After washing up and informing his parents that he would eat outside with some friends, his mother detained him. However, after a barrage of questions that specifically hinted at the presence of girls, Jin was finally released with the help of his father.
He sighed, recalling about his mother's attitude. Jin was afraid that it would be difficult for him to have a partner in the near future and felt guilty if she had to face her in-laws.
The air feels breezy and cold as the planet's light slightly sinks down on the west, indicating the changing shift of weather tonight. Thankfully, he wears a long-sleeve T-shirt and long black trousers, withstanding the night late-autumn cold.
He walked past the market district, and a few minutes later, he arrived at the wooden house that seemed lively. He heard the laughter of a mother and daughter duo, which echoed and filtered through his ears.
"Excuse me, this is Jin." Jin knocked on the door thrice, and soon, adorable footsteps approached his side and pulled open the door.
"Big brother, you came?!".
"Of course, I will. We promised each other, right?".
"Um, I'm happy!". Nina took Jin's hand and started to drag him inside. "Mom, Big Brother is here!".
"Yes, I know. Welcome, young master Jin!".
Iris appeared wearing a white apron that covered her slender body. Her youthful and beautiful appearance as an elf, combined with blonde hair tied into a ponytail, bringing out her feminine and bright side, captivated Jin for a moment.
"Big brother, what is the matter?" Nina adorably tilted her head, seeing the boy stand stiffened before her mother.
"Hm?! Ah, no, nothing. Thank you for having me here".
"Okay, young master Jin. You could wait at the dining table while I prepare everything. Nina, you could wait, or do you want to help?".
"Help!".
"Okay, then please wait patiently".
Iris resumed her vegetable choppings while Nina soon went to her station, peeling off the vegetable skin.
As the two began the preparation, Jin, who came as a guest, had no choice but to sit on the dining table for four, surrounding a round wooden table. He observed the minimalist room, where the living and kitchen are connected, separated only by the difference in furniture.
The laughter from the kitchen and the smiles on the duo's faces soothed Jin's face. At that time, he was thankful for the appearance of the quest system, which could bring them together again in harmony.
Time passed slowly as a delicious aroma began to fill the entire room, rousing Jin's appetite. He saw Iris pour a clear and colourful soup from the vegetables into a bowl before bringing it to the dining table along with the other dish.
"Woah, this looks delicious?!".
"Big brother, here is your rice?".
Jin shot right up from his seat and stared at Nina, who had brought a plate filled with steamed tiny crystalized milky jewels. His stomach started to growl, which attracted the mother-daughter duo to chuckle.
"A rice?!". He received the still-warm cooked rice in his hands, staring at it with deep gratitude.
"Big brother, did you not like rice?".
"No, this is awesome. I am liking it!".
For how long has his palate dreamed of this? Ever since he was reborn, he ate nothing but bread for every occasion. Sure, Jin likes bread, but sometimes, as someone who used to eat rice as an everyday meal in his old world, he couldn't help but crave it occasionally.
"Okay, enough with the talk; let's eat." Iris came, bringing another big plate with stir-fried meat and vegetables inside.
"Let's eat! This is delicious!".
Following Jin's prayer, both mother and daughter were confused at first, but seeing his tears of happiness and how much he praised the dish made them happy inside, and they soon enjoyed dinner together as a family.
After dinner with the family, Iris was washing the dishes. Jin played with Nina until she lay down on the sofa, breathing softly. The exhaustion of her mind must take a toll on her current physique as she sounds asleep.
"Here, young master Jin, have some tea". Iris returned as she presented the steamed tea to Jin at the dining table.
"Thank you!".
She flashed her smile, which made Jin blush. His heart couldn't help but keep drumming wildly, and his eyes kept darting toward her figure, who carried Nina to her room. Jin exhaled as he sipped the tea and managed to calm his raging heart.
'Man, what was happening to me?'. He immersed himself in his alone time until Iris returned and sat opposite him.
The atmosphere turned silent. Both of them were too occupied by their swirling thoughts to start a conversation. Jin steeled his mind and started the conversation.
