Ch.41A Moment of Leisure (3)

Even though it was the weekend, I woke up at my usual time but couldn’t easily get out of bed.

Why was I like this when I didn’t even have to go to work…?

‘I can’t move my body at all.’

Now that I’d quit being an adventurer and become a professor, my body was screaming in pain from using muscles I hadn’t used in a while.

I’d thought my basic physical fitness was fairly good, which made the current situation all the more shocking.

Still, I couldn’t just lie there forever, so I groaned as I got up and left the room.

As always, my master was enjoying her leisure time in her usual spot, holding a teacup.

Though her leisure time was just a brief moment before opening the workshop, she seemed satisfied with it, smiling contentedly.

“Master, good morning.”

“Good morning. It’s the weekend, why don’t you relax and have some tea?”

“I’d be grateful, thank you.”

As I took a seat across from her, Master filled an empty teacup and pushed it toward me.

I sipped the tea, feeling the fragrant aroma tickle my nose as a refreshing taste spread through my mouth.

I thought I’d gotten better at brewing tea lately, but it seemed I was still far from matching Master’s skill.

If only I could cook this well too.

“My disciple, may I ask you something?”

Master set down her teacup without making a sound.

The atmosphere suddenly felt heavier, and Master continued speaking.

“About that person who came by the other day… what’s her name?”

“Derin?”

“Yes, she was in your party too, wasn’t she?”

“Well… yes.”

I wasn’t surprised since I had vaguely anticipated this conversation would come up.

Nevertheless, I wasn’t particularly pleased to be having this discussion.

Master was probably getting angry on my behalf, but I didn’t want to see her like that. I just wanted to keep her smiling always.

That’s honestly how I feel.

“Isn’t it difficult seeing her again?”

“I’m fine. So please don’t worry.”

I’ve never once felt that it was difficult.

No, rather, I feel our relationship is much more comfortable now than when we were in the same party.

Because I no longer have to hide being a Warlock and can face them with an honest heart.

I’m satisfied just being able to sincerely respond to their feelings of affection.

I couldn’t have imagined this before.

“If you say so, that’s good. I won’t interfere anymore. I’m sorry for meddling until now.”

Master awkwardly fidgeted with her teacup.

She seemed to think her actions had been wrong, but I couldn’t let her think that way.

After all, the reason I can be so peaceful now is all thanks to Master.

I reached out and gently placed my hand on hers as I spoke.

“Thank you.”

“Huh…?”

Master seemed taken aback by my sudden action.

But even so, she didn’t take her eyes off me, so I continued speaking.

“When you got angry on my behalf, I felt at ease. I must have had some pent-up feelings. So please don’t apologize.”

“I see…”

Master’s hand, which had been fidgeting with the teacup until just now, gently wrapped around mine.

That warm hand was trembling slightly, as if anxious.

Perhaps she was worried about earning my resentment?

If so, she was completely mistaken.

At least I, for one, would never resent Master no matter what she did.

After a long silence, the trembling transmitted through her hand subsided, and instead, Master began to fiddle with my hand.

She pressed it firmly with her fingers and stroked it as if fascinated.

I wondered why she was doing this, but I couldn’t say anything.

Somehow, Master’s touch felt pleasant.

It was ticklish yet seemed full of affection, which made me feel embarrassed.

After some time had passed like this, there was suddenly a knock from the workshop connected to the building.

Master jumped in surprise, withdrew her hand, and said:

“I-I’ll get it.”

Stumbling over her words as if she’d committed some crime, Master stood up and walked toward the direction of the voice.

Watching her go, I sipped my tea, which had grown lukewarm.

It’s delicious.

* * * * *

“Here’s one silver.”

“Thank you for your purchase.”

As the adventurer who bought the antidote left, Riano slumped into her chair.

Haah—

A sigh escaped her lips.

She had been inwardly anxious even while apologizing to her disciple.

No matter how much of a master she was, she feared being resented by a disciple who was like family.

