Bell and his familia set out unto a new day in Orario. After some discussions last night, it was decided that Arue would take their three new members to the guild and get them registered as adventurers. Meanwhile, Bell and Hana would head to the dungeon and garner up some funds for the familia and excelia for themselves.
Bell wanted to volunteer to take over and escort their new members himself to the guild but was struck down by Hestia, Arue, and, surprisingly, Koukin. Their reason being, as he was the most experienced member in the familia, it made more sense for him to get back to the dungeon and earn better revenue than what Arue and Hana could do on their own.
Koukin added that she wanted to ask a few questions of her own at the guild, saying that they would stay for a little longer to gather what information she could glean about this city, before meeting up with him and Hana in the dungeon.
Takeru agreed with her in addition, wanting to be best prepared for this new world they were in and being informed was the best method to do so.
Chitoge didn't care one way or another. She wanted to see this new world and go down this dungeon herself. In fact she was outright impatient to get going. So much so that she tried to dash out of their home the second the door was open, only to be caught by the collar by a bemused Takeru, who was the one who opened the door.
After some grumbling, Chitoge conceded and was walking along with the other three. Heading to the guild headquarters.
That left Bell and Hana to venture to the dungeon and so they did. Continuing on the road to the dungeon but not before stopping by somewhere first.
It ended up being the pub that Bell went to and ran from the same night, a place where he made a promise to someone.
That someone happened to be just outside the pub doors, sweeping the stairs and humming a gentle tune. She briefly looked up, noticing Bell and Hana then.
"Oh! Bell!" she exclaimed, "Good morning! Off to the dungeon today?"
Bell nodded, happy with her greeting, "Yeah! Hana and I are heading down there for a bit. We need to earn a lot today to help our new members out."
Syr blinked at that and then finally noticed the purple haired girl standing by Bell's side.
Hana gave Syr a polite bow and introduced herself, "Good day. My name is Hana Sunomiya. It's nice to meet you."
Syr took in this girl's appearance quickly. Hana was dressed for the dungeon as well as she could be as a starting adventurer. She wore a leather piece of chest armor that seemed to just fit her chest over a white long sleeve shirt, a studded corset that protected her stomach, a long red skirt that went down just past her knees, and wore a pair of shoes that were steel toes and light enough for her to run or kick with.
Hana and Arue shopped well where they went and they definitely made sure to get some appropriate attire for themselves.
Though in Arue's case, she opted for more specialized robes befitting her mage-like appearance.
Syr stared at Hana, seemingly puzzled, before pointing a smile in her direction and introducing herself, "Hello! My name's Syr Flova. It's nice to meet you as well."
Hana gave a small smile in return and then looked at Syr up and down real quick. Her features suddenly became neutral and focused before she moved closer to the waitress and eventually she walked around her, looking at her from top to bottom as she did.
Bell was flummoxed, what had gotten into Hana all the sudden.
Syr was in a similar state, she expected a polite greeting, not a full on examination.
"Wonderful."
Hana's sudden words brought both Bell and Syr to the present moment, staring at Hana, who returned to where she was at Bell's side, a hand to her chin as if focusing on a sudden insight.
"It is simple by design, yet it still emphasizes the wearer's figure," Hana said, "It highlights beauty while maintaining an approachable countenance with modesty."
Her eyes sharpened and she looked at Syr, who had to take a step back at such an intense stare.
Hana pointed at Her, "Your uniform is wonderful! Masterfully designed! A wonderful piece of Art!"
Syr was taken aback, she had been complimented on her uniform before but never so…
Eccentric.
Bell was torn between surprise and embarrassment. He knew of Hana's personality pretty well by now but he never thought it would pop its head up at this moment.
Though in her defense, Bell thought the uniform looked pretty great as well.
"Ummm, Syr," Bell started, "Sorry for the surprise but I'm here to make good on my promise."
Syr broke out of her shock at that before giving Bell a big smile and running off inside.
Bell sighed as he saw her go before turning his attention to his excitable familia member, "Was all that really necessary, Hana?"
