Chapter 172
Chapter 172
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 172
Chapter Title: The Black Crow and the White Ghost - Interlude
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The night of various commotions passed, and morning arrived as it always did.
Perhaps it was thanks to the long nap I’d already had in the closet.
Despite having moved around quite a bit, I woke up feeling incredibly refreshed.
It felt like I’d slept deeply, yet only three hours had passed.
Maybe it’s just how kids are; a good stretch left me feeling completely revitalized.
‘I could probably sleep more if I forced myself… but there’s no need for that.’
Slipping out from under the warm covers, I didn't hesitate to flick my finger and immediately tidy the bedding.
I used to think people who made their bed right after waking up were so amazing.
But with psychokinesis, it wasn't a difficult task. What’s hard about it when the blankets fold themselves?
After finishing the simple task of making the bed, I tiptoed into the hallway, trying my best not to wake my housemate, who was likely still asleep.
I slipped silently into the washroom, turned on the lukewarm water, and splashed my face.
Perhaps because I used my psychokinesis to control the water and keep it from splashing everywhere, my clothes didn't get wet, and the floor and walls remained dry. Psychokinesis for the win.
“…”
As I was drying my face with a towel, my eyes met my reflection in the mirror.
An incredibly beautiful girl with white hair, damp with water and clinging to her cheeks.
The unusually plaintive aura she had even with her mouth closed still made it feel unreal that this was my face.
Well, staring at it like this didn't evoke any special emotions.
At least my brain seemed to be properly recognizing that face as my own.
I guess it’s a relief I haven’t become a narcissist.
After staring at the mirror for a while, I slowly opened my lips and gently tensed my throat.
“…Yuria.”
A beautiful voice, like rolling marbles, echoed softly in the washroom.
What immediately followed was the sensation of goosebumps on my shoulders and my toes curling in embarrassment.
To think that saying my own name could be so mortifying.
I anxiously glanced around, worried someone might have heard me.
Only after confirming once more that no one was there could I let out a sigh of relief.
Then, feeling somewhat ashamed, I pressed my fingers to my lips and thought.
‘So this is what my voice sounds like. Wow, this is kind of embarrassing. I wonder how it sounds to other people….’
Maybe it was because I hadn't spoken for months.
My throat tickled, a sensation that felt utterly unfamiliar.
And in my mind, I pictured Raven’s bewildered eyes when I first spoke yesterday.
Even I was surprised when the words suddenly came out, so how much more flustered must he have been?
I mentally apologized to Raven once again.
Then, looking at my reflection, I opened my lips as if practicing and tensed my throat more firmly.
It was too soon to be satisfied with just saying my name.
So, let’s try saying the ice cream flavors I want right now. Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry!
“Cho…! Va…! Stra…! Ow!”
Was it because I strained my throat too much?
I inadvertently bit down hard on my outstretched tongue.
*Chomp.*
The metallic taste of blood immediately filled my mouth, along with a pain that made me hop from foot to foot.
With tears welling up in my eyes, I covered my mouth with both hands and couldn't help but collapse to the floor.
It was a true blessing that no one was watching.
As I whimpered on the floor, that was all I could pathetically think.
“…What are you doing, so early in the morning?”
“…!”
But suddenly, the washroom door opened, and someone’s voice, sounding utterly dumbfounded, drifted in.
A voice so familiar I could probably pick it out in a crowded square by now.
No way, it couldn’t be. He should be sleeping at this hour….
Like a broken doll, I creaked my head around to look behind me.
There stood Raven, an expression of disbelief on his face.
The moment I recognized him, I shot up from the floor, feigning nonchalance as if nothing had happened.
Embarrassing things only become more embarrassing when you treat them as such.
Therefore, to avoid creating a cringeworthy memory, I had no choice but to brazenly push forward.
Acting as if nothing was wrong, I patted my cheeks with the towel and tried to exit the washroom.
“Tsk, you bit your tongue, didn't you? Ah, let me see. I need to check it.”
“…”
“You need to treat a cut on your tongue quickly. If you leave it, it’ll get inflamed, and you won’t even be able to eat properly. You think you, of all people, could stand that?”
…He had a point.
I was just a human, not a beastman whose wounds healed visibly fast.
If my tongue got inflamed, I’d have no choice but to cry my eyes out and pray for it to heal quickly.
As for using the Tesseract’s power for this…
It felt a bit wasteful to use it on an injury that would heal on its own.
Thus, after a moment of hesitant deliberation, I timidly approached Raven.
I swallowed, trying to dry my mouth as much as possible, and carefully opened it.
“Ah, ahh….”
“Geez, you really tore it up. Still, this should heal quickly with some ointment. Wait here a second.”
Raven looked down seriously at me as I hesitantly stuck out my tongue.
Perhaps the wound looked too severe to be left alone.
He went inside and returned with ointment and a cotton swab.
Raven dabbed the medicated swab all over the wound on my tongue.
Maybe because the injury was so fresh, it didn't hurt much.
The only thing that hurt was Raven’s gaze, which seemed to ask what kind of useless thing I was doing to bite my own tongue….
*
After breakfast, I reapplied the ointment to my tongue, changed into my maid uniform, and went to work at Greg’s General Store for the first time in what felt like ages.
