Chapter 69

After that, the quarrel between the couple ended when the man managed to get up and showed his sincerity.

If she had been bowed to so earnestly, even she would have been taken aback.

The final scene of the man leading the woman by the hand and walking together was touching enough to make me feel a bit emotional. He had shown his manliness in the end.

His legs were still trembling like those of a newborn fawn, perhaps because the damage to his body had not yet healed.

After that, the two of them must have walked hand in hand, had tea at a stylish and cozy café, and chatted away.

--- Probably all at the man’s expense.

The square is very open, so if I wait here, I should be able to spot Eric’s arrival.

Thinking this, I sit down on a random bench.

Around noon, the children, perhaps feeling hungry or tired of playing at the fountain, were nowhere to be seen.

The flow of people moving through the square seemed to shift southward, likely due to the lunch hour.

Muscular men, who appeared to be laborers, walked together toward the main street to the south, their shoulders linked, looking cheerful.

“What are we having today?”

“Meat, of course, for such hard labor.”

“How about skewers from Wushi?”

“Yeah, that sounds good. Just thinking about it makes me hungry. Skewers from Wushi and a good drink.”

“Idiot, it’s still noon. We’ll wait until night for the drinks.”

“I know.”

Behind them, women were blushing as they watched.

Perhaps it was because the men were dressed lightly, the women were huddled together, giggling.

“...Those bulging muscles and tanned skin.”

“...The shine from sweat and oil is dazzling. And—”

“‘To be so close in such light clothing!’”

...

For a moment, I wondered if the women of the capital were so innocent, but I wanted my feelings to be returned.

In a rural place like the Coirat Village, women tend to be bold and confident.

Of course, there are delicate maidens like Emma, but they are rare, like natural monuments.

So, I thought it was a refreshing sight to see women blushing at the sight of men in light clothing.

I had been worried since the noble social event, but to find that even in the capital, there are so many腐女 (fujos, fans of male-male relationships)...

Leaning back on the bench, I waited for Eric. Soon, people who had finished buying their lunch began to return to the square with their food.

The square, with its benches and fountains, becomes crowded during lunchtime.

“Excuse me, can I sit here?”

“...Sure.”

“...Thank you.”

A somewhat lethargic man with a woman approached me and asked if they could sit down. They were probably a couple.

Naturally, I, who had been occupying the entire bench, had to make myself small and move to the edge.

In this world, unlike in Japan, people don’t stand and eat just because someone they don’t know is sitting next to them. Couples or strangers, they sit down without hesitation.

That’s just how it is. Of course, no one makes the elderly stand.

Before I knew it, the square was overflowing with people, and the air was filled with a fragrant smell.

To me, who had overslept and skipped breakfast, it was a hellish aroma. Next to me, the man was eating skewers from Wushi.

The smell of spices and sauce was overwhelming. I was unconsciously staring at it, but I snapped back to reality and looked forward. Still, the delicious aroma lingered. Standing and waiting for Eric would be tiring, so I had to endure. I decided to buy skewers from Wushi as soon as Eric arrived.

“...Here.”

Just as I made that decision, skewers from Wushi were placed in front of me.

The person who offered them was the lethargic-eyed man who had sat next to me.

He was eating skewers from Wushi and held them out to me with his right hand.

His gaze was straight ahead, not directed at me. His eyes were unreadable.

“...If you don’t want it, I’ll eat it.”

“...Thank you. I’ll take it.”

“...Mm.”

“...That’s my skewer, isn’t it?”

“...It’s a good thing.”

The man’s non sequitur response made the woman and me exchange glances. The woman, perhaps a long-time companion, leaned back with a sigh, apparently deciding not to mind.

I, too, thought, “Eating lunch together is a good thing,” but the true meaning of his words became clear immediately.

I took the skewers from Wushi and bit into the meat while fixing my gaze straight ahead.

“Indeed, that is a good thing.”

“...Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“...So what...”

The woman, looking exasperated, followed our gaze.

“...Hey! You two were just staring at that woman’s chest, weren’t you!?”

“‘No, we weren’t.’”

“...What a baseless accusation.”

“Absolutely.”

Despite just meeting, the stranger and I were in perfect sync.

In front of us, a family of three—a couple and a child—sat around the fountain.

“They look like a happy family of three.”

“...That child is being held with such a nice smile... I wish I could be in his place.”

I’ll pretend I didn’t hear the man’s last whispered comment. Yeah, I understand the feeling.

“Hmm... I thought you were staring at that beautiful wife’s large chest.”

“‘No, no.’”

“Still, it’s quite large. What size, I wonder? About 86?”

“‘89! ...Oops.’”

...

× × ×

After that, the man’s cheeks turned red.

I, of course, being just a child with no romantic or friendly relationship, was not slapped, but I was scolded with a few sharp words.

Currently, to prevent me from being negatively influenced, the man and the woman have switched places.

On the other side, the man, with slightly teary eyes, was rubbing his cheek.

It seemed to have hurt quite a bit.

“So, you mustn’t be captivated by such a mass of fat. People are about their inner qualities. You can’t judge by appearance.”

“...Yes.”

I won’t ask why she is so prickly about the topic of breasts. If I did, I might end up blushing too. It’s still spring, after all.

So, to avoid upsetting her, I just nod along.

Satisfied, the woman began to play with her hair while talking.

“Still, it’s amazing to see such a beautiful couple.”

Well, if you weren’t so dead-eyed, you two would be a pretty handsome and beautiful couple too. But your expressions and mannerisms ruin it.

Hey, man, stop picking your nose. You’re ruining your good looks.

“No matter how much you dream and admire, in the end, compromise is the norm.”

The woman said this with a wistful expression.

She must have some complaints about her boyfriend.

“...Well, in the end, it will probably come down to compromise.”

“Hey, where were you looking just now? You were looking at my chest, right!?”

“...N-no, I wasn’t!”

“Who said you weren’t!”

“It’s not about the chest!”

“No one said anything about the chest!”

I can’t take it anymore. This couple. I don’t know why, but I can’t stand to watch. Why?

I stood there, ignoring the couple’s loud argument, trying to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

...I hope Eric comes soon.