So, I got isekai’d

...

I was on the edge of my seat as Mashiro had gone deeper, telling more about her past...

"How disgusting that Empire is!"

I said in anger, slamming my fists onto the table with enough force to not break it

"..."

"I'm sorry, I let my emotions got a hold of me"

"I understand Rui sama. That just shows how much you care for me"

Mashiro said, smiling at me. Her cheerful, warming aura suddenly calmed me down...

...seriously...this woman can still smile genuinely even the amidst of all that...

"What's worst of them all besides that scummy king, is that businessman!"

"..."

According to Mashiro, that businessman, also known as the "Entertainer", is the one that made Mashiro and her parents suffer. Every night, that entertainer would pull Mashiro and her parents through a "showdown" of some sorts, and will make them fight against a set of opponents...

...It wasn't clear to Mashiro the purpose of that event, but most likely, I think its one of those betting systems where audiences bets on whoever thinks the winner will be...

...It might not be that much worst to some of you, but here's where it gets worse...

...Due to her father's love for them, only the father of Mashiro fights for all of those opponents, opponents whose release all at once. Yes, like a royale battle of some sort, where the last man standing wins

In this case, Mashiro's father's objective wasn't only to win, but also has to protect his family. Hearing that from Mashiro, I have nothing but full of respect for his father

Mashiro's mother was a what you'd call a "support" in gaming terms. She often assists Mashiro's father in fights whenever it gets dicey, with her parents working with their own blindspots and weaknesses, they were quite a force to be reckoned with...

...As for Mashiro, her father forbidden her from fighting anyone, including the opponents they've faced

The reason for that was unknown, but Mashiro stated that her father taught him a thing or two on fighting, just not her father's methods or techniques...

...Judging from her statement, I can only think of one reason why her father didn't let her attacked those opponents...simple because he doesn't want her to get hurt 

It might not be the full reason, but I believe that's one of the reasons why Mashiro was forbidden to fight against them

Alongside the endless battles and no breaks, Mashiro and her parents are only rewarded with three pieces of bread after, which was one of the things I got infuriated from. They also got treated as if they were like prisoners that have no free will but only heeds to the orders of their owner

"I swear, if I we're to cross paths with that man, I will give him a taste of his own medicine!"

"That's what I want to do to that person too, I want to avenge my parents, I also want to kill that person who killed my Mom and Dad!"

Mashiro said, gripping tighter to her dress.

"Mom...Dad...*hic*...I'm sorry I couldn't do anything that time..."

With her breaking down once more, it was my turn to console and reassure her

"Mashiro...no matter what happens, I will never leave by your side"

"...?"

"I'm not saying that your parents were in the wrong that they made you run away, in fact I thank them that they cared enough for your safety and your future..."

"Rui...sama..."

I got closer to her, bending down one of my knees, as I gently hold her hand

"Because of that...it led to us meeting together"

"!"

"This time, its my turn. I'll be the one protecting you now, Mashiro"

Her tears of sadness can be seen changing to a tears of joy once more

"Rui sama! I-"

"I know, we just had done this earlier, but I want to do it again. It might not be today, but someday, they will pay for what they did to you, and your parents"

"Mm!"

Her cute cat like ears as well as her tail start wiggling happily as I stroke her head gently

...seriously, even her actions resembles those of the cats back in my world...

...

...

...A few moments later, Mashiro finally calmed herself down, and asked-

"Rui sama...you don't happen to have a wife, do you?"

"Why do you ask?"

"..."

She shyly looks away from my gaze, answering my question after

"It'll be unfair if I wasn't your first..."

"? What did you say?"

"N-Nothing! I'm just curious"

She said, backing it up with a warmth smile. She then immediately jumps out of the chair she was sitting on

"That reminds me Rui sama!"

"...?"

"How come you're so nice?"

"What kind of question is that? Do you want something from me?"

"Hm? What do you mean?"

Shoot, I forgot that, that isn't like that in this world!

"Nevermind what I just said, but I really don't think that I'm that kind"

"But..."

I was about to clean up the leftovers that Mashiro ate, when suddenly-

"...Your aura was contradicting your character..."

"...? What do you mean?"

Mashiro then, looked at me with an uneasiness on her face, seemingly worried about something

"Usually...auras that mom, dad, and I had seen are yellow, blue, and red. Yellow aura for heroes, Blue auras for those with high aptitude in magic, and Red auras for those people that are either good in magic, or good in combat, or both..."

"I see, that's the first time I'm hearing that..."

"Moreover, Yellow auras are the strangest ones, us Demicats can never tell their true personalities"

Did Mashiro really just indirectly said that heroes in this world are weird? That's kinda funny

"Blue auras can be nice, or can be cold-hearted, while Red auras are nicer, but sometimes can be evil"

So in a nutshell...Blue auras are 50/50, while Red auras are 75/25...

"Hm..."

Master Shin never mentioned anything about different types of aura...

...but he did reacted differently the first time we met...

Now that I think about it, his aura was dark...but there was a hint of red in it...

...which according to Mashiro's statement, and what fits, means he's good at both. In magic, and in combat...

"But in your case..."

"Yeah?"

"...Your aura is...white, Rui sama"

Out of the different types of aura that Mashiro had mentioned, the "white" color wasn't stated

"My aura is...white...?"

With no knowledge of it, Mashiro only replied with a sad expression, while I left there, stunned

"Is it possible that you just haven't met any white auras before?"

"Its possible...but my Mom and Dad had never said anything to me about white auras"

"..."

If auras have meanings and describe the person's traits...

...then as a "white aura" individual...what kind of a person I am...?

...

It was then that I got deep into my thoughts that Mashiro had to intervene

"Maybe I'll be able to help you if we went and fight some creatures!"

"Oh, no, I don't usually go out that far if I don't have anything to do"

Plus, I already got the herbs earlier...

...

...wait...

"The herbs from that cliff!"

Arghh! I remembered that I wasn't able to get one because that's where I encountered Mashiro and the Loudbears! Now I REALLY have something to do!

"Herbs...?"

"*Sigh*, Yeah. I forgot to bring one with me right after I carried you back home"

"I'm sorry..."

Mashiro said, feeling guilty about it

"Its not your fault, I was the one who forgot it anyways"

"But its my fault that you forgot it..."

"Its not, don't worry. I'll head in there right now, you stay here and-"

"L-Let me come with you!"

"Eh?"

"Its partially my fault, so I also have to do it too!"

"..."

...Well...at least she changed her statement from "my 100% fault" to "partially my fault"...I guess that's a step forward

"Alright, but are you okay with me carrying you?"

Mashiro then looked at me dumbfounded, blushing as she tries to comprehend what I've just said

"C-C-Carry me?!"

"Yeah. You'll see why in a second"

"I-If you're fine with me...I might be heavy though, Rui sama"

"It'll be fine, don't worry"

"..."

Trying to hide her flustered face, she looked down, avoiding my gaze...

...I wasn't that dense to get a hint of what's gotten her this flustered, but I was already taking the role to be her reliable guardian...

Still, I can't deny the fact that she's attractive. She might be looking at me in "that" way, but the way I look at her isn't at the same level yet...

...For now, I genuinely want to be there for her, as well as support her

...

I then prepared the things that we will be needing as well as some supplies that might be of use for our expedition...

...