Chapter 124: A Stroll Through the Streets-2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 124: A Stroll Through the Streets-2
Emma, who In-ho thought would return shortly, was taking her time.
Growing restless, In-ho tapped his fingers on the table, idly watching the world through the cafe window. He picked up his empty coffee cup and rotated his wrist, his gaze landing on a woman hurrying past. She was clutching her thin clothes tightly, her nose and cheeks flushed red from the cold.
The sight of her overlapped with his memory of Emma.
"Maybe I'll head over to the clothing shop."
Recalling how lightly Emma had been dressed before they came out, In-ho slowly rose from his seat. It was a fair distance from the cafe, but he felt he could manage the walk alone.
He was currently indebted to his maid—and likely would be for some time—so he figured he ought to get her a gift.
"If Emma comes by, please tell her I've gone to the clothing shop," In-ho requested of the barista.
"Of course, Teacher. But will you be alright on your own?" the barista asked, looking up from the coffee machine.
In-ho waved a hand dismissively. "I can manage a trip to the clothing shop."
As he opened the door, the barista’s voice trailed after him. "Come again, Teacher."
Perhaps it was because his body had thawed out inside, but the moment he stepped out, a biting wind swept through the streets even more fiercely than before.
"Achoo!"
In-ho rubbed his nose and pulled his clothes tighter. He began walking slowly toward the clothing shop.
*
"Welcome... Oh? Teacher?"
A plump woman approached In-ho.
"Did you leave something behind?" the owner asked, scanning his appearance.
"No. I'm here to buy more clothes."
"More? But you just bought some earlier."
The owner looked at him with an expression that said, Didn't you get everything already? She seemed to be checking if he was in his right mind.
"Haha, not for me. I want to look at some clothes for Emma."
Realizing his intention, In-ho let out a dry laugh.
"Ah, for Miss Emma? My, she's a lucky one, having you buy her clothes. Is there something specific you're looking for?"
The owner expertly shifted back into her customer service persona.
"I'm only just now getting around to it. It's late. Is there something suitable for winter? Something warm."
"Warm? We have plenty. Hmm, since Miss Emma will be wearing it, I'll look for something that isn't too heavy. Something to wear over a maid uniform, perhaps?"
"Sure, that sounds good."
Having rarely gifted clothes to a woman, In-ho simply nodded at the owner's recommendations.
Excited by the unexpected sale, the owner bustled between the display stands and the warehouse. During the five minutes she spent searching, In-ho sneezed repeatedly.
"Ugh, am I catching a cold?"
As he sniffled, the owner returned with a garment. It was a fur coat that looked like it could be easily layered over a maid uniform.
"Ta-da! How about this? It's not too bulky, but it's not thin either."
"Hmm... it looks good. I'll take it."
If the expert said so, it must be true.
"Wonderful. This is normally ten Dark, but for you, Teacher, I'll let it go for six."
"Oh? Is that alright?"
"Of course! Six years ago, you mentioned our shop in your work, and our sales were incredible back then. Thanks to you, I was able to send my children to school and everything."
"If my writing were still selling well, I could have helped you more."
"Oh, don't say that. Spring will be here soon, so don't worry too much."
When In-ho offered the polite remark, the owner let out a cheerful laugh. In-ho took six coins from his pocket and handed them to her. She took the coins and carefully wrapped the fur coat.
"Well then, get home safely. Is Miss Emma nearby?"
"Yes. She's not far... Hm?"
As In-ho was about to leave, his gaze fell on a box in the corner of the shop. The box was slightly open, revealing a stack of clothes that were clearly not meant for winter.
"Hm? What are you looking at... Ah, those are spring clothes."
"Spring clothes? Isn't it still winter?"
"If I want to sell them when spring arrives, I have to stock up now. If I wait until then, they'll either be out of stock or I'll have to pay a premium to get them."
Listening to her explanation, In-ho pointed to a garment resting on top of the box.
"I'll take that too. It's quite lovely and bright."
He had chosen a pale yellow dress.
I think Emma would look beautiful in this.