Hana crossed her arms, closed her eyes, and gave a deep and thoughtful hum before replying, "My apologies, but I cannot hold back my feelings when something artful or eccentric is before me."
Bell knew that would be her answer. She'd been here a short time and Bell already expected such. He couldn't help but smile at that. It meant he understood his new familia members more and more each day. He hoped they in turn were understanding him as well.
Syr eventually returned, holding a wrapped up boxed lunch in her hands, "Here you go, just as promised."
Bell took it and smiled in gratitude, "Thanks Syr! I appreciate it."
She nodded and said, "Anytime you want a little lunch to take to the dungeon, come by here and I'll have one ready for you."
Bell nodded and tried his best not to smile like an idiot. His grandfather told him stories about this, absolutely embellished ones he admits, but this was still something he did not expect. He couldn't believe his fortune, a cute girl making lunches for him? Unbelievable!
It made Bell all the happier knowing it was real.
With a wave behind him, Bell and Hana both went down their way to the dungeon, leaving a happy maid to stare at their retreating figures.
"Nya? Was that the white haired dine-and-dasher Mama Mia scared yesterday?" The voice came from behind, a brown haired cat girl, also dressed in the pub uniform, "That the one Syr?"
Syr did not reply, seemingly only to beam brighter in her happiness.
"Man you got some tough luck there," she went on, "with a chest that big, that's not gonna be easy competition, nya!"
"…"
"Seriously, squeezing those girls into that armor couldn't be easy, nya! And that corset seemed set pretty comfortably too, guess she's got a good waist as well, nya!"
"..."
"I can imagine it in the dungeon already, nya! Surrounded by monsters, armor torn apart, barely making it out by the skin of their teeth, nya. Then, coming back, emotions are high, bodies are filthy and sweaty with exertion, and then White-Hair jumps into act-"
She felt two hands on her ears, holding them firmly and none too gently. She stares at Syr who was holding unto her ears and giving her a wintery smile.
"Anya…" Syr spoke in a voice that brought a chill to her spine.
The girl, Anya, now in Syr's grasp, shook like a leaf at her friend's demeanor.
"Nya! Syr I was just joking, nya. It was just an innocent joke, nya!"
"…"
"Hey, nya! You're squeezing my ears awfully tight, nya!"
"…"
Nya! Nya! Nya! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Too tight! Too tight!!"
Eventually the two members of the Hestia familia found themselves on the second floor of the dungeon, dealing with a surprise today.
With a shout, Bell cut the chest open of another goblin that went at him. It felt like his fiftieth, though he knows it's only his fifteenth or so. He heard a shout of exertion and saw another goblin fly out past his side and impact the ground with a solid thud and crack as it landed neck first.
Hana backed herself to Bell's back and stared in front of her at the eight other goblins before her, Bell was doing just the same with the seven in front of him.
Whether by chance or dumb luck, the two found themselves in a bit of a pickle. As they were venturing down through the second floor, the dungeon decided that now was a good time to summon nearly forty goblins near their location, a 'mass spawn' as it were known. A rare phenomenon when the dungeon spawns way more than the average monsters in a single moment.
To some adventurers, it was a massive payout, a good sized group of monsters ready to be cut down by an excited party of adventurers, ready to earn what they came here for.
To others however, it was a worst case scenario. Tired and weary after so long in the dungeon, now they have to deal with a sudden rush of monsters. It was practically a death sentence.
Bell and Hana were determined not to be the latter in that example.
The goblins charged then, and Bell and Hana met them. Hana kept her distance and only acted when the goblins attacked and overreached themselves. She managed to take one by its wrist and with a twist and pull, she took the creature's arm out of its socket. She followed up by pivoting and throwing the goblin into another as hard as she could, sending them both flying into the dungeon's walls, the creatures gave a shrill cry before impacting into the wall. Their bodies bursting into ash was enough confirmation for Hana to focus on the rest.
