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Of course, under normal circumstances, there wouldn’t be a need to go that far. I already know that the two have been getting along quite well based on our previous meetings. However, it’s important to recognize that I can use this as an opportunity to make them reconcile.

“I got closer to my friends at the academy by sharing a room together. Right, Selian?”

“Yes. One of the happiest times was when I shared a room with El.”

That’s not wrong. In fact, I also had more joyful memories from living in a four-person room with them than when I was using a room by myself.

Of course, living in the same room while still getting to know each other could be risky. But these two have known each other for several years now. There’s no way their relationship wouldn’t improve from living together when they already know each other’s life stories.

“Um… Hero? I don’t think we really need to do this…”

Stella hurried back to her room at my command, frantically gathering her belongings. In her arms were the most basic necessities for day-to-day living.

“I need it! You two are still part of the Hero Support Team, right? Just do as I say since I’m the hero! I’m sure you’ll both thank me later!”

It’s understandable to feel awkward after fighting, but once they reconcile, it’s just a passing emotion. They should feel grateful for being able to reconcile early thanks to me.

“Um… Team Leader, where do I put my clothes…?”

“Oh, um… You can hang them up here or put them away. For… your underwear, just use one of those drawers; I’ll clear out a section for you.”

Look at that. They’re already starting to wipe away their discomfort little by little through conversation. If things keep going like this, by tonight they’ll surely resolve whatever awkward feelings they had and grow even closer… no, even more so than before.

“Thank you for waiting. I’m sorry to have kept you waiting for so long. I’ll bring out the tea shortly.”

Erin said we had waited a long time, but honestly, I didn’t feel bored at all. Watching the two as they fumbled through their awkward conversation made time fly.

Erin rummaged deep into the cabinet and eventually pulled out a box filled with tea leaves. The packaging looked luxurious, immediately indicating it was expensive.

As I took a sip from the teacup, I could definitely sense that the aroma was exceptional. Even though there was a purpose behind it all, I momentarily indulged in the fragrance, enjoying a bit of leisure.

“You two have known each other for a long time, right?”

But I couldn’t stop here. Just because they were sharing a room doesn’t mean their relationship would improve without a solid catalyst. Since I had already decided to get them to reconcile, I needed to do it properly.

“Yes. We’ve had the same team for five years, but we’ve known each other for even longer.”

“Hmm… But it seems like you two aren’t that close.”

“As I mentioned earlier, we had a fight…”

“No, that’s not what I mean. Even if you’re a superior and subordinate, your body language shows a lot of distance between you two. Given that you’ve known each other for so long, shouldn’t you be almost like close friends or sisters?”

Unlike me and Selian, who were sitting closely, these two were sitting with a subtly noticeable distance. They even flinched and quickly pulled their hands back as they reached for snacks and nearly touched.

“Come on, come on…”

Seeing that, I couldn’t just sit back. I stood up and approached them from behind.

Then, I reached out to take Erin’s left hand and Stella’s right hand and brought their hands together. I squeezed them tightly, forcing a connection they couldn’t escape, and returned to my seat.

“Um… What’s this…?”

“If you’re as close as friends, holding hands like this is nothing. If you two weren’t fighting, this would be simple, right?”

They had no choice but to oblige. Admitting they fought now would bring back memories of their previous lies, leaving them hesitant. They were caught in their own trap.

But there was no need for them to panic like that.

I reached out and grabbed Selian’s hand. Then, just like earlier, I intertwined my fingers first. I raised their hands high so Erin and Stella could see.

“Alright, let’s hold hands together in harmony!”

As I demonstrated, the two tilted their heads in confusion but slowly reached out and intertwined their fingers. They placed their hands prominently on the table.

After seeing that, I nodded in satisfaction. Anyway, I didn’t need both hands to drink tea or talk.

“Ah, do you want more to drink?”

“If so, please.”

Since they were holding hands while sipping tea, the awkwardness seemed to diminish a bit, and soon Stella was bringing back her belongings while chatting effortlessly with Erin as if they had never fought. The operation’s effects were definitely starting to show.

But if this was all I achieved, I wouldn’t have started in the first place. Now that their awkwardness seemed to fade, it was high time to ensure they fully reconciled.

“Hey, you two? Come over here!”

“What on earth are you making us do this time…?”

