CH 6

Chapter 6: A Love Story That Starts Here

It’s been a month since I met Dorami.

After clearing a quest like I usually do, I returned to the capital by train.

“Uuu…” (Dorami)

When we left the train station, Dorami leaned against the streetlight and groaned.

…What’s wrong with her? Did she get motion sickness? We take trains every day so I thought she was already used to it.

“I’m hungry…” (Dorami)

“Is it that bad?” (Jade)

“No… I just ate an ekiben*, but I’m already starving… Maybe there’s actually a monster with a voracious appetite hiding in my stomach.” (Dorami)

T/N: Ekiben = railway station lunch box, also she began talking in 3rd person after she got her name but I’ll only add it in sentences that seem like they fit.

Dorami was terrified by her own words.

“It’s just your growth period. When I was around your age I was hungry a lot too.” (Jade)

“Hearing that makes me feel relieved! Since I feel relieved, I’m even more hungry now! I want to eat something!” (Dorami)

“Then, let’s stop by a restaurant later.” (Jade)

“Eh?! A restaurant?!” (Dorami)

Dorami leans back as if she was shocked.

It’s no wonder that she’s surprised. I rarely go anywhere to eat so I can save time, after all.

“Finally, Dorami is making her restaurant debut…! But, why are we going to eat at a restaurant?” (Dorami)

“The guild is closed today so we have plenty of time.” (Jade)

The guild will open tomorrow morning. I need to go to bed early so I don’t oversleep but I still have time to go to a restaurant.

“I want to eat meat!” (Dorami)

“Yes, yes. But, before that, I’m going home so I can change my clothes. This outfit is just going to cause trouble for everyone.” (Jade)

The quest that I completed this time is the “Subjugation of The Iron Worm”.

Iron worms are giant earthworms that can swallow entire houses. Moreover, it’s longer than a train and its hardness is greater than that of iron. Also, you can’t cut it because it will multiply itself.

Though, even if it splits, the ones that don’t have magic stones will die after half a day. Meaning that if you DO leave them alone, they’re still going to rampage for a while.

That’s why I just decided to be eaten by one and destroy the magic stone from the inside.

Thanks to that, I’m covered in its bodily fluids. Also, when I pierced through from the inside to get out, some of the fluids also got on Dorami.

“Where is your house?” (Dorami)

“Over here.” (Jade)

We walked along the streets that were lit up by the glowing mushroom monsters’ magic stones and headed to the outskirts of the royal capital.

T/N: He actually adds a nickname to it, light mushroom = ライトマッシュ (raitomasshu) or lightmush but yeah that doesn’t really sound good in English.

It’s been around a year since I last went home but I still remember the way. After walking for about an hour from the train station, we finally reached my house.

It was a house I designed myself.

The carpenters were so impressed saying that it was about “you’re expressing your love for the people…”, but the hearts on the roof is actually a message for Garnet-san.

“Even the doors are heart-shaped!” (Dorami)

“Good job noticing! That’s also another important point.” (Jade)

If I start living with Garnet-san one day, I want her to receive my love every time she comes home. I designed it with that thought in mind but the carpenters just said that I was full of love for the people and were moved.

I opened the heart-shaped door and entered the house.

“Wow! It just lit up on its own!” (Dorami)

“I buried some king mushroom magic stone in the door.” (Jade)

“What even is that?” (Dorami)

“It’s the King of Light Mushrooms’ magic stone. When you use that particular magic stone, nearby light mushrooms will also light up.” (Jade)

“It’s so reassuring that the house is so bright as soon as you get home!” (Dorami)

“Right! I also don’t want to make the people I live with feel uneasy. Oh also, there’s a dressing room.” (Jade)

I had fun with the overreaction so I began showcasing the rooms.

Dorami exclaimed “amazing!” when we looked through the first dressing room.

“There are so many cute clothes! Oh! These clothes are so pretty!” (Dorami)

“That’s a party dress.” (Jade)

“What’s that white dress over there?” (Dorami)

“That’s something you wear during a wedding—a wedding dress. There are actually 28 more of them but this is definitely my favorite.” (Jade)

“I want to see it be worn soon!” (Dorami)

“Me too!” (Jade)

These were all dresses prepared for Garnet-san.

I don’t really know what Garnet-san prefers so I bought all sorts of things.

If she likes even one of these dresses then it’d be time for a celebration.

“I want to see it be worn now! Where’s your bride?” (Dorami)

“E-eh? W-why a bride?” (Jade)

“There’s no way you can have a wedding dress without a bride. I’ll be in your care for a while so I want to say hello.” (Dorami)

I felt good about the overreaction but now that I think about it, it’s definitely the work of a weirdo. If I tell someone the truth, I’ll probably get arrested.

Actually, it’s pretty difficult to confide in someone about my feelings. I haven’t told anyone that I like Garnet-san after all.

“Are you hungry? Let’s go take a bath and then eat dinner!” (Jade)

As I casually tried to deceive her, Dorami immediately bit the bait.

After enjoying the bath, we wrapped ourselves in clean clothes.

“That temperature was perfect… The comfort level is off the charts…” (Dorami)

“Right?! I had such a comfortable bathroom made so that I can just wash away the fatigue I experience daily!” (Jade)

“It’s such a waste to not return to such a wonderful place every day.” (Dorami)

“I’m an adventurer so work is my priority. We’ll be leaving at sunrise tomorrow so go to bed early today.” (Jade)

“I’m looking forward to sleeping in a fluffy bed!” (Dorami)

Dorami has already seen the bedroom.