Bell was much more aggressive in his approach. Using his best asset, speed, Bell dashed to the nearest goblin and swung at it with his knife, the beast fell back bleeding before bursting to ash, leaving behind a magic stone. Bell continued, dash and cut, dash and cut, again and again. He went at exposed necks, bellies, hearts, and ribs. Any vital point he could hit to end the creatures as fast as he could. It didn't always work and he had to return to one or two and finish them off properly.
A sudden exclamation drew Bell's attention to Hana. She was taking a step back from a goblin that seemed to have gotten a good hit in with its claws. Hana still held her martial art stance but she was trailing blood down an arm. Bell could see the claw marks that tore her clothing and cut into her.
The goblin made to leap at her again to follow up on his attack and Hana could tell she wouldn't have enough time to counter attack.
She didn't have to though.
A white blur passed her vision and suddenly Bell was before her, knife in hand. He struck out at the goblin with a thrust of his knife, stabbing the monster in its shoulder. It gave a cry and went to swing with its other claw, fury overwriting pain. Bell struck at the goblin's chest with his knife and soon after, the creature burst into ash.
Bell couldn't relax just yet though, there were still some monsters left and he readied his guard.
Which he found out he didn't have to either.
An armored fist struck out into the goblin's cheek, knocking it back before being followed by several more consecutive hits by a blond haired, red ribboned woman.
Chitoge gave a mighty shout and delivered a precise uppercut to the goblin's head, knocking it back with a savage 'crack' sound. It burst into ashes shortly after.
Chitoge took a breath and moved to Bell and Hana, never taking her eyes off the goblins, "You two alright?" she asked.
Hana answered first, "A scratch on the arm is the worst I have right now and it's not bad," it stung a bit, she admits, but it was negligible for right now.
"I'm fine as well," Bell replied, "Did you come alone?" He knew Chitoge left with the others to get registered at the guild and the process should be relatively quick with Arue informing them on the way.
Chitoge gave a brief start and Bell saw the ends of her ribbon stand up like rabbit ears. How did that happen?
"Umm…I may have ran ahead of them…by a lot," Chitoge answered sheepishly, this was true, the second all the paperwork and questions were answered, she pretty much dashed right into the dungeon when she saw the entrance of it.
She recalled the others calling out to her, something about 'reckless,' 'impulsive,' and 'how daring to charge into dark-' she didn't hear the rest of that last one.
After entering the first floor, she was immediately in awe. A dungeon. An actual dungeon! Like the stories she read and games she played. It wasn't long on her way in that she ran into her first enemy, a kobold. It was intimidating at first with its swiping claws and gnashing fangs but Chitoge quickly lost her apprehension when she saw she was both faster and stronger than the beast.
A multi-combo with her guild issued gauntlets brought the beast to its end.
This brought her confidence up even higher and she was soon facing one beast after another and bringing pain and defeat to them in droves. As she went on further into the dungeon, she soon caught sight of Bell and Hana and saw that they were in a bit of a pickle. She dashed to them and here she was now, facing meager goblins alongside them.
There weren't many left and Chitoge was confident in their chances of victory.
It was at that moment that the dungeon decided to challenge that.
Cracks started to form in the walls ahead of them and they saw more goblins begin to spawn before their very eyes.
In total, ten goblins spawned then and there. To add more insult to injury, Bell spotted three holding what looked like stone daggers.
Bell knew better enough, thanks to Eina, to know what those weapons are.
"Be careful!" Bell exclaimed, "Those are land-form weapons!"
A rare item that the dungeon spawned at random anywhere in the dungeon and if a wandering monster was smart enough, it would recognize it as a weapon and utilize it as such.
Thankfully it shouldn't mean much right now, their opponents were still just goblins, alot of them to be sure, but goblins nonetheless.
Bell had faced such odds before and he managed to drag himself back home. With Hana and Chitoge here, he was in no doubt that they would succeed.
Before anyone or anything could react however, someone decided to make themselves known.
Bell made out a quick purple blur heading to one of the goblins. As it passed it, the goblin's head flew off its shoulders in a spout of blood. The figure paused in the midst of them and Bell saw it was Takeru, who was looking down at the sword in her hand that barely had a drop of blood on it from the kill .
