𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞
“W, Well, being alone with someone I’ve just met for the first time is a bit. . .”
ㅤ
Currently, I am a town girl! I don’t know how a town girl is supposed to fall in love, but it shouldn’t be unnatural to refuse here!
After all, I have the feeling that there are hardly any people who would smile and say “Yes!” in this situation!
ㅤ
“Is that so. . . that’s a shame.”
“Could it be, are you angry because I bought a lot of items? I always left aside what those who buy a lot usually get.”
“What is needed and how much varies, you know.”
“What do you need today? I won’t buy that.”
“Hmm? You didn’t come to buy necessities?”
ㅤ
Maurice’s eyes are not smiling. Only his mouth, which emits a sticky, entwining voice, forms the shape of a smile, which is frightening.
Perhaps sensing the ominous atmosphere, the shop auntie is holding a frying pan in both hands, as if ready to hit Maurice if necessary, though it seems like a bad move against this man. There is an eeriness about him, not knowing what he might do.
ㅤ
“I’m studying cooking, and that’s why I’m buying various things.”
“Do you use this many herbs and condiments for everything?”
ㅤ
I want information. But even now, through my expressions and such, I might be giving away some information without knowing. It’s unclear what the right answer is.
. . .It’s scary. The fact that my actions and words could ruin everyone’s efforts, especially Roa-sama’s, is truly terrifying.
ㅤ
━━To have the strength to continue striving, even if I don’t know what I’m suited for, or if I’m on the right path. . . I want that.
ㅤ
Suddenly, I remember the words I once said to Roa-sama.
At the same time, I remember Roa-sama’s words.
It was when I was still not accustomed to being a kitchen maid. A quiet night, the first time I truly faced Roa-sama’s true feelings, in the stillness where only our presences were felt.
The night I decided on the name Roa.
ㅤ
━━Miss Norchev, too, must have spared no effort.
ㅤ
I don’t want to betray my own efforts. They may seem small to a hardworking person, but I have struggled as much as I can. I’ve done what I could.
I don’t want to lose Roa-sama’s trust. I want to stand proudly next to that person, without shame.
ㅤ
I take a breath and lift my face. I fix my gaze on the face above, placing both hands on my hips.
It’s enough if I can just bluff while I’m confronting Maurice Maigret! Come on, Alice Norchev, you can do it!
ㅤ
“So, what’s your answer? Why do you buy such things? You’ve just arrived. Hey, why?”
“I see. Uncle, you seem to be very suspicious of me, aren’t you!”
ㅤ
I point my finger decisively.
ㅤ
“I will accept your invitation to tea. However, I refuse to be alone. There is a plaza just ahead, isn’t there? I’m fine with that place. Please don’t harm me, not mentally or physically!”
“I have no intention of harming you. Yeah, that’s good. I wasn’t confident about inviting someone to tea.”
“No one would go to tea after hearing that.”
“But Ojou-san is here. You’re my first person.”
“Eek!”
ㅤ
Goosebumps! Terrible goosebumps!
ㅤ
“Please stop saying disgusting things! Absolutely! Never say it again! Really! Never!”
“. . .Do you dislike it that much?”
ㅤ
The eeriness of Maurice that was present until now disappears, and he looks dejectedly with drooping shoulders.
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“The reason I accepted your invitation is because I thought you would keep following me and asking questions if I didn’t.”
“You, do you know me? How can you understand such things?”
ㅤ
. . .Perhaps, there are too many eccentrics around me.
Understanding the thoughts of an eccentric, equals me being an eccentric. . . No, that can’t be right! It shouldn’t be!
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“Please don’t come too close.”
“I’m not trusted, am I.”
ㅤ
In this situation, how can one be deemed trustworthy.
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Nodded to the auntie who still hadn’t put down the frying pan before starting to walk.
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“. . . . . .I’m leaving now.”
“Are you alright?! Sorry for talking about ojou-san just now!”
“It’s fine. . .May I borrow the frying pan?”
“I’ll give you a ladle too! Bring it here!”
ㅤ
Walking with Maurice, armed with a frying pan and a ladle. As the giant and eerie Maurice walks down the middle of the road, people dodge to the sides with great speed.
