"Business has been good, lately!" Wiz remarked happily, flashing Vanir a pleased smile. "Those inventions you and Kazuma have been developing are selling out like crazy. I'll admit, I never expected a boy like him to have so many insightful ideas of products!"

Vanir smirked knowingly, the demon all too aware of how the young human came up with all his "inventions". Still, the charade was greatly enjoyable, and considering the coin they were both raking in, it wasn't likely to stop anytime soon.

"Yes, the boy certainly does have a knack for creativity." Vanir agreed, before a smug smile rolled up his face and he chuckled darkly. "Not nearly as impressive as the vault of degeneracy residing within that mind of his, of course."

"Vanir!" Wiz sputtered, the lich flushed slightly at the implications of her friend's statement, which the demon found absolutely delightful as embarrassment and shame radiated off of her like warmth from a fireplace. "There is no need to be so crude when talking about our mutual friend!"

"Oh, such a spoilsport! I'm not insulting him, merely complementing his ability to supply me with all the negative emotions I desire." Vanir retorted, before pausing as a familiar presence of just those emotions approached the shop, prompting a sinister smirk to rise on his face. "Ohohoho, speak of the devil and he shall appear."

Sure enough, the door to the shop swung open, revealing a frazzled looking Kazuma stepped into the shop, fixing the two workers inside with a friendly smile.

"Hey, you two. How's business been?" He asked casually, oblivious to Vanir's amused chuckle at his poor attempt to cover the maelstrom of negative emotions wearing within him.

"Oh, it's been absolutely wonderful!" Wiz replied pleasantly, just as blissfully unaware as the young man. "I really can't thank you and Vanir enough for your help!"

"Oh, it's no trouble. Not like I'd trust anyone else to sell it anyways." Kazuma assured her, amusing Vanir further as he noticed the slightest blush on Kazuma's face. The boy had quite the infatuation with Wiz, which was likely evident to just about anyone but the shopkeeper herself, unsurprisingly. Still, as entertaining as any romantic escapades would have been, Vanir found himself further engrained in the current conversation as Kazuma continued. "Hey, uh...if you're not too busy, could we talk? I need some advice."

Vanir felt a fresh wave of emotions, negative and otherwise, flow freely from both parties. Oh, this...this was going to be quite the show, he could already tell. And yet, when he met Wiz's gaze, it only took a moment for his excitement to wither as caught her stern glare. Such a rare show of anything less than positive emotion from the lich was startling, and enough to make the demon hesitate.

And that was all Wiz needed.

"Vanir, you mentioned a new shipment you were planning to pick up at the guild hall today, right?" Wiz asked politely, her typical manners having returned as if nothing happened. "Why don't you go check if it's arrived yet? I'll stay here with Kazuma and close the shop for an hour or so we can talk."

Vanir pursed his lips, debating whether or not he was willing to give up such a delectable meal in exchange for an hour or so of Wiz not squandering their mutual profits for a time.

"Very well, I suppose you have a point. I shall be back within the hour, hopefully with our newest shipment of products!" He eventually relented, moving towards the shop's exit, but briefly stopping at Kazuma's side, whispering a final jab for one last spark of negative emotions. "Try not to get too flustered, my friend. I know how much being alone with our lovely acquaintance must excite you."

Kazuma's face flushed once more as he gawked at the demon in shock and irritation, making Vanir cackle as he exited the shop, savoring the embarrassment overflowing from the young man with every step he took down the street.

"So, what is it you wanted to talk about?" Wiz asked, already having moved to start brewing tea as Kazuma recomposed himself, muttering about how he should talk Megumin into hitting the bastard with another Explosion once the current matter was settled. "I never expected you to come to me for advice."

"Well, I trust your judgment, and right now I could use all the help I can get." Kazuma admitted, taking a seat at the shop's main table and waiting for Wiz to finish brewing. Once she had done so, taking the seat across from him, he began to explain. "Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness have been acting strange since we came back from our latest quest. Like, strange for them, I guess."

"Out of character?" Wiz supplied, earning an affirming hum of agreement as Kazuma took a sip of tea. "Hmm. How have they changed?"

"Well for starters, they've been a bit more clingy than normal." Kazuma mused, cupping his chin as he thought harder about the lich's question. "They've also been...nicer, I guess? Aqua hasn't asked me for any eris, Megumin hasn't chatted my ear off half as much as usual. Even Darkness hasn't been quite as pervy as usual, but I guess that's because I haven't really insulted her lately."

