Chapter 2 – In Front of the Dungeon

 

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The sound of birds chirping, the sound and smell of bubbling cooking, I woke up feeling all of this.

 

It was good that I seemed to have slept soundly, and that each stimulus that woke me up was so beautiful, but the downside was that the amount of time I slept was too little.

 

Even after a good night’s sleep, fatigue remained in my body.

 

When I woke up, Lily Noona was still in the kitchen.

 

She smiled and greeted me as if she had noticed my movements.

 

“Did you sleep well my hehe... Starchis?”

 

She was wearing an apron and the fragrance of delicious breakfast wafted through my room.

 

Her red eyes were still fixed on me. Her breasts were slightly oozing out of the apron even when she was wearing clothes; she looked like a perfect wife.

 

Whew.

 

How comfortable it would have been if it was just that she liked me.

 

Anyone who sees her now without needing to see her other good sides will fall in love with her.

 

But I know she sees me as nothing more than a brother.

 

The moment I confess to her:

 

‘Uh… Starchis. I never thought of it that way.’

 

‘Nevertheless, Noona! Please marry me!’

 

‘I only thought of you as my younger brother, how could you be thinking such disrespectful thoughts..’

 

This is how things would unfold.

 

I was able to grasp this much by the underlying meanings that were hidden in her actions.

 

“Starchis? Why are you so blank?”

 

“Oh, yes? No. Noona. I was touched for a moment. Did you sleep well too?”

 

Lily Noona gave a million-dollar smile at my answer.

 

But don’t think I’m special. Because Lily Noona already hinted a few times that she sees me as just a comfortable younger brother.

 

I also feel a bit blunt; At a time like this, she takes care of me like this and then pampers me. But if I say I want to rest, she turns into a completely different person. If I refuse to the end, she gets angry and doesn’t even answer.

 

It’s not that I'm not grateful that she is nice at times like these, but I hope she doesn’t get angry even when I say I’m taking a break.

 

Thinking like that, now this feels like a favor that is given only to ask for good things in the future; I gave you something to eat, so you have to do a good job later. That type of feeling.

 

“Starchis, it seems like we’ve become a married couple when we greet each other in the morning like this.”

 

“…Yes?”

 

“It’s nonsense, though.”

 

…Well that’s right.

 

“Have a seat. Starchis. I’ll have it ready for you soon.”

 

If she can be my lover, I can not only forgive her for all the violence she has done to me but I can also endure what she will do in the future.

 

Because she’s a girl who gets angry because I didn’t spend time with her. How cute!

 

But, even if I do everything, does she not have the slightest desire to be a lover with me? This is a bit annoying.

 

I’m sad because I think I’m lacking in charm, hence she sees me as a brother.

 

“Now Starchis. I prepared it with pork soup. I made a lot of other side dishes while I was here, so why don't you store them in the magic food box before eating them?”

 

As expected, it is uncomfortable for me to walk the path of pure love with her. I feel like I’m being fed to be used later.

 

Still, thank you. I'm really grateful.

 

“I’ll eat well, Noona. Thank you.”

 

At my words, which were not a big deal, Lily noona covered her mouth and laughed.

 

****

 

The sun was upon us:

 

We were on our way to the dungeon. I was wearing armor with two tonfas strapped on both sides.

 

Lily Noona had her arms crossed with mine.

 

'I’m a little tired, so please lend me your arm,' she had said.

 

So, why did you come to my room so early for nothing?

 

…But since she made breakfast, I did not retort and decided to do this much.

 

Soon, I saw our two party members waiting in front of the dungeon. Their expression didn’t look good.

 

Lily Noona and I walked toward them.

 

“Guys, we’re here.”

 

I waved and greeted them from afar. They didn’t respond.

 

“…Didn’t you hear?”

 

Lily Noona giggled as if it was funny.

 

I went a little closer and said.

 

“Have you had a good rest, guys?”

 

Still no answer.

 

What is it… I think they're pissed.

 

My pouting radar was running furiously.

 

But if someone is going to get angry, isn’t it right for me to get angry?

 

“Now, what is it for?”

 

I rolled my eyes.

 

.

.

.

 

It’s not like they're upset this time because of me, right?

 

Did you two just fight?

 

I untied Noona’s arms and approached Vienna first.

