Chapter 407: A Meal with Rachel
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 407: A Meal with Rachel
For a while after that, we enjoyed ourselves, hopping from shop to shop.
I was mostly window shopping, but Miss Rachel was a different story.
It seemed she was determined to buy everything she hadn’t been able to get, making the most of her rare day off. She was incredibly enthusiastic.
Especially since she had a porter like me.
With my inventory, she didn’t have to worry about the weight of her purchases and was free to shop to her heart’s content.
To be honest, walking around with our arms linked like this felt exactly like a date.
No. Maybe it’s just me. Is this normal for friends who are girls?
I wouldn’t know, since I’ve never had a female friend.
Right. Dammit. I’m the product of the legendary all-male track: all-boys middle school, all-boys high school, the army, and then an engineering college.
I’m the kind of guy whose only female contacts on his phone were family members.
Because of that, my common sense in these matters couldn’t be trusted.
Which meant I had to trust Miss Rachel’s common sense.
I glanced at her face.
She was smiling happily as she shopped, and she was pressing her ample chest right against my arm, but she probably didn’t have any romantic feelings for me. Probably.
Her attitude hadn’t changed at all, even after we’d had sex—though it was under unavoidable circumstances. More importantly, she knew perfectly well that I had girlfriends.
She seemed to have known Diana, one of my girlfriends, for quite a long time, and even appeared to respect her.
There was no way she’d do something like go on a date with me.
So, does that mean this is normal for friends?
“Hm? Guwon? What’s wrong?”
Had I been staring too intently?
Still smiling, Miss Rachel tilted her head slightly and met my eyes.
“Huh? Oh, uh, no. It’s nothing.”
“Hmm? Hehe. That’s not the face of someone thinking about nothing. Should I take a guess?”
“Y-Yes?”
“You’re hungry right now, aren’t you? I’m sorry. I got a little too carried away.”
“Not at all. I had fun, too. And since you’re so beautiful, it was a feast for the eyes.”
We were currently in a clothing store.
Miss Rachel had been trying on one outfit after another and asking for my opinion, so that was my honest answer.
Well, of course, I could say that because she’d only tried on a few things. If this went on for hours, I’d probably get sick of it.
That was one thing even love couldn’t overcome.
Even when I was with my girls, I’d get exhausted after a few hours in a clothing store.
“Hehe. Thank you. But you shouldn’t say things that make an older sister’s heart flutter. I’m going to tell Diana, you know.”
Miss Rachel said this, handed me the clothes she’d bought, and linked her arm through mine again.
“Shall we go, then? I can get my hopes up, right?”
“Of course.”
That’s why I did my research… wait a minute.
Before putting the clothes she handed me into my inventory, I took a quick look at them.
Even to me, someone who knew nothing about women’s fashion, they looked expensive.
Looking around the shop, I noticed it had a subtly luxurious atmosphere, and many of the other customers were also dressed in lavish attire.
Come to think of it, she was the Guild Master’s daughter.
I didn’t know what kind of social standing the Guild Master held, but considering she seemed close with Diana, I could guess it was quite high. Probably nobility.
In other words, a person of high status.
Could it be… could Miss Rachel’s tastes be on the same level as Silvia’s?
If so, the place I’d scouted out yesterday might not be good enough.
No. Seeing her live in the dorms and the way she shopped, I didn’t think she was on Silvia’s extreme level, but seeing her this excited made me wonder…
Right. Change of plans.
First, I’ll take her somewhere nicer. If her reaction seems a bit off, then we can go to the place I originally planned.
That’s better than starting at a lesser place, gauging her reaction, and then moving up to a better one.
And I had plenty of nicer places in mind.
There were the two places I’d gone to with Diana, and the one Silvia had first shown me.
Yes. Let’s go to the place Silvia first took me to yesterday.
It would be a shame to let yesterday’s research go to waste.
And there was another reason.
I mean, sure, I was wearing a robe with the hood up right now. But still, that restaurant I went to with Diana… it felt a little… you know?
And so, I naturally headed for the restaurant Silvia had first shown me.
“Oh my? You knew about a place like this, Guwon?”
“M-Miss Rachel. What on earth did you think of me…?”
“Hehe. I’m sorry. It’s just that you have a rather down-to-earth image.”
Miss Rachel winked and stuck her tongue out playfully.
I couldn’t say anything back when she made such a cute face.
This woman knew how to use her looks all too well.
Her appearance and professional demeanor were so intelligent that when she acted like this, the contrast felt incredibly striking.
“But are you sure this is okay? This place is quite expensive.”
This time, she spoke with a slightly worried expression.
It seemed she had eaten here before.
“Of course. It’s more than okay. You have a rough idea of how much I make, don’t you? Let’s go in.”
But her expression seemed to be one of genuine concern for my wallet; I didn’t sense any feeling of being burdened.
So, I confidently walked into the restaurant.
Well, it was also true that I had no money worries.
My only hobby had been gaming, so I had almost nothing to spend money on in this world.
The only personal expenses I had were for gifts or meals when I went out with my girls.
Besides, I hadn’t spent a single coin during our shopping trip earlier.
I’d thought about buying Miss Rachel a gift, but she had gently refused.
So, a meal at a place like this was perfectly fine.
After all, I was treating her as a way of thanking her.
“Hehe. It’s been a while. I rarely get a chance to come here these days because of work.”
Miss Rachel, still holding my arm, whispered happily.
Seeing you happy makes me happy, too.
Changing plans and coming here was the right call.
The restaurant was, as its exterior suggested, a high-class establishment.
They didn’t make it obvious, but the way the waiter sized us up the moment we entered suggested they might even perform identity checks.
