After leaving Fate-san, I decided to head to Fia-sensei’s clinic. I had originally intended to visit Isis-san first, but when I checked the time, I realized that if I left right then, I would arrive exactly between the clinic’s morning and afternoon sessions. Since that was a window where Fia-sensei was usually free, I chose to see her first.
Fortunately, she didn't have any pressing work or patients at the moment. It seemed she was right in the middle of a break, sipping on some herbal tea.
"Welcome! Your timing is perfect. I just finished re-brewing the tea."
"Hello, Fia-sensei. Ah, it's a good thing I arrived—wait, you said 're-brewed'?"
"Yeah... I dropped the pot."
"Ah, I see."
It looked like she had fallen victim to her usual clumsiness again, dropping the entire teapot after making the first batch. She scratched her head with a sheepish grin, and I couldn't help but smile back. Despite her airheaded nature, she was at the very top of the Count-class. I could at least take comfort in the fact that she wouldn't actually get burned or injured by such a mishap. Perhaps it was that very lack of danger that caused her to let her guard down so often.
"So, what brings you by today?"
"Well, remember how I mentioned I was going to open a stall for the Arclesia Empire’s Founding Anniversary Festival?"
"I remember. You’ve been so busy lately, Miyama-kun. It hasn't even been that long since the festival in the Kingdom of Sinfonia."
"Ahaha, well, in a sense, the Sinfonia festival is the reason for this one."
The whole thing had started because Amel-san had been incredibly depressed after I failed to invite her to help out with my stall in Sinfonia. Looking back, I was essentially opening a stall in the Arclesia Empire specifically to make it up to her.
"Are you going to participate in the Hydra Kingdom’s festival too and complete the set?"
"No, that would be far too much. If I go to the Hydra Kingdom’s festival, I’d much rather just walk around and look at the stalls like a normal visitor."
"Ah, that’s fair. It’s hard to enjoy the sights when you’re the one working. When the Kingdom of Sinfonia had its festival, I was helping out at the external relief facility, so I barely had any time to see the festival for myself."
"Doctors must be busy at events like that. People always get too excited and end up hurting themselves."
Fia-sensei had volunteered at a temporary medical station during Sinfonia’s festival. It was essentially a relief tent where doctors gathered to treat injuries or people who had fallen ill.
"Well, that’s just how festivals go. Oh, sorry, I'm getting us off-track."
"No, don't worry about it. Anyway, as for the main reason I’m here..."
I explained that I had been crafting custom accessories to give to my lovers alongside the products I was making for my stall. Fia-sensei’s eyes immediately lit up with joy.
"Oh, I know! It’s a ring, isn't it? I recall that in the otherworld, that's the standard gift for a lover."
"You're not entirely wrong, but that's a bit of a misunderstanding... regardless, it's not a ring this time."
I suspected Fia-sensei was thinking of an engagement ring. Since polygamy was the norm in Trinia, engagement rings weren't a standard cultural fixture. Instead, couples tended to exchange matching accessories during the wedding ceremony, which was a somewhat similar concept.
"I see... Then I guess the ring will be for... eventually... then."
"...Y-Yes, I suppose so."
Wait. Was she actually confused, or was she saying that with full awareness of what it implied? I couldn't tell. She looked like she might be wearing a mischievous grin, but it was hard to be certain.
"A-Anyway, what I have for you today is a necklace."
"Oh, it's beautiful! Is it silver? No, maybe gray? It matches my hair color."
"Yes. I picked a Gray Diamond specifically because it reminded me of your hair, and paired it with platinum."
I had decided on a necklace for Fia-sensei for a few reasons. As a doctor, an accessory for her hands would likely interfere with her work. Furthermore, since she wore a nun-like head covering, hair ornaments or earrings would be hidden. A necklace felt like the perfect choice. I had shaped the pendant into a cross, mostly because her clothing always gave off a strong religious impression.
"Thank you! I'm so happy. I'll have to cast Status Preservation Magic on it right away to make sure it never breaks."
"I'm glad you like it."
"Ehehe... Ah, by the way, Miyama-kun, do you have any more time?"
"Yeah, I don't have anywhere I need to be in a rush."
"Great! In that case, since you're here, why don't we go grab lunch? There's a really delicious place nearby."
"That sounds perfect. I'd love to join you."
It was just about lunch time, so her timing was impeccable. We finished our tea, and I helped her tidy up before we prepared to head out. We walked toward the clinic entrance together.
"Ah, Miyama-kun, hold on a second."
"Yes?"
"Thanks for the necklace—"
She leaned in and gave me a soft peck on the cheek.
"Huh?"
"Fufufu, that was my way of saying thank you. Now then, let's head off!"
After delivering a surprise kiss to my cheek, Fia-sensei took my hand with a beaming smile and led me out.
Serious-senpai: "...It's fine... I'm okay. I am a Strong Serious... I've survived countless waves of pure sugar before... I'll definitely be fine this time too..."
???: "Have you ever actually survived one? I thought you were usually just swept away or crushed flat..."