It seems like if you hand your finished food waste back to the stall, they'll take care of it for you.
So I handed mine over and tucked my water flask into the magic bag. That thing's going to be handy.
Apparently, even if I buy drinks from other vendors, I can ask them to pour it straight into the flask.
「So, where shall we go first?」
「Let's start with a clothing store. I've been in this outfit the whole time, so I'm kinda worried about the smell. Uh, sorry if I stink. I've been wiping myself down every day, though…」
When I said that, Wendy-san leaned in close, bringing her face near my chest as if to sniff me.
「There's no issue at all. You smell pleasantly of medicinal herbs.」
「Maybe it's because I've been making recovery potions non-stop lately? But I'm glad you said that. I'd hate to gross you out or anything.」
「It wouldn't bother me.」
It bothers me though!
「W-well, let's head to the clothing store. I'd be really happy if you could help me pick something out.」
「Of course. Shall we?」
She said that and then gently wrapped her arms around mine. An unfamiliar sensation pressed against my elbow.
This is… no, it definitely is. She's linking arms with me!
My elbow is nestled against her full chest, and a soft, sweet feminine scent wafts from her side.
I feel myself sway a bit, but I must endure!
「Um…」
「Is this soothing? Yasis-sama instructed me to accompany you like this while out and about.」
Yasis-sama, good job!
What the heck, man, what the heck!
You know what? If it's Yasis, I don't even care that I'm straight. He can have his way. Dig away, Yasis!
「This is unbelievably amazing. Thank you so much.」
「Oh my, no need to thank me… But, fufu. It feels like we're a couple, doesn't it?」
As she said that, she pressed her chest more firmly against my elbow.
You know what? Even if she were a seductress playing with men's hearts, I wouldn't mind. Even if I'm being tricked, who cares?
Ah, so this is how middle-aged men get hooked on hostess clubs.
Honestly, I never got the appeal—just drinking and chatting—but if it involves linking arms like this… yeah, I get it now.
This is addicting. Even if it's not real love, I could fall for this.
「Y-yeah. I'm just so happy right now it's dangerous. I feel like crying.」
That's how euphoric I felt.
Turns out, tears really can well up just from happiness.
By the way, I'm not a virgin or anything.
「Eii, eii. Is this to your liking?」
「H-hey, wait a—」
Wendy-san pressed in even closer with a smile, saying ei ei as she did.
My nose must have been practically stretching out by now.
I was probably making a really pathetic face. I had to pull myself together. Look sharp. Look sharp.
The other men around us must have been shooting daggers at me with their eyes.
Well, I couldn't blame them. Anyone would feel that way seeing a couple flirting like this in the middle of the street.
But for the people actually doing it, it didn't seem like that big a deal.
I used to think real-life couples should explode whenever I saw them in town, but now I get it. The impact isn't all that great.
「Ufufu. Shall we continue on like this?」
She was being playful.
Maybe this was her real self.
If she was showing me that, I'd be happy.
「As for the clothing store… Shall we head to the eastern district? There's a shop there with a good balance between price and design.」
「I'll leave it to you. So, um… let's take our time.」
I wanted to enjoy this feeling for as long as possible.
I couldn't be the only guy who felt this way.
The shop Wendy brought me to was stylish, with separate sections for men's and women's clothing.
Even from outside, I could see a wide variety of cute and functional clothes neatly displayed.
「Since you are an alchemist, Master, I believe having a holder would be useful as well.」
By holder, she probably meant something to carry test tubes or flasks.
That would definitely come in handy.
But in my head, I was already imagining myself decked out in dozens of test tubes slung across my chest like Ramb〇.
「Do you have any favorite colors?」
「Anything's fine as long as it's not too flashy. And nothing too weird or eccentric.」
「Understood. I'll pick a few then.」
Saying that, Wendy began flipping through the racks of clothing, picking out pieces she liked and hanging them on an empty rack nearby.
Thinking I should look around too, I noticed the shopkeeper gesturing me over, so I went to see what he wanted.
「Hey hey, mister, you're walking around with a real beauty there!」
「Right? I think so too.」
「Exactly! And that's why I've got some great news for you. I've got three brooches here that would look perfect on her. How about buying one as a gift?」
He opened a small box with a snap. Inside were three carefully arranged brooches.
The first was a simple design with a large black gemstone.
A quick appraisal showed it was polished obsidian with a silver setting.
The second was smaller, featuring a deep red gemstone and gold decorations.
This one turned out to be garnet, with a gold-plated finish.
Both were priced at 100,000 nohl each.
The last one stood out with a pale pink, highly transparent stone set in silver-toned metal.
According to the appraisal, it was a rose quartz crystal decorated with platinum.
As expected, this one was the most expensive, priced at 300,000 nohl.
「What do you think? Each one is a masterpiece, you know?」
This guy was grinning. It was obvious he was trying to steer me into buying one.
Still, my eyes were glued to the brooches.
I had to admit, they really would suit her.
And the price wasn't an issue.
「Alright. I'll take it.」
「Quick decision! And not even trying to haggle? You're more generous than you look, mister!」
Honestly, a 300,000 nohl gift might be a bit too much.
But I couldn't help but feel that the colors matched her perfectly.
If she didn't want it, I'd just use the design as practice.
