The Duel That Wasn't
The afternoon in Axel was loud in the usual, harmless way—vendors shouting, adventurers bragging about quests they hadn't completed which technically always, and Aqua arguing with a cabbage merchant about "divine discounts." Ruko stood a few steps away from the chaos, leaning against the guild wall with his phone-cyclopedia in hand, half-listening to Kazuma rant about party expenses and half-scrolling through old photos which he hadn't seen when come to this world. It was peaceful in the most dysfunctional way possible, and for once no system warnings were flashing in the corner of his vision. That peace lasted exactly twelve seconds. A girl in a dramatic cloak burst into the square as if she had been launched from a cannon, striking a pose so intense it looked physically painful. Her eye gleamed in crimson, her staff pointed forward, and her voice rang out with theatrical force. "I am Yunyun, the greatest rival of Megumin! I challenge you to a duel!"
Ruko blinked. Kazuma didn't. Aqua groaned. Megumin froze mid-sip of tea and slowly turned, her eyes lighting up with the kind of competitive energy that usually preceded explosions. Ruko looked between them. "Y'all know her?" Kazuma rubbed his face. "Unfortunately." Yunyun marched forward, stopping just short of Megumin, her expression a mixture of pride and barely contained desperation. She began introducing herself again, louder, longer, and with more unnecessary hand gestures. Ruko listened for about five seconds before realizing this wasn't a threat, a demon, or even if it was a scam. It was a rivalry. A very one-sided rivalry. Megumin folded her arms and responded with equal theatrical intensity, declaring herself the superior Crimson Demon and accepting the duel with the seriousness of someone agreeing to a world-ending battle rather than what was clearly an argument about academic rankings.
Kazuma leaned toward Ruko. "They do this every time they meet." Ruko tried to stay neutral. He really did. But then Yunyun pulled out a handwritten list titled "Reasons I Am Better Than Megumin" and began reading it aloud like a legal document. Something in Ruko broke. A sound escaped him—small at first, then bigger, then uncontrollable. He laughed. Not the dry, sarcastic chuckle he used when Kazuma did something stupid. Not the cold smirk he wore during fights. A real laugh. It hit him hard and fast, doubling him over as Yunyun and Megumin argued about whose explosion magic had better "aesthetic impact." Aqua stopped mid-argument with the cabbage merchant. Darkness stared. Kazuma turned slowly. They had never seen that expression on Ruko's face. That For a brief moment the usual flat, guarded look disappeared, replaced by something open and almost bright. He looked… younger. Lighter. Handsome in a way that wasn't hidden behind deadpan indifference.
Then he noticed them staring. The laugh cut off instantly. His posture straightened, his face snapping back into its usual calm, almost catlike neutrality. Kazuma squinted. "That was creepy but dude what the hell is that." Aqua pointed. "Do it again." Ruko pushed off the wall. "Not happening." Megumin and Yunyun were now attempting to out-pose each other, chanting exaggerated spell names without actually casting anything because neither of them had the mana for a real fight. It was less a duel and more a dramatic stage play with no audience except confused townspeople. Ruko watched for a moment, then shook his head. "So… y'all just scream at each other and go home or what?" Kazuma nodded. "Pretty much." Yunyun suddenly turned toward Ruko, as if noticing him for the first time.
Her posture shifted immediately from dramatic rival to painfully shy introduction mode. "H-Hello. I am Yunyun of the Crimson Demon Clan. We have not met, but I am Megumin's rival and therefore also your… acquaintance by association." Ruko raised a hand in a small wave. "Ruko." She waited, clearly expecting a longer introduction. He gave none. I An awkward silence followed, broken only by Aqua whispering, "He does that to everyone." Yunyun nodded like she understood, even though she clearly didn't. Megumin stepped between them, pointing her staff accusingly. "Do not attempt to recruit my party member into your faction, Yunyun!" "I don't have a faction!" Yunyun protested. "I just wanted to say hello!" Ruko looked at Kazuma. "This is quite a normal rivalry?" "Unfortunately." The "duel" ended the way it always did—with no spells cast, no winner declared, and Yunyun stomping off while promising to return stronger next time. Megumin declared victory anyway. Aqua demanded food. Darkness looked emotionally fulfilled for reasons no one wanted to question.
As they began walking back toward the mansion, Kazuma nudged Ruko. "You really laughed back there." Ruko shrugged. "Yeah it was quite funny." "You never laugh." "Statistical anomaly." Kazuma stared at him. "You're weird." Ruko didn't respond. His expression had already settled back into its usual calm mask, but something lingered in his posture—looser, less guarded than before. Behind them, Axel returned to its usual noise and chaos. Ahead, the road toward the mansion stretched under the orange glow of the setting sun. Yew's system flickered quietly in the corner of Ruko's vision.
[Emotional Response Detected: Genuine Laughter]
[Stress Index: Temporarily Reduced]
[Progress Marker: Stable – 2.00%]
Ruko dismissed the window without reading the rest. He slid his world clothes, hands into his pockets and followed the group, their arguing voices blending into the evening air. For a few minutes, the weight he usually carried felt lighter. He didn't question why.