“Oh right. I haven't properly introduced myself,” I said, regaining a bit of composure. Grabbing the edge of my tattered, frilly dress, I gave a slight bow, mimicking the elegant gesture Yuzu always did in Luminous Dream. It felt awkward, but at least I looked the part. “My name is Mashiro Shimizu Mikan. You can call me Mashiro.”
As I straightened up, I tried to maintain a refined air, but the combination of my disheveled appearance and the still-rumbling stomach probably ruined any sense of grace I was aiming for.
“So I’ve heard from the kids,” Scheon said with a smile that somehow managed to be both charmingly cute and unsettlingly perfect at the same time. His expression was so dazzling it felt like it belonged on the cover of a romance novel—or perhaps a warning label for dangerously handsome individuals.
I blinked at him, unsure whether to be impressed or creeped out. “Uh… right. Well, nice to officially meet you, I guess.”
I gave a half-hearted smile back at Scheon before turning my attention to the ground, scanning for Elise's wooden doll—the one I’d dropped when the vines had ensnared my legs. It didn’t take long to spot it a few steps away, lying sadly in the dirt like it had been abandoned for years.
With a sigh, I bent over and picked up the doll. It was in worse shape than I remembered—its once delicate wooden frame was now scratched and stained, the tiny fabric clothes ripped and tattered. Dirt clung to every crevice, and it looked as if it had gone through its own mini-war alongside me.
“Ah, the doll I gave to Elise,” Scheon said, his voice tinged with sadness as he noticed the state of the poor thing in my hands. For a brief moment, his expression softened, a flicker of guilt crossing his face.
But just as quickly as the sadness appeared, he straightened up, his signature knightley smile returning. “No worries!” he said, his tone lighter and more optimistic. “I can always fix it. Elise won’t even notice it was damaged. Leave it to me!”
I couldn’t help but smile at his unwavering positivity. There was something oddly comforting about it, even if I didn’t feel like sharing the same optimism.
Standing up straight, brushing off the remnants of dirt from my hands, I held the doll for a moment longer before closing my eyes and focusing. With a soft swoosh, the wooden doll vanished instantly, disappearing into the strange storage space tied to my will. It was a trick I hadn’t quite figured out yet, but one I was grateful for nonetheless.
“That’s…” Scheon’s voice trailed off, his eyes widening slightly as they shifted to my tail and ears. The realization seemed to hit him all at once, and he gave me an understanding look. “I see…”
I watched him for a moment as his eyes lingered on my tail and ears, but I quickly shifted my focus back to the topic at hand.
“The doll…” I muttered, my gaze falling to the spot where it had vanished. “Can you really fix it?”
“Of course, my maid used to teach—” Scheon paused abruptly, a loud cough escaping him, cutting off his sentence with impressive dramatic flair. “A bodyguard’s job doesn’t stop at swinging a sword, my lady. Sometimes it involves patching up clothes, tents, and, apparently, dolls.”
I raised an eyebrow at him, not sure if I should be impressed by his versatility or if I should just shake my head at his antics. “I didn’t know bodyguards had such… diverse skills.”
I stretched my hand outward, feeling the cool breeze against my skin as I walked, the soft orange glow of the sun barely peeking through the canopy above. The afternoon was creeping closer, but the light was still soft and warm.
“Let's hurry. I can't wait to taste Lisa's cooking.” I started picking up my pace. “I’ll give you the doll later, I don’t want Elise to see me holding her wooden doll in such a state. If she asks, just tell her that the doll is safe inside the children's secret base, okay?”
Scheon nodded enthusiastically, his smile never fading as he fell into step beside me. His footsteps were light and quick, keeping up with my brisk walk. "Ah, Lisa, the inn girl? What a coincidence. I’m also planning to stay there for a few days."
“So I’ve heard from Elise,” I muttered, recalling the conversation with the kids earlier. “Heh, guess it’s really such a coincidence, almost like fate. Though, I don’t believe in such a thing.”
Scheon’s smile widened, his eyes sparkling with an unreadable glint. “Fate… Yes, it truly is.”
----------------------------------------
“Miss Mashiro!” Elise’s cheerful voice rang out as she bolted toward me, her tiny arms wrapping tightly around my waist. Her face lit up with a bright smile, radiating pure joy.
Standing in front of what I assumed was Lisa’s house—apparently an inn, according to Scheon—I glanced at the sign above the entrance. Unfortunately, the intricate lettering meant nothing to me, so I had to take his word for it.
Stolen novel; please report.
