I WAS The Rank–1 Hero

Grrrrr.

My stomach grumbled loudly.

I stiffened.

Ruby's head twitched against my chest. And before I could even try to make any reasonable excuse she snorted.

"...hehe.. Heeheee"

It started as a muffled giggle, then turned into a shoft laugh.

Then she tilted her head up only slightly, still wrapped in my arms, and looking at me with her cheeks flushed, she asked.

"You hungry?"

Her voice was teasing, my whole body felt an electric current. It was a little playful for someone who'd been crying minutes ago.

I goaned and looked away. Scratching my cheeks, I nodded.

"Mhm."

She laughed again, and somehow, that sound of her laughter made everything feel lighter.

Still leaning into me, she completely tilted her face up—and that's when we both froze.

Our eyes locked.

Our breathings bruising with each other.

And for the first time, we realized just how close we really were.

Her lips…

It was just few inches away from mine.

Her breathing warming up my face.

And—oh crap— her chest still pressing gently against me.

The soft pressure.

Her chest was rising and falling with each breath.

I wasn't prepare for it…

It was a strange feeling… it was gentle, yet it made my entire body freeze.

Like every nerve in my chest suddenly got a 'wake up call', trying to memorize the way it felt.

It wasn't lust.

It was longing.

Ruby too noticing it flinched.

I too panicked.

We both at the same time and immediately pulled away from each other.

I held my hand with the other.

She took two steps back, covering her mouth with her hand, then awkwardly reaching for her hair, she started twirling a lock of her hair.

Her gaze dropped to the floor, though from time to time she peeked up at me.

I found it insanely cute.

Holding my urges, I scratched my cheeks, "I didn't eat anything.Since this evening."

"...Really?" she asked, her voice still soft, her eyes this time flickering up. "Why didn't you say so earlier?"

I shrugged.

"I forgot."

She hesitated, then said quietly, "I-I'll make something."

"Huh?"

She turned so fast I barely caught the sight of her burning red ears.

"I'll make something!" she called over her shoulder again, she was rushing toward the tiny kitchen in my room.

Thud.

She stumbled on her toe.

"Ah—!"

She yelped, caught herself against the counter.

I tried to help, but she raised her hand, stopping me in my place.

"Oof! I'm fine!"

I couldn't help it.

A smile traced on my lips.

A wide, helpless stupid smile.

She was fluster. Clumsy. Embarrassed.

But she was trying her best.

All for me.

I nodded my head before I even realized it, my eyes trailing after her fidgety figure.

Then I glanced down at my hands.

Clenching them slowly, I felt her warmth still there.

That soft, comforting feeling…

'Heh.'

Sera chuckled, clearly enjoying my awkward moment.

I felt even more embarrassed.

Talk about privacy…

Teasingly, she said,

'Don't worry, human. I'll give you full privacy when the moment strikes.'

"...!"

This damn ghost!

'Hehehe,' she giggled. 'I didn't expect it to play out this well. I really enjoyed it.'

She was definitely asking for a beating now.

I glanced back in time, and the warmth of Ruby's body returned to my thoughts—her touch lingering in my memory. It made me think strange things, which I hurriedly brushed off.

'Wow!' Sera had clearly read my mind.

I pretended not to notice, but then she added,

'She's too kind.'

That's what she said.

I turned toward the kitchen. Ruby was there, standing chopping an onion while wearing an apron, which I hae no idea where she get those. But, that sight of hers… it felt oddly comforting. As if we were just marr—

I stopped my thoughts.

Let's not go overboard.

But to Sera's words, I replied,

Indeed she is. That's what I like about her.

She's the kindest.

'Oh my, finally admitting it?!'

I didn't react at Sera's tease, with some foolish denial.

Instead, I accepted it.

I took pride in this feeling I held for her, it made me feel strangely… satisfied.

And maybe, someday… I'll tell her directly.

***

[Ruby's POV]

From the kitchen, after fifteen minutes.

—Clink. Clank.

The pan slides on the stove, as the oil warmed.

"I-I can do this…" I whispered, placing the chopped vegetables inside, which I took out from my Inventory Ring.

To tell the truth, I was planning from the beginning to cook him a dinner today, before I give him the ring.

Ring…

I hopes he likes it.

Just by remembering him, I felt hot.

His scent… his warmth… that heartbeat.

I clench my chest.

"I can still feel it." I murmured.

"Ugh…" I groaned, puffing my cheeks.

Why was my heart still racing like this?

I once again recalled that line.

'It's always been you.'

My cheeks flared up again. "W-What the heck was that suppose to mean, Idiot…"

Gripping the spatula tightly, I stirred the pan faster.

—Clink! Clank!

I lowered the flame and took a deep breath.

Okay, Ruby. Get it together. And stop acting like some school girl who just got her first love confession—

Actually, now that I think about it… that's exactly what this feels like.

He confessed to me!

Unable to reist, I peeked back through the kitchen's doorway.

I saw him, still standing where we were once hugging.

"Ummmmmmmm!!" I squented my eyes, my face felt tingly, as I remembered it once again.

I can't help it! I will never forget this feeling!

Still standing in the middle of the room, looking at his hands, he was little dazed, like just like me he was reliving the moment too.

Stupid…

My lips curled into a smile. A weird, fluttery warmth appeared in my chest.

"He looks so cute when he's like that…" I whispered to myself.

But just as I was about to look away, our eyes met.

"...!"

"...!"

I dugged behind the wall, panicking.

"D-Damn it, Ruby…!"

I was so embarrassed I nearly dropped the spatula.

…

After placing the last plate on the tray. I looked down at it with a soft smile.

"Done…" I whispered to myself.

I placed my hand over my pocket.

The ring.

This is crazy…

I can't believe I'm actually planning to give him tonight.

After everything that happened… won't this feel like I'm proposing or something?

My face already heating up again.

We were just… holding each other.

And that wasn't an official confession, was it?

And this ring—it was suppose to be a birthday gift!

I bought it few days ago thinking i'd just give him at his birthday.

But those damn interviews…!

Sigh…

Back then, we both were still dancing around our feelings.

But now?

We weren't dancing anymore.

We'd both jumped into the pit. Headfirst.

And honestly… I didn't want to clime out.

So I looked at the box again and took a deep breath.

"Even if it feels like too much…"

My lips curled into a small smile.

"He deserves it."

I won't run away.

I gently placed the box inside my pocket.

Who knows…

Maybe this ridiculous gift might actually works.

And maybe—just maybe—Tonight would be our beginning.