Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? by Fujino Omori Page B

discover on any given day.”
    Her eyes are smiling…
    Ahem. She made one of those fake coughs as soon as she saw me looking at her. Her cheeks are turning red, too.
    “Anyway, that’s how it is. I guess meeting new people is fun. My heart yearns for it.”
    “… That’s quite the hobby you’ve got there.”
    I’m not all that different. I get excited just seeing all the people on the streets of Orario.
    That might be the best thing about the city and the people who live here: you learn something new every day.
    The moment that I find some common ground with Syr, the doors suddenly open and a group of about ten new costumers files into the bar. They must have made a reservation because they’re all led to an empty table in the opposite corner of the main floor.
    The band is comprised of many different races. I’m pretty sure they’re adventurers—strong ones, too.
    Isn’t that…!
    My heart jumps.
    I caught a glimpse of blond hair so shiny it could be made of real gold.
    Her body, so delicate and feminine it would break if you touched it, looks more like a spirit or a fairy from legends than a human’s. She doesn’t walk, she glides.
    Her big golden eyes… so clear, so pretty. I just gasped a little.
    The one whom I admire above all others is part of the group of formidable adventurers coming into the bar.
    There’s no mistaking her.
    Aiz Wallenstein…
    “… Ooho!”
    “They royalty or somethin’?”
    “’Course not, moron. Look at the emblems.”
    “… Meh.”
    Other customers just figured out that this troop belongs to
Loki Familia
. A new tone of whispers spreads throughout the bar.
    “So that’s them.” “… They’re the “giant-killer
Familia
, eh?” “Aren’t they first-class all-stars?!” “Who’s the kenki I’ve heard so much about?”
    Waves of awe echo through all of their voices. Some of them whistle at Ms. Wallenstein and other female members of the group as they walk past.
    I’m just as awestruck as they are.
    To think I would see “the one” in a place like this!
    W-what do I do?
    “B-Bell?”
    Should I go over there and say thank you for saving my life…? No, no, no. I’d just look stupid. Even if I went over there, what the hell could I say? “I love you! Let me take you out!” Yeah, right. I need to calm down. She doesn’t even know my name.
    Okay, just watch.
    “… Bell…?”
    I can use the bar as cover; don’t want
Loki Familia
to see my red face watching them from across the room. I feel like I’m stalking my prey in some vast savannah and the trap has been set. Syr’s looking at me with concern on her face, but I’m too busy to notice.
    Ms. Wallenstein’s seat is facing directly toward me.
Screech
… The sound of their chairs on the floor fills my ears, but my eyes are locked firmly on her.
    “Yes-sa! Great day out there in the Dungeon today, people! Time to cut loose! Drink up!”
    One of them stands up and makes a toast. His back is to me, so I can’t see his face.
    They all start talking at once. Loud clinks of glasses, cutlery hitting plates, shoveling food into their mouths. But Ms. Wallenstein just has a small plate in front of her, taking her time.
    As if
Loki Familia
’s toast was some kind of signal, other patrons remember they have drinks and food, too. It’s like the room flipped a switch and went back to normal.
    “
Loki Familia
members are regulars here. Their goddess, Loki, seems to like it here.”
    Syr just whispered the best news I’ve ever heard into my ear, her hand up like a wall to keep anyone from overhearing her.
    But I understand loud and clear.
    If I come here, there is a good chance of seeing Ms. Wallenstein.
    My eyes follow every one of Ms. Wallenstein’s movements. How she laughs when someone tells her that her face is red from drinking. How she talks with her female teammates, her energy, her smile. How she delicately wipes the side of her mouth as if caring for a young fawn.
    I can’t say I’m proud of spying