SWNOVELXO Chapter 23
Episode 23.
It was one day.
Now, in the late autumn of my twelve years, it felt quite natural to have three people at the shop.
“Ain, Zillya.”
“No, it’s not ‘Zilly,’ please.”
On a day when the Female still trailed behind me, helping out with work, Uncle called out to me rather suddenly.
“Anyway, Zilly, I’ve been thinking…”
“What’s the matter?”
And so, when I asked in return, Uncle made a proposal I had never thought of.
“Well, it’s not really that… I was wondering if you might consider teaching that girl of yours to work here at the shop.”
“Uh…”
I had never expected such a suggestion from Uncle, so I just stood there, blankly staring at him.
Uncle scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed, and continued.
“Anyway, since she’s already helping you out all the time, I thought perhaps we could officially employ her… But if you think it’s not a good idea…”
I wasn’t staring at Uncle for that reason.
“No… It’s a good idea.”
This was a thought I couldn’t dare bring up, feeling extremely apologetic for already imposing so much by allowing her to live with us, something I had been contemplating all the while as I wondered what was really permissible to ask for.
“Though I can’t pay her much, I will certainly give her a salary.”
“It’s fine. You can take a little from my salary if you need to, but please let her work.”
You see…
It’s also been weighing on my mind that I’ll be leaving her behind to travel soon.
I want her to adapt and live well even after I leave.
I wish to see her lead an ordinary life.
Even though my travels might not extend to twenty or thirty years, even though I don’t plan to part with her forever…
At the very least, my small yet grand wish is for her to be able to live well in the empire, even when I’m not around.
I hope that she takes another step forward into this world.
And Uncle was the first to bring this up to me.
Thankfully.
“Well, go ahead and ask her and then come back and tell me.”
“Thank you, Uncle.”
“What? You’re welcome for nothing. Consider it cheap labor, brat.”
So, I end up giving a slight hug to Uncle who grins at me.
“Hehe, really, thank you.”
“Hey! Don’t just suddenly hug me, you weirdo!”
Uncle is simply too kind.
After my chat with Uncle, I approached the Female who was sitting quietly and looking our way, dazed.
And as I drew near, she slowly extended her arms as if asking to be embraced.
Seeing this, I can’t help but smile and face her.
“Ain, is something the matter?”
“Ah, maybe… Wouldn’t you like to work here as well, in this shop?”
“But, you’re already helping out, right?”
“Not helping. I meant, wouldn’t you like to work here and get paid?”
She tilts her head slightly, not fully understanding.
“Ah, salary…”
“…”
As I explain, her expression stiffens a bit as if pondering something.
“… Can I earn money too?”
“Yes, you deserve money for the work you do.”
At my firm answer, she tilts her head multiple times as if contemplating.
“Then… I want to work like Ain too.”
Her slightly brightened expression soon turns to agreement.
So, I gently take her still extended hands to help her up.
It wasn’t that I intended to hug her, but merely that I helped her up by holding her waving hands.
But then, a pouty face turns toward me.
“Ain, you hugged him but why not me?”
“Well, that’s…”
“You said fairness was important. This isn’t fair.”
“… Alright.”
With that, she wiggles her feet while her arms are still spread, silently asking for a hug.
And only when I gently embrace her, she slightly shudders on my shoulder and smiles contentedly.
Anyway.
Though I boldly declared I wanted her to work here, quite a few things were necessary for that to happen.
First, she didn’t know how to speak politely.
She hadn’t learned to show respect to elders or to be courteous to those of higher status or to customers.
There was so much to teach her that I initially thought I’d only get around to it before my departure, but it ended up becoming a top priority.
So, the first thing to teach her was polite speech if she was to work at the grocery store.
“Speaking politely is actually quite simple, you just need to add ‘~may I?’ or ‘~do~’ or ‘~is~’ to what you usually say.”
“Goodbye may~?”
But, it wasn’t as easy as that.
“Um, well, that’s not wrong, but it should be a bit more respectful…”
“What is respectful?”
“Hmm… Respecting someone who is senior to you, say… Like the people who come to the store.”
“Are the people who come to the shop seniors?”
I had no idea how to explain this.
“…”
“Just skip it if you don’t know.”
I just watched her tilt her head as she said that.
Right.
Teaching polite speech… let’s take it slow.
Anyway.
Second, we needed something to cover her appearance.
Since robes had to be completely pulled over the head, they were impractical to wear while working at the store.
“Jansen, do you have anything that can alter someone’s appearance?”
“What? What’s with this sudden… Ugh, you brat grown into something monstrous.”
So, I went straight to the Adventurer’s Shop and asked.
“Something to alter one’s appearance.”
“Is that all? It’s been a while since you visited, so much as a greeting would’ve been nice, you tall beanpole.”
His gaze looked at me with exasperation at my words, but I found it amusing and tilted my head.
“Huh? Jansen isn’t the type who is content as long as the money is good?”
“… Do you even know what you think of me?”
Honestly, I thought of him as just Money God Jansen.
“Uh, well, you like money?”
“Yes, that’s true… but consider this: even I, a person, feel delighted to see you after such a long time, especially with how grown up you’ve become.”
But, the look of mild disappointment in his voice made me awkwardly scratch my head.
Hmm.
Maybe I shouldn’t have expected him to say things like that.
Upon reflection, I treated him more like a character, different from Rendo Uncle or other townsfolk.
Because in the novel, he had a name and even the nickname ‘Money God Jansen.’
Because, as long as money was given, even children were treated like customers.
“Uh… Well…”
“Just don’t take it too seriously, that’s all. It has been quite a while, hasn’t it?”
The man I had only read about followed exactly the novel’s portrayal, so I somewhat thought of him as less human.
Rather rudely, I treated him like a machine that produced results based on inputs.
