"Ryu after Him!" yelled Mia, The cat person ran at full speed leaving the door of the hostess of fertility. Ryu put the beers she was holding on the table, and got ready to run as fast as she could.

She ran out of the hostess. Looking left she saw the Guy fleeting the scene. 'He is fast…' as fast as she was. Her feet's kicked the ground and she exploded in acceleration. The midday sun was touching her face, making her squint, air making her green hair and skirt gush with the wind.

The perp Looked behind, noticing that there were in fact chasing him. And put even more effort into it. He took a left, then a right, a right again. They were going too fast, In the dungeon it was easy running at these speeds. But in the middle of the city trying to avoid knocking passersby was a challenge. Her waitress uniform shoes were not made for these bad treatment.

She twisted just in time to avoid knocking a lady and her little girl. 'That was close'

'This is not worth it, he only didn't pay a meal… it's not worth hurting someone over this'

They 've been running for a while and she stop recognizing this part of the city, it was a place she didn't frequent much, not enough for her to know it well at least.

The thief turned left into a small alley. A few beats after, Ryu entered the alley at full speed, but suddenly found herself in front of the a White haired adventurer, and behind him the thief was just at the end of the alley. Her eyes widened, she slanted left at the last millisecond grazing the boy. But she stepped on something slippery.

" ! "

A half eaten Banana…

Ryu slip out of control like she was skating on the pavement, she used her other feet to try and slow down, but it was too strong of a break for her shoes, and didn't withstand the forces created. then her feet went in the air, hitting her back on the floor she went rolling making a flip next thing she heard was loud metal banging, pain in her head, finally she landed on something soft. Her ears were Ringing, and she was disoriented from all the spinning.

"mmmaargh" she grunted painfully. Opening her eyes slowly she noticed two red eyes looking at her, the adventurer had his jaw dropped at the scene that just magnificently unfolded.

"!" Bell he opened his mouth but nothing came out, he stood there like he had seen a ghost.

Ryu looked at her surroundings. She was on top of a trash pile. 'that was what was so soft'. Immediately after that she noticed the pungent smell of trash.

The stench of rotting of food, and other things she rather don't know.

Bell came running toward her

"Miss Ryu are you okay?"

The boy offered her a hand to help her get up. But then retracted it back making a face. Remembering that Ryu had been acting weird around him, though he still had no idea of why…

She came to her feet, standing in front of Bell. She was already feeling inadequate for appearing in such a poorly state.

'great… he had to see me like this'

"Mr Bell" She said awkwardly. An uncomfortable silence between them. She took a look at Bell.

His face was looking anywhere but Ryu, his cheeks were as red as beets, and he seemed to be struggling to say something.

She tried to find the answer in his face, but she didn't had any clue why the boy was acting so bashful.

"uhm… your clothes" he said, he pointed a finger at her body. Her uniform was ripped apart in several places, they got torn from the fall. Her eyes widened in surprise when she looked down. 'It was feeling…drafty'

her clothes was falling apart around her left shoulder, she had to quickly hold it with her hand up so it wouldn't fall even lower. She also turned around reflexively.

"Miss Ryu your back side…Eh it's showing"

Her dress was torn from behind, she couldn't see well but she had the realization that a part of her 'behind' was showing.

She took a deep breath, her eyes looking down. She wished the earth would just swallow her. She was with the person that was so difficult for her to deal lately. Her elf pride was the only thing that held her standing.

"R-Ryu… You can't walk like this… We need to find you a change of clothes, and also… for you to ehem.. Take a bath."

Ryu's eyes were looking down. She was forcing herself to breath deeply and slowly. Her face was forcefully trying to stay neutral. However she was obviously having a tough time

"Come follow me, we can go to my Familia mansion, we are not solving nothing right now by standing right here." Bell said finally as if he decided that he was done being indecisive.

"All right…Bell" It felt strange for her saying his name like this, but she already stopped calling him Cranel-San somewhere in the dungeon, after their death defying adventure.

Bell made a sign with his head and he started leading the way, they walked side by side to the end of the alley.

They walked quietly, the atmosphere was a little tense. Ryu still felt a awkward looking at Bell, so she still avoided his gaze, or only made eye contact briefly. And after the last events weeks she was even more confused.

