A Person Who Believes In Gender Equality

"Kazuma! Kazuma!" Aqua yelled, her arms flailing as a horde of gigantic frogs chased her. Tears were streaming in her eyes as she sprinted towards him. It would've looked sad, but for her it was commonplace.

"Yes, I'm Kazuma," he replied, on his knees, aiming his long bow at said frogs.

"Help!" Aqua cried out, still running. The frogs were getting ever so closer, with the closest almost reaching her. "KAAzuma! HeeLLP!"

Taking a deep breath, he notched an arrow into his bow. "Stay still, you useless goddess," he said as he tried find a way to shoot without hitting Aqua.

"I'm sorry, Kazuma!" She cried. "Please save me! I'm gonna die! This goddess is going to die! Save me! I have so much to live for!"

"Can you please shut up," he said, struggling to aim. "I can't aim with you yelling."

His voice seemed to fall short as Aqua continued in her screaming. She truly was a handful to manage, despite being the strongest magically in their little group.

Kazuma shot an arrow at one of the frogs but it missed completely, sailing over their heads as Aqua's screaming was still as loud as it was before.

Sighing, he notched another arrow but was pushed aside roughly by another person.

"Hehehe," Megumin giggled as she stood in a pose in front of him, her staff pointing towards the incoming frog. "Step aside Kazuma, let me handle it."

"Can you?" He asked, questioningly. "Won't you just fall to the floor after an explosion?"

"So?" She said innocently, fluttering her eyes. "My explosion magic is a sight to behold. The beauty of my magic will shock the frogs and they'll die."

"Yeah yeah," he said. "Do your thing, I won't carry you after."

Megumin smirked, readying herself up. Ancient, arcane symbols surrounded her staff, the runes floating around her as she started to chant.

"EXPLOSION!" Megumin yelled out as her staff unleashed a torrent of magic. Kazuma could feel the air around them heat up like a microwave, except much hotter.

The frogs that were catching up to Aqua were blown up by Megumin's explosion. Chunks of frog guts and jelly were strewn all over the field.

"That was......effective," he said bluntly.

"Truly," said Megumin, slumped on the floor like a snail.

Aqua limped over to them, her clothes an utter mess. Dust and soot covered her head to toe, making her look like an ash tray.

"Nice look," commented Megumin, motionless on the floor. "Are you trying something new with your outfit?"

Aqua approached him, and threw herself into his arms. "KAAZUMA!" She cried out, her tears staining his tunic.

"Yes, I'm Kazuma," he said. "What?"

"I'm sad," she said, as she stopped crying. "Anyways, I found these earrings in those frogs." In her hands were a pair of golden earrings.

Beautiful they were, shaped in the letter N, the earrings were calling out to him.

"What are those?" he asked, staring at the earrings.

"They look expensive," commented Megumin. "Probably could sell for a high price."

Aqua got a glint in her eyes, something greedy burst inside of her. "Hey, Kazuma, would you reckon these earrings could pay for several expensive **** bottles?" Her mouth started salivating as she said that.

"No," he said in a deadpan tone. "We are not selling those."

"You meanie," Aqua pouted.

Kazuma snatched the earrings out of her hands, stuffing them into his pockets. "I'm the most responsible here, meaning that I should be the one who holds the shiny object. No objections, okay?"

Aqua raised her hand to object but he just swatted it away. "No objections," he said with a smile.

"Now." He looked around at the charred field that was destroyed bu Megumin's explosions. "We gotta run before they catch us." His other party members nodding as Kazuma carried Megumin on his back.

He could feel the earrings coldness seep into his pant legs but he paid it no mind. "Where's Darkness?"

"I dunno," Megumin said, on his back.

"Hmm, good answer."