God’s Guide for Teasing Heroes

Kazue POV

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Mizusawa-san?" <Lean Guy> 

Said a Red-haired guy that looked very familiar to me. 

He had a lean-looking body with toned muscles revealing from his tank top shirt. 

He seemed to know me. 

Beside him was a normal-looking guy, but his face was very unique compared to most people in this world. 

His face was very Japanese. 

Like the red-haired guy, he looked familiar as well. 

Another one standing there was a white-haired chick with bunny ears. 

She did not look familiar to me but she looked cute. 

Lastly, a very familiar face. 

Her hair is a bit longer than it was compared to the last time I saw her in Altus city. 

I called her name. 

  

  

"Rio." <Kazue> 

"Kazue..." <Rio> 

  

  

A short pause. 

"What are you doing?" <Rio> 

She looked at me with a confused face. 

"..." <Kazue> 

I could not answer right away. 

After all... even I knew I was doing something very stupid. 

I was doing something only a grade school might do. 

  

  

Just now, I was practicing materializing my weapon out of the new Adventurer's ring I got from the guild. 

I thought it might be cool to make a weapon appear out of thin air using this feature of the ring. 

And so, I was practicing how to take the sword out in the coolest possible way I could think of. 

I got too excited after nailing and mastering the way to take the sword out of the ring. 

And then these guys showed up. 

In the worst possible timing if I may add. 

They saw me celebrating with myself for what I accomplished. 

There is no way I could share this with them. 

  

  

"Rio... that was nothing. How are you doing." <Kazue> 

I tried to segway the topic and acted cool. 

"Ah, I'm fine." <Rio> 

A higher tone of voice came out of my mouth. 

-Stare- 

"Bideway... what were you doing just now Kazue?" <Rio> 

[Don't ask "BAKA"!] 

"Hmnn?" <Kazue> 

"What were you doing?" <Rio> 

"HMNNN???" <Kazue> 

"Like I said, What were you doing just now?" <Rio> 

"HMNNNNNN!!!!" <Kazue> 

"Uhggg...." <Rio> 

  

  

Well, It's quite obvious that I don't want to answer that question so she was taken aback. 

She had a problematic face and finally, she gave up asking about what I was doing just now. 

I refused to answer Rio by pretending not to hear a word from her. 

No, I refused to hear her questions. 

  

  

I restarted the conversation in the way I want it to go. 

"Rio, it's been a while." <Kazue> 

"Yes, It is. It's been about 5 months since the last time we saw each other." <Rio> 

Answered Rio with a forced grin. 

"Oh, it's been that long?" <Kazue> 

[Good, she gave up.] 

  

  

I did not realize that it has been 5 months since the last time we saw each other. 

The last time we saw each other was way back in Altus, back when the mob of zombies attacked the city. 

Back then, Rio and I partied together with a group of Adventurers that I met in Altus. 

Right after that we got trapped inside a dungeon and defended the city from zombies. 

Despite being in that situation, the time I was with Rio was fun. 

Having to see her here makes my heart feel warm. 

  

  

"How did you end up here in Riles Rio?" <Kazue> 

"Ah... Hmnn..." <Rio> 

Rio paused a bit before she answered my question. 

"Well, I heard about you back in Luron. I heard that you were heading here to Riles and so I decided to go here to meet you." <Rio> 

"Luron? Oh, that city. Huh? You've been looking for me since then?" <Kazue> 

Rio nodded. 

If Rio was looking for me by the time I left Luron. 

Does this mean that Rio had been looking for me for about 4 months now?! 

"Seriously?" <Kazue> 

She nodded again. 

[She's Serious....] 

  

  

"uwah..." <Kazue> 

"Don't look at me like that! I just wanted to see you for a long time now." <Rio> 

"Ahaha..." <Kazue> 

I awkwardly laughed this off. 

After all, I am happy that I was able to meet Rio again. 

I am happy, especially now that I am in desperate need of help from people like her. 

People whom I can trust. 

I decided to say my thanks for this. 

"Thank you, Rio, I am happy to see you here too." <Kazue> 

A shy smile appeared on Rio's face. 

I showed Rio a smile back. 

  

  

  

"Whoa, Mizusawa-san just smiled." <Normal Guy> 

"Right?!" <Lean Guy> 

The good-built boy and the normal-looking guy were talking about me. 