Ryu replayed the things that had happened lately with the boy. They almost died in the dungeon, when they came back from that adventure she and bell and become close and Ryu didn't know how to deal with this surging feelings within her, making her to avoid the Bell for while.

Eventually they talked after that and things got a little better, it was a bit easier for her to be around him. After that things got complicated for her. Syr asked Bell out on a date, causing her to feel strange. Syr even asked Ryu if she felt something for him. Then She followed them on the date. Syr was attacked by Freya's Familia for some reason… Now neither of them had seen Syr ever since. Though Bell had assured Ryu that she was ok. But he didn't tell her any more details.

They made it out into a medium size streets, she saw the residential apartments decorated with beautiful light blue flowers, the pottery seemed to be homemade. They were dangling in the wind. She didn't remember ever seeing this type of flower before.

Noticing Ryu looking at them intently, Bell made his way to them, her eyes curiously followed him. He took one and then did something Ryu wasn't expecting at all.

He stood in front of her forcing her to stop her in her tracks. He stretched his hands, his kind eyes locked with hers encouraging to take the turquoise flower.

She stared at his hand, then at this face. He was looking right back at her, smiling with his eyes but not with his mouth. Quite the unusual expression on him.

Ryu's eyes widened, The boy was handing her a flower, like humans do. She had heard about this costume. A Man offered flowers to the woman they were courting. Elves didn't do this kind of things when it came to love. they copied it from humans afterwards.

'What is this?!' thought Ryu. Her ears became warm.

"uhm T-thank… you, b-but shouldn't you be giving this to Syr?" she said clumsily.

"But this color is so beautiful, It's my favorite color. They remind me of Ryu's eyes…"

'Huh?! My eyes are his favorite Beautiful?!' she thought incapable of a single cohesive thought. She shook her head trying to regain her rapidly declining IQ.

"you don't like it?" Bell asked thinking that she shook her head in response to the flower.

"No, I-I mean yes… I like it…"

She went to accept the flower, but the front part of the dress almost fell as she let go of her hand. Showing off her clavicula before she quickly caught it again she gave a little gasp. She couldn't accept the flower since she needed her hands to hold her torn uniform from falling.

Bell gave a couple of step getting in Ryu personal space. Ryu eyebrows raised, her heart skipped a beat , she stared at him in confusion but he kept getting closer. She looked down timidly unable to hold his gaze. She felt his hands on her ears and hair.

"W-what are y…"

But She never finished. She was paralyzed, his hands kept touching her hair and ears, It was brief but it felt electric, when his hands brushed her ears it sent waves through her body. she stood perfectly still, Ryu couldn't have move if she wanted to.

He finished placing it on her hair. Took a step back satisfied with his "work".

"You look nice Ryu" Said Bell

Ryu's face was red as an apple.

"..." A nod was all that she muster

Ryu didn't know this part of him so much. they had fought together, survived together protected each other. the only time she seen him acting this way was during Syr's date, however now it was Ryu on the receiving end of the boys charms. She felt her heart fluttering. But also something bothered her , she couldn't enjoy this fully.

Ryu looked hopeless to the floor as they continued their way in silent.

Arriving at Hearth fire Mansion, He took out he's keys to open the door.

It was an impressive Headquarters. Not even Astraea Familia have had such regal home Ryu thought.

"It's your first time here?" Bell asked

"Yes, It's quite Impressive…" She said admiring the walls and corridors. The mansion had bright colors. She felt in a better mood just by seeing all this energizing tones.

"We were very lucky the way the war games turned out. Let's get to the second floor." He replied.

Ryu looked around, Hearth Mansion was spacious, elegant and clean. It reminded her of when she joined her Familia half a decade ago. 'Bell must be feeling the way I did back then'

Light wood , greens and golden, those were the colors of Mansion.

"is your goddess not home?"

"No, it's still morning so she must be in her part-time job"

"Your Familia is getting bigger, I'm surprised she still needs to work…

In Ryu's eyes Hestia Familia 'made it'. they weren't by far the strongest faction, and their levels were still low level with exception of Bell. But they had a smith who could make magic swords which people would buy like hot bread in the morning. they had such a extravagant mansion they could call home. 'Why would Hestia need to be working?'

Thinking about it she remembered some months ago, she heard a bunch of adventurer mentioning that they were going to join Hestia Familia. 'They sounded excited, I wonder what happen'.