And now, I’ve realized.
While he props his cheek with one hand and looks at me, he is but a person existing in this world.
This grand world that I once thought was merely a fiction, is slowly beginning to feel more real.
Little by little, I begin to accept it.
“You could stop treating me like a machine and start treating me like a person. I do feel joy, and consequently, disappointment too, upon seeing you after a while.”
And with that said, he grins, and I laugh too.
Then, I follow his wish, offering a greeting.
“Yes. Long time no see, Jansen.”
“Alright, customer. Long time no see. What brings you here today?”
Though it may seem formal, we’re going through this process again.
“I’ve come to purchase something to alter one’s appearance.”
“Hmm? Are you going to wear it?”
“Uh, no, someone else will.”
My answer makes him look oddly amused.
“Ah, it’s for the owner of that robe, isn’t it?”
“Well… kind of.”
He takes this single purchase of a robe and spins all sorts of imaginative ideas.
“Ho ho ho, is this boy planning some sort of love escape?”
“No, it’s for something else. It’s just that there’s a need for it.”
“Hey, they always say that when they need it, don’t they? Well, in that case, let’s prepare something beautiful for the lady.”
“No, really…”
As I see, both Uncle Rendo and Jansen have a tendency to misunderstand things, which is a bit awkward.
“Here. What about this?”
“Looks good.”
The light blue sapphire sparkles modestly.
I can already imagine her wearing this and smiling brightly.
It’s so beautiful that I nod my head in agreement.
“It’s a decent item. Unless it’s a high-ranked magician or a top-tier adventurer, it’s unlikely they’ll discern the original appearance.”
“You sure have some good items…”
“There are my old adventuring connections, brat. And don’t go nosing around unnecessarily, it’s better not to know.”
The details weren’t in the novel either, so I don’t know much.
Therefore, I nod my head in rough agreement and accept the item.
Only…
“30,000 Deras.”
“No… That’s too expensive. Can you give a discount, please?”
This necklace was unexpectedly expensive.
It would take four months of work and a little more saving to afford it.
“If I cut it that much, how am I supposed to eat? 30,000 Deras.”
“20,000 Deras.”
So, we began haggling.
“… Are you crazy? I’ve already given you a discount at 30,000 Deras, you nut!”
“20,000 Deras.”
“Impossible. Go home.”
Even robes, one each month’s salary, if I burn this much money on a necklace, it’s just not possible.
“20,000.”
“40,000 Deras, you brat! I’m fed up with you.”
“Ah, why? Stop thinking of me like a Money God and treat me like a person, didn’t you? Please, just a little more discount!”
“Hey, kid. I asked to be treated like a person, not like a sucker, did I?”
But at times, human connections mean that you have to occasionally let the other party take advantage of you.
“Since it’s for a woman, just give a little discount. 25,000 Deras, deal?”
“Deal? If you want me to cut that much, weren’t you supposed to be a little more polite?”
“Master Jansen, please kindly lower the price. This ignorant person earnestly requests it. I beg for 25,000 Deras.”
“Nope.”
“Hey…”
Augh, this money-hungry man.
Forget everything good I thought of him until now.
After some time of argument, I bought the necklace for 25,000 Deras.
This was a discount I got on the promise of purchasing all the necessary items for my travels here.
“… Greedy person much?”
Considering the original price of the necklace, I might’ve been the greedy one.
It was originally 45,000 Deras, they say.
Hmm.
“…”
Yeah, thank you.
I thought that as I headed towards the grocery store with a light step.
The sky had turned dusky.
Since I came to the Adventurer’s Shop after finishing work for the day, I now hurried slightly towards the grocery store,
Gingerly holding the necklace in its small case and stepping out with a strangely excited heart.
Though it was a painful expense, I felt no regret, unlike before.
My mind was already decided.
Just seeing that she was still the same even after her awakening was enough to dispel the anxiety that I harbored.
Not knowing exactly how much, but I could tell she had also tried not to change.
I thought this small gift could be given with assurance.
So.
That’s it.
I gently knocked on the grocery store door. Soon it opened with a clunk.
“Ain? Did you forget something?”
While she said this, I could see her lips curving upwards slightly, happy to see me.
“Take this.”
“Uh…?”
Facing her expression of surprise as she widely opened her eyes at the small case I extended,
“Just something you’ll need if you’re going to work at the shop.”
“…”
That was all I smiled and extended my hand for the necklace.
I offer it out slightly trembling, and she takes it tremblingly.
Silence comes and goes.
There is a woman carefully opening the case to gaze inside.
Platinum hair.
Platinum eyes.
Distinctive jawline.
Alabaster skin.
Delicate hands.
Feminine curves that have subtly changed.
She looks at the necklace and grins.
“Ain, are you giving this to me as a present?”
“…, I bought it because it’s necessary.”
Her eyebrows curved, wondering if it was truly a present.
“Thank you… I’ll treasure using it.”
“It changes appearances, so wear it always.”
The woman’s expression changes slightly like she’s unable to fully contain her emotions.
Sad, yet happy at the same time.
Her gaze shining brightly then dimming.
Finally, she lifts the necklace towards me.
“…, so, can you help me put it on?”
“….”
Her appearance radiates brilliance.
Perhaps, it could just be the lamplight shining in the evening, but to me, she is shining.
“…, you’ll do it?”
“I’ll help.”
And I nod in reply.
Taking the necklace from her, I gently place it around her neck.
The blue gem rests tenderly against her throat, illuminating it with a shy sky-like color.
Her hair, her eyes gradually change colors.
Not entirely into a different person, just enough to conceal the necessary parts, she still stands before me as that beautiful woman.
“What do you think, Ain?”
“…, it suits you well.”
With ever cheerful smiles.
With eyes that only ever look at me.
That’s how we faced each other.