Then again, they seemed to know my name. 

Well, I am sure that those two were my classmates back in our world. 

I am familiar with their face but I don't think I know their names. 

  

  

  

I frowned trying my best to remember their names. 

I am sure that at one point I've heard their names before. 

It's been 6 months since the last time I met these people. 

The last time I saw them was back in the Empire's Castle before I left. 

I was never close to this two. 

I know it was rude for me to forget about their names, but I could not remember them at all. 

  

  

"What's the problem Mizusawa-san?" <Lean Guy> 

The boy with a well-built body asked as I was staring at them. 

"Why are you glaring at us?" <Normal Guy> 

Meanwhile, the boy with normal looking face took a step back as if afraid of my glare. 

Then again, I have a naturally sharp gaze. 

In reality, I am just looking at the two intently as I was trying to remember their names. 

From the looks of it, from their perspective, it may look like I am glaring at them. 

The longer I look the more fierce my gaze looked. 

  

  

"Uhgg..." <Kazue> 

Rio looked at me and the boys behind her. 

"Ah! Right! Kazue-chan." <Rio> 

"Yeah..." <Kazue> 

"As you can see I came with two of our former classmates. Yuma-san and Nikko-san." <Rio> 

Rio said. 

I knew that she was able to understand why I was glaring at the two. 

She must have noticed that I forgot the names of the two. 

Then she must have purposely said the name of the two to remind me of their names. 

"Oh... Right, Yuma-san and Nikko-san" <Kazue> 

[What were their last names again? Oh well... It doesn't matter anyway. Let's just call them by their first names.] 

  

  

"It's been a while Mizusawa-san" <Lean Guy/Yuma> 

The boy with a well-built body said reservedly. 

"yeah... It's been a while Yuma-san" <Normal Guy / Nikko>  

It seems that my face became more relaxed now that Nikko, the normal-looking dude was able to feel comfortable now. 

At the moment, he seems to be whispering something toward his waist. 

"???" <Kazue> 

I looked at him with curiosity. 

He notice me looking and laughed softly. 

  

  

[Hmnn.. this two are both my classmates from the other world. I am sure that this two would not have any reason to harm Calm. Maybe, I could ask for their help too?] 

I looked at Rio and the boys. 

Then again I noticed another person standing right beside the two boys. 

It was a girl with bunny ears. 

This time, I am sure that this person is someone I've never met before. 

She had white hair and bunny ears protruding from her head. 

She was wearing revealing clothing, having very short and tight-fit shorts and a tank top-like shirt. 

There is a large hammer on her back as well. 

She was looking at me curiously with her red eyes. 

  

  

This girl obviously came with one of the guys. 

[I don't have a problem asking Rio and the boys for help but... this girl... can I trust her?] 

I have no information about this girl for me to decide if she's someone who poses no harm to Calm. 

I found this very problematic and so... 

"Rio, Rio" <Kazue> 

"Hmnn?" <Rio> 

I called out for Rio. 

"Who's that girl?" <Kazue> 

I asked Rio. 

"Ah, That girl is miss Coco, she seemed to be Yuma's Fiance." <Rio> 

"FIANCE?!" <Kazue> 

  

  

It seems that the bunny girl had an Idea that I was asking Rio about her. 

I even said the word "Fiance" loudly, unless she was stupid, she would know that I was asking about her. 

Well, it seems that she knew since she smiled as soon I said the word "Fiance". 

"Her? Yuma's?!" <Kazue> 

"I know right? That is how I reacted at first." <Rio> 

"Ahaha... same here." <Nikko> 

"Uwah... Seriously..." <Kazue> 

A looked at Yuma with disbelief. 

Sure, Yuma has a very nice-looking body. 

But to be honest, he's not that handsome. 

I am not trying to look down on him but, the girl beside him who is said to be his fiance has a very pleasing face. 

Her face was pleasing enough to call her a cute girl. 

I alternated my stare at Yuma and the girl. 

The more I could not believe that they are together. 

"Uwah..." <Kazue> 

  

  

"Ahaha..." <Yuma> 

"Miss Coco must be the type of girl who only looks at her partner's personality... Yuma must be a very good person." <Kazue> 

[I mean, she doesn't mind how her partner looks.] 

"Are you implying that the ONLY reason why Coco-san fell in love with Yuma-san is because of his personality, Mizusawa-san?" <Nikko> 

"Well..." <Kazue> 

[That is what I am saying...] 