"Oh Y-you know my goddess, she likes to keep ehem busy…" responded Bell smiling nervously. He hid the fact that their Familia had a crippling debt. His knees got weak remembering that it was the knife on his waist the reason for it.

Bell entered a room and Ryu followed.

The room was tidy, there wasn't anything unique about the room,. If she had to make an assumption about the owner, it would be that they loved to read because of all the books on the desk.

Bell was opening the closet that was opposite to the bed. And he took out some pants and a white shirt. He then turned to Ryu with an hesitant expression.

"Ryu I can give you this change of clothes. I-I know Mikoto's or Haruhime's clothes would be preferable for you… I don't think I should take their clothes without asking."

"That is ok , It's just a T-shirt and some pants… it would do just fine."

He was holding the clothes since her hands were busy. She blushed a little a the idea that she'd be wearing Bell's clothes. She took a peek at the boy's face who had a similar expression to her.

"Your room seems uhm,… efficient" Ryu stated

He chuckled

"I don't spend that much time in here to be honest…" he said

Her eyebrow rose suspiciously at this.

"I mean… I am either at the dungeon, or at our library reading books, or just spending time with the other members in the common areas. I doesn't reflect much of my personality" he inferred with a hand to his chin, looking at empty places in his room.

He saw Ryu smiling

"I think it does reflect it's owner, you are 'dungeon head' " she said without pity

"hm… … I'll guess I'll have to buy a plant just to have something…different" he conceded looking at his notoriously bland room.

Someone like Bell wouldn't put much effort into anything that wasn't the dungeon she thought. His mind only had space for adventuring or so it seemed… she sighed for some reason.

They left his room and he took her to a different place of the mansion. They stood outside the baths, there was a red sign for the ladies, and a blue sign for the gentlemen.

"This is the much our beloved Bath house! The heart of the our the Heart fire mansion. We all love to come here at the end of a hard day and relax together. it has become one of our Familia's rituals. Only one other outsider has ever used this." Bell announced with a reverential tone.

It was unusual seeing The white haired boy as a host. But she couldn't help but look forward to it now.

"T-thank you, I'm honored. I'll be respectful. *chuckle* it's funny seeing you presenting it with such passion."

"You should see Mikoto talking about it… Anyway I'll let you be. I already activated the magic stone. Come to my room once you are done… Oh and also there is no one here besides us and Welf, who is probably smithing things in his workspace. So no one should come in."

With that he left. Ryu entered the beloved Bathhouse. It was misty and warm inside. The vapor rose from the bath, maxing out water vapor concentration of the air. She started undressing her destroyed uniform, staying only in her underwear. Holding in front of her, looking at its state and the places where it was torn.

"It's not worth repairing"

She folded them, Put them in a corner. Mist clouded the room, it was so warm she was starting to feel sweat forming on her back. She observed her body, searching to see if she had broked skin on the fall... There were scratches on her legs. She made a mental note to apply healing potion once she arrived home, which allowed even a veteran adventurer as her to preserve her skins free of scars.

Then with the gracefulness of the elf she also undressed her underwear.

She sat on the benches outside that were meant for cleaning before entering the actual bath.

'This is quite a nice' she thought looking at the layout.

She finished cleaning herself, she was about to get up to get a towel to leave but then she looked at the bath.

'It would be a waste not to enter…I never come to places like this.' The closest to something like this was when she bathed in the 18 floor, but there the waters were cold

She told herself that she would enter the bath just for a moment.

'No, I should just came here to wash myself ' Ryu observed at the water that was appeared so tantalizing

'Well… Bell did said it was a special occasion for someone outside the Familia to use this, it would be a waste wouldn't it?'

The crystal clear water was seducing her, the pool floor could be seen. A warm vapor rising from it's surface hot mist diming the visibility of the room.

"…"

'At the very least I could try it. Just a moment. Then I can say that I did took a bath in Hestia's mansion. Also Bell seemed to assume that I would take a full bath'

'Syr is going to be so jealous when she hears where I be-'

She stopped herself, holding her hands together, wringing her fingers together

She hadn't seen Syr for a week now. After the whole ordeal with the date with Bell and the pursuit of Freya Familia, Syr left a message at the hostess of fertility saying that she wouldn't be coming to work. Mama mia's had shown them the letter. And it was unclear whether when she'd be coming back or if she would come back at all.

