Writing is hard, I feel like that this chapter is too fast paced compared to the other chapters, I planned to write this yesterday but was too busy living my life. I wanted to make Bell and Ais the exact opposite but not too much of their Anime version, I still have a hard time trying to connect everything. I always wanted to know how they'll end up if Bell was calm and serious and Ais having more emotions.)
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"Bell?" Ais called gently as she walked closer.
She looked at him carefully. His clothes and armor were torn, covered in scratches and dirt. He looked tired, leaning against the wall for support.He must've had a tough fight…Ais thought, noticing how damaged his gear was.
"Uh… Fancy running into you, Ais-san," Bell said, trying to straighten up.
His legs trembled, giving way under his exhaustion. Just as he was about to catch himself, Ais stepped forward, her hands steadying him. She gently helped him stay on his feet, her grip firm but careful.
"You seem hurt... What happened to you?" Ais asked, her voice carrying a slight hint of worry.
Bell let out a nervous laugh. "Haha… I just ran into some monsters, that's all," he replied, trying to play it off.
"Hmm," Ais hummed softly, her golden eyes staring at his face.
Bell began to feel flustered, realizing Ais still hadn't let go of him. Slowly, he shifted away from her grasp, steadying himself as he stood on his own. Back in his village, most of his time had been spent with his grandfather, leaving him little experience interacting with girls. Since arriving in Orario, that hadn't changed much. Though he tried to remain composed, moments like this made him feel a bit embarrassed. After all, he was still a growing boy.
"I should go now," Bell said, trying to excuse himself.
Just as he turned to leave, he felt a gentle tug on his hand.
"Wait..." Ais said softly.
Bell, his cheeks turning a slight red as he glanced back. "W-What's wrong, Ais-san?"
She didn't know why she had grabbed his hand. Her mind raced, searching for a reason to explain her actions—not just to him, but to herself. The boy in front of her, so different from the others she knew, had drawn her attention in ways she didn't fully understand. Ais quickly let go, realizing what she had done. She looked away, her expression uncharacteristically shy. "Uh... I..." she stammered, the words caught in her throat. She didn't know what to reply.
Bell, still feeling the awkwardness in the air, tried to keep things light. "I-I'm really fine, Ais-san," he said, forcing a smile.
The air was getting quiet, until a voice broke out.
"Ais's touching a boy that's not even part of our familia?" Tione's voice was laced with surprise and amusement.
"I know, right?!" Tiona agreed, her tone playful, but the curiosity in her eyes was undeniable. The two sisters stood off in the distance, watching the scene unfold with barely concealed stiffened at the sound of her sisters' voices, her cheeks flushing slightly. She didn't turn to face them, instead focusing on Bell, trying to hide her embarrassment.
Bell, hearing the sisters' remarks, felt even more flustered. "I—I didn't mean to cause any trouble!" he stammered, his eyes darting between Ais and the two watching sisters. He wasn't used to this type of situations.
Tione gave teasing smile. "Don't worry. We're just surprised. Ais usually doesn't act like this."
Tiona giggled, "Say, what's your name? and what Familia are you in" she asked the boy.
Bell, glancing towards them replied, "My names Bell Cranel, I'm from the Hestia Familia"
Tione raised an eyebrow, her playful expression shifting into a more thoughtful one. "Hestia Familia, huh? I've heard of it. It's pretty new right?" She crossed her arms.
Bell scratching the back of his head replied, "Well I'm the only member in it.."
Tiona smiled warmly at him, her voice softening. "That's really cool. You're quite brave, huh? Heading out here all on your own, especially as a fresh level one." Bell replied, "I wouldn't say brave." Regaining his energy, he took a few small steps. "Being a Level 1 is more than enough of a reason to get stronger," he added.
Ais glanced at Bell, her usual calm facade returning, though a faint pink still lingered on her cheeks. She walked alongside him, quietly concerned that the boy might fall over. In her mind, an imaginary Mini Ais appeared, holding onto Bell and supporting him.
