**Gradually changing bodies brought about changes in feelings for the group.**
It had been several days since we arrived in this town. Today, I had gone out alone. There wasn’t anything in particular I needed to do, but I wanted to take the opportunity to learn more about this town while I was out for a walk. Perhaps I might even find an item that would be useful for my travels later on. I knew I had to meet with the sage sooner rather than later, but rushing things was out of the question.
I considered my current situation as I passed by the rows of shops. Nina had completely disappeared since then. She refused to let anyone into her room, which led to us having to rent an additional one. Philiana was the same. While she allowed people to enter her room, she spent all her time staring into a mirror.
She would gaze intently into the mirror and then, at times, grin unnervingly. It was as if she were looking at a different person.
Suddenly, I caught sight of my own reflection in a shop window. Unconsciously, I averted my gaze. The truth was, I still hadn’t come to terms with it. That was why I couldn’t bring myself to use a public restroom when I was out. For the umpteenth time today, a sigh escaped my lips.
Looking up, I saw a pair of rough-looking individuals approaching from the opposite direction. It was a Flower Harpy and a Satyr man. Incidentally, this town was known for its thriving mining industry, so there were a lot of laborers. Because of that, there were many cheap inns and eateries. On the other hand, the public order was not as good. Perhaps it was because money was constantly changing hands. Gangsters and unsavory characters roamed the streets.
“Hey, hey, are you alone right now?”
Here we go. Naturally, I ignored them. I tried to walk past without making eye contact. But then, someone grabbed my shoulder tightly.
“Do you need something?”
“No, if you’re not busy, want to go hang out? Come on, let’s go to the gambling dens.”
This district had many places called gambling dens where people could enjoy games of chance. You could drink alcohol and play various games there. They were popular among the citizens as a form of entertainment.
“I’m in a hurry right now.”
I shook off the hand on my shoulder and walked away. Then, the person grabbed my wrist. Naturally, it felt unpleasant, so I pulled my arm away. But my hand wouldn’t come free from his grip.
“Wh-let go!”
“Mooore than that, don’t be in such a hurry. I’ll treat you, just for a little while.”
No matter how many times I pulled, he didn’t budge. The Satyr was only slightly taller than me. Even though I was a laborer, I had become stronger. I wouldn’t be defeated so easily by a guy like this.
“Whaaat is this cloak? Ahaha, cute!”
“Hey, don’t touch it without permission.”
Damn it, what was their deal? The Harpy man touched my magic cloak with a flick of his hand. I yanked my hand away with all my might and pulled my cloak back.
“Are you perhaps an adventurer? That’s cute!”
“Neey, let’s go!”
I was trapped between them. The height difference shouldn’t have been that significant, yet for some reason, I couldn’t break free. They were probably approaching me because I looked like a girl, but I was a man. I felt like I was going to throw up. I wished they wouldn’t come near me without my permission. A shiver of unease spread throughout my body.
The Satyr man brought his face closer. My hand instinctively went to my sword hilt. And he smelled awful. What was this odor? Was this what they called a man’s musk? It was somewhat sour, a pungent and unpleasant smell.
“Nfufu, you’re cute. Hey, what’s your name? Do you have a boyfriend?”
Ugh, he was making me sick. I could fight him now, couldn’t I? It would be his own fault. A large hand reached out and grazed my backside. A tingling sensation ran down my spine, like my bones were vibrating minutely. How dare he touch me, that scoundrel!
“Hey, doesn’t that kid look like he’s uncomfortable?”
Just then, I heard another man’s voice. Turning around, I saw another pair of individuals looking at us with contempt. It was a refreshing, tall, handsome Faun and a muscular Seilenos wearing a tank top.
“Huh? What? Are you guys this kid’s boyfriend?”
“No, but he looked like he was uncomfortable.”
As the handsome Faun tilted his head, his short hair rustled in the wind.
“Two guys cornering a girl like this is weird, right?”
“Are you trying to steal them?”
One of the men walking next to me rolled up his sleeves and advanced. Wait a minute, is this like that scene from the manga where they fight over me? The Satyr man raised his fist threateningly.
“Ugh!”
However, the fist that landed was not on the man who had picked the fight. The Seilenos, the handsome man’s friend, had punched him without hesitation.
“What the hell are you doing, Hh!”
The Harpy man glared for a moment, but then he stopped, intimidated by the opponent’s leopard-like gaze. Realizing he couldn’t win, he turned and fled, leaving his companion behind. The other man, who had been hit by the fist, staggered to his feet and also ran off, shouting a parting insult.
“You’re too quick to start a fight. You’ll scare the girl, so that’s no good.”
“Tsk, but if I don’t do anything, they won’t leave, will they?”
The Seilenos man pouted as he was admonished by the handsome man.
“Um, thank you very much.”
“I’m glad you’re safe. I’m sorry, it’s a bit dangerous around here.”
A large hand patted my head. Huh? Was he petting me? Well, it was fine. Thanks to them, I managed to avoid fighting. I also thanked the other man.
“Hmph.”
He pouted again, shrugging his shoulders reluctantly and averting his gaze. His attitude was prickly, but his horse tail swished back and forth. …Could this be what they called “tsundere” or something?
The handsome man smiled and then left the scene. He was like a character straight out of a shojo manga.