"This tea has a soft taste compared to what I have in my house, but it is delicious. Where did you find it?".
"Ah, this is my own personal blend, so I am afraid that it will not be on the market".
"I see. No wonder". Jin took another sip, and the soft and sweet taste washed away his tongue.
"I'm glad if this is to your liking".
Thanks to Jin, who melted the frozen atmosphere between them, Iris started to open up more in conversation, and JIn also began to respond when needed and throw some random topic in their hands to liven up the mood between them.
"Um, Mrs Iris. Is it true that you are an Adventurer? ".
"Yeah, because of my recent body condition, I couldn't take any quests, but I will start over tomorrow."
"Are you really okay?". Jin furrowed his brows, worry certainly plastered across his face.
"No, my savings are almost depleted, and I can't let Nina experience something like that ever again! ...I have to settle some score with him…". Iris puts the cup, and a burning fire blazes through her emerald eyes, determined to get everything done.
Jin saw something deep within those eyes, but he didn't want to push further because their relationship was still at the level of acquaintance.
"You are an Adventure yourself, right, young master Jin?".
"Ahaha, Yes, I am the third son and probably won't have any part with the land successor. If so, can you please call me by my name? It feels stifling being called a young master by someone who is not from my house."
"I see. Okay then, Jin".
"Thank you!".
After passing a few more minutes in a harmonious mood, they enjoyed their talking time until the night had to remind Jin to leave as they stood at the front door.
"Thank you for the treat. I am enjoying it, and give my regards to Nina. Good night, Mrs Iris!".
"Good night!".
Iris, who was wearing casual clothes, crossed her arms to seek warmth. She leaned against the door, watching the silhouette of the boy disappear from her sight.
"Jin, huh!". She doesn't know why she uttered those names when the boy had disappeared. She shook her head, trying to dispel any unnecessary thoughts, before shutting the door and ending the day with a soft smile on her face.
*****
The next day, Jin, as usual, entered the Adventure Guild only to find himself seeing something bizarre. Despite many crowds looking at the specific place, no one dared to interfere and only enjoyed their breakfast time before going adventuring with their party.
"Hey lady, come one. You are alone, right? Why don't you just have a party with us?"
"Yeah, the three of us will take care of you".
"You are also a precious ranger in our attacker party".
All three men in their mid-thirties surrounded one woman, who wore a green outfit that was easy to move in. On her back, she had a quiver filled with arrows and a Bow strapped to her shoulder.
She was a beautiful blonde woman with a ponytail, and her figure reminded Jin of the scene last night.
'Don't tell me?'. Jin carefully approached the group, and as soon as he met eyes with the woman.
"Mrs Iris..?!".
"Morning Jin, I've been waiting for you!".
Jin's voice was swallowed by her cheerful and energetic tone which brought other attention to his side. Iris, with a playful and happy smile on her face, closed her distance, took his hand on her, and tightly embraced it.
"...Play along!". At such a close distance, Iris' closed breath whispered something into his ear.
"I'm sorry I was late. Have you found the quest we will take?".
"Nothing, I'm just spending my time watching the quest while waiting for you to come".
"I see".
From the corner of his sight, Jin saw the man sigh in resignation while some clicked his tongue in displeasure, however, as the rule states by the guild. There must be no fighting amongst Adventurers inside the building Guild. So, they reluctantly step back while lamenting about their bad luck.
"Let's go see the Iron-rank quest!". Iris dragged him away as they stopped before the quest board.
Jin tries to not mind the soft feeling on his hand and the alluring scent that keeps tormenting his consciousness by scanning the board. He searched for a while before ripping one of the papers present.
"Jin, thank you for the help!". Iris released Jin's hand after seeing the earlier men stroll away from the building.
"It's okay. I'm glad I could be of help! Woah?!". Jin planned to go toward the receptionist's desk to take the mission, but his body jolted sideways after Iris dragged him away into the quest board, which was meant for Gold-rank adventurers.
"Mrs Iris?".
The woman in question scanned the entire board before stopping in one direction and tearing apart the quest paper.
"Well, after what I did earlier. Might as well we form a temporary party together".
"Yes?".