Mushoku Tensei: Sword, Magic Hats, and Romance!

Rudeus glanced at Sylphiette, who still wore a timid, anxious expression, and couldn't help but purse his lips.

"You know… if you don't fight back against people like that, they're just going to keep pushing further."

"I… I can't beat them."

"…What matters is the will to resist."

Though, I don't really have the right to say that myself.

"I usually do try to fight back when it's the younger kids," she muttered. "But today, there were some older ones…"

As she spoke, she sneaked a glance toward Allen.

He was standing at a distance, and her voice was soft—he couldn't quite hear what she was saying. But it didn't stop him from giving her a bright, reassuring smile.

Sylphiette flinched and quickly looked away, her ears twitching.

Under the tree, Allen's face suddenly stiffened, and he began waving his hands in front of himself as if shooing away something unclean.

Rudeus didn't catch Allen's weird behavior. He just turned to Sylphiette and said seriously:

"Anyway~ You heard what Allen said earlier, right? If those kids ever bully you again, he'll twist their heads off."

That, Allen did hear. He swiped the system prompt away midair and looked at Rudeus with a dark expression.

Are you serious right now?! You're supposed to be five years older than me mentally—and you're hiding behind me like I'm some boogeyman?! You could just shoot a flashy [Fireball] or something. Scare them and look cool at the same time. Girls love that! But no—you're too scared to act?

Ugh… Fine. I guess part of this is my fault. This timeline got pushed forward. Rudeus just came out from under Roxy's protection, and he probably still has trauma from being bullied by older kids…

Can't forget how he was tied naked to the school gates in his previous life. No way that's something you get over easily.

Sylphiette didn't respond. She only tilted her head slightly, sneaking another peek at Allen.

Rudeus sighed and spread his hands helplessly.

"…Still, it must be hard for you. Just because your hair color resembles the Superd race, people treat you like a monster."

Hearing that, Sylphiette shrank into herself a little and murmured:

"You… you two don't mind?"

"My teacher's a demon race. I don't know about Allen, but he didn't seem to think you were a Superd at all. Maybe that's just a swordsman's sharp intuition."

"I see… A swordsman…"

She nodded slightly.

Rudeus looked at her ears, curious.

"Your ears are long, like an elf's. Aren't you human?"

"No, not really. My father is half long-ear race and half human."

"Oh? What about your mother?"

"She's human too… but has a little beastfolk blood mixed in."

Before Rudeus could make sense of that, Sylphiette suddenly started sniffling.

"My father said… even if I'm not part of the demon race… my hair is different from both of them…"

Rudeus was caught off guard. He had no idea how to handle her tears—until his gaze drifted to Allen under the tree, who looked just as lost.

Then inspiration struck.

"No crying allowed! Allen hates when kids cry. If you're not careful, he'll chop off your head!"

Allen: "???"

The crying stopped instantly. Sylphiette looked horrified.

[Sylphiette's favorability has slightly decreased.]

Allen brightened.

Oh yes, perfect! Keep this up and we'll reel the plot back on track!

[…]

Rudeus, meanwhile, was stifling a laugh at Sylphiette's expression.

"Is your dad super strict? You seem kind of bad at handling serious people."

"…Mm. He's scary when he's angry. But as long as I listen and behave, he doesn't get mad."

"Ah, I see. What about your mom?"

"She's… very kind."

"Right, by the way—were you heading out to bring lunch to your dad earlier? I saw a basket full of bread. Oh, wait, it got ruined by the mud. That's all Allen's fault!"

Sylphiette, who had just barely calmed down, panicked again.

"Ah! S-sorry! I'm so sorry! I really didn't mean to—!"

Rudeus: "???"

Allen: "????"

Rudeus stood there stunned.

"Why are you apologizing… Whatever. How about this? You take me to your dad, and I'll apologize for Allen. That guy's terrible at getting close to people. He'll just keep staring at you with that scary face and weird smile. Super creepy."

Allen: "?????????"

Sylphiette nodded, then turned to face Allen. She twisted her fingers together and bowed her head.

"Thank you… for protecting me."

Then she looked back at Rudeus.

"And thank you, for helping me wash my hair…"

"But… won't you two get hated by the rest of the village too? You'll lose your friends. Maybe… maybe it's better if you just ignore me. I can handle it on my own…"

She was clearly on the verge of tears—but holding them back.

Because Allen didn't like crying children.

At that moment, Allen stepped forward, placed one hand on each of their heads, and gave them both a gentle rub.

Then he walked past them.

His voice floated back on the breeze, light and unconcerned.

"Rudeus and I were never planning to be friends with those kids. But speaking of friends—"

He raised two fingers behind his back and wiggled them casually, as if coaxing a child.

"Right now, all three of us each have two friends~"

Rudeus watched Allen's retreating figure, then blinked and chuckled.

He patted Sylphiette on the shoulder gently and said with a smile:

"Come on. Don't let his scary face fool you—he's actually a good guy. He's helped me too. That scary look is just for show. Don't be afraid."

Sylphiette blinked her long lashes and gave a firm nod.

Allen didn't hear what Rudeus said. He just waved away the systems mist with a grin.

[Mushoku Tensei Major Event Participation Score Increased.]

[Current Phase: Childhood. Total Score: 50 Points. You've gained Rudeus and Sylphiette's trust—and their friendship.]

Behind him, two small voices whispered, lost to the wind:

"…I forgot to ask your name."

"Syl… phie…" Her voice was no louder than a mosquito's. The wind swallowed the end of it.

"Sylphie, huh? That's a lovely name—like a wind spirit."

"Th-thank you. His name is Allen, right? What about you?"

"Yeah, that scary-faced guy's Allen. I'm Rudeus."

"Allen… that's a nice name. Sounds… like a savior who could destroy the world."

Rudeus: "???"

"I'm the one who complimented your name! …But honestly, that description's kind of spot-on. If his surname were Yeager, he'd fit the part even more."

"Huh?"