And I’m thinking that someday I’ll wake up in the same room as Garnet-san, my face is heating up…

To have a happily married life sooner, I need to do my best and keep going to the guild!

While thinking about Garnet-san, I left the house with Dorami.

And then, Garnet-san exited the house next door.

Eh? Ehhhhhhhhhhh?!

Why?! Why is Garnet-san—?!

The only ones living in that house should be an old couple!

“Good evening!” (Dorami)

Despite my confusion, Dorami greeted her energetically.

“Good evening.” (Garnet)

Garnet-san greeted an excited Dorami!

Dorami beat me to it! She managed to strike up a private conversation with Garnet-san ahead of me!

It’s so unfair… I’ve only had business talks with her for 10 years…

No, wait… I couldn’t help but feel jealous at the start but now that I think about it, isn’t this a chance?

Because no matter how you look at it, I’m Dorami’s guardian.

If I suddenly called out to her in the city, I’d be a suspicious person, but Dorami greeted her first. If I, Dorami’s guardian, don’t greet her too, wouldn’t that be stranger?

That means that finally… finally!

It’s finally time to graduate from all these business-like conversations!

“G-good… Good eve…” (Jade)

Ahhh, I’m so nervous!

Actually, I just realized that Garnet-san is wearing casual clothes!

The uniform of the guild suits her well but her casual clothes make her look like a painting!

Was Garnet-san the type to wear pants?

That’s good. I have 82 pairs of pants. If it’s that much, there’ll definitely be something that she likes.

“…”

Garnet-san was staring at me.

This is bad! I was so absorbed by Garnet-san’s casual clothes that I stopped my greeting halfway!

If I miss this chance, we’ll go back to our daily business-like conversations! I have to greet her normally!

“G-good evening!” (Jade)

“Good evening.” (Garnet)

Ohhh!

OHHHHHH!

I greeted her! I’ve done it!

Finally…! I’ve finally done a casual talk with Garnet-san after 10 years! It’s been a long road…

This is where it all begins, my and Garnet-san’s love story!

“I finally got to say hello.” (Garnet)

Eh… Ehh?!

Garnet-san also wanted to greet me?!

“I just moved in so I wanted to greet the neighbors.”

Ahh… So that’s what she meant.

Unbelievable. To think that Garnet-san moved in next door without my knowledge.

If it’s like this, then I’m going home every day!

And then, Dorami pulls on my clothes.

“I’m hungry. I want to go to the restaurant soon.” (Dorami)

“Is she your little sister, perhaps?” (Garnet)

“Ah, no, she’s my relative!” (Jade)

“I am Dorami!” (Dorami)

“I’m Garnet.” (Garnet)

“My name is Jade!” (Jade)

“I already know your name.” (Garnet)

“Eh? Why…?” (Jade)

“You go to the guild daily.” (Garnet)

“You always ask for my name whenever I go to the guild so I thought you didn’t know…” (Jade)

“Confirming your name is a policy of the guild.” (Garnet)

I’m so relieved!

I thought she definitely wasn’t interested in me at all because she couldn’t remember my name.

“…” (Jade)

“…” (Garnet)

This is bad. The conversation just ended.

I have to say something!

If I can build a closer relationship right here, it’ll be easier to talk to her from tomorrow onwards!

Do your best, me! Show your courage!

“Ummm…” (Jade)

“What is it?” (Garnet)

“If you don’t mind… Let me carry your luggage!” (Jade)

“I’ll just take your feelings. This bag only has my underwear so it’s not heavy.” (Garnet)

Of all things, it had to be her underwear! Am I a pervert?!

“Where are you going with your underwear?” (Dorami)

“I’m going to the baths. There’s no bath in my house.”

That’s good information!

Dorami, I’m begging you. Invite Garnet-san to bathe at our place!

Tell her how comfortable our bath is!

“Take care~” (Dorami)

Kuu… So it was impossible!

Dorami’s words became a signal of parting so Garnet-san began walking away.

It’s the first time I’ve seen Garnet-san from behind… Her long swaying hair is so beautiful…

“Why are you grinning so much?” (Dorami)

“Because I’m happy…” (Jade)

“You like her that much?” (Dorami)

“I guess so…” (Jade)

Hm? AH! I messed up!

“That’s not what I meant just now—!” (Jade)

“It’s not something to be ashamed about.” (Dorami)

Ugh… She even saw through the fact that I was embarrassed about it.

“I like Jade too but I’m not embarrassed at all.” (Dorami)

“You like me?!” (Jade)

“Of course! I’m indebted to you after all.” (Dorami)

Ah… That type of like.

“Are you also indebted to Garnet?” (Dorami)

“I guess so. Garnet-san is the guild’s receptionist. As an adventurer, I’ve been in her care every day.” (Jade)

“Then you should give her some flowers as thanks.” (Dorami)

“Flowers?” (Jade)

“Garnet smelled like flowers and earth so I’m sure she likes to garden.” (Dorami)

Is that true?

It’s the first time I’ve received such useful information in my life.

I see. So Garnet-san likes flowers.

If that’s the case, then I’ll go get a rare flower and give it to Garnet-san as a present!

As I headed to the restaurant with Dorami, I began to think about what kind of flower I should give as a present.

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Translator’s Corner:

In case it isn’t obvious, I’m going to try and post every two days. I already have a backlog of unedited chapters and all I need to do is read through them to check for corrections before posting.