A Surprising Request

It was getting late.

Ifrit was tired, and sleepy too.

He began seriously looking for an inn, lowering his standards a little.

But at that moment, that sort of service began again as the night market wound down.

"You really never give up, do you?"

Ifrit felt utterly helpless.

Young, handsome, and obviously wealthy from the way he dressed, he was surrounded by a group of girls who unabashedly displayed their charms.

"Sorry, I'm into pure love," Ifrit refused.

"Pure doing? That works too," one of the girls said something shocking. "Don't worry, I'll be very gentle!"

"You're the opposite of gentle! Handsome, don't agree to her—she's like a squirt bottle. So filthy!" Another girl shoved her aside.

"..."

Ifrit found it unbearable.

He was still a child!

Though he had been an office worker nearing thirty in his previous life, he was still what people commonly called a virgin.

"Found him!" Raid shouted. "Banjou, that's the big brother!"

"Wait, we shouldn't disturb him!" Seeing Ifrit surrounded by girls, Banjou immediately understood what was going on.

Stealing someone's money was already very rude.

Disturbing someone while he picked girls was even ruder!

Ifrit looked over, waved at them, and hurriedly said, "Make way, my girlfriend is here!"

The girls looked over. Seeing Banjou's height and bearing, they sensed she was not someone to provoke. A little sweet treat sounded nice, but they did not want trouble. Business was about mutual consent, and harmony brought wealth.

Everyone moved aside.

Ifrit somewhat awkwardly walked toward Banjou.

He thought of someone with hair the color of green onions.

Girls really were difficult to deal with.

This was more exhausting than taking down Eisenwald!

"Sorry, sorry, we didn't mean to interrupt your fun."

Banjou said this with a blush.

In truth, she had heard what Ifrit said, and it had greatly surprised her.

He looked two or three years younger than her, around eighteen or nineteen. For a young, vigorous boy like him to refuse those women's invitations, he either had to be a fool or have some ulterior motive.

Calling her his girlfriend—was he merely using her as an excuse, or had he seen that she was pretty and had other intentions? Was this the start of some scheme?

Ifrit waved his hand and said, "No, I'm actually grateful to you. I didn't want them to take me away and eat me. It was terrifying."

Banjou could not help laughing.

The way he said it made that sort of thing sound terrifying.

She had never experienced it herself, but she was already twenty. Everywhere she looked, men and women alike yearned for such things. If that was the case, how could it be something terrible to avoid?

Unless—

She looked at Ifrit strangely—

Was he still a virgin at this age?

That was quite rare.

Her look is really strange, Ifrit thought. He did not want to waste too much time either. He was very sleepy, so he asked, "Excuse me, did you need something from me?"

"Ah, right." Only then did Banjou remember the important matter. She hurriedly pulled Raid forward and said shamefully, "My name is Banjou, and this is my younger brother, Raid. He stole your money. I'm sorry—I failed to teach my brother properly!"

After saying that, she pulled Raid into a deep bow.

"Ah..." Ifrit had not expected them to come apologize. He adjusted his glasses, easing his slight surprise, and said, "I understand. It was only a little money, so I hadn't cared much. But since you came to apologize, I'm very touched."

"Raid used your money to buy roast duck. I'll compensate you with an equal amount," Banjou said. Then she took out a pink rabbit wallet and gave Ifrit the exact amount she had prepared beforehand.

Ifrit accepted it, then said, "Since you returned the money, we're even. And you helped me out of that situation, so I'm very grateful. Please take this money."

"Huh?" The two of them froze.

"It's just some spare change. Please don't refuse. I'm very tired and sleepy right now, and I don't want to delay finding an inn any longer." Ifrit stuffed the money into Raid's hand.

"Then I'll be taking my leave." With that, he left.

Seeing this, Banjou said, "Raid, go home first. I'll come back later."

"Yes, Banjou!" Raid nodded, then raised his fist and said excitedly, "Banjou, do your best!"

"Do my best at what?" Banjou looked completely confused, but Raid had already run off.

It took her several seconds to finally understand what Raid meant.

He must have misunderstood.

She had no such intentions.

A young, handsome, wealthy, gentlemanly, kind boy like him—his temperament had nothing to do with darkness. He had to be a mage from a legitimate guild. How could someone like her ever reach that high?

She shook her head and looked toward Ifrit.

Ah, he had already gone far away!

Banjou hurriedly chased after him.

"Um, if you don't mind, please let me help you find an inn."

Ifrit looked up at her.

Yes, up.

Banjou was a tall girl. She was probably about as tall as him even barefoot, and with her thick-soled shoes on, Ifrit had to tilt his head up to speak with her.

After thinking it over, Ifrit said, "Then I'll trouble you."

"Mm." Banjou nodded and asked, "May I ask whether you want an ordinary inn, or something else?"

Ifrit hurriedly cut her off. "Ordinary is fine! I've been walking around all day. My legs are sore and my feet hurt. I just want to take a bath and sleep comfortably."

"Alright. Please follow me."

They did not speak much along the way.

Out of courtesy, Ifrit told her his name, but he was not as warm toward Banjou as he had been toward Mirajane and the others.

Banjou led Ifrit to an old-fashioned inn in a somewhat secluded area.

The rates there were reasonable, so Ifrit stayed there.

"Um..." After struggling with herself several times, Banjou finally spoke.

"If it's some small matter you need help with, please just say it," Ifrit said.

When people did good deeds, they usually wanted something in return.

Unless they truly were kind people.

He believed there were good people who genuinely enjoyed helping others, but he was often wary of strangers, especially a mage whose background he knew nothing about.

They were conveniently inside the inn.

Banjou immediately dropped into a dogeza, kneeling deeply against the floor in a sincere plea.

She said, "I saw you at the restaurant before, and I know you have a camera. I want to pay you to come to my home and take a family portrait of me and my younger brothers and sisters. Please!"

Ifrit froze. He truly had not expected such a request.

It was so outrageous that he did not even think it was a trap.

After all, anyone who set a trap using such a reason had to be an idiot.

He asked in confusion, "You don't look like you're short on money. You could buy a camera, or get photos taken in town."