I'm so terribly sorry, cougars! I really didn't want to bring strangers to your pride! But Kenta was so vehemently insisting on needing to put pressure on Kyou's friends that at some point I broke in and let him do this.

Could it be that he started with the idea of kidnapping a cub to make me settle on this? This sounds like what my mother told me about negotiations. Did he trick me?

Oh, another arrow. Does he keep aiming at my legs or am I so fast that his shots come short? Nonetheless, I deflect the arrow towards their general direction, but at this point they're used to evading them, especially with the great distance between us.

Whenever Masahiko-dono uses [Swishstride], I do the same. That's why he slowed down to have his friends keep up with him, rather than trying to chase me on his own. This is good, because I'm supposed to keep all of them busy.

Now I'm in a predicament. Kenta wants me to beat them up, but Kyou wouldn't want me to do that. What would Ara do? I try to imagine my alfr friend and can only see her sitting down somewhere else entirely with a book in her hand and looking smart. Why is it so hard to imagine her in this situation?

Wait, I'm doing it again. I need to think about myself. What do I think is the best? Kenta was rather vague what exactly beating them up will accomplish, so is there a reason to? Should I turn around and fight all three of them?

They have Ara. So why am I so hesitant about this? I should fight them and ask them where my friend is. Ara may have her shortcomings but she's dear to me.

...in the end, I can't. There are so many paths to take and everything is confusing at this point. What if they're controlled by Correo? What if they're just trying to help Kyou? What if they're as bad as Kenta portrays them?

I don't know. I don't know!

Maybe I should talk to them after all. Ah, I remember something. A gesture that Kenta showed me, what did he call it? One-finger-salute? I show them the back of my fist and lift my middle finger only. If they see that I greet them in a way they know from their world, maybe we can talk it out?

I hear a faint “YOU BITCH!” from the small Kurosawa-dono in a volume belying her small body. “SHE'S FLIPPING US OFF!” I have no idea what she means, but it seems that I did it wrong and may have insulted them accidentally.

This is not good. So talking won't work either... this leaves me fewer options, but now it becomes easier to weigh all of them against each other.

Finally, I'm able to make my decision. I remember the map Kenta drew for the strategy-meeting as well as possible. It was separated into different sectors, we're currently at Sector D, so I'll run to F which is another crevice-maze. This way, I will lose my pursuers and they'll be too far to catch up to Kenta. Especially since he moved again after being tied to a spot for a while. Maybe he's already finished with his part?

I use [Swishstride] to quickly accelerate and widen the distance. Masahiko-dono is the only one who will have a chance to keep up, but he doesn't. The moment I get to F, I'll gain some altitude, this should make me lose them completely. Then I will regroup with Kenta.

Strange, why do I feel like I have made a decision like Ara would make it?

―○●○―

Waiting is hard! While I agree that I'm a hindrance for skirmishing strategies, staying here and waiting for any messages is mentally taxing. I hope so much that everything goes well for everyone. I'm OK with them hurting each other a bit. It may be unavoidable at this point. I also have the hope that Rine-chan and Ken can knock out my friends easily enough.

Yes, it'd be much better if they're in a position that forces them to listen a bit. Why haven't they tried to strike a conversation back when our ambush failed anyways? It's kinda their fault... or maybe a lot of manipulation.

I hate how I can do nothing at this point other than running in circles at the meeting spot. I check the backpack again. No message... yet I feel Ken moving, maybe he's on his way back?

Something feels off suddenly. It's like I'm observed. I look around and I see a young man, no, rather my age? Wait, is that Yoshimura-kun? He had his hair that long during our last encounter in Aroahenn, but with the fully realized beard, he looks older.

He's wearing leather armor that looks like he's an important figure and has a staff in one hand with a sword on his waist. His dark eyes look at me creepily, I have goosebumps and feel in danger.

Yet I reign in my urge to flinch and look at him while straightening up. “Long time no seen, Yoshimura-kun.”

He moves his lips a bit and then gives a smile full of confidence and sliminess: “We should consider this our first meeting, Momokawa Kyou. As I'm not Yoshimura Rentaro anymore.”

“So you really have lost yourself?”

“I'd call it getting rid of my weaker parts.” He comes closer and it takes a lot of self-control to not back off. However, I know that in this situation he holds all the cards, he's stronger than me and can use force, so I need to at least appear confident. “I have taken up the name of Lent Wood.”

