I found myself strolling down the main street in the early afternoon. I didn't have any particular destination in mind; I had simply stepped out to enjoy a leisurely walk and perhaps do a bit of shopping since I had the time.
As expected of the most bustling thoroughfare in the Sinfonia Royal Capital, the street was teeming with life today. As I scanned my surroundings, my eyes suddenly met those of someone walking toward me from the opposite direction.
"……Ah."
"……Ugh."
The person who shot me a look of overt disgust the moment she saw my face was Elise-san, clad in her usual mystical robes.
Since we both lived in the capital, it wasn't impossible for us to run into each other by chance, but it was still quite the coincidence.
"Hello, Elise-san. Fancy meeting you here."
"Yes, hello…… Or rather, I basically buy my groceries in bulk and almost never leave the house. For us to run into each other the one time I actually step out…… I’m honestly starting to suspect you’re stalking me, Human-san."
Accused of stalking just for a chance encounter in the city. Well, Elise-san’s biting remarks were par for the course, and as long as she left it at a mere "suspicion," I figured it wasn't a problem for the time being.
"By the way, Human-san. Do you have a moment?"
"Huh? Oh, yes, I’m free. Why?"
"Then you’re going to help me with my shopping for a bit. I’ll give you some kind of suitable reward later."
"I—I see…… I don’t mind, but…"
Since I was just wandering around with nothing to do anyway, I had no problem helping her, but it was an unexpected turn of events. In fact, it was so rare to see Elise-san anywhere other than her shop that the situation felt quite fresh.
Elise-san nodded once at my response and immediately began walking at a brisk pace. Taking that as a cue to follow, I caught up and spoke to her.
"So, what are we buying?"
"Various things…… but mostly supplies for the upcoming Valentine's Day."
"Does that mean chocolate?"
"Not even close."
"Oh?"
"Valentine's is a harvest season for me. Requests for compatibility fortune-telling increase, and accessories meant to improve luck in love sell like crazy. So, I’m here to buy materials for those accessories."
When she put it that way, it made perfect sense. Elise-san ran a fortune-telling shop, so this time of year was undoubtedly her busiest period. And since she was highly skilled at making magic tools, those love-luck accessories probably had a genuine effect to some degree.
"……Well, a Romance Monster like you probably has no need for such things, Human-san."
"R-Romance Monster? No, I’m not really…"
"Go look in a mirror and come back. A human who is dating not just the Six Kings but the Creator God herself is nothing but a monster."
"……"
That was a low blow…… mostly because I couldn't argue with it. I decided to drop the subject right then and there; the odds were stacked too heavily against me.
As we continued our conversation, Elise-san spotted a certain stall and approached it.
"Welcome!" the vendor called out.
"Would you mind if I took a look at your wares?"
"!?"
When the stall owner addressed her, Elise-san didn't have her usual grumpy expression. Instead, she wore a serene, archaic smile—one I had never seen before. She looked like a completely different person, and I found myself staring at her in shock.
"Oh? A couple, I presume? You make a handsome pair; you look quite good together."
"Fufu, please don't say such things; it’s rude to him. I’m simply being selfish and making him accompany me on my shopping trip."
"!?!?"
……Who is this? This woman smiling so elegantly and using such polite language…… She was a total stranger compared to her usual self.
While I stood there dazed, Elise-san exchanged a few more words with the owner and purchased several items. The moment we moved away from the stall, she reverted to her usual expression and muttered in a voice meant only for me.
"……Do you have a problem with something?"
"N-No, not at all."
"I am in the service industry, after all. I can manage a customer-service smile, and I’m perfectly capable of speaking politely."
……I’d never had that smile directed at me, nor had I ever heard that polite tone…… Ah, no, wait, I think she did act quite formal back during the Six Kings Festival. But ever since we’d reunited in the Kingdom of Sinfonia, she’d been nothing but sharp-tongued.
"I have no need to be polite with you, Human-san. I don't feel like putting on a public-facing facade for your benefit."
"……Um, does that mean you’ve opened up to me to some extent, or something like that?"
"……Think whatever you want."
I wasn't sure what to make of that. She was as salty as ever, but she hadn't denied it. Did that mean she at least considered me a close friend?
After spending a few hours visiting several shops and buying a large number of items, we were walking back toward her shop when she suddenly spoke up.
"Human-san, since you helped me out, you might as well come in for some coffee."
"Oh, thanks."
"Also…… take this."
"……Huh?"
As she spoke, Elise-san handed me a small, expensive-looking box. If I recalled correctly, the logo on the box belonged to a merchant group famous for its chocolates. That meant…… well, it had to be chocolate.
"It’s slightly against my better judgment…… but it’s not like I hate you. So, consider this a Valentine's gift, even if it is a few days early."
"Oh, thank you."
"For your information, while I’m a good cook, I’ve never made sweets before, so these are store-bought. I won't accept any complaints."
"……I really appreciate it. I'm happy to have them."
"……It’s just about lunchtime anyway, so you should stay and eat."
"Sure. Thank you for the invite."
Even though she kept her face turned away, I felt like her voice was just a little bit softer than usual.
"……You're a lot of trouble…… but I do quite like you, Human-san."
"Eh? Sorry, what was that?"
"It was nothing. Now hurry up and get inside."
Her mutter was too quiet for me to catch the words, but for a split second, I thought I saw her cheeks flush a faint shade of red.