Ryu care deeply for her, Syr made her want to live again. She had nursed Ryu back to health again when Ryu had given up on living. Ryu owed her, but it was more than that. Syr brought joy to her days. Seeing the cheerful Syr and working in the hostess of fertility filled Ryu's days with happiness.

She had been feeling conflicted the last weeks, with the whole Bell thing and the Date. She didn't want to leave things like this. It was difficult not to feel sort of abandoned…

Worry crossed her tormented face 'Am I going to see her again? Where she? Why she didn't even said goodbye…'

'No she will be back, she wouldn't leave without saying something… she's must be just sorting some things…'

Banishing this thoughts from her mind. She gracefully made her way to the water. She dipped first her toes, her calves, and then her legs, she closed her eyes in satisfaction, her pearl skin reacted to the touch of the hot water. She gasped at the almost uncomfortable sensation

Ryu closed her yes and forgot all her problems. she layed only with her head outside of the water. Closed her eyes, and without any notice she drifted into a light sleep

"…"

She open her eyes forgetting where she was for a second. 'uhm?! I must have fallen asleep!'

This bath was exactly what she needed, she got out quickly dried herself with one of towels and quickly put the clothes that Bell had given her.

The fit wasn't perfect, it was a little big. The boy was slim, he hadn't yet come out of puberty so his their bodies weren't that different in size.

Her face turn pink, remembering when there were back in the dungeon Bell had told her that she had a little body and how it awaken in him an instinct to protect her. she got the intrusive memory of Bell arms around her, wrapping her in a warm hug from behind.

She shook her head violently to get rid of this indecent thoughts.

"Focus Ryu…" she mumbled to herself gently slapping her cheeks with both her hands

Leaving the Baths. She tried to remember the way to Bell's room. After making a few wrong turns she eventually made it.

She knocked on his door, hearing no reply. she opened the door slowly

"Bell?"

He wasn't there.

She enter the room and sat near the study table. She browsed the books that were on his desk.

Most of them were tales of hero and adventure. She knew most of this tales. One book did caught her attention. She opened the book and it open on a page in which Bell had left a paper as a marker, page 37. the piece of folded paper fell on the floor

The chapter talked about a way of thinking. The gist of it was that one should test our assumptions with question that could be answered with true or false.

This brought her memories of how she used to argue and debate with the members of astraea Familia about the meaning of justice. That's the first thing that came to her mind… a sour smile lurked unto her lips.

'Well knowledge is useless without application, I should use this right now…is there anything in particular I could test this on?'

"…"

'My head has been tumultuous this pass few weeks. And self knowledge is a kind of knowledge'

'Why am I feeling so conflicted? No wait that is open ended…Let me try again"

'It all started after I came back from the deep floors with Bell?'

True

'It has to do with Bell?'

True.

After the deep floors event she couldn't even look the boy in the eye for a while

Bell did something wrong?

no

Do I resent him?

No

'Hmm. Ok, what else could I ask?' she looked up thinking for a moment. There was something else that was bothering her

'I was happy for Syr when she went on a date for with Bell?

True'

'I want Bell and Syr to be together as a couple?'

… …No.

'what?! This is unaceptable' she furrowed her eye brows.

'I want Syr to be happy?

True'

'I want Bell to be happy

True.'

'I want Syr and Bell to be happy together?' a feeling of loneliness flooded just at that thought

…No

She had struggled with this, but it dawned on her sometime ago after the Juggernaut event. The Ruby eyed boy was constantly on her mind. First she couldn't face him. She avoided him, yet she thought of him constantly. At work, shopping for supplies, turning in bed trying to fall asleep... When someone mentioned his name her ears stood in attention. At the thought of seeing him she felt excitement and dread at the same time.

At first she didn't understood what she was feeling. She labelled it as curiosity, then interest, just friendship, after she was confused, then she ignored it, then she repressed it, she bullied herself because of it. After all she shouldn't feel this way, He wasn't hers…

She had buried her head in the ground. You can hide your head, not your body. Attraction isn't a choice, now the only choice was to face this persistent interest in the red eye boy.

