𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟖: 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫

It was around 4 o’clock in the afternoon. As the sky began to be dyed in a beautiful twilight, we were in a district where restaurants and eateries were gathered, about a 30-minute walk from the inn.

It was the time when people would start gathering at the taverns as the night approached, so there were many other people coming and going besides us.

There was a shop said to be run by Cid’s mother in the zone with a pleasant aroma, where they sold meat pies, kebabs, and other grilled meats.

“That shop?”

“It seems so.”

We secretly peeked into the shop from behind a hiding spot.

Wait, why is it a bento shop again?!

Following the heroine, why is Cid’s mother also running a bento shop?!

“Well, it’s highly likely that the author of this novel’s actual home is a bento shop, or maybe the major shareholder of the publishing company owns a bento shop chain.”

I murmured, and Cid tilted his head curiously. I felt the length of our companionship in the fact that he didn’t ask further questions.

“Cid, do you understand?”

In the visible range of the shop, there were three women. A young girl with light brown hair, who was probably in her teens, so she seemed different in age.

The other two were around 40 years old, and there was still a possibility that one of them was Cid’s mother with black hair.

“We can’t tell from here. I thought there would be more of a shock like ‘Ah!’ or something.”

“Well, distance is a factor. It’s too far from here.”

“I was a little surprised that Vi-sama has good eyes.”

Pretending to be customers, we slowly approached the shop.

For some reason, I felt more nervous, and I tightly held Cid’s hand.

“It’s okay.” 

For some reason, I felt encouraged by him. His smiling face made me feel a little relieved as usual.

Cid, still wearing his hooded robe, led me by the hand and approached the front of the shop.

Then, our feet stopped just a few meters away.

It happened from both sides, but the trigger was undoubtedly the clear view of the woman’s face behind the counter.

“Ah. . .!”

I could tell that Cid next to me gasped. 

She had slightly long black hair with gentle waves and Her kind-looking crimson eyes.

Her way of speaking gave off the feeling of an ordinary mother, but I thought her smiling face resembled Cid.

Noticing us standing still, she gave us a friendly smile.

“Welcome! We only have pie wraps and sandwiches left. Would that be alright?”

A bright and cheerful voice.

With our arrival of as new customers, the woman who had been chatting with the previous customer waved her hand and left.

We let go of each other’s hands and approached the counter.

Cid’s mother took our order with a smile. I couldn’t sense any indication that she realized her son had come to see her.

“Well then. . .a sandwich.”

When Cid said that, she cheerfully replied, “Thank you!” I handed her the basket, and she skillfully put the sandwich in it.

“What about Miss? What would you like?”

“Huh? Oh, I’ll have. . .the same thing.”

“Which sauce would you like? We have sweet and spicy.” 

“Um, then the spicy one.”

She dipped the meat into the sauce vigorously, and the sandwich was quickly completed.

After putting two portions in the basket, Cid received it with his usual smile.

We paid the money, and with just that, the reunion between mother and son was over.

“Thank you!!”

She waved her hand with a bright smile.

Cid smiled and murmured, “Thank you.” 

He quickly turned his back and walked away, and I followed him.

I had doubts about whether this was the right thing to do, but it was impossible to have any further conversation in that situation with other customers present.

After walking for a while, Cid held my hand and smiled.

“Let’s go back to the inn.”

“Yeah. . .”

His smile looked painful, and my heart ached.

He wasn’t shedding tears or making any crying sounds, but I still felt like Cid was crying.

Because I suggested coming here. . .

I realized that my attempt to bring the two of them together only ended up hurting Cid. It choked me up.

I couldn’t say sorry.

If Cid hadn’t truly agreed with it, no matter how much I persuaded him, he wouldn’t have come.

Cid is much smarter than me, so he must have considered various things before agreeing to visit Welhinesta. So, maybe it’s different for me to say sorry.

Then what should I say?

Without any ideas coming to mind, we arrived at our room at the inn. 

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