"I should go first," Bell said, trying to step away, but before he could take another step, he was stopped by Ais.
"Wait," Ais called, her voice steady but with an underlying softness. "You're still in no condition to be on your own."
Bell hesitated, glancing at her and then at the others. "I'll be fine, really. Thank you for helping me back there," he added, his voice sincere as he nodded toward Tione and Tiona.
"You don't have to thank us," Tione said with a teasing smile. "But you really should stay with us for now. We're heading out of the dungeon, too." She gave him a quick glance, her tone light but insistent.
Tiona nodded eagerly, her eyes sparkling. "Yeah, it's not safe for you to wander around like this. We can leave together." She grinned, clearly not willing to let him go alone.
Bell couldn't deny their concern, even though he felt a little embarrassed. "I... I guess it wouldn't hurt to stick together for now," he said, forcing a small smile.
Ais gave a brief nod, looking at him with a calm, almost unreadable expression. "Stay with us," she said simply, and that was all Bell needed to hear.
As they walked together, Ais and Bell kept pace side by side. Ais's usual calm expression was softening slightly, a subtle sense of contentment in her features. In her mind, Mini Ais bounced around excitedly, her tiny figure jumping with joy at the extra time to get to know Bell better. The little imagined version of herself seemed thrilled to be in his company, her hands reaching out as though to hold onto him in the imagined world of her thoughts.
Ais couldn't help but feel a strange sense of warmth, though she pushed the thought aside.She couldn't understand why Bell made her feel so calm and relaxed, it's like the feeling when she was still with her parents..
"Are you alright, Ais-san?" Bell asked, noticing her quiet demeanor.
Ais blinked, breaking from her inner thoughts. "Ah… yes," she replied, her voice returning to its usual calm tone. "Just thinking."
Bell gave a small nod, though his curiosity lingered. But the walk continued in comfortable silence, the only sounds being their footsteps and the distant echoes of the dungeon's halls.
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Monsters aren't spawning? Bell's thoughts wandered, but he didn't realize he had spoken them aloud.
A cheerful voice interrupted his thoughts. "It became like that when we leveled up to level 5, even though it took our whole lives just to reach it." Tiona said with a bright smile, her eyes glinting with amusement. Her older sister, Tione, nodded enthusiastically, as if to confirm her words.
Bell blinked in surprise, his eyes widening as the realization hit him. The gap between their levels was far greater than he had imagined. He was still a fresh Level 1 adventurer, and here he was walking alongside Ais, Tione, and Tiona, all of them being far more experienced. His heart raced with a mix of awe and determination. He had so much more to learn, so much more to prove. But for now, he tried to keep his composure.
"Level 5.." Bell muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with a sense of wonder.
Tione glancing at the boy's face, chuckled. "Don't worry, kid You'll catch up soon enough," she said.
Ais, who had been walking quietly beside them, suddenly spoke up, her usual calm tone making her question sound almost casual. "Bell, do you want me to train you?" hinting a small blush on her cheeks, realizing what she just said.
Bell froze in place, stunned by the sudden offer. His mind went blank for a moment as the words sank in. He glanced at Ais, then at the sisters, who were both just as surprised as he was.
Tione raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting Ais to speak up like that. "You, training him?" she said, the surprise evident in her voice. "That's... new."
Meanwhile, Tiona couldn't help but giggle. "I think it's a great idea," she said, her tone playful, with a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "Ais is the best at what she does!"
Tione, rolling her eyes at her sister's antics, gave Tiona a light slap on the head. "That's assuming Loki lets it happen, idiot," she replied, tugging at the corners of her mouth.
Ais, not backing down, simply said, "Then.. we'll train in secret." Mini Ais, nodding as if agreeing with her.
Tione sighed, exasperated by the two's usual antics. "Do whatever you want," she muttered, clearly giving in with a resigned tone.
