"You're Elena, right? I'm Woz Star! I've got a real interest in the weapons your father crafts! You absolutely have to show them to me!"
"And I’m Torin Mathis! I’m looking for weapons and armor made from monster materials as well. I’ve heard the quality is top-notch, and these are things you can only find on this island, aren't they?"
"Wow! Are you really that interested in the gear Papa made? I’m so happy to hear that!"
"The pleasure's all mine! I hope that by using them in my future exploits, I can help spread the word about your father’s incredible work to everyone!"
"Believe it or not, I’m considered a top prospect back at the academy. If I start wearing your father’s armor, word will spread, and you’ll have students flocking to this island in no time!"
"Oh! That’s amazing! If that happens, everyone will finally get to see how wonderful Shandia really is!"
Elena responded with pure, unadulterated innocence to the relentless barrage from Woz and Torin as they spoke to her from both sides.
As she beamed with a joyful smile, already imagining a future where crowds of people visited her home, Yugo and the others watched from a short distance and began to whisper among themselves.
"Hey... do you guys actually think those two care about the gear her dad makes?"
"My intuition says absolutely not. No matter how you slice it, they clearly have a much higher priority in mind."
"Agreed. Those guys don't have eyes for monster-material gear—they're only looking at her."
The faces of Woz and Torin, who were aggressively encroaching on Elena’s personal space, practically screamed their true intentions: The real reason we came to this island is the beautiful girl standing right in front of us.
Elena, who didn't know them well and possessed a naturally trusting personality, seemed completely oblivious. However, it was blindingly obvious to everyone else that they harbored ulterior motives.
Yugo and the others felt a wave of exasperation that these two were spending their school trip trying to pick up a local girl they had just met. Amidst their shared sigh, Ryuga muttered to them.
"...Did you notice, Yugo? It seems this is going to be even more troublesome than we thought."
"Eh? What do you mean by that, Ryuga-san?"
"Don't ask me questions."
Everyone in the group knit their brows at Ryuga’s cryptic remark.
Raiha tried to press him for an explanation, but Ryuga’s refusal to answer came with a speed that had clearly become a reflex. A sharp retort from his younger sister followed immediately.
"Dear brother? To say something so mysterious on your own and then give that reaction... I can only describe it as the absolute height of absurdity."
"Yeah. It's a big, big, big, big, big problem. Definitely."
"Yugo? Why did you add so many 'bigs'? And why did it feel like you were putting so much weight behind every single one?"
"Yui, where did you even get that footwear?"
Yui, wielding a slipper with the words "No Way!" printed on it, delivered a powerful smack to her brother.
A satisfying whack echoed through the air. As Yugo nodded in approval, the onlookers felt like they had plenty of things they wanted to point out as well.
The source of that nonsensical slipper is almost certainly my partner... Ryuga thought, sighing internally before finally answering Raiha’s original question.
"I thought those two were acting together... but it seems that’s not the case. In fact, they look like they’re rivals."
"What? Why do you think that?"
"Neither of them used 'we' or 'us.' They both stuck strictly to singular pronouns. It’s an implicit way of saying they aren't part of the same group as the guy standing next to them."
"Now that you mention it... their way of speaking does sound like they’re competing with each other, gozaru."
Once Ryuga pointed it out, everyone realized that Woz and Torin hadn’t visited the island as friends.
At the same time, combining that insight with the overall atmosphere, they understood that the two were essentially fighting over Elena. The realization made them all look as though they had just swallowed something incredibly bitter.
"I want a sword! I'll pay whatever you want, just sell me your finest blade!"
"I’m looking for a full set of armor to go with a weapon! I'll buy both, so deal with me—!"
"Then I’ll buy accessories too! Talk to me first!"
"Get out of my way! I’m the one who called out to her first!"
"No, I was first!"
"Waah! Waah! Waah! Stop it! You shouldn't fight! Everyone has to get along!"
"Crab-ab-ab-ab-ab...!?"
"What are we going to do? Elena looks miserable caught in the middle of that."
"But they technically count as customers, so we can't exactly barge in and interrupt..."
As the argument between Woz and Torin grew more heated, even Elena finally seemed to notice the strange tension between them.
Just as Yugo was wondering if there was a way to help her, Horon, who had been observing the situation from the sidelines, walked over with a calm smile.
"Elena, I’ll handle these gentlemen. Why don't you look after those other kids for me?"
"Eh? But...!"
"These guests have already decided what they want to buy, right? In that case, I can handle them just fine. Those kids don't even know what we have in stock yet, let alone what they need. Since Carlos-san is out, only you can properly explain and introduce the equipment, Elena."
Horon stepped into the middle of the fray, using a somewhat forceful but logical persuasion.
While Elena still hesitated, Horon caught Poruru’s eye and gave a subtle signal. The clever monster understood immediately, pushing Elena from behind and guiding her toward Yugo’s group.
"Hey! Wait a minute!"
"I was the one talking to her—!"
"Now, now. Elena was already talking to those guests over there before she even met you two, so if we're going by logic, they should be the ones prioritized! It’s quite alright! The equipment made here in Shandia is world-class. Whether it’s me or Elena showing it to you, the quality remains the same!"
Flashing a friendly smile, Horon threw his arms around their shoulders and began leading Woz and Torin away.
The two of them, unable to come up with a counterargument, looked back over their shoulders with expressions of pure frustration. As Yugo watched them go, he felt a heavy weight of certainty that they had just shifted all their irrational resentment onto him. Meanwhile, Elena let out a flustered, awkward laugh.