Translator: shiko
Proofreader: asuramaru
Chapter 6
"If you remove a few words, it'll feel like we're closer to each other."
"That's it? It doesn't sound formal."
"Then can you speak to me without using formalities?"
"Can I?"
I'd been speaking to Yse in formal language since the beginning, so I must have been using honorifics. There was a difference between speaking with Sarah (and my other friends) and speaking with Yse.
"Yes. I want to speak without formalities with you, however it's done."
Yse gave his distinctive eye smile. He wasn't too good-looking, but he was moderately handsome. Sometimes, however, he just looked too attractive.
"Do you prefer informal conversations?"
"Yes, I do. No, I like it."[1]
"I'm not familiar with speaking like this, but I'll get used to it with practice… right?"
I swallowed the natural honorifics threatening to spill from my throat as Yse patted my head. My answer seemed to be satisfactory. I'd suspected it earlier, but I was sure that he secretly desired to have friends."
"Meize, Meize, Meize."
"Um, why are you calling me like that?"
"You'll get used to it."
If I wanted to get used to it slowly, I'd have to speak formally and not just immediately remove all honorifics. Every now and then, I felt that there was something strange about Yse, but I never bothered to voice my concerns. It was because he looked so happy playing with my hair… and…
"Do you want to go out to dinner with me?"
First of all, because it was such a lovely day, I let comfortable asking him to dinner. No matter how accustomed I was to eating alone, I'd rather eat with other people. It feels really lonely eating in silence.
"How is it, Meize? Is it good?"
"Yes, it's the best. The best thing I've ever eaten."
I nodded repeatedly whilst staring at Yse, who skillfully spoke without using formal language. It wasn't a lie. The restaurants he recommends always make delicious food, so everytime I eat, a large smile spreads across my face.
Ah, if I had money, I'd buy this whole restaurant. How can meat melt so easily and quickly as if it was ice cream? Without even thinking of chewing, my hands moved repeatedly with my knife and fork, cutting the meat that disappeared as soon as I tasted the juices.
"No one's gonna take the steak away from you so take it slowly."
Listening to Yse's pleasant laughter, I pushed the piece of meat into my mouth. Any other thoughts were immediately erased from my mind.
Ah, I was definitely trying to be elegant. All because of Yse. I'm getting distracted because he keeps on introducing me to delicious food.
"I enjoy watching you eat."
(PR/N: mukbang? •_•)
He keeps telling me to eat as much as I want… and my appetite keeps overtaking my reasoning.
I scooped up some mashed potatoes and put them in my mouth. The refreshing and savory taste combined with the steak made my mouth water. It really is delicious.
You know, Yse, is the chef married?"
I never realised that I had such an immense appetite. I slumped my shoulders, staring sadly at the empty plate.
"Hm? Why do you ask that all of a sudden?"
Yse switched his plate with my empty one as he held his fork. His plate had been left untouched except for the nicely cut meat. What does he eat? I've never seen him eat before and it's amazing how he keeps that body.
"The food is so good that I want to marry the chef. If you marry the cook, you'll be able to eat these meals forever."
I'd only emptied the plate of steak, but Yse mumbled something as he stared at the meat, looking as if it was the first time he'd heard of such a thing. His mood changed.
"Meize, are you going to propose to the cook?"
"Of course it's a joke. I'm not actually going to do it. If I keep eating the dish, it won't be special anymore. The real reason is quite shaky."
"…"
I thought we were starting to be more comfortable with each other so I'd joked around. Why are you so stiff? Are my jokes not your cup of tea?
"It's a joke. I'm just kidding. I'm not that easy. I don't have any intention of dating yet and I don't know if I'll be able to relax when I become a royal official."
I'd been spending a lot of time with other people these days so it felt a little lonely when I came home. But now, I wanted to focus on my career. You'll only be able to stand on your feet when you have power, meaning that you can be confident in any situation.
"The only way to be relaxed is to not be a government employee." [Yse]
"Huh? Ah, ah. I work a lot of jobs these days. I don't have to work as a royal official." [Meize]
Sometimes, I thought of working other jobs, but I still have strong memories from my past life. I could only think of civil servants when imagining stable jobs. I don't know what I'm good at nor what I want to do.
"No, that's not what I mean. Rather…"
"Rather?"
