Author: Suisei
Translated by: Rinkage
Special thanks to: Solistia for contributing the Light Novel

Character page: here

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Chapter 05: I met a friend and former subordinate (part 3)

“…Waited.”  [Happiness]

“Sorry to keep you waiting. I was just discussing with Raven to see if we should be splitting the cost of the carriage.”  [Youki]

There was no way I could tell her why I was dragged off to be interrogated, so I had to tell her a lie.

“…This is the first time I’ve heard of it.”  [Raven]

“…My share?”  [Happiness]

“It seems that Raven will be paying for your portion.”  [Youki]

“…I will pay, too.”  [Happiness]

“No, I’ll be paying Youki’s share at the same time too, so leave it to me. I’ll go talk to the coachman!”  [Raven]

Raven ran over to the coachman to make the reservation this time – his pen and papers were naturally with him. It made me wonder if he was always like this, even when he goes shopping alone.

At any rate, it was great that we managed to gloss over this situation and keep things moving.

“Nevertheless… Happiness. Those are quite fashionable-looking equipment you’ve got there.”  [Youki]

The ones I had on myself were cheap equipment that could protect myself at a bare minimum and would not restrict my movements. However, Happiness’s equipment not only function well as clothes, but stylish as well.

“…?”  [Happiness]

Happiness started comparing her equipment and mine as though she had only noticed it herself.

“…Dorky.”  [Happiness]

“You hold it right there!”  [Youki]

As soon as she was done comparing our equipment, she sniggered. Did she have to go that far? It was undeniable that my equipment was not fashionable as it was cheap. Happiness might not say much, but every one of her words carried a deep meaning and truly stung my heart.

“…A fact.”  [Happiness]

“Don’t rub it in! I have bought my equipment after putting its performance and my budget into consideration.”  [Youki]

“…Poor?”  [Happiness]

“I have enough money! I might look idle most of the time, but I’ve been taking on guild missions to earn money!”  [Youki]

I might look as though I have spending my time idly, but I have been taking on jobs from the guild. I am just saving my money instead of living in an extravagant lifestyle. I am not poor! The only huge spending I made was… during the incident that happened in my dark past.

“…Stingy.”  [Happiness]

“Call it thrifty!”  [Youki]

Even though I have known her for a long time, there were times when I wasn’t sure if Happiness was just joking or if she was being serious since her expression never changes. Although, it felt a little different today. It was slightly noticeable from her expression that she was in a good mood. It was only a little, though… If she was really enjoying herself then it would make me, as the one who had planned this, feel glad.

Happiness did a twirl to show off her equipment as if she was bragging about it to me.

She should be doing this only when Raven comes back.

“…Hm? Happiness, what is that thing on your waist?”  [Youki]

“…Weapon.”  [Happiness]

What Happiness drew out from her waist were two pieces of folding fans. It was surprising to see Happiness, who had been fighting without any weapon in the Demon Lord castle previously, to equip herself. She used to fight with only her magic and feathers the last time.

She held the fan up in front and fluttered it to show it to me.

“…Somehow it looks familiar to me.”  [Youki]

Happiness’s folding fan was decorated with white and pink tinted feathers.

After studying it for about 5 seconds, the answer came to my mind.

“That’s your…”  [Youki]

Before I could say “feathers”, Happiness clasped a hand over my mouth.

“…Situation.”  [Happiness]

“…My bad.”  [Youki]

At the moment, we were at a carriage stop. She was probably trying to stop me before a stupid statement like “That’s your feathers” could escaped my mouth.

“…Rash.”  [Happiness]

“It was my bad. So, that fan…”  [Youki]

“…My body.”  [Happiness]

“I got it, I got it. It was my mistake, so please stop making such a pose while saying that. You’re going to cause a strange misunderstanding.”  [Youki]

She was uttering such a remark as she wriggled her body, with both arms wrapped around herself. If anyone were to see this, I would be treated as a pervert. It would be even more troublesome if Raven were to come back at this time.

“…Understood.”  [Happiness]

“…You’re strangely obedient. The usual you would normally give me a retort.”  [Youki]

“…Misunderstanding.”  [Happiness]

“Ah, you don’t want to cause any misunderstanding?”  [Youki]

Happiness nodded.

Something was a little amiss. Happiness was unusually honest and obedient today. The usual her would never fail to poke fun at me.

“…I’m back. I’ve spoken to the coachman. There doesn’t seem to be that many customers today, so the procedure’s dealt with easily.”  [Raven]

“Welcome back. I see. That’s great.”  [Youki]

While we were having such an exchange, Raven returned. Based on the amount of papers he had used up, it was indeed a quick procedure.

“…seems to be departing soon. Shall we go grab our seats first?”  [Raven]

“Yeah, I’d prefer us not to be separated from each other. Let’s go.”  [Youki]

“…Agreed.”  [Happiness]

Because we got onto the carriage early, we still had the choice to select our seats. From my personal point of view, most people would prefer it if they could be seated beside someone they like. Raven must have wanted the same thing, too. That was what I thought when I stepped into the carriage, but…

“…Raven.”  [Youki]

For some reason, Raven seated himself beside me. I gave him a look, trying to tell him indirectly that he shouldn’t be sitting here. Moreover, his seat was not opposite from Happiness’s, but diagonally opposite hers. However, the moment Happiness took her seat, she nonchalantly placed her own baggage on the seat beside her, rendering the other option impossible. This is bad.

Raven took out his papers and pen, scribbled something, then showed me the paper with the word ‘Sorry’.

“It’s fine. I’m the one who’s being too meddlesome…”  [Youki]

Shortly after that, the carriage departed.

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