Eria said that she lives in the most popular inn that's near the market place. I lived my entire life in this town, but I have never paid attention anywhere else here, except the slums and the stalls I usually come across. Because of that, I am at a loss trying to find the place she was talking about.
I tried to ask a few people where it was, but they won't talk to me since they hated how I looked. A lot of time passed, and I'm yet to find any clues besides the information Eria had given me.
That's right, other than it was near the market place, she also told me that it has a sign on its entrance with its name. That would've been useful, but...
Did she really think I was able to read? I should've told her I couldn't, but I was too ashamed to admit it.
Before I knew it, the sun was about to set down and it's starting to become dark.
"Log?"
As I restlessly loiter around the market place, a familiar voice called out to me from behind.
"Y-You...!"
The person who called out to me was none other than Eria.
"You? Ah. Now that I think about, you never called me properly before. Call me by my name, Log," she smiled and said.
Keh... Why do I find it so hard to call her properly? That must be it... I want to address her with respect, but I don't know how to...
"Well?"
"Kuh!" I panicked when she leaned closer to me and I let out a weird cry.
Now that she's close, I can smell her scent much stronger than before. There's no doubt that she's the most fragrant person I've ever met. There's no rich female's perfume that can compare to her.
But... "Huff, huff..." There were some other smells that were mixed in with hers. They're the strong smells of those scums from before. Why does she have those on her?
And other than those, a part of the scent that's coming off of Eria feels off and weird as well. It's not something unpleasant, but it's making me feel light-headed and dizzy. Similar to the perfumes I smell from the rich females in town, it's giving off the image of a pink cloud.
"Fufu... What are you thinking?" Eria chuckled while staring at my pants, on which a small bulge have appeared.
Realizing what have happened, I hurriedly covered it up with my hands and tried to make an excuse.
Keh! That was...! I-Is she going to hate me now...?
"It's fine, it's natural for boys your age."
"But I'm an adult..."
"It's natural for adults too."
"Really...?"
Eria kept staring at me with teasing eyes while I try my best to hide my embarrassment.
"U-Um..."
"Hm? How's your stomach doing?"
I tried to change the subject, but she beat me to it. Her eyes that was just looking at me with enjoyment change to that of worry.
"Yes... I ate already... bread..."
Since I have eaten it before, it had become my favorite. Although it was a bit expensive, I wanted to eat it so much. And also...
"I wanted to pay you back, so here..."
I handed Eria the same bread buns she had given me when we first met. She looked surprised at first, but a kind smile soon appeared on her face and she gently stroke my head.
"You're surprisingly a good kid, aren't you?"
I felt happy being treated in such a way, but I'm also feeling conflicted at the fact that she's treating me like a kid.
"But bread buns are not enough. I'll take you to my place, I'll cook dinner for the two of us."