"...Kazuma, these don't sound like poor changes." Wiz commented, looking slightly skeptical while still possessing a pleasant and optimistic tone. "If anything, it sounds as though you and your friends have become closer! A more positive relationship with your party members is good, yes?"

"Well...yeah, I guess." Kazuma agreed hesitantly, audibly unconvinced. "But this is them, Wiz. You know these girls too. They wouldn't change on a dime like that, and even if they did, do you really think it'd be out of the kindness of their own hearts?"

Wiz frowned, tilting her head curiously. She didn't seem to agree with Kazuma's perspective, but that was to be expected. She didn't live with them, or adventure with them on a regular basis. She didn't know the worst of them by heart.

"I know I sound like a real ass right now, but I'm serious. These girls are my closest friends, and I know their annoying habits and personalities by heart." Kazuma defended, an inkling of concern entering his tone. "I'm worried about them. They've...never acted like this before. Never changed up our dynamic so drastically. It has me a little freaked out and I can't help but wonder if something's happened to them."

"I see. You're worried about them, then." Wiz replied, her smile returning as she nodded understandingly. "I can understand that, and I apologize for doubting you."

"Eh, don't sweat it. I understand why you would." Kazuma retorted, taking another sip of tea before continuing. "So...could there be any outside factors affecting them?"

"Hmm. Well, I suppose it isn't impossible." Wiz admitted, tapping her chin as she considered the question. "There are a number of spells, potions, and other such magic that could affect a person's emotions. When exactly did this behavior start?"

"Two days ago, after Aqua resurrected me in that new dungeon. They were all teary eyed and emotional, which was weird considering that was, like, the sixth time I've died." Kazuma mused, before pausing as Wiz nearly dropped her tea cup, staring at him with a shocked expression. "Wiz? What's wrong?"

"You...you've died...six times?" Wiz asked gingerly, as if she were worried that her words would shatter Kazuma like a fragile piece of pottery. "Oh, Kazuma...I'm so sorry. I-I didn't know."

"Um, it's...it's fine, Wiz." Kazuma assured her, suddenly aware that the lich really hadn't been aware of all his previous deaths. "I mean, you were there for my death against Hans. I just...figured Aqua had told you about the rest…"

"I never suspected that you could have endured so much!" Wiz retorted, looking sufficiently troubled now. "I mean, Resurrection is a terribly rare spell to even have. To have used to bring you back to life, six times...I can't even imagine."

"I...didn't realize this was so troubling. Guess I never really thought about what being Resurrected actually entailed." Kazuma murmured, now thoroughly flustered. He hadn't expected this revelation to have come as such a surprise. Suddenly, he realized that Wiz was now watching him with thoughtful eyes, beads of sweat starting to form on his forehead. "What's that look for?"

"Well...it's just…" Wiz began, trailing off for a moment as if she were still considering her words before continuing. "Could it possibly be that your friends really are just worried about you considering how many times you've died?"

Kazuma's expression faded to a neutral frown as he considered the lich's words. Normally he'd never consider such an opinion, but if it came from Wiz...was it possible? He'd known these girls for months at this point, he was convinced he had them figured out...but he's been wrong before.

"Would they really be that upset over one death? Would they care that much?" He wondered, frown deepening. "They're hopeless, useless, and perverted...but they're also my friends. Maybe...maybe Wiz has a point…"

"You might be onto something, Wiz." Kazuma admitted, meeting the lich's eyes and flashing her a tired smile. "I still have to think about this, but I trust your judgment. I should probably ask them about this the next time I see them."

"I'm glad to hear you're considering it." Wiz replied, smiling brightly at the young man across from her. "I'm fairly confident that they're simply worried about you, but if these changes you're so worried about end up being something further, please feel free to come to me for more help. I'd be more than happy to do whatever I can."

"Thanks, Wiz. I really appreciate your support." Kazuma replied, before taking out a small pouch of eris and offering it to the lich. "Here, for the tea and the advice."

"Oh, no! I could never!" Wiz insisted, shaking her head and cupping Kazuma's hand. "We're friends, Kazuma. You don't have to pay me for such trivial things."

Kazuma flushed slightly, idly ending how in the entirety of Axel, Wiz was the most wonderful woman he could think of at that moment. She really did deserve a better friend than him.

"Thank you, Wiz. Really." Kazuma muttered genuinely, before retracting his hand and starting for the door, pausing as he opened it. "See you tomorrow? I can update you on your theory."

"I look forward to it!" Wiz assured him, waving as he left the shop and humming happily as she tidied up her tea set, setting it aside to clean later. As she cleaned, her thoughts still resided on Kazuma Satou.