It looked to be a guild issue weapon, similar to Bell's knife. He would have gotten the sword instead of the knife, were he to have had more funds at that time.
Takeru looked as though she would have liked anything else than the sword in her hands. It wasn't up to her sense of quality, it was functional to be sure but she could tell it would require much more maintenance if she wanted to use it effectively.
If it even could be used effectively to her liking.
A goblin tried to take advantage of her distracted state and leaped at her backside, a stone knife to bring down on her head.
Before the knife was even an inch away from grazing her hair, Takeru moved. She was a brief blur before appearing behind the attacking goblin, the goblin in turn continued on only to suddenly split cleanly in two and bursting into ash to signify its end.
Takeru went on the attack in earnest now. Speeding along and cutting down one after the other, sending blood and limbs flying before they too were reduced to ash.
Bell, Hana, and Chitoge were entranced. They hadn't expected anything like this, not from someone who was a fresh adventurer.
Chitoge was amazed at the site. Takeru was showing such speed and technique that Chitoge was admittedly jealous. She prided herself on her own fitness and physical abilities but Takeru had her beat in almost every aspect. It made her envious and want to push herself all the more and she fidgeted in place as she stared at the display, anxious to move but too entranced at the display.
Hana was in a similar state but she could not find herself to be jealous at the site. She in truth expected this, Takeru Yamato was a famous figure in her studies back in her world. A warrior, a legend. Though admittedly a man as well, Hana chalked this up to the summoning magic bringing her in from a different world like herself. Regardless though, this Takeru was living up to the tales with each movement and swing of the sword. It was like watching art move and be made before her eyes. Hana could only stare in awe, the pain in her shoulder from the attack already forgotten.
Bell was amazed as well and he felt his chest burn with excitement. As he watched Takeru dispatch foe after foe, he tried to study her movements and technique, taking in as much information as possible from the warrior before him. A sudden thought reached his mind though, Takeru was a level one, like himself, but she moved and fought like someone two levels higher than him, maybe more.
It was vexing to be sure and Bell would have to ask about that some other time.
For now though, he observed and studied the swordswoman in action. Taking in every action he could see and remember.
Eventually there was only one goblin left, who was intelligent enough to back away when the blood started to really fly. Takeru just cut down another goblin, leaving it the sole remaining survivor.
It hissed at her and backed up a few feet, never taking its eyes off her. She in turn just stared at the little monster with a blank expression, unimpressed by its attempt at bravado. She stood still as it backed away from her, gnashing and growling as it did. She made no attempt to pursue it and finish it off.
It was time someone else had a turn anyway.
A blade punched through the back of the goblin's head, ending its retreat.
Koukin watched as the creature burst into ash upon her blade, leaving only a trail of blood on her blade to signify its passing. She walked where it once stood and reached down to pick up the magic stone it dropped.
She gazed at it for a bit before putting it in a pouch at her side. She looked around then and spotted Takeru and the rest.
"I guess this wasn't much of an issue for you then?" She asked Takeru, who gave a deep sigh, expressing her disappointment.
"No it wasn't," she replied, "I know these creatures are supposed to be relatively easy," she stared down at the magic stones and ash on the ground, "but I expected something more challenging still."
"You were amazing!"
The exclamation by Bell surprised Takeru, who turned to him with wide eyes.
"The way you moved and fought was incredible! I could barely keep up with just watching!" Bell's excitement was as visible on his face as it was in his voice.
"Yeah," Chitoge added, "I couldn't come close to that skill, I mean," she gave a loud exhale and ended with, "wow."
Hana didn't have anything to add, she only nodded but her excitement was obvious, given her nodding head was a blur.
"My, my. Takeru is already making herself into the familia favorite," Arue chose that moment to appear behind Koukin, hand held up to her eyepatch in a dramatic gesture, "Such praise already? It's enough to make this Crimson Demon jealous."
She spoke her words with no malice and nobody could take her words seriously when she posed like that.
Takeru wasn't one to accept such praise for doing something she didn't feel too accomplished about but she nonetheless smiled, thankful for the kind words.
