So she said, but she’d already pulled the hood low over her face and looked ready to bolt out the door.
Once I started walking, she glued herself right to my side as if she were my little sister or girlfriend or something. She seriously has no sense of personal space—I thought but didn’t say out loud. As usual, I was self-conscious of it, but I simply cracked an awkward smile.
“I was just goin’ round to bookshops before work. I left the dorms real early today.”
“How fortuitous that I ran into you of all people, Feil Fonaf.”
“Sheesh. You could’ve brought a friend or somethin’. Anybody would’ve gone with ya… Considerin’ the complicated roads, I dunno if they’d know the way in this part of town, though.”
Once we were out of the bookshop, we passed through small roads lined with independent shops and houses, heading over on the quickest route to Tabitha Books. Sasha was looking around curiously all over the place, but she probably wouldn’t come by here again.
We headed down a tidy lane where there wasn’t even a single beggar.
The land of Shidoh had been known since ancient times for being a place that treated its people well, with workhouses, free hospitals, and places for occupational training. Though there was a class difference to a certain extent, Shidoh was top in the eight grand kingdoms for having the lowest crime rate. Even this comparatively safe alleyway was just one blessing provided by Sasha’s father and the other ancestors of the genial and sensible royal family.
“Urgh… Looks a tad snug over there…”
“Wh-what should we do? Do you think we’ll make it if we line up now?”
As soon as we caught sight of the three-story Tabitha Books building, it was plain to see the store wasn’t in its usual state. The line was already out the door and stretching three buildings past its neighboring shops.
I couldn’t stand seeing Sasha so anxious, so I talked to an employee who was managing the end of the line. “Um, scuse me. Are there still autographs for who’s-it-called available today?”
“You should barely manage to make it. There’s also a spot to buy books right before the autograph area, so please purchase the new release there.”
“Really?! Thank you!”
She broke out into a cheery smile and was looking up at me just like a normal girl from town. I almost felt my heart flutter until I reminded myself this was also the girl who’d mercilessly crushed my team—then I managed to regain my composure.
Once I got Sasha queued, she was at the end of the line, and so was I—with my duties.
“Well, see ya. Make sure you get that autograph.”
But when I turned around, seeing Sasha standing all on her lonesome at the edge of the crowd was so heart-wrenching that I couldn’t bear seeing her like that. I sucked in a breath through my teeth.
“Ugh, fine. Nothin’ else to do about it.”
I scratched my head in defeat and headed back to the line.
“I’ll keep ya company while you wait. I’d never be able to forgive myself leavin’ you alone when you don’t know what the real world’s like.”
She immediately replied, “I know plenty about the real world,” which earned a snort from me.
“Says the girl who went to the wrong store for an autograph.”
“What about your work?”
“Got an evening shift today. I’ll head out when it’s time, so don’t worry ’bout it.”
Then we didn’t talk for a while.
It wasn’t like we were particularly close. This wasn’t like my relationship with Cyril and Myfila, where sudden silences didn’t bother me, or like at work with Ilecia, who I could laugh and gossip with.
After half a minute of agonizing in silence, I started to search for a conversation starter.
“So…ya read manga.”
“Am I not allowed to?”
Her reply was cold and curt. Why you little—that irritated me a bit. It wasn’t like we were some bickering couple, so I wished she’d just be a little more amicable.
“I’m not askin’ for bad reasons. I don’t read ’em, so I don’t know what they’re like. You said the author’s name is Rifris? What kinda manga is it?”
I won the battle holding back my annoyance and managed to sound reasonable. With her face still hidden in that big hood of hers, Sasha answered, still a little cautious but willing to engage, “…It’s a romance. A girl who works as an apothecary meets a prince in battle, and then they’re drawn together.”
I started teasing her, ready for the possibility she’d snub me after. “Well, sounds more like a fantasy, then. Not like princes grow on trees.”
“That’s not true. Mother—ahem—the current Shidoh queen was originally from the minor aristocracy. Sometimes, fate has a way of playing tricks.”
“Well, I think it’s great the main character works as an apothecarist. People need ta make a decent livin’.”
“Well, Akasha isn’t anywhere near as foulmouthed as you, Feil Fonaf.”
Then both of us laughed lightly at the same time. After that, Sasha let out a small sigh as though the tension had left her.
“She perseveres despite so many difficult circumstances that I almost can’t help but worry seeing it. I’ve never been drawn into a manga before, not like this… There’s a part where she braves a snowstorm to deliver medicine, and I actually wanted to take her place—it was so bad.”
“Ha-ha-ha! Well, you’d manage in negative hundred degree weather— Ouch.”
When I’d been too candid with my thoughts, she elbowed me in the side. Actually, I fully deserved that. She’d saved the situation so we didn’t end up getting awkward again.