At that moment, the ogress returned, carrying two large oak cups. The liquid inside them swayed with every step she took, while a smile adorned her green face.
"Welcome, cousin!"
She said enthusiastically as she approached Yamika, then pushed one of the cups toward her. It slid smoothly across the table until Yamika caught it with a firm grip and raised it high.
Yamika lifted the lower part of her mask to reveal only her mouth, then took a long sip at the same time as the ogress, before the two struck the bottoms of their cups against the table with a loud thud that echoed through the place.
Yamika and the ogress laughed together, enjoying each other's company, before the ogress slapped Yamika's shoulder hard, then took another sip and set her cup back on the table with a resounding smack. She looked at Yamika with eyes full of affection, but her expression suddenly changed when she noticed something on her face; her smile faded slightly as she asked in confusion.
"Cousin, what's with your red skin color? I almost didn't recognize you… but your scent gave you away."
The three froze in place. A heavy silence filled the air for a few long seconds, and Yamika's hand slowly rose toward her mask, unsure what to say.
Finally, she muttered hesitantly, trying to weave a quick lie.
"I… got a sunburn."
She clasped her fingers together nervously, watching the ogress expectantly for her reaction, while the ogress stared back at her in a deafening silence until she suddenly burst out laughing, slamming her hand repeatedly on the table, then wiping away a tear from the corner of her eye as she said.
"As silly as ever! How many times have I told you to use diluted clay on your skin during harvest?"
Yamika's eyes almost popped out of their sockets from sheer shock, unable to believe the ogress had actually fallen for her lie. But she decided to play along, laughing awkwardly in return and saying.
"You're right… I always forget!"
At that moment, Noroi cleared his throat loudly to remind her of their mission. Yamika turned toward him, understood the signal, then looked back at the ogress and pointed her thumb toward Noroi and Haruki, saying with obvious stammering.
"We… I mean… my h-husband and I want to buy a few things."
"Of course!"
said the ogress cheerfully, returning to her wide smile.
Haruki and Noroi began moving between the shelves, choosing what might suit the boy, while Yamika continued distracting the ogress with conversation, maintaining her act as the so-called "cousin."
Noroi picked up a jacket and a pair of pants from one of the shelves, placed them on Haruki's arms, and pushed him toward the changing room ,which was nothing more than a small corner separated from the rest of the place by a tattered cloth curtain that barely covered whoever was inside.
Noroi leaned back against the wall near the room, crossing his arms over his chest beneath his cloak, waiting for Haruki to come out of the room in his new clothes.
Meanwhile, Yamika found a dark blue cloak hanging nearby. She pulled it down to feel the fabric with her fingers, admired it, then signaled to Noroi that she wanted to buy it. He nodded in approval of her choice.
After a few moments of waiting, Haruki emerged wearing a medieval-style shirt made of cotton and linen, with a high collar and ties holding the sides together, coordinated with comfortable dark crimson pants, a cloak draped over his shoulders, and his mask on his face.
Yamika let out a whistle of admiration and said.
"Alright… I have to admit, that looks good on you!"
Haruki's confidence rose when Yamika praised his appearance, even though he hadn't chosen those clothes. He shifted his gaze to Noroi, who gave him a thumbs-up gesture.
Yamika returned to the ogress and leaned both elbows on the table, smiling beneath her mask, and asked.
"We got pants, a shirt, and a cloak. How much will all that cost us?"
The ogress gasped loudly; Yamika had just insulted her. She answered angrily, with a scowling expression.
"How dare you!.."
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Thank you for reading! If this moment touched you even a little , please consider adding it to your library.💐