Chapter 177
Chapter 177
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 177
Chapter Title: An Unlikely Friendship
-----------------------------------------------------------------
It was the kind of early spring weather that called for a light coat.
A chilly breeze that made one hunch their shoulders slightly brushed past my ears, rustling my hair.
Thanks to the fox mask I always relied on, my face was thankfully spared from the cold.
Clutching a warm loaf of bread with both hands, I gazed at the distant scenery for a long while.
‘How did things end up like this?’
It should have been a weekend lunch, not much different from any other.
Why was I now blankly entertaining such a thought?
Coincidentally, the reason was none other than this.
I was currently sitting side-by-side on a bench overlooking a lake with a strange woman.
“…”
“…”
The atmosphere was so awkward that conversation wouldn't even begin.
I peeked sideways, studying the woman sitting next to me.
Needless to say, she was none other than Shiroko, the woman I'd run into in front of the bakery.
She had her hat pulled down low, trying her best to hide her horns and tail.
But her sharp eyes and beauty, peeking out from under the brim, clearly revealed her identity.
However, perhaps because her horns and tail were hidden, or maybe because she wasn't that well-known yet.
It seemed no one among the citizens passing through the park had noticed.
‘Suddenly asking me to sit and eat bread with her… We're not exactly close, are we?’
To be honest, it was a bewildering suggestion.
We'd only bumped into each other at the entrance. To abruptly ask me to eat bread together…
From what she'd briefly explained, it was because she felt too lonely eating by herself, but…
For me, it was a matter that could only be met with a cloud of question marks above my head.
‘No, come to think of it, maybe there's something wrong with me for just accepting her offer instead of refusing. But she offered to buy me bread for free… What's the harm in eating together?’
Besides, Shiroko was one of the more trustworthy characters from the original story.
It definitely wasn't like I was just tagging along because she offered to buy me something tasty. Really.
After murmuring to myself and nodding as if to convince myself.
I took a large bite of the chocolate donut I was holding with both hands.
Yeah, maybe because it was a free chocolate donut, it somehow tasted even more delicious.
So much so that I was certain I might get addicted to this taste for a while.
“Nom, nom…”
“The weather's nice. R-right?”
“Yeah.”
The weather is nice. It doesn't feel terribly cold anymore.
Savoring the cool breeze, I nodded and took another bite of the donut.
Was it because I had started munching on my bread?
The hesitant Shiroko also began to bring her own bread to her mouth.
I wonder if she likes bread. Her profile looked quite happy.
It seemed she really hadn't wanted to eat bread alone.
I, on the other hand, don't mind eating alone at all. I found it rather curious.
‘By the way… is this her real personality? She must try really hard in public.’
I briefly recalled the image of Shiroko charismatically suppressing the protestors.
An overwhelming presence that crushed opponents with a frigid aura, as if forged from steel.
That was precisely the kind of image most respected in Nighthaven.
No matter how socialized they were, metahumans had a different way of thinking than humans.
To be truly acknowledged among them… great strength was the most intuitive measure.
Therefore, a leader who powerfully dominated others was far more effective in Nighthaven than one who led with kindness and popularity.
-So, shut up and get lost. I'm more pissed off right now than I've ever been.
And Shiroko, as I had seen before, was clearly the latter type.
A charismatic, cold-hearted leader who seemed as if her blood would freeze even if she were wounded.
But the reality was a timid person who hesitated even in front of a little kid like me.
I couldn't help but feel that her effort to hide that fact so thoroughly was truly remarkable.
If it were me, I probably would have given up long ago. Her perseverance is amazing.
Thinking this, I sipped the milk the baker had given me for free.
Just then, Shiroko, who had already finished her bread, spoke while gazing at the calm lake.
“Mr. Frank's bread is delicious, isn't it? Ever since he opened two months ago, I've come here whenever I crave bread. But for some reason, the shop never seems to have customers… I was worried.”
