GalaxyTL
“Well, I was surprised just now! So it makes me happy to surprise you too, Meg!”
Rune, laughing, seemed proud. Ah, I can tell she’s proud of her dad. It’s nice, having a dad you can brag about. Of course, I also brag about my dads! The Demon King, Dad, and Gil-san! But seeing how close they are made me feel happy, so I forgive them for surprising me.
“I-I’m also… completely surprised… Y-You’re… the Demon King’s daughter…?”
“Goot, you’re slow. We’ve already talked about that.”
“It can’t be helped! I was getting the thing we forgot! Ah, that’s right. Dad, here. You forgot this, right?”
Ah, that’s right. Goot didn’t know about me. He was surprised along with me, when I was surprised by Diega-san. It’s kind of funny.
“Oh, you brought it! I completely forgot. Thanks. You saved me.”
Diega-san, saying that, patted each of them on the head. That fatherly face, it warmed my heart. The two of them also look happy to be patted. I grinned, remembering how it feels when Gil-san pats my head.
“Since we’re all here, how about lunch? My treat, Ludovic.”
“I’ll gladly accept if you’re not going to expense it.”
“Guh, you’re so… rigid… Of course I’ll be treating you with my own money.”
“Then thank you for the generous offer.”
So he was initially thinking of expensing it? I think it’s okay to expense what you can, but from someone who knows the ins and outs of guild operations, it is a bit concerning.
We’re not short on money, and we were planning on spending money anyway to contribute to the local economy. Ludo-sensei’s a bit strict about this kind of thing. It’s because we have people like him that the guild is able to function properly!
And so we were treated to lunch, thanks to Diega-san. …I feel a bit guilty, maybe because of my ingrained Japanese tendencies.
The restaurant inside the Annulus guild was a bit crowded since it was lunchtime. It’s lively, with a nice bustling atmosphere. And delicious smells were wafting from everywhere, making my stomach growl.
“Ah, that table’s empty! I’ll go save us a seat. You guys can order.”
While I was distracted by the delicious smell, Rune had already secured us a seat. She moved quickly so it wouldn’t be taken. Sorry for spacing out.
“You want the daily special, right, Rune?”
“Yeah, that, please!”
It seems Goot will be bringing it to her. They fight, but they’re close after all. I’m envious of siblings. I was an only child, and in this world, since the birth rate’s low, almost everyone’s an only child. So while twins are rare, siblings with a big age difference are even rarer. It’s a strange phenomenon.
“Um, Meg… have you… decided what you want? Um… if you want… you can just wait here.”
Goot, who had been watching us, asked me this awkwardly. Sorry, I was staring.
“Is that okay?”
“Y-Yeah. It’s crowded, so… it’s dangerous…”
How gentlemanly! To be so considerate of a girl, at such a young age… That’s our Goot. He’s going to be popular in the future.
It’s true that it’s dangerous for us to be walking around together, and I’m clumsy, so I’m grateful for his offer. I think I’ll just wait here with Rune!
“Thank you. That’s so kind!”
“Kind…? N-N-N-No, it’s fine!”
I properly thanked him, but… Goot blushed and quickly left without even asking me what I wanted. Did he get embarrassed because I praised him? Kids are so difficult. It can’t be helped, so I asked Ludo-sensei to order the daily special for me too. Ludo-sensei readily agreed, but then started laughing with Diega-san as they followed after Goot. I wonder what was so funny. The minds of adults are also hard to understand.
“Meg… you’re amazing.”
And even Rune’s impressed. Why!? Shouldn’t everyone be more generous with their praise? It’s a good thing! Because it makes you happy when you’re praised. So I’m going to keep actively praising people!
And so the daily special set meal was brought, with a croquette-like dish as the main. It’s round, and it looks like it was coated with breadcrumbs and then deep-fried. It also comes with salad and minestrone soup, so it’s quite a lot! As I was looking at it, wondering if I could finish it, Ludo-sensei placed a tray with a smaller portion in front of me.
“This should be enough for Meg, right?”
“Yes! I was worried I wouldn’t be able to finish it.”
“Fufu, that’s what I thought.”
As expected of Ludo-sensei. It seems he’d even considered how much I can eat. Thank you.
