TNZKMA 110

１１０

 

[I will ask Saine for shrimp again. Someday, I will ask him to take me to the market in the Southern Section. And the central square. I’d like to go there too.]

[Your husband’s work is seasonal after all. You can go on trips like that, right?]

[Your husband has to keep his shop open, right? It looks like it’s impossible to take you with us.]

[I wonder? My husband used to forbid me from going out, so even in the east district, my range of movement was limited, but I think it’s okay now. He hasn’t decided on my next husband yet…  Maybe he doesn’t care about me anymore.]

 

Haruka laughed again, with eyes that were about to cry.

 

[Well, my husband doesn’t say anything if I go alone to the square in the east section, which he used to tell me not to do. I’m wandering around a lot now. All my previous husbands forbade me from going out. With my second husband, he didn’t even want me to leave the house. He said it was embarrassing. I’m sure my next husband will be the same, so now I’m taking advantage of the fact that my husband doesn’t say anything and going out and exploring here and there.]

[Even if you explore, there isn’t really much to see, right?]

[That’s not really the case. You’ve already done it, but I went to the market in the southeast for the first time, you know? It’s the first time in my 10 years since reincarnation. I also decided to leave town a little. That is, as far as the vacant lot. I was too scared to go to the farm by myself.]

[You can’t! Saine said that we can’t leave the town.]

[Even to the vacant land?]

[He said over there is no go either. When I went there alone, he got really angry.]

 

He said that the people in town were being too optimistic. The center of town was the safest place, and that the further out you went the closer to danger. Even so, it would be okay if you stayed inside the town, but it was absolutely forbidden to go out into the vacant lots.

I held Haruka’s arm and explained to him strongly. Having experienced the danger of monsters firsthand in the forest, Haruka nodded and promised.

 

[Sorry. I understand. I won’t go anymore.]

 

I felt relieved and relaxed my grip.

 

[The market in the southeast section was amazing, right?]

[It’s amazing. It’s packed with people.]

[You’re right. I still get pushed around when I go alone. In moments when Saine isn’t around, someone comes with me on the way back. And they see me off until I leave the market.]

[A guard follows you?]

[Yes, yes. I was scared of everyone at first but, they’re all so nice.]

 

The market in the Northeast section is busiest at night, while the market in the Southeast section is busy throughout the day.

 

[I know where the Guards Guild is. I went to check it out before. It has a bit of…… a scary feeling into it, right?]

[Aah, well, it must be scary. You only smell the scent of alcohol inside, and at first, I thought it was a bar. Without Olphynn, I definitely wouldn’t have entered it.]

[I respect Priest-sama about that. People might think he’s incompetent but he just keeps moving forward.]

[Have you met with Olphynn?]

[Yes. I drop by now and then to see his face. I’m a fan of his.]

 

Haruka has been living at the Daryss household for nearly a month, and he’s now treated like a member of the family.

I still have to wait at the entrance, but he just goes all the way to the back regardless. The servants don’t stop him, and the other members of the Daryss household don’t say anything to Haruka.

In fact, some of the Daryss family members are good friends with Haruka, and they have tea together while they wait for Olphynn.

 

He says that Olphynn is amazing, but I respect that part about Haruka. 

Haruka has been like this ever since we were kids. Before you know it, he’ll fit in with groups that treat him coldly, and he’ll even become friends with some of them.

I’ve always found it strange that the guys who tried to bully Haruka would suddenly find themselves asking him for life advice.

 

[Well… if we go now, we can go to the real central square. Apparently the market in the central square is really lively. You might be able to get some shrimp there. Okay. I’ll go to the market.]

[What~~~ wait a minute! I want to go, too! I’ll ask Saine and have him bring us with him. Or rather, let’s all go together.]

[Sure, let’s go together. But before that, I’m going to check out the market. I’m sure your husband will take me if you ask him, but who knows when that will be? No matter how sweet he is, don’t ask too hard, okay? Just ask when he’s in a good mood. It would be no good if I was sold before you could go, so I’m going now. If I leave the house with my husband when he goes out to sell, I think I can come back by night, and one shrimp costs a thousand ales, right? If I find it, I’ll buy it for you.]

[Do you have money?]

[I do. It was impossible before but that man has started saving money and maybe he’s become big-hearted. He gives me pocket money. Well, I have nothing to spend it on even if I get it…… That’s why I can afford 1000 ales at least.]

[I’ll pay you later so I leave it to you.]

 

I clapped my hands together and made my request.

 

[You need some for your neighbors too, right? I’ll buy two if I have enough money.]

[The shrimps are this big. And they’re really heavy. Do you have a basket, Haruka? You should bring a basket with a handle. I had to carry it home with my hands, so it was hard.]

[A basket, eh? Don’t worry. I have lots of baskets.]

 

Haruka’s husband buys ingredients at the market, but he doesn’t use them directly in the shop. His stall is a daytime business, so he goes home in the evening.

The uncle prepares the ingredients at home at night. Apparently in the past he would get drunk and prepare things haphazardly, but now he works carefully, and the shop is busier than ever.

 

Thanks to my trusty best friend, I’m sure I’ll get some shrimp. I can’t help but grin. Saine might take me there is I ask Saine, too, which will give me at least two more shrimp meals.

Of course, that’s assuming they’re selling them at the market in the central square.