Surviving as a Useless Bard in a Game

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A bit late to say this, but I just realized that Skylar and I are kind of doing the whole “date” thing, like, really similarly.

Wandering around late at night, chatting about little things, checking out trinkets, watching a play, and finally heading into a restaurant—such a classic date course.

I can’t tell if this was Skylar’s intention or if I just fell into it without realizing it.

What really matters now is that I unwittingly found myself in this atmosphere and situation.

I was sensitive to other people’s gazes. I was sensitive to the mood. That’s just how bards are, right? But even in such a setting, I had no clue.

In other words, I had suddenly become a bard who couldn’t read the room.

Or maybe… I unconsciously wanted this situation.

Either one felt bad.

On one side, it meant one of my abilities had gone to waste, and on the other, it screamed that deep down, I wanted to take Skylar on a date.

Skylar suddenly staring blankly at my face was probably part of this whole intention.

Yeah. What a ridiculous misunderstanding.

“Skylar, just to clarify.”

“Yes?”

“I didn’t mean it like that.”

“…Mean what?”

“I mean, it’s not really a date or anything. Don’t worry.”

“……Okay.”

For some reason, Skylar responded to my words a bit late, looking slightly gloomy.

The atmosphere was oddly off.

A man in flashy clothing, but looking cheap, picked up a lute and stepped onto the restaurant stage to start playing.

Looks like he was a bard the restaurant hired for cheap.

His outfit and voice were annoying enough to unsettle me, yet ironically, his performance wasn’t bad at all. It was decent enough to listen to.

He was playing some romantic tune at a slow tempo. Not bad at all.

The place was incredibly dark and dimly lit.

I began to understand a bit what “losing oneself in the atmosphere” really meant.

Even though I hadn’t brought the wine glass to my lips, my vision was somewhat blurry, and my mind felt hazy. My rational thoughts were giving way to emotions and impulses.

The only source of light in the dark restaurant was a few candles hanging high from the ceiling.

“Skylar.”

“Yes?”

“…I guess it’s about time we should order.”

“I know.”

Unlike other places where the staff would seek out patrons, the Gateway City was always bustling with people and didn’t really have to be kind to customers.

Of course, it felt like a downside for customers.

There’s no reason to be overly polite to passing travelers. Unless you’re a regular, it’s just a city you pass through.

Not the best place to linger.

When Skylar and I stared at the staff, they finally stood up from their seats.

The employee, without a word, tossed the menu onto our table and stared blankly at our faces.

A classic example of an unfriendly staff member.

Skylar and I, hating to cause a fuss, didn’t point out his attitude. We just tried to act nonchalant and chose from the menu.

Choosing something too expensive felt like a hit to our meal budget, so we settled on three items at a reasonable price.

Anyway, neither of us was a big eater, so this amount was just right.

A little while later, the orders arrived.

A classic bowl of linguine topped with tomato sauce, a steak impressive with mashed potatoes styled like a salad, and a Caprese dish featuring thinly sliced fresh mozzarella topped with apples and tomatoes.

It wasn’t that high-end of a restaurant, as the dressing seemed excessive, and the vinegar taste was a bit strong; but aside from that, the quality was pretty decent.

Skylar, satisfied it seemed, busily moved his knife back and forth without saying a word.

How well he managed to cut the steak with a child’s strength! Whenever I tried, it ended up looking like weird strands and wouldn’t slice properly.

This whole awkward eating situation felt off too.

“Skylar.”

“Yes?”

“How is it?”

“…It’s decent enough to eat. But not asking about the doneness and just going with medium is a bit much; but the best food around here is probably only seen near Regan.”

“That’s true. The food was definitely better when we were in Regan.”

“Even though we’re in the same Empire, it’s so different.”

“They say all cultures converge in Gateway City, but it’s not as diverse as I expected. It feels like we came all this way just to eat the same pasta and steak, and salad.”

“Haha….”

