#18 – Westmolt
“Phew…”
Imperial capital, Westmolt. A small corner cafe. They had finally found a place to rest, and so Yukito let out a sigh.
This had once been known as the commoner district, and there was a more relaxed and retro atmosphere.
Though, the atmosphere was nearly ruined by the amount of people.
It was also popular with tourists. And was already overflowing with people on the first day of the festival.
Apparently, it had been featured in a popular film, which increased the amount of tourists dramatically.
“This cafe was also in the movie!”
Said Fae excitedly.
Judging by the tired expressions of the boys, it was not a movie suited to their tastes.
In fact, most of the people waiting to get inside were women.
“If it’s going to take this long, we should have just eaten somewhere else…”
Indeed, there were plenty of street stalls.
“…There’s no point in arguing, Leo.”
The boys said with a sigh as they opened the menu.
As for the people who were present, it was the students who would fight in the tournament, as well as those of the student council. They took up almost all of the seats on the terrace.
“Huh? Mr. Yukito…?”
A woman called as she was passing the terrace while walking down the street. Yukito’s eyes widened.
“Ms. Sumia?”
“What a coincidence.”
Though, this was the third time since yesterday.
The others turned their heads, and Fae shouted, ‘Ah, the girl he meets in secret!’
Ms. Iria grabbed Fae and apologized to Ms. Sumia.
“Are you having lunch now?”
“Yes. Ms. Sumia…are you shopping?”
Ms. Iria looked puzzled due to the large quantity of things that the other girl was holding. The paper bag looked like it was about to burst.
Ms. Sumia smiled with a nod.
“Um! Why don’t you join us?”
“Oh…”
Fae suddenly said as she stood up. Millie looked exasperated.
“You’re quite bold towards someone you just met…”
“Not that much!”
“It wasn’t a compliment.”
“…Sorry it is so sudden. But we would be happy to have you. I would love to hear about the city.”
“Well…”
Ms. Sumia’s gaze turned to someone.
Ms. Aize looked shocked…like she could not believe it.
“Aize?”
“…Sorry. It’s nothing. Please sit.”
“It’s fine. After all, teacher is paying. Right?”
“Uh…sure.”
“Oh, no! I couldn’t let you do that!”
“No, it’s really nothing. But in exchange…if you could tell us a good place to go sightseeing in the afternoon…”
They had some free time until the evening.
There was no point in getting frantic and trying to train immediately. They might even get injured.
However, no one in the group knew much about the city.
And so they wanted the opinion of someone who lived there.
She hesitated at first, but then gave in to the pressure, and nodded.
Though, it did seem like the girls just wanted to talk to her more than anything.
Eventually, the food arrived on the table, and the girls raised their voices happily.
As for the table where the boys sat…
“Hey, you ordered too much food, Leo!”
There was so much food that it was almost falling off of the table.
Leo snorted in answer to Rev.
“I’m hungry!”
“Just so you know, he isn’t paying for this stuff here.”
◆ ◇ ◆
“Have any of you seen an airship?”
After a lively meal, which had ended in a food fight on the boys’ table, so that their faces turned blue, they drank coffee together. And then Ms. Sumia asked the question.
“An airship?”
Sigurd, who sat next to me answered, ‘I have.’
“Well, not close up. I saw one flying…”
“During the festival, there are sightseeing flights. And civilians can board them.”
“But surely it would be difficult to get tickets now?”
Ms. Iria asked, and Ms. Sumia nodded.
“But during this time, the airport is open to the public. So you will be able to see it up close.”
The girls seemed interested, and the boys were excited.
Even Sigurd, who was usually so calm.
Judging by this reaction, airships were not very common yet.
In my past life, there had been nothing special about airplanes. But in this world, it was the latest technology, filled with military secrets. And so it was a big deal for a civilian to get to ride on one.
“Well, that is the next stop decided.”
Besides, I was interested as well.
“…By the way, Ms. Sumia. You sure have a lot of baggage. And it seems to be food. Why so much?”
Ms. Aize asked before we left.
Ms. Sumia looked down at the paper bag and laughed.
“I’m going to the orphanage today. To cook…”
“The orphanage? By yourself?”
“Oh, no. Just to help the others from the church and neighborhood. We do it everyday during the festival.”
Just then, someone pulled my sleeve. it was the girl with pink hair, who had been silent the whole time. Alnera Dilmont.
“Teacher…um…”
She was not very good with communication.
“I…would like to go…to.”
“To the orphanage?”
She nodded.
She was also originally from an orphanage. However, she had been adopted by a baron when she was around six years old.
(Not unlike me…)
I almost felt a little guilty for not having the same idea as her. Like it was proof that my heart was lacking.
“Indeed. Well, Ms. Sumia. If you don’t mind having some help…”
“Uh, but…”
“It really wouldn’t be any trouble… So…please.”
“In that case, I will help too.”
Said Millie.
Everyone turned to her in surprise. ‘What…?’ She said indignantly. But then they all chuckled.
In the end, we decided that we would all go.
But then we learned that the cookout would be tomorrow. It overlapped with the tournament, much to Alnera’s disappointment.
“Then! We should do it after the games end! Don’t you dare half-ass it tomorrow because of this!”
Millie said with her hands on her hips. And Alnera straightened her back and agreed.
I had no idea if they liked each other or not.
Regardless, I was not worried about tomorrow.