The Goddess Is Obsessed With Me

"Ahhhh!!"

While walking, Aris suddenly screamed in surprise and sat down on the ground.

"What happened?!"

I tried to support her as she suddenly collapsed, but she seemed too preoccupied to notice me.

"Ugh..."

Aris groaned in pain, as if she was an undead monster being destroyed under the scorching sun. She started to sweat profusely and writhed on the ground.

"Aris, are you okay?!"

Unable to stand it any longer, I quickly cast a healing spell on her. However, she continued to struggle in pain, screaming in a hoarse voice. Magic seemed to be of no use. Was there some fundamental issue?

However, my worries were short-lived...

Her previously pale complexion returned to normal, and she started to touch her body in wonder.

"Are you okay now...?"

Her expression relaxed, as if nothing had happened. Soon, she stood up without my help.

"You were in so much pain just now, what happened?"

Taken aback by the sudden event, I asked with a mix of shock in my voice. She looked as if she too hadn't anticipated this event, her expression turning ambiguous.

"I don't know..."

She truly seemed clueless about the reason, her face reflecting a bitter emotion.

"But it's not the first time this has happened..."

"What?"

Her surprising revelation changed the atmosphere, making it more somber. This wasn't the first time she acted this way?

Without giving me a chance to ponder, she spoke with a serious expression, sharing her story.

"I occasionally have these episodes... I don't know the reason, but whenever I try to forget, an indescribable pain torments me..."

She leaned on me, wiping off her sweat, her body exhausted from the pain.

"Do you know if it's some kind of illness?"

She firmly shook her head, indicating that a simple explanation like that wouldn't suffice.

"It's different... more abstract, maybe... Honestly, I don't really understand it either."

So she herself doesn't know why she's going through this?

"I feel a burning pain throughout my body at unpredictable intervals... It's so agonizing that I unintentionally hurt those around me..."

She seemed more worried about affecting others negatively due to her condition than about her own suffering.

"I'm sorry... We came out to have a good time, and I feel like I ruined the mood..."

She looked at me with anxious eyes, probably wondering if I was upset.

However, in response to her unease, I firmly grasped her shoulder and said,

"It's okay. I want to help you in any way I can."

Honestly, I was a bit surprised, but my main thought was to comfort her.

"Wha... What?! Really?"

My words made Aris blush even more, her face turning a deeper shade of red. It felt like I could feel the heat if I touched her cheek.

"Yes."

With a firm resolve, I nodded and looked straight into her eyes, affirming my sincere intention. "Harold cared about me that much..."

Seeing my attitude, she seemed lost in thought, her focus gradually fading, which made me anxious.

"It's hard for me to ignore someone in need... I want to help you."

I emphasized this once more, as everything I'd said so far truly reflected my sincere feelings.

"He... Harold..."

With emotion, she began to look at me, her gaze filled with a mixture of feelings. She then spoke with a lingering smile.

"Thank you, Harold is always so kind..."

It felt like she was murmuring to herself, but her soft voice reached my ears, expressing her gratitude.

She paused for a moment, her head lowered in thought, then looked up with a smile. However, the moment was brief.

"We haven't known each other for very long, but with Harold, it's not the curse but my own self..."

I couldn't catch what she muttered next, as her lips moved without producing any sound.

"What did you just say?"

But she just smiled at my question, avoiding a direct answer.

"Is it okay if I lean on you a bit? I want to entrust myself to someone strong and kind like you."

She probably meant entrusting herself with the issue of her pain.

"If you're okay with it."

With another nod from me, Aris replied with a smile filled with multiple emotions, "I had fun today!"

As time passed and the sky started to turn orange with the setting sun,

"It was really great to spend time with Harold!"

She paused momentarily as our paths diverged.

"I also had a great time, thanks to Aris."

We exchanged goodbyes, and gradually our figures distanced from each other.

"See you at the academy!"

As I wrapped up my time with Aris and walked alone on the unusually quiet street,

"Where should I go now? Since I'm out, maybe I should visit Mr. Morione?"

As I contemplated my destination and continued walking,

"Excuse me...!"

I heard an unfamiliar voice calling from behind.

"Yes?"

Turning around in response,

"Oh... it's you..."

A woman in plain iron armor, wielding a sword, and with red hair tied in a ponytail approached.

"This makes our second meeting, right?!"

Indeed, it was the same adventurer who had mistaken the person earlier when Aris kissed my cheek.

"Weren't you the adventurer from earlier? It's quite a coincidence to meet again."

At my comment, she awkwardly smiled and scratched her left cheek.

