Ch.98Festival (2)

After arriving at the festival grounds, my first impression is this: there’s an incredible amount of food. Thanks to that, Ju-an hasn’t stopped eating something or other since we got here.

If I had a stomach that could handle eating that much, I’d be doing the exact same thing. It’s a shame.

Still, there’s an advantage to eating less—it’s easier to maintain my figure. Honestly, I could laze around doing nothing all day and not gain a single pound.

But it is sad to have lost the joy of eating. Even so, I feel content just watching Ju-an eat with such enjoyment, getting some vicarious satisfaction from it.

As we continued walking past food stalls, I found something I could do.

[Shooting Experience Booth. Prizes awarded in proportion to bullets hitting the target!]

There’s only one thing that’s improved since coming to this world: my shooting skills.

Practicing a little every day has definitely improved my abilities. Though it helped a lot that the guns had no recoil.

But isn’t this the first time I’ll be using a gun with recoil? I wonder if I’ll even be able to fire it with my grip strength.

Still, it seems like it could be a worthwhile experience. There’s a saying that even a rotten croaker is still a fish, after all.

“Want to try that?”

Since Ju-an’s mouth was full of snacks, he just nodded in response. Great, let’s see what I can do.

***

Since it was just hitting targets with a toy gun, I naturally hit every single one. At least all my practice hasn’t been for nothing.

Anyway, I exchanged all the prizes for food and gave them to Ju-an. But I wonder if he’ll even be able to eat lunch at this rate?

“Ju-an, how full are you?”

“A little less than halfway.”

“…You really can eat a lot more than before.”

It’s interesting to reflect on how things have changed. The once fragile kid has become extremely healthy, and the once extremely healthy one has become fragile.

Many things have changed since coming to this world. Everything from personality and preferences to important things like gender.

Still, I remain myself. Even though I’ve changed quite a bit from before, I’m still me.

I used to hate these changes so much, but lately they don’t bother me at all. Is this evidence that I’ve grown? Or just that I’ve adapted to this body?

Let’s stop dwelling on these thoughts. We came here today to have fun, so let’s enjoy ourselves.

“Is there anything else we should do? Just eating the whole time seems a bit much.”

“If things go well, I think I could just keep eating.”

“Is it that delicious?”

“Beyond imagination.”

Suddenly I felt a strange jealousy. Are the foods they sell here really that delicious?

Seeing how Leo came all the way here to research the food, the taste must be guaranteed. So how delicious is this place?

“Between what I make and what they sell here, which tastes better?”

“Of course what you make is much more delicious.”

Ju-an answered without a moment’s hesitation. He’s not just flattering me, is he?

“Then what makes what I cook delicious?”

“It feels like something made just for me. The seasoning and the types of food are all to my taste.”

I guess it was worth the effort of paying attention to every detail. Anyway, winning this pointless battle of pride has put me in a good mood.

“Thank you. Is there anything you’d like to eat later?”

“Anything you make would be fine.”

“Then I’ll make everything you like.”

“Looking forward to it.”

If I get the chance later, I should definitely treat him to something special. I wonder how Ju-an would react?

Just imagining it makes me smile. Having someone who enjoys my cooking this much really makes it worthwhile.

“But really, what should we do?”

“Well, how about we visit booths run by other people?”

“That’s a good idea. Let’s start with Ha-eun’s booth.”

“Okay.”

***

Finding Ha-eun’s booth wasn’t difficult. There was only one magic-related booth.

When Ju-an and I entered the magic experience booth, Ha-eun, who had been sitting with a bored expression, immediately stood up and said:

“Hello! Are you here to experience magic… Oh, it’s you seniors. Why are you here?”

“We just had nothing to do so we came by. Is there anything fun to do?”

“We have magic aptitude tests and basic magic trials.”

“Then I’m good. Oh right, Ju-an, do you want to try the aptitude test?”

Since Ju-an is smart, there’s a good chance he might have an aptitude for it like Ha-eun.

“It might be a good way to pass time. Sure.”

“Great! Please come this way!”

Ha-eun happily began guiding Ju-an. It seems not many people come for magic-related activities.

Honestly, how many people would want to do something so boring and difficult? Even if you have talent, magic is still something most people wouldn’t want to do.

After waiting outside for a while, Ha-eun returned.

“Where’s Ju-an?”

“He’s taking the aptitude test over there. He should be out soon. By the way, senior, you’re wearing makeup.”

