Fantasy Libary 27

Title: A Group of Unreliable People

“Who-who said I was going on a date with him?!” Julis’s face turned red as she pointed at Ayato and shouted loudly. “I’m just repaying this guy for his help, that’s all. Don’t get the wrong idea!”

Hearing this, Ark raised an eyebrow. “Help?”

He turned to Ayato, gesturing for an explanation.

“Well, actually...” Ayato gave a wry smile and began to explain.

It turned out that after the duel in the girls’ dormitory, Julis had been attacked again. Once more, Ayato happened to be there to help.

After being saved again, Julis could no longer remain cold toward Ayato. She was forced to set aside her previous complaints and declared that she would repay the favor.

But how could Ayato care about something like that?

Seeing Julis so determined to repay him, Ayato, in his frustration, suddenly had an idea. Since Julis was so insistent on repaying him, why not have her show him around Asterisk?

Having just arrived in the city, Ayato wasn’t very familiar with the area. If he didn’t get a proper tour, what would he do if he got lost in the wrong place again?

So, he suggested going out with a guide and thoroughly exploring the city...

Makes sense, right? Totally makes sense! ...

Makes sense, damn it! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻

What kind of harem protagonist behavior is this?

Julis just wanted to repay a favor, but Ayato turned it into an excuse to go shopping together? How is this not a date?

In the real world, this would definitely be considered a guy’s tactic to ask a girl out. No one would believe it was unintentional.

But... this is a fantasy world.

True to the typical Japanese light novel protagonist style, Ayato’s actions were undoubtedly unintentional.

Unintentionally winning over girls’ hearts is the deadliest move, perfectly fitting the natural progression of such a plot, right?

Ark couldn’t help but rant in his mind, though unfortunately, this rant was destined to remain in his head.

At least one thing was clear. “You invited us out just as extras, right?”

Since Julis wanted to repay the favor, she probably included everyone.

She likely invited Ark and Kirin to ensure it wasn’t just her and Ayato. That way, she inadvertently eliminated the chance for a one-on-one outing—a golden opportunity many guys would love. Yet, Ayato, who never noticed anything, just stood there grinning like an idiot.

“What about Toudou?” Ark changed the subject and asked, “Did she not accept your invitation?”

Ark vaguely remembered that Kirin’s uncle had warned her to keep her distance from the Page One members to avoid targeted exposure and scrutiny.

So, if Kirin had declined Julis’s invitation, Ark wouldn’t have been surprised.

However...

“At first, she politely refused. She seemed a bit hesitant.” Julis admitted, taking a deep breath to suppress her earlier emotions. “I didn’t want to push her too much, but when I heard her condition wasn’t great after saving me last time, I decided to be a little more firm and convinced her to come out.”

Julis wasn’t aware of Kirin’s controlling and ambitious uncle.

However, she knew that Kirin had been feeling uneasy after helping her.

Because of that, Julis couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.

Understanding Julis’s intentions, Ark suddenly realized something.

“Maybe the real reason she invited us is because of this?”

After saving Julis, Kirin’s condition had indeed worsened, and it had even been reported online.

If Ark could see it, Julis must have seen it too.

For that reason, the usually reclusive princess had unusually shown some social grace. Add Ayato’s push, and it wasn’t hard to imagine why Julis decided to invite Ark and Kirin out for a meal.

Although Julis claimed she was repaying a favor, it was clear that one meal wasn’t enough to settle her debt.

At least, Julis wouldn’t think so.

So, the biggest reason for this outing was likely Kirin, while Ark and Ayato were just extras...

“She seems to be here.”

As Ark’s expression brightened with realization, Julis noticed something. She turned toward the school gates and said, “Ah, she’s here.”

“Sorry, sorry! I’m late!” A clear and firm voice rang out at just the right moment, drawing everyone’s attention to the school gates.

The next second, they saw a girl rushing toward them in a fluster.

“Sorry for making you wait! Please forgive me!” Kirin ran toward the group, bowing repeatedly to apologize.

Yet none of them—neither Ark, Ayato, nor Julis—focused on her apologies.

What caught their attention was her outfit.

Today, Kirin wasn’t wearing her usual school uniform but casual clothes.

Her upper body was clad in a white long-sleeved blouse adorned with lace, the kind with buttons down the front. The hem of the blouse was neatly tucked into a blue pleated skirt tied at the waist. The skirt’s hem was even shorter than Julis’s dress, ending just above her knees, revealing her thighs. She completed the outfit with a pair of mid-sized boots.

Her attire wasn’t flashy but exuded youthful charm, perfectly suited for a girl her age.

However...

“JIIIII... (￢_￢)”

Everyone’s gaze was magnetically drawn to the straining buttons of her blouse, which seemed on the verge of popping.

“W-what’s wrong?” Feeling the stares and strange expressions from everyone, Kirin grew even more confused.

‘Why are they looking at me like that? Is there something wrong with my outfit? B-but this is the only one that still fits!’

It had only been two months since she enrolled, but none of the clothes she brought with her fit anymore. No matter what she tried, she just couldn’t wear them... o(╥﹏╥)o

“Forgive me! I’m really sorry!” Kirin’s eyes welled up as she repeatedly bowed and apologized.

Unbeknownst to her, this action only emphasized her “attributes.” causing Ayato, the pure-hearted and always innocent warrior, to blush and turn his head away.

“It’s fine! You didn’t do anything wrong; no need to apologize.” Julis finally snapped out of her daze and tried to reassure Kirin, though her voice was stiff, her smile forced, and even her eyes were faintly glistening with unshed tears, as if she had suffered an invisible blow.

“Yeah, Toudou.” Ark coughed softly, muttering a prayer in his heart before speaking. “You’re on time. There are still a few minutes left until the agreed time, so no need to apologize.”

“R-really?” Kirin glanced at them. Though she still felt their expressions were a bit odd, she sighed in relief, patting her chest. “That’s good then...”

Ark struggled not to look at her action and instead turned to Julis. “Now that everyone’s here, Princess, where are you taking us for lunch?”

If he remembered correctly, this princess herself rarely ventured outside the academy.

Did she even know where to find a decent place to eat?

Ark had serious doubts.

“What’s with that look?” Julis seemed to notice Ark’s skepticism and frowned in annoyance. “Of course I know where to go!”

Though, admittedly, it was a recommendation she had stumbled upon while searching online, thanks to Claudia...

Since it was Claudia, her taste must be reliable... right?

“Let’s go.” Julis opened her umbrella and turned around, saying confidently, “I’ll take you to the commercial district.”

With that, she strode off with enthusiastic steps.

Ayato and Kirin quickly followed.

However, Ark remained expressionless and said bluntly, “According to the map, the commercial district is that way.”

He pointed in the opposite direction of where Julis and the others were heading.

“.........”

A group of students who rarely left the academy and had little experience exploring Asterisk froze in place.

“Sigh...” Ark exhaled with the burden of a tired father, pulling up the virtual interface.

“Don’t worry about it, I’ll lead the way.”

Compared to this unreliable group, a good old navigation system was far more trustworthy.