“Hmm, this flavor…”
Sharl sipped the drink through a straw from a transparent cup and furrowed her brow.
“Too sweet…”
I also tried the same thing through a straw, but the sweetness spread throughout my mouth.
It was a bit too sweet for me.
“How can she expect to make a potion with this flavor?”
“That’s not exactly what Toko said…”
It’s just that Sharl is getting upset over nothing.
“I think I can manage to make a soda-flavored one according to your request, though.”
You’re ignoring me?
“Well then… but I see they sell caramel macchiatos here in Astral too.”
We were taking a break at a café in the commercial district of Astral on a Sunday holiday.
Until just a moment ago, Sharl had been showing me around various stores, but to take a break, we entered this café.
However, upon seeing “caramel macchiato” on the menu, Sharl’s smile disappeared, and her expression turned stern.
“They procure ingredients for food from other sides too. There are some things that are only available here though.”
“Hmm… I see. By the way, I went out last time.”
Sharl’s stern expression suddenly turned back into a smile.
“A lake. The scenery was so moving—it’s definitely something you wouldn’t see in Japan.”
“Ah, that lake. I go there occasionally too. It’s amazing, isn’t it?”
“You go occasionally?”
Is it because you’re the child of a warrior family going there to slay monsters?
“There’s a forest, right? The herbs there are actually of quite good quality.”
Ah, so it’s for that reason.
“By the way, I saw Senior Joan there too collecting herbs.”
“Joan? Who’s that?”
Sharl furrows her brow again.
“A senior in D-Class. I happened to cross paths with her. Actually, she and another D-Class senior, Senior Andy, were attacked by a bear.”
“A bear… I remember there was a notice about that.”
“Really?”
“Yes. There was a notice posted on the bulletin board about sightings of bears near the surface. It was part of my duties as the Student Council President.”
Bulletin board…
There’s one in front of each school building, and it’s the place where I meet Sharl before our curse studies, but I haven’t seen it yet.
“I see… So, that bear was defeated by me.”
“Of course! So, those two seniors were there to collect herbs?”
“Yeah. Senior Joan is an alchemist, you know.”
She must be really smart.
“We’ve got another alchemist among us. It’s true that collecting herbs yourself is cheaper and more efficient. I usually do that too. Sometimes, when you order, you get leaves instead of the roots you need.”
“So that’s why you go collect them yourself. It’s not because your warrior family is forcing you?”
“It’s true that I am told that, but that’s not really a concern. Mainly, it’s for the herbs.”
She doesn’t seem very much like the child of a warrior family at all.
“By the way, were you with someone?”
“Of course not alone. I was with Chloe. She’s scared of such things.”
Scared…
“Is Chloe okay with that?”
“Chloe’s strong. She’s more of a maid who guards me like a bodyguard.”
A second daughter…?
Ah, she’s a maid.
“Hmm… By the way, do you know it’s forbidden to go on Sunday afternoons?”
“Huh? What’s that about? I usually go then… In fact, Sunday afternoons are when I go the most. Saturdays I’m studying with you.”
“Oh wow.”
“Aren’t there mostly couples there?”
“Hmm? I do feel there are a lot of pairs near the lake, but…?”
She might think I’m not very good at reading the atmosphere as Student Council President.
“Ah, that’s right. You should probably avoid going then.”
“Eh? What?”
She really seems to not know.
“I heard from Frank and Cedric that Sunday afternoons there are seen as a sacred ground for couples. There’s some kind of unspoken rule. Actually, I asked one of the guards, and apparently, there’s a special allowance given during that time.”
“What? Is that true?”
“That’s what I heard. Toko probably knows from Ilmera too.”
“………”
Sharl face-planted onto the table and silently hugged her head.
“Are you okay?”
“Am I… like a terrible woman? Or… pitiable?”
She must be imagining all sorts of things.
“Not at all. Just go in the afternoon. Nothing weird.”
“Alright… would you like to come with me? If you want, we could go right now.”
“Can’t today. Toko’s going with Ilmera. We discussed avoiding run-ins last time.”
Yesterday, she told me not to come close because she’d be going tomorrow.
I’ve thought this before, but her word choice is fatally problematic.
“You’re really hiding the fact that we’re siblings, aren’t you… But yeah, seeing Toko would be something I’d like to avoid. And Ilmera’s there too, right? I can tell things won’t turn out well.”
I feel the same way.
“Then how about next week? I’ll instantly subdue any monsters.”
“Yeah… I’ve also heard there was talk of monster repellents not working well. So, I’ll rely on you.”
“Got it. Next Sunday then.”
Saturday is for study sessions, so Sunday becomes the natural choice.
“Alright. What are you doing next? The guided tour’s almost done, right?”
“Is there anywhere interesting?”
“Magic Shop.”
Instant response, huh?
“What’s that? I’ve been to a department store-like place that sells magical gadgets before.”
That was fun.
“That’s a regular store. The Magic Shop is more specialized. It’s often where you buy materials and equipment commonly used in alchemy.”
Hmm…
That doesn’t sound fun at all…
“Frog and gecko jerky sounds like it would be sold there.”
“Haha… they are sold there.”
Absolutely not entertaining at all.
“Are you enjoying this?”
“Inspiration strikes. Plus, it’s fun.”
Sharl recommends it with a cheerful, beaming smile.
Maybe I should go.
“Alright, let’s check it out. Experience is the best teacher, after all.”
“That’s a wonderful attitude. It’s this way.”
After Sharl finished her caramel macchiato and stood up, I quickly finished mine and stood up as well.
Once we exited the café, we ventured down a slightly dark back alley.
It was sort of a market where all sorts of bizarre items were sold, and I wandered around the shops with Sharl.
Sharl was happy and excited, cheerfully explaining everything, but honestly, I didn’t understand one bit.
Still, Sharl looked so cheerful that I thought it was adorable and decided it was all good.
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