Chapter 220
Chapter 220
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 220
Chapter Title: The Foreign Princess is Interested in Clothes (5)
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Five days have passed since my first meeting with Anna, the European princess.
As it turned out, I found myself going on dates with her every single day.
For me, who thought it would be a one-day gig, this was a rather troublesome development.
I may not look it, but I'm the proud, perfect, and meticulous cashier of Greg's General Store.
They can't manage without me. Customers would take one look at Greg's face and run away.
But I couldn't do anything about Anna desperately seeking me out while pretending not to.
After reaching an agreement with my employer, Greg, I decided to "work" here until she left the city.
It seemed Anna was willing to pay an exorbitant fee just to see me.
Greg must have calculated that he'd still make a hefty profit by lending me out. Hmm, very rational of him.
*...It feels strange, like I've become a rental friend who gets paid to hang out.*
Still, perhaps Anna was a young lady who knew a thing or two about restraint.
Thankfully, the horrifying situation of trying on clothes for six straight hours like the first day didn't repeat itself.
Moreover, there was no taking off my mask or doing my makeup in a different style.
From the second day on, our meetings continued with a more relaxed feel, like we were leisurely touring famous spots.
I overheard that she had already achieved her purpose for seeking me out on the first day.
After that, she just wanted to hang out with me because she liked me.
Wow, to receive the favor of such an influential young lady of global standing.
To be honest, it was a little burdensome. It was a relief that her personality was on the gentle side.
"Wow, Yuria! The view here is amazing! You can see all of Nighthaven!"
"...Yeah."
The setting sun, hidden between towering skyscrapers, dipped below the horizon.
From the Nighthaven observatory, the cityscape was beautifully painted in shades of orange.
It was a dizzying sight that would surely make anyone with a fear of heights tremble.
But Anna seemed to have no such phobia. She simply pulled my hand, her eyes sparkling.
This city feels like home to me, so I wasn't particularly impressed...
But for her, who had spent the last few days eagerly exploring, it seemed to evoke a special feeling.
*Well, it's not as peaceful and beautiful a city as it looks.*
On the surface, Nighthaven was a decent enough city.
Most of its citizens were Metahumans, for one.
And until recently, Tempest, who was considered the strongest in the world, had been its mayor.
But perhaps because it was the city where the protagonist of a shonen manga lived...
...this place was a veritable den of demons, filled with all sorts of incidents and accidents every single day.
It had its human moments and a strong sense of camaraderie among Metahumans.
But among them, there were always those who couldn't adapt to laws or morals and ran wild.
*Especially when you consider the commotion happening behind the scenes...*
I quietly watched Anna, her eyes sparkling as she was completely absorbed in the cityscape.
Then, I glanced over at Alice and David, who were slumped on the floor inside the observatory, looking exhausted.
The reason those two, who had pretty good stamina, were so drained was simple.
During the five days Anna had stayed in Nighthaven, attackers had come for her relentlessly.
Their goal was likely to secure the heiress of Megacorp Ark, which dominated Europe.
I have no idea where they got their information, but the kidnappers trying to take Anna were incredibly persistent.
So it was only natural that the Fixers in charge of Anna's protection couldn't get any rest.
Of course, I focused on having fun, since it would be a problem if she found out.
*Anna's bodyguard, old Wilhelm, was also incredible. He shattered the armed attackers' guns with a single swing of his sword... Why are all the old people in this world so strong? Is it because there are so many long-lived species?*
I suddenly thought of the exceptionally strong elderly people I knew.
Wilhelm, Alice's father Renji, and especially Tempest.
The people with extraordinary power in the world, aren't they mostly old?
Even Vespera, who looked like a young beauty, had lived for nearly a thousand years.
And Lukserion, whom I met recently, was an elf, so he was well over a hundred.
I guess people who live long are bound to be strong...
As I was lost in thought watching the setting sun, perhaps Anna had a change of heart while looking down at Nighthaven.
Without even looking at me, she suddenly spoke in a somewhat cautious tone.
"Hey, Yuria."
"...?"
"I'm sorry. For being childish and asking you to hang out. It was inconvenient for you, wasn't it? Because of me."
"Nn-nnh."
After a moment of thought, I slowly shook my head, negating her words.
If we had spent the whole day trying on clothes at the department store like the first day, I would have hated it.
But from the second day on, it just felt like normal sightseeing. I had fun, too.
Had she learned to understand what I was going to say without me speaking over the past few days?
Anna smiled shyly, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger as she spoke.
"Thank you. I guess it's because my dad is so amazing. Everyone looks at me like I'm from a different world. That's why I didn't really have any friends I wanted to hang out with besides Lana... But you just treated me like a normal person. Thanks to you, my time in Nighthaven has been really fun."
"..."
I see. It seemed this young lady liked me because I treated her so casually.
It was the classic "You're the first person to ever treat me like this" scenario... or something like that.
