"Guild Leader, what is it this time?"

I completely ignored Alicia. She was the type who got carried away with the slightest encouragement.

"Well, um, similar to Alicia, I have an inheritance quest to do. N-not that I don’t want to join you guys, but it’s a solo quest. And as Guild Leader, I need to get stronger. Otherwise, I’d be letting down your trust."

Clasping her hands in front of her, the Guild Leader blinked while speaking. She looked incredibly adorable.

"Are you mad?"

Tilting her head, she watched me with a worried expression.

"Why would I be mad? What do you two think I am?"

Was my temper really that bad? Why did the Guild Leader always seem so cautious around me? An illusion? Definitely an illusion!

"What? A fool, of course. It matches your white gear perfectly."

Covering her mouth, Alicia suddenly giggled.

"Only a fool calls others fools."

"No! A fool wouldn’t call others fools."

"Exactly. A fool never knows they’re the fool."

"Nonsense! Hmph, a fool only sees fools. Wait—"

Alicia paused, realizing something was off. She sat down, scratching her head to untangle the words.

"Huh? Could I really be the fool?"

She got tripped up by just a few sentences. Alicia really was a dummy.

"You just realized that now?"

"Aaaaaaaaaah! You tricked me! Unforgivable!"

Alicia lunged at me like a wildcat. I grabbed her head with one hand while her arms spun like windmills. Sadly, she couldn’t hit me at all.

"Do whatever you want. I’ll always support the Guild Leader."

Might as well boost her affection a bit…

"Mmm, thank you."

Looking at me, the Guild Leader smiled. It was super sweet.

"But come back soon. I’ll feel lonely if you two aren’t here."

Our guild had always been cheerful, yet after one setback, we each developed different thoughts.

Even in a game, can’t we escape reality’s shadows? No—perhaps this is just for a better tomorrow.

Humans tragically refuse to admit their flaws. But here, in this guild, I felt both the Guild Leader and Alicia had resilient hearts, brave enough to face hardships and their own shortcomings.

Maybe this was the start of a transformation—from treating the game as entertainment to making it part of life.

Obsession isn’t good. But if you distinguish between the two, life becomes colorful.

"Huh? You can make that face too? Wahahaha! Hmph, pray for this lady’s early return."

Alicia cheered up, patting her flat chest with a "look up to me" vibe.

"I don’t care about you. Just make sure the Guild Leader comes back soon."

"What? What? What?! Why? What’s wrong with me compared to the Guild Leader, you bastard!"

"Flat-chested airport. How tragic."

I turned away, covering my head with a sorrowful expression.

"What’s wrong with small chests? They never hurt you! Apologize to flat-chested girls worldwide! Haven’t you heard: ‘You can’t conquer the world with uneven chests’?"

Again, I held Alicia’s head as her arms spun like windmills. Anyway, she couldn’t hit me.

"Your relationship really is good."

Resting her chin on her hands, the Guild Leader smiled at us.

"It’s not good at all!"

"Good or bad isn’t the right word. She’s more like a pet."

I said with a light laugh. I’d felt that way since our first meeting.

"You’re the pet!"

After a long fuss, Alicia finally calmed down, panting in her chair.

Come to think of it, can you even get tired in a game?

"Well, it’s late. I should go. Don’t miss me."

"Mm, safe travels."

I waved at Alicia with a smile.

"Th-thank you."

"Disappear halfway."

"You jerk! I won’t leave until I bite you today!"

Alicia, who’d just reached the door, lunged back.

The Guild Leader kept smiling at us.

After more commotion, Alicia left. Now, only the two of us remained in the guild hall.

"Hey, tell me why the Wind Mercenary Corps attacked us."

"Mm."

I hesitated, then explained what happened.

"But I’m not sure who hired them. Still, I’ll find out eventually. Then, I’ll settle all scores at once."

"You always hold grudges like this."

Covering her mouth, the Guild Leader laughed. Her breathtaking beauty stunned me for a moment.

"Ahem."

How should I answer? Girls usually like open-minded guys, right?

"Pfft, I really like your personality. Even if misunderstood, you silently protect those around you."

"Mm."

Phew. The Guild Leader seemed to misunderstand something. But it was better if she kept misunderstanding.

"Alicia dropped a ring and a bracelet. What about you? What did you drop?"

Her fingers tapped and swiped in front of her, probably browsing auctions or shops.

"Don’t worry about compensating us. Losing gear in PK is normal, right?"

"But—"

"No buts. If you want to compensate, just finish what we started last time."

Every time I saw the Guild Leader’s cherry-like lips, I recalled last time. Seriously, Alicia interrupted me. But now, no one was in the way.

"Huh? Last time? What was it?"

Her cheeks flushed red. Resting her chin on her hands, she grinned at me.

"K-kiss."

Why was it so hard to say that, especially facing her pure, lovely face?

"I forgot."

"..."

Boom! Like a bolt from the blue, I froze on the spot.

"Just kidding. But I’m not mentally ready yet. So, this will have to do."

While I was still frozen, the Guild Leader stood beside me. Blushing, she tiptoed and pecked my cheek like a chick.

"Uh."

"It’s a secret. Take good care of the place. Wait for me to return, and I’ll reward you."

She whispered in my ear, her clear voice piercing deep into my soul.

My heart pounded nonstop.

Warmth and fragrance lingered on my cheek. Her delicate fingertip pressed against my lips again.

I had an inexplicable urge to bite it…

"Mm."

"Well then, goodbye. Message me if you miss me."

"Safe travels."

Watching the Guild Leader leave, I waved.

After a long while, I slumped into a chair, touching my cheek. Warmth still lingered, and I truly felt a moment of heart-fluttering.

Could it be… I’m in love?