 

As I approached her who had her head down, I squatted in front of her and looked at her face.

 

“What’s wrong Vienna? What happened?”

 

It’s annoying, but as the party leader, I have to bear it.

 

Vienna then looked at me with her groggy eyes, 'heh!' doing that she turned her head.

 

Huh...

 

This time I went to Luss.

 

Even when she wore armor like a knight, her curvaceous body stood out.

 

I approached her and placed my hand on the back of her armor.

 

“Luss. What’s up?”

 

“…Chis you don’t know what's wrong?”

 

“Uh..? Didn’t you two fight?”

 

“Chis… what if it's because of you?”

 

What are you both doing because of me? I just knew they were fighting.

 

I didn't even know what I did. I just slept.

 

I felt quite confused for a long time.

 

Is it because of drinking?

 

Everyone said it was okay. Oh, should I have taken them to the drinking party? No, that’s not it! Who joins the family event?

 

Should I have served them all breakfast when they came at dawn? Even when I told them to go back, they went back without a pout, didn’t everyone answer well? And on the contrary, Lily Noona, who served me food, even looked happy.

 

.

.

.

.

 

What?

 

What is it?

 

Oh, it's happening again.

 

I have to go to the dungeon.

 

In this case, I will have to apologize to convince them to let go of their anger. It’s not a very good option, but I couldn’t even figure out what’s causing it anyway.

 

“Guys, I don’t know what it is, but I was wrong.”

 

They both didn’t respond. It was like talking to a stone.

 

“What can I do to make you forgive me?”

 

Normally, if I go this far, they say what they want in a crawling voice.

 

But this time, they seemed immovable.

 

What is it? What is there to be so angry about?

 

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen them so upset. I think it was only when I briefly forgot their birthday that they were so angry.

 

“Guys? I was really, really wrong. It's my mistake.”

 

It is unfair. Why am I apologizing like this?

 

This time, a little reaction came.

 

Saintess Vienna rolled her eyeballs and looked at me. Knight Luss' lips twitched as well.

 

But that’s it.

 

Again, there was another awkward silence.

 

“Sigh…”

 

Involuntarily, a sigh comes out.

 

I hid my mouth in embarrassment at the big mistake that came out without my knowledge.

 

The two of them were startled by my sigh and at the same time looked at me with worried expressions. However, when I covered my mouth in surprise, they seemed to realize that the sigh was not because I was angry, but it was a mistake.

 

'How dare you be angry,' Saintess Vienna’s eyes were filled with bigger teardrops and sorrowful emotions!

 

Luss lowered her head even more. She also turned her body slightly.

 

Before things could mess up even more, I decided to bring out the best trump card I had.

 

“Ha... Okay then. Wish tick-“

 

“-Wait a minute Starchis.”

 

Lily Noona, who was standing behind me the whole time, opened her mouth.

 

The two looked up at her in surprise.

 

“It’s Starchis’ old bad habit of apologizing without doing anything wrong.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Since you’ve been with me all day, I'm sure you haven't done anything wrong, right?”

 

At the word all day, the two’s expressions crumpled.

 

But when Lily Noona told me what I was thinking alone, my thoughts jumped.

 

Isn't it? Well... I didn't do anything wrong, right?

 

Little by little I was sucked in by her words.

 

Okay, it's them who make me suffer so much. Isn't that why I had counseling with Hyung yesterday?

 

Then I looked at Lily Noona, who gave me this advice, with my bright eyes.

 

Yeah, I didn’t do anything wrong, right Noona?

 

“…!”

 

“!!!”

 

The two women, who had been sulking, jumped up.

 

“Starchis! I hate you!!”

 

“Chis. I thought we were friends.”

 

Oh, it seems I really did something. Otherwise, they wouldn't have come so strongly even after Lily Noona interfered.

 

No, and what if it wasn’t my fault? It doesn’t change that I have to lighten up Vienna and Luss. So that we could enter the dungeon.

 

My older brother said that adults sometimes have to take responsibility even if they did not do anything wrong.

 

Entering a dungeon with a gloomy atmosphere is difficult.

 

It seemed like it would take more effort to calm them down together.

 

I decided to soothe them separately to make them feel a little more cared for.

 

For now… Let's start with Vienna.

 

I dragged the arm of saintess, then went to a corner with her, and whispered in her ear.

