Tech Hero in Another World
Chapter 24: [23] Reluctance

Chapter 24: [23] Reluctance

Ren was enjoying his meal when he suddenly noticed something. At the corner of Wendy’s lips, there was a small piece of herb that hadn’t been ground properly.

Without much thought, he reached out and casually took it off.

"Eh..."

Wendy froze, her eyes widening at the gentle touch on the corner of her lips. The distance between them, which had felt normal just moments ago, suddenly seemed incredibly close.

She lifted her gaze, staring at Ren, who remained calm, while her own heart pounded faster than usual.

Ren withdrew his hand with a relaxed expression, then raised the tiny leaf he had taken from Wendy’s lips.

"There was a piece of celery there," he said softly, as if it were nothing.

Wendy felt heat rush to her face, and she instinctively covered her cheeks with her hands.

"A-Ah... I-I see... T-Thanks..." she mumbled, her voice slightly trembling.

Ren shrugged and placed his spoon back into the bowl.

"You were too focused on eating to notice it got stuck on your lips." His tone carried a teasing hint, though his expression remained neutral.

Wendy blinked rapidly before grabbing a napkin from the table and covering half of her face.

"That’s not my fault! The celery leaf was too small!" she protested, though it was clear she was just trying to hide her embarrassment.

Ren chuckled lightly and leaned back in his chair.

"Well, you still look cute with your cheeks all red like that."

"H-Huh?!" Wendy nearly choked, her eyes widening in shock as she stared at Ren.

Seeing her reaction, Ren simply gave a small smile and continued eating as if nothing had happened.

Meanwhile, Wendy could only lower her head, covering her face with her hands, trying to calm her heart, which refused to cooperate.

(What is this...? Why do I feel like a girl who just fell in love!?)

The atmosphere at the dining table subtly changed, but Ren seemed to be enjoying every second of this small interaction.

By the time they finished their meal, the sky had turned dark, adorned with twinkling stars. The air was cooler, and the night breeze carried the distinct scent of a city still brimming with activity. Magic lamps lining the streets glowed softly, illuminating the cobblestone paths that were now growing quieter.

Ren glanced at Wendy, who sat across from him, before rising from his chair with an unhurried movement. His gaze was brief, but it was enough to notice the slightly dazed look on Wendy’s face. "We should probably head back," he remarked casually, realizing how late it had gotten.

Wendy snapped out of her thoughts and gave a small nod. "Um..." she replied softly, her voice tinged with hesitation. They stepped out of the restaurant together, walking side by side under the warm glow of the streetlights, their silhouettes stretching across the quiet city road.

"Well then, see you tomorrow," Ren said, glancing at Wendy. He wasn’t the type to prolong goodbyes, so after saying that, he immediately started walking away. However, for a brief moment, a strange silence lingered between them—something unspoken hanging in the air. Wendy remained where she stood, watching Ren’s back as he moved further away.

Her heartbeat pounded uncontrollably, her thoughts swirling with emotions she couldn’t quite grasp. Before she could even think, her body acted on its own. In a swift motion, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Ren from behind.

Ren froze, his body tensing slightly from the unexpected embrace. He could feel Wendy’s warmth against his back, her soft breaths brushing against his shoulder. He was still processing what had just happened, unable to find a logical explanation for it. "Eh... Wendy?"

Wendy didn’t respond right away. She simply held on for a few more seconds, as if afraid of losing something important, yet unable to put it into words. But before Ren could react any further, she slowly pulled away. "Huum... See you tomorrow!" she said cheerfully, though her voice carried a hint of nervous urgency.

In the next instant, Wendy turned and jogged toward her home without looking back. Her long hair swayed with her movement, leaving behind a lingering warmth in the air. Ren could only stand there, watching her figure disappear around the corner.

"Haah..." He let out a long sigh, running a hand through his face. He was a bit puzzled by what had just happened, but he decided not to dwell on it too much. With a relaxed stride, he finally made his way home, still feeling the lingering warmth of that brief embrace.

At Wendy’s house, the rich aroma of home-cooked food filled the air. Her mother was busy preparing dinner, while her two younger siblings sat at the table, laughing and chatting with each other. Though the house felt warm and lively, something about tonight seemed different.

When Wendy stepped inside, she didn’t say a word. She walked past the dining area without stopping, heading straight to her room at a hurried pace. Her mother, noticing her daughter’s unusual behavior, paused what she was doing and watched Wendy’s retreating figure with concern.

"Wendy?" she called gently, but Wendy didn’t stop. The door to her room closed softly, leaving behind a brief silence.

Inside her room, Wendy sat on her bed, hugging her pillow tightly. Her thoughts were a mess, her heart felt strange—something she had never experienced before. She lowered her head, burying her face into the pillow, hoping it would somehow quiet the turmoil within her.

(Why am I acting like this?) she wondered, trying to make sense of what was happening to her.

Since childhood, Wendy had known that life wouldn’t be easy. After losing her father, a soldier who died in the line of duty, she had become the backbone of her family. Alongside her mother, she worked hard to ensure that her younger siblings could grow up without worries.

Becoming an adventurer was never her dream, but it was the highest-paying job she could take without academic background or noble connections. Even though it was dangerous, at least she had control over the quests she accepted—choosing missions with the lowest fatality rates, though they were still risky.

Yet, for the first time, she was starting to question her choices. If she had actually died in that dungeon, what would have happened to her family? And more than that—what would have happened if Ren hadn’t been there to save her?

Her grip on the pillow tightened. (I shouldn’t rely on others... But why does it feel different with him?)

In this world, where the mortality rate due to monsters was high, many women sought men who could protect them and their families. It wasn’t just about love—it was about survival. And while Wendy had never thought about it that way before, her thoughts were beginning to change.

(Ren... is leaving.)

That thought pierced deeper than she had expected.

If she only saw him as a friend or a savior, she wouldn’t be feeling like this. But the more she tried to push it away, the stronger the emotions grew.

Wendy took a deep breath, staring up at the ceiling with eyes full of confusion. She still didn’t know what she should do.

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