he was taking his wife on a trip for a year or two.
After hearing the reason, Levy couldn't help but exclaim, "That's so wonderful. Your wife is so lucky to have a husband like you."
If she married Roland, she wondered if they would one day go on a trip together.
She couldn't help but think about it.
Because he was in a hurry to rent it out, the girl managed to bargain the monthly rent down to 130,000 J, on the condition that they pay half a year's rent in advance.
That was 780,000 J.
Levy paid it for him without a second thought.
After all, every time she completed a quest, she only used a small portion of the reward money to buy necessary books and such. She rarely splurged, which resulted in her savings exceeding those of most people in the guild.
"I feel like I'll never be able to repay you..."
Roland sighed with a complicated expression.
She provided a place to stay, food, and now even half a year's rent—should I just repay her with my body?
After signing the contract, the two walked into the newly rented house.
It was a two-story wooden house. The first floor was mainly the living room and kitchen, while the bedroom Roland rented was on the second floor. There was also a bathroom and toilet in the hallway; it had everything.
Plus, since the landlord's whole family was going on a trip, it was equivalent to renting an entire house for 130,000 J.
By the time they saw the original owner and his wife off in a horse-drawn carriage, it was already evening.
"That's great! Now you have a place to live!" Levy pumped her fist happily.
With that excited expression on her face, anyone who didn't know better would think she was the one who had rented the house.
"This has been a lot of trouble for you, Levy."
Looking at the key shining with a metallic luster in his hand, Roland spoke from the bottom of his heart.
Although he knew that Levy was most likely helping him so much because she was influenced by the Love Spot...
But who could blame his good luck for meeting such a cute girl?
Roland shook his head, pushing these thoughts to the back of his mind.
"Let's go in first. I'll treat you to a different style of dinner tonight."
"Oh, is it that xiaolongbao?"
"Pan-fried dumplings, ramen, hot pot, salt-baked snails, fruit pudding... you can have whatever you want to eat."
"Wait—wasn't there something strange mixed in there!?"
Snails are edible?!
Just the thought of it made Levy's scalp tingle.
............
The moonlight tonight was exceptionally bright. After enjoying an apple pudding for dessert, Levy lay on the sofa with a satisfied expression.
Gazing at the night scenery outside the window, a slight smile touched her lips. She then sat up cross-legged on the sofa and stretched.
"Thank you for the meal. I'll be heading back for today!"
"Actually, it's fine if you sleep here too."
Roland put down the history book he was halfway through and said half-jokingly.
"That's... impossible!"
At least, not until later!
Levy rubbed her reddening cheeks, then quickly got up and walked to the door.
As she pushed open the door, a cold wind suddenly blew in, making the girl, who was only wearing an off-the-shoulder dress, quickly wrap her arms around herself.
But in the next moment, a black long-sleeved jacket was draped over her shoulders, and the chill dissipated considerably.
"...Thank you."
Levy held the collar of the jacket and turned to look at Roland, who was standing at the door.
The bright moonlight shone down leisurely, falling on Roland's face. His gentle and delicate features made her heart flutter once again.
"Um, Roland..." Levy lowered her head slightly and said in a small voice.
"Hm?"
"Can you close your eyes, just for a little while!"
"Sure, I can... but why?"
Roland raised an eyebrow, somewhat confused.
"Please!"
Although he was full of questions, based on his trust in the girl, Roland closed his eyes.
What followed was a gentle and moist sensation on the corner of his lips—along with the faint taste of apple.
Did I just get kissed?
At that moment, only one thought remained in Roland's mind.