"Hmm... what would be good...?"
The Gratitude Festival is on its third day today.
With the day free, Carol and I are strolling the streets—brainstorming a present for Orun-san.
Log has morning help duty—so we two pick candidates first, meet at lunch, decide together.
Other countries gift presents on birthdays, apparently.
No such custom here—but to thank Orun-san for everything, we three agreed: gift on his birth month.
Missed chance to ask earlier—finally did two days ago—June.
Panicked—regretted not asking sooner...
But—birth month not yet—still time!
Festival—unusual items too—plenty rare stuff!
Want something he'll love...
"Yeah... what would make Orun-san happy...? Thinking this hard—realize we don't know much about him..."
"Master doesn't talk about himself much~. Should've asked hobbies properly...!"
Neither of us could think of something he'd like.
"Still—crowds insane. Festival truly!"
"Yeah. Don't wanna stay long."
Carol's right—stall-lined street—highest density.
Long here—might get sick.
Need to move soon.
"Hmm... maybe not stall stuff—craftsman-made? Wanna check artisan street?"
Carol immediately suggested elsewhere at my words.
Probably considerate of me.
Carol seems free-spirited—easy impression.
But actually—surprisingly attentive.
Her virtue.
But—she suppresses herself—prioritizes others.
Regretful.
Known Carol about a year.
Long enough—sense her trauma.
Over-attentiveness ties to it...
Wish I could help overcome.
No ideas yet.
All I can do now—limited.
Someday—hope she acts selfishly with me—no hesitation.
"Yeah—let's try artisan street."
Followed her suggestion—left crowded stalls—headed artisan area.
◇
"Hmm... exploration gear best?"
At artisan street—nearby weapon shop display—Carol spoke.
"Think he already has exploration needs. Master's sword impressive. Even wanted something—probably can't afford..."
"Right. Then everyday use?"
"Good idea. Like accessories...?"
"Nice! Let's look that way! —Hm?"
Direction set—about to browse—Carol noticed something—strode off.
Hurried after her. What?
"Sis—are you okay? Feeling bad?"
Carol approached—indigo-haired woman sitting on bench—head down.
"...? Me?"
Woman looked up at Carol's voice.
...Beautiful.
Big sis—cool beauty.
This woman—cute beauty.
Younger than big sis.
Mage-like clothes—probably explorer.
"Yeah yeah. Looked pained—crowd sick?"
"Just thinking. Not ill—fine. Thanks for concern."
Woman smiled.
But expression lonely—forced smile clear.
"Worries~? Actually—we're悩ing too. Master's birth month soon—gift brainstorming—but nothing good..."
"Birth month gift for master...? ...You three—ah, right—June already."
Woman muttered—seemed to understand.
"Yeah~. Learned two days ago—rushing now. Master should've said sooner—more time to think!"
"Hehe... Master-loving disciples. Enviable."
"Sis—no disciples? You're super strong. Probably beat us two easy. No disciple—odd."
I thought same.
Mana—normally invisible/unsensed—but hers clearly dense...
...Maybe imagination.
"No disciples. Can't care for others—when I can't handle my own surroundings..."
Thought mood lifted—but back to lonely.
"Surroundings troubling—you?"
Carol probed.
"...Yes. Embarrassing to young you—but lately nothing goes right. And because of me... even Father—"
Carol shared first—woman opened up.
Carol's personality—high communication skill.
Amazing... I couldn't converse like that.
Still—nothing going right—mood drop understandable.
Anyone would get negative.
...Wait—Orun-san lectured recently—handling when things go wrong. Method was—
"Yeah~. Sis—really everything... going wrong?"
"...Eh?"
"Master said—when things feel wrong—vision narrows. Stop—look back important. 'What seemed failure—always hides small success. Notice unnoticed good in yourself—perspective changes. Face real self—not ideal first.'"
"Real self... True—lately chased ideals too much. Thanks for advice. Master... wonderful."
Carol's—Orun-san's words—woman looked slightly relieved.
"Ehehe~. Our proud master!"
"Then—find quiet place—face myself. Excuse me."
"Yeah! Bye sis!"
"Bye..."
Last greeting—missed chance to speak.
Not good at first-talking anyway—didn't plan to join.
"—Oh. Thanks gift—advice back. Master loves new info. Festival—foreign merchants. Foreign books—should please."
Right! Orun-san reads in free time!
Why didn't think books? Sure he'd love!
Orun-san busy festival.
Even first free day—something came up—couldn't stroll much—big sis said.
Low chance he bought foreign books this year!
"Books...? Yeah—Master reads lots! Thanks sis!"
Carol same thought.
Foreign books decided.
Pricey—but pooling money—few books possible!
"You're welcome."
"But—how know Master reads much?"
"Hmm... Spirits told me."
Spirits? Not person's name... What?
"Hm~?"
Carol tilted head—confused too.
"Hehe—if curious—ask Master. He'll explain clearer. Now—truly goodbye."
Left intriguing words—woman left lightly.
"Spirits—what? Anyway—sis cheered up—good good!"
"Carol's kind."
"Hm~? No. Doing 'cause I want. Not for others!"
True? Embarrassed hiding? Can't tell—but her attentiveness—virtue.
Alone—I wouldn't speak to sis.
Wanna emulate.
"Then—book hunt. Time passes—others might buy."
"Bad! Sophia—hurry!"
Met Log—browsed foreign books—bought one each.
Hope Master likes.