“Wood-san,” I smile with a bit of arrogance and disdain to strengthen my front, “why are you here?”

“Because I wanted to see you.” He talks like he believes he's glib, but it's just creepy.

“I have rejected you before, right?” I can vaguely remember that moment. He was just boring and acted like he had nothing to offer, trying to prey on my pity.

“You rejected Yoshimura Rentaro. I, on the other hand, will make you mine.”

That's what gave me the sense of danger. This greed, this desire, this selfishness. He's set on to make me be with him without even considering what I want. He doesn't treat me like a person, just as an object of lust!

He comes closer and closer, I change to [Herbalist], ready to use [Mirrored Moon] and my knife to resist before he does whatever he's planning, but then he stops two steps away from me. “I won't force you,” he declares with words but not with emotions, “yet I have a lot to offer to you.”

I feel Ken's direction changing quicker than before which means he's coming closer. So I'll buy time. “What do you want to offer me?”

“We'll wait for a moment. Katsuragi is almost here and I want to extend the offer to him as well. The princess has also shaken off Inoue and his group, so she will also come. Correo will bring your elf-friend.”

So Correo is really here!? But “How do you know about Ken and Rine-chan?”

“It's a useful skill, called [Aerial View]. It lets me look from above which makes it easy to see the whole surrounding.” This skill is bad news. Ken may use the [Share Senses]-skill to a similar effect, but the former Yoshimura-kun has a superior skill in that regard, so what we thought as one of our greatest advantages is merely a bad compensation for what they have!

“You're really confident about this. I mean, meeting all of us? Or is it because you hold Arako hostage?”

“Just a means to an end. ...you're really beautiful.” Erm, what? “Your hair like black velvet, your eyes like onyxes, the figure of a goddess.” If he thinks complimenting me would do anything, he's wrong. Though it has an effect, it makes him even more disgusting.

Of course, I can use it. It makes me turn my stomach, but I won't shy away. “You look more adult.” He has a beard now, after all.

“I know, it might be hard to separate me from Rentaro-san, but trust me, my love. Give me the opportunity and I'll prove to you that there is no better man than me for you.”

I want to vomit. To take all the puke that's currently building up and vomit everything right into his face. What is he thinking!? No girl with any self-esteem would fall for words like that! I mean, maybe someone so drunk on love that has no reason left, but does Yoshimura-kun actually believe that this will make me even consider him as a boyfriend!?

I mean, even Ken- No, I won't go that way! He still hasn't apologized, that jerk!

Without a thought, I step closer to Yoshimura-kun and look into his eyes. They do look more confident, without a hint of self-doubt. His face is a bit longish and rough, his nose too big. He's definitely nothing I look for in a boyfriend.

I will surely regret this, yet I cast [Empathy] on him. I feel desire, I feel confidence, I feel the giddiness from pure euphoria, I feel like a predator and under all of that a deep, deep void. “Yoshimura-san, wha-”

I feel alert. Yoshimura-kun steps back and evades an arrow while smiling at me and I cut the connection. I feel dirty! Feeling his emotions made me feel so dirty!

But an arrow... I look at the direction I can feel Ken from and see him with the hood on while drawing his arrow. Yoshimura-kun turns to him: “No need for violence. I'm here to talk and if you act up, there will be consequences.”

“Talk!?” Ken says while coming closer. “After the shit you have pulled off your ass!?” He puts his bow into his backpack and draws his spear.

“Katsuragi-san, things have been difficult. We finally have the chance to talk without any interference, so please: Let us strike a conversation. We still have the elf, so-” Ken's eyes become more fierce, and Yoshimura-kun changes his choice of words while still smiling: “It's for the best of all of us. Correo may have been too rash when he was asked to bring the princess. After our encounter in the elven village, things may have gotten out of hand, and we can finally clear this misunderstanding. Give me one more chance.”

“Ken,” I chime in: “Please, be reasonable.” He looks at me like I'm his enemy. After all that time, he still doesn't listen to me when he's stubbornly clinging on one of his stupid ideas. Somehow I have the feeling that we can trust Yoshimura-kun that much.

“What have you been talking about, Kyou-san?” ...is he jealous? If yes, then it must be the curse which also gives me these weird feelings for him.

