"Vya?" Jetri knocked on Vya's door.

He rarely entered Vya's room. Unless necessary, he avoided sharing small spaces with Vya.

"Coming, coming!" Vya's flustered voice came from inside.

Jetri stood outside in formal wear, listening to the clattering and banging within. He felt a little worried.

But he didn't open the door.

Honestly, across two lifetimes, Jetri had never shared housing with anyone except Vya. His only other experience living under the same roof was back in high school.

He couldn't view Vya just as a roommate. Though Jetri knew Vya was male, he subconsciously treated Vya with the care he'd give a woman.

"What is it?" Vya opened the door, hair slightly messy. But since she'd gone out earlier that morning, her clothes were still neat.

Jetri wondered if Vya had been acting strange lately. He felt... something off.

He let out a slight sigh. "The award ceremony is this afternoon. You should change and get ready to leave."

"R-Really? Today?" Vya covered her mouth, her beautiful eyes wide open.

"What's wrong with you today?" Jetri crossed his arms, gaze lifting upward. His face showed pure exasperation.

"I, uh..." Vya looked embarrassed. Then she noticed Jetri's rare formal attire. "You look really handsome today."

"Huh?" Jetri blinked in confusion.

He squinted at Vya's face, checking for odd expressions. Only after confirming nothing strange did he relax inwardly.

But a trace of disappointment soon welled up.

—No, what disappointment nonsense!

Jetri kept a poker face. Nothing showed of his inner turmoil—a mix of struggle, fear, embarrassment, and irritation.

"I have to attend such events sometimes." His complex feelings didn't last. Just thinking about receiving an award publicly made him queasy.

To him, being honored in public felt no different from execution.

"Never mind. Hurry up," Jetri waved his hand. "I'll prepare first and wait outside."

He tried to make his exit look less like fleeing.

Vya pressed her lips together, glancing back at the clock on her wall.

Had she gotten lost in a novel? Or had she deliberately acted forgetful, hoping Richard would come call her?

Vya didn't dwell on it.

Now, what to wear was a new problem.

For her, men's formal wear was impossible. Even her usual armor felt tight and suffocating on her chest. Wearing formal attire would be torture.

But a gown...

In the end, she chose—

"You're going like that?" Jetri stared, dumbfounded.

"Is there a problem?" Vya replied with her usual warm smile.

"N-No, but..." Jetri hesitated, looking at Vya fully armored except for the helmet. He didn't know what to say.

It wasn't even the "Sacred Delan Kingdom Glorious Armor" gifted by the King of Delan.

It was the plain, practical full set Jetri had picked for her in the capital before their expedition—a balance of affordability and low-key style.

The Volvo of armors.

Perfect for fighting Demon Clan, but this was an award ceremony.

It wasn't exactly stylish.

"Well, happiness matters most." Jetri never forced his views on others.

"Heh, let's go."

Jetri shrugged, opening the carriage door for Vya. "After you, Honorable Valiant Hero."

"You always love embarrassing me." Vya smiled but didn't refuse.

The carriage ride was smooth. Jetri had optimized its structure and wheels for stability, earning him good money.

"Speaking of Valiant Heroes, haven't you officially become one too, Jetri?" Vya sat facing him, hands folded neatly on her lap.

Her posture was neither too rigid nor too soft.

"A Valiant Hero without a title?" Jetri rolled his eyes. "Vya, you know how it is."

"Today's stars will be you and Victoria, then Lilith, and finally me." Jetri slumped lazily into his specially modified seat.

As a former engineering nerd, he couldn't recall steam engines or combustion details. But simple life-improving tweaks? He enjoyed those.

"So... why not marry Lilith or Victoria, Jetri?" Vya joked. "You'd gain inheritance rights to the Forest Kingdom or Delan Kingdom. Efficient, right?"

"Tch—" Jetri winced as if in tooth pain, missing her subtle test. "You think I haven't tried? I just haven't succeeded."

"Haha, I see..." Vya chuckled along, inwardly relieved.

The carriage stayed steady even on rough roads.

Amidst their chatter, it halted before a grand building.

The ceremony hadn't started, but crowds already surrounded the area.

As genuine heroes, even the less famous Jetri drew cheers.

The moment he stepped out, a tidal wave of applause hit him.

It surged higher when he opened the door to help Vya out.

Lilith and Victoria had arrived.

They stood at a respectful distance, watching without interrupting.

Every one of the four deserved this honor and adoration.

Born into high society, they knew better than to intrude now.

Vya made a curious move—

She extended her hand to Jetri.

Jetri reacted fast. Smiling, he took Vya's gauntleted hand and helped her down.

The gesture hinted at deep closeness, making some female onlookers nearly swoon.

Their movements were utterly natural.

As if it should always be this way.

Vya waved to the crowd after stepping down, sparking another cheer.

She didn't enjoy the attention. But her nature made her consider others' feelings.

"Let's go," Vya said with a smile.

Only then did Victoria and Lilith lift their skirts.

They flanked Vya naturally, one on each side.

Four people stood in perfect balance—but Jetri felt like the extra one.

Jetri wasn't slow. He sensed it but showed nothing.

As if he was meant to be the backdrop.

Ah...

Another day I want to quit the team.