Chapter 320: If We Meet in a Dream
On a seaside from some time ago, the blue sky stretched overhead, and if one looked a little further, the sea came into view. The ground was paved with asphalt, and there were road signs scattered about. Rest sat on a bench at the bus stop, listening to the sound of the waves and the cries of seabirds.
“Ah, takoyaki really is delicious. Can you make Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki next?”
“Ugh, no way. That sounds like a hassle.”
Beside him sat a familiar girl in a sailor uniform—Shoko Sanada. With a cheeky grin, Shoko made her request, and Rest shot her a half-lidded glare.
“I was practically forced to make a mountain of takoyaki for the villagers in your village. Thanks to that, my fingers are sore.”
“Just use healing magic. You’re good at that, right?”
Shoko laughed merrily, pulling out a bottle of cola. As she twisted off the cap, a fizzy sound erupted, and white bubbles formed inside the container.
“In the Dream World, I can eat whatever I want, but… it’s still just a dream, isn’t it? It lacks flavor and feels unsatisfying.”
After taking a sip of the cola, Shoko handed the bottle to Rest. As he drank, he realized she was right. The nostalgic taste of the carbonated drink was there, but it felt oddly bland.
The Dream World. Yes… it was the Dream World. This was Rest’s mental landscape, a realm of his own imagination. The woman named Shoko Sanada didn’t exist in reality. Both she and the Queen Dowager had long since passed away.
“In that sense, I was really happy that you made takoyaki for me. I tried to make it myself when I was alive, but it just didn’t work out. It looks easy, but it’s actually quite difficult.”
“I don’t think it’s a matter of skill… you’re just clumsy.”
“How rude! If you’re going to say things like that, I won’t tell you my special information!”
“Special information?”
“Are you curious? Oh, what a bother. Should I tell my beloved Rest-kun just for you?”
“…………”
How infuriating. Rest felt a surge of irritation but urged her to continue with just his gaze.
“Right now, I’m looking for ingredients to serve at the party, you know? So… how about a Diamond Bear?”
“Diamond… Bear?”
Could it be a bear? He had heard that bear paws were sold as a luxury ingredient, but personally, he didn’t find it very appetizing.
“The Diamond Bear is a monster that inhabits the eastern part of the kingdom. It’s not a common ingredient, but it became a topic of conversation when Baron Lavender presented it to the royal family. I had some too, and it had a unique flavor that didn’t taste like bear meat at all.”
“Really… I didn’t know such a thing existed.”
“Rest-kun, you’re close friends with the daughter of the Lavender Barony, right? Why not ask her about it?”
“…………”
She must be referring to Ula Lavender. He indeed had a good relationship with her. Just the other day, they had ventured into a centipede nest together, and for some reason, they had even promised to exchange rings.
“Well then… I guess I’ll ask her.”
After all, he didn’t have any plans set for the next outing. He had never eaten bear meat in either of his lives, and he was curious.
“Alright… then let’s head to the Lavender Barony next.”
“Just be careful while searching for food, so you don’t end up as the meal yourself! Hehe.”
“…………?”
Rest raised an eyebrow at Shoko, who was grinning mischievously for some reason.
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