"Hahaha..." <Yuma> 

  

  

"How did the two of you get together?" <Kazue> 

I looked at Coco asking this question. 

Coco thought for a bit and smiled mischievously. 

"Oh, well it was all because he punched so hard that I could not resist..." <Coco> 

Coco said this in an obvious way for us to miss understand, as proof she said it with that kind of smile on her face. 

I picked up on this joke of hers and ride on it to tease Yuma. 

"Uwah..." <Kazue> 

"Yuma-san... you're the worst." <Rio> 

"Bro..." <Nikko> 

  

  

"Hey, hey hey hey! Coco! that's... that... is not a lie but... CONTEXT!!!" <Yuma> 

Seeing that Yuma could not deny a word that Coco said left me in shock. 

[Meaning, he at least punched Coco for some reason... Leaving aside that this was said as a joke, punching a girl is kinda...] 

"So it's not even a lie." <Rio> 

"Bro..." <Nikko> 

"uwah..." <Kazue> 

We all said with disappointed looks on our faces. 

This time I reacted more genuinely knowing that he punched Coco at one point. 

I looked at him with disgust. 

I made sure he saw my reaction. 

Nikko and Rio did the same. 

  

  

"Hey! there is a reason behind that! Coco, please explain this more clearly." <Yuma> 

"Ah... I can still feel the punch he gave me that day." <Coco> 

Coco said while caressing her cheeks, implying where Yuma landed the punch. 

"COCO~" <Yuma> 

Yuma said in a pleading voice. 

"FACE?!" <Nikko> 

"Wow... I don't know what to think now. Should I be disgusted by the fact that you punched a cute girl like her? Maybe, I should be amazed by the fact that you have the guts to punch a cute girl in the face." <Kazue> 

"Yuma... you..." <Rio> 

This time, I looked at Yuma not only with disgust but also with clear disappointment. 

  

  

"Coco~" <Yuma> 

Yuma was about to cry. 

"Fufufu~" <Coco> 

Coco just laughed it off. 

It seems that to her, getting punched in the face is not a big deal. 

[Well, I am surprised that it seemed that she liked it. Now that is bad, in another way....] 

The conversation moved on and Coco began telling us what happened between her and Yuma. 

  

  

Apparently, they met in a fighting competition between adventurers somewhere in Triana. 

She and Yuma met there as competitors and ended up fighting for the championship. 

There is where Yuma landed a punch on her, as they were seriously fighting to win. 

At first, Yuma seemed to be holding back as she was a girl. 

But then, Coco's warrior spirit did not allow this attitude of Yuma and asked him to fight seriously. 

Yuma complied and fought Coco as a fellow warrior and eventually won.   

[Well I don't know how to feel about that... I still think Yuma should not have fought seriously till the end but... that is just my personal opinion. I can see why some can see this as noble too.] 

  

  

In the kingdom of Triana, there is this culture in which the female marries the man who beats them in battle. 

Due to this culture, female beastmen get together with a stronger males. 

In the Kindom of Triana, being strong makes a male more attractive. 

After all, most beastmen value strength more than beauty. 

From what Coco explained it seemed to be a norm in their Kingdom. 

She knew this custom was unique to the beastmen. 

She understands why we reacted the way we did after discovering their relationship. 

  

  

In conclusion... 

Coco decided to make Yuma her lover as she sees him as a suitable partner. 

Coco felt that their meeting was also bounded by fate. 

She liked Yuma's personality and it seemed that Yuma left a very good impression on her during the tournament. 

She did not choose Yuma to be his partner just because he won against her in battle. 

There was a bit of a romantic impression behind her decision. 

  

  

Well, it makes sense. 

There are things to consider before a beastman decides who their partner would be. 

Things like feeling, impression, compatibility, and preference. 

Beastmen don't just choose their partners because they are strong, nor due to the fact that they got defeated in battle. 

If that were the case, then a lot of problems would arise because of that custom. 

If that were the case, what if beastmen choose their partners for how strong the partner was? 

That would be a disaster. 

  

  

For example... 

What if the other party had a lover already? What will the other girls think then? 

What about if the other party just one-sidedly beat up the girl, and the girl did not want the male? Would she be forced to marry him? 

Will she automatically be her mate even if she did not want to? 

