Chapter 7 Mako-Mako and Ms. Hannah
As soon as they entered the empty room, Yuruyana started pulling out various items from her Arcane Art bag and began to arrange them.
True to her journey from the west to the capital, her equipment was well-prepared.
Or rather,
"Is your luggage heavy?"
After the bed mat, blanket, and body pillow came out, followed by a table and chair, finally her work tools appeared.
The nearly empty room was instantly filled with Yuruyana's personal belongings, making it look like she had always lived there.
"A comfortable base is the first step to health, you know?"
Being told by someone with such a healthy-looking face made it quite persuasive.
"I guess so. Hey, I want to go shopping. Can you tell me about the stores around here? Also, I want breakfast."
"..."
I should have introduced a nearby inn instead; there wasn't any spare room left.
Without a moment to regret, I found myself being pulled out again by the enthusiastic Yuruyana, ready to explore the town.
It was just about time for the cafeteria to open, so I led the way.
There, an orange-haired girl was just lifting the noren curtain.
"Oh, Mr. Tsukumo, good morning!"
After moving, I had been going there every day, and finally, it seemed I had been recognized as a regular by the shop's mascot, Mako-Mako, who spoke to me just yesterday.
"Good morning..."
"It's your first time coming in the morning, right? Please come in."
Mako-Mako quickly tried to guide us in, but then she noticed Yuruyana by my side.
"Oh, are you with a friend today?"
At that voice, Yuruyana seemed to have timed it perfectly──or maybe she had actually planned it.
She popped her head out from a perfect angle and flashed a charming smile.
"Good morning!"
She always has something up her sleeve for first meetings, and her voice was getting higher again.
Mako-Mako fell for the dazzling smile of the beautiful girl, even brighter than the morning sun.
"Ah, um, good morning!"
She greeted us awkwardly, flustered and nervous.
"Hee, Mako-Mako is 15 and helps at the shop while going to school. That's amazing!"
Yuruyana felt a bit guilty for tricking the pure girl for so long, so after revealing the trick, he enjoyed her reaction and quickly learned something I had no idea about even after a week.
According to the stories I overheard, Mako-Mako helps at the shop after school on weekdays, and on holidays, she only works from the opening until noon and during the busy evening hours.
"Mr. Yuruyana, it's amazing that you're a pharmacist, even though you're only 3 years older than me. Well, arcane medicine isn't really common for commoners..."
"We sell normal medicine too, and if it's for the people at the cafeteria, I can sell arcane medicine cheap! I don't want to stop eating such delicious food!"
I wonder, if Luka and I had a contest in talking smoothly, who would win?
"Really? By the way, have you decided where the shop will open?"
"Hmm? Tsukumo's house."
"I didn't hear that."
"I just said it. Come on, you don't have plans to use the place where the general store was, right? Let me use it!"
When I frowned, she put her fingers together in a pleading pose and looked up at me with sparkling eyes.
"I'll pay rent, too!"
"...Let me think about it."
The store part was definitely unused right now, and if it stayed that way, it would just become a storage room.
Since it's facing the street, I know it would be best to let someone use it effectively if I'm not going to do anything myself.
But somehow, I didn't like the idea of anyone else sitting behind that counter except my grandfather.
"A general store?"
While weighing practicality against my feelings, a muffled voice came from inside the counter, and an old woman peeked her head out.
She seemed to have been there the whole time, but being short and bent down, she wasn't visible.
"Could it be Kreis General Store?"
"Yes, you know about it?"
Yuruyana asked in my place.
"Yes, Mr. Momota was very kind to me."
The old woman smiled warmly, leaving a comforting expression, then stepped out from the counter to examine my face closely.
"I was curious about you since the first time you came to eat. You are Tsuku-Tsuku, right?"
"Huh?"
Suddenly called by name, I saw gentle eyes behind round glasses narrowing in surprise.
"...Ms. Hannah?"
My mouth slipped, and her name tumbled out.
She was the kind woman who had looked after my grandfather, running the store alone after my grandmother passed away, often bringing snacks and side dishes.
Come to think of it, she had been working in this cafeteria since then, I just realized.
"You remember me, I'm so happy."
I hadn't noticed because her hair was orange, not white, back then.
If I trace my memories, it's the same color as Mako-Mako's now.
"It's been about ten years, you've grown so much."
Ms. Hannah smiled with a tearful face and wrapped my hand with her small, rough hands.
A gentle warmth seeped through.
"Why didn't I notice right away? Your 2 freckles side by side were your charm point, I said so, didn't I?"
Without thinking, I touched below my eye with my other hand.
The vertical freckles under my left eye were joked about by colleagues as "[2 stars]" and even spread to rival organizations, giving me an infamous nickname like the "[Two Star Demon]," which became a reason to hide them with a mask.
"Mr. Momota always proudly talked about how you were active in school, Tsuku-Tsuku. Are you still touching Arcane Machinery now?"
My chest twinged with pain at Ms. Hannah's cheerful words.
What would grandfather think if he saw me now?
Noticing my gloomy face, Ms. Hannah let go of my hand and pressed her lips together.
"I'm sorry... It's me... Can I come to the store sometimes to talk?"
"Yeah, sure."
I can't bring myself to do anything anyway.
I want to hear about grandfather, and being a listener for Ms. Hannah isn't much of a burden.
Nodding, Ms. Hannah gave me another intense look.
"Tsuku-Tsuku, you really resemble Mr. Momota in his youth."
"Grandfather? Well, we have the same hair color..."
Come to think of it, grandfather was quite tall too.
I remember him patting my head with a big, warm hand, laughing brightly whenever we went out to play.
I wonder if I've caught up to him in height.
"No, your face and vibe are really similar. You were the best-looking guy around here."
"Then you're saying you don't look alike?"
"Tsuku-Tsuku thinks you're just as handsome. Be confident!"
Hannah's comforting words sank into my troubled heart.
Then, I thought,
"Yeah, yeah. You're a bit gloomy, but if you stand tall and look tidy, you can walk with me."
Yuruyana ruined the warm atmosphere.
"What kind of standard is that?"
"With that attitude, I think you're shy about walking with cute me."
"Where does that confidence come from?"
I couldn't help but poke fun, then I covered my mouth as I got caught up in Yuruyana's pace again, while Hannah watched with a smile.
And as for Mako-Mako,
"Mr. Yuruyana, you're really cute! How do you take care of your skin?"
Just when I thought she was going to lean in and chat,
"Mako, more customers are coming, so help out!"
I was called back by the woman left alone at the counter.
I've heard Mako-Mako call her 'Mom.'
It's probably just an excuse to pull her daughter away from strange guys, but it's true that we were getting closer to lunchtime and customers were increasing.
"Ehh!"
"Come to Tsukumo's house when you have time. I'll tell you some great tips."
"Thank you!"
From Yuruyana, I sensed a strange vibe that made Mako-Mako's mom worry.
After finishing my meal, I was getting the bill from Mako-Mako when,
"Is it okay to trust him, Mom?"
"It's fine. He's Tsuku-Tsuku's friend."
"But Mr. Tsukumo seems a bit scary, right?"
I heard whispers of worry about their daughter being influenced by some weird guys, but it seemed Yuruyana didn't hear, so I pretended not to notice.
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