Chapter 7

I opened and closed my mouth a few times before finally letting out a small sigh and nodding.

It wasn’t as if I disliked the idea of having a meal with him.

And paying for the request with one lunch wasn’t exactly a bad deal.

Jun also seemed surprisingly determined, so I figured it would be easier to have the meal and settle everything.

“…All right.”

The moment I agreed, he smiled more brightly than he had at any point so far.

Without realizing it, I held my breath for a second.

“Wonderful.”

“Then please get some rest, Tetis.”

“I hope you have sweet dreams.”

As Jun quietly said those words, his eyes suddenly deepened.

At the same time, an indescribable weight settled over him.

What was that?

Before I could even dwell on the strange feeling, it vanished like a mirage.

I stood there with my hand on the doorknob, absentmindedly watching his back as he walked away.

Then I suddenly realized I’d forgotten to say something.

“Jun.”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for carrying my luggage all the way here.”

I had almost broken one of my personal rules:

Always thank people properly.

As I felt relieved for remembering, Jun’s eyes widened slightly before curving into a gentle smile.

Instead of answering, he simply gave me a small, adorable wave before leaving.

I went into my room as well.

The moment the door closed, all the fatigue that had built up until now crashed over me.

Without fighting gravity, I collapsed onto the bed.

My eyelids closed on their own.

For the first time in a long while…

I slept deeply without dreaming.

* * *

The next morning.

After stopping by the headquarters of the Magic Science Society to collect my visitor’s pass, I returned to the inn.

There, on the first floor, I found Jun talking with the innkeeper.

“Tetis.”

The moment he saw me, Jun immediately walked over with an obvious look of delight.

The innkeeper stared at the back of his head in disbelief after suddenly being abandoned in the middle of their conversation.

“Good morning.”

He didn’t seem to notice at all.

“Good morning to you too, Jun.”

After greeting him, I also greeted the innkeeper.

As if he’d never worn such an irritated expression a moment ago, he smiled kindly back at me.

“Were you out somewhere?”

“Yes.”

“I had something to take care of.”

“But that’s all I needed to do today.”

“I see.”

“If you’re ready, shall we go now?”

“I know a nice brunch café nearby.”

I looked up at the cuckoo clock hanging on the wall.

10:30.

It was a little early.

But I’d skipped breakfast while running errands, so I was already hungry.

I nodded willingly.

“I’ll just leave my things upstairs first.”

“Of course.”

“I’ll wait.”

As I headed to my room, leaving Jun downstairs, I found myself thinking.

Why does it feel like I’m constantly on the verge of remembering something whenever I look at Jun?

His build was much larger than average.

His face was refined despite that imposing physique.

The way the corners of his lips instinctively lifted whenever he saw me…

Ah.

A puppy?

“…What am I even saying?”

I shook my head hard, trying to chase away the image of a giant dog I’d once followed on social media.

“…Tetis?”

“Is something wrong?”

Unfortunately…

Jun happened to witness that exact moment.

The sincere concern on his face only made me feel more embarrassed.

“It’s nothing.”

“Are you sure you’re all right?”

“If you’re not feeling well, you don’t have to force yourself.”

“I really am fine.”

“I was just trying to wake myself up because I was sleepy.”

“Then perhaps we should meet this afternoon instead—”

“Jun.”

“I skipped breakfast.”

“I’m hungry.”

“Let’s go.”

Before my embarrassment grew completely unbearable, I grabbed his wrist and hurried outside.

Although it was only early spring, the air wasn’t particularly cold.

The plaza was full of life beneath the warm sunshine.

Perhaps because I’d spent so long living in quiet little villages after arriving in this world…

I found the lively atmosphere strangely comforting.

I confidently took a step forward…

Then immediately stopped.

“By the way…”

“Where exactly is that brunch café?”

I had almost started walking without knowing the most important thing.

Turning around, I looked at Jun.

Then I blinked in surprise.

His cheeks had turned slightly red.

He was staring blankly at the wrist I was still holding.

“…Ah.”

Only then did I realize I’d been rude.

I quickly let go.

“Sorry.”

“I grabbed you without asking.”

“Did I startle you?”

“…Not at all.”

For some reason, Jun smiled as though he was reluctant to let the moment end.

“You said you were hungry.”

“I’ll take you there right away.”

He gestured for me to follow him.

Quietly, I walked beside him.

Feeling strangely embarrassed, I kept my eyes lowered, watching only his footsteps as he matched his pace to mine.

