“Ah, you think I’m just some country guy, huh?” I asked. “Nope, totally wrong. I used to live in a big city.” I meant Tokyo, which was several times more crowded than the capital. That said, the diversity of the people here certainly surprised me.
“Tee hee! Look at you, getting all serious.”
“Only because you made me sound like a country bumpkin.” Regardless, Stella seemed to have taken an interest in me.
The garden was hard to navigate. Whenever we thought we were making our way out, we wound up near a different part of the villa. Each time that happened, we whined.
“Why’s this place so pointlessly huge?” Stella complained.
“They must have tons of gardeners on staff,” I sighed.
For some reason, she laughed at my observation. “You’re thinking about that?”
“Well, I mean…caring for this many flowers and other plants over this much space must be a real struggle, you know?” I could really empathize with that after all my time raising herbs in the meadow. “By the way, where’d you learn all those flower names, Stella?”
“Well, I used to like reading books on different subjects, not just flowers,” she replied. “That way, I never ran out of topics for conversation.”
“Aha. I see why you’re so knowledgeable.”
“Um, I’m really not used to such blunt praise,” she said shyly.
Just taking this stroll didn’t feel like a big enough thank-you to Stella. If only I could make her something…
Suddenly, I thought of a gift I could concoct from the foods, fruits, and drinks served at the party. I wasn’t certain Stella would like it, but it was a must-have for women back on Earth, and it was better than giving her nothing.
“Hm, where’s the kitchen?” I muttered, staring at the massive villa. Sure, I could’ve made the product from roots and petals here in the garden, but this green space was very well kept. Tampering with someone else’s work would be rude. Still, I highly doubted I’d find the kitchen by chance, and wandering aimlessly—even as a guest—would raise eyebrows.
“Hmm?” said Stella. “You want to go to the kitchen?”
“Uh…yeah. Just for a sec.”
“Looking for a snack?”
“Something like that,” I said, lying, I wanted this to be a surprise.
“You’ve got quite a big appetite,” she teased, then pointed. “The kitchen’s that way.”
“You sure know this building.” Had she been here before?
“If you’re hungry, you should have just said so.”
“You’re right. But I actually want to take care of something else too.”
“Oh?” Stella tilted her head, but I didn’t explain further.
Thinking that we were heading to the kitchen for a bite to eat, Stella began chatting about food. Her comments were nothing special, yet she was uniquely gifted in terms of carrying a conversation. Just listening to her felt good, and she also prompted me to speak at times. Her graceful chitchat reminded me of a talk show hostess or something.
Was she a dancer? Or actually a noblewoman? Elaine was a stereotypical blue blood, but Stella was completely different. Had some aristocrat taken a liking to her and invited her tonight? If so, how come she knew where the kitchen was?
Bewildered, I followed Stella to a classroom-sized kitchen. “It doesn’t seem like anyone’s here,” she noted.
“I won’t be long,” I said.
“I hope not. How much do you plan to eat?”
Ignoring her sarcasm, I searched the shelves for the necessary ingredients. After about five minutes, I began preparing them with a mortar and pestle. I also juiced some fruit. I didn’t have my normal tools and my process was different from usual, but I didn’t struggle much. The massive kitchen had stand-ins for most of my equipment.
“Aren’t you going to eat something?” Stella asked with uncertainty.
“Nope.”
“Just what exactly are you up to…?” she mused.
I bottled the ingredients, mixed them, and shook the concoction once. The bottle then began to glow.
Shiny Nails: Brush onto nails. Produces beautiful fingertips. Fast drying.
“That was magic just now, wasn’t it?”
“Uh, more like a skill,” I replied. Next to a container of herbs, I found an empty bottle about the size of my index finger and poured the Shiny Nails inside. The concoction had a soft reddish-beige hue.
“It’s beautiful,” Stella told me.
“Please take it,” I replied. “I want to thank you properly for everything.”
“Wait. It’s for me?”
“Yeah. Here.” I handed her the bottle. “It’s a present.”
“Thank you!” Then, however, she cocked her head, unsure how to use the liquid.
If only I had a brush… Ah! There’s some. Jeez, they really do have everything here. There were various brushes, from huge to tiny. I figured the kitchen staff used them to decorate bread and cakes.
I put some Shiny Nails on the smallest brush I could find. “Your fingertips, if you please,” I said, extending my hand to Stella.
She placed hers atop it. “Uh, sure…”
“Here’s how to use this stuff.” I brushed the liquid gently over her nails. I had never given anyone a manicure, or gotten one myself for that matter, so I was worried I’d do it incorrectly. Fortunately, the Shiny Nails worked nicely. “Just like that.”
“Amazing.” Stella gazed down at both of her hands with her eyes sparkling. She then bent her fingers like cat claws and stared at them closely. “They’re beautiful! You’re sure you want to give me such a wonderful gift?”
“Absolutely. I made it for you, after all.”
“Ah…” Stella blushed and grasped for the right words. “N-now I get it. You’re trying to charm me, aren’t you?”
“No, that’s not my intention.” I said with a hesitant smile. “I’m just expressing my gratitude.”
Suddenly, I heard something clinking. It sounded like a tray of dishes or glassware shaking. A waiter was probably carrying dirty plates and glasses to the kitchen.
“Ugh. Crap.” Who knew what the staff would say if they found Stella and I here?
“This way!” Grabbing my hand, Stella led me outside through an exit, just like how she pulled me out of the ball. Not only did she manage to leave the kitchen by a deserted route, but we circled back to the right entrance without getting lost, not even once.
“Do you live here…?” I asked.
“No. If I did, I wouldn’t be a dancer, would I?”
“How come you’re so familiar with this place then?”
Masked ladies and gentlemen were now filing out of the villa. It seemed like the ball had concluded.
“It’s already over…” Stella said sadly. Suddenly, she wrapped her arms around me tight.
“Whoa!”
“Come on, you can handle that, right?” she laughed.
“It was so sudden! I was just surprised, that’s all.”
“Thanks for the gift. I’ll save it for special occasions.”
“No need. When you run out, just drop by my drugstore.”
Stella looked up, surprised. “Really…?”
“Of course. You’ll have to buy it next time though.”
“Cheapskate.” She frowned playfully.
I shrugged. “What can I say? It’s my job.”
“I have to go now.” Standing on tiptoe, Stella gently kissed my cheek. “As a thank-you for the thank-you gift,” she whispered in my ear. She then stepped back and started walking away, only turning around once to wave sadly. “I had fun! Thanks for the lovely night.”
I waved back. “See you around, Stella!” I called, watching her fade into the crowd of masked guests and vanish.