Author: Suisei
Translator: Rinkage

Character page: Here

Rinkage’s note:

By the way, a friend of mine recently started a YouTube channel about US Navy ships and naval history. It’s something completely different from what I write, but honestly pretty cool if you’re into that kind of stuff.

If you’re interested, you can check it out here

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Chapter 198 – I watched the fight between my former subordinate and my friend

It didn’t take long to find the perfect spot for their match. While Happiness and I were fired up, Raven still looked unconvinced. The whole setup felt like I was the coach and Happiness was the athlete. As baffling as this situation was, I honestly wanted to see Happiness knock Raven down a peg. He was getting way too cocky.

“Hey, we’re actually doing this? This has to be a joke, right? Youki, you’re the one fighting me instead, aren’t you?” [Raven]

He sounded confident, casually wielding his sword in one hand while still holding the bouquet in the other. Was that his way of saying he only needed one hand to beat Happiness?

“Happiness, looks like Raven thinks he can handle you with just one hand. He’s seriously underestimating you.” [Youki]

“…Fired up.” [Happiness]

Happiness tightened the grip on her fan, her determination reaching its peak.

“Wait, wait! That’s not what I meant! I just think dueling with Happiness is-” [Raven]

“Enough excuses. Let’s start!… Ready, go!” [Youki]

At my signal, Happiness dashed forward, her fan spinning gracefully as she launched a flurry of attacks. Raven skillfully deflected each strike, his sword movements precise and fluid.

“Happiness… Damn it, sorry.” [Raven]

Raven was calmer than I expected. With a single swift motion, he parried her fan and pointed the tip of his sword at her neck. His expression relaxed; he probably thought the match was over.

“With this, it’s settl-ugh!?” [Raven]

There was no way the match would be decided that easily. That fan was made from Happiness’s own feathers. It could be hardened, used as a projectile, or even as a distraction.

“…Not yet.” [Happiness]

“Raven, did you really think Happiness was that weak? She was my subordinate, you know?” [Youki]

Back when we were holed up in the Demon Lord’s castle, training was basically all we did. There was no way I was the only one working hard. If I were training, I made sure the other three were, too. Sheik would often do his own thing, either playing around or reading books, but Duke and Happiness were different. Duke probably trained the most, considering his stamina, but Happiness was still strong in her own right.

“Tch… that fan is a real pain to deal with.” [Raven]

“That’s not all-” [Happiness]

Happiness was specialized in mid-range combat. She was proficient in magic, and her feathers could act as projectiles. Against a close-ranged swordsman, she had plenty of ways to keep her distance; either using feathers and wind magic as distractions, or earth magic to restrict movements. For Raven, who relied on mobility, being unable to move freely must be frustrating. However…

“…I surrender.” [Happiness]

Even with all that, she still couldn’t win. Between Happiness and Duke, Duke was the stronger fighter. However, considering that Raven had already defeated Duke before, it made sense that Happiness couldn’t beat him either.

Raven dodged every one of her attacks, knocked her fan out of her hands, then tackled her to the ground. Straddling her, he pinned both her wrists with one hand to immobilize her, ending the match.

“So, in the end, not even Happiness could win against Raven, huh? She wasn’t at a disadvantage, and her strategy was solid, but… Raven is just too fast.” [Youki]

“Of course. I’m still the commander of the knights and a member of the hero’s party… I may have lost to Youki, but I refuse to lose to Happiness. Besides, wouldn’t it be pathetic if the boyfriend is weaker than his girlfriend?” [Raven]

“Yeah, uh… maybe don’t say that out loud?” [Youki]

“But, it’s the truth. I’ll protect Happiness with this sword.” [Raven]

It probably would’ve sounded a lot cooler if he wasn’t still straddling her while holding a bouquet.

“Raven, maybe try saying things that match your current look. I get what you mean, but you do realize how weird this scene is, right?” [Youki]

“Youki, I’m just being honest about my feelings.” [Raven]

“…I see.” [Youki]

Thinking about it, this was ultimately between Happiness and Raven. It wasn’t my place to interfere. No matter how much I thought about stepping in, at the end of the day, this was something they needed to figure out on their own.

“I’d like to help Happiness, but… I don’t think I can.” [Youki]

“…Advice.” [Happiness]

“Yeah, easier said than done.” [Youki]

Raven had started taking a more proactive approach lately. Happiness didn’t seem to outright dislike it, but it was clear that something about it wasn’t sitting right with her.