Bell hesitated for a moment before speaking up, "I—I don't want to trouble Ais-san... Plus, there's no real reason for you to train me..."
Ais was about to respond, "Bel—," but Bell cut her off. He faced her, a serious expression on his face, and for a brief moment, Ais didn't know how to react.
With a bow, Bell said, "Thank you for your offer, Ais-san. But I'd only become a distraction."
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Ais froze.Did I just get rejected? Mini Ais patting her back as if to comfort her all while her gaze fixed on the boy bowing before her.
Bell straightened up and smiled awkwardly. "When I'm ready, I'll be honored to take you up on your offer again... haha. Although, I know it's a bit rude of me..."
Ais blinked, still processing Bell's words. The sisters beside them were just as stunned by the sudden rejection unfolding right in front of them.
"Ais-san?" Bell asked, his voice full of concern as he stared at the girl who seemed to be trembling slightly.
Ais, with her head lowered, slowly looked up at Bell. Her cheeks were tinged with pink, and her lips pouted in a mix of frustration and embarrassment. "Bell-kun, no baka!" she exclaimed, her voice soft but full of emotion, before turning her head away, trying to hide the growing redness in her face. before glancing to her side as she for sure she heard a monster laugh at her right now.
The sisters couldn't help but smile at the sight, as the usually composed Ais showed a side of herself they rarely saw.
Bell, now panicking, quickly started apologizing to Ais, his voice filled with worry. "I-I'm really sorry, Ais-san! I didn't mean to upset you!" But the Sword Princess just let out a "HMmpH!", making Bell's heart skip a beat as they continued their walk towards the exit.
-FLOOR 2-
Suddenly, a Goblin appeared in front of them. Without missing a beat, Bell pulled out his dagger and, with a swift movement, sliced its head clean off, he bent down to collect the magic stone, his white hair and red eyes reflecting on the stone.
But just then, from Ais, he heard the words, "Bunny.."
Bell froze for a moment "Bunny?"turning his head back towards the Sword Princess, who was apparently staring at him. Just as their eyes met, Ais let out another cute "hmmphh" turning her head to the side breaking their eye contact. A soft laugh escaping his lips as he straightened up. He couldn't help but smile at the Sword Princess unexpected cuteness.
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-TOWER OF BABEL-
As daylight hit his face, Bell raised his arm to shield his eyes from the sun's harsh glow. He squinted against the brightness, trying to adjust. The fresh air of the surface felt different compared to the darkness of the dungeon, but the quiet, peaceful atmosphere gave him a moment of respite. Tiona's voice, full of energy, broke through his thoughts.
"Hey, Bell! We're heading home now! See ya!" Tiona called out, waving enthusiastically at him.
Bell turned toward her, a tired but grateful smile crossing his face. "Thanks again, everyone! See you!" he called back, his voice carrying a hint of exhaustion. He waved as the two sisters began to walk away, heading toward the entrance. But then, his gaze shifted, and his attention lingered on Ais.
Ais stood there, still, watching him quietly. She hadn't moved to join her companions just yet. The sight of her staring at him made Bell's chest tighten slightly. He immediately sensed something was off, and his mind raced to figure out what was wrong.
He noticed the subtle tension in her posture—her arms were crossed, and her usual calm demeanor seemed strained. Ais was still upset with him. Bell felt a pang of guilt, and his hesitation grew. He wasn't sure how to approach her, unsure of what to say to fix things.
After a brief moment, he took a step toward her, but as soon as he did, Ais stiffened slightly. She quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing. It was clear she didn't know how to act either. Bell drew closer, trying his best to keep his composure.
"A-Ais-san?" he spoke gently, his voice unsure. He wasn't used to making people upset, especially not Ais. He felt an odd mix of guilt and nervousness.
