Chapter 58
A Travel Companion
Early afternoon on the promised day. Today, Madoka is returning
from her family home in Kansai. While I was chatting with Yukino-san at
the hotel's front desk, warm, humid air flowed in through the open automatic
doors. I could miraculously tell without even turning around. The person I've
been waiting for has arrived!
「Sorry, Aoi.
I'm a little late.」
「15 minutes
late! I hereby sentence you to treat me to ice cream! Wait, no, shaved ice is
better after all!」
「O-Okay, got
it.」
It hasn't been long since we met, and we've only seen each other once
before. But even so, spending a single night together is enough to get close
enough to exchange banter. My bosom buddy!
「Nah, I'm
just kidding. By the way, who's the person with you?」
Kujo Madoka, whom I'm seeing face-to-face for the first time in a
week, is a beautiful girl again today. A light and soft-looking red shirt and a
white skirt suit her perfectly. The pouch hanging from her shoulder is also
red; it must be her favorite color.
And there was one more person, a woman dressed entirely in black. Her
long-sleeved black shirt was buttoned up tightly to the neck, and the hat on
her head had a black veil attached, making her face hard to make out.
Furthermore, a loose, puffy skirt completely covered her down to her ankles,
and she was even wearing black lace gloves on her hands.
A full-body black outfit that minimized any exposed skin. She kind of
looked like a European noblewoman in mourning attire. It was like she had
jumped right out of a movie, which was actually kinda cool. Yeah, it was
somehow amazing.
「Let me
introduce you. Come on, Tsubaki.」
「Ugh... Madoka-onee,
I wanna go home already.」
A voice completely different from what I had imagined—a terribly
exhausted, husky voice. Perhaps she was feeling unwell.
「What's
wrong? Wanna rest in my room?」
「Ah, so
kind...」
「It's fine,
she's always like this. Come on, Tsubaki.」
「...Umm, I'm,
well, Kujo Tsubaki.」
A dialect? Anyway, she seemed to be incredibly shy or bad with strangers
on a ridiculous level. It didn't seem to be a matter of her health, at least.
「I see, Tsubaki,
huh. I'm Nagakura Aoi, nice to meet ya. By any chance, are you Madoka's
little sister?」
「My cousin,
actually. She's one year younger, and she's been calling me 'Onee' since we
were little.」
「Heeh, then
she's the same age as me.」
I'm 16, and Madoka is 17. A minor age difference like this is
basically within the margin of error, though.
「Aoi, you haven't had lunch yet, right? Should we talk at that restaurant?」
「Okay, let's
go then.」
After saying goodbye to Yukino-san, who was watching over us
kindly from the front desk, I headed outside with the two of them. Still, an
all-black outfit in the summer looks hot. Well, she's probably doing it because
she likes it, so I won't say anything.
After a short walk, we arrived at the restaurant without a sign. It
seems I'll be frequenting this hidden gem from now on. The annoying feeling of
being watched by someone can be shut out completely once we enter the store.
Taking a seat at the same semi-private table as last time, we quickly finished
ordering.
Now then, I was planning to go to the Dungeon this afternoon, but
since she brought her sister (cousin) along, I wonder if there's a change of
plans. I wouldn't mind doing some Tokyo sightseeing instead, just for a change.
「Tsubaki, we're inside a store, so take off your hat.」
「It's
embarrassing...」
Even while saying something like a refusal, she obediently listened. And
finally, her face, which had been covered by the black veil, became visible.
「Oh, you
actually do look a bit like Madoka. As expected of cousins.」
「I suppose
so. But, she's way too skinny and her complexion is terrible, right?」
That is certainly true. I could sense the same genes as the beautiful
girl Madoka, but her cheeks were sunken, and her pale complexion didn't
look healthy at all. Combined with her gloomy atmosphere and her all-black
outfit, honestly, she gave off a slightly eerie vibe. It felt like her
unhealthy but beautiful features only served to make that eerie impression
stand out even more.
But you know, I found that individuality quite appealing. I get it. This
is a certain style! An individuality that doesn't get swept away by others is a
wonderful thing.
「You're not
actually feeling sick, right? If that's the case, your atmosphere is actually
pretty good. Being the exact opposite of Madoka is rather nice, don't
you think?」
「You...
understand...?」
「You betcha!」
「So kind... Aoi-anehan.」
「Eh, I'm a
big sister too?」
Why did it turn out like that.
「Tsubaki calls all the women she takes a liking to 'Ane-san'
(big sister). Though you managed to get in her good graces surprisingly fast, Aoi.」
Seriously?
「Come to
think of it, is that a dialect? You don't use it, Madoka?」
「I've been
out here (in Tokyo) for a long time. Though Tsubaki's dialect has some
pretty questionable parts.」
「Heeh, is
that so.」
「Ah, the food
we've been waiting for is here. Can we continue our talk after eating?」
「Of course. I
want to concentrate on the sublime act of eating, after all. Complicated talks
are a no-go.」
「You sure
know what's up, Aoi.」
Heh, you betcha.
Dishes were brought out one after another, filling the table. A vibrant
salad and a flock of small bowls. And I couldn't tear my eyes away from today's
main dish. The main dish today was a hefty serving of yellow rice piled on a
plate, topped with ridiculously thick slices of beef stacked as if to say 'how
about this, and this,' and then drenched in a sauce resembling beef stew. It
looked way too delicious.
「Make sure
you finish yours too, Tsubaki.」
「I-I can't
eat... this much.」
「You promised
to gain some weight, right? Come on, just eat.」
Time to dig in. While putting the 'veggies first' method I just learned
recently into practice, I concentrated on the sublime time of eating.
Whew, I ate and ate. Shutting out the desire to lie down completely, I
continued to sit in the chair with my back straight. This too is the fruit of Yukino-san's
education. I, Nagakura Aoi, leave no openings. I am a true lady who
brings no shame to this British young lady-style outfit. Probably.
「Uugh, urp.
S-So tough...」
Having eaten too much and completely lost the will to even drink
after-meal coffee, Tsubaki was groaning with her mouth half-open. Her
rather goofy appearance completely ruined her eerie atmosphere, which was
somewhat amusing. Casting a sidelong glance at the suffering girl, Madoka
and I were thoroughly enjoying our after-meal dessert. Paired with coffee, it
was a perfect post-meal experience.
「So, how was
it back at your family home?」
Madoka had supposedly gone to her family home to get
equipment and have them teach her how to use it. If she had been receiving
instruction in weaponry, I imagined she couldn't have taken it very easy.
「I achieved
excellent results for my main objective, but right before I was about to leave,
I was told to take Tsubaki with me.」
「For Tokyo
sightseeing?」
「No, as a Dungeon
Hunter.」
「Ah, so
that's how it is. Then we've already secured our third member.」
「Are you okay
with that?」
「If you
accept her as a companion, Madoka, I'm fine with it too. I can see she
has a decent amount of power!」
Both Madoka and I have decided to work desperately. No matter
what her relatives back home said, she wouldn't have brought someone along if
they were going to be a hindrance. I believed Madoka's resolve wasn't
that cheap. Besides, since she's Madoka's 'little sister', there
shouldn't be any worries on the trust front either. We have a ton of secrets we
don't want others to know, after all. She might be a perfect fit as a
companion.
「Correct, Tsubaki
is excellent. I think it would be best for you to actually see it for yourself
in the Dungeon after she rests a bit. I want to confirm your skills and
true ability too, Aoi, so let's make it a time for all of us to get to
know each other better.」
「You bet!」
It's finally time for our party activities. My excitement won't stop!
Let's do this.
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