Of course, as soon as he saw Miss Rachel’s face, he bowed deeply and guided us to a table.
Maybe she was an even bigger deal than I thought.
Then again, she was the daughter of the Guild Master, the central figure of this city. Was this level of treatment to be expected?
In any case, the meal proceeded smoothly.
I still wasn’t used to it and made plenty of mistakes, but I was able to clumsily follow the table manners Diana had taught me last time.
Come to think of it, that time was really nice.
The tablecloth here also hung down long enough to cover our legs, which brought back even more memories of my time with Diana.
“Oh my. You have such proper table manners. When I first met you, you seemed so unfamiliar with this world that I wondered if you’d be alright on your own.”
Miss Rachel said this, sounding a little surprised, but also somewhat wistful.
“Haha. It’s all the result of hard work.”
“Hehe. I know. I’ve been watching you all this time.”
Miss Rachel, you’re not one to talk. You have a problem, too.
You unconsciously say things that would make any man fall for you.
When a beautiful woman like you says something like that, most men would get the wrong idea.
Well, not me! Sara, Diana, Leia, this is the kind of man I am.
“But you got it wrong this time. The knife for cutting meat is this one, not that one.”
“Huh? Ah?!”
Startled, I dropped my knife.
What is this, déjà vu? I’ve seen this scene somewhere before.
Of course, that didn’t mean I could expect the same developments as last time.
I reflexively started to bend down to pick up the fallen knife, then stopped and raised my head to call a waiter.
And by pure chance, my eyes happened to be looking toward the restaurant’s main entrance, where I saw people just walking in.
Sara, Diana, and Leia.
Not just one of them, but all three, were walking into the restaurant together, looking friendly.
They were chatting amicably as they entered, but on closer inspection, it looked like Sara and Diana were comforting a slightly sullen-looking Leia.
Why does my angel have that expression on her face?
I was naturally curious, but unfortunately, I wasn’t in a position to find out.
If they find me, I’m dead.
Not figuratively. Literally dead.
By the time I came to my senses, my body was already moving faster than my thoughts.
I continued the motion of bending down to pick up the knife, ducking completely under the table.
“Kyaa! G-Guwo—!”
Miss Rachel was obviously startled, but I didn’t have time to worry about that now.
I’m sorry, Miss Rachel! But please, just bear with it for a moment! If they find me, I’ll die!
I prayed desperately, staring at Miss Rachel’s legs right in front of me.
The way she pressed one hand firmly against her crotch to cover herself while squeezing her legs together was incredibly sex—no. This is not the time for thoughts like that!
“Hm? Oh, if it isn’t young Rachel. What a coincidence. Did you take the day off today?”
And as if on cue, having heard Miss Rachel’s scream, Diana approached.
No. Those footsteps weren’t just Diana’s. Sara and Leia were coming over, too.
This is bad. I’m going to die. I’m going to be murdered.
“Hello, Miss Rachel.”
And just as I expected, I heard Sara and Leia’s greetings as well.
Hearing their voices, I immediately held my breath.
If Sara heard even a single breath, that would be the day of my funeral.
“Huh?! D-Diana-nim? A-And everyone! H-Hello! What a coincidence to meet you here! Yes! A day off! It’s my day off!”
Miss Rachel, clearly startled to see Diana, spoke much faster than usual.
“Hm. A good idea. Your mother was quite worried, you know. Work is important, but you need to rest like this sometimes.”
“But to be in a place like this… are you perhaps here alone? If you don’t mind, would you like to join us…?”
Sara! Why are you asking that?!
Just act uninterested, like your cool expression suggests! Why are you taking an interest in others?! Why are you being so kind?!
“N-No! It’s, uh, a date. It’s a date!”
M-Miss Rachel! Wait a minute! That answer will only put me in more danger if they find out!
I’m not kidding, I’ll actually die!
Seeing her legs fidgeting in front of me, I could tell how flustered she was, but that was still the wrong answer!
They’re my girlfriends!
“Hoh. You, on a date? Have you finally found a good man?”
“Oh my. Who could it be? To be Miss Rachel’s date. I’m sure he must be a wonderful person.”
I’m screwed! Leia took the bait, too!
Leia is the most dangerous one!
If she catches my scent…!
No! I believe in the power of this restaurant’s food! It has to be strong enough to mask my scent!
My body odor isn’t that strong, is it?! Please!
“W-Well, um, actually, we’re, uh, a secret from my mother! Please! I’m begging you! Please just pretend you didn’t see me and walk away!”
Miss Rachel cried out, stomping her feet as if she didn’t know what to do.
Every time she did, her skirt fluttered up slightly, revealing the panties underneath… black… with fancy lace, and even some see-through parts… she wears surprisingly sexy things. I’m sure before they were… no. I mean, this is not the time to be looking at that!
“Hehe. You’re at an age where you should be thinking about such things. There’s no need to hide it.”
“W-Well, that’s true, but! It’s just! I’m seeing him with marriage in mind! I-I’ve never felt this way before in my life! A-And I’m still a little too shy to tell my mother!”
Miss Racheeeeeeeel!
Do you actually want me dead?!
Just hire an assassin! If I have to die, I want to die peacefully!
I was beginning to think that death might be the only way out of this situation.
Yes. Maybe I should choose death. Biting my tongue and dying seemed like it would be a little less painful than being discovered right here, right now.
“For our Rachel to be blushing so furiously. It seems you’ve fallen hard. That makes me even more curi—alright, alright. Don’t make that face. We shall take our leave. Have a good time.”
“See you later, Miss Rachel.”
“Enjoy your meal.”
Just as I stuck my tongue out, placed it between my upper and lower teeth, and began to seriously contemplate my options, I finally heard the sound of footsteps moving away.