The everyday bustle of the village continued as normal, with the exception of one anomaly. A blonde man sat on a street bench, elbows on knees, hands covering his face. If one were to observe him closely, they would understand for the first time the meaning of the word ‘red.’
Gale didn’t want to feel that way about a dear friend, but as a red-blooded man, he couldn’t separate his previous feelings from the new. If anything, the idea that his oldest, closest confidant was now a gorgeous women filled him with a guilty joy. If only she’d marry me… He had already imagined their four children, a rustic cottage he built with his own hands….
No, Gale shook the thought away. He raised his face, resolute. He wouldn’t make his relationship weird, He didn’t want to freak out his closest friend. Besides, they could return if she was to be believed. He thought of Zoey. A pang of anxiety mixed with guilt ran through him. Here he was thinking of useless things, and Zoey already thought he was dead.
He rubbed his face more vigorously, drawing some questioning looks from passerbys. He stood up, responsibility weighing on him like an anvil. Even here, that ever-present worry of his sister’s safety crushed his mind. And now, he had another girl to look after…
He sighed. “Aaron was lucky it’s me. If she treated any other man like that…”
Well, hopefully he could be best man at the wedding.
Gale stood up and looked around for things to do. With his friendly, naturally social nature, he was able to help various people with different odds and ends. Gale treated it like side quests in a video game. Soon enough, he was covered in a light sheen of sweat, though rewarded with a decent amount of coin for his efforts.
He had made some casual friends, though for some reason a large number of the villagers speaking with him happened to be young women. Friendly town. Naturally, Gale hadn’t noticed the admiring gazes of said young suitors.
Gale stopped by a local clothing store. He bought some new clothes for himself, and, after realizing none of the male clothing would fit Aaron now, grabbed a dress he had roughly eyeballed to be her size.
“Now I gotta find Aaron again. Hopefully she didn’t wander off somewhere…” Gale mumbled to himself as he recounted his money.
His mind filled with firm resolve. Gale made a promise in his heart. First, he would treat his dear friend just as he used to! No weird feelings. Second, he would secure the way back home so they could live the rest of their lives in peace. Third, he made a firm promise to return to his sister.
Gale pushed down a venomous thought. He couldn’t entertain the idea that… maybe he didn’t have to return. With his mind made up, he strode towards the restaurant where he’d left Aaron. Not seeing her outside, he opened the door and walked in. What he saw instantly destroyed any composure he’d managed to build with their separation.
Standing next to a table holding a plate was his good buddy Aaron. Wearing a rather… alluring outfit. Gale’s face flushed red.