Imagining Emma in the dress, In-ho pulled out more coins.
— "Goodbye! Come again!"
Leaving behind the beaming voice of the owner, who was delighted by the extra sale, In-ho stepped back out into the street.
The warmth he had regained in the shop vanished instantly.
Winter days were short. Already, the sunset glowed behind him, and people were retreating from the streets one by one to head home for dinner. From the edge of the street, darkness was slowly devouring the light, expanding its domain.
"Let's get back quickly."
In-ho pulled his clothes tighter and quickened his pace.
He had made it about halfway when, without even realizing it, he slumped to the ground. His legs had simply given out.
"Huh?"
A confused sound escaped his lips. Then, he lost consciousness and collapsed face-down on the pavement.
*
Emma was returning to the cafe in a foul mood.
Trailing behind her like an inseparable growth was Hans, following her every step. Emma had dragged him out, determined to settle things once and for all, but thanks to Hans's sheer density, she had wasted forty minutes on the street.
— "I'm not interested in you, so get lost."
She had rejected him coldly, but Hans's head was filled with nothing but fantasies. Or perhaps the problem was the "romantic advice" his friends had given him.
— "They say no tree doesn't fall after ten chops. I'm not giving up."
He would say things like that. Or:
— "How can you decide without even dating me once? I'm a good guy, Emma. Just trust me this once and go to the festival with me."
Or even:
— "I'm inheriting the general store soon. Our profits are actually quite good, you know?"
She might have tolerated him if he praised In-ho, but every single word he spoke rubbed her the wrong way. Emma felt a surging impulse to wring his neck or bash his head in with a wooden club found in an alleyway, but doing so would mean a permanent farewell to her master.
With superhuman patience, Emma had endured the conversation that went in circles like a hamster wheel. Realizing she had wasted forty minutes, she turned back toward the cafe.
Of course, Hans followed. She didn't know what kind of self-esteem sustained him, but even as he followed her back to the cafe, he didn't stop pitching himself to her.
Ring!
The bell chimed as she pushed the cafe door open. Emma scanned the room, but her master was nowhere to be seen. Out of breath, she turned to the barista to ask about In-ho.
"Ah, Miss Emma. Teacher In-ho went to the clothing shop."
"The clothing shop?"
"He seemed to be buying clothes. He hasn't returned yet."
The barista glanced toward the seat where In-ho had been. The items they had purchased in the afternoon were neatly placed under the table.
Emma felt a chill of inexplicable dread wash over her.
"W-when did he leave?"
"Come to think of it, it's been about thirty minutes. Maybe it's taking him a while to choose... Miss Emma?"
Before the barista could finish, Emma bolted out of the cafe.
"Emma! Wait for me!"
Hans, finally realizing the situation, grabbed the luggage she had left behind and chased after her.
*
The clothing shop owner pointed toward the darkening street, saying it had been quite a while since In-ho left.
"Master!!"
Emma ran through the streets, calling out for him. Had his condition worsened? Had he gone somewhere far away? Her heart sank.
You worthless wretch! You stupid girl! How could you let your guard down again? You should have never let him out of your sight!!!
She berated herself, but it did nothing to lighten the weight on her heart.
"Ugh... Master!!"
Emma tore at her hair as she searched the streets, with Hans struggling to keep up.
"Emma! He probably went home!"
"I have the keys!"
"L-let's just go to the house first. He might be standing in front of the door."
Hans spoke as he looked at her red-flushed nose and neck, but Emma wasn't listening. A single tear escaped her eye. She turned and sprinted in the opposite direction.
"Ma... Master...! Emma is... Emma is here."
Sobbing, Emma ran until she tripped over a protruding stone and fell.
"Gah."
She scrambled up, wiping away her tears.
"Sniff... Ma... Master..."
Taking a deep breath, Emma called out for him again.
"MASTER!!!"
Squeezing every ounce of strength from her body, she screamed at the top of her lungs. The gazes of the few remaining pedestrians fixed on her.
"Em... ma?"
Hans muttered, stunned by the sight of her, looking for all the world like a woman driven mad.