Ais's heart started to pound in her chest. She quickly glanced down, trying to calm herself. What's happening to me? she thought, her mind in turmoil. She hadn't expected this awkwardness between them. The feeling of being around Bell, so close to him, made her feel more flustered than usual. In her mind, a small, imaginary version of herself—Mini Ais—was hopping around, cheering her on like a little excited child. But it didn't help much.
"I... U-, yes, Bell?" she replied, her voice faltering as she tried to keep herself from looking him in the eye. The words caught in her throat..
"I'm sorry for earlier," Bell finally said, his sincerity clear as he bowed slightly, his head down in apology. "I didn't mean to make you upset."
Ais felt a warmth spread through her chest at his words, but her confusion and frustration didn't go away that easily. She had expected a more... different outcome, but she wasn't sure how to handle it now. Still, she stood up straighter, trying to regain some composure. "I'm still mad at him," she reminded herself, trying to be firm. She let out a small "hmmph", Bell feeling lost in thought in how to cheer her up.
Ais whispered, almost too quietly for Bell to hear, "Festival…"
Bell blinked in confusion stopping his thoughts, unsure if he had heard her correctly. "What was that?" he asked, leaning in a little closer, trying to catch her words. His own voice held a note of curiosity, but also a bit of nervousness. His proximity seemed to make Ais even more flustered, and her heart raced.
Ais swallowed hard, her mind briefly spiraling into a whirlwind of thoughts. But then, she cleared her throat, and with a little more confidence, she spoke louder, trying to make herself clear. "The New Year's Festival... Let's go together," she said, her voice quiet but firm.
Bell's heart skipped a beat. The sudden shift in tone caught him off guard. His confusion melted away, replaced with surprise and happiness. He laughed softly, unable to stop himself. "Pfft... Haha," he chuckled, his smile genuine but unaware of just how much more flustered it was making Ais.
Ais's face turned even redder as she quickly turned away, unable to hide her embarrassment. She pouted, huffing in frustration. "Why am I so nervous around Bell.." she muttered to herself. "I should ask Riveria about it.."
Without thinking, Ais playfully started hammering down on Bell's back with her fists, her punches light at first, but growing a little stronger as her emotions—frustration and embarrassment—mixed together. Her strikes were softer than usual, but still felt a little sharper due to the difference in their strength. She winced slightly, realizing that she might have hit him a little harder than she meant to. But she didn't stop.
"Bell-kun no baka!" Ais exclaimed, her voice a mix of frustration and endearing affection. "Bad Bunny!" she added with a scolding tone, but the playful nature of her words was unmistakable.
Bell, in turn, couldn't help but smile widely,"Did she just say that I'm a bunny out loud? and that I'm bad?". He found it hard to focus on anything else when she was acting so cute, her flushed cheeks and the way her small fists lightly hit his back. His thoughts were entirely caught up in her cuteness.
Ais, finishing her playful reprimand, paused, her breath a little heavy from the mini tantrum. Bell turned to face her, gently taking hold of her wrists to stop her. His bright rubellite eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, everything else seemed to fade away.
"I'd love to go with you, Ais-san!" he said, his voice warm and sincere. His bright smile seemed to light up the space between them, and it made Ais's heart skip a beat.
Ais looked up at him, still slightly flustered, her gaze drawn to his eyes. She could feel her own heart racing, a gentle smile tugging at her lips. She wasn't sure what to say, but the sincerity in his voice made her feel like everything would be okay.
"Then... meet me here at 10 p.m. tomorrow?" she asked, her voice quieter now, but there was a soft hope in it, like she was genuinely looking forward to the time they would spend together.
Bell didn't hesitate for a second. "Sure!" he answered, his voice confident and happy.
The moment hung in the air, and Bell gently let go of her wrists. Ais watched him, feeling a little lighter than she had before, and Bell waved at her with a final smile before turning to head in his direction.
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-TWILIGHT MANOR-
Creakss..