"In any case," Koukin interrupted, trying to get things on task, "As you can tell already, myself, Miss Kirisaki, and Miss Yamato have successfully registered with the guild and are now adventurers."
Polite clapping followed, Bell and Hana both congratulating them. Such good souls.
"Now we can get down to business," Koukin focused her attention on Bell, who jumped at her sharp eyed focus, "Captain. What is the plan for our journey into the dungeon?"
Bell was struck dead still at the sudden question. She was asking him all the sudden? Why?
He then remembered, he was the captain, the first member of the Hestia familia and these were his familia members now and he realized the sudden responsibility he had.
The authority expected of him.
He didn't notice it too much with Arue and Hana but now that his familia had grown even further, he suddenly felt that weight of responsibility on his shoulders even more so.
He looked at Koukin and saw her eyes, they were not looking at him in judgment or doubt, but he could see something behind them. A test perhaps? Was she testing him?
Bell remembered Eina's words when he was with Arue and Hana upon their registration.
"They are your responsibility, Bell. In more than just adventuring. They are part of your Familia and you need to watch after them."
Watch after them.
Lead them.
Bell answered.
"For now we'll take it easy today," he began, "We'll go down to the fourth floor but no further. With our party size, we should be able to handle things that far down."
Koukin stared at Bell for a moment before nodding in agreement. The others voiced their agreement as well, Chitoge being the loudest by jumping in excitement at the pronouncement.
And so they went, to explore what they could see and fight what they could. Keeping a close eye on one another for the duration of their journey.
Koukin was not impressed with her captain.
Not yet anyway.
He had potential, she could see that easily enough. Anyone with a good pair of eyes could see that, once you looked past the obvious flaws.
Inexperienced, hesitant, shy, and meek were already visible and abundant when she first met him.
But as their party ventured down to the fourth floor, she saw a different side of him in the dungeon.
Quick, decisive, vigilant, and brave were on display before her eyes. As well as many other observations she could make of him.
But it still wasn't enough. Not for her and if she was honest, not for the familia.
It was something to discuss and work on later, for now though…
Koukin dodged a swiping claw from a kobold and followed with a backhand slash with her sword, cutting the beast's throat open.
It sprayed out its blood upon her briefly before dissipating into ash.
Koukin was proud of the successful kill but frowned at the blade in her hands. A guild issued sword left much to be desired but it would do for now. Nevermind that she was proficient in using a different weapon altogether.
She was also not the only one dissatisfied with her new equipment.
Takeru gave a clean severing cut to a goblin running towards her, its head flying off and impacting against the dungeon's walls with a wet sound.
Without looking, she reversed her grip on the sword and stabbed behind her towards the ground, impaling a dungeon lizard by its head that was trying to sneak up behind her.
She then pivoted and cut down another kobold that attempted to rush her.
Each strike was made with practice intent and every kill was done perfectly.
Yet none of that changed the awkwardness Takeru felt. What she felt when she killed the first monster she came across and every monster since.
She had a bad blade in her hands.
Normally she would adjust to any weapon she could wield, regardless of quality. But the guild sword was different. It felt too flimsy, the edge didn't cut right, and she was making every attempt to stop herself from breaking the sword on every swing or thrust.
The answer came to her then, it wasn't the sword's fault for what it was, it was a decent blade in the hands of any starting adventure.
It wasn't so great in the hands of an experienced and powerful warrior. In her hands, it felt like a fragile piece of iron, one wrong swing away from snapping in two.
Adventures who use powerful weapons at low levels typically grow their status much slower than average. In Takeru's case, she was using a much weaker weapon than what she would normally have.
Was she growing quicker as a result? Probably. Was it worth it though? Definitely not.
An adequate blade could make the difference in a life or death situation and though she knew she was definitely stronger than the creatures she's facing on the upper floors, possibly even a few floors below her as well if she was honest, she did not want to take a risk and keep utilizing the poor blade in her hand.
She wouldn't discard it, not yet at least. For now though, she would continue using the sword as carefully as she could.