"Haha... yes, quite a coincidence... I wanted to talk to you about that."

She has something to say to me?

"What is it?"

"Well... I'm sorry about earlier. I saw you having a good time and felt bad for intervening..."

She seemed a bit rushed, speaking fast and with a sense of urgency.

"It's alright, I didn't really mind."

Though her behavior felt a bit off, I tried to respond naturally. Then she made an offer.

"If it's not too much to ask, can I buy you a meal as an apology? I know a place."

It wasn't about compensation, but she suddenly invited me to eat.

"Huh? That's not necessary..."

"No! I really want to make it up to you!"

She seemed so eager to be of help that it felt a bit peculiar.

Even if I wanted to refuse, she kept insisting. Looking up at the sky, which was turning into a twilight hue, I pondered. The sun was still there because of the summer season, but it was slowly approaching dinner time.

"Even so..."

"You don't have to refuse, it's really okay!"

I wasn't particularly hungry since I'd eaten a lot at lunch, but I was a bit peckish. Even if it felt a bit awkward, given her persistence... "If you're so eager to make amends... I won't strongly refuse."

I reluctantly accepted her offer.

"Ha..."

The female adventurer bowed her head, her mood visibly lifted with a bright smile.

"Thank you! I promise to treat you to some delicious food!"

She raised her head, placing a hand on her left chest in a gesture of courtesy.

"My name is Erina Robias! Please call me Erina!"

Erina... it was a name I hadn't heard before.

"I'm Harold Wicker."

I introduced myself, and for a brief moment, a look of longing and sadness seemed to cross her face.

"Well... we've met before... but it feels like this is our first real meeting."

She murmured, her voice heavy with some unspoken depth of meaning. Technically, we had met briefly earlier in the day, but it felt appropriate to consider this our first real encounter.

"So, Ms. Erina?"

"...?!"

She seemed momentarily startled by my call. I thought I might have said something wrong, but...

"Uh.. yes... Shall we go?"

She quickly reverted to her cheerful demeanor, so I decided to move on. The restaurant Erina introduced had a unique ambiance. It felt more like a bar that served meals than a typical restaurant, with a calm atmosphere. The menu consisted of dishes suitable for both meals and as side dishes for alcohol.

"I come here from time to time. Biologically, alcohol has its disadvantages, but conceptually, it has its moments."

She ordered a cocktail and took a light sip. While I was grateful for the treat and introduction, I had an instinctive feeling that this place wasn't really for me.

"Since I'm paying, order whatever you like."

She handed me a menu. I pretended to contemplate for a while, as I wasn't familiar with these kinds of dishes. In fact, I wasn't particularly fond of alcohol, so I felt a bit out of my element.

"How about this?"

Perhaps sensing my confusion, Erina recommended a particular dish.

"This cocktail and dish pair really well."

She seemed quite knowledgeable in this area, showcasing her connoisseur side.

"Alright, let's go with that."

After ordering as she suggested, I was soon served a cocktail and a steaming dish. The food chosen for the meal was cream pasta, which looked delicious.

"Aren't you going to order something for yourself?"

I noticed that only the cocktail she'd ordered earlier was on her table.

"Yes... well... I'll eat soon."

I couldn't recall her ordering any food. What was she planning to eat? She kept urging me to start eating, so I picked up my fork.

"Let's eat."

With a forkful of pasta, the familiar taste of cream filled my mouth.

"It's a nice place."

She didn't reply to my compliment but responded with a satisfied smile. I took a sip of the cocktail, and its refreshing taste made me appreciate the drink more than I thought I would. The initially tense atmosphere began to relax.

"Harold..."

Suddenly, after sipping her cocktail, Erina addressed me.

"What is it?"

In response, she threw an unexpected question my way.

"Was that woman from earlier your lover?"

I nearly spat out the food in my mouth. This was way too sudden! Why bring that up now? Though I wanted to ask her why she'd asked such a question, I decided to simply clarify the situation.

"She's not my lover. You might have misunderstood from the scene you witnessed, but we're definitely not in that kind of relationship..."

At my answer, her face lit up with an inexplicable joy, and the atmosphere became even brighter. "But why such a sudden question—"

Thump!

Before I could even finish my sentence, my heart gave a strong jolt.

Following that...

"That might have been a bit of an overreaction on my part."

Contrary to my flustered state, she continued to appear calm.

What's happening right now...

Slump!

Huh...?

I can't muster any strength in my body...

My eyelids feel oddly heavy...

Suddenly, my body...

"Sleep well, Harold ♡"