The port wakes early. By the time the sky begins to pale, spirited shouts already echo from the fish market. The roar of waves against the wharf, the shrill cries of seagulls. The scent of salt mingling with the sea breeze, and just a hint of fishy rawness. In a corner of the port, Tatsuya was curled up in the gap between stacked wooden crates. "...Cold." Last night had been freezing. Spring in the other world of Istwar apparently still brought cold mornings and nights. His legs were numb, almost completely without sensation, and his empty stomach no longer even had the energy to growl. (*So this is day three since reincarnation.*) He had confidence in his endurance as a former corporate slave. Late-night overtime was the norm, and he could put on a calm face no matter how much his boss yelled at him. But this was beyond anything he'd expected. No inn, no money. Just nights spent curled up on the roadside waiting for morning—he'd already endured three of them. *Grrr.* His stomach growled. Yesterday, the old man at the port fish shop had given him some leftover bread crusts. That had been his only meal. (*But there's a chance.*) Tatsuya organized his thoughts in his head. That female knight he met yesterday—Ryune. A cold-faced beauty with golden hair and azure eyes. She was his one and only lead for surviving in this world. The reason was that skill. **《Inner Voice Audibility — Women》** An ability forced on him by some messenger of a goddess when he died and reincarnated into this other world. The true feelings of any woman who entered his field of vision were automatically broadcast to him in their entirety. He couldn't turn it off. Even things he didn't want to hear came flooding in compulsively. Yesterday, he had heard Ryune's inner voice. —*Huh? When we bumped into each other, his face was really close. His eyes are big, his eyelashes are long... somehow... he's kind of cute.* —*Wait, what am I thinking?! It's not like anyone's watching, but my face is burning up. This is the worst!* On the outside, she was a female knight of steel. But on the inside, she was utterly maidenly. (*That gap... I can use it.*) And then, there was another, far more important inner thought he'd heard. —*Alone again today. Well, whatever, I'm used to it. Relying on someone else... that's impossible for me.* Lonely, isolated, yet unable to show weakness to anyone. In truth, she wanted someone to need her. (*What she's looking for is someone who understands her.*) In that case, what should he do? His survival instincts as a former corporate slave began working naturally in his head. Put into words what the other person wants. That's all it takes. Just that. A small pang of guilt pricked at his chest. (*Eavesdropping on someone's true feelings and using them?*) But it was to survive. Besides, it shouldn't be a bad deal for Ryune either. If he formed a patron contract—a system in this world where new adventurers receive support—she wouldn't be alone anymore either. "...I've decided." Tatsuya tried to stand up. But his legs were numb and wouldn't cooperate. "Whoa!" He nearly fell, catching himself on the stacked crates. They rattled noisily, and a fisherman mending nets nearby glanced over. Tatsuya forced a wry smile and gave a small bow. (*Couldn't look more pathetic if I tried.*) He waited for the numbness to fade, then staggered to his feet. First, he'd show his face at the port fish shop, same as yesterday. The old man had already opened up. "Oh, it's you." "[gentle]I'm back again. Sorry to bother you—is there anything I can help with?" "Nah, ain't much, but... here. Dried fish, leftovers from yesterday. Eat up." "[surprised]Thank you very much!" The old man's inner voice was, of course, inaudible. He was male, after all. But in his rough hands and brusque tone, Tatsuya felt just a little bit saved. Chewing on the dried fish, Tatsuya started walking. His destination was the Silver Wing Society. Passing through streets lined with stone buildings, about a five-minute walk from the port, a large three-story stone structure came into view. The sign bore a crest shaped like silver wings. This was the Karnak branch of the adventurers' guild, the Silver Wing Society. Inside, the first floor was a combined tavern and request office. Though it was morning, several groups of adventurers were already eyeing the request forms posted on the wall. The musty smell of sweat and cheap liquor hung thick in the air. **【Slime Extermination — E-Rank — Reward: 10 Copper Coins】** **【Goblin Extermination — D-Rank — Reward: 5 Silver Coins】** **【Herb Gathering in the Misty Forest — C-Rank — Reward: 2 Gold Coins】** Glancing sidelong at the posted requests, Tatsuya swept his gaze across the room. There she was. Ryune stood before the request board. White armor, blue mantle. A longsword at her hip. Her back perfectly straight, not a single wasted movement. It was obvious the other adventurers were giving her a wide berth. She was like a solitary white tower. She looked even more beautiful than she had yesterday in the setting sun. (*Alright, here goes.*) Tatsuya steeled himself internally and approached Ryune from behind. "[gentle]Good morning. Sorry about yesterday, Ryune-san." Ryune turned around. Her azure eyes pierced through him. "[cold]...You. From yesterday. You're still here." The same cold tone as before. A sharp voice that seemed to freeze the air around her in an instant. But at the same time, her inner voice streamed into Tatsuya's head. —*He came back. Why? Why does he keep coming to me? Does this person not think anything of me... wait, the fact that I'm even worried about that pisses me off the most. This is the worst.* (*Alright, there it is.