I was busy pulling out the thorns that had stuck in my body.
Even though she and Miyuki had already gone their separate ways, Hikari still walked ahead with an angry look on her face. No matter how I asked her, she didn't respond. Instead, she gave me more and more disgusted looks and then quickly turned away. It was really baffling.
However, after being repeatedly invited by Miyuki, I finally reluctantly agreed to team up to get tickets to the competition. It would also be a good opportunity to check the distribution patterns and awakening status of monsters—which is one of the reasons why Miyuki was able to convince me—so why am I so angry?
Fortunately, she did not forget the purpose of our trip, and we were still on the right track. I don't know whether to feel gratified or to thank her for not forgetting the important matter even when she was angry.
As for Alice, who was supposed to follow me all the way? Oh, that wretched rabbit is disguised as a doll backpack and is being slung across Hikari's shoulder, with the excuse that "being in a high position allows her to better perceive danger and react accordingly." In my opinion, she just doesn't want to walk because her legs are too short.
I don't know how it pulled out a long strap from behind its back. As far as the disguise is concerned, if I hadn't known beforehand, it would have looked quite convincing.
Soon, we arrived at our destination.
Looking up to confirm the doorway, a slightly old-fashioned sign hangs on the half-rotten door, bearing the simple and unadorned words "Woodworking Workshop".
Perhaps because it looks too old-fashioned, and there are no usual female greeters or bright decorations near the door, this narrow and old shop seems to have few customers. Most customers are focused on the nearby shops that emphasize affordability and bright ambiance. Even we, who already knew the exact address and came specifically to find it, circled around the door several times before barely noticing this inconspicuous little shop among a sea of colorful marketing copy.
Honestly, it was only because Anran informed me in advance that I knew that one of the major contributors to the city's development in recent years, his teacher Moore, was the owner of this shop.
The reason I'm here today is twofold. Firstly, I wanted to inquire whether the white fox's comb could be repaired. Secondly, Yao heard that he was one of the people responsible for maintaining the safety of the World Tree and setting up a barrier in the vicinity over the past ten years, so he asked me to inquire about it.
Ugh, that housekeeper, couldn't she just come herself? I know it's incredibly difficult for her to search through so many books in the library for the clues she needs, and I know it's a fair exchange—after all, she seems to be helping me find the materials I'm missing—but… I still have this feeling of being forced to do this! I really want to go back to my game! I just finished the latest round and haven't played it for very long!
My gaze wandered aimlessly, eventually settling on Alice, who was quietly playing the role of a doll.
Occasionally, I would have this thought: since Yao's puppet manipulation skills are already so advanced, could I use them as a vessel for another self-awareness, let it act on its own in the outside world, so that I can have some free time to breathe and do what I want to do?
But I have never seen Yao do such a thing, and I rarely make eye contact or physical contact with them. At most, I ask them to help move books and do cleaning. Most of the time, I treat them as invisible air. So after hesitating for a long time, I did not choose to ask.
"Mr. Yumi!"
Hikari, who had pushed open the store door first, noticed that I was lagging behind and turned around, calling out to me with displeasure. I quickened my pace and followed her into the store.
The shop was simple yet elegant, with wood carvings of various shapes and styles neatly stacked on the shelves, exuding a rustic charm. However, perhaps because it blocked most of the light from the outside, even with the dim light shining from above, it didn't illuminate the shop much. Instead, it cast shadowy shadows on the walls, creating illusory and distorted shapes, giving off a slightly eerie and terrifying atmosphere, which startled us as we stepped into the shop.
It's a pity we didn't see the old man, Mo'er, on this trip. We only saw his apprentice who stayed at the shop. Perhaps he went to the city lord's mansion to offer advice, just like yesterday. It's really hard on this old man.
However, the existence of that apprentice is something that bothers me a lot.
It wasn't that he was a mage, nor that he had been squinting his eyes since he appeared, giving off an air of ease, but rather that the edges of his sleeves were adorned with numerous colorful pendants on gold trim, which, as they swayed, gave me the illusion of stars falling.
Perhaps it really was just a fleeting illusion.
Shaking off my chaotic thoughts, I made a mental note of this. After confirming that the other party would hand over the comb that needed repair, I bid farewell to the smiling man who called himself an apprentice.
...
"So, Mr. Yumi, are you really going to leave the city with her and embark on another adventure?"
Once we were back near the starting point, Hikari, who had been unusually quiet the whole way, finally turned around and spoke to me: "And she even stated that she wouldn't take me with her?"
So this is what the little fool was angry about all along?
I was somewhat amused and wanted to raise my hand to comfort her, but the girl cleverly anticipated my move and dodged it. I could only awkwardly withdraw my hand and say, "It's not that I don't want to take you with me, it's just that it might be more convenient for the two of us to act together rather than all three of us being in danger together."
"I know you're only trying to protect me because you think I'll definitely hold you back..."
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