“You’re a small eater, Meg?”
“Eh, can you finish all that, Rune?”
“This much is easy! Goot always has them give him a large portion because it’s not enough.”
“Fuehh, amazing.”
I also want to eat a lot if I can, but my stomach’s limit is low. Sigh. But still, I think being able to eat an adult portion at that age is pretty incredible. I guess it makes sense for Goot, since he’s a boy.
Once everyone was seated, we all started to eat. Ah, I thought it was croquette, but there’s rice inside! Or rather, not rice, more like… brown rice? It’s also a bit different from rice croquette. It has vegetables and ground meat too, so it’s closer to cutlet.
“You eat it by putting it inside this bread. Is this your first time having kanya?”
I was observing the croquette look-alike, after splitting it in half, when Rune taught me how to eat it. Kanya, huh. I’ve never heard of it before. I nodded vigorously. I then followed her instructions and put the kanya inside a white, flat, semicircular bread. Like a pita sandwich. I took a bite.
“! It’s deliciouuus!”
“See! It’s a popular menu item here at Annulus!”
I couldn’t help but exclaim, even with my mouth full. Because it was so delicious. The kanya was well seasoned, a bit spicy. But not hot, so even I can eat it without any problems. Because it’s strongly flavored, it goes perfectly with the pita bread.
“As expected of Annulus. What you procure is different.”
“Of course. It’s what we’re known for.”
A Special-grade guild that’s risen to the top through commerce. Their reputation is well deserved! Not that I ever underestimated them, but I feel like I’ve glimpsed their true ability.
“So, Ludovic, you’re here for work?”
Diega-san and Ludo-sensei were talking while eating. We children were too busy eating, listening in silence while munching away.
“No, it’s personal.”
“Hmm? …Ahh, I see. So it’s that time of year. Bringing this child with you too?”
“Yeah. I thought I’d introduce her. The daughter of Ortus is also like my own daughter.”
It seems like Diega-san also realized it was to visit a grave. They must be close enough to know about it. But still… “The daughter of Ortus,” huh. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy. And happy.
“It’s been a while since I’ve stopped by here. We’ve been using the fast travel option recently.”
“That’s right, Ludovic. Come through here from now on. That’s why it took so long for me to introduce my kids.”
“Haha, I can’t help but choose the easy route. But you’re right, Diega. I might start coming through Annulus.”
Hmm, hmm, so we stopped by this time because a flying beast wasn’t available, but it was a lucky coincidence in a way, since it led to a new encounter.
“Will you stop by on the way back?”
“I only have tomorrow off. I don’t want to exhaust Meg, and I was planning on taking the express option on the way back.”
“Ah, that’s a shame, but it can’t be helped. We’re both busy, and we can’t have the little lady getting tired.”
I feel bad that they’re even considering my physical condition. But if we stopped by again on the way back, we’d probably get back to Ortus at night. Come to think of it, Ludo-sensei just got off a night shift, and he has work the day after tomorrow, so I really want him to rest. Well, I’m sure even Ludo-sensei can go without sleep for three or four days without any issues. But for emotional reasons, I want him to rest.
“Ehh, so this is goodbye, Meg…?”
“Eh… !?”
Rune and Goot, who had been silent until now, suddenly interjected. Don’t make those sad faces! It’s making me sad too…! We just met!
“Don’t make those faces. Be grateful for this encounter. It’s not like you’ll never see her again. Think of it as having something to look forward to, it’ll make you happy, right?”
The three of us were teary-eyed, and Diega-san consoled us, ruffling their heads. It’s even more intimidating when he smiles with that stern face. But his words and attitude are positive and kind, it gives me energy.
“Hey, Meg! We just met… but we’re friends, right!?”
Rune, sitting across the table, leaned forward and asked this, her eyes moist. Of course!
“Of course! Rune and Goot, we’re friends!”
“M-Me too… !?”
“Of course!”
I answered resolutely, my fists clenched, and then Goot asked, wide-eyed. Why does he even think he’d be excluded!? They’re my age, and we just met. I’d call them friends, even if they didn’t want to be.
And so we promised to send letters to each other’s guilds. Wow, exchanging letters with friends my age, I’m excited! I’ve decided to go buy some cute letter sets when I get back.