episode_0044

“But, Elisha.”

“Why?”

“There must have been few ingredients in the fridge. Did you buy all of them?”

“Yeah, so what?”

-Clink, clink

“In that case, I’ll cover all the costs.”

“No way…! What are you talking about?”

“Just as I said. The ingredients seemed quite expensive.”

“Never mind. It’s just money. Weren’t you working part-time because you didn’t have much money?”

“I’m not that short on money.”

“It’s fine. I bought it with the money I had saved anyway. I didn’t have any recent use for it.”

“Is that so.”

-Clink, clink

As the conversation ended, the only sound heard in the kitchen was the clinking of dishes being washed.

Elisha supported me while I did the dishes.

It was just organizing plates and wiping off water.

Since she told me not to wet the dishes until she healed the wounds with a potion, I had no choice.

I intended to do the dishes myself, but Elisha said, “You’re already injured, what are you trying to do?” and almost single-handedly organized everything.

Being the youngest, I thought she wouldn’t be good at household chores.

But she cooks well and does household chores well.

Discovering her new side that I didn’t know makes me feel refreshed.

This is a real world.

So, there must be more things I don’t know than what I do know.

Still, knowing her new side makes me feel good.

Anyway, after finishing all the cleanup, we sat at the table and looked out the window.

Without thinking about anything, Elisha started a conversation.

“Bern.”

“Yes.”

“We’ve finished eating, how about going for a walk? It’s been a while.”

“Sounds good. I was actually planning to go buy potions and weapons. Wait a moment. I’ll change clothes and come out.”

….

I went into the room to change clothes.

Just putting on a white shirt and black pants.

After changing clothes, I gathered my outerwear and miscellaneous items and headed to the living room.

Upon entering the living room, I saw Shadi sitting on the sofa and Elisha sitting on the chair by the window.

I approached Shadi first and said, “You’re still being targeted by Requiem, so stay here. You’ll be safe here.”

“..Got it.”

“And go buy clothes outside. Take out some pants from the closet for now.”

“I’ll take care of it.”

“..Got it.”

I threw blankets and pillows to her and turned to Elisha.

She was looking out the window, resembling someone posing for a painting.

Anyway, I approached her and asked, “What are you looking at?”

“Just looking at the sky. The sky is always the same. Sometimes covered by clouds or darkened by rain, but it eventually returns to its usual appearance. And when I look at that blue sky, my heart feels at ease.”

“Is that so.”

There was someone else who shared similar thoughts with me.

The sky is nice. As she said, the sky is always blue and unchanging.

Just staring blankly at it brings a sense of peace, I understand it well.

Well, it’s nice to keep looking at the sky.

But now, we need to go to the store and buy tools.

“Elisha, get up. Let’s go out.”

“Okay.”

“But before that, put this on.”

“Oh, this.”

“It’s just a coat. It might get a bit chilly after the rain. Won’t it be too cold to go for a walk dressed like that?”

“Heh, thanks. You still can’t shake off that gruff demeanor, huh? So that’s how affectionate you were with other girls back then~?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Just put it on.”

“Fine, got it.”

She started putting on the coat I gave her, but it seemed a bit big.

The sleeves were a bit long, and the coat hem almost touched the floor.

So I tried to find another jacket.

“No, I’ll just wear this! Let’s hurry up and go!” she said impatiently, and just walked outside.

Inside the dormitory, there weren’t many people she recognized, but outside, there were more students strolling the streets than she had thought.

Among them were students who looked like lovers, as well as students just hanging out with friends.

This was the freshness of a spring day.

Spring days filled with students of various personalities.

A short yet long school life.

After first year comes second year, then third year.

And after graduation, everyone starts to immerse themselves in society as adults.

When that happens, the longing for such freshness will surely come.

Even if you want to go back, time does not turn back.

That’s why this moment becomes even more precious.

Anyway, I started walking around with Elisha.

I wanted to go straight to the store, but no matter how strong Elisha’s grip was, I found myself being dragged along.

However, it wasn’t as bad as I thought.

Strolling leisurely through the park, looking at the beautiful blooming flowers and lush green grass, my heart felt at ease.

Dewdrops adorned the flowers and trees, and the sky after the rain was incredibly clear.

Like the sky after a typhoon, without a single cloud, it was very clear.

Lowering my gaze, I looked at Elisha.

Elisha was jumping over puddles, moving forward.