Skylar replied to my words with a casual laugh.

It wasn’t his usual honest demeanor; I could see him putting on his ‘social skills’. I didn’t like it. My expression slightly soured.

Seeing my face, Skylar cautiously averted his gaze.

He noticed a moment too late that I was reading his expressions, actions, and words. Yeah, it was “a moment too late.” It was already too late for him to avoid it.

“Skylar.”

“……”

“Why are you acting like that? It doesn’t work to keep your mouth shut and pretend you don’t know. I know everything.”

“I just… feel weird. It feels off.”

“What’s off?”

“You said before we came in that this isn’t a date. To be honest, yes. It’s not a date. But you didn’t have to make it so blunt. Honestly, it didn’t feel… great.”

“We’re not even lovers.”

“Yes. Not lovers.”

For some reason, when Skylar honestly admitted that my words bothered him, it actually lightened my mood. Is that how opposites attract?

Hmm, I’m not sure.

For now, let’s just enjoy this moment. That vague feeling was all that remained distinctly.

“Okay. Then let’s consider it a date.”

“…Huh?”

“Even if we’re not lovers, we can at least go on a date. Now, raise your glass.”

“Wait. When did we order this…”

“Don’t ask about that. Just do it.”

Skylar finally grabbed the glass and raised it. The shimmering violet wine clinked together.

When the glasses collided, a beautiful sound echoed in the air. For a moment, that sound was undoubtedly clear and refreshing. So much better than the music the bard was playing.

I took a sip of wine. It flowed down my throat.

It was a strangely exhilarating sensation, like someone was licking inside my body.

Skylar, noticing my reaction, downed his drink in one go. For some reason, no one seemed to care that he, a minor, was drinking.

Did he burn a scroll or something? Didn’t want to be bothered?

“Is it pride? Skylar downing it all in one go is unlike him.”

It’s true that for guys, drinking is a kind of pride. There was a weird guy who insisted that a guy who couldn’t drink a bottle of soju wasn’t a man at all back before I fell into this world.

I miss that. I actually had a lot of friends, huh.

When I return to the real world, will I be able to meet Skylar again?

I’m not talking about the game character Skylar… but the real human Skylar. The one I can talk to honestly, as a companion.

Probably… it’s unlikely.

For some reason, I felt a mix of regret and reluctance to go back.

I shook my head from side to side. No matter how I thought about it, that was a bad idea. Those are crossing the line.

When I fell into this world, didn’t I set my highest priority goal as returning?

Giving up on going back would mean rejecting myself.

So, I will not deny myself. I will accept myself. To exist as myself.

…If the day comes when we must part ways, I’ll send him off with a smile.

That would be enough. For now.

“Skylar.”

“Yes.”

Two glasses later.

A bottle of wine was slowly running low.

His tolerance seemed weaker than I expected; his face had turned slightly red.

‘No, maybe since he was in a child’s body, his drinking capacity was less.’

Right now, I could see and hear his honest face and answers.

That’s what I judged.

My mind, which usually turns slowly, was now spinning fast. I was borrowing some of that alcohol’s power.

“Do you think the Mad King will die, and we can peacefully disperse?”

“No.”

There was no hesitation in his answer.

“Then do you think, depending on the situation, we could become enemies?”

“…Yes.”

This time he hesitated a bit. Was he hesitant in judgment? Or perhaps it was a desire not to become enemies with me?

I couldn’t tell.

Not knowing each other’s hearts, the night grew deeper.

***

After quite some time.

When we returned to our lodgings, we didn’t exchange a single word, turning our backs to each other, and fell asleep just like that.

The day casually finds us again.

The sun rises, and the same day repeats.

My insides feel nothing but complicated.

What flipped my already complicated insides was the scenery of a dream I had.

I was holding the hands of a man, presumed to be Skylar, dancing with a smile on my face.

His expression looked like… someone yearning for something.

—This was unavoidable.