Though they grumbled, they’d follow through anyway. It was for their own good, so why complain? But I could see they were just feeling awkward.

Still, those two got up and approached with hands still clasped together.

“Now you realize fighting was pointless, right? It was something that could have been resolved just by holding hands.”

“So, it wasn’t a fight…”

“Oh, yes. I forgot. Well… then let’s say there were some minor misunderstandings.”

Stella was still insisting they didn’t fight. To an outsider, they looked like they were arguing, so I didn’t know why she felt the need to justify herself. But since the operation was going smoothly, there was no need to press the matter.

“Okay, now let’s hug each other tightly!”

I clapped my hands, launching into that statement. The two looked utterly taken aback, clearly not expecting me to say such a thing. They were so surprised that they nearly let go of each other’s hands.

“Um… No, I mean, friends shouldn’t…”

“Yeah! Friends! It’s perfectly normal for friends to do that!”

As Erin stammered, probably trying to escape from the situation, Selian seemed exasperated enough to leap out of her seat and shout. I was so startled by her sudden action that I jumped too.

Selian, almost as if to prove her point, stood up and tightly hugged me. In the past, I might have overthought the significance of a girl hugging me, but now I was used to light physical contact between girls, so I had no reason to misinterpret it.

Since I had already shown a demonstration, I couldn’t pull back now. Unlike before when I had to force a handshake, this time they voluntarily reached out and embraced each other.

“Now, say some words of reconciliation… oh, wait, not reconciliation, but something like what you wanted to say or a promise to get along better.”

Now that their physical distance had narrowed, it was time to close the psychological gap too. Words have a magical quality; once uttered, they carry a weight, however small. In the world of wizards, promises were considered especially important. Of course, those who took their words lightly would become liars.

“Um… I hope we can get along going forward.”

“Uh, yeah… I’ll be counting on you too…”

Finally, the two reconciled. Not wanting to interfere, I slipped away from Selian’s embrace and moved to a corner of the room.

Then, I used spirit magic to summon Clarice.

“Elysia!”

At the call, Clarice promptly appeared.

“Clarice, could I possibly get a bottle of that alcohol we had last time?”

“Of course!”

With that, Clarice dashed back to the Spirit Realm and soon reappeared with a bottle of alcohol in her hand.

“Here! So… are you drinking today?”

“Oh, not exactly. I have someone I owe, and it seems like those two had a bit of a fight, so I thought I’d help.”

“I see…”

Since Clarice liked drinking, she looked disappointed that there was no drinking session today. She even rummaged through her clothes, finally bringing a small bottle up to her eyes.

“Sniff.”

Wait, is it really worth crying about not having a drink? I wouldn’t think so. She must be so touched by my thoughtfulness toward the two that she shed a tear instead.

“Well, I have to go now… I’ll come back to greet you later.”

“Okay. It can’t be helped. Just remember, there’s plenty of alcohol prepared for when you do need it!”

Now that I got the alcohol, I had to hurry back before Erin and Stella noticed, so I sent Clarice back to the Spirit Realm with my apologies. Fortunately, Clarice understood my situation and didn’t complain. While ordinary spirits wouldn’t care much, since Clarice was the Spirit King of Water, I needed to show her my sincerity.

Ah, by the way, I almost forgot to mention that it’d be hard to ask her to drink with me in this situation. I’ll have to remember to bring that up next time I summon her.

“El? What was that just now?”

“Oh… I learned spirit magic when I went to the Elf’s Forest last time. This is the first time I’m showing it off.”

Selian asked curiously, but bragging about spirit magic could wait. What mattered was that I had alcohol in hand.

As it turns out, alcohol often helps liberate thoughts that were deeply buried inside. Of course, there are times when it leads to unfortunate incidents, but there was no reason to worry about that with these two.

“Well then, we’ll be heading back. This is a gift for treating us to tea, so you both should have a drink and quickly sort out anything that’s been bothering you.”

I intentionally opened the bottle and poured the alcohol directly into their tea cups. Well, knowing Clarice, she might scold me for drinking alcohol without proper context, but what was important for the two was not the taste of the alcohol but the fact that they were using its spirit to help mend their relationship.

Since I wasn’t going to stay and drink with them, I got up from my seat, rejecting their farewell.

When I meet them again, I hope to see a rather closer and friendlier relationship than now.

With a sense of pride, I held onto Selian’s hand and returned to my room.