Strange.

I’ve never been in love, but I’ve played plenty of games, I thought I had a good grasp on it.

I performed the demeanor of a lovestruck girl quite well, very natural, very adorable. So why did both Adam and Emily seem to freeze up?

Let me try perspective-taking.

A stranger abruptly intrudes during business hours, picks up the tea, makes a mess with it, starts telling a cringeworthy unrequited love story, acting like a total fan.

Eugh… yeah, that is kind of annoying.

Even with the life-saving favor, I shouldn’t get carried away. I treated them the way I would like to be treated, but they might not appreciate it. That’s just the complexity of human nature.

"Sorry, I think I’m being a bit too familiar."

Adam remained a broken robot. Emily kindly answered:
"Not at all! The Gray you mentioned… is that one of the heroes who fought the Demon King?"

Hard to say. Since this is a game world, it wouldn’t be strange if he had one or two half-siblings, cross-dressing sisters, or look-alikes.

Hmph, but that rotten-egg, foul, stinking aura of his is absolutely one of a kind.

"That’s him. Are you familiar with him, Emily?"

"It’s not so much that I’m familiar… He’s actually teaching my brother magic and often asks him to do odd jobs. Right?"

Under her adorable sister’s prompting, Adam finally returned to the world, looking utterly lost. He avoided my eyes and said:

"Yeah… Yeah. I’m currently making mana recovery potions for him, should be done in a couple of days."

Since I called Gray a rotten egg, I guess I’m the fly. The kind that can’t help but buzz toward the smell.

"Where is he now?"

"At the old watchtower by the forest. But he’s set up a barrier around it and only opens it on Wednesdays. I’ll deliver the potions next Wednesday."

Seems I can’t get close to Gray right away.

So, I first leaned toward Adam with shining eyes.

"That’s great! Would it be okay if I tagged along then?"

"…Of course."

Touched, I grabbed his hand tightly.

"Thank you!"

He slowly but firmly withdrew his hand, his expression like he’d touched something dirty.

The fly thing was just a metaphor.

"It’s good that I can help you."

He said that, but his expression was full of disdain, reminding me of a kid tricked into eating bitter melon.

What is with this guy?

Judging by his words, he keeps repeating things like "grateful" and "thank you," seeming to hold me in high regard.

But the moment I get close, he sprints backward at full speed, builds a high wall, and even hangs a "No Entry for Sylvia" sign on it. Utterly foolproof.

I get it. He’s the type with out-of-control pride. For people like him, accepting help is like taking on a high-interest loan—troublesome but must be repaid.

And I’m the annoying creditor.

It’s fine. I’m broad-minded. Hate me all you like. Just remember to repay the debt.

The sunset outside was fading. I smiled at the two of them and said:

"It’s getting late, I shouldn’t disturb you any longer. Adam, Emily, if you need anything, just call me through the contract anytime."

"Huh? Stay for dinner!"

"I’d love to, but I should hurry and find an inn. Time’s a bit tight."

I have no money, so I can’t get an inn. Luckily, the land in the forest is free. At worst, I can dig a three-block hole, jump in, and fill it up.

"Then just stay here! There’s an extra bed in my room~"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Emily glanced at her brother with an "Oops, wrong move" look.

His face was one of thunderstruck shock. Does he really dislike me that much?

Hah, but I won’t give you a chance to take it back.

I smiled at Emily.

"Then I’ll be imposing. Where’s the kitchen? I’ll help with dinner."

"It’s the stove inside the preparation room! I can handle it! Brother, you go take care of Mom."

Emily fled into the preparation room and closed the door, her face red as an apple.

Adam immediately stood up, took two bottles of medicine, and headed for the stairs.

I leaned closer to Adam and asked:

"This medicine is for…?"

Adam said:

"It’s for stimulating muscle activity. She lost the ability to walk due to an accident. Without regular use of this medicine, her legs would atrophy."

"Can I take a look? I know a bit about healing-related runes."

Adam’s eyes widened, a spark of light appearing on his face. He usually kept his emotions buried deep, but now bubbles of "surprise" were surfacing.

"Of course! Please!"

"You’re my contractor, no need to be so formal."

I followed Adam up the creaky stairs to the cramped second floor and into the room at the end.

The air was stuffy and damp, mixed with the bitterness of herbs and the sour smell of the human body. A thin woman sat on the bed, her gaze drifting toward the fields outside.

The sun hadn’t fully set yet, its broken light streaming through the window, casting her profile in a bloody hue.

Adam said softly:

"Mom, the doctor is here."

The woman looked at me, her face crinkling into a smile like crumpled paper.

"Hello. Are you new to town?"

"Yes. Pardon me."

I gently lifted the woman’s quilt and swept diagnostic runes over her body.

Old spinal fracture, spinal cord damage, multiple joint spasms and deformities. Severe bedsores, but surprisingly, not much muscle atrophy.

Mhmm, truly incurable. That is, unless you meet a mage of my caliber.

"Please don’t move. I’ll begin the treatment now."

"Alright."

The woman answered with a bitter smile, her tone devoid of expectation. She must have hoped and been disappointed many times, grown numb long ago.

I quickly formulated a plan and channeled magic.

First, binding runes, then bone-mending and spirit-healing, followed by… Ugh, listing them is annoying. Anyway, this and that, done.

Unfortunately, healing magic has no special effects—it’s not flashy at all. It just looks like I’m touching her leg and muttering strange incantations.

It was only a few seconds after completion that the woman’s eyes widened in disbelief, staring at her own knee.

Then, her thigh jerked and kicked upward. I was prepared and sidestepped, but Adam took a solid kick from his own mother.

With a fervent expression, the woman kneaded her regained flesh as if working dough.

"…I moved?"

The word "moved" was uttered with particular care and difficulty, as if she had been chewing on it for years.

"Yes, it’s just small movements for now. But in a month, you’ll be able to dance at the Autumn Harvest Festival."

The woman grabbed my hand, tears streaming down her face.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

She was crying really hard, even sniffling. Honestly, a bit gross.

After crying for a while, she seemed to notice her own state and sat back properly.

"I truly don’t know how to thank you…"

"Please, don’t mention it. I’ve received Adam’s help too. This is just returning the favor."

"Adam’s help…?"

"Let him explain."

Mother looked at her son, and he stepped forward to take her hand.

I’m not one to kill the mood. Smiling, I left the room. I wandered the hallway, found a window to lean against and enjoy the view, savoring the fun of playing the savior.

Soon, I heard the door open. I thought Adam would continue ignoring me, but he actually came over on his own.

His eyes were red, like he’d been crying too. Leaving the room was the right call. He said:

"Really, truly, thank you so much."

Really, truly, no need at all.

Everything I do is for self-satisfaction. You thanking me, not thanking me, or kneeling and shouting "Onee-sama!"—I’d do it anyway.

"Then grant me one request. From now on, don’t use ‘you’ so formally. It makes me sound really old."

"…Okay."

Adam smiled. That’s better—he looks much nicer without the frown.

I could feel the goodwill wafting over. Good, finally dismantled this guy’s iron wall, at least temporarily.

I seized the chance:
"Is Mr. Gray teaching you magic?"

"Yes. It’s been about ten months now. Though I only see him once every week or two."

"Well, he is good at teaching. If it’s okay… could you tell me about him?"