 

“Vienna, I’ll grant you one wish, so let go of your anger. I’m really sorry. I don’t know what I did wrong. So, make a wish that will ease your anger, okay?”

 

“…”

 

She glances at me and gently wipes her eyes.

 

“Okay? Vienna. Let go of your anger.”

 

“…”

 

“Please? I was wrong.”

 

I patted her on the back.

 

Only then did Vienna turn her head away from me, and after a while, she nodded. Her ears looked red.

 

“I’ll forgive you this time.”

 

Okay, but what did I do...?

 

My chest felt tight, but I soon decided I’d think about it later.

 

Because I still have work to do.

 

Next, I dragged Luss to a corner.

 

Luss was taller than Vienna, so I didn't have to bow down to whisper.

 

“Luss. I’ll grant you one wish, so let go of your anger. I’m really sorry. I don’t know what I did wrong. So, I’ll let you make a wish to get rid of your anger, okay? Let's go to the dungeon now, okay?”

 

“…”

 

Luss didn’t respond.

 

“Huh? Luss. Let go of your anger.”

 

She was behaving like this today, but Luss was usually a little better at letting go of her temper than the rest of the party-

 

“…Chis, why did you go to Vienna first?”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Just now. You apologized to Vienna first.”

 

“..Yes.”

 

“Am I not your best friend?”

 

“Of course, you are.”

 

“So why did you go to Vienna first before your precious friend?”

 

“..That...That”

 

“You take care of your party members first before your most precious friends? Oh, I see~.”

 

Why is she like this today?

 

“That… Luss, I thought you would understand my feelings. Since I’m the leader, you know that I have to ease the feelings of the party members. I thought you’d be a little more forgiving.”

 

I made some random excuses, but she wasn’t satisfied.

 

“I understand. I understand, but I’m angry today too. Then shouldn’t you worry about me first? You don’t feel like I’m important to you today, do you?”

 

Oh, it’s hard. it sucks! Even if I can endure them one by one, it will be difficult if one thing comes after another.

 

Why is this happening today?

 

Again, it would have been cute if it was a girlfriend, or if it was a girl who could be a girlfriend. But it’s annoying that my friend is like this.

 

Anyway, Luss’ anger must be relieved.

 

“Sorry, Luss. I was short-sighted. If I knew you were this angry, of course, I would have come to you first.”

 

“…Really?”

 

“It’s true. If everyone is really upset, I’ll worry about you first. As I said, you’re my best friend, right?”

 

My words made her lips twitch slightly.

 

I can’t miss this moment.

 

“My friend. Luss. Do you know? Who’s my best friend? Just take a look.”

 

At first, I spit out whatever I was going to say.

 

“Uh..?! Luss. Now that I think about it, I think a forgiving Luss would be the prettiest in the world.”

 

“Ha… Okay. I’ll forgive you this time.”

 

And then, she let go of her anger.

 

Haah finally!

 

Seriously, should I tell them that I have a girlfriend?

 

I don’t know why this would help, but my brother said it would work unconditionally.

 

“Yes, Luss. Thanks.”

 

“By the way!”

 

What else now?

 

She brought her tight lips to my ear.

 

“…the wish will still be granted?”

 

“…Of course.”

 

When she pulled her face away from me, Luss always had that sleazy smile on her face.

 

Honestly, she’s beautiful.

 

Even if these guys bother me this much, I don’t get angry easily. It's because I know they give their best when I'm in trouble. Those looks and their cuteness probably play a role too.

 

Anyway, are you finally ready?

 

I went back with Luss.

 

Looking back, Vienne and Lily were having a verbal fight.

 

Why again… I feel like I’m going to cry. When will our dungeon be…

 

“Lily Noona, what’s going on with Vienna?”

 

“Ah… No Starchis.”

 

“Don’t worry Starchis. It's nothing.”

 

The two of them look back at me at my words. There seems to be some kind of fight, but it’s hard for me to solve that.

 

And since they told me it's nothing, for today, I just have to pretend I don’t know.

 

Unfortunately, if things escalated I'll have to intervene. I hope it doesn't happen.

 

Let’s start, please.

 

If this continues, I think I’ll faint from exhaustion before I go.

 

“Huu, then, are you guys ready? Today’s goal is…”

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