Negai o Kanaete Moraou to Akuma o Shōkan Shitakedo, Kawaikattanode Kekkonshimashita ~ Akuma no Nīdzu

It was morning, and in the shopping district, Theo walked through the same streets he walked through dozens, hundreds of times.

He shopped there by himself so much, that people started to get to know him.

Considering his appearance and personality, it was only natural.

“Good morning!”

“Oh, good morning Theo.”

He greeted an old woman setting up shop, who greeted him back the same way she would her own child.

“Good morning to you too Helvi.”

“Good morning. The whether seems nice today.”

The old woman also greeted Helvi who stood next to Theo.

Helvi smiled broadly… Or not, but she did respond in kind.

Just a few days before, the boy this old woman saw as a son brought along a girlfriend, or rather, a wife.

She had never seen such a beautiful woman, and could hardly believe it when a happy, embarrassed Theo introduced her.

Although she felt bad about it, she suspected she was merely deceiving him, but would later realize she was mistaken.

“Ah, this looks good.”

“Fufu, good eye Theo. Those just came in, and are very fresh.”

“Hmm… I cannot tell the difference. What is it Theo?”

“You see…”

Both were squatting to look at the vegetables more closely.

Although their faces were very close, neither became embarrassed or stepped back, something that would not happen when they first met.

As the old woman saw this, she felt relieved, thinking that Helvi seemed to truly care for him.

Those pure, innocent scenes stopped just three days prior… And according to people that lived near them, their nightly activities were the reason.

Their house was by no means new, and had little to no sound-proofing.

However, those sounds were only heard during that first night.

(I was starting to become worried that they were not getting along… But it seems they are doing just fine.)

Was her concern out of a parental affection of sorts for Theo, who she knew for years, or was there some other ulterior motive?

(Obviously an ulterior motive…)

Thought Helvi as she peeked into the old woman’s thoughts.

When they left their home the morning after their first night, she noticed that people looked at them weirdly. After reading their thoughts out of curiosity, she discovered that they could hear her voice and Theo’s while they were doing it.

Even Helvi could not help but become red with embarrassment, although Theo had no idea what was going on around him.

From that night forward, Helvi always made sure to set up a barrier.

(But there is no need to worry, we are getting along very well, and do it every day… Although I won’t say that.)

Helvi thought, but did not communicate it mentally as she did with Fiore, Xena, and Celia.

They found nice vegetables, but they could not buy them on the spot, as they were heading to the guild, so they had the old woman save some for them.

Afterwards they greeted and chatted with some more people they found on the way, and Helvi found by looking into their thoughts that they were all thinking the same thing as the old woman.

After arriving at the guild, they made their way towards Fiore’s counter as usual.

“Good morning Fiore!”

“Good morning Theo and Fiore.”

“Good morning.”

The three said their greetings with a smile, but in the meantime…

(Your skin is looking glossy Helvi… Did you do it last night too?)

(You too Fiore?)

(…It’s a little sad how used I am to you peeking in here.)

The two women had a conversation, although no one watching could tell.

As Fiore spoke with Helvi in her mind, she also talked with Theo.

“We have another named quest for you. A medicinal herb picking one.”

“Really!? Great…!”

Theo happily smiled about receiving a named quest, though he received them frequently.

Fiore started thinking about that cute Theo doing this and that with Helvi at night, and imagined herself in Helvi’s position as she spoke.

(You can fantasize all you want Fiore, but if you try to put it into practice… You know, right?)

(O-of course! I would never lay a finger on Theo!)

Fiore had no intention of picking a fight with someone that easily killed the Chimera.

She could see exactly how it would end, with only her blood being spilled.

(If you do not wish to see your blood spilled, that can easily be arranged. When I killed the Chimera by cutting its neck, not a drop of blood was spilled.)

(Leave my head where it is. I won’t do anything.)

She thought it was a joke, but coming from someone she knew could easily do it, it became more of a threat.

Still, since she was doing it because she treasured her husband, there was something cute about it… Just a little bit.

But she could not help but feel she overdid it.

There were two that tried to mess with Theo and Helvi just a little too much.

Fiore heard what happened to them… But did not want to imagine it.

(You would do well to be careful, if you do not wish to end up like them.)

(Y-yes, it’s alright. Safeguarding moderation is part of my job. I’m used to it.)

(Good.)

Fiore took care of the paperwork with Theo as she spoke with Helvi.

He seemed to not notice, and happily accepted his named quest.

“See you later Fiore!”

“Yes, see you later. Be careful.”

Theo and Helvi spontaneously held hands as they exited, which made Helvi happy.

(…Fiore has said ‘see you later’ to Theo many more times than I.)

Thought Helvi, but chose to tell neither Theo or Fiore.