Chapter 171 - This and That, The Steps Don't Stop
"Aaaand... with all the options included, that'll be a grand total of 130M, I'd say."
"One hundred thir—..."
"Here, a lump sum."
"A lump... sum...?!"
"Seriously, though, I can pay for my [El-Gran Series] too, you know?"
"I told you already! I made that for myself, so it's fine!"
"Wait, for yourself... huh?! You mean I got that for free...?!"
As I bantered with Nia and completed the payment through the trade window, Sora was practically trembling with shock, her gaze darting between the two of us.
A hundred and thirty mega—1M represents 1,000,000 Lunas, making the grand total one hundred thirty million Lunas. I suppose it's no wonder she's surprised.
"Uh... umm... Haru? Where did you get that kind of money—"
As she spoke the question, she must have remembered that our inventories were linked. The girl swiped a hand to call up her own window, and...
"—..."
She probably looked at the balance section—at a string of digits so long she couldn't immediately tell how many there were. A faint sound escaped her throat, and then Sora froze completely.
Our... or rather, my balance is currently around three billion, after all. So that's to be expected.
This vast fortune, which must seem like it appeared out of thin air to Sora, came from none other than my personal magic crafter, Kagura-san.
The moment I decided to commission Sora's outfit from Nia, I knew I'd need a large sum of Lunas. Naturally, I had already taken steps.
There are only so many things I can use as a clear source of funds—so I decided to sell off some [Ruby Rabbit Demon Horns].
I had left about two hundred of them with Kagura-san, and she said she still had plenty to spare. So I asked her if she could sell a few, and what she threw back at me was this mountain of cash.
She just gave me three billion, straight up. I don't know how many she plans to sell, but are they really worth that much...? I mean, that material is a defective product in a certain sense.
"Um... um, wha... what is... this..."
"Ah, you can use it freely too, Sora. I don't have any plans for it right now, and it's our partn—er, wallet, after all."
Smack!—Hey, what did you just hit me with, Nia-chan? And what's this extra 10M you sneakily tacked onto the bill???
Well, I'll pay it, but still...
"Right then, I have things to do, so I'll be taking my leave."
"Okay, okay. Good luck with your training."
I've only told Nia that I'm "training hard," so she probably assumes that's what I'm off to do. I wonder what her reaction would be if she found out I was being personally drilled by the Eastern Faction's second-in-command, the [Sword Saint].
"Nia-san, um, thank you so much, really. I'll treasure this dress."
"Mhm. You're welcome! It'll need maintenance every now and then, so you should stop by regularly, Sora-chan. Maybe once a week."
"Okay!"
Sora replied cheerfully and extended her hand. Nia bypassed the handshake and captured her for a second time. It's a feast for the eyes, so they can keep doing that forever for all I care.
"Haa, I'm satisfied. See you later, then."
Perhaps she'd had her fill of Sora's cuteness. Nia gave a satisfied wave, and I bowed in return. Sora exited the atelier first, and...
"—Hmm...?"
As I was about to follow her out the door, my gaze was pulled back to Nia's exposed wrist, where her sleeve had ridden up.
"Well, well... So you can even add accessories to other accessories, huh?"
"Huh...? —...!"
For a moment, Nia looked at me blankly, as if to say, "What are you talking about?" but she quickly noticed my gaze and hid her right hand in her sleeve. ...Well, it's a little late for that now.
The [Crimson Rabbit Bracelet] I gave her the other day—I'd already gotten a clear look at it, now decorated with a small, azure feather fragment.
It was probably a leftover piece of the Azure Sky Feather from the [White-Shining Bird of Fortune] that I'd given her as material for the dress.
In any case, her sense of style, even down to the small details, was impeccable... To think she even has a talent for arranging things. What a flawless woman.
"I-I told you I was going to use the scraps and stuff, didn't I?"
"Yeah, you can do whatever you want with the leftovers."
So there's really no reason for her to look so awkward.
"I just thought it suited you well, that's all. See ya."
"Wha... ga...!"
Ga? Oh well.
I waved over my shoulder and stepped out of the atelier—
"Ah, sorry for the wait, Sora-san—... uh, what's with that look?"
"...It's nothing."
Ignoring my taken-aback expression, Sora averted her gaze and started walking down the hallway.
I hurried after her—
"That part of you is so very Haru."
"Is my name a noun or a verb...?"
Even as I puzzled over her follow-up remark, which came seconds after she'd said it was nothing...
I couldn't shake the feeling that the clicking of her brand-new long boots on the floor was just a little louder than before... I wonder if it was just my imagination.
◇◆◇◆◇
"—And that's what happened... Uh, is this really a part you should be smiling at so cheerfully?"
"It is. Sora-chan is very cute, isn't she?"
Well, I completely agree with that, but still.
"Being able to give a sincere compliment can be considered a virtue, and I find it admirable as well... but if you are going to praise a woman, you must choose your time and place."
"Huh...? I was taught that if you see something praiseworthy about a woman, you should praise her immediately, at any time or place..."
That was the lesson bestowed upon me by my high school part-time boss at the ice cream shop, Miyoko-san, thirty-three and divorced.
She was a good person. She supported me when she found out I was struggling with my studies. Apparently, her ex-husband was a foreigner, so she was fluent in English and even gave me listening lessons when work was slow.
I wonder how she's doing—right.
"—Phew..."
Twenty steps. And then ten.
In this game of tag that had become a habit, I was on the defensive, evading Ui-san's attacks... how many times has it been now? Each time I succeed, she gives me a happy smile, so as her student, my motivation never wanes.
"You have perfected the art of escaping."
"No, no... If you were serious, Ui-san, you could have caught me, right?"
"Even so, it would not be easy, at the very least."
She doesn't deny it. So very like the [Sword Saint]. My teacher is as wonderful as ever today.
"Truly, you have changed so much in such a short time—Now, it is about time you caught me, as well."
"Ui-san, you of all people should be more aware of the destructive power of your words, don't you think?"
I think most men would die on the spot if they were told to "catch me" with such a playful smile... Me? I've already lost my life once before with that lap pillow incident.
"Very well, from now on, let us focus on the chasing."
"Yes, ma'am! Please do!!"
Five days since the training began—ten days remaining until the Four Pillar War.
I couldn't judge whether my progress was fast or slow... but I was moving forward, one steady step at a time.
One of the factors that shaped his behavior: Miyoko-san, thirty-three and divorced.