I returned Elise’s hug with a soft pat on her head, her silky hair brushing against my fingers. “Sorry, Elise,” I said with a gentle tone. “I forgot to bring your doll. It’s still in the secret hideout.”
Forget about Maribel!” Elise exclaimed, waving her hands dismissively before circling me like a curious little cat. Her eyes scanned me from head to toe, her expression shifting to one of concern. “Your outfit is so tattered! Are you hurt anywhere, Miss?”
Her genuine worry tugged at my heartstrings. I smiled softly and shook my head. “I’m fine, just a bit tired. But thank you for checking on me, Elise. You’re so thoughtful.”
Scheon, standing beside me, coughed loudly to grab attention. “Ahem, little lady. Is it ready yet?” he asked, his tone polite but laced with playful impatience.
Elise turned her bright smile toward him before tugging on my hand. “Come on, Miss Mashiro!” she said, ignoring Scheon’s question entirely as she guided me into the inn.
This time, I took a moment to look around. The first floor resembled a cozy restaurant more than anything else. Circular wooden tables filled the space, each surrounded by four stools that looked sturdy but well-used. The faint aroma of cooking wafted through the air, making my stomach grumble audibly—much to my embarrassment.
Against one side of the room, a staircase that spiraled upward, likely leading to the inn’s guest rooms. The whole place had a warm, rustic charm to it, as though it had been standing here for generations, hosting countless travelers and locals alike. It felt… oddly comforting.
The room bustled with activity, the low hum of chatter blending with the occasional clink of utensils. Other patrons were scattered around the tables, sitting on the stools and enjoying their lunch. Among them were a few elderly villagers I recognized from earlier, their smiles warm and familiar as they exchanged quiet pleasantries.
Elise tightened her grip on my hand, practically bouncing with excitement as she led me to a table tucked away in the corner. The moment we approached, my nose was assaulted by the rich, savory aroma of the food. On the table sat a plate of steaming, flavorful meat, its fragrance so tantalizing it felt like it could travel for miles. My mouth watered instinctively.
“Miss Mashiro! Over here!” Lisa’s cheerful voice broke through my thoughts. I turned to see her sitting casually on a nearby stool, waving her hand with a bright smile. She looked as if she’d been waiting for this exact moment, her energy as welcoming as the meal that awaited me.
“Lisa!” I smiled as I walked towards her and sat on the stool close to her, while Elise and Scheon followed. “Are you okay? Do you still feel pain somewhere?
Lisa smiled as she flexed her biceps, reassuring me how strong she was. Before I could even react, she grabbed a plate piled high with food and slid it across the table toward me with a flourish. The aroma hit me like a wave, and my stomach growled loudly in protest, much to my embarrassment.
“I’m fine!” Lisa said with her usual cheerful attitude, her voice full of energy. “Elise helped me out anyway, so I’m super fine right now! Nothing can stop me!”
I couldn’t help but smile at Lisa’s infectious energy. Without a word, I picked up the wooden spoon resting on the plate and reached for the bowl of vegetable soup that sat steaming in front of me. The warm aroma of fresh herbs and hearty vegetables wafted up, making my stomach growl louder than before.
Scheon followed suit, picking up his spoon as well, while Elise and Lisa both watched us with wide, expectant eyes. I took a cautious sip of the soup, letting the flavors settle on my tongue. It was incredible—rich, savory, and comforting.
“This… tastes better than cabbage,” I said softly, glancing up to see Lisa’s beaming face and Elise clapping her hands in excitement.
“Because this is your first time eating here, and you helped me and Elise, you can eat for free,” Lisa said with a wink, her smile widening. “But the next meal? That’ll cost double.”
Just as I was about to retort, the soft sound of footsteps caught my attention. A cloaked figure entered the restaurant, and Lisa immediately sprang into action, leaving me behind as she greeted them with a wide smile.
"You ordered two boxes of boar meat without spice, right?" Lisa asked. The figure gave a subtle nod, and without missing a beat, Lisa darted to the counter, grabbing two wooden boxes and handing them over. "That'll be 6 silver."
The figure took the boxes in hand, and in a swift motion, they were gone, leaving behind 6 silver coins on the counter. Lisa quickly snatched them up with a polite smile.
"Thank you," the figure said quietly, before leaving the restaurant.
I shot up from my seat as soon as I heard that unmistakable voice—the voice of a rich lady from my favorite gacha game. My heart skipped a beat as I dashed out of the restaurant, scanning the area. But the street was empty, as though the person I’d just heard had never been there at all.
“Yuzu…”