"I love Bell…"

The memory of her and Bell came back, it felt nice, a warmness flooded her… Bell holding her in the deep levels, being a couple, holding hands, eating together doing couple like activities, A fuzzy feeling rose in her belly, but it stopped when an image of Syr came to her.

'Will Syr and I still be friends if I pursued Bell?'

…

'Is it ok to compete for his affections with my friend who liked him first and who I owe so much?'

…

'Should I forsake my feelings for him because of Syr?'

…

She did not know this answers. She did know one thing.

'I want to be with Bell'

She had fallen in love with the white haired boy. But when did this happen? It was hard for her to tell… after Syr expressed interest in him. She started observing him, to see what kind of person he was. Was he worthy of Syr's affections? As she spent time with him, slowly this feelings sneaked on her. Like a frog on a frying pan she got cooked by gradually heating the pan.

As she spent time with him, She noticed many things she appreciated.

Bell was dedicated, innocent, their wasn't a single bad bone in him. Ryu met Bell when he was but a level 1, and now he had a spectacular growth, he was a record holder he was now a level 4 in less than a year. But they were plenty of strong people in Orario, even though she appreciated that strength, there was something else about him.

Time and time again Bell helped people, he sacrifice himself for others, he had the courage to put his life on the line. Orario was a city of adventurers, there were plenty of powerful individuals. Unfortunately strength and kindness don't usually come together…

Maybe even too kind for his own sake.

He was exactly the opposite of why she ran from her home… Why she left the Elves. The Elves… Full of scorn, high on themselves, too prideful, looking at other races with despise. There were none which they didn't judge, Criticize and mock, according to her the ugliest race.

Looking down, she saw a piece of paper that was marking the page . Turning it around she noticed some scribblings. 'Bell must have written something'

She squinted her eyes, trying to understand the cursive writings:

'Do monster suffer just as human?'

Some do

'Is Wiene smile worth less than a human's smile?'

Her smile is just like mine.

'Xeno's have a right to live?'

True

'Xeno's deserve to happy'

Yes.

'I will help them despite what might happen?'

…

A few months ago, Bell defended a monster a lot of people saw. He did it despite the fact they wouldn't understand, that he would be labelled crazy or an enemy of the people. he stood in front of the masses, and one of the strongest Familia in Orario. No one understood why he did it at the time. Now more people were aware of the Xenos.

Bell could even love monsters… Bell wouldn't look down on anyone or anything. Bell would lay down his life to defend a monster who was his friend, give up his fame, his home, his life… for justice.

She was looking for Bell long before she met him…

The door opened, and she saw the boy in question looking at her

"there you are Ryu, I've been looking for you…you took longer than expected, I trust you had a relaxing moment?"

"B-Bell I fell asleep on the bath, I'm sorry."

"Oh I see, you must have been tired. Did you find something you like?" he asked gesturing at the book she was holding.

"Ah Y-yes. I was waiting and I couldn't help myself. I shouldn't have gone through your things."

"No problem, it isn't something I'm embarrassed about. I don't usually read books like that. it was a gift… actually it was Syr who gave it to me, she said I should read it without giving me a reason. It was strange… but it helped me." he said looking quizzically.

"Bell…Could I… could I ask you something?"

He nodded, sitting on his bed. She adjusted her chair so they would be facing each other.

"Did the clothes fit all right? He asked his eyes drifting to her body

"Y-yes they will do fine…" Ryu stuttered a bit saying this. She couldn't help but think of how women sometimes used their boyfriends clothes… that thought made her purse her lips

"I wish I could have taken one of the girls dress, then I could finally see you in a pretty dress." He said smiling.

He caught her off guard again, blinking and blushing once more.

"Bell… W-what have you been doing? You didn't use to say things like this with a straight face"

"…" He averted his eyes, opened his mouth as if he was going to say something but then just closed it again.

"Anyway… w-wasn't there something that you wanted to ask?" he said leaving that story for another day.

"Yes, there is something I want to do. But if I do it, It might bother my friend. I'm afraid it will change or end the friendship. I owe a lot to them, I wouldn't be here if it weren't for their kindness."

It was surprising to see Ryu asking advice from him. Bell admired her, she had so much more experience than he had.