If she had boots on, she would have stepped through the water-filled areas.

But since she was wearing sneakers now, she had to endure it.

Avoiding puddles and walking, Elisha suddenly stopped, looked at me, and let out a childlike laugh.

Then, with a bright smile, she began speaking loudly to me.

“Bern! Hurry up and come over!”

“Got it.”

We continued walking.

It seemed like people were saying things next to us from time to time, but I didn’t bother to listen.

While walking in the park, Elisha suddenly started squatting down.

It seemed like she was doing so to see a small blooming flower.

Watching Elisha smile while pointing at the white flower, I couldn’t help but smile too.

“It’s pretty.”

“What did you say? Bern, what did you say?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Really? Okay then.”

“Elisha, get up now. There are many things we need to buy.”

“Okay, fine. Ugh! Oops!”

Suddenly getting up, she staggered, unable to regain her balance.

Whether it was because the floor was slippery or for some other reason, she seemed about to fall.

I grabbed Elisha, who was about to fall.

She ended up in a gesture as if leaning into my arms.

I told her, “Be careful, Elisha.”

Seemingly embarrassed by her sudden mistake, her face turned red as she started speaking.

“T-Thank you. Bern. I got too excited and…”

Does Elisha like rain?

No, maybe she likes it after it rains.

The air becomes cooler and the sky clearer after the rain.

Anyway.

“Be more careful next time.”

“Yeah…”

Did I scold her too much?

She suddenly deflated.

Well, it was a long-awaited break and walk.

Maybe the misunderstanding between Bern and me has been resolved, and she came out feeling good.

Perhaps I didn’t respond well, acting a bit cold.

I might have been a bit too much.

So, to lighten the mood, I spoke up.

“I couldn’t catch you when I wasn’t around, so be a little careful.”

“W-What you said is nothing…”

“Elisha, what did you say?”

“Oh, n-nothing? Let’s just keep going!”

“Right.”

We left the park and entered the shopping district.

Just like the park, it was bustling with people.

“There are so many people here.”

“Let’s go to the weapon shop first.”

“No! First, let’s buy you some clothes!”

“?”

“Why are you making that face? You don’t have many clothes either, right? I’ve saved up quite a bit from my allowance and part-time work. I’ve made up my mind to buy them for you!” she said, puffing out her chest.

While I didn’t have a lot of clothes, I didn’t feel like I was lacking much since Bern had prepared a decent amount.

“Elisha, no matter how much money you have, I can’t just accept this. Haven’t I done things for you all this time?”

“Well, just say ‘thank you’ when I offer it. Take it and be done with it!”

“Alright. Elisha, I will definitely repay this debt.”

“Fine then!”

And so, we headed to the clothing store.

….

“These shirts and pants here should be enough.”

“Do we need to buy underwear? And pick out something decent. Don’t just grab cheap stuff.”

“…Fine, wait.”

After much deliberation, I successfully chose cost-effective clothes.

A shirt and pants each costing 50,000 coins.

And even underwear for 60,000 coins.

Elisha said it was okay to spend a bit more for quality, so I brought back good items.

It took a while.

But since she said she would choose clothes for Shadi, the timing was just right.

Elisha didn’t seem completely convinced yet, but hearing about being abandoned by Requiem and being a war orphan seemed to bother her.

She said she would personally choose the clothes.

Though she’s only a year older than us, she acts like a big sister with her actions.

Maybe that’s why Elisha seems more concerned.

Anyway, a war orphan…

The war between humans and demons.

Although there is a peace treaty now, their relationship is still strained.

They seem ready to kill each other at the slightest provocation… Enough said.

Anyway, just as I was about to leave after buying my clothes and Shadi’s clothes.

-Ding dong, ding dong

As the shop door opened, someone entered.

She had very dark black hair and black eyes.

“Welcome, customer. How can I assist you today?”

“Just looking at some clothes.”

“If that’s the case, please head over there.”

Wearing a tight white shirt, a short skirt, and a leather jacket draped over her, she said.

“Bern? Let’s pay and go.”

Seeing her, Elisha started urging me.

I stood there, unable to make a move.

Then, the woman who recognized us began to approach us.

“What’s up with you? Once we’ve done it, it’s over? You used to pester me persistently to join the club, and now you’re pretending not to know me?”

With a disdainful tone and expression, she was Silia, the boss of Act 2, a hybrid of human and vampire.