30 Talk and match?
Hephie got back carrying a couple of drinks. We sat down alone on the same balcony.
''Thank you,'' I said as I took the fruity one. ''You know, I talked to Freya just a bit before you came back .'' She didn't seem that thrilled to find out about it but nodded and let me continue.
''No funny business happened, of course, you know about my condition. Her charm didn't do anything, making things worse.''
''Is this something about your visions again or something?'' She asked patiently.
''Hmm, I guess.'' I nodded ''We just decided to be friends at the end though.'' I looked into her eyes to reassure her.
''You realise that's not how it works when things involve Freya, right? I've known her for too long Ken.'' She grabbed my hand.
''It's different now Hephie. She can't do anything forcefully.''
''And that's the problem. There was a time when I was good friends with Freya. You have no idea how long she was looking for someone like you Ken.'' She said seriously.
''I know Hephie, I know. That's what I'm banking on as well.'' I shook my head.
--------
Some days passed after the party hosted by the Freya Familia.
The expedition party would be coming today. The supplies were exhausted, and the members couldn't handle the 44th floors and above. It was a complete disaster apparently.
I was basically living with Hephie at this point. I was working out some new armour and a new sword for me. They were no simple gear, I decided to make them into magic items myself. I have made some progress so far, yet what I'm envisioning is still far from reality.
There was a precise procedure to follow. And a large deal of trial and error. I did not want to ask Hephie for guidance, and she respected that.
*Knock*Knock*
I looked at the door and then Hephie. I stopped my work for a bit and went up to open it, but Hephie was a bit faster.
Lo and behold, it was Tsubaki coming in deadbeat, she seemed ready to just start whining *Cough* reporting I mean. She looked at Hephaestus for a second or two to register what changed.
Hephie just scratched her neck sheepishly waiting for Tsubaki to go on.
I was surprised when she basically leapt at her and hugged her.'' You finally did it, huh?'' They kept hugging for a few more seconds.
''How did it happen? How do you feel?'' She asked after the initial rush came off.
Hephie didn't answer her, she just locked her hand with mine when I came close. She just gestured at me lovingly and looked back at Tsubaki.
I couldn't help but grin at her casual public show of affection, although there was only Tsubaki.
''Don't you seem a bit too comfortable with each other compared to when I left?'' Tsubaki weirdly said before a daunting expression came on her face. ''No way you actually did...''
I just looked smugly at her briefly, at that moment I felt an elbow landing right on my ribs from my left side.
Hephie coughed drawing attention to her. Tsubaki and I looked at her intently, and all her confidence crumbled. A radiating blush gradually made its way into her cheeks.
Tsubaki just looked at her with an open mouth. She eventually just grabbed her nose bridge and sighed. '' It's the business of the both of you. Make sure to never hurt Ken. You'll be in a world of pain.'' She looked at me particularly hard, trying to intimidate me.
I naturally stood my ground, not at all budging. She seemed surprised.
''How cute. You actually think you can do anything to me at this point.'' I taunted her back grinning. She looked ready for some 'talk'.
'Shit. It's too fun messing with her.'
''But you don't need to worry. Hurting Hephie is the last thing I would do.'' I said as I affectionately grabbed Hephi's waist and laid my head on top of hers. I lightly pecked her lips.
Now Hephie was looking really embarrassed.
''I get it. Just stop.'' Tsubaki made a disgusted expression, and I basked in the afterglow of my small victory. Hephie just rolled her eyes.
''Jokes aside. Want to me do the same for your eye Tsubaki?'' I asked earnestly.
Hephie started snickering, I was majorly confused at that.
Even Tsubaki was looking a bit embarrassed, something new to me. I was even more shocked.
''Go on. You can tell him Tsubaki.'' Said Hephie barely holding her laughter.
She just sheepishly scratched her neck. She brought her hands to her eyepatch and lifted it up. I knew something was wrong with how they were acting. But I didn't expect it to be a completely normal eye.
''*Cough* The eyepatch is actually only for esthetic.'' She said getting her composure back.
I looked between the two of them for answers. Hephie had a reminiscing look on her face, and Tsubaki seemed to just want to be anywhere other than here.
''Well. The reason is when I found Tsubaki as a child to join my Familia-...''
Tsubaki moved with impressive speed to cover Hephi's mouth using both of her hands. ''Don't you dare tell that...'' She said in a small begging voice. I could see the faintest shade of pink on her cheek.
This whole charade felt very unnatural to me. I never saw Tsubaki like this.
I knew some juicy secret was meant to be there, but I decided to not push it for the time being. She was not ready to share it, and it's not something I have to know.
''Anyway, I saw you working on some gear back there. Why don't I get to work on Hephaestus's personal forge?'' She tried changing the subject, and I happily took it.
''That just means I'm better than you, doesn't it?'' I said with a wise voice as I shook my head.
''Pfft, you wish.'' She said looking at me like I'm delusional or something.
She was meant with silence. I just kept grinning at her, even cocked my eyebrows for further effect.
She looked at Hephie for some feedback, and Hephie just looked around not meeting her eyes ''Maybe?''
''No way.''
''Yes way.'' I replied.
''How about having a match?'' Hephie said, a bit too excitedly at that.
-------------------------
[One-Handed-Sword Mastery: Lv89-->Lv91.]
[Elemental Magic: Lv85-->Lv87.]
[Non-Ele-Magic: Lv72-->Lv80.]
[Space-Time Magic: Lv84-->Lv87.]
[MasterSmithing: Lvl2-->Lv8.]
[Akagi Ken]
Level:3
HP: 2260-->2390
MP: 1280-->1340
STR: 92-->94
VIT: 89-->91
DEX: 92-->93
WIS: 94-->95
Unallocated Stat points: 127
Valis: ~10mil
-Strength: EX1260-->EX1420
-Endurance: S980-->EX1150
-Dexterity: EX1230-->EX1330
-Agility: EX1230-->EX1330
-Magic: EX1460-->EX1560
Skills: Gamers Mind - Gamers Body - Instinct - Mind's Eye (True) - Mage - Mystery- MasterSmith- One-Handed Sword Mastery.
Magic: Ele magic - Non-Ele magic - Inventory- Space-Time magic.
If you feel like supporting me, or reading up to 10chs ahead: patr3on.com/MunirSM
