"Kazuma! P-Please allow me to treat you as thanks for helping us today!"

"Huh? Oh, uh, sure."

That's how Rin found herself meeting up with the brown haired boy more and more often. That's also how Rin found herself falling in love with him more and more. At first she thought the rapid beating of her heart had been from the harrowing adventure they had just been through, however the longer she spent with him the more she knew that was not true.

As she got to know him she learned many things about him: how he was actually quite smart, how he always found ways to make her laugh, how he always took a stand when push comes to shove, and most importantly, how he didn't have a girlfriend.

She would have thought that he would already have girls interested in him, especially since his party consisted wholly of girls, but after listening to his many stories of their escapades she realized she didn't have to worry about that. Well, she wasn't about to complain if they didn't realize what they were missing.

That's why she decided that she'd confess to him next time they went out to dinner together. Which also just so happened to be today. She had booked a reservation in one of the nicer restaurants in town, though that wasn't saying much since this was considered a 'beginner town', and traded out her classic hoodie/shorts combo for a pretty, but simple, dress.

All in all she was going all out with what she could afford from her part of the mission pay she'd been saving up. Originally the funds would have gone towards getting a new staff for better magic efficiency, however she concluded that this was the more pressing matter. Not to mention that ever since Kazuma had taught her a few tips and tricks she'd been having an easier time on missions, even if she only had access to basic and intermediate levels of magic.

After giving herself one last once over to make sure everything was in order she steeled her resolve and made her way out of the inn. Rin found herself grateful that it wasn't cold out as she strolled along towards their predetermined meeting point: the town square.

While Axel wasn't the biggest town around, it was still quite big due to the number of newbie adventurers who ventured here, which inadvertently caused the surrounding business and residential districts to flourish. That's why it took her a good 10 minutes to reach her destination, and why she was surprised to find Kazuma already waiting for her, nervously fidgeting.

While the inn she was staying at wasn't the closest to the town center, Kazuma's was even further away. For him to be here even before her, who left early, meant he had gotten quite the head start. She wondered how long he had been there to warrant the strange looks some people were giving him.

"Hey Kazuma!" she called out to him as she made her way over.

His head instantly snapped over to stare at her and she once again found herself admiring his quick reaction speed, something absolutely vital for a good adventurer. She also found herself admiring how nicely he had cleaned up. Instead of his usual generic adventurer's wear he had adorned a tidy black suit and tie, and had combed down his usually unruly hair.

Kazuma, himself, seemed to be doing the same to her as he was staring at her eyes wide, and mouth agape. Rin would be lying if she said she didn't feel a sense of accomplishment at that. However, as much as she wanted to enjoy his reaction a little bit longer, they had a reservation to get to.

"Well then," she said, offering him her arm, "Let's get going."

"Yeah." he agreed, linking his own arm with hers.

"You look good by the way."

"Ah, uh, thanks. I tried my best since you said we were going somewhere fancy this time around. You, uh, you look good too."

"Thanks."

She tried not to let it show on her face just how much she was enjoying his obvious reactions as she saw him constantly stealing glances at her.

"By the way," she started, pressing herself closer to his arm, "After dinner I have something important to talk to you about."

Kazuma gulped nervously and gave her a look that spoke of half dread and half anticipation, unsure of what to expect.

"Okay. About what?" he questioned, his voice tremoring.

"That's a secret~" she singsonged, giving him a wink and smile to assure him it was nothing he needed to be worried about.

Thankfully that seemed to do the trick and she felt the tension leave his body as he relaxed. The rest of the way there they swapped some light chatter and a story or two about what kind of trouble their teams had gotten into recently.

Enjoying each other's company must have made the journey appear shorter than it really was because they managed to make it to the restaurant without her realizing it. Kazuma, upon realizing it, strode over to the entrance and pulled open the door.

"After you." he said, making an exaggerated bow that caused her to chuckle.

"Why thank you." she shot back, melodramatically tossing her hair back before making her way in.