*) Tatsuya clenched a mental fist. Just like yesterday, Ryune's inner self was in full maiden mode. "[serious]I came because I have a request for you, Ryune-san." "...I'll hear you out. Speak." Ryune folded her arms. She lifted her chin slightly, looking down at Tatsuya. —*A request? What kind? Don't tell me he's going to try to squeeze money out of me over what happened yesterday? Ah, but this person really does look like he has no money... is he going to say something to me again...?* "[serious]Ryune-san, you carry too much on your own. That's what I felt." Ryune's expression stiffened slightly. "[cold]...Based on what." "[gentle]I don't have any basis. But when we bumped into each other yesterday, I thought... this person must be incredibly lonely." Ryune's inner voice flooded in all at once. —*Why. Why is this person saying something like that? No one's ever said that to me before. Not my family, not my fellow knights. And yet, why is this shabby man—* "[serious]I want to become an adventurer. But I haven't even registered yet. So, Ryune-san, could I ask you to form a patron contract with me?" "[cold]A patron contract? Just how much trouble do you intend to cause me?" Though her words said that, Ryune's inner voice was completely different. —*It's not... that I dislike it. Actually, it's not a bad proposal. Because this person, I don't know why, but I feel like he understands me. And if we form a patron contract, I won't be alone anymore. I'll be with someone.* (*...Ah, she really is lonely.*) A slight ache stirred deep in Tatsuya's chest. At the same time, guilt welled up. (*I'm just eavesdropping on her true feelings and choosing words to match.*) But for now, that was fine. It was to survive. "[cold]...Fine. Very well. However, once we've signed the contract, the training I impose on you will be harsh. Prepare yourself." "[excited]Thank you very much!" —*I did it. No way. She actually accepted. This person really is a good person after all. And his face is close. I can see him even better than yesterday. His eye color... a clear blue. Beautiful.* Ryune's inner voice streamed in, once again in full maiden mode. Tatsuya desperately fought to keep the corners of his mouth from loosening. They completed the contract procedures at the reception desk. The person handling it was the receptionist from yesterday, Maris. "[gentle]Oh my, Ryune-sama forming a patron contract. Congratulations to you, um... Tatsuya-san." Maris's smile was perfect. But naturally, her inner voice also flowed into Tatsuya's head. —*No way that shabby man formed a contract with Ryune-sama. What kind of trick did he pull? But he'll probably die soon anyway. Ryune-sama shouldn't have time to waste on a useless person like him.* (*...Harsh as ever.*) But Tatsuya was unfazed now. As a former corporate slave, he was used to backbiting. Besides, Ryune's inner voice was far more important right now. With the procedures finished, Ryune led Tatsuya to an inn on a hillside overlooking the port. The sign read "Seashell Inn." A three-story wooden building, its colors slightly faded by the sea breeze. Shell decorations hung at the entrance, swaying in the wind and making faint sounds. "[gentle]It's a big inn." "[cold]The most decent inn in this town. ...Come." Ryune pushed open the heavy wooden door. Inside the lobby, a fire crackled in the hearth, and a pleasant aroma of seafood drifted through the air. "Oh my, Ryune-sama, you're early today." From behind the counter emerged a stout landlady. A woman in her fifties with the air of a big-hearted mother figure. "[cold]Yes. Starting today, this person will also be staying here." "[gentle]Oh, a companion. What's your name?" "[gentle]I'm Tatsuya. Pleased to meet you." "[cold]A servant. Mine." Tatsuya screamed internally. (*Servant?!*) But immediately, Ryune's inner voice came through. —*I should have said "patron." But it was kind of embarrassing. I mean, no one would ever think I'd form a patron contract on my own. Ugh, what am I even thinking.* (*I see, she's embarrassed.*) Tatsuya nearly burst out laughing. He somehow managed to hold it in. "[laughing]Oh, is that so. Well then, I'll add another futon to your usual room. Tatsuya-san, please take good care of Ryune-sama." Smiling cheerfully, Marga headed up the stairs. Ryune led him to a corner room on the third floor. From the window, you could see the port and, beyond it, the Lamenting Sea stretching into the distance. The room was larger than he'd expected. One big bed, an armor stand by the window, a small desk and chair against the wall. The floor was polished wood—it looked like it would feel wonderful to walk on barefoot. "[cold]You'll sleep on the floor. I'll use the bed." "Understood." He answered instantly. He'd been sleeping in back alleys anyway. Just having a floor was practically heaven. But Ryune's inner voice came through again. —*The floor is hard, and I do feel a little bad about it. But there's only one bed, so it can't be helped. I'm not blaming you. I just... can't get the words out properly. I've always been alone, so I've never had to say things like this before.* (*...She really is awkward.*) Tatsuya flopped onto the floor. Staring at the grain of the ceiling, he let his thoughts drift to the life that was about to begin. In the evening, Marga brought their meal. Freshly baked bread, fish soup, stewed vegetables. Steam rose from it, enough to make his stomach growl just looking. "[gentle]Ryune-sama, there's plenty for Tatsuya-san too. Both of you, please eat properly." "[cold]...An efficient investment." Ryune muttered under her breath. Marga's inner voice streamed into Tatsuya's head. —*Ryune-sama, ordering extra for the young man again. She's so kind. If only she could be more honest.* (*Ah, I knew it.*) Tatsuya took a sip of the soup. It was warm, a flavor that seeped right to his core. After the meal, Ryune stood by the window. She had removed her armor and was in loose indoor clothes. Outside the window, the setting sun dyed the Lamenting Sea a deep crimson. Her profile melted into the light. Her golden hair swayed in the breeze