Chapter 138: Is There Anyone Who Doesn’t Want to See Lecty in a Miniskirt Maid Outfit!? Didn’t Think So!?
…Well, I kinda get that Tina has some circumstances, and Lecty sensed that. When she said she understood Tina’s feelings, that’s probably what she meant.
“Still, what a coincidence, running into you in the middle of the city like this. You aren’t working on a request today?”
“Yeah, well. Actually, we’re on our way back from the Royal Academy. We had a meeting about tomorrow and needed to confirm the Dungeon we’ll be in charge of. Tina and I ended up assigned to the class heading to the ‘Drefon Great Labyrinth’.”
“Seriously!? That’s our class.”
“It seems so.”
Ryugu didn’t look surprised and just took my words in stride. He probably got the class roster beforehand and already knew. It’s kinda embarrassing that I’m the only one getting excited.
In any case, it’s reassuring that the Adventurers accompanying us are people we know.
“We’ll be in your care starting tomorrow, Hugh-san.”
“Likewise, we’ll be counting on you. You too, Tina.”
“O-Okay! I’ll do my best!”
Tina seemed somewhat embarrassed, smiling shyly as she clenched both fists tightly in front of her chest. The somewhat aloof air she had when we first met had completely vanished. Is it just my imagination, or does she seem kinda nervous?
“Um, Hugh-san. If it’s okay with you, Hugh-san, could I invite them to lunch?”
“Eh? Ah, of course.”
Asked by Lecty, I readily agreed. I was just thinking the same thing, and there was no reason to refuse. Still, it was a little surprising for Lecty to suggest something like that herself.
They must have heard my exchange with Lecty, so I just asked them, “How about it?”
Ryugu and Tina looked at each other,
“Sorry, thank you for the kind invitation, but…”
“We just ate until we were full. Sorry, Hugh-san… Lecty… san.”
“I see. Well, can’t be helped then.”
It feels bad to drag people along when they’re full. Besides, they’re probably busier preparing for the Off-Campus Training Exercise than us students are.
“We’ll be together for a while starting tomorrow, so let’s definitely do it next time.”
“Yeah, of course. I’ll introduce you to our other classmates then.”
“We look forward to it. Well then, we’ll be heading off.”
“Excuse us,” Ryugu said, and he and Tina left, heading back the way we came.
“See you tomorrow, Tina-chan!”
Called out to by Lecty, Tina turned back and waved shyly.
We watched until the two of them disappeared into the bustle of the Royal Capital, then turned on our heels and started walking.
Still, I never thought we’d run into Ryugu and the others right in the middle of the Royal Capital… But the most surprising thing was definitely Tina hugging Lecty. She said something like ‘she was cute so I just couldn’t help it,’ but obviously that was a lie.
“Lecty, what did you say when Tina was hugging you?”
I had just switched my Skill from
“Um, Tina-chan was trembling, so I said, ‘It’s okay.’ I didn’t really grasp the situation, but I thought I should reassure her…”
“Is that what happened…”
“Tina-chan might have seen her mother in me. Right before she hugged me, I heard her whisper, ‘Mom…’ Maybe Tina-chan’s mother is already…”
“…Sounds like there are some complicated circumstances involved.”
She did say she and Ryugu were half-siblings, and there’s probably a reason they left home and are working as Adventurers just the two of them. If Lecty’s guess is right, then Lecty, who also lost her parents, might indeed understand how Tina feels.
Still, Lecty as a ‘mother’… I can’t really picture it, but Tina and Lecty certainly looked similar, so Tina’s mother must have been a beautiful and cute person who looked just like Lecty.
After walking for a while longer, we decided to enter a Cafe along the street. It seemed to be the second branch of the Cafe the four of us—Rouge, Lily, and the others—stopped by before. The interior layout was similar, and they sold the same drinks and sandwiches.
“Lecty, as thanks for coming with me, this is my treat. Pick whatever you like.”
“No, Hugh-san! Actually, I’ll pay! You shouldn’t do anything that narrows down the choices for your present!”
“Eh, no, but…”
Lecty’s broke, right? I don’t recall hearing anything about her having a part-time job either…
“It’s fine. I have money right here.”
Saying that, Lecty took a drawstring pouch out of her skirt pocket.
“Did you borrow it from Lily?”
“It’s an advance! Actually, I’m going to be working part-time serving at Lily-chan’s mansion during summer break, and I received my pay for it, albeit quite early!”
“I-I see…”
That Lily… she’s planning to put Lecty in a maid outfit and enjoy the sight all by herself, isn’t she…?
Maybe I should pay a visit while Lecty’s working… No, it’s definitely not because I want to see Lecty in a maid outfit. There’s a proper reason.
The Royal Academy’s summer break is quite long, two months. That said, in my case, even if I wanted to return home, it’s a one-month carriage ride one-way to the Pnosis Territory. Just the round trip travel would eat up the entire summer break. That means I have to stay at the academy, so I need to think about how to spend such a long, two-month vacation.
Spending every day lazing around in my Dormitory room would be boring, and being alone with Lucretia is definitely bad news. Unable to bear the boredom, I might cross not just one line, but two or three. To spend the summer break meaningfully, I should actively go out.
Therefore, visiting the House Puridi mansion is a perfectly natural conclusion, and if Lecty happens to be working there in a maid outfit, well, that’s just a coincidence, or rather, et cetera, et cetera.
“Alright, in that case, I’ll take you up on your offer.”
“Yes! Please, choose whatever you like!”
Urged on by Lecty, I ordered the same sandwich and drink set as last time for now, plus a croissant. I hesitated, wondering if I should hold back, but when Lecty heard my order, she smiled happily, so it must have been the right choice.