<Author’s Notes>
I got home late today, so today’s chapter is short.
The preparation for the ship party seems to be proceeding steadily, so there’s no need to rush. I’ve also completed the guest list, but it seems like drawing up the invitations will have to be done a little later, so there’s still plenty of room for additions.
For the time being, there’s no point in getting too worked up, so I decided to take a stroll through the city for a change of pace. However, as I reached the main street, I spotted someone that caught my attention.
It was a woman with beautiful golden hair, but her bangs were long, covering her eyes and even reaching near her nose. She wore brown leather pants, a white shirt, and a brown jacket, which seemed like a modest combination…… but strangely enough, there was this sense of elegance in the quality of her clothes. How should I say this…… The aura around her feels like she’s a noble lady “trying to disguise herself as a commoner”.However, what caught my attention wasn’t just that. The woman was standing with what seemed like a note in her hand, and from her demeanor, she seemed to be lost.
Just to be sure, I tried using Sympathy Magic, and indeed, I could sense troubled emotions from her. Since she had caught my attention, with my personality, I couldn’t just ignore her, so I approached and called out to her.
[Excuse me for suddenly calling out to you. This is just my impression, but are you lost? If so, I think I can be of some help……]
[ ! ? ]
When I called out to her, the woman turned around, looking surprised. Since her eyes were hidden, I couldn’t clearly see her expression, but her movements and the visible parts of her face conveyed her surprise.
I guess it’s certainly natural for someone to be startled if a stranger suddenly approaches. In fact, there’s even a possibility that she’d see me as some sort of pick-up artist.
If the woman in front of me were indeed a noble lady who’s walking around in the streets incognito, it wouldn’t be strange for her to be cautious of me.As I had such a thought in mind, the woman hesitated for a moment before timidly speaking up.
[……Yes. I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I don’t have much experience going around this street, and I’m looking for a shop…… but do you know where this shop is?]
[Let me take a look for a bit…… Hmmm……]
Seemingly judging I wasn’t a suspicious person for the time being, the woman asked for directions, so I looked at the note she was holding.
It had the name of the street and a simple hand-drawn map written on it but……
[Errr…… It’s hard to say this, but this…… this isn’t the street you were aiming for. This should be in the Western District.]
[Eh? I- Is that so?]
[Yes. The three streets that can be accessed from the plaza in front of the Royal Castle in Symphonia Kingdom’s Royal Capital all have resembling names, and this one is the name of the streets that extend towards the Western District.]
[I see…… My ignorance of this matter is rather embarrassing. Errr…… Then, is it quite a distance from here?]
[It’s not that far, but since you’ll have to pass through the plaza in front of the Royal Castle, it’ll be a bit of a detour.]
[I- I see……]
It seems like this woman isn’t very familiar with the Royal Capital. When she heard that it would be a detour, she clearly looked uneasy…… She might be a noble from another region or even from another country.
[If you’d like, shall I guide you until you’re near that area?]
[W- Would that be alright? You must have your own plans, and I wouldn’t want to burden you……]
[It’s alright. I’m just out for a stroll with no particular plans in mind anyway……]
[I see…… Well then, though I’m feeling embarrassed to ask this of you, would it be acceptable for me to rely on your words?]
[Yes, of course. Ahh, we haven’t introduced ourselves yet, right? I’m Miyama Kaito.]
[I’m Ale——- Ahh, no, please call me Aria.]
(T/N: アレ = “Are”. Her actual name could either be starting with “Are” or “Ale”.)
It felt like she hastily corrected herself just now. Yeah, she really does feel like a noble traveling incognito. Perhaps she gave me a pseudonym instead of her real name?
<Afterword>
Serious-senpai : [Kaito going out alone, evidently raising a new character flag.]
