"Come on, blow your nose."
"Hm...buh..."
Treize-kun, formerly known as Muggler-kun, wiped my nose for me.
My tears made my face all wet, but he pressed his sleeve against them tightly. He also pulled up my hood and tied the strings for me.
"The market... was scary..."
"You're so shaken you can barely speak. Yeah, I guess it was a bit intense."
Shopping isn't like it was in my previous life, where you'd just go to a supermarket. In this world, it's all about fresh catches, fresh deliveries, and fresh cuts! The market is full of loud, boisterous men making fresh meat, which was way too much for me, someone who was a weakling high schooler in my past life and a frail noble in this life. I know it's just work, and I feel terrible for crying.
"You're making a tough face."
As I sniffled, Treize-kun poked my furrowed brow. He massaged it gently, put away the handkerchief, and held my hand.
When we set off to explore the city, I was already holding his hand tightly from the start.
Well, it's comforting since I won't get lost this way! Besides, I'm not confident I could make it back to the church alone yet!
"Hey, over there. Wanna check out the tool shop?"
"The tool shop!"
The tool shop is a must-visit place in any game. They have things like herbs and antidote grass, the essentials for a weakling at the start of the game. Later on, you rely on the Saintess' healing magic, and in the later stages, prices go up so you stop visiting.
In other words, it's also essential for a weakling noble villain planning to escape! I'll need to plan how much money to save for my getaway!
"Let's go."
"Alright, I'll treat you to something."
"Yay!"
Should I get herbs? Or maybe a universal medicine... though that might be too expensive. Paralysis cures are probably the most needed. Weapons, well, I'd have to go to a weapon shop for those. Magic tools are available too, but I remember they're pricey.
This is something I'll need to seriously consider for the future me!
"I'll have cookies, please!"
"Huh, just cookies? These magic tools are cheap and rare, you know?"
"This color, that savory smell, the perfect amount for when you're a little hungry. They're baked well, so they'll last long, meaning I can eat them tomorrow too. The slightly overbaked parts will definitely be delicious, making them perfect! You get it, right?"
"Why are you being so formal...? Hey, lady, one bag of cookies, please."
"Sure thing. Haha, Treize, your companion today is an interesting one."
"He's not my companion or anything."
Treize-kun handed me a small bag of cookies! I thanked him with all my might, raised the bag to the sky, and admired it thoroughly.
It smells amazing! They look so delicious! I love the simple taste of wheat.
The cookies made by our chef at home are also delicious and have a fancy taste, which I like too, but ever since remembering my past life, I've craved more plain, floury flavors. I even liked those dry hardtack biscuits you had to rush to finish before they expired.
I couldn't help it; the cookies on the shelf caught my eye the moment we entered the tool shop.
Meanwhile, Treize-kun was talking to the shop lady about business, asking if she had any problems to report to "the boss." He's doing his job well, good for him. Not wanting to get in the way, I stood quietly beside him, still holding his hand, sniffing the cookie's fragrance, and checking out mysterious tools.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Alright, see you later, ma'am. We'll be back."
"Alright, come again."
The shop lady waved us off with a smile, so I waved back.
"Alright, let's head back for today. You can't be away from home too long, right?"
"Yeah, it's my nap time now."
"Hah! How fancy."
"It really is."
My nap time is when everyone else in the city is out working. I agreed that they were all amazing, and Treize-kun patted my head over my hood.
"Nobles probably have their own stuff to do, too. Besides, you're still just a kid."
"I'm Fran."
"Yeah, yeah. We're almost back to the church. You'll be changing, right?"
Hmm... he won't call me by my name.
As we went inside the church, I got changed, and my cheeks puffed out in frustration.
Come to think of it, Treize-kun didn't call me by my name while we were out in the city either!
"Alright, you're done... What's with that face?"
"Thanks for helping me change. And, Treize-kun, do you know my name? It's Fran."
"I know. Don't drop your cookies on the way home."
"Ugh! My name is Fran!"
"I know that."
"Geez, why won't you call me by my name? We're friends, right?"
I puffed my cheeks out even more, and Treize-kun made a weird face.
"You're a noble, aren't you? And 'Fran' is a name that only exists at the Duke's estate. I can't just call you that in the middle of the city."
"Gah! You're right...!"
If someone called me "Fran" in the city, I might get kidnapped! Thanks for being so considerate! You're amazing! Such logic!
"But then, please call me that here. When we say goodbye, say, 'See you later, Fran.'"
"What's with you?"
"...You're so mean! I just want you to call me by my name!"
Treize-kun is my first friend. It's sad if he always calls me "you." I want him to call me Fran.
"...Oh! A nickname would be fine too!"
"No way. Fine, I'll call you Fran today. Now go home."
"Geez, you always say no right away! Wait...you said it!"
"Stop confirming it, it's embarrassing. Come on, mind the time. I'm heading out."
"Okay! See you later, Treize-kun, see you!"
I shouted as Treize-kun walked out of the church's door.
Will he say it? Will he say it?
"Yeah, see you later, Fran."
Treize-kun glanced back and waved.
We're true friends for sure now!