She just had to make sure to earn enough today to obtain a more adequate blade later.
Chitoge was having the time of her life right now.
A downward strike from her put down a dungeon lizard just ahead of her.
A quick flip from the strike had her avoid a kobold's claws. She was quick to return to the offense and met the kobold head on. Several debilitating strikes and one final kick to its neck put the monster down.
There was a cathartic joy in this, she admits. Running straight into the dungeon, fighting monsters, exploring further, and snagging rare drops.
Her life really became a fantasy adventure!
She turned her gaze to see three goblins running at her, their snarling faces aimed right at her along with their claws and fangs.
She knew family members that were scarier.
Chitoge rubbed one of her new gauntlets covering her hands with a smile on her face.
It was always nice to cut loose like this.
She ran at them in earnest and gave a cry that could be mistaken for an angry gorilla.
So the new party and familia went. Fighting monsters, collecting magic stones and rare drops, as well as venturing around the area in order to have a better understanding of it.
Bell was glad to be a part of this. He had a party now and they were making all the difference compared to all the times he went in alone.
He always felt he had to keep his head on a swivel when exploring the dungeon. Always on the lookout for monsters lying in wait to ambush him. Always entering with apprehension in his heart.
Now though, things have changed, he no longer had to look over his shoulder constantly for monster attacks, he no longer had to scour the ground by himself for any magic stone he missed or oversighted in his adventuring.
He now had a familia to help him, both himself and his Goddess.
This did not mean he would be lax now that he had additional aid. If anything, he wanted to push himself even further and work harder for his familia now more than ever. He knew it was a bit ridiculous, he was already helping them and they in turn were helping him, and together they all were helping the Goddess and the familia.
Regardless of the thought being ridiculous, Bell especially felt the need to push himself after seeing everyone in action.
Hana's martial art was a great counter offensive and delivered so much with so little movement.
Chitoge by contrast, struck and hit every monster with fierce speed and surprising strength. In addition, she was quick footed and athletic, dodging and even flipping from oncoming attacks.
Arue was their spell caster who used her quick casting spell as easy as if she was breathing. She never seemed to run out of energy when casting. It made Bell wonder what her other spells could do and how powerful they were as well.
Koukin was taking lead as a commander and observer of sorts. Alerting of any monsters incoming on their location and giving brief orders of attack. Bell didn't begrudge her for issuing orders, especially since a skill of hers apparently boosted their abilities somewhat. He actually felt it when she told him to attack a pack of kobolds. He imagined the others could feel it as well.
That left Takeru, who was the perfect definition of a vanguard. Any monster that remotely got close to her was immediately cut down. There was never wasted movement with her swings. Each cut was done to slay immediately and swiftly return to cut again. Her style was very different from what Bell had seen and he found himself wondering if it could be taught.
Something to ask her later.
But so it went. The Hestia familia continued to face the creatures inside the dungeon. All the while they were familiarizing themselves with the fourth floor to the best of their abilities. Some were just content to explore and fight, some were taking mental notes on where bottlenecks or choke points were at.
Eventually though the time came for them to call it a day and head back to the service. With their magic-gem pouches stuffed full. Takeru more so than the others, who's pouch was near bursting at her waist. One could even see a stone poke out of it slightly where she had it tied off.
It was a great day for the Hestia familia. Profitable and exciting.
Bell was absolutely grateful for it all. He was still getting to know his new familia members but this journey definitely helped him get an understanding of them, understanding their skills at the very least. Them personally however?
Bell had to work on that to say the least.
As the party ascended from the dungeon, Bell came to recognize something.
The closer they got to the surface, the more other adventures were staring at them.
It started small from level four, just a curious glance before they turned their attention back to the dungeon. But as they traveled up each floor and came across more and more people in the dungeon, the glances became open stares. Mostly at the girls around him, which Bell could not blame them, he found himself staring at them at times as well at times.
Especially when Arue got…dramatic.
When they finally exited the dungeon and were now walking the streets, Bell now felt the stares in full. Fellow adventurers, passersbys, stall workers, and common citizens alike were looking in their direction.