What is he trying to say? I frowned at Yse, who wasn't talking to me like he usually did.
"To solve loneliness and stability…"
"Something like a wedding?"
Why does it make me feel bad when I say that? I poked the meat with my fork sourly. The thought of getting married left a bad taste in my mouth.
"If that's the case, don't tell me. I've been under a lot of pressure lately."
I was lucky to meet Yse but there were rumors that we had been meeting for nothing, so I'd been asked on a lot of blind dates. There are people who watch from the back.
"What's pressuring you?"
"I don't mean to say this but, these days, I seem to have become a woman who carries the words 'looking for love' on my forehead."
"Hm?"
"Really, I swear, I'm not boasting…"
I couldn't bring the words out of my mouth easily since I didn't know what kind of looks I'd get after saying them. Yse stared straight into my eyes.
"You can speak comfortably, Meize. We're on the same page, aren't we?"
"…I mean, I'm a first-class bride."
Why is it that I'm so ashamed of saying that? I swallowed and continued speaking.
"I didn't know I was. It wasn't only in our village. In other villages I was rumored to be the nicest and most beautiful girl in the world and now loads of blind date offers are coming in."
It would have been fine if I'd refused from the beginning, but I had a history of not refusing requests… and now I'm frustrated that I feel as if I have to accept their offers. Would the owner of the bookstore, who gave me the job of making a manuscript, try to push me towards his nephew too?
"I guess it's just the wedding age, and since I'm getting closer to everyone these days they must think of me more comfortably. They're proposing a meetup…"
The novel described Meize as 'the best', but I wasn't aware that she was also famous for being the best bride. The real Meize has only ever looked at Syukr… and never bothered with other men.
"How can I help you?"
In comparison to my fears of being ridiculed by Yse, I didn't sense a mocking tone in his words. His voice was just calm. A bit too calm.
"No, there's nothing you'd be able to do. Just sitting down and listening to my story is good enough. I can't talk about this to other people."
"I've already told you, Meize. Speak comfortably around me. I'll do anything for you."
Yse gently wrapped his hand around mine. I didn't know what to do and unconsciously curled my fingers. Is it because I'm under so much stress these days? It was a short moment, but once again, I had the illusion that Yse's eyes were burning red.
"I'm really fine…"
"Really?"
As the sediment was piling up, Yse looked at me with a heavy stare. As if searching me, slowly and leisurely. But more meticulous than ever.
It was a sharp look, but I wasn't scared. Rather, I was worried. That's why I continued smiling, even if the strange look made everything awkward. It'd been a while since I'd been so nervous, but I didn't feel bad.
"I'm really alright."
Although intrusive proposals were uncomfortable, I didn't think that they'd continue. Things like that happen once in a blue moon. Ignore them and everything will be fine.
"Meize, I always think this, but you're a little bit too carefree. Even though it's your business, you think of it so casually."
"Well, honestly, I'll admit that."
I have to admit that I'm now living in another world, but it isn't easy. You know what? No matter how interesting a novel or a series is, if you get a spoiler, it's not gonna be that good anymore. Sometimes I wonder if I'm like that. Because I know the story, I'm living as one of the characters… but seeing it from another view point.
"Look, you're thinking about something else now."
His hand grasped my chin. I stared up at him. Maybe it's because I'm used to it. Yse wasn't the same as usual today. Maybe he got more handsome?
"That's why I can't leave you alone."
"Why can't you let me go?"
"Go out with me."
"Huh?"
"Meize Hazelnut, as of today, you're dating me."
What did I just hear?
Go out? Who's in a relationship with who? Am I dating Yse?
They say that if a person is too impulsive, they're just dumb. I attempted to awaken my mind that had stopped working along with my brain circuit.
"How can you joke about such things?"
"I'm not playing any games, and…"
Yse's hand that was grasping my chin moved up to my cheek. Unlike his firm and callused hand, his palm felt soft as it touched my cheek. But how come someone who has only ever studied has so many calluses on his hand? It felt like he'd held a sword like Syukr.
"Why does it make no sense for you and me to start dating?"
"Well, we're friends, aren't we?"
His eyes trembled as he asked if it was the right thing.
[1] In the first sentence Yse is speaking in formal language before correcting himself and then speaking in informal language.