He was a wonderful contradiction, one that never ceased to surprise her. Bouncing between polite and rude, selfless and selfish, perverse and respectful. Maybe it was a game, or an act, but Wiz was of the belief that deep down, Kazuma was a good person with a kind heart, and one that she admired greatly.

"Oh, Kazuma." She mused quietly, pausing briefly as she thought of the young man's smile, and how charming he could be when he really put his mind to it. "Whatever am I going to do with you?"

As Kazuma walked down the streets of Axel, he mentally debated what his next steps should be. The obvious answer was to just head back to the mansion and confront the girls about their odd behavior. It was simple, straightforward, and yet he just couldn't quite seem to work himself up to it.

"I trust Wiz's advice, but if she's wrong and this is something else...maybe I should get a second opinion."

"Hey, Kazuma!"

Kazuma blinked, dragged out of his thoughts by a familiar voice, turning in the direction it came from and coming face to face with two young women. Specifically, a thief and a Crimson Demon.

"Hey, Chris. Hey, Yunyun." Kazuma greeted, offering both girls a friendly smile. "I wasn't aware you two had started hanging out."

"We just started today, actually." Yunyun explained, grinning ear to ear as nudged the thief girl beside her. "She offered to team up with me for a last minute extermination quest before the first round of winter weather rolled in. We could use a plus one, though, so we were looking for someone who wasn't busy."

"So far, you're the first person we've run into who isn't busy with other quests or relaxing." Chris explained, flashing the young man an expectant smile. "You don't look too busy, though. Mind lending us a hand?"

"Uh...sure. Guess I don't have much else going on." Kazuma replied, mentally shelving his concerns for a later time. Maybe an adventure would help him sort his thoughts. "What exactly did you guys have in mind?"

The first thing the girls noticed when they awoke was Kazuma's absence. Naturally, they weren't too concerned, but as hours passed and they didn't see any sign of their friend around the mansion, or any sign of him returning, they started to get nervous.

"Of course Kazuma wouldn't leave a note or let us know where he was going." Megumin grumbled, scowling as she pet Chomusuke, who was more than pleased with the attention regardless. "What an absolute dolt. He didn't even ask us if we wanted to come with!"

"Megumin, Kazuma is allowed to have some time to himself. He's under no obligation to take us everywhere he goes." Darkness retorted, before crossing her arms and huffing in irritation. "Though I do agree that it would have been nice to know where he was going."

"Soon enough, he'll be back." Aqua assured her friends, breaking out a large bottle of bubbly and placing it on the table before them. "Once he gets back, we're gonna have a lot to discuss, aren't we?"

The question hung in the air awkwardly, with all three girls flushing slightly as they glanced amongst each other. Finally, Darkness broke the silence, offering the goddess a strained smile.

"Aqua, while I appreciate your optimism, I'm concerned that you might not be considering the potential that Kazuma...well…"

"Might not reciprocate?" Aqua finished, her own smile faltering slightly. "I...I know it's possible, and it scares me...but I care about Kazuma. So do you and Megumin. If we don't let him know how we feel, we'll never know if he feels the same. And if he doesn't...at least we'll know."

"Wow. That's...surprisingly mature." Megumin remarked, looking momentarily impressed. "You're right, Aqua. If we don't confront him now, who knows when we'll get the chance again?"

"I...am still worried." Darkness admitted, her tone more vulnerable than either girl had ever heard from the crusader before. "I have never felt such feelings in my life, and with how close we all are to Kazuma…this could compromise everything."

Darkness sat down at that point, cupping her face as she attempted to compose herself. Aqua and Megumin alike approached the emotional crusader, wrapping her in a surprisingly comforting embrace. After a few seconds, Darkness removed her hands and sighed heavily, returning the embrace with a soft laugh.

"I never imagined I would ever join a party quite like this one."

"Trust me, I can share the sentiment." Aqua replied, sparking a brief round of laughter from her surrounding party members as she wiped her eyes, smiling broadly. "You're the family I never had, and we're in this together."

A newfound promise was forged in that moment, between three women who had yet to explore the full possibilities of their emotions regarding a certain foolish boy from another world.

Suddenly, the distant sound of a door slamming shut caught the attention of all three girls. They all met eyes at the same moment, before scrambling to get to the door. They practically tore the door of the hinges, fully prepared to see Kazuma on the other side. However...that was not the case.

A battered and sweating Chris stood on the other side of the door, splattered with grime and blood and with painful sounding ragged breaths escaping her mouth. None of the girls managed a word as Chris sputtered out her own message, eyes sharp with fear.

"It's Kazuma. He's hurt bad."