If that logic was true, then weaker males have no chance of having a mate. 

Also, in theory, that means that the strongest male can get all the females to himself. 

At the end of the day, the decision to become lovers is when the two agreed. 

[I guess, Coco just felt that Yuma was the one for her... That's very convenient. I guess, the fact that Yuma bested her in a serious fight was the deciding factor as to why Coco chose him as her lover. Hahaha, what a lucky guy.] 

  

  

Time passed as I was talking with these people. 

As time passed, the more comfortable I became with them. 

I am not close with these guys but I don't feel awkward being with them. 

"Wow, now that I think about it, it is the first time I talked this long with Ota-san and Mizusawa-san." <Nikko> 

Nikko said as we finished the topic about Yuma getting together with Coco. 

"Now that you think about it, it's true. We never really talked this long back then." <Kazue> 

"Right? I was expecting that it would be hard talking with Mizusawa-san since she looked so unapproachable." <Yuma> 

"Ota-san too, Aside from Mizusawa-san I've never seen her talk to anyone else." <Nikko> 

[I've noticed this too] 

I noticed that I became more sociable after I became an adventurer.  

I guess that fact that interacting with total strangers to survive made me more approachable. 

I still prefer being alone, but being with people doesn't bother me that much nowadays. 

"I guess that is true. To be totally honest, I only became more sociable after I became an adventurer. I guess interacting with strangers made me this way." <Kazue> 

I said my honest thoughts. 

"That is true for me too." <Rio> 

"I see, I can understand what you mean." <Yuma> 

"Me too." <Nikko> 

"Were these Ladies, not like this before?" <Coco> 

Coco asked as she seemed to be interested in me and Rio. 

  

  

"They were totally different." <Yuma> 

Yuma said in response to Coco. 

"Hee~" <Coco> 

"I could not even converse with these two before." <Yuma> 

"Hahaha that is right! they would often ignore you or pretend that they don't hear you. Right, Yuma?!" <Nikko> 

"Right! No, if you ask me, I think they even pretend that you don't exist at all." <Yuma> 

[Funny enough, That is actually very true.] 

Yuma and Nikko told stories about me and Rio to Coco. 

Coco would laugh and be astonished at how I and Rio acted in the past. 

On the other hand, I and Rio could only laugh it off as they were all true. 

  

  

Time passed once again. 

In the back of my mind, I was thinking about Calm. 

Right, I still need to protect her. 

Seeing these people, I decided to ask for their help. 

But... as expected I can't ask for their help here. 

It is too public. 

At the moment, we are talking in the library of the adventurer's guild. 

No other adventurers are here with us, but I could not be more careful. 

There is still a possibility that someone might hear about my involvement with Calm if I tell them about the situation here. 

If the wrong people hear about this, it might end up in a disaster. 

Aside from Coco, I am sure that none of these people are after Calm. 

Well, there is almost no chance for Coco to be one of those people who are after Calm. 

[These people can help me.] 

I thought to myself. 

  

  

Now, I only have to ask them. 

"Hey, you guys free after this?" <Kazue> 

I said after waiting for a perfect time in our conversation. 

"I'm free!" <Rio> 

Rio immediately answered. 

Nikko, Yuma, and Coco looked at each other and thought for a short while. 

After looking at each other, from the way they reacted, they seemed to be free. 

"Nope, was free? Is there somewhere you want to go Mizusawa-san?" <Yuma> 

Yuma asked. 

[Perfect!] 

  

  

"Ok, follow me!" <Kazue> 

I stood up from my chair and decided to go to a more safe place to ask for their assistance. 

"Okay." <Rio> 

Rio answered right away. 

Yuma looked at the other two, Coco and Nikko seemed to not mind. 

"O- Okay." <Yuma> 

"Great!" <Kazue> 

I acted spirited and excited. 

I need to pretend that what I am about to say to them was something fun. 

It is to camouflage my intent to ask for their help in a dangerous matter. 

I do feel bad about involving them but, this matter is too much for me to handle on my own. 

I think they will understand once I explain my situation. 

Even if they decided to refuse to help me because of how dangerous this situation is, I have no issues with it. 

But first, I need to at least ask for their help. 

  

  

Thus I guided them to miss Alicia's mansion. 

They ask me from time to time where were going. 

I would only answer vaguely, telling them that it was a good place to talk. 