Till now Bell didn't really have to do things that would test his friendships… He did have to do things that would put his Familia in danger like saving Haruhime, risking retaliation from Ishtar Familia, he was forced to go on a date with Syr or else… He confronted Ryu when all evidence pointed to her having gone on a murderous rampage. But this wasn't what she was talking about, this seemed to be more of an emotional matter.

He cared enormously about his friends and would go to great lengths to help them. He reflected silently

'If something made Ryu happy, and she would refrain from getting it because of me… due to some sense of obligation towards me…'

"I-If I was the friend you were speaking about, I think would want you to be happy. I will be sad to know you gave up on things because of some sense of debt towards me." he carefully chose his words.

It was simple logic. Friends help each other because they care for one another, without expecting a certain behavior in return or concessions.

'It was me who took that decision…it felt like the natural thing to do. Syr never asked me anything, or to give up anything.'

Her eyes widen as she reached a decision. 'I think I know what I need to do, I hope it won't hurt our friendship'

She studied his expression, it was candid as always. The ruby eyed adventurer, was happily unaware that he was at the epicenter of her dilemma.

Bell blinked a few times.

"Ryu… you are staring. You can look at me again?"

She smiled timidly.

"Yes…I feel like I can … you look little different. I-I mean you act different than before."

When she met Bell, he was this shy boy, I'm sorry was his trade mark 'catchphrase' and he got flustered constantly. Now he didn't seem to embarrass so easily. 'Like the day of Syr's date he was acting cool or so the other waitress said so.'

"You are look tired Bell, You must be training hard" she stated

"I have over extended myself this last 2 days." Bell admitted

"I-I would like to train together again… If you can" she proposed less confidently that she intended

"Really?! Yes of course" his eyes wide, and a grin from ear to ear.

"I'm glad to hear that" she said more formally that she needed to. Almost as if she had finished asking Bell out on a date.

Ryu smiled at Bell warmly which he answered back with a grin.

'This feels nice, spending time with him' she thought. Looking back Ryu never had time for romance. She had rejected the elves in her village. When she arrived to Orario, she was just too socially inadequate. In her Familia there were no men. After they died, she wasn't in a state of mind to have a relationship. When she was saved by Syr, she just focused in living, dealing with a past that tormented her.

A new door was opening to her. Something new to experience. Unexplored territory…

Lost in thought for a moment, She then felt the silence creeping in like a shadow, it was starting to make her feel uneasy.

'I should say something…but what?' She furrowed her eyebrows, trying to formulate anything to ask or say. 'should I say a joke? No I'm not funny…Does Bell likes funny girls? Hestia is kind of funny, and she has also other assets…' mind started accelerating

Bell was looking at her curiously, he seemed to be relaxed despite the lull conversation.

'I'm with Bell, in his familia's house, the two of us alone… he is siting on his bed, I'm wearing his shirt and trousers…'

'…'

Ryu was looked anywhere but to Bell. She was struggling to keep a neutral face. Blinking a lot. Finally she couldn't take it.

"I-I'm going to leave, M-Mama Mia must be wondering why I'm skipping work. Also the tavern windows!" she said spurting things loudly

"Oh sure…T-The tavern windows?" He said his eyebrows furrowed in confusion,

"Yes! I must go clean them immediately!" She said, not even knowing what her mouth was saying. She couldn't be hold responsible at this point.

"S-Sure, um…I'll walk you out." He said

They stood up and left the room.

'What was that? I'm loosing it… again. why did I say windows?! the windows are not even dirty, they are very low maintenance…'

Bell kept leading her, ignorant to her inner monologue. They reached outside. the sun was still high on the sky. Bell stayed by the entrance door.

"Thank you for everything"

"No problem Ryu. I'll see you"

"A-also you should come every morning to the Hostess of fertility." Ryu said, looking

"Why?"

"So I can give to you your daily lunch box. until Syr returns... "she responded, her ears getting warm.

"We-… I-I can't have you not eating well. Bye!" Ryu she admitted and then she turned around and left without a response from Bell.

Bell was left looking confused.

She left the mansion behind. This morning Ryu left the hostess of fertility unsure of what she wanted. Now she knew what she was going to do. She was going to be with Bell, or at least try.

'I'm not going to let him go, Alize'

After Bell was out of sight. She reached in her pocket, and took the Blue flower between her fingers. Raising it she placed it on her green hair.