Isolde walked slowly, seeking shelter beneath the cool shade of the tree. Escaping the warm, lazy breath of spring, she leaned her back against the thick trunk. Her face still wore a mix of boredom and mild annoyance.
As she rested against the tree, her tone was grumpy.
"So... what are we even going to play?"
Elio suddenly stood tall, puffed out his chest, and placed his right hand dramatically on his shoulder. A spark of adventure lit up in his eyes.
"We're obviously playing adventurers!"
Isolde let out a sigh, her expression growing even more fed up.
"Ugh, that again? Isn't that the only thing we ever play?"
Elio turned to her, paused for a moment in thought, then grinned mischievously.
"Alright, alright. I know what you want, Isolde. After we finish the adventure, we'll squeeze in a married couple at the end of the story."
Isolde's eyes popped wide open, and she practically exploded,
"What!? What are you talking about?? I never said I wanted that!"
But the tone in her voice sounded more like a flustered confession than a denial. Her cheeks turned bright red as she quickly turned her face away.
Elio, meanwhile, wore a smug grin of victory—he'd hit her right where it counted.
Alia, who had been watching the exchange with delight, suddenly burst into laughter,
"HAHAHA! Isolde, you're always so easy to read!"
Her cheeks had taken on a rosy glow from the fun.
Isolde huffed, shrugged her shoulders, and tried to brush it off, lips pursed in mild annoyance.
"Yeah, yeah… whatever. Let's just start the adventurer game already."
Elio suddenly burst out in a loud and enthusiastic voice,
"Alright! I'll be the great.. powerful.. legendary hero Aldebaran! Of course! As always!"
As he spoke, he looked up to the sky, wearing a solemn expression—like he was waiting for Aldebaran himself to speak back to him.
Isolde crossed her arms, looking unimpressed.
"You always pick the same character. Ever thought of trying someone else for a change?"
The idea actually made Elio stop and think.
Hmm… someone else… hmm... Quinetta?... Nope, she's a girl. ..Vega… yes Vega ...nah, I don't really like him... Rimond… Rimond's cool.. but his name reminds me of my uncle. So no.
...Aldebaran, though. He's always been the strongest. And he's got three swords... Plus, super charismatic. Yeah.. I have to be him.
Finally, he raised his arms high, waving them toward the sky like he was casting a spell.
"No, it's settled—Aldebaran it is. Forever and always."
And without missing a beat, he added,
"You nag too much, Isolde. That's not how this works…"