When I finally glanced sideways…

The tips of his ears were still red.

“Fresh handmade noodles! Only ten copper coins today!”

“Citizens of Millet! The end of the world is approaching! If you wish to be saved—”

“Shut up, you fraud! Get lost already!”

“Your egg salad is ready!”

“There are a lot of people.”

“Tetis, this way.”

The plaza was crowded with people preparing for lunch.

Jun guided me toward the less crowded edge of the square.

As if that weren’t enough, he even used his own body to shield me from bumping into other people.

I looked up at him from our suddenly close distance.

How long has this person known me?

Why is he treating me like this already?

Had we really met somewhere I couldn’t remember?

Lost in those thoughts, I quietly said,

“Thank you.”

Jun lowered his head toward me and smiled brightly.

“Don’t mention it.”

Although the sunlight behind him left his face in shadow…

He still looked dazzling.

The crowd refused to thin out.

For quite a while, we continued walking like that.

We weren’t actually touching.

Yet we were close enough to feel each other’s warmth.

Every place touched by that warmth, so similar to the color staining his ears, made the tiny hairs on my skin stand on end.

* * *

The brunch café appeared after another fifteen minutes of walking.

Hidden away in a side street, it was much quieter than the busy plaza.

The weather was pleasant, so we chose a table on the outdoor terrace.

We ordered a nut salad, Eggs Benedict, potato soup, and French toast.

(Interestingly, in this world it was adorably called “Box Toast.”)

After the server finished writing down our order and left, Jun was the first to speak.

“May I ask what brought you to the capital?”

“Oh.”

“Tomorrow there’s a telescope demonstration at Millet Academy.”

“I came to watch it… and do a little sightseeing.”

That really was my main purpose.

Even though I’d already picked up my pass for the Magic Science Society conference, it felt embarrassing to claim I’d come for the conference itself.

Jun gave a small sound of surprise.

“Oh.”

“I thought astronomy was primarily studied by the temple.”

“That’s interesting.”

“I thought so too.”

“If you’re interested, you can still register.”

“I stopped by the academy this morning.”

“It looked like they’ll still issue visitor passes as long as you go today.”

When I’d visited earlier, they’d been handing out passes even to people who didn’t have promotional flyers.

I’d overheard some of the staff talking.

Apparently, the Crown Prince had taken an interest in this year’s conference.

Because of that, the academy seemed determined to make the event as large as possible.

“I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend.”

Jun politely declined.

Only then did I realize my invitation might have put him in an awkward position.

“…I got carried away because it’s something I really like.”

Jun shook his head.

“It’s not because of that.”

“…I’m not actually from here.”

What?

“…Huh?”

“For certain reasons, I normally work at another branch.”

“I was only sent here on a temporary assignment.”

“I have to leave again tonight.”

“When I said it was unfortunate, I meant it.”

“…Oh.”

People often said that the relationships you formed while traveling were unpredictable.

Still…

I hadn’t expected we’d have to say goodbye almost immediately after meeting.

Unsure what to say, I hesitated.

Just then, the server arrived with our food.

But I barely noticed it.

“You’re leaving today…”

Jun smiled bitterly.

“My younger sibling is ill.”

“The only medicinal herb that works for them can only be obtained here.”

“So I combined this business trip with picking up the medicine.”

“They told me it will be ready this evening.”

“…I see.”

“I’m sorry to hear about your sibling.”

“Thank you.”

“But they’ll recover quickly once they take the medicine.”

“So everything will be fine.”

“That’s a relief.”

I let out a quiet sigh.

Jun cut up the open toast in front of him and gently pushed it toward me.

“I’m sorry for bringing up something so heavy while we’re eating.”

“Please.”

“Go ahead and eat.”

“No.”

“I think that’s a perfectly understandable thing to talk about.”

Worried he’d feel even more guilty, I quickly took a bite of the Eggs Benedict.

“Wow…”

My eyes widened in surprise.

It was so delicious that I completely understood why he’d been so confident about recommending this place.

For a moment, I completely failed to manage my expression.

Seeing my reaction firsthand, Jun burst into laughter.

“…”

He quickly stopped laughing and apologized.

Not wanting him to feel awkward, I hurriedly told him it was fine.

This time…

Jun pressed his lips together, trying hard not to smile again.

Hmm.

I decided it would be better to change the subject.

“Um…”

“Now that we’ve come all the way here…”

“Can you finally answer my question?”

“What question?”

“Why you insisted on having lunch as your payment.”

“…And why I seem so familiar to you.”