I'm Not the Heroine

Chapter 24

Ugh.

The knight with blue hair hesitated to move forward but continued to advance in a single direction.

The time promised by the wizard was approaching soon.

When that time arrives, she would be alone with the person she admired so much.

“How long has it been...?”

It was definitely more than a year. Since joining the hero’s party, she had barely spent any time away from Raphiere and Aria.

The last time they had been alone together was probably when she trained swordsmanship alongside Aswell, who had been chosen as the hero. However, even that time was long gone as various knights began to join their training, making it nearly two years since she had had an opportunity to be alone with him.

But now, at last, the opportunity had arrived.

“What should I talk about...?”

She had so much she wanted to say that she might end up unable to bring up any topic. Perhaps it was for this very reason that the one who devised this operation had advised her to center today’s conversation around the battle.

“I should follow Louis’s advice...”

If everything went smoothly today, similar situations would likely arise in the future. Then she could slowly bring up more topics each time.

What if that didn’t happen? It didn’t matter. Serelin and Aswell were responsible for the front line, so she could casually chat during brief moments.

“Huff...”

She hadn’t felt this nervous even when facing the massive monsters in the east.

Serelin struggled to calm her racing heart.

“Soon, Aswell will be here...”

“Ah, Serelin?”

“Eek!”

She wasn’t mentally prepared yet!

But she couldn’t ignore Aswell either.

If she did, everything would be over.

In the end, Serelin turned around with her preparations unfinished, feeling a bit rattled.

“Oh?”

Unlike usual, Aswell was wearing casual clothes without his armor. A sparkling gem brooch gleamed on his chest.

“Did he always have that...?” Ugh... I don’t know.

It was unclear whether that was something Aswell had always owned or if he had somehow acquired it without realizing it.@@@@

But that wasn’t what mattered. Since they had met like this, she needed to bring up the topic first.

“Ah, Aswell? What brings you here?”

“I bit my tongue!”

Fortunately, it seemed Aswell hadn’t heard her.

“Ah... I was asked by Louis to escort her to the magical tool shop.”

“Aha.”

He was indeed smart. Just as planned, Aswell had naturally come to the central commercial district.

“What about you, Serelin?”

“I just finished the northern battle and came here to rest. I want to drink some alcohol for the first time in a while.”

“Alcohol? Didn’t you say you didn’t like it much?”

“Hmm... I kind of want to drink today.”

“So he remembers those details!”

Serelin struggled to suppress her inner scream of embarrassment.

“Uh... Aswell.”

“Hmm?”

Now she had to speak up. This dense hero would never take the initiative.

“If you have some time... would you like to drink together?”

“Uh...”

And this considerate hero would agree to most requests from his comrades.

“Uh, Serelin. You seem to be quite drunk...”

“No, no, I’m a little tipsy. But I know what I’m saying right now.”

“I’m not” like Aria, graceful and demure, nor am I as cheerful and bright as Raphiere. And unlike Louis, I’m not immensely talented and contributing to the party.

“What I have is only the past relationships and distance.”

Serelin wanted to bring them a little closer.

“But if I get too close, you might feel pressured.”

So before Aswell could respond, Serelin quickly covered his mouth.

“Let’s save the answer to that question for later, okay?”

“...Okay.”

“Hah, thanks. Well then, I’ll go ahead first. It’s hot.”

As she stepped out of the shop, the cold evening air pierced her lungs.

Releasing some of the emotions she had bottled up for a long time felt refreshing.

“It’s all thanks to you.”

Aswell and the others praised Serelin, and she realized that she had feelings for Aswell. If it weren’t for that little wizard, she would still be struggling with her feelings.

She hadn’t confessed... or perhaps she had.

She simply left room for Aswell and made him more attentive to her.

Judging by the dazed expression on his face, it seemed fair to say that in this battle, Serelin had won.

She didn’t know if the actions she had taken were the right ones.

But Serelin didn’t hope for them to be right. She just wished they wouldn’t be wrong.

“I’ll do my best starting tomorrow!”

Stretching with renewed energy, the alcohol's effects quickly faded.

Serelin jogged for several hours before returning to the mansion.

“...”

Did I notice her feelings? Or was I truly oblivious?

“...I’m not sure.”

Aswell stared at the remaining mug of alcohol, recalling the knight who had been sitting before him moments ago.

In truth, from the moment she left that question behind, Aswell had vaguely noticed something.

Love, or perhaps infatuation. It might not have been that deep yet.

But Serelin had an interest in him.

“Hah...”

To be honest, it wasn’t bad. In fact, it could be seen as quite good.

Because Serelin was a knight whom Aswell had admired and followed.

It was only natural that he would feel some interest as well.

However, the reason Aswell sighed was due to the other party members.

Just a few weeks ago, he had experienced a similar feeling during the incident with Raphiere in the flower garden.

Seeing Raphiere illuminated by the sunset and flowers had stirred something in his heart.

Now, when Serelin spoke, it felt both similar and different.

While looking at Raphiere made his emotions boil over, Serelin seemed to create ripples in calm waters.

Gulp. Gulp.

“Hah...”

Aswell began to feel increasingly confused. At least it was a relief that he wasn’t involved with Aria, the saint.

But he couldn’t ignore these chaotic feelings.

A respected knight showing interest in him.

The elf princess who had almost captivated him.

And then... the source of his confusion, the young wizard, who kept lingering in his mind.

I don’t know.