Chapter 82
I'd heard that in my past life, guys on the internet all griped about how tough it was to shop with women. No matter how fit a man is, he can't keep up with a woman's endless shopping stamina once they hit the mall. Women get some divine infinite-energy buff the moment they step into that space, while men suffer constant damage from a brutal curse. And for a guy whose only interests are gadgets or games, dealing with women's cravings for flashy clothes, jewelry, and shoes is straight-up overwhelming.
Why am I ranting about this all of a sudden?
"Let's check out that place next!! Oh! This is pretty too~"
"Madam, these earrings would go perfectly with what you're wearing right now."
"Baroness—er, Madam!! How about this necklace? It's the same color as your eyes—it really stands out!"
To celebrate the Martial Festival, all sorts of shops had popped up around the academy, displaying flashy goods to lure in visitors from out of town. Rare items that were hard to find normally turned the place into a paradise for noble ladies.
"Mars, take a look at this? Which one suits me better?"
"……."
Dad had slipped away saying he had some business, probably sensing this disaster from a mile off. That left me, the only guy in the group, as the sole punching bag for three women.
If I'd known, I would've grabbed him before he bolted….
"Mars! Try this!"
"B-Brother!! Have some of this!"
"I still have food in my mouth…."
Luna and the Saintess kept trying to dress me up, shoving snacks my way, and badgering me for opinions on clothes and accessories. It was hell. Mom just watched with a sly, knowing smile—almost lecherous—but all I felt was exhaustion from the two on either side of me.
!
Suddenly, my presence sense pinged. I quickly shoved my companions behind me and went on alert—
"You're that guy from yesterday…."
"Ah?"
It was Prazia Auros, her blue hair instantly familiar.
* * *
"I can't go on without Prazia~"
"Yeah."
Prazia Auros, top student and strongest at Amor Academy. Before her semifinal match, she'd come out shopping with her friend Delphine. Delphine had dragged her along for a mood boost, since Prazia rarely showed interest in anything and just stared blankly. But Prazia didn't seem all that into it.
"Prazia, come on! We're in such a crowded place for once—smile a little! …Nah, forget it. If you smiled, you'd be too gorgeous, and guys would swarm you. Better stay like this!"
"Yeah."
Prazia, with her unchanging expression, found Delphine's hyper reactions to every little thing amusing. Their first same-sex friendship at the academy was an odd dynamic: Delphine clinging and chattering, Prazia responding curtly.
"Oh! Look over there! A fortune-telling tent! Let's go!"
"……Yeah."
Fortune-telling. Prazia didn't buy into superstitions or spells, but she couldn't resist Delphine's nagging and followed her into the tent.
"Hello…… Oh my. What an esteemed guest."
"Whoa! You can tell?!"
It was a standard fortune-teller line, but Delphine, assuming she'd recognized Prazia, instantly trusted her.
"Of course. For such a noble lady to grace my humble shop—what an honor."
"Prazia! This place is legit!! Sit down quick!"
"Yeah……."
The hooded fortune-teller's eyes were shadowed, but Prazia couldn't shake the feeling she was peering right into her soul.
"So, ladies…… What would you like to know?"
"Me! Do my love fortune!"
"Hehe, how cute…… Pick three cards, then?"
After deep thought, Delphine chose three from the fanned deck and watched eagerly.
"Our cute miss here…… You're the proactive type~ Outgoing, loves mingling~"
"Oh my god, yes!!"
"There, there. Now, these cards……."
The reading was generic. Lots of fluff, but it boiled down to "You'll meet a great guy someday." Delphine, obsessed with fortunes, freaked out in awe and turned to Prazia.
"Prazia! She's amazing!! Your turn!!"
"And you, noble miss? Care to try~?"
"No, I'm good. Thank you."
Prazia's interest had waned; she stood to leave.
"……Originally, the dragon was fated to be consumed by gluttony."
"?"
Turning, she saw the fortune-teller leaning on her chin, gazing lazily. Eyes still hidden, but Prazia's feet wouldn't move.
"But a defier of heaven changed that fate. Quite the lucky break, right~?"
"……What are you talking about?"
"Just…… Cherish that fateful connection you stumbled into~"
The creepy pressure vanished. Prazia left without a word, Delphine trailing in confusion.
"P-Prazia…… You okay? I just…."
"No. It's fine."
Delphine, blaming herself, looked ready to cry. Prazia comforted her. Annoyed by the suspicious fortune-teller, Delphine perked up and dashed off.
"I'll grab something yummy!! Stay right here!!"
"Delphine?"
She was gone. Prazia stood blankly, waiting as instructed.
"Mars! Try this!"
"B-Brother!! Have some of this!"
"I still have food in my mouth…."
That guy….
A lively group caught her eye: one man, three women, all attractive, chatting warmly. But the man's face drew her in. Normally she'd ignore him, but the fortune-teller's words echoed unconsciously. Without thinking, she stepped toward him.
* * *
Why is this woman here…?
I'd sensed a familiar aura—turns out Prazia was out for a stroll too. She spotted me and hurried over. I wanted to dodge, but couldn't ditch Mom and the others, so by the time I hesitated, she was beside me.
"We meet again…."
"……Yeah."
Her meaningful tone felt loaded, but her blank eyes were slightly different from the match yesterday.
"Um—"
Smack!!
"Gahk!!"
"You little—!"
Mom's backhand sent me sprawling with a weird yelp. I could've dodged—her presence gave it away—but you don't block your mom's swat. I just took it stoically. It hurt, though.
"Is that how I raised you?! Even if he's my son, that's too forward!"
"??"
"Sure, your dad's always been popular, so I figured it was genetic. But hitting on a girl you just met yesterday?!"
"Have you lost your mind?"
Not the nicest thing to say to Mom, but she was crossing lines too—tit for tat.
As Mom ranted wildly, Prazia bowed to me.
"Thank you for showing me the way yesterday. I made it to the match on time."
"Right! You showed her the way…… Huh?"
Mom's eyes darted as realization dawned; she edged away.
"Well~ Shall we girls grab some sweets over there~?"
"Right there."
Finally getting it was a misunderstanding, Mom apologized with some weird excuse about thinking I was turning into a playboy. I wanted to flick her forehead, but not in public, so I sighed and forgave her.
"……A playboy?"
"No!"
What the hell is she saying? As I gawked, Prazia stared intently.
"What?"
"……Never mind."
"?"
"Back then…… Why'd you look at me like that?"
Her random, contextless question threw me.
"Huh? Showing you the way?"
"No. During my prelims…… Why that look?"
Her prelims… Yeah, I'd thought her winning would complicate things. She noticed my expression?
"Dunno…… Don't really remember."
"I see……?"
"Yeah."
"Your name, by any chance—"
"Prazia!! Where are you, Prazia!!"
A shrill voice called from behind. Prazia turned toward it, realization flashing.
"Oh, thanks for the directions. Well…."
I watched her go with a small woman, relieved it blew over.
"Jeez, what next…."
Remembering the upcoming semifinals, I headed off with the group to watch the class reps' matches.