Is this Moses? Is this the sea?
ㅤ
Walking behind Maurice, wielding a frying pan and pot, I am equally the center of attention.
Most people send looks of “Are you alright?!” “Do you need help?” to which I lightly shake my head. The people of this town are truly kind.
ㅤ
“We’ve arrived at the square. Since I invited you for tea. . . we need something to drink. I’ll go buy it.”
“No, thank you. Let’s start with our conversation.”
“Really? Well, I can’t have a lady standing, please take a seat on the bench.”
ㅤ
Maurice takes out a handkerchief and places it on the bench. He seems to have the noble sensibility of escorting and casually using a handkerchief.
ㅤ
“Why do you put a handkerchief on the bench?”
“Eh? I put it there for you to sit on.”
“Handkerchiefs are for wiping hands, not for sitting on.”
ㅤ
He looks as if to say, what are you talking about. I can’t just sit down and reveal that I’m a noble.
ㅤ
“Eh? Oh, right, commoners don’t do this sort of thing.”
“I don’t understand much, but the elderly sit, and the young stand. You’re an uncle, so you should sit.”
“Then, you sit too.”
ㅤ
Apparently, he disliked having someone stand behind him, armed with a frying pan.
I sat at the far end of the bench.
ㅤ
“So, why is someone new to this town buying only seasonings and herbs?”
“Before that, why do you think I’m new to town?”
“Eh? Because I’ve never seen you at the market before.”
“. . .Do you remember people’s faces?”
“Yes. I’m good at that sort of thing.”
ㅤ
That means he can clearly remember my responses, right?
Scary. Rather, creepy. Strange.
I send him an unhidden bewildered look.
ㅤ
“. . .I bought them because I need them for a dish I want to make.”
“What are you making?”
“Why does uncle want to know?”
“Because you, you’re suspicious.”
“Being suspected by a suspicious uncle. . .”
“That’s true too. But I can’t let you go unless you tell me. You and I are together forever.”
“Hiiii!! Didn’t I tell you not to say creepy things?!”
“Is this also no good?”
ㅤ
Maurice, when dejected, seems to lose the scariness he had before. It’s frightening how he can switch emotions on and off like a machine.
It’s utterly unclear what might flip his switch. Except when he’s downhearted, he just keeps a smile, which makes it all the more so.
ㅤ
“Well, what are you making?”
“. . .It’s curry.”
“Curry! Nice, you’re making that.”
“You know about it?!”
“I’ve eaten it before. It’s delicious, isn’t it?”
“While I managed to make something resembling curry, I’ve never actually eaten real curry, so I’m curious about how it truly tastes.”
“Then, let me taste it when you’ve made it. Since my doubts are cleared for now, let’s call it a day. . . .If we keep this up, I feel like the shopkeepers won’t sell their goods to me.”
ㅤ
Perhaps, that premonition is not wrong.
ㅤ
“I’ll come when your curry is ready. Where are you staying?”
“As if I’d tell a suspicious uncle.”
“That’s true.”
ㅤ
Maurice, who backed off easily, stood up. Standing next to him while I’m seated, he looks like a giant.
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“If uncle uses a lot of herbs, I’ll buy from another market.”
“Don’t worry, just buy from that market. If you disappear at this time, people might think I killed you.”
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Hmm, can’t deny that.
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“See you again at the market. I’ll ask how the curry turned out. It’s not something that can be made in a few days, so it’ll be obvious.”
“Is that so.”
ㅤ
A curry left overnight is desired?
Seeing my face, which clearly doesn’t understand, Maurice relaxed a bit. He turns his back to me and leaves with a snobbish wave of his hand.
ㅤ
Seconds later, I finally realized the meaning of Maurice’s words.
If I’m using the name of curry as a reason to approach Maurice or gather information, I’ll be found out immediately as a threat!
I thought curry could be made in a day, what is he talking about?!
ㅤ
“Ojou-san, are you alright?”
“You weren’t harmed, were you?!”
ㅤ
People from nearby shops and the square rushed over, surrounding me as I slumped down, offering towels and juice.
ㅤ
“T, That was scary. . .”
ㅤ
Yes, it was terrifying enough to make my knees buckle.
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