Kazuki woke up determined.
"Today's the day," he said, standing dramatically atop the guild balcony, shirt billowing in the wind. "I will resign. No distractions."
Below, a small crowd of adventurers chanted his name.
"Kazuki-sama! Guildmaster Kazuki!"
He winced.
"No distractions," he repeated, taking a deep breath. "Just walk in, hand over the title, and leave."
Behind him, Smile was already organizing confetti.
✦
Step One: The Speech
Kazuki stood before the guild council with a neatly folded resignation note. The note said, in barely legible handwriting:
"I, Kazuki, am too clumsy and weird for this job. Please find someone with less noodle-related incidents. Love, Kazuki."
The elders read it in silence. Their brows furrowed.
Then… applause.
Kazuki blinked. "Wait—you're clapping?"
"Such humility!" one elder declared. "He rejects power like a true hero!"
"Truly, a wise man," another added. "This proves he's even more worthy!"
Kazuki's face twisted. "Wait, no— I'm trying to resign—"
Too late.
Smile had already lit fireworks.
✦
Step Two: The Festival
By lunchtime, the guild had declared a new event:
"Kazuki Appreciation Week."
Inari printed posters. Tala confiscated every single one, then they printed more.
Hayate was furious. Mainly because his face had been Photoshopped onto a dancing festival mascot costume.
"I am a predator apex," he growled. "Not a parade pigeon!"
Too late again.
Smile handed him a fan and glittered menacingly.
The main plaza transformed into a carnival overnight, complete with paper lanterns, food stalls, and a giant inflatable Kazuki holding a spoon like a scepter.
"HOW DID YOU MAKE THAT?!" Kazuki screamed when he saw it.
Smile winked. "Slime secrets."
✦
Meanwhile: Aurelis Trains
Miles away, Aurelis stood shirtless atop a jagged cliff, rain pouring down as he swung his flaming blade through the air.
Each strike cut through wind. Each movement was clean, precise, full of purpose.
His squire approached, awkwardly holding a flyer.
"It's a festival. For Kazuki. Again."
Aurelis froze mid-swing. His expression didn't change. Not at first.
Then he smiled. Quietly. Sadly.
"He didn't even mean to, did he?"
The squire shrugged. "Apparently, he tried to quit."
Aurelis didn't respond. But he tightened his grip.
"…I want to know what's guiding him."
✦
Step Three: The Mysterious Float
As night fell, the main event began. Kazuki, still desperately trying to resign, found himself on a golden float shaped like a spoon-chariot.
Tala walked beside it, muttering curses. Hayate stood guard atop the float like a disgruntled eagle. The wolf pack Kazuki accidentally befriended a few chapters ago formed an impromptu drumline.
And leading the parade?
Smile.
Except… this time, he wore a mask. A paper one shaped like a smiling human face.
Strange, Kazuki thought. Smile doesn't usually hide himself.
The slime stopped at the center of the plaza, raised a translucent arm—and the wind paused. Lanterns shimmered. Mana in the air vibrated faintly, like a taut string.
Smile's voice, for the first time, was serious:
"Let this night mark the beginning of something new."
Then the moment passed. Smile dropped the act, bounced off the float, and flung himself into a cotton candy cart with glee.
Kazuki blinked. "Did Smile just do… plot foreshadowing?"
✦
After the Festival
Late into the night, Kazuki sat on the edge of the rooftop, legs dangling, chewing on grilled fish on a stick.
He looked out over the city—still buzzing with laughter, lights, and music.
"…All I wanted was to give back a spoon."
Tala sat beside him. "And yet you made the economy better, united two rival guild branches, and launched a cultural event that'll be celebrated for years."
Kazuki groaned. "By accident!"
"Maybe," she said softly. "But some part of you must want to help. Even if you don't mean to."
Kazuki opened his mouth, then paused.
"…I just don't want to mess things up."
"You already did," Tala said, smirking. "But somehow, it worked."
He chuckled. "Guess I'm just lucky."
Behind them, Smile shimmered under the moonlight. He didn't speak. Didn't bounce. He simply stared at the stars.
And for just a second—barely a second—his round body flickered.
Like something… ancient.
Watching.