Rin was unable to contain the grin that worked its way on her face as she looked back at Kazuma who was sporting an identical grin of his own as he moved to join her. Turning back around she addressed the man standing behind the pedestal that looked like he wasn't paid enough to deal with customers on a daily basis.

"Reservation for two under the name 'Rin'."

The man's eyes flit down and scan the list before quickly finding what he was looking for.

"Right this way." he motioned for them to follow him.

Rin and Kazuma followed the receptionist to a free table where Kazuma pulled out a chair for Rin to sit on before situating himself on the other end opposite from her.

"Here." the receptionist spoke up, giving them each a menu, "A server will be with you shortly."

Kazuma wasted no time in picking up his menu to scan it, but quickly noticed something strange.

"Hey, there's no price on anything."

"Yeah," Rin confirmed, "This is one of those restaurants where the meal fee comes with the reservation. I already paid for everything so order any dish you want."

"Wow." Kazuma whistled, impressed, "You're really pulling out all the stops today."

"What can I say. I wanted tonight to be… memorable."

"I don't think I could forget any of the time we spend together."

After saying that Kazuma immediately went back to scanning the menu so he never got to see the cherry red blush splayed across Rin's face. To this day it still baffled her how he could be so effortlessly smooth and yet not have women vying for his attention. She supposed it didn't really matter in the end, and that she was even grateful for it since it had given her this opportunity.

She took to looking at the menu as well and she felt floored at the variety. No wonder this place was so expensive. Nevertheless it didn't take her long to decide on what she wanted and she set down the menu to indicate she was ready, Kazuma following her lead after a few more seconds. Shortly afterwards a waiter arrived to take their order.

"Good evening." the waiter greeted them, "Have you decided what you shall be dining on this fine evening?"

"Yeah." Kazuma confirmed, "I'll have the minotaur steak, well done."

"Very good sir. And for the madame?"

"I will order the duxion soup."

"Understood. And for your drinks?"

"A bottle of red wine, to share." Rin told him before Kazuma could interject.

"Very well, your orders will be out shortly."

With that the waiter took his leave, leaving the two alone again.

"Sorry if you wanted something different." she apologized.

"Nah, it's fine." he reassured her, "I was in the mood for some alcohol anyways."

"That's good. So how have things been lately?"

"Pretty good. I mean we're still in debt and Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness are still idiots, but at least we have a place to live in. What about you?"

"Actually we've started being able to take on better paying quests recently."

"Wow!" Kazuma whistled, impressed, "That's good to hear."

"Yeah. It's all thanks to you though."

"Me?" he questioned, surprised.

"Yeah." she affirmed, "Ever since you started teaching me quests have become easier to complete. I wanted to do something nice to show you my gratitude."

"Is that why you invited me to eat out here?"

"Mmm. Well that's part of it anyways."

"And the other part?" he asked.

"I'll tell you after dinner."

Kazuma sighed, resigning himself to the wait. Knowing he wouldn't get anything else out of her, she was tight lipped when she wanted to be he had learned, he started the conversation back up with idle chatter which went on until they were interrupted by the waiter arriving with their food and bottle of wine.

Rin brought a spoonful of her soup to her mouth and sipped on it. Upon tasting the concoction it took almost all of Rin's self-control to not go slack-jawed. This was the most delicious cuisine she had ever had in her entire life! Judging by Kazuma's reaction as he dug into his steak it seemed like he agreed. Though to be fair that wasn't saying much seeing as adventurers, unless famous, didn't often have access to exemplary fare in the first place.

After a few spoonfuls Rin decided to pop open the wine and pour herself a glass, swirling it around for aesthetic purposes before throwing back the whole glass. Okay, sure she might be on a fancy date right now, but she was still an adventurer at heart. And so was Kazuma judging by the way he started chugging directly from the bottle. Well, that or, more likely judging by how he was pounding his chest, he had eaten a bit too fast and a piece of steak caught in his throat.

"Ah, sorry about that." he apologized when he could talk again, "Some steak got caught in my throat."

