There Was a Cute Girl in the Hero's Party, So I Tried Confessing to Her (勇者パーティーにかわいい子がいたので、告白してみた。)

ONE MONTH EARLIER

I'd like you to do something about this, Captain.

I've seen those symptoms before.

Sheesh...

Happiness.

I knew it.

Have you been making time to see her lately?

I see.

Hmm... I guess we'll ask the guild for a quest as an excuse again

and invite Happiness and Cecilia to go with us.

Uh...

Could he not just invite her on a date like normal?

DATE?!

A d-date?!

I have two superiors who can't even ask the girls they like on a date.

My life sucks.

O-Okay!

Operation Go on a Group Date as a Drastic Measure to Help Raven...

is underway!

Sunny day.

Isn't the weather just lovely?

Let's do our best to have lots of fun today!

Hey, Duke, since when were you and Irene a thing?

When I said we were giving the captain a break,

she said she wanted to help.

I'm so excited! I hope we find something good to eat!

All right, we're heading out now.

So where are we headed, anyway?

There's someplace Happiness wants to go.

We're starting with that.

Dying to.

WHERE?

Oh, you mean the famous spot that just opened recently?

You nailed it.

A famous spot that just opened? You don't mean...

LET'S GO TO A BAKERY.

Refuse.

LET'S GET LUNCH!

Too early.

That place will probably be crowded,

and if we go there, it could lead to chaos.

Let's not do that today.

Break free!

Wow...

This looks amazing!

The king made it to celebrate the Demon King's defeat.

Identical.

PLEASE DON'T LOOK.

Don't be modest.

I'm proud.

Looks like it's going well.

The plan's clearly a success.

Happiness, you have cream on your cheek.

Captain?

It is the captain.

But that voice we just heard...

Right?

I see. So sorry.

This is the first time we've heard your voice,

so we were a bit surprised.

Rude!

Vice Captain, good to see you.

The captain's off duty today,

so don't worry about him. You can continue your patrol.

Hah! He has not only his subordinate, but a fragile girl defending him?

Please, go ahead and enjoy your day off,

"Sir Raven."

Um... Captain?

Raven...

Hey! Raven!

I'll bring him right back!

I'll go with you!

I don't blame him for being shocked, but I didn't think he'd run away.

There were always some knights who didn't like having a captain who didn't talk.

It was the vice captain who brought them all together as a faction.

I'm still a rookie,

so there's only so much I can do to stick up for him.

You've got it harder than I thought.

Over there!

This game of tag is over.

Let's head back to the others.

What's going to happen if I go back?

What?!

You're running away because you got embarrassed?

So you never want to see Happiness again, then?

That's...

I thought I was fine with it as long as Happiness was happy.

What a letdown.

If you still insist on keeping silent, I guess it is what it is.

He's all yours from here.

What's really wrong?

Lately, I've been reminded of my own weakness and powerlessness.

You remember that quest we did at the ocean?

That day, Happiness told me she had a secret.

She seemed to be afraid of something,

so it must be a really big deal.

But how can I accept whatever her secret is

when all I ever do is worry and fret?

It's the same with my voice.

All I've done is run from it.

If only I could

have the courage to approach the girl I love, like you do...

Say what?!

Just who do you think I am?

I went out alone with the girl I love,

but I'm such a shy loser, I had to wear a mask the whole time!

On your feet, Raven!

Those legs aren't just for show, are they?! Hell no!

I know you're not that weak!

How do I know?

Because I, like Duke and Happiness,

have faith in you!

That bizarre mood you create always cheers me up somehow.

I'm sorry, everyone.

I'm sorry I acted selfishly.

Forgiven.

Okay, now that the captain's game of tag is over,

we're going shopping next!

I can't wait!

Happiness...

I know you can't rely on me now,

but I'll try harder so you can entrust me with your secret one day.

Acknowledged.

A FEW DAYS LATER

Yoki!

What is it, Cecilia?

Happiness has gone missing!

What?!

Happiness did put in a request for extended leave,

but this note she wrote is so puzzling...

Yep, it's written the way she talks.

What does it mean?

ONE MONTH COME FIND FOREST

It says, "Come find me in the forest in one month."

What forest is she talking about?

I think I might know.

Happiness must have something in mind.

Happy!

Hi.

Man, don't make me track you down with my enhanced sense of smell.

Trust.

Everyone's worried about you, y'know.

I've made up my mind, so...

I'm going to tell him...

about me.

You're sure?

If Raven doesn't accept it, you could lose everything.

I know.

They might want to investigate your relationship to us and the captain, too.

If that happens...

I won't cause trouble.

This goes way beyond just causing trouble.

Me, Shiek, the captain...

We could all lose everything we've gained since coming to Minerva.

Then again, you're smart,

so I'm sure you know all that.

I won't lie anymore.

I want him to know.

You can do this, Happy!

Shiek...

This is really important to you, right?

So I'll be rooting for you!

You feel the same, right, Duke?

That's right.

If that's how strong your resolve is,