Bell followed where their gazes went. Some went to Arue and Hana, who ignored them with ease. Some went to Chitoge, who returned some stares with one of her own…well not really a stare, more so a glare that definitely got them to look away. Takeru had her own stares directly at her but if she gave any sign of acknowledging them, Bell couldn't see.
Koukin had the most stares directed at her, gazing at her form, her face, her pose, and especially her clothing. Out of all of them, she attracted the most attention and she did not care at all for receiving it.
She weathered the stares as if she was a mountain against the wind. She gave no semblance to acknowledge the gazes and still walked forward with her head held high and a confident stride.
Bell found himself staring at her, not in the shameless gazing that more than a few already gave her, but in admiration.
He doubted he'd be brave against such gazes of any kind.
The irony wasn't lost on him given his goals. He would eventually have to accept such looks in his life.
He only hopes that when it happens.
They would look up to him, like he did to others.
"Bell."
Koukin's voice brought Bell's attention into the present and he briefly panicked that when he stared at her, she grew offended then.
She was already facing the stares in the streets, adding his own so close would not help things at all!
"Stand by me."
Bell quickly came to her side, matching her pace with his own.
"Is there something-?" Bell started to ask.
Koukin reached over to Bell's arm and wrapped it with her own.
Bell nearly jumped at the sudden contact. He could feel her body so close to his, especially given her chest being pressed against his arm. On top of that, his arm was maybe an inch or two away from slipping into the 'vast' cleavage her clothes offered.
He tried to use words, but he failed. He briefly thought of escaping but her grip was tight, very tight.
He was running out of options, and before he finally managed to form proper words, Koukin cut him off.
"Don't panic," her words were spoken softly but they still possessed some edge, "just look and walk forward and try to relax for heaven's sake."
'That's not as easy as it sounds!'
Bell wanted to scream that but that would just bring more attention towards them.
To Bell's credit though, he walked on and kept his gaze forward. Trying his best to ignore the soft sensation on his arm, or the pleasant warmth, or the nice smell.
He saw though that Koukin's sudden action had an effect on the people around them. The looks they were getting earlier had decreased and now most weren't trying to pay attention to them. Some even looked away with tears running down their faces, their anguish clear to see.
"My apologies," Koukin suddenly said, "I thought I could handle the stares I was receiving but," she trails off and looks down a bit, "It was getting difficult after a while so I had to think of something."
Bell was concerned now, his flustered behavior now replaced with genuine concern for his familia member. "It's alright," he said, "I'm glad to help. It's just that," he trailed off, looking for the words, "How does grabbing my arm help with the stares?"
She was doing much more than grabbing his arm, given her chest was so pressed against him.
Koukin gave a smile and answered, "Because now they're looking at someone else."
Bell realized then that she was right, the stares he was receiving earlier seemed to have doubled in the last few seconds. Those who were looking and Koukin and her outfit were now staring right at him.
And their gazes were not appreciative ones. In fact they looked downright hostile and envious.
Bell could tell that the appreciative gazes that were once on Koukin were now directed squarely at him.
Jealousy and rage were pointed at him in equal measure and Bell had to fight the instinctual urge to run away because otherwise he might drag his party member around with him in the attempt.
It only got worse when he started picking up some whispers in the crowd here and there.
"That scrawny guy is walking around with such a babe on his arm? Unreal."
"Check out the cuties around that white-haired kid. Guy's living the dream right there!"
"Why…why do some people have all the luck. Why must we suffer in such single lonely lives?!"
"Dude…aren't you a God? This is embarrassing to look at."
"I don't care!"
Bell thought it best to ignore anything else he overheard, it was just getting sad.
He definitely tried to ignore the envious threats he could barely make out as well.
Bell just kept walking, doing his best not to be flustered by Koukin clinging to him, or let the sudden attention on him bother him.
It was a very difficult walk back to the guild, didn't help matters that Bell could hear Arue giggling behind them.
Just another day for the Hestia familia.
And a crazy day for Bell Cranell.