“Why, Happiness? All I wanted was to make you happy-” [Raven]

“Yeah, no. Stop right there. The way you said that just makes you sound full of yourself.” [Youki]

Judging by how much shaken he looked, he really hadn’t seen that response coming. Honestly, this was a complete character break for him. They should probably just take a step back and have an actual conversation.

“Raven, both of you probably have a lot to talk about …so maybe it’s time to let go of her?” [Youki]

He was still straddling Happiness, pinning her arms down while having this conversation. The match had ended earlier, so there was no reason for him to stay in that position. Honestly, from an outsider’s perspective, it kinda looked like he was forcing himself on her. And that was definitely not what being proactive meant.

As soon as my words registered, Raven quickly jumped off her in a fluster, muttering a hasty apology. Finally, he was back to his usual self. Happiness, on the other hand, didn’t seem fazed at all. She simply straightened her clothes and gave him a small, amused smile, which caught me off guard. She wasn’t the type to show such an open expression. Maybe it had something to do with Raven acting like himself again.

Although the situation felt a bit awkward, since she’d asked for advice, I figured I might as well give it a shot.

“That’s more like it. What’s with all the rushing? That’s not like you, and it’s throwing Happiness off. Let me guess… You saw how much Yuuga had grown and started overthinking your own situation. Well, I’ll be blunt… this ain’t working.” [Youki]

Trying to imitate Yuuga’s approach would never fly.

“I wasn’t imitating him. I just… felt like I couldn’t stay the same anymore, I took action in my own way.” [Raven]

“And what’s the real reason?” [Youki]

“That is the real reason.” [Raven]

“Come on, you’re holding something back. Just spit it out. You never say stuff out loud, so just let loose for once.” [Youki]

“Like hell I will!” [Raven]

His frustration was so palpable that I couldn’t help but chuckle. Honestly, he could stand to be a little more upfront with himself. Happiness probably wouldn’t hold it against him. As for me? I’d just pretend I never saw anything.

I averted my gaze as Raven loomed closer. Maybe if I played dumb, he’d let it go?

“…Hesitation.” [Happiness]

“Yep. Seems like Raven’s been holding back with you, Happiness.” [Youki]

“Hey!” [Raven]

“…Bring it on.” [Happiness]

“See? She’s literally giving you the green light. Now, lean in and take the plunge. Give in to your instinct- become the beast you were meant to be.” [Youki]

“…Are you saying I should devour her?” [Raven]

Okay, maybe we were taking this joke a little too far. But damn, it was fun. Happiness wasn’t stopping us either, so it was probably fine. We rode the momentum and kept up the tag-team teasing until Raven finally hit his limit.

“…Enough already. You two are way out of line.” [Raven]

“Yeah, okay. Maybe we did push it a little. But you know… we weren’t entirely joking. Right, Happiness?” [Youki]

“…Confirmed.” [Happiness]

“…Even so, telling me to ‘become a beast’ is not helping.” [Raven]

He didn’t seem to budge. I supposed it was time to bring out the big guns.

I leaned in close and whispered the plan to Happiness. She nodded in response, so we immediately moved into action. She stepped in and pressed her hands gently against Raven’s chest, looking up at him with those big, pleading eyes. The key here was to place her hands just right, making it impossible for him to ignore her. Now all that was left was for her to say something…

But-

“…”

She didn’t say a word. She just gazed at him in silence for a moment… then slowly closed her eyes.

…Wait, what?

Raven froze as he stared at her. I took the hint and turned my head away, raising a hand as a signal to him.

Come on, man. If you back out now, you’re not a real man.

A full minute passed before Happiness finally called me back.

“Alright, then. Let’s hear it. Say what you really want.” [Youki]

“…Go ahead.” [Happiness]

“…You sure?” [Raven]

Raven seemed to have made up his mind in the end.

“…Don’t, hold back.” [Happiness]

“…Alright. I want to openly flirt with Happiness in public.” [Raven]

He looked at her dead in the eyes and said it without a trace of hesitation. I couldn’t help but wonder… wasn’t this wish a little too ambitious? Maybe I should just offer him one of the spare rooms in my new place so they could get it out of their system. Yeah… no, that probably wouldn’t cut it.

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