Chapter 176
Chapter 176
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 176
Chapter Title: The Baker's Chocolate Donut
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I never thought I’d run into the baker again.
I’d lost touch with him long ago, so this was completely unexpected.
The last I’d seen of him, he’d been pretty badly hurt during the Night of Blood.
Seeing him again, safe and sound, filled me with joy.
And to think he’d managed to open a bakery like this on a proper street in Nighthaven!
He was one of the very few people who had shown me kindness back in the Western Labyrinth, so I was as happy for his success as if it were my own.
And it seemed the baker was just as happy to see me.
He glanced around quickly, then lowered his voice and spoke cautiously.
“Miss. You’re… the Ghost, aren’t you?”
“…”
“Hahaha, to think I’d meet my benefactor again! It seems today is my lucky day!”
He considers meeting me good luck?
His words were a bit embarrassing, and I awkwardly rubbed the back of my neck.
It was rare to receive such direct thanks.
Then, a spoonful of doubt popped into my head.
Come to think of it, the baker recognized me as the Ghost right away.
I’m not even wearing that big tablecloth-like sheet anymore, so how did he recognize me?
‘…Ah, come to think of it, that was my first day working at the general store. He must have seen my mask. I didn’t have much reason to hide it back then.’
A reasonable explanation suddenly came to mind.
At the time, I was too angry at Drakel for wrecking the street.
And I was so busy taking down the undead that I didn’t have the luxury of hiding my identity.
The baker, in particular, had seen me up close.
To think I’d been so careless about that after openly using my psychic powers.
If the baker hadn’t been the tight-lipped type, I would’ve been in big trouble, wouldn’t I?
As I nodded to myself, feeling a sense of relief at that thought…
The boisterous, hearty baker told me to wait a moment and came back out with something from inside.
“Here, this is a chocolate donut I just made… It’s on the house. Please, try one!”
“…!”
Free bread! The baker really is a good person!
I carefully took the donut, which smelled wonderfully sweet, and bowed my head deeply in thanks.
His eyes seemed to urge me to try it right away, so I tilted my mask and brought the donut to my lips…
The fantastic flavor that immediately spread through my mouth made me straighten up as if I’d been jolted by electricity.
‘S-So good!’
The baker's special, freshly baked chocolate donut tasted absolutely divine.
The warmth that spread with the first bite proved he wasn’t lying about it being fresh from the oven.
The chocolate glaze, so moist it was almost sticky, melted softly on my tongue.
The fluffy donut dough was both chewy and soft, falling apart inside my mouth.
A comforting warmth filled me with every bite.
Meanwhile, the chocolate and butter made their presence known, competing fiercely with each other.
It was a taste that went beyond delicious, bordering on moving.
After making the donut vanish from the face of the earth, I couldn't keep my body still.
I fidgeted on the spot, unable to stay still, and gave him a big thumbs-up to show how delicious it was.
“You liked it that much, miss! I’m so glad I could make you happy!”
“…!”
“Hm? Ah! You mean you did! Hahaha!”
He understands me perfectly. The baker is amazing.
Still dancing with my thumb up, I readjusted my mask.
I looked around the shop, this time trying to decide what bread to bring back to the general store.
Since I’d received something for free…
I planned to buy some delicious-looking bread for myself this time.
‘Hmm, I think Greg would like something with a milder flavor. And for Karen, a dessert would be best, right?’
After wandering around the store for a moment, I grabbed a tray and picked up some bread with the tongs.
My final decision was a baguette and a strawberry cream roll cake.
The baguette was for Greg, and the roll cake was for Karen.
As for me, I was set on the chocolate donut the baker had given me a taste of earlier.
How could I be satisfied with just one of these chewy, soft, and sweet donuts?
“Will that be all? Then, I’ll ring you up…”
“…!”
“Paying with a card? Yes, I’ll help you right away!”
I was no longer the ghost from before, who couldn’t even pay for things.
I was a citizen of Nighthaven with a proper identity who could proudly use a bank.
Buying this much bread was something I could easily afford with the money I earned at the general store.
No, I’d been working for quite a while now. I could probably buy all the bread in this shop if I wanted to.
Of course, eating it all would be a challenge, and I had no intention of doing that for the sake of other customers who would come later.
“Here you go. Thank you, miss!”
“…”
*Rustle.*
I cradled the warm bread, which felt like it had just come out of the oven.
It was warm, like holding a baby, and the thought of walking back while hugging it tightly made me happy for no reason.
Perhaps the baker could sense my joy.
He smiled, his face similar to how it was when I rescued him, and gave me a deep bow.
“Haha, I’ll be waiting for your next visit!”
“Okay…”
I’ll come again next time.
I muttered to myself and scurried out of the store.
I have to remember this place so I can come back for more bread. The resolve took root firmly in my heart.
Just as I was about to step out the door, I was forced to a sudden stop.