In a way, what she felt was completely true.
Being the heiress of a megacorp was impressive, but I'd met far more incredible people, like Tempest and Vespera.
Feeling intimidated by someone like Anna? I couldn't even if I wanted to.
A megacorp is nothing. I'm under the protection of the Fixer Association. Not that I can brag about it.
Anyway, had she organized her thoughts while we were talking?
With a slightly flushed face, she looked straight at me, her eyes earnest.
"So... Yuria, um... W-will you be my friend?"
The setting sun cast a red glow on Anna's face.
No, perhaps in this moment, she was quite nervous, which was unlike her.
Friends... I mulled over the word, briefly recalling the past five days.
Well, why not? Some people become friends in a day. We've known each other long enough.
So, after checking that there were no civilians or cameras pointed our way...
...I took off my mask, revealing my face, and answered with the most mature smile I could muster.
"Yes!"
Hehe, my second friend after Sabrina. Doesn't this make me pretty sociable?
I praised my own skills and nodded in satisfaction.
After our declaration of friendship, we finished our sightseeing at the Nighthaven observatory and came down.
By then, the sun had completely set, and the sky had turned dark.
So... is this Anna's last night in Nighthaven?
As I walked, feeling a little sad that she would be leaving tomorrow...
...Anna, who was tapping on her terminal, suddenly stopped and raised her voice in surprise.
"Ah!"
"H-huh?"
"What is it, my lady?"
"Look! Wilhelm! Lana's coming to Nighthaven now! It looks like she's finished with her work!"
She looked so excited she couldn't stand still, tapping her feet on the ground.
If no one held her back, it felt like she would just dash off somewhere.
I guess that reaction was to be expected. I may have just become her friend today...
...but to Anna, Lana was her one and only best friend of several years.
It was even highly likely that she came to Nighthaven from Europe to follow Lana.
It would be strange if she wasn't happy that Lana was coming here after finishing her work.
Hmm, so is it time for me to naturally make my exit?
It feels like it would be awkward if I stayed...
Did my inner thoughts somehow show on my face?
A very happy-looking Anna suddenly grabbed my hand and started running, pulling me along.
"Eh, uh..."
"Let's go meet her at the station! Lana is kind and cute. I'm sure you two will become friends in no time, Yuria!"
"Ugh."
Is she the type who thinks all her friends should be friends with each other?
Does she not know how hard it is to become friends with a friend's friend...?!
But complaining inwardly was pointless if she couldn't hear it.
Besides, she was already dragging me by the hand with sparkling eyes, having clearly made up her mind.
The Fixers couldn't stop her, and her bodyguard Wilhelm couldn't either, so what could I do?
In the end, I was dragged along with Anna to the train station where her best friend, Lana, was arriving.
Of course, two human girls wandering around stood out, and some Metahumans tried to pick a fight with us.
But once Wilhelm massaged their shoulders and led them to a secluded spot, they quickly quieted down.
The bodyguard of a megacorp heiress was just that reliable. He was cool.
"Ah, that's the train! I'm sure of it!"
"...Oh."
I don't know how long we waited in the bustling train station, crowded with people.
The same luxury train I had taken when I visited the Association's headquarters glided smoothly into the station.
Anna seemed convinced that this was Lana's train.
Maybe it was the timing, or maybe the train itself looked like something a very important person would ride in.
And without any particular twist, the gasps of admiration from all around proved it to be true.
*Immaculately clean wings and a ring floating above their head... Yep, they're the people I know.*
Stepping out of the luxury train were a handsome man and a beautiful girl who looked like they were drawn in a different art style.
They had hair the color of the sky and perfect features, as if sculpted by a god.
On their backs were large, magnificent white wings, and a faint yellow ring shimmered above their heads.
The term "mythological angel" fit them perfectly. Well, they were actual angels.
Anyway, of the two extraordinarily beautiful individuals, the smaller girl glanced around with an indifferent expression.
Her gaze stopped on us, and she blinked her expressionless eyes before approaching silently.
"Anna..."
"Lana! I missed you!"
"Me too, I missed you..."
Her identity was, as expected, Anna's best friend, Lana.
Her beauty was so overwhelming that even I, who was used to my own face in the mirror, couldn't help but be impressed.
Anna then leaped into Lana's arms, as if she'd missed her terribly.
A blonde beauty and a blue-haired beauty hugging. It was quite a heartwarming sight.
The expressionless Lana didn't seem to mind, accepting the hug with a look of satisfaction.
After sharing the joy of their reunion in a long embrace, they broke apart and held hands.
Still expressionless, Lana seemed to finally notice me standing blankly beside them.
She stared down at me blankly, then tilted her head and said.
"...Homewrecker?"
"...?!"
What? She's treating me like a rival the moment we meet?
I was utterly flustered by Lana's completely unexpected remark.