Chapter 28: Once more, the promise.
Translated and Edited by: ynlucca.
If you’re enjoying it, be sure to click on the Like button and comment to let me know!
“You’re late, Noel.”
Walking into a tastefully lit private room, I was greeted by Rokoko’s soft, pouty cheeks. The place gave off a slight posh vibe, accentuating her long silver hair. It glimmered down tantalizing and elegant; paired with her white mini skirt, she screamed “aristocrat” or “wealthy merchant” no matter how you’d chop it.
Well, not that there are any darker-skinned noblewomen in this kingdom. Probably.
“Sorry, sorry! The bathroom was crowded! …Wait, what’s wrong, Rokoko? Why did you scoot all the way over here?”
I apologized and was about to take my seat across from her. At least that was my intention. As I was sitting down, she stood up, approached me, and firmly took my hands in hers.
“I was worried something happened to you…” Her voice was so faint and frail, that it could almost pass for whispers of wind. She looked at me for a moment before her soft bangs covered her eyes, downcast.
…Maybe I’ve been overthinking things a bit. I mean, for her, sitting around like this was probably a first—No. It was also the first time I sat down with friends at a table to eat. But if I kept her waiting without so much as a word, of course she’d worry!
“I’m sorry, Rokoko. But it’s fine. We made a promise, right? To sit at the same table and enjoy delicious food together. I never break a promise with my friends. No matter what.”
“Noel… Yeah. It’s a promise.”
Her glistening blue eyes, like dewy moons, were fixed on me. I teased her just a bit to hide my embarrassment as our fingers entwined. And so, we reaffirmed our promise once more.
With that resolved, the two of us sat down facing each other. Finally at ease, I asked her about something that had been on my mind for a few minutes. “By the way, Rokoko? It looks like the waitstaff has left. Did you already place our order?”
“Yes. Noel, Rokoko didn’t understand the menu, so I just asked for everything they recommended.”
“Oh, I see. The staff’s recommendations, huh? I guess that’s reassuring. In such an upscale place, everything should be quite delicious. It’s unlikely they’d miss the mark… Wait. Huh? All… of it…?”
“Mhm! It’ll be a feast for sure! I’m looking forward to it!”
“Yeah, uh… sure…? I’m looking forward to it… haha…”
Naturally, I couldn’t just out with my feelings at the sight of her glimmering eyes. Not the concerns of the huge upcoming bill, or even how full our stomachs would be. I blushed and my smile faltered. All I could do was gently pat my quivering wallet—which grew ever-so-thinner—and wish it good luck. As well as my stomach.
Thank you for reading! Feel free to comment your opinions below!
Also, if you enjoyed my translation and would like to feed my caffeine addiction, click on the button below and graciously give me my fix—I mean, a cup of coffee.