Rin couldn't help but giggle at his antics, ignoring the looks the other guests were giving them. Soon Kazuma joined her, chuckling, and eventually they were both laughing heartily. They were so loud that a waiter had to come and tell them to quiet down.

"My bad." she apologized.

"Yeah, sorry." parroted Kazuma.

"Please do not make any more disturbances." the waiter told them as he left.

Of course Rin had planned on doing so, however that flew out the window when the not-so-subtle whispering started up.

"...are they even doing here?"

"...obviously don't belong…"

"...can they even afford…"

"...those clothes…"

Looking at Kazuma she could tell he had heard the same things she did and had come to the same conclusion. As one they got up, made to leave, and right before reaching the door Kazuma turned around, targeted the most pompous looking offender and shouted.

"Steal!"

Once the light dimmed down Kazuma was holding the man's obviously fake toupee as his complexion started growing splotchy upon realizing what just happened. Then the two turned and ran out as fast as they could before the staff could make a move to catch them, leaving the man to howl at them furiously.

The two continued running until they were sure that there was no one following them then they stopped to get their breath in between their bouts of laughter.

"Did you see that guy's face?" Kazuma gasped.

"Yeah! We're probably not going to be allowed back there again!" Rin exclaimed, doubled over from laughter.

"Speaking of which, how much do you think this thing'll sell for?" Kazuma wondered aloud, tossing the toupee up and down.

"I don't know, but I think you should keep it. It can be a memento."

"Yeah." Kazuma agreed, staring at it fondly, "Yeah, I think I will."

The two took a few more minutes to try and catch their breath before Kazuma broke the silence.

"Hey, Rin."

"Yeah?" she questioned, turning to look at him only for a startled bark of laughter to come out.

Kazuma was wearing the toupe and had put on his best pompous bastard look.

"How do I look?" he questioned as arrogantly as he could, causing her to once again burst out in laughter.

One she calmed down again she looked back to Kazuma and saw him observing her with a look of smug satisfaction on his face, the low light casting shadows on his face making him seem more attractive than he had any right to be. Seeing him like that made her breath catch and her heart leap out of her chest, and she was speaking before she could stop herself.

"Kazuma I love you!"

"Huh? Wha-"

This was clearly not the reaction Kazuma was expecting as he found himself completely dumbstruck at her declaration.

"This isn't how I planned it, but I love you! Please go out with me!"

"Wait a second. You love me?" Kazuma asked her, doubt clear in his voice.

"Yes." she confirmed.

"Me?" he asked again, putting emphasis on the word.

"Yes." she affirmed.

"Why?!" he demanded, unable to believe it.

"Because you're nice. Because you're fun to be around. Because you make me laugh. Because just being around you makes me want to smile. I could list a dozen reasons why, but the only thing that matters is that I love you."

"But I'm not!" Kazuma protested, "I'm not nice! Everyone even calls me 'Scumzuma' and 'Kazutrash'."

"You are. I've watched you and while you might be rough around the edges sometimes, you always go out of your way to help people."

"I'm not good looking either, everyone's always telling me how plain I am."

"Personally I think you're handsome."

"I'm broke too! I barely have enough money to get by!"

"Me too! At least you have a mansion!"

"And I- I- you… you really love me?"

Kazuma's voice cracked and tears started gathering in his eyes which lit an unholy desire in Rin to find whoever had hurt him and give them the beating they deserved, but there were more pressing matters at hand. Rin did the only thing she could think of and took Kazuma's head between her hands before meeting his lips with her own.

Kazuma was tense for a few seconds before he melted into the kiss, pushing his lips against her own more strongly. The two stayed like that for a while longer before separating, staring at each other affectionately.

"So." Kazuma started.

"So?" Rin goaded.

"So we're dating?" he questioned.

"Yep!" Rin confirmed, unable to keep a wide grin off her face.

"Cool." Kazuma tried acting casual, but was also unable to stop himself from smiling.

"Hey, wanna go hang out at the guild for a while?"

"Sure."

"Great, cause that wine was way too weak for me."

"I bet I can drink you under the table."

"Hah! Try me!"