I’d taken a long break for the Fixer exam.
It had gotten to the point where I was actually starting to miss working.
So, I threw open the door to the general store with gusto, making my presence known.
Then, I spotted Greg inside, who greeted me with a look, and I waved enthusiastically, shouting.
“Greg!”
“…Yuria, did you just….”
“Oh my.”
Were Greg and Karen surprised that I had spoken?
They both reacted as if they’d been hit over the head with a hammer.
Their reactions were so vivid they reminded me of Raven yesterday.
Smiling brightly, I closed the door and scampered over to Greg, calling his name once more.
“Greg!”
“Y-Yeah…. You, you can speak now?”
“…!”
*Nod, nod.*
My white hair danced up and down with my vigorous nod.
Greg was my savior. I was so happy that I could call his name like this.
Did my feelings get through to him?
He looked down at me quietly, then chuckled and ruffled my hair with his hand, which was as large as a pot lid.
His hand was rough and calloused, for sure.
But the gesture somehow warmed my heart.
“Hehe, Miss Yuria. Your voice is so pretty.”
“…! Ka, Ka, Kaa….”
“That’s right, I’m Karen. Are you perhaps trying to say my name?”
“…”
Couldn’t manage Karen. I’ll be sure to say it next time….
After several attempts, I briefly took off my mask and looked at her with a genuinely apologetic expression.
I really want to say it, but it’s not something I can control. Please know that I’m not playing favorites.
I looked up at Karen, with whom I had grown quite close recently, as if asking for her forgiveness.
“Hehe, you really don’t have to feel sorry…. But thank you.”
“…!”
“I see. I’m not sure what happened, but it seems you can only say certain words. You must have it tough. It must be inconvenient.”
“…”
Well, it’s not *that* inconvenient….
Putting my mask back on, I awkwardly touched my neck, then gave a slight smile and nodded.
I had to admit, it was far better than not being able to speak at all.
After that, the day proceeded much as usual.
A customer would come in, I would guide them instead of Greg, and a transaction would be completed.
The only difference was that these tasks were happening much more frequently.
The reason was none other than the fact that the general store was much more crowded than before.
Well, for one, Karen was a silver-haired beauty with slender eyes and a stunning figure.
And I suppose I was also contributing a great deal to attracting customers. How embarrassing.
As I dealt with the endless stream of customers, time flew by in a blur.
Before I knew it, evening arrived, and it was time to go home, just like always.
“Hmm, we were especially busy today. Good work, both of you.”
“Yes, you worked hard too.”
“I need to stay a bit longer and organize the new stock…. Karen, could I ask you to look after Yuria?”
“Of course. Miss Yuria, shall we buy something tasty on the way?”
“…!”
Alright, dinner tonight is a foodie date with Karen!
I reacted to Karen's kind offer by enthusiastically throwing both my arms straight up in the air.
Karen was quite the gourmet.
The food I ate with her was always delicious. I wonder if artists have refined palates too.
With our after-work plans set, I scampered over to Greg, who was still sitting in his chair.
I held my hand up in a wave and, with all my might, shouted.
“Greg! …Bye!”
“…Ah, right. Bye-bye. See you tomorrow.”
“Heeheehee…. How lovely to see. Well, we’ll be going then.”
“Mm.”
Yes, I finally said goodbye. I feel completely refreshed.
I took the hand of a beaming Karen and left the general store.
I’d be back for work tomorrow anyway.
I didn’t bother looking back at Greg.
We walked through the night streets of Nighthaven, briefly discussing what we should eat.
This place was a melting pot of cultures from all sorts of worlds. If anything, the abundance of choices made the decision harder.
Eventually, Karen and I decided to go to a new Chinese restaurant that had opened recently.
And there, surprisingly, we ran into the Fixer party, who were already having their meal.
Did Raven and the others notice Karen and me as we entered?
Alice, who had been busy stuffing her face, shot up from her seat and rushed toward me.
“Yuria!”
“…?!”
*Squeeze.*
My vision suddenly went dark, and I was momentarily taken aback by the warmth enveloping my entire body.
Even though this was a regular occurrence, Alice always felt so warm.
Wait, but we just saw each other yesterday. Why is she reacting like we haven’t met in a week?
I gave her an awkward smile and squirmed a little in her embrace.
I greeted Greg earlier, so now I should greet Alice too.
After practicing a few times by mouthing the word, I took a deep breath and looked up at Alice.
“Alice.”
“…Huh? Wait, did you just….”
“Alice!”
“Y-Y-Yuria… called… my name…!”
*Thud.*
But what followed was a reaction that far exceeded my expectations.
Alice’s eyes widened in shock for a moment, then, with a face full of bliss, she collapsed limply to the ground!
Naturally, I, who was still in her arms, was dragged down with her….
But thanks to Alice taking the full impact, I wasn't hurt in the slightest.
Seriously, why is she this happy?
Still held in Alice’s arms, I quietly stared up at the ceiling.
I sometimes forget, but Alice really is a strange one.
Giggling to myself inside my mask, I waited for her to come to her senses.
At this point, it truly felt like I had returned to my daily life.