"Who is it?" Riveria mumbled, her voice still thick with sleep. She stretched lazily, the soft glow of the evening sun spilling into the room, casting a warm light over the scene. As her eyes fluttered open, she blinked in confusion, only to find Ais standing there, her golden hair glowing like sunlight itself, a serious expression plastered on her face that seemed far too intense.
"A-Ais?" Riveria yawned, rubbing her eyes. "What are you doing here so early... or, well, late?" Her words were still a little foggy, and her head was still a bit too clouded. Ais stood still, but there was a glint in her golden eyes that told Riveria this wasn't a typical visit.
"Riveria," Ais began, her voice unusually firm, "I'm curious!"
Riveria blinked a few times. Ais wasn't normally one for this kind of energy. The sword princess's usual aloofness and quiet demeanor were nowhere to be found now. Ais's golden eyes locked onto Riveria with an intensity she didn't know Ais was capable of. It was like she was facing a mission, and Riveria wasn't sure whether to be amused or concerned.
"Curious about what?" Riveria asked, sitting down on her bed, starting to wake up a little more, but still bewildered by the sudden shift in Ais's usual behavior.
Ais hesitated for a moment, as if searching for the right words. Her lips parted, and then closed, and she shifted slightly from one foot to the other. The intensity in her eyes softened, and in that moment, Riveria could almost see the awkwardness beneath the serious exterior.
"About... feelings," Ais finally admitted, her voice quieter now, like she was unsure of even saying it aloud. Her golden eyes flickered downward for a brief second, almost embarrassed.
Riveria's brow furrowed, clearly surprised. "Feelings?" she echoed, telling Ais to sit down with her, and so she did.
Ais blushed deeply, and before Riveria could comment further, Ais added quickly, "I... I don't really understand them. But when I'm around Bell, I feel... something different. And I don't know why." Her gaze dropped to the floor, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her shirt, "I asked him to go to the Festival tomorrow and I don't know what to do.."
Riveria's teasing smile softened as she saw Ais's rare display of vulnerability. "Ah, so our Sword Princess is finally growing up." she said gently, though there was still a playful glint in her eyes.
Ais's blush deepened, and she nodded slightly, her golden hair swaying. "I just… don't know what to say or how to act around him," she admitted, her fingers twisting the fabric of her dress. "He's so kind, and when he smiles... it feels strange, like my chest is tight."
Riveria chuckled softly. "Ais, It's perfectly normal to feel this way when you're with someone you like. But there's no need to overthink it."
"But what if I mess up?" Ais asked, her voice quieter now. "What if he thinks I'm... weird?"
Riveria couldn't help but laugh, though it was warm and reassuring. "Ais, nothing's more perfect than to just be yourself. Both of you are still young and curious about life. Who knows he might even like you back."
Ais blinked, her lips parting slightly in surprise. "Likes... me?"
Riveria gave a knowing smile. "Who wouldn't fall in love with someone as beautiful as you?"
Ais's blush returned full force, and she glanced down at her hands. "O-oh..." Mini Ais, in her imagination, jumped up and down in excitement, waving a tiny banner that read "Romance!"
Riveria, patting Ais's shoulder. "And if you're unsure, just smile at him. That boy would move mountains for you to see your smile, though it's just a hunch, haha" she laughed.
Ais tilted her head, looking at Riveria curiously. "Just... smile?"
Riveria nodded. "It's powerful, trust me "Although people tell me I look scary when I smile.." But don't think too hard about it. Most importantly, just be yourself and have fun, Ais. Festivals are meant to be enjoyed."
Ais hesitated for a moment, then gave a small, shy smile of her own. "Thank you, Riveria. I'll do my best."
As she left the room, Riveria watched her go, a fond smile on her lips."Ah, young love,"she murmured to herself, shaking her head. "I'll have to keep an eye on those two."
-Danmachi-
(The festival will be the alternative version of Monsterphillia)