“…Oh, this is the book I wanted to read…”
And then, the staring match? quickly ended.
She seemed to have found another book of interest again, as she started pulling out another difficult-looking book, crouching by the bookshelf.
“Wh-what are the odds… This section has… I really can’t believe we can read these for free…”
She pulled out another book from the shelf.
In the blink of an eye, two more additions.
Luna’s hands were now completely full, three books stacked in them.
“Um, um, may I start reading right away?”
“Ahaha, go right ahead.”
Those usually sleepy-looking eyes were shining like gems. I could tell she was excited.
“Then I’ll look for a book I want to read too. Can you wait in the reading area over there? “
“Understood. Please excuse me then.”
In this library setting, it should be fine to take my eyes off her for a bit.
(Hmm, is she really planning to read through those three books…? Well, as long as she’s enjoying herself.)
Seeing Luna happily hugging the books and sitting down in the reading area, I can’t help but smile unconsciously.
Even though she seems so happy, I found something nice after entering the library.
I head to the counter to get it without letting her notice this action.
“Excuse me. Can I get the four-leaf clover shaped bookmark and the feather shaped bookmark in that glass case over there? Ah, since I won’t use them right away, could you put them in a box for me?”
[Girls like things they can use on a daily basis]
Remembering that advice, I purchased two stylish metallic bookmarks.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT gadgetizedpanda.net
It was evening when we left the Royal Library.
“I’m very satisfied,” she says.
“I’m glad to hear that,” I reply.
We chat while riding in a carriage, heading downtown.
“Weren’t you bored? It seems like I was the only one having fun…”
“I had fun too. There were a lot of interesting things besides reading.”
“Really? Like what?”
“Well, you know…”
I can’t help grinning.
Maybe because there were more books than the academy library, I got to see many rare sights of her.
“For example…seeing Luna happily reading.”
“Oh…”
“Seeing Luna trying to grab as many books as she could, even though she clearly didn’t have enough time to read them all…”
“…”
“Despite there being a footstool right next to her, she stretched her body as hard as she could to reach a book she really wanted to read…”
“……Please don’t mistake how to enjoy the library.”
Her weak rebuttal is understandable.
Since they are all facts, she has no way to brush it off.
“Ah, don’t spread bad rumors about me. It will come back to haunt you. You should polish yourself more.”
“That hits me hard, but…”
“It’s payback for teasing me. If you don’t want any more payback, keep what you saw today a secret.”
“O-okay… I guess I have no choice but to keep it a secret.”
Realizing she is serious from her quick end to the conversation, I have no words.
“…”, Luna lowers her head.
“What’s wrong?”
“….Thank you for the library visit. I didn’t tell you before, but I normally don’t go out, so I’ve always wanted to visit that library at least once.”
“You should have just told me if you wanted to go so badly.”
“It’s not a place suitable for playing, so I couldn’t say it. Once I start reading, I tend to get absorbed in my own world.”
After looking out at the evening sky from inside the carriage, she turns her gaze to me.
“So thank you very much.”
“You’re welcome. Well, I wanted to go to the library too, so don’t worry about it. There were still books I wanted to read, so it was a good harvest for me too.”
“You’re good at glossing things over. But I know you considered me first.”
“…”
I’m no match for her piercing insight.
“So let me say one thing. You’re skilled at socializing, but be careful not to corner yourself with your glibness.”
“Corner myself?”
“Yes. For example, what would you do if I said [let’s go to the library together again] after reading? From morning until evening next time.”
“Oh, I see your point. By pushing myself like that, I’d have no choice but to accept the invitation.”
“That’s right.”
Luna explains it clearly and simply.
“Well, I’d be thrilled to go with Luna anywhere, so that example doesn’t apply to me.”
“…”
“And I really mean it. But if we use the library all day, I’d have to do my academy assignments too, not just read.”
Reading all day would be too much. I’ll assert my opinion here.
“Then…let’s go together again. The two of us…to the library.”
She says it hesitantly, but with courage as she balls her fists.
