New chapter of Ordinary Person is out! (2/3 chapters)

 

 

Chapter 156

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

I came to the shopping mall with Emilia to buy a gift of thanks for my little sister.

Following Muze’s recommendation, I wore a casual outfit of a white shirt and jeans, which was a bit too grown-up for a high school student. Haruka-kun said it looked fine, so I decided to believe him. Since the outing had been decided suddenly, I had no time to prepare any special clothes. In fact, I only had the short period while Emilia and the others attended Japanese school to get ready. During that time, I asked Haruka-kun and Muze to help me pick the best combination from the clothes I already owned.

“Oh! Kouta, this is the first time I’ve seen you in casual clothes!” (Emilia)

“Is it? Ah, right, we usually meet either at school or in the dungeon.” (Kouta)

“That’s true. You are always wearing either your uniform or your equipment.” (Emilia)

Well, I always wore my gear as if it were casual clothing, so in a way, she had already seen me in my ‘private clothes’ all along.

“If I remember correctly, your little sister is a junior high school student, right?” (Emilia)

“Yes. Please help me choose something good.” (Kouta)

“Leave it to me. I even did some research earlier at the Japanese language school.” (Emilia)

“There are junior high students at the Japanese school?” (Kouta)

“Yes. They study Japanese together with us. Everyone there is about the same language level, so the curriculum doesn’t differ much.” (Emilia)

I see. Even if their ages differ, they are all first-year students in terms of language learning. It feels rather curious.

“The real question is what kind of item to choose. In general, they tend to want something a bit mature for their age.” (Emilia)

“How was it for you, Emilia?” (Kouta)

“For me? I had lots of hand-me-downs from my elder sister. On my birthday, I just wanted something that wasn’t secondhand. Not a very useful reference, is it?” (Emilia)

Indeed, that does not help much.

“Almost everything I wear now is my sister’s hand-me-downs too. The only things I bought myself are… undergarments, I suppose.” (Emilia)

How am I supposed to respond to that? Should I say something like “Your sister has good taste”?

“Emilia… you are being too blunt. Kouta does not know how to react.” (Muze)

As usual, Muze was riding on my shoulder. I had considered leaving her with Haruka-kun, but instead, both of them worried whether Emilia and I would manage fine on our own.

“I see. This is harder than I thought.” (Emilia)

“Right. Normally, our conversations are mostly about dungeons.” (Kouta)

“Do not push yourselves. That is fine. Emilia, you must not be too eager; remain calm.” (Muze)

What? Emilia is nervous too? I have not noticed at all.

“Let us take it slow.” (Kouta)

“Understood. As for reference, items like bags, accessories, or earrings are common choices. However, I heard Japanese junior high students rarely have pierced ears. If your sister does not, then earrings would be better.” (Emilia)

“I have not heard that she got them pierced.” (Kouta)

“Then earrings it is. Let’s start from that store.” (Emilia)

We browsed bags, accessories, and visited one shop after another, looking at small items and clothes as well. As expected, Emilia looked good in everything she tried. We played around by putting different hats on Muze and laughed. Seeing her pose in various ways warmed my heart.

“Oh? Let’s go with this one!” (Emilia)

“Excuse me, this item is rather expensive. Will that be alright?” (Clerk)

Oh, I see.

What I thought was an accessory was actually jewelry. It was quite pricey. The clerk must have been concerned since I looked like a high school student.

“Does this store accept electronic money, ‘yen’?” (Kouta)

“Yes, of course.” (Clerk)

“Then, I’ll take it, please.” (Kouta)

“I shall bring a case for it. Would you like to wear it out right away?” (Clerk)

“No, I would like to send it as a thank-you gift to my sister. Can you mail it?” (Kouta)

“Yes, certainly. Would you like to include a message card?” (Clerk)

“You can do that? Then yes, please.” (Kouta)

As expected of a high-end store, their service was impressive.

“You really went all out.” (Muze)

“What is it? Do you want one too, Muze?” (Kouta)

“Muze is satisfied with this single hat. That is enough.” (Muze)

“Next, let’s get your water.” (Kouta)

“Yes. Suzuki said this place sells water with various hardness levels. Muze is excited.” (Muze)

Since when had she spoken with Tsuzuki-san? Could she be using my smartphone to contact people?

I should probably check my data plan later.

“Which message card would you prefer? If you dislike handwriting, we can print it for you.” (Clerk)

“Then, I will use this one…” (Kouta)

Inside the display case below the cards, I noticed a beautiful ring.

…Should I buy it? It is not any special occasion. But she did seem to want one… No, no, no, no!

“If giving one is easier for you than holding hands, then why not?” (Muze)

Yes, giving this would be easier than holding hands. But it is still a ring!

“Wedding rings are not the only kind of rings.” (Muze)

That is true. But still…

“It costs far less than the rings you gave Sofia and Adelaide.” (Muze)

That is also true. Wait, something feels off about that reasoning.

“Mira’s ring cost 50 million too. Only Emilia does not have one.” (Muze)

Right, I bought that as payment for information. So… should I buy it? But still…

“Defensive power is not everything.” (Muze)

I suppose that is true.

“Excuse me.” (Kouta)

“Yes?” (Clerk)

“I would like this one as well.” (Kouta)

“Eh? Ah, y-yes!” (Clerk)

“Can the size be adjusted?” (Kouta)

“Of course! Please leave it to us!” (Clerk)

“Emilia.” (Kouta)

“Yes?” (Emilia)

She seemed delighted by it. However, thinking about it calmly, I had been completely led into this by Muze. Still, even so, I did not regret it.

“Woooow! This water is incredible! Such rich smoothness! Unbelievable hardness level!” (Muze)

Muze was thrilled by the ultra-hard mineral water.

“Phew! Once in a while, it is fine, but still, five hundred yen for such a small bottle is expensive! They should learn from Suntory!” (Muze)

Yes, I agreed. It was getting warmer lately. I might have to live on somen noodles for a while.

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)