I had bumped into someone who was trying to enter the shop from the opposite direction.
‘Oof… Huh? Was someone out here? I didn’t sense anything at all….’
Bumping into a person was definitely strange.
My senses had become quite sharp recently as my psychokinesis grew stronger.
It was as if a very faint psychic force constantly radiated from my body, even when I wasn’t consciously aware of it.
Because of that, I could naturally sense the presence of moving objects around me, like a radar.
But I bumped into someone?
This… was definitely strange.
It meant there was a hole in my sharp psychokinetic antenna. Strange, so strange.
“…Ugh, sorry. I wasn’t looking where I was going.”
“…”
But did the person have any idea how strange I found this?
The person, who had been looking down, spoke in a calm woman's voice.
And *thud,* her hat fell to the floor.
As she slowly raised her head, I found myself face-to-face with a woman whose face was twisted into a harsh scowl.
‘S-Scary…! Why is she scowling like that…? Is it because of me?’
A terrifying expression, as if she wanted to chew up and spit out any obstacle in her path.
Her mouth said sorry, but why was she scowling so fiercely?
I instinctively clutched the bread bag tightly and took a hesitant step back.
But this person… her face looks kind of familiar. Where have I seen her before…?
As I narrowed my eyes behind my mask, trying to retrace my memories…
The woman who dropped her hat seemed to realize her state.
She covered her face with one hand and hastily put her hat back on.
“W-Well, then…!”
*Scurry.*
She ducked into the store as if she were running away from me.
Watching her back, I finally realized who she was.
‘That’s Shiroko. Did she change her clothes and come here in the meantime?’
That’s right.
The woman was none other than Shiroko, who had just dealt with the protestors.
Why was she here now, when she should have been taking the protest leader away?
Considering the time, it wasn’t entirely impossible for her to be here now, but…
Why did she need to hide her horns and tail, keeping her identity so thoroughly concealed? I couldn’t help but tilt my head in confusion.
Well… she must have her reasons.
I watched her gather bread with her hat pulled down low, then lost interest and turned away.
The more important thing right now was to not let the bread I bought get completely cold.
‘I’ve been held up longer than I thought. If I’m any later, Greg might start to worry.’
Clutching the bags of bread and parts, I hurried back to the general store.
As if they had been waiting, Greg and Karen greeted me brightly.
“You’re finally back. Hm? Is that… bread in your arms?”
“Yep.”
“Oh, then I’ll make some tea. Why don’t we take a short break and eat together?”
“Mm-hm.”
First, I handed the bag with the good parts to Greg.
Then, I set the bread bag on the table and carefully took out its contents one by one.
My chocolate donuts, Greg’s baguette, and Karen’s strawberry cream roll cake.
I took off my mask for a moment, picked up one of the five chocolate donuts, and took a bite.
This truly is the work of an artisan.
The same sensation I felt earlier washed over me, and a sweetness that brought an unconscious smile to my face happily filled my mind.
“Is it that good? You’re going to melt all over the sofa.”
“I think it’s cute. Oh, is this a strawberry roll cake for me? Thank you.”
It was good timing that there were no customers.
We sat around the table, eating the bread I’d bought and enjoying a short break.
The baker’s bread really is in a class of its own.
I decided I would have to stop by from time to time.
It was a truly peaceful weekday afternoon.
* * *
A few days later.
It was a weekend afternoon, a rare day when I didn’t have to go to work.
But I was strolling down the street dressed in the maid uniform I wore for work.
The reason was simple.
I had spent the morning continuing the store cleanup we hadn’t finished the previous evening.
Of course, Greg had insisted he could do it alone and that I didn’t need to come in.
But the work is usually easy, so skipping out on something like this pricked my conscience.
So I had voluntarily gone in, dressed for work, to help Greg this morning.
For the record, Greg knew I could use psychic powers.
Using my psychokinesis at full strength, the cleanup was over in a flash.
I mean, I can pick up dozens of things at once now.
When it comes to cleaning and organizing, no one can match me at full power.
“…I should have asked for your help sooner.”
“Hee.”
“Thanks. Should I walk you home?”
“…!”
You don’t have to walk me home. I can get there just fine on my own.
I waved goodbye to Greg as if to say I’d see him again on Monday when the weekend was over…
And that’s how I ended up here, taking a stroll down the street.
‘Hmm, since I’m out… maybe I should stop by that bakery again.’
It was lunchtime, after all. It would be perfect to buy some bread for Raven, too.
With that thought, I took a long way around towards the bakery…
And in front of the shop, I once again came face to face with the black-haired woman in the hat, Shiroko.
“Huh? You’re the one from….”
“…”
Don’t I seem to be running into this person a lot here?
As I tilted my head, feeling puzzled…
Shiroko, scowling just like last time, strode toward me and spoke.
“Excuse me… do you like bread?”
“…?”
I do like bread a little… but why?
It was, without a doubt, a bizarre question.