Late Winter's Spring Flower (3)
"Ahaha..."
Ronari glanced at me nervously, letting out an awkward laugh for a moment before quickly averting her eyes. Staring off into space, she said, "Actually...? I didn't plan on coming this far, but I got lost, hehe..."
"Figured as much."
"Huh? You knew?"
"Obviously. If you hadn't lost your way, why would you come all the way out here chasing me around?"
"What! I didn't even realize..."
"And you were planning to stick close to me all sneaky-like without saying anything, then head back together?"
"Ugh."
Hit right on the mark again, Ronari hugged her torso like she'd actually been struck somewhere. Still, she shot back primly, "Fine...! That's exactly what I was planning! Too bad for you! But it's not a bad thing, right? It's not like I wanted to get lost."
Hmph. Ronari puffed out her cheeks and turned her head away.
I asked her, "What about those friends you said you'd hang out with? They might still be looking for you."
"Oh... Nah, probably not. I told them to meet back at the academy when we split up earlier..."
Should I call it a relief that she wasn't worrying anyone, or just say she's hopelessly reckless not knowing the area? Ronari hesitated before mumbling, "So... if it's okay with you... could you take me back to the academy...?"
As she spoke, she kept twirling her hair for no reason.
I pulled out my pocket watch and checked it. "Can't right now. Sorry."
"Oh...?"
"The repair job I left isn't done yet. Supposed to pick it up around two-thirty."
I showed her the watch as I explained. It was just past one.
"What? You really came here for a broken item?"
"Told you that."
"But if you're short on gear or supplies, just use the academy's service. They have contracted repair shops."
"Those are for rich nobles."
"Ah..." Ronari seemed to remember my situation. "...Sorry."
Apologizing over something so minor. I tucked the watch away and said, "Anyway, I have to stick around till two-thirty."
"Th-then just walk me to the main road...! I can find my way from there."
"You know the way from there?"
"N-not exactly, but... Oh, right! Just tell me the directions! I'm pretty good at remembering—"
I cut her off. "Nope. Just stick with me."
"Huh...?" Her eyes widened in surprise.
"That'd be better. Than half-assed directions and getting lost again."
"What do you mean by that...?"
"You almost got pickpocketed earlier. Dressed like that, you're a prime target wandering the slums. Small-time thieves would be lucky; you could run into real scum."
Ronari swung her fists showily. "Hah, you think I'd lose to some punks? If any creeps show up, I'll knock 'em out in one—"
"That's exactly the problem. Not worried about you—worried about the guys who tangle with you."
She looked a bit disappointed at that. "Hmph... Suit yourself."
Truth be told, whatever trouble she stirs up with who, it has nothing to do with me. Might even keep things quieter at home if she causes a scene out here. But she did buy my lunch with her money. Counts as a debt, and leaving her be wouldn't sit right.
"So stick with me. Might not thrill you, but it's just an hour and a half."
"Yeah..."
As she answered, Ronari wedged her hands between her thighs, staring at her knees with a strange expression. Something bothering her? Well, traveling with me wouldn't exactly delight her.
Then she blurted out, "So, what're you planning till then?"
"Dunno. Nothing specific. Figured I'd kill time at a shop I know around here."
"Then!" Ronari suddenly jumped up, her face brightening. "Let me tag along! To that shop you know!"
Sudden enthusiasm. Whatever.
"Won't interest you much."
"How would you know my tastes? Lead the way already!"
Fair point. Fine, if she wants to follow.
No need to baby her. "Alright then... this way."
Ronari fell in step beside me as I started walking. A few turns down narrow alleys, and a familiar sound reached us.
Clang, clang, clang, clang. Steady rhythm of metal being hammered.
I'd been fuzzy on the route myself after so long, but we'd found it. One more turn here...
"Whoa."
Ronari's short exclamation. We'd entered a row of metalwork shops. Less slum, more back-alley market—classier than the street stalls.
Ronari was already peeking into display windows. I cracked open the door to my shop and glanced at her.
Ding-a-ling~
She scurried over at the bell and followed me in.
"E-excuse us..." Ronari greeted timidly, eyeing the owner.
I ignored her and headed behind the display case. Small knives mostly. Raising my voice toward the counter, "Sir, mind if I handle these?"
The bespectacled old man glanced over and nodded curtly.
I picked up a knife that caught my eye. No flashy decorations or engravings—clean, to my taste. Sharp blade, smoothly polished to a mirror sheen. Ronari's face reflected in it.
"What's that for?" She'd sidled right up, whispering.
"Anything. Could stab a person if needed."
She looked queasy. "Eww."
"Not primarily for fighting, though. Multi-purpose. Skin game, slice meat. Cut butter or cheese, no problem."
"Ah, for cooking too."
"Yeah. And more. Whittle wood. Mana saber for rough chopping, but for precision, this is better."
"Gonna buy it?"
"Might be nice... but quality like this costs, even without the flash. Gotta think."
Ronari leaned in with a grin. Kinda creepy smile. "You talk a lot when it's about this stuff?"
"You asked."
"Hmm~ Whatever."
Her vibe was off, but whatever. Better than sulking. I set the knife down and left. Ronari followed right away.
"What? Not buying?"
"Nah."
"Why? Looked like you loved it."
Persistent questions. "Not urgent. Buying on impulse would be waste."
"Surprisingly frugal... Not like you."
"Maybe. Wish I could splurge."
"..."
I conceded easily, so she changed topics. "Anyway, where next?"
"Straight ahead's an antique shop. Mostly junk, but occasionally useful stuff. Nearby..."
We wandered back alleys. Ronari didn't complain much—made it easy to browse. Bought nothing, but time-killing was the goal.
Checked my watch around three-thirty. Time flew. About to head out when Ronari asked, "You come here often? Shady alleys, slums like before."
"Not often. Every couple months."
"Liar. You know these paths like the back of your hand. That unauthorized overnight—you doing shady stuff here?"
"No."
"Suspicious. Today's spots are too wholesome for you... You stuck to safe places 'cause of me? Right?"
"Think what you want."
"What... 'Think what you want'."
Ronari pouted and turned away. But then something caught her eye that way—she leaned toward it.
"Oh, that..."
"?"
"That one!"
She dashed to a shop. I called after her. "Hey. Time's up. Gotta go."
"Just a sec! Really quick!"
Pottery shop, from the colorful plates in the window. Figures even she has girly interests. I waited out front.
"Quick" my ass—time dragged, no sign of her. About to drag her out when she emerged, holding a small paper box. Face lit up.
"Let's go!" She clutched it carefully. "Liked that shop."
Sure. I shrugged and led on.
We grabbed my wand from the old tanner's. He griped about us dawdling.
Why would I dawdle with her! Ronari snapped at him, sparks flying my way too. But the grip repair was solid for the price—I left without a word.
A few more stops, eight alleys later, we hit the main road. Almost back, but Ronari said nothing about her errand. Didn't she split from friends for something?
Not my business. At the dorm entrance, about to open the door, she nudged me.
"?"
She held out the paper box from the pottery shop. "Here."
I stared. "What's this."
"Open it."
I took it and lifted the lid. "This is..."
A teacup and saucer.
"Your sister sent tea leaves, right? Good stuff. Drinking from a tin cup would make her cry."
Beats me how to take this. "Not expensive, sure. But why?"
"Not pricey, so no burden~ Open the door already?"
Fine, no point refusing—might sulk again. I tucked the box under my arm and opened the door.
Brushing past, she murmured softly, "...Thanks for walking me back."
I blankly watched her slip inside. Maybe brew tea tonight. Got a proper cup for once.
With that thought, I slowly stepped over the threshold.