SWNOVELXO Chapter 6 part 3
As I trudged along aimlessly, I eventually found myself having wandered out of the residential area and into the heart of Lapis.
This part of town was bustling with life—markets, restaurants, clothing stores, and various other shops lined the streets. Even in the middle of a weekday, the area was relatively crowded, filled with housewives, elderly folks, and a noticeable number of salarymen in suits.
“Oh yeah, wasn’t it around here that I got those happy tears the other day?”
Reaching the plaza, I recalled an incident from a few days ago.
It was a young office worker—probably not much older than me. His important business deal had fallen through, leaving him completely dejected. That’s when I approached him.
He had been working late every night, struggling through exhausting days, only to see his hard-earned opportunity slip through his fingers. Just when he was at his lowest, I stepped in.
There happened to be a café nearby, so I bought him a coffee and handed it to him. It was a bit chilly that day, so I stayed and listened to his troubles, offering him some incense made from medicinal herbs I had on hand.
Before I knew it, he was crying—tears of joy.
He had said something like, “It’s been so long since I felt someone’s kindness.”
“I feel like I said something to him back then… What was it again?”
I turned to Carbuncle and asked, but he simply shook his head. Not so much as a sign that he had forgotten, but more like he had never been paying attention in the first place.
“Hmm… Well, if he cried, then I must’ve said something pretty good. I mean, sure, having a seventeen-year-old girl listen to your woes might be a tear-worthy experience in itself, but still.”
At my words, Carbuncle shook his head in exasperation. What the hell is that supposed to mean?
That said…
All I really did was listen to him. Nothing special.
Actually, what did his face even look like? I couldn’t remember. And for some reason, that made me feel guilty.
I’d been so focused on collecting tears that I never really paid attention to people’s faces. Interacting with others took time and effort, and I simply didn’t have that luxury.
“I mean, think about it. Spending ages struggling to get one result versus efficiently gathering a hundred—those are completely different things. The idea that struggling through hardship is more valuable than results? That’s just outdated thinking.”
“Kyui?”
And it’s not like I had all the time in the world.
If anything, I was behind schedule.
I needed to catch up, and fast.
But my master had forbidden me from using magic.
“…Ugh, maybe I should just use it anyway.”
The fact that I had managed to gather this many tears in such a short time wasn’t just luck—it was proof that I had improved. I had grown stronger.
So maybe, just maybe, I could manage on my own without magic.
That’s what I wanted to believe.
And yet, something about that thought felt… wrong.
“Ah, Miss Witch, good afternoon.”
Snapping out of my thoughts, I looked up.
A man I didn’t recognize stood before me.
No, wait. I might have seen him somewhere before…? Who was he again?
“Ah, uh, hello.”
I gave a vague nod and tried to walk past him, only for an older woman to call out next.
“Thank you for the other day, dear.”
Again, I had no memory of her.
“Oh, it was nothing, really! Hahaha…”
And once more, I hurried away.
“Ah, it’s the witch lady!”
“Good afternoon, young witch!”
“Meg, thanks for the other day!”
“Hey, it’s Meg!”
“Meg-chan! Hey!”
“Miss Witch, you’re looking well today!”
What the hell?
As I kept walking, more and more people—people I didn’t even remember—started greeting me.
I had been recognized on the streets before, but this was excessive. Easily twice as many people were stopping me compared to usual.
It was almost overwhelming.
And then it hit me.
Ah, right. The parade with Sophie.
Sophie Hater—the world-renowned witch.
A young prodigy whose name was known across the globe.
With her ethereal beauty, gentle demeanor, and magic that defied human comprehension, she captivated the hearts of many.
And I had paraded through the streets of Lapis alongside her.
The event had been covered on TV and in newspapers, so it wasn’t surprising that even people who didn’t know me personally now recognized my face.
“People’s emotions are so fickle. If it weren’t for that parade, none of them would be talking to me right now.”
“Kyui?”
At my words, Carbuncle tilted his head in quiet curiosity.
What’s your deal?