Chapter 46

"Wow, there are really a lot of people, huh?"

While walking and looking around, I might bump into someone at any moment.

The town of Gouda was lively, with various shops and stalls lining the main street, but there were no high-end stores that made me hesitate to enter. Overall, it gave a friendly impression.

Even at jewelry stores and weapon shops, slightly shabby buildings housed kind-looking uncles and aunts doing business.

The people walking around were dressed in everyday clothes or travel gear, and there were no noblewomen in dresses with wide-brimmed hats.

"Oh, how cute."

While walking with Kugalg, being careful not to bump into anyone, a young woman called out to us.

"But are you two alone? Are you lost?"

"No, we're not lost. We're on an errand."

I decided to say we were shopping on an errand for our parents.

"That's impressive for such little ones."

Pleased by the compliment, I giggled and led Kugalg by the hand through the market. My tail was rustling under my raincoat. I had to keep it still.

At a particularly crowded bakery, we said "Excuse me" as we weaved through the adults' legs, and everyone who turned around laughed brightly at us.

"You're dressed so interestingly."

"Your hat has ears on it!"

Laughing warmly, the adults asked us, "Are you two going shopping?"

Why? Because I wanted to be complimented.

"Two of us? That's impressive."

Satisfied with the words I had hoped for, I nodded.

"Be careful, okay."

Waving to the young woman who called out to us, I continued on with Kugalg. By the way, Kugalg hadn't spoken a word since we started. She was being shy and looking away.

"Hey, Kugalg, what do you want to buy?"

Pulling the hand we were holding, Kugalg finally looked at me.

"Buy?"

"With the money we just got, you can buy something from the stalls here. You can't buy anything that costs more than the money we have, but you can choose from what's available."

"Hmm."

Kugalg seemed to become interested in the market and started looking around at the various stalls and shops.

Since we split the money we received, Kugalg could buy what she liked, and I would buy what I liked!

"Food, food."

With unwavering appetite, I checked out the nearby stalls.

At a stall with a sweet aroma, they were selling what looked like cinnamon rolls. The spiral-shaped dough was topped with white sugar icing.

It seemed to contain raisins and was flatter and moister than the ones I remembered from Japan, but I was a bit moved to find them here.

However, I wasn't sure if the combination of cinnamon and raisins would suit my childlike taste, so I decided to skip it.

There were also standard sweets like cookies and muffins, but the prepared foods also tempted my appetite.

Hot dogs with thick sausages in bread, deep-fried wraps with stir-fried minced meat and finely chopped vegetables, and beans and potatoes cooked in tomato sauce.

There were also large, hard cheeses and blocks of salted meat. The stall over there seemed to be selling fruits.

"Oh, that's...!"

Seeing that stall, I exclaimed.

I had discovered my favorite fruit.

It's called Regan. The skin is yellowish, and it looks and tastes like lychee. However, it has a slightly crunchy texture and the black seeds, like those in kiwi, are also delicious.

It's not suitable for jam and is only available during the current season, making it a rare and precious fruit.

"I'll have that!"

With Kugalg's company, I headed to that stall. There were several other types of fruits, but my goal was just one.

"I'll take some Regan, please!"

I said cheerfully to the plump woman at the stall.

"Oh, what a cute customer. Are you on an errand?"

"Yes! I'll take as much as this money can buy."

Regan is not a fruit that can be easily harvested, so it's usually quite expensive. It rarely appears on my meal menu, even during the season.

To avoid being told it wasn't enough later, I handed all the money I had to the woman at the stall.

Even if each coin was only worth about ten yen, combined, it should be enough to satisfy my small appetite.

After counting the money I handed over with both hands, the woman said,

"Okay, just a moment."

She brought out a large brown paper bag.

Using a tool that looked like a small shovel, she scooped up the Regan and put it into the paper bag.

Once, twice, three times, four times...

Huh? Can I really buy that much?

"Milfee, you're buying a lot."

Kugalg said casually from behind, but I had only wanted to buy enough to fit in my hands.

I started to break out in a cold sweat.

Are you still going? It's enough, right?

Really, um, a little...

"Here you go, thank you!"

Finally, the woman stopped and filled the paper bag with Regan.

Was the money I gave her a large sum for a child?

I wobbled as I received the large paper bag, and Kugalg took it from me.

It was so big that it covered her upper body and required both hands to hold.

"Thank you..."

I said to the woman with a weary face and left the stall.

I had intended to eat the sweet and juicy Regan right away, but the sheer amount in front of me made me lose my appetite.

"So, Kugalg, have you decided what you want to buy?"

I tried to cheer up and asked.

Kugalg, who was walking unsteadily because she couldn't see in front of her, nodded and headed toward a nearby stall.

She must have found something she liked.

At the stall we arrived at, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings were displayed on a cloth laid directly on the ground.

They were not high-end items made of precious metals or gemstones but had a warm, natural design using leather and natural stones.

I thought, "We can buy these!" and my heart leaped for a moment, but then I saw the large paper bag Kugalg had set on the ground and returned to reality.

I had spent all my money on the Regan, more than I needed.

I regretted not buying an accessory like this, something that wouldn't disappear after eating.

But it's okay! The Regan is delicious, so it's fine!