Chapter 79

“So, I think it is time that you explain what is happening.”

It was the third day of the school break.

We were at the same restaurant that we went to previously.

It was here that Linda started her interrogation.

“I was working at the bakery one morning. And Miss Anne just happened to recognize me.”

I emphasized that it was a coincidence. In other words, it could not have been avoided.

“A bakery? What?”

Linda’s eyes blinked.

Now that I thought about it, I had forgotten to tell her.

“You know that my father and mother met each other in this city, right?”

“I heard about that, yes. Your mother discovered your father while he was training here. And then she dragged him back to her house.”

Dragged… Was that the way the rest of the world saw it? Well, never mind that.

“There’s this bakery that they both worked at when they were younger. And they are letting me work there now.”

“Work? But, you’re going to be a Dragon Master, aren’t you?”

She didn’t seem to understand. The academy provided clothes, food, and shelter. There was no need to work.

So it must have seemed strange.

“But you know, it’s not like we are forbidden from working. And I’ve always baked bread, ever since I was little. You can’t just expect me to give up that life out of the blue.”

I wasn’t working in order to live. I was just trying to extend the life I had known up until now.

“Well, I do remember you saying something like that before. …So, where is this place?”

“It’s in the commercial district. A place called ‘Fluffy Bouloire.’ Though, I work in the back and rarely show my face up front.”

“You did say it was a coincidence. So, you just happened to come out and then you met her?”

“Exactly. I never expected to be recognized. It would have caused trouble if she started visiting the store after that or spread strange rumors about me. So I decided to meet with her outside in exchange for her silence.”

“Hmm. …Well, it that’s the case, I suppose I will have to forgive you.”

I had no idea why I needed Linda’s forgiveness.

“I’m glad you understand.”

That’s all that mattered. This conversation was over.

“Hey, would you mind if I went to see this bakery?”

Had she been listening at all?

“I’m meeting her outside because I don’t want people to come to the bakery.”

“So, this Anne person isn’t going to the bakery anymore?”

“Well, she just wants to go to a place with Gikoku-style bread…besides, I won’t be there most of the time. That being said, I doubt she’s actually coming back.”

“Ah, that’s right. Your family also makes Gikoku-style bread. It tastes good, but they are too small for my liking.”

Good but too small… Ryukoku people all said the same thing.

They also complained about it being expensive.

Words of praise were always about its softness and taste.

However, the price and size were what people tended to talk about the most.

It was most apparent when you held the bread in both hands. It was very light.

Some people preferred it that way, while many said it felt like they hadn’t eaten anything.

It was up to your personal taste.

But it was good that it wasn’t too popular, or we’d have a lot of rival stores pop up.

The current amount of recognition was probably for the best. And I wasn’t just saying that because I was a sore loser.

“I’ll only be there during the early morning once the break ends. Would you still go if I wasn’t there?”

“I guess there would be no point then.” Linda muttered.

So, that had been her purpose after all.

“Alright, then this place can be our regular meeting spot. It’s decided then.”

“Why?”

“To deepen our friendship, of course.”

“Now?”

We were already childhood friends.

“It’s to keep the others in check.”

“The truth comes out!”

I knew it.

“Yes. Why is that wrong? I have to make my father shut up somehow. And do you know how annoying his employees are?”

As Linda’s family lived in the city, they kept asking her to return home.

She said they hadn’t been like this at all before. And so it must be my fault that they had suddenly become so protective.

Linda’s house was connected to an office. The workshops and stores were in different locations.

Apparently, when she did visit home, all the employees would come out and greet her.

I remember experiencing something similar when the Dragon Mark appeared.

Everyone wanted to meet you. It was horrible.

Your friends and acquaintances would all descend on you like hawks.

Just when you think they had left, more would come in to take their place. It was as if they were waiting for their turn in some hallway I wasn’t aware of.

It wasn’t possible for me to smile politely for long.

“I don’t know if I can meet you every month, but I’ll try to make time.”

“You better! It’s a promise.”

Linda’s eyes were very serious.

I nodded quietly.

The day after I met Linda, I headed to the place that I was to meet Miss Anne.

My first letter to her had the date and location written down, and she had accepted it.

As she would be returning soon, I thought it best to do it soon.

We decided to meet up in front of a Gikoku fountain.

I didn’t know how it worked, but the water came out in different shapes depending on the time.

It was quite popular as a meeting sport, but you would have to go by carriage if you wanted to reach it from the academy.

And so I was unlikely to bump into anyone I knew.

As I had been the one to invite her, I had some plans for what we would do.

Mira had told me of some stores that she thought a lady would like. I had not been able to ask Linda for such advice.

After that, we could wander around town a little and eat at a sort of almost luxurious restaurant before separating.

Anne would be used to this sort of thing, but I wasn’t.

She would have to bear being in a restaurant that was just sort of expensive.

I thought of such things as I stared at the fountain. It was almost time.

I simulated the events of the day in my head and looked around. However, I could not find her.

“It’s getting late.”

I muttered to myself. Still, I continued to wait for Miss Anne.

However, no matter how long I waited, she never did arrive.