“Ken, there is nothing, really nothing between him and me.” Maybe I was a bit taken aback for a second, but it's totally unlike what the ring makes me feel for Ken. I would call this feeling for Yoshimura-kun curiosity at best.

Yoshimura-kun himself seems a bit hurt, he sharply inhales, but he doesn't let go of his smile. “So you're going out with Momokawa-san, Katsuragi-san?”

Ken's face looks like he has just been hit. He moves his lips without saying something as he's looking for the right words. “Phew... this is stupid. Yoshimura-”

“It's Lent Wood now.”

“Yoshimura, you have one chance: Where is Ara-san?”

“She's coming to us. The princess as well. We’ll all have a civilized talk.”

Ken beckons me and whispers into my ear. “Seriously, Kyou-san. What the fuck is going on!?”

“I don't know!”

“Rrrr...” Ken seems angry, but I know that he's unsure how to handle this situation. He's torn.

“Just let us hear the offer.”

“An offer!? What offer.”

“Like I said, I don't know!”

“Oh, that's so typical! Wagging your tail at whatever serves you best!”

What!? Despite my upset, I try the menacing low voice. “You dare, you really dare to talk to me like that!?”

“Doesn't it make sense? I mean, sure, he thinks he's all powerful. It's most likely true as well, he may have had the [Class Rewrite] by chance, but-” Ken pauses. It seems that he didn't think of any counter-arguments. I often see him emotional, but rarely that confused.

Yet this calms me down a bit. I remember that Ken has the habit of thinking of many possibilities and remembering a lot of stuff. I haven't thought about the [Class Rewrite], the relic that allows a hero to delete a class. It's also not that important at that point. So why bring it up?

“Ken,” I start another attempt to properly converse with him, but suddenly, something runs past me with the gleam of steel and I hear the sound of metal meeting metal.

I turn around and see Rine-chan who has locked swords with Yoshimura-kun. “Kenta, Kyou! Are you alright?” Her tall figure seems much larger than usual. “Don't worry!”

Yoshimura-kun now is finally fazed and shows worry: “I would appreciate it, if you would call her back.”

“Rine-chan, please stop,” I plead to her. She may still be sticking to the idea that she has to take down Yoshimura-kun and Hoshibashi-kun.

“I agree, Katarine-san,” says another familiar voice, it's Arako! Behind her is a man with a beard and hat. I haven't seen him for a while, but his lighthearted attitude is still the same: Correo.

Ken stares daggers at the self-proclaimed trader who raises his hand: “Well met again, heroes.”

“Fuck you.” Ken is basically saying what I was thinking myself. Because of this... this asshole, we had to endure hell!

“Kenta-kun,” Arako says in her usual calm and thoughtful voice: “I would really appreciate it if you don't provoke the person who is holding me hostage.”

“Correo,” Yoshimura-kun says, “let her go. We are here to talk.”

“You're the boss, Wood-dono.” In a surprisingly subservient gesture, Correo steps back while Arako comes to us, the same as Rine.

Now we have two sides facing each other. Yoshimura-kun starts: “First of all, let me re-introduce myself. My name is Lent Wood and I'm a true hero. Someone who has thrown off the shackles of a former life including all the weakness. My partner, who goes by the name Star Killer, is currently with Inoue's party which has several wounded members by now thanks to Katsuragi-san.”

I know, I said I'm OK with them being wounded at this point, but hearing it and having Ken as the only offender is still hurtful, so I stare at Ken for a moment to tell him about my discontent. He answers with a simple “Kch.”

Yoshimura-kun continues: “I have come here to give you an offer. I'm nothing but a servant of a goddess who has taken an interest in you, especially Katarine-hime.”

Ken steps forward: “Why?”

“Because she's a native and a hero.”

“How does she know!?” I have the exact same question.

“Patience, patience. Let me first end my part.”

Arako’s ears twitch a bit before she starts talking. “Wood-dono, I'll take over.” I know that voice, it's there whenever Arako feels like people are wasting time she could better spend researching or sleeping. “They want us to join them and if we refuse, they'll kill us.”

The nonchalant way of putting their entire intention into a single sentence seems to rattle Yoshimura-kun, who sighs and just nods.

But to be honest, with the way he acted this doesn't come as a surprise. Yet the question is what to do.

I look at Ken and I already know that this will most likely end in senseless violence again...