GalaxyTL
“Well then, now that we’ve settled that, Meg-chan! What are you going to wear today?”
I was feeling cheerful when Ran-chan asked this. I tilted my head. Eh, isn’t this Alice in Wonderland dress and apron dress good enough?
“Hmm, it’s very cute, and it suits you, but you wore the same outfit yesterday, right? Why don’t you change into something new and continue our date?”
D-Do I have to go through another dress-up session? I was trembling inwardly when Kei-san, perhaps reading my mind, chuckled and said, “Just one outfit this time.” Relieved, I let out a sigh, but it was short-lived.
“Well then, this pink dress with frills and ribbons…”
“Hmhm, how about this sporty orange tube top and shorts…”
My outfit for today was being debated between Kei-san and Ran-chan, and a smiling battle ensued. Wh-When will this end…!
“Yes. It’s simple, but it suits you well. Come show us when you wear the other clothes, okay?”
“Hmm, cute girls look good in anything. You look lovely, Meg-chan.”
Gil-san had given them a stern warning, and they immediately calmed down. I was tasked with choosing my own outfit, but I couldn’t handle their intense gazes, so in the end, I ended up tearfully asking Gil-san to choose for me. He sighed wearily and chose this outfit. He apologized, “Sorry, Meg,” but I couldn’t help but think he’s had to deal with a lot too.
So, what was I wearing? A black, short-sleeved shirt with white polka dots, black pumpkin pants held up by suspenders with white heart decorations at the buckles and where they crossed at the back. Knee-high socks with the same pattern as the shirt, and black shoes with a sneaker-like design that seemed easy to walk in. And to top it off, Ran-chan made a monochrome heart-shaped hairpin on the spot and clipped it to the left side of my hair. A perfect monochrome outfit. Yep, it screamed Gil-san’s taste. It even matched Gil-san’s all-black outfit and Kei-san’s outfit today, like matching outfits.
“Fufu, you really look like a family, don’t you? You have good taste, Gilnandio.”
“I just picked something randomly…”
And so, we left the shop. I’d tell Ran-chan about the poster girl job once it was finalized. Now that I thought about it, was “poster girl” even a job? …I guess I’d have to be able to explain things to people at the guild entrance. I wasn’t even sure I’d be allowed to do it!
“Now that we’ve taken care of that, let me show you around town. It’ll mainly be places I frequent, but…”
“Thank you! I’m sho excited!”
“Fufu, well then, let’s go.”
Kei-san said, offering me their hand, so I took it. And so, Kei-san and I started walking, hand in hand. A date-like atmosphere? No, it was just to keep me from getting lost! Gil-san was following behind, after all! Was he a little grumpy? We did put him through a lot at Ran-chan’s shop…
“Whoa, there are sho many people! And everyone’s looking at Kei-shan and Gil-shan!”
It was a good thing we were holding hands. I’d probably get lost in this crowded market. Everyone we passed was staring at us. “They really are famous,” I thought and said this, but…
“Hmm, I think they’re all looking at Meg-chan.”
“Eh!?”
“Fufu, Meg-chan is cute, so of course they’d be curious.”
What? I’m the reason? No, it was probably because those two famous people were with me, a little girl. They must be wondering, “Who is that child?” Yep, that made sense.
“…Don’t do that again, like you did earlier.”
“Hmm? What I did… earlier…?”
“Haa. Those misleading statements. Make it clear that she’s a child we’re protecting.”
“Misleading? Hmm, I don’t really understand, but okay.”
That was a worrying response. I hoped Gil-san wouldn’t get an ulcer today… He’s pitiful.
We walked through the market after leaving the shop, enjoying various street food like skewers and something that looked like steamed buns. Having lunch at food stalls was fun! Ah, Kei-san, could I have one of those takoyaki-looking things? Aaahn. Hot, hot! But so yummy!
And so, the three of us were enjoying our date, when… our happiness was forcibly interrupted.
The incident happened suddenly.
“Watch out! Gil!!”
I heard what sounded like Juma-kun’s angry voice from above, and then, suddenly, a massive amount of bubbles appeared. Fine, white bubbles, bubbles that looked like soap bubbles, all sorts of bubbles. A world of bubbles. Gil-san and Kei-san, who’d been nearby, completely disappeared. What!?
“Meg!! Are you there!?”
“! Gil-shan! I’m here… Nnnyaaah!?”
Just as I called out to let him know I was safe, I felt myself being lifted and couldn’t help but let out a strange cry. I slowly opened my eyes, which I’d instinctively squeezed shut, and was met with a shocking sight.
U-Uwaa! Eh? What’s happening? I-I’m inside a soap bubble!?
Yay, it’s that fantasy situation everyone dreams of! Wait, this isn’t the time to be cheerfully spacing out! Why isn’t the bubble… popping? Even with a person inside? Magic could do this!?
“Hyaahahaha! This is a surprise. An elf child, no less!”
As I stared in wonder, a mischievous voice called out. Wh-Who are you? Uneasy, I felt tears welling up.
“Epink! Let go of Meg!!”
Hearing that voice, Juma-kun roared. Yes, he roared. He was speaking, but it sounded like a literal roar, and the air vibrated.
My vision, which had been obscured by the bubbles, cleared. Gil-san and Kei-san had their weapons ready, in battle mode. Juma-kun had already drawn his greatsword, ready to strike at any moment. Their eyes were gleaming with a predatory light that was a little scary.
But I knew that it wasn’t directed at me, so I wasn’t that scared. This person called Epink, the target of their murderous intent, seemed to be breaking out in a cold sweat, but he was still smiling confidently. It meant that he was incredibly strong. To remain composed under the combined murderous intent of those three…
It seemed like a few people in the crowd, who hadn’t been able to escape in time, had fainted, unable to handle the pressure of the murderous aura. Talk about being caught in the crossfire. Gil-san, guys… I know it’s a serious situation, but could you at least try to be a little more aware of your surroundings? Calm down!
Eh? Me? Why was I so calm?
I was a little distracted… you see, since I was inside a bubble…
…I was tucked snugly in a pouch on this Epink person’s stomach! I wanted to yell, “Are you a kangaroo?” A child inside a kangaroo’s pouch. Dammit, that’s such a cute image. Give me back my sense of danger!!
Anyway! It seemed like I’d been captured by someone who seemed to be an enemy.