But her disciple had readily forgiven her. No, more than that, he had comforted her, telling her not to apologize.

‘I almost cried.’

When she heard him say it was okay while she was blaming herself, she truly felt a lump in her throat.

Though she managed to hold back her tears somehow, she couldn’t stop her hands from trembling.

‘He probably noticed.’

That must be why he said nothing and just held her hand.

Really… whoever raised him did a wonderful job with his thoughtfulness.

As her heart calmed thanks to her disciple’s consideration, she suddenly realized how large the hand she was holding had grown.

When did it get so big? she wondered, examining and touching his hand from different angles.

That much was fine, she thought.

…Probably.

The problem was that as she continued, another feeling began to well up in a corner of her heart.

Despite feeling embarrassed by this clearly strange emotion, she simply couldn’t let go of his hand.

Little by little, the area of contact between their hands increased, and without realizing it, her hand began to climb up to his wrist.

Around that time, there was a knock.

Thanks to that, she snapped back to her senses and hurriedly left the spot, but…

She felt anxious.

She was terribly worried about what her disciple might think.

Would he think his master had gone crazy? Or that she was just an old spinster doing strange things?

Or maybe…

He wasn’t paying any attention to it because she was his master?

Since she couldn’t ask him directly, her mouth felt parched.

This bubbly feeling seemed like love, but…

It was awkward to express it openly to her disciple.

What if she did and got flatly rejected?

Then she really wouldn’t have the confidence to face him.

Riano let out a deep sigh at her mounting frustration and muttered to herself:

“If only he felt the same way, I’d have no other wishes.”

* * * * *

Shortly after Master left, there was a knock from the back door.

Thinking it might be a customer who had taken the wrong entrance looking to buy potions, I peeked my head out the back door to guide them.

But this person wasn’t a customer for potions—they were my visitor.

“Good morning, Crow.”

Derin waved at me in greeting.

I glanced behind me to see if Master might have noticed, then said quietly:

“Derin, what brings you here?”

“Nothing in particular. I just wanted to see you.”

Her words were embarrassing to hear, but Derin’s expression remained calm.

As if saying such things was nothing special.

Anyway, her reason for visiting was clear now.

“Wait a moment. I’ll get ready and come out.”

There was no reason to refuse.

There wasn’t anything I could do at the workshop anyway.

Master had told me not to do anything, saying I looked tired enough just from my professor duties.

That might have been just a polite remark, but…

‘Not when it comes to Master.’

If I tried to help, she’d probably get angry and raise her fist at me.

“Okay, I’ll wait.”

Derin nodded, and I turned back to speak with Master.

I should at least tell her I’m going out.

Otherwise, she might come looking for me.

“Master.”

When I called from behind, Master jumped in surprise and turned around.

“What?!”

“I’m going out for a while.”

“…Will you be back for dinner?”

It seemed odd that she asked about dinner when we hadn’t even had breakfast yet, let alone lunch, but my answer was naturally:

“Yes, I’ll have dinner with you.”

We should share at least one meal a day.

“Good, then take care.”

“I will.”

I bowed my head to Master and went to my room.

I got ready with a bit more care than when going to work, but not so much that it would be noticeable, and went outside. Derin, apparently bored with waiting, was crouched down, intently looking at something on the ground.

I approached her and quietly asked:

“What are you looking at?”

“Ants… Oh! When did you come out?”

“Sorry, did you wait long?”

Derin straightened her skirt as she stood up, then shook her head slowly from side to side in denial.

“Not at all. I came here on my own, so I’m grateful you came out to meet me.”

For someone who used to lie so much, she has such a kind heart.

I wonder if she felt guilty inside even while telling lies.

Well, it’s a hundred times better than being a bad person.

“Where do you want to go?”

“Hmm… I’m not sure. Is there anywhere you want to go, Crow?”

I hadn’t really thought about it either.

“Then let’s just walk for now.”

Something will come to mind as we go.