“…”
“I want to be a customer for a long time. So, please stop by often next time you're thinking of bread, okay? Ah, um. I'm not, like, forcing you or anything weird…”
It seemed she hadn't asked me to eat bread with her on a whim after all.
To think it was a tearful effort to keep her favorite shop in business.
More importantly, the baker's name was Frank? That's the first I've heard of it.
Feeling inwardly intrigued, I popped the last piece of my chocolate donut into my mouth.
“By the way, what's your name? Ah, I'm Shiro... Yes, Shiro.”
“…Yuria.”
“Ah, Miss Yuria. That's a very pretty name.”
“Hee.”
She gets it. I really like this name, too.
Adjusting my mask, I grinned and fidgeted on the bench.
She'd complimented the precious name Greg gave me.
Honestly, it felt several times better than being complimented myself.
Since I'm in a good mood, I'll give you this.
I rummaged through the bread bag I was holding and handed Shiroko the chocolate donut I had carefully saved.
“…!”
“Oh, this… Are you sure I can have it?”
“Yeah.”
Taking the chocolate donut from me, Shiroko gave a small, grateful smile and brought it to her lips.
Then her eyes widened as if it were truly delicious, and she covered her mouth with one hand.
I knew exactly how she felt, so I couldn't help but smile.
Chocolate donuts are really good, right? I was so surprised the first time I had one.
“It's… delicious. I'll have to buy this one next time.”
“Yeah. Yummy.”
“Pardon? Ah, hehe… You're cute.”
We looked at each other and let out a light laugh.
It felt as if we had become friends, the distance between us closed by a chocolate donut.
I'm not sure how long we spent chatting like that.
By the time the sun was beginning to look down on us from its highest point in the sky.
Shiroko, who had been checking her device, dusted off her knees and stood up as if it were time to leave.
“Well then, I'll be going. I hope to see you again if I have the chance.”
“…Yeah. Nyan.”
“Kh, yes. Goodbye.”
Her face was full of smiles as she looked at me.
So much so that I could hardly recall the way she used to frown as if always uncomfortable.
Well, if I had even a small positive influence on her, that's good.
I bowed my head slightly and gave a little wave to Shiroko as she left.
Somehow, I had a feeling this connection between us would last for quite some time.
*
A few days later.
Having briefly stepped out of the general store on an errand for Greg, I ran into a familiar woman on the street.
A beautiful woman whose presence was still so faint it was almost nonexistent, and yet she somehow seemed full of openings.
Naturally, it was Shiroko, holding what looked like heavy bags in both hands.
Judging by the faint, savory smell of something golden-brown, I guessed the bags were full of bread.
She must really love bread. A total bread fiend.
Just as I had recognized Shiroko right away.
She, too, seemed to have noticed me walking toward her from the opposite direction.
Shiroko, who had been heading somewhere with her shoulders slightly hunched, smiled at me as if happy to see me.
“Oh, Miss Yuria. We meet again.”
“Nyan.”
“Yes, hello.”
Hello. I raised my hand in a small greeting.
But her reply seemed somewhat listless.
She looked so drained, it was as if a shadow had fallen over her face.
Maybe she bought all that bread to try and cheer herself up.
I had no idea why, but we did have a connection forged over bread.
Maybe I could offer her some comfort, right?
The only problem was, I had no idea how to convey that thought…
So, I tugged on her sleeve and tilted my head inquisitively, as if to ask what was wrong.
“…?”
“Oh… Are you worried about me right now?”
“Yeah…”
“I see… U-um… Was it that obvious?”
*Nod, nod.*
I nodded emphatically, meaning that she looked deep in thought even from a distance.
Perhaps she was quite surprised that I had noticed right away.
Shiroko touched her own face for a moment, then let out a deep sigh and shook her head.
Then, as if this wasn't a conversation for the middle of a busy street.
She led me toward the same lakeside park where we had eaten bread together before.
Well, she did hand me a golden-brown bun.
An offer I had no reason to refuse.
Greg, sorry, but I'm going to take a little detour.
I apologized to him in my head.