Chapter 31: Let's Fist Bump

"You haven't left yet?" Roland was slightly surprised to see Kalia return, but he instinctively took the sandwich she handed him.

Once her hands were free, Kalia stepped forward to help Roland tidy up his books.

"Shh, keep it down. This is a library, you know!"

"Besides, why did you think I would leave? I just went to grab some dinner and picked one up for you while I was at it."

Kalia sighed after she finished speaking. "If I had known, I would have brought more food with me when I left this morning."

"The snacks I brought were gone by noon, and I was starving the entire afternoon."

Roland felt helpless. "If you were hungry, why didn't you just go eat? It's not like I forbade you from leaving, did I?"

"What if you had just thrown me away and run off while I was out looking for food?!"

Kalia held a stack of books piled up to her chin, swaying as she expressed her lack of trust in Roland.

Roland supported the remaining books with one hand and cast a Mage Hand, using pure, elementless magic to form an arm that took some of the burden from Kalia.

"So you just stayed hungry all afternoon?"

"What else was I supposed to do! If I had known you would take this long, I would have gone to get food earlier!"

Kalia kicked Roland’s calf in protest. "So, as compensation, you’re going to keep me company from now on."

"Is there any good place in Ryskan to see the night view?"

"There is, I suppose... but why are you asking that?"

"Hmph, I won't tell you!"

It was already seven or eight in the evening by the time they returned the books and walked out of the library.

Ryskan was still bustling at this hour.

The weather was clear, free of annoying rain or rampaging madmen, and the port blockade had been lifted, leaving far fewer city guards patrolling the streets.

This prompted the citizens of Ryskan, who had been cooped up for days, to head out and wander around for the evening.

"It’s only been a few days since I’ve seen this kind of scenery, yet it feels strangely nostalgic."

The Grand Library was built on a plateau in the center of Ryskan, offering a perfect vantage point to overlook the entire city.

If it weren't so far from the seaside—where you could only faintly see ships coming and going—it would truly be a perfect spot for night-viewing.

Kalia’s gaze shifted to the sandwich in Roland’s hand. "Aren't you going to eat? You haven't eaten all day."

"No rush. I've been hungry all day; a few more minutes won't make a difference."

Despite saying that, under Kalia's urging look, Roland picked up the sandwich and began to eat.

"Hmm, why does this taste so familiar?"

"Hehe, I specifically bought this from Uncle Jules!" Kalia giggled. "Since I didn't know which shop in Ryskan was good, I just went there!"

"Though, when I was buying it, the old man kept asking me some strange questions."

"Strange questions?" Roland became curious.

"Well, he asked me why you weren't with me, whether I was buying food for you, and he even asked what our relationship was."

"...So, how did you answer?"

"I answered honestly, of course!" Kalia narrowed her eyes, smiling, then looked at Roland. "Alright, you said there was a good place to see the night view, right? Take me there now!"

Under Kalia's expectant gaze, Roland finished the sandwich in a few bites and said, "Fine, follow me."

Crossing the brightly lit streets of Ryskan, Roland dragged along Kalia—who was looking around in wide-eyed wonder at everything—until they arrived at a small hillside.

In the distance lay the busy port and the illuminated city, while beneath their feet were jagged reefs and the sea.

Waves crashed against the rocks one after another, the spray glistening with scattered points of light under the moonlight.

The faint sounds of shouting and activity from the docks could still be heard, but the moon, seemingly suspended just above the horizon, brought a sense of serenity from deep within the soul.

Roland sat down, flattening the grass on the hillside.

"How is it? The view isn't bad, is it? Sometimes when I'm free at night, I come here to wander around and zone out while looking at the endless Storm Ocean."

Kalia nodded, then knelt and sat beside Roland. She hugged her knees, resting her head upon them, and grew quiet.

She had taken off her wide-brimmed witch's hat, holding it in her hands in front of her legs.

This was the first time Roland had seen Kalia so quiet while awake.

Indeed...

This one looks quite cute when she isn't talking.

Her entire demeanor seemed to elevate.

"Roland..."

"Yes?"

"You really wanted to ask just now, didn't you? About how I answered Uncle Jules."

Kalia tilted her head and gave Roland a sly smile. "You really wanted to ask, right?"

"Even if you say you didn't, your feelings are written all over your face. You're super easy to read!"

Roland: "..."

That was the one thing he didn't want to be told by her.

"The answer is 'friends'."

Kalia shifted her gaze away from Roland and back toward the distant horizon.

"When Uncle Jules asked me what our relationship was, that's how I answered."

As she spoke, Kalia suddenly turned her head to look at Roland, and as she expected, she saw a look of astonishment on his face.

"Hehe~~ You look a bit disappointed, don't you?"

"I'm just surprised," Roland replied honestly. "After all, we've only known each other for a few days and haven't even had many formal interactions, yet you already consider me your friend."

"Is that not allowed?" Kalia stared at him with deadpan eyes.

"As long as you're happy," Roland replied dismissively.

He was surprised by Kalia's decision. He figured it was likely the "bridge effect" at play, causing Kalia to have this strange perception.

"I am the first friend you've ever made, at least. Can't you be a bit more sincere when you answer?"

"The first?"

"What else? Do you think I could have made friends in the environment I lived in before?"

Before the words had faded, Roland felt a light tap on his shoulder.

"Let's do a fist bump." Kalia shook her small fist. "It's a promise: we’ll be friends for life!"

"Hurry up, hurry up! Don't drag your feet!"

Under Kalia's urging, Roland reluctantly raised his fist and bumped it against hers.

After completing this "ritual" of unknown origin, Kalia was visibly happier. She lay back on the ground, arms and legs spread, staring up at the starry sky.

Looking at her expression, for some reason, Roland felt a parental sentiment of "oh well, as long as she's happy."

"I'm completely just humoring a child..."

Looking down at his hand that had just bumped Kalia's, Roland shook his head silently.

It seemed that in his future school life, he would, in all likelihood, continue to exist as Kalia's de facto "guardian."

"Hey, Roland."

"What is it?"

"I'm a little sleepy."

"Then let's go back and get some sleep."

"No..."

Kalia scooted closer to Roland, rested her head on his shoulder, and wrapped her arms around his arm. "You promised to keep me company for a while!"

"Just let me lean here and rest for a bit, just for a little while..."

Before long, Kalia went completely quiet—she had fallen asleep.

Roland: "..."