「You shouldn't haggle when it comes to gifts for a woman. Besides, she's picking out clothes for me right now. Depending on how that goes, I might consider becoming a regular customer.」
「Oh ho! Saying something so sweet and then following it up with some bargaining? You're not as simple as you seem, are you, mister? Very well, I accept your challenge!」
Not as simple, she says… You're one to talk.
Not that I'm any better, but still. No need to say it out loud.
「I'll wrap it up as a gift then. You can hand it to her casually later.」
「Got it. Just so you know, I've got Appraisal, so don't try swapping it out for a fake.」
「Ahaha, I'd never do something like that to you, mister. To you!」
She was an easy shopkeeper to joke with.
You could tell she knew how to return a teasing comment with a playful one of her own.
「Um, Master? Would you mind trying some of these on?」
「Ah, thanks for picking… them…」
The once-empty rack was now overflowing with clothes.
The ones that didn't fit were somehow neatly stacked on top, which was oddly impressive.
「It's a bit much, I know, but there were a lot of outfits that looked like they'd suit you. I sorted them by style, so once we eliminate the ones you're not fond of, it shouldn't take too long…」
「R-right. Thanks. Alright then, let's do it.」
Apparently, she had sorted them properly. That was a relief.
I thought I was going to have to try them all.
「Let's start with this functional outfit. It comes with a belt and built-in holders, so I thought it'd be perfect for your work. The design is also suited for active tasks. What do you think?」
I took the clothes she handed me and stepped into the fitting room.
Though I felt like a dress-up doll, Wendy made sure to listen to my opinions while offering her own, and together we settled on four outfits that were good both in function and style.
I especially liked the simple, functional one that still had a great design, so I decided to wear it out.
This one was probably going to become my go-to outfit.
「Alright, I'm going to go pay.」
「Yes, take your time.」
With that, Wendy went back to browsing the clothes. The men's section, again.
This was my chance. I finished the purchase, including the brooch, for a total of 330,000 nohl, and discreetly slipped the wrapped box into my enchanted pouch.
It felt a little big for a brooch, but I trusted the shopkeeper wouldn't pull anything shady.
「You're done with the payment then? I found another outfit that looked nice too.」
「Next time. I'll try it on when we come back.」
「Yes. Let's come again together.」
It'd be nice if that day really came.
「Yeah… I'd like that too.」
「Then it's a promise. We'll come again.」
Just like before, her arm tightened around mine.
I was starting to feel like she had already figured out all my weak points.
I must be easy to read.
「Where are we going next?」
「Hmm… probably a general store? I was thinking I might find something interesting, or maybe something useful for daily life.」
「A general store it is. Then let's head to the southern district.」
Wendy pulled me forward by the arm she clung to.
It almost felt like I was walking straight into Yasis' plan.
A girl this wonderful would never still be available by the time I was able to afford her.
But even if the chances were slim, I felt like giving it a shot anyway.
We made our way back to the central plaza and then headed toward the general stores in the southern district, where the Alchemist Guild was also located.
On the way there, Wendy stayed close and asked all sorts of questions.
「Master, are you a drifter?」
「Yeah. Did Yasis tell you that?」
「No. I just had a feeling.」
A hunch, huh.
A lot of people here seem strangely perceptive.
「I heard that drifters tend to be violent, but master doesn't seem like that at all.」
「You never know, right?」
From what Hayato told me, two drifters had apparently gone rogue.
Maybe it's easy to get carried away when you're suddenly handed power.
I could understand it, in a way.
But we came from a world with stronger ethics than this one, so I felt like we shouldn't lose sight of that.
「Hayato's a good guy though. He's kind.」
「By Hayato, do you mean the Count?」
「Yeah, that's him. He saved me when I was being attacked by this huge caterpillar thing. Ever since then, I've been trying to level up so I can handle alchemy work for him.」
「I see. Then I must thank Hayato-sama. Thanks to him, I got to meet you, Master.」
「Yeah. I owe him a lot. I'm only feeling this happy now because of him.」
After I said it, my face suddenly flushed with heat.
So embarrassing!
But Wendy tightened her hold on my arm, looked up at me with a bashful grin, her cheeks turning red as she gave my arm a little shake, clearly flustered herself.
Ah, seriously. She's too cute…
I shouldn't let myself overthink this.
If there's a future I want to believe in, then I should just believe in it.
And if things don't turn out the way I hoped, I'll scream and cry as loud as I want.
That's how I think you keep life from becoming dull.
「What are you planning to buy at the general store?」
We had gone quiet for a while as we passed through the central plaza, but Wendy broke the silence.
「Just anything useful for daily life, really. And maybe something I can use for alchemy.」
「You're such a hard worker, master.」
「Not really. Ideally, I'd like to live a relaxed life without ever working.」
「Ah, the ultimate luxury.」
「Right? But I think of this part as the groundwork, so I can keep pushing through for now.」
「That's admirable. I'd like to follow that goal alongside you.」
「Oh? Is Wendy actually a bit lazy too?」
「N-no, that's not it. I want to work hard for your sake, master.」
Wendy spoke quickly, a little flustered.
Yeah. She's adorable. I feel like I've only been saying how cute she is all day.
The more we talk, the more that first impression of her being graceful shifts into pure charm—but honestly, both sides are wonderful.
「I see. Then I'd better work hard too, so I can afford to buy you.」
「Yes. I'll be waiting for you—always.」
Always, she says…
There's no way someone like Wendy wouldn't be sought after by others.
But if she says that, then maybe I really can push through.
The road ahead is probably still way too long, though.