Volume 1 Chapter 16 It's A Tea Time, But...
After finishing the Big Rat hunt that day, the sun was still high up in the sky. Thanks to Gram's advice, I've been able to reduce the time I spend on work.
I don't plan on earning any more today, so I'll just spend the rest of the day doing whatever.
And since I have the chance, I decided to go see "her."
"Partner, you're quite devoted, huh? Haven't you reached your target amount yet?"
"That's why I'm just bringing a little something as a gift. It's not like it'll hurt to earn a bit more favor, right?"
"It's refreshing how you're so upfront about your ulterior motives, man."
I bought some snacks from a street stall and made my way into the alleyway.
I wasn't heading to the brothel I visited before.
Rather, it was a place a little away from the red-light district. The place I went to was a clinic tucked away in a corner of the alleyway.
"Oh, Yukina-kun, welcome. What brings you here today?"
When I knocked on the door, Kyunei opened it and greeted me.
"I came to hang out after finishing work today."
"Oh, perfect timing. I just finished up here too."
It was the day I decided to 'buy' Kyunei, and she told me the location. She wasn't just a pr**titute; she also worked as a doctor in this clinic in the back alleys during the day.
"Here's a little something."
"Thank you so much for going out of your way."
I handed her the bag of sweets, and Kyunei blushed.
She wasn't dressed in the seductive clothes I saw her wear at the brothel. Her outfit still accentuated her figure, but it wasn't as provocative as when she was a pr**titute. She was wearing a loose robe on top.
"Why don't we eat together? I'll make some tea. Wait inside."
With the bag of sweets in her arms, Kyunei hurriedly disappeared into the back of the clinic. I followed behind and as I entered, a distinct scent, possibly from the medicines, tickled my nose.
The clinic was not very big, with shelves for medicines, a desk for work, and a simple bed. It was connected to Kyunei's living quarters at the back.
I sat on the bed and waited for Kyunei.
After a while, Kyunei came back with a tray carrying fragrant tea and some snacks that I had brought.
"Here you go."
"Thank you."
I picked up the cup on the table and sipped the steaming tea.
"The tea made by the beautiful lady is delicious."
"You're just saying that to be nice."
Kyunei chuckled, looking beautiful like a painting.
"────"
As I reached for a snack, my arm suddenly hurt.
There was a white bandage wrapped around it, and it was bleeding.
While searching for Big Rats in the forest, I was cut deeply by a sharp branch that jumped out. I quickly disinfected and bandaged it to stop the bleeding, but it seemed to have reopened a little while moving.
"Oh no, that's terrible. Excuse me for a moment."
I thought it was just a small thing that would heal if I spit on it or something, but then Kyunei quickly grabbed my arm and took off the bandage, holding her hand over the wound.
"Healing."
Light overflowed from Kyunei's hand and got sucked into the wound on my arm, and the wound started closing up.
In an instant, my arm was completely healed.
Kyunei was not only a doctor, but also a skilled magician in healing magic.
"Sorry about that. I'll pay you for your services."
"It's fine. If you insist, think of it as a treat in return. I've been enjoying your treats anyway."
Kyunei laughed as if it was no big deal.
"But seriously, I was really surprised when you came to this clinic like it was nothing."
"It was Kyunei-san who told me the location."
"Well, I mean, you seemed so determined, so I thought the next time I'd see you would be when you're buying me."
When I first visited this clinic, Kyunei looked at my face with wide eyes. It was like she was really surprised, almost like a pigeon getting hit with a pea shooter. That's how amazed she seemed.
"Since I'm going to be taken care of by this person anyway, it's natural to want to know more about them."
And besides, before even talking about buying or not buying, it's totally normal for a guy to want to get to know a beautiful woman like her, even just a little.
"Or do you dislike guys who try to earn your attention openly?"
"No, I actually admire someone who's straightforward."
Well, it was really intense.
After that, we enjoyed some snacks and tea while having a chat.
We talked about things like hunting in the woods and just had some lighthearted conversations.
In the midst of all that, there was something that bothered me a little.
Magic── it's a skill that's naturally recognized among people, but the kind of healing magic Kyunei used is actually limited to a few users.
So, when it comes to attack magic or support magic, there aren't as many users compared to frontline fighters like swordsmen, but they're part of the mercenary guild. However, there aren't many people who can use healing magic.
The skills for learning and practicing healing magic are a specialty of the Church. They keep these skills hidden from the common folks. People think that only members of the Church, like priests and bishops, can use healing magic.
Of course, if you go to the Church and make a donation, they will heal you, but the donation is quite a lot. So, among mercenaries, it's seen as a last resort.
Of course, my hometown has a Church, and there's a bishop there who can help. But it takes some time for him to heal the wounds I got in the forest. The way Kyunei healed my wounds in an instant is at least as good as the village bishop, if not better.
Why is she doing jobs like a city doctor? Why is she doing secret jobs like a pr**titute?
It would be a big lie to say that I'm not curious.
As I pondered such things──
"...You really don't pry deep, huh?"
I felt a jolt at Kyunei's words that were inserted in the middle of our conversation.
"W-what do you mean?"
"You're not good at hiding your feelings, are you? I can tell what you're thinking."
I sighed in defeat at Kyunei's teasing smile.
"...Why is someone who can use healing magic living in a corner of an alley like this? It's a little concerning, but..."
But then I added,
"And it's also a breach of manners to pry into 'that', even if I'm a country bumpkin."
Even if there were circumstances, it's only been about a week since I met Kyunei. It's out of line to try to dig so deeply into things.
"Well, if Kyunei-san tells me on her own, I'll listen, but that's impossible."
"That's right. Both you and I still don't know enough about each other."
"Then I'll wait. Until the day when Kyunei-san opens up."
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