“That’s… so Ju-an wouldn’t see my flaws… I mean…”

“Sigh…”

Suddenly Ha-eun let out a deep sigh. Is there something wrong with my clothes or makeup?

“Does it not suit me…?”

“No, you look pretty now, so don’t worry.”

“That’s a relief, but then why did you sigh?”

“It just seems like you’ve completely changed into a girl, even in your heart.”

“My heart is still the same as a boy’s though?”

“If you say so, senior.”

Ha-eun answered halfheartedly and then muttered to herself loud enough for me to hear:

“I’m really envious of Senior Ju-an… Some of us had to give up because we had no choice, but some people have opportunities come to them without doing anything…”

I was about to refute that, but Ju-an came out, and unfortunately, my chance to respond disappeared.

Anyway, Ju-an handed a paper to Ha-eun with an awkward smile and said:

“Sorry, I couldn’t solve any of it.”

“That’s okay. That’s actually normal.”

“…Then what’s the point of an aptitude test?”

“This is the most basic formula, and if you can’t understand even this, it means you don’t have an aptitude for it.”

Strangely, it seems Ju-an couldn’t even start the aptitude test. But I remember it being somewhat solvable, even if it was headache-inducing.

It seems that magic aptitude and intelligence are separate concepts. That must be why I have talent for magic.

Anyway, we’ve done everything we can here. There’s no reason to stay any longer.

“We’ll be going now.”

“You’re leaving already? There are still many magic experiences left…”

“Sorry, but rather than magic that I can do anytime, I’d prefer to enjoy other activities that I can’t normally experience.”

“I understand… See you later then… It’s going to be quiet again…”

Ha-eun said with a dejected look. There were clearly no signs that anyone else had visited. And I couldn’t see anyone besides Ha-eun.

“Is there no one else here besides you?”

“No, my master and his friend are in that room.”

“Then can’t you chat or research magic with them?”

“They said they’re doing important magic research and won’t let me join.”

“That’s too bad. Well, take care~”

“Goodbye. And if you have nothing to do, please come back.”

Honestly, I won’t be coming back here. Why would I bother with boring magic?

After leaving, Ju-an and I began discussing what to do next.

“Where should we go now?”

“How about the black magic booth? I think Taeyang might be there.”

“Not a bad idea. But where is that booth?”

“In the most remote corner of the festival grounds.”

Come to think of it, this is the Holy Nation. They probably pressured the black magic booth to set up in the most remote corner.

This might seem like excessive treatment, but it’s actually quite lenient. Think about how much hostility clerics have toward black magic.

The fact that they were allowed to set up a booth at all is a miracle. If it had been an ordinary person, they would have been rejected long ago.

Anyway, we headed in that direction.

***

I thought a black magic booth would offer black magic experiences or something similar. But it was just a food stall with a black magic theme.

Well, if it had been real black magic, they wouldn’t have been allowed to set up a booth at all. I guess that makes sense?

Anyway, when we entered, there was no one inside except Taeyang, Parthia, and Selene.

“Hello. What would you like to order?”

Taeyang spoke with a tired expression. He probably put a lot of effort into setting up this booth.

It’s already lunchtime. But Ju-an ate so many snacks, he must be too full to eat…

“Can you tell me what’s on the menu?”

He can still eat, huh? With that incredible appetite, I’ll have a hard time cooking breakfast and dinner every day when we live together.

“Yes, here’s the menu.”

Taeyang handed over the menu. I’m getting a bit hungry too, so I should eat something here.

But the menu Taeyang handed over was strangely bizarre.

[Pizza Mint Chocolate Pineapple.]

[A cool yet warm dish made with cheese and mint chocolate on top of pineapple, sprinkled with bread crumbs.]

[Spicy Chicken.]

[We give you the world’s spiciest pepper and a whole live chicken. Please cook it yourself.]

[Mild Cola.]

[It’s water.]

There were many other terrible items as well. And we decided what to eat from among these options.

“Ju-an. Let’s leave.”

“Okay.”

We’re not eating here.

“Thank you for not visiting. We hope you won’t come again.”

Even the service is terrible. There’s no reason to stay here.

Before leaving, I asked Taeyang a question just in case.

“Why do you only have these kinds of menu items?”

“There was pressure from the Holy Nation.”

“…You’ve got it tough. Well, hang in there.”

And so we left behind the unfortunate vendor caught up in national oppression and moved on to find food we could actually eat.