Well, Rio seemed to have noticed that something was off mid-way. 

Soon after the others also realized this and quietly came with me without asking much. 

  

  

"We're here." <Kazue> 

We arrived at the entrance of miss Alicia's mansion. 

The guards already knows my face and were ready to open the gate for me. 

Rio, Yuma, Nikko, and Coco were all looking around. 

They seemed to be marveling at how nice the place was. 

  

  

"Kazue..." <Rio> 

Rio looked at me with a worried face. 

I uncharacteristically smiled back at Rio to make her unease go away. 

In a way, it only made her look more concerned. 

"So what's up Mizusawa-san?" <Yuma> 

Yuma asked. 

  

  

-sigh- 

At that moment, I change my expression to a more serious face. 

"Before we go forward... Can I trust you guys..." <Kazue> 

I said with a cold and serious tone. 

Surprised, Nikko, Yuma, Rio, and Coco seemed almost to step back after hearing my tone change. 

I think at this moment they realized that what lies next was danger. 

To not make them back out without hearing what I have to say, I spoke. 

"I am telling you this because I want to trust you guys. There are no other people I could ask for help. I know that what I am going to ask might be too much but I have no one to turn to aside from you guys. I know... You may think it's rude for me to do this but... please at least hear me out before you go." <Kazue> 

"Kazue..." <Rio> 

Rio gave me a more concerned look. 

Yuma, Nikko, and Coco exchanged glances. 

In the end, they all nodded positively. 

  

  

"It may not be long since we met but... You can trust me Kazue-san." <Coco> 

Thankfully Coco seemed to be very perceptive. 

She knew that the person whom I least trusted here was herself. 

True, I could not decide this just from her words. 

And so I looked at Yuma who is the person who knows her the best. 

He looked at me back with a serious face. 

"You can trust her Mizusawa-san. I bet with my life that she will never betray you or anyone here. You can trust both of us so please, let us hear what you have to say." <Yuma> 

  

  

Hearing Yuma's resolve over Coco's legitimacy. 

I decided. 

"Alright, I trust you." <Kazue> 

"I will not disappoint you Kazue-san." <Coco> 

"Well, you can trust me anytime Mizusawa-san." <Nikko> 

Rio did not reply instead she gave me a look that she will help. 

"Thank you... you guys I appreciate this." <Kazue> 

Feeling relieved, I unintentionally let out a stressed voice. 

My voice was full of exhausted energy. 

A voice that let them know how tired I was. 

I could not control my voice and it came out without my control. 

  

  

"L-Leave it to us!" <Nikko> 

"Yeah!" <Yuma> 

"W-We're friends so I will help you even if you don't ask Kazue." <Rio> 

"Rio. Guys... thanks..." <Kazue> 

  

  

-sigh- 

I let out a sigh. 

If not I think that my voice might crack. 

"Before we go. I should tell you that what lies ahead would be very dangerous. Your lives might be in danger. You can back out now if you like." <Kazue> 

None of them went back. 

None of them took a step back. 

"..." <Kazue> 

This time, it's me who hesitated. 

[Is it really Okay to involve them?] 

"Well at least, let us hear what's up." <Yuma> 

"Okay... then let's talk inside." <Kazue> 

  

  

We entered inside and we all stayed in a room inside the mansion. 

The room seemed to be made to receive guests. 

A place to talk. 

It was the same room where I and miss Alicia talked and made a deal before. 

The servants served us light meals and tea as soon as we sat down. 

The guys seemed to be amazed by the reception. 

  

  

"First of all let me thank you for coming here with me." <Kazue> 

I bowed my head in thanks to these people. 

Behind that was my genuine and sincere thanks. 

They waved me for acting this way. 

"You don't have to act that way Mizusawa-san. We're comrades after all. Since we are all in the same situation, it's just natural to help each other in a time like this, Right Nikko? Rio?" <Yuma> 

"That's right Mizusawa-san, you don't have to thank us." <Nikko> 

"That's right Kazue. Please raise your head." <Rio> 

And I raised my head. 

[Alright, after all this is done. If in the future, one of my classmates asks for help. I will definitely help them despite how dangerous their situation is. I promise!] 

I made a promise to myself. 

  

  

"So? what's up." <Yuma> 

-sigh- 

"Actually..." <Kazue> 

I told them the situation. 

. 

. 

.