The next day, as I woke up and headed out, the mansion's grandeur seemed even more surreal in the morning light. As curiosity led me to seek out my dad, who had been missing since last night.
As I navigated the mansion's ridiculous large corridors, I finally spotted my dad.
I approached, my carefree demeanor intact. "Hey, old man, what's the scoop? Planning to add a moat or maybe a secret passage to this already extravagant place?" I teased, always ready to inject a dose of levity into any situation.
Will's dad looked at him and replied, "As I've said, son, we're hunters, not interior designers."
Will, not one to let an opportunity for sarcasm slip by, quipped, "Well, we could start a side business, you know? 'Hunters & Home Decor,' has a nice ring to it."
His dad, known for his stoic demeanor, shot him a tiny smile. It was a subtle acknowledgment of Will's antics, hidden beneath the mask of a seasoned hunter.
Curiosity getting the better of him, Will asked, "So, what did you and Mr. Moneybags talked about yesterday?"
His dad maintained his calm expression, replying, "We're just catching up, like old friends."
The air held a sense of mystery, as if the conversation with Mr. Money Bags was more than just a casual chat. Will, however, had learned not to press too hard when his dad wore that particular expression. With a nonchalant shrug, he decided to let the secrets of the mansion unfold at their own pace.
Finally, we were led to the grand dining room for breakfast. There, Saya sat alone, a visible hint of melancholy clouding her expression. Yet, as her gaze met mine, a small "hmph" escaped her lips, concealing a tiny smile that flickers like a hidden gem.
During breakfast, Saya smugly observed my every move, her eyes conveying her superiority to me. After the meal, me and dad are preparing to leave for home, I caught a glimpse of a somber expression on her face. Determined to lift her spirits, I approached her.
"Hmph," she responded, still projecting the ojou sama vibes. I couldn't resist teasing her, "Cheer up, princess."
She scoffed, "Commoner."
With a playful smirk, I retorted, "Yes, princess," patting her head gently. A faint blush tinted her cheeks, revealing a side of Saya that seemed to soften beneath her tough exterior.
Saya, still feigning indifference, muttered, "Try to entertain me next time, commoner."
I glanced at my dad, who nodded approvingly. Smirking, I agreed, "Sure, princess," patting her head once more.
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A few days passed, and the cloud-like bed and pink wonderland felt like distant dreams as I found myself back in the riveting world of elementary school.
In the classroom, I couldn't help but let out a dramatic sigh. "God, I'd rather fight a horde of zombies or get probed by an alien than go to school. Blergh." The prospect of facing the formidable forces of education seemed more daunting than a supernatural apocalypse or extraterrestrial experimentation.
Little did my classmates know that they shared the room with a legendary dragon slayer who had recently engaged in doll roleplay with an ojou-sama. Ah, the tales they'd miss out on during their mundane school days.
As my mind wandered into the realms of avoiding school-related responsibilities, a familiar face approached my chair. Well, familiar in the sense that we were neighbors – that is, when Dad and I weren't holed up in our wood shack.
"Yo, Riri, whatchu doin' here?" I greeted her, my trademark carefree tone in full swing.
She blushed a bit before replying, "I'm good, Will. I'm just wondering if you've done your homework. Your dad asked me if you've done it."
'Ah, crap. I totally forgot about that.'
But before I could panic, she reassured me, "It's okay, Will. I'll help you."
"Thanks, Riri. Always could count on you," I grinned, acknowledging the dependable ally I had in this educational battlefield.
Even though she was a year younger, she always had my back when it came to homework. Yeah, yeah, laugh it off – a girl who's a grade below me helping me with math. The struggles of being a legendary dragon slayer extended to the realm of equations and theorems.
After a 30-minute crash course on conquering the treacherous terrain of math problems, we emerged victorious. "Thanks, Riri. Always knew I could count on you," I said, acknowledging her as the unsung hero of my academic struggles.
"Anytime, Will," she replied with a warm smile, the embodiment of reliability.
Then it hit me – it's currently lunch time. "Ah, crap, Riri, sorry. Did you eat lunch? Don't worry; you can share mine."
She blushed and nodded appreciatively, and we settled in for a lunchtime chat.
"So, Riri, any exciting plans for the weekend?" I inquired between bites of a hastily assembled sandwich.
She looked at me, her eyes gleaming with a hint of anticipation. "Hey, Will, are you free this Saturday? My sister and I are going to the park, and I was wondering if you want to hang out."
I grinned, "Sure thing, Riri. Anything for you."
She smiled, seamlessly using my chopsticks to enjoy her portion of lunch. 'Hmm, why is she blushing? Does she have a fever?' I pondered silently.
"Are you okay, Riri?" I asked, genuine concern seeping into my carefree tone.
"Ye-ye-yeah, everything's fine," she stammered, her blush deepening.
I turned away, deciding to focus on my sandwich, unaware of the whispered confession that followed.
"Does this count as an indirect kiss, right?" Riri whispered, her words almost lost in the rustle of lunchtime chatter.
As I concentrated on my sandwich, I couldn't quite make out what she said. "Did you say something, Riri?"
"Nothing, Will," she smiled innocently, a secret between chopsticks and unspoken words lingering in the air.
The bell rang, signaling the end of our lunchtime adventure. Riri left the classroom, and I found myself once again immersed in the perilous battlefield of math equations. The weekend plans with Riri, however, provided a glimmer of excitement amidst the academic chaos.
