I Came Back but the World is Still a Fantasy!?

2-12: The Hardworking Man’s Luck With People (4/5)

Tl Note: Correction The bag left with Nobuhiko belongs to Shinichi.

The girl was nervous in front of the grinning boy.

To her this boy was the one who got back her things and although he was a little pushy for a moment was someone who had taken care of her in various meanings.

Because of that she couldnt help but become beet red when the boy found out what her errand really entailed.

Arent you going to eat that? the boy asked.

Yes, no, umm Im sorry, the girl replied.

The parfait was already half finished, but she didnt feel like it anymore.

Ha ha, you dont have to mind it that much.

The third parfait of the weekly sweets of a famous pastry chef.

Moreover, only the first 50 customers can have the pleasure of eating it. Its only natural youd be concerned about the time.

Auuu

When the boy saw the menu facing up on the same table and read what was on it, his smile grew even deeper.

At the same time, the girl became smaller and smaller as her desire to vanish grew stronger.

I-Im really sorry.

Today is the only free time I have Im so sorry.

She had shrunk so much that it seemed as if she really would vanish just like that.

Her shoulders drooped, her voice and expression became dark.

Y-You know. You dont really have to mind it that much.

I mean anyone would much rather eat something delicious rather than go through some annoying procedures right?

It was so bad that even the boy couldnt help but try and encourage her.

T-Thats exactly what I dont want though.

To be thought of as someone who would much rather satiate her gluttony rather than fulfill her duty. Ahaha

Moreover by someone who has done what he could properly.

To this girl who respected someone who could react to a sudden turn of events, such a thing was a disgrace.

When Shinichi saw how the girl laughed in self-derision, it finally dawned on him that he might have gone too far.

Youre a really serious person, arent you? Youre someone worth teasing.

T-Thats all Im good for, after all

Just a little, though.

Shinichi said the latter half of his sentence quietly, so she couldnt actually hear it.

To be more precise, he whispered it so she wouldnt hear it.

Anyway, feel free to eat the rest. It would be a waste not to, wouldnt it?

After all, from what you said earlier, it seems even you dont know when youll be able to treat yourself like this again, right?

And either way, youll have missed todays opportunity.

Y-Yes. Thank you.

Im from a boarding school, so I cant go on trips like this often

The girl started eating again just as Shinichi told her to.

She did look like she was of the same generation.

I see Fu fu. Does it taste good?

Yes! Its amazing how theyre able to combine so many different types of sweetness in a single glass!

As expected of the Earthlings and their obsession with their food! Im really impressed!

One bite was all it took to blow away all the darkness on the girls face.

And when asked for her impressions, she was more than willing to provide.

I guess all girls love sweets no matter what world they come from, huh.

A group of maids flashed through Shinichis mind.

When he was able to gather the necessary ingredients by coincidence and was able to do an amateurs imitation of ice cream, they were all too happy to dig in. It seems that was one part of women that wouldnt change no matter the world.

But Shinichis words caused the girl in front of him to darken once again.

This girl has so many land mines, Shinichi thought to himself as he made a wicked face full of interest and conveniently forgot his own issues.

It would be great if that were the case.

I see. So thats why youre alone right now.

When he thought about it, a lone girl went to an unknown town to eat parfait on her own.

Moreover, at the cost of her limited free time.

B-Bochi? Theres too many Japanese words thats not registered.

Umm, I dont really understand the word, but there are a lot of girls around me that arent fond of food culture.

Well, food does tend to be connected to what you eat growing up. Its probably hard to accept cuisine from a different place.

Shinichi knew from his travels that the difference in food culture was one source of conflicts.

Its not unusual for something thats considered to be food in one region to be unthinkable in another.

In this case, the people involved were worlds apart, so its really not surprising.

Apparently, though, it was a bit different in the girls case.

Ha ha, it would still be fine if that were the case, but those kids are just too proud of Garesto.

Im kind of like their leader, so I cant just do what I want, but its so restricting that I end up just acting however they want me to. In the end, you cant tell anymore whos the leader and whos the servant

I wonder what it is that I actually want to do, she said as she laughed weakly. Thats why sometimes I want to be alone and just eat what I want.

Shinichis face became sullen when he heard about the harshness of the girls group.

A different brand of annoying from the maid platoon that was once too thorough with their hierarchy.

She cant even get what she wants even though shes the leader.

She was a diligent girl who placed much importance on the balance of all things, but it was clear that she wasnt having an easy time.

You mustve really had a hard time.

Alright. In that case, Ill feed you.

Huh?

Shinichi took the spoon as if it were perfectly natural, scooped a spoonful from the parfait, and brought it toward her.

Dont worry. This isnt anything embarrassing.

In Japan we feed foreigners and travelers like this to show appreciation for their efforts.

Here was a man who grinned a charming smile while lying brazenly.

And sure enough this poor girl from Garesto could not see through it.

T-Thats a thing!? I never knew. What should I do?

Truly a diligent child.

The girl took Shinichis words seriously and responded in the same serious manner.

Ill say say ahh as I bring the spoon toward you, and youll say ahh as you open your mouth and accept. Simple, right?

Yes!

Seeing the girl nod energetically, Shinichi too nodded and brought the spoon toward her while saying Say, ahh.

The girl opened her mouth and received his spoon seriously.

Ahh.

She truly believed that this was a tradition of this country and was earnestly studying it.

Unfortunately, there was no one here to point out her error.

Even the kitsune who couldve stopped Shinichi although she too may have been fooled wasnt here either.

Point in case, there was no one here to stop them.

And when the truth is revealed this poor girl will be humiliated.

What are you doing, Shinichi?

Huh?

Fortunately, the waiter (childhood friend) stopped them.