“Of course,”
“It’s a promise, okay? Don’t break it. I’m looking forward to it.”
“That’s my line.”
“It’s my line.”
“No, I think I should say something.”
“I believe you are me. Furthermore, you broke a promise, did you not?”
“Huh?”
“You said you would…after I finished reading. Yet, you still haven’t.”
When Luna hung her head low and clasped her hands together in her lap, she finally remembered.
[“After I finish reading…um, could I hold your hand again?”] were the words.
“Oh, uh, of course I remembered! I just couldn’t find the right moment?”
“Then please fulfill that promise first.”
“Uh, yeah.”
Her palms were touching the carriage seat. To hold hands, the only option was to overlap them like a lid.
“Okay then…yes.”
“…”
As her hands were enveloped, a small sigh escaped Luna’s mouth, as if to confirm.
“Umm, is this kinda embarrassing? I mean, isn’t this more embarrassing than just normally holding hands?”
“You’re right…it is. So, um, could you just touch my pinky instead?”
“Huh? That’s even more embarrassing!”
“I, I don’t understand the meaning. Please consider the surface area being touched. Is it not many times less?”
“I know that, but the situation is…”
“You’re being mean again.”
“I’m not!”
Why do we keep misunderstanding each other like this? It must be my own doing.
“If you’re not teasing, then I have no choice… I’ll compromise.”
“You’re a lifesaver.”
“Oh, now that I think of it, I haven’t asked yet. Where should we have dinner?”
“I was thinking of going to Epheril. It’s close to the academy and I heard from Shia it has a good reputation and customer base.”
“That’s right. It’s run by Lady Elena’s parents after all.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that.”
“Yes, it’s part of their chain of restaurants.”
“Nice, I’m looking forward to it even more now.”
My stomach is rumbling just the right amount. It seems I’ll be able to enjoy the food thoroughly.
Epheril Restaurant.
It was a place with dimmed lighting and a relaxed color scheme that gave off a clean feel.
There were no noisy customers. Each person maintained the atmosphere, wrapped in a cozy mood.
“The food is delicious, I’m very satisfied.”
“That’s good to hear. It lives up to its reputation.”
After finishing the course meal of appetizers, soup, and main dishes, we wait for dessert while enjoying conversation.
Despite being full, chatting with Luna is fun.
“It’s been a while since I had a meal with you, hasn’t it?”
“Oh right, since the first time we met in the library?”
“I think so.”
“This might be the wrong time to bring it up, but the sandwich I got from Luna then was really delicious too.”
I still remember that taste.
With a nostalgic feeling, I give my impression, and Luna tilts her head to listen.
“I can make them for you again if you’d like.”
“Well, I’ll have to politely decline. It’d just increase the work for your family’s servants.”
“It’s no problem. I haven’t told you until now, but I’m the one who made that sandwich.”
“What!? Luna can cook, not just study?”
“I wouldn’t say I’m skilled enough to brag about…”
“Still, that’s amazing. And unusual you don’t leave it to the servants.”
“Perhaps this will sound conceited, but I’m interested in food that builds the body. It is our capital after all.”
“I see, that’s a Luna-like reason.”
Rather than [for my future] or [it’s a useful skill], she took an interest from a philosophical perspective – that’s so like her.
“But weren’t you stopped? Cooking can be dangerous.”
“Yes. I insisted selfishly.”
“I bet it was especially risky at first. Handling blades is difficult, and using your non-dominant hand feels clumsy until you get used to it.”
“Could it be…you also dabble in cooking? You used the term [cat’s hand], not common unless you cook.”
“Oh, uh…”
Of course I can’t explain [because I reincarnated so I naturally can do it].
“Well, how to put it…”
“Yes?”
“Um, this might not make much sense, but having cooking skills can help support the servants if they ever fall ill, right? I thought it was a good thing to learn just in case.”
(I could cook in my past life, so I know the basics, but I can’t actually cook in this world…Byleth has no cooking experience.)
I obscure the discrepancy between past and present.
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