Chapter 328: Noelle Attracts Attention
"Long time no see, Traveler. Has this journey been enjoyable?"
The playful, melodious voice drifted through the air, carrying a gentle breeze that rustled the curtains. Natsume leaned back in her chair, letting the familiar title wash over her. She recalled the chaotic yet vibrant scenes that had unfolded since she first arrived in this world. She had forged genuine friendships, pulled characters who once existed only behind a glowing screen into reality to stand by her side, and even gained a true relative, a brother to anchor her.
A soft, genuine smile curled the corners of Natsume's mouth. "It has been enjoyable," she answered, her voice carrying a quiet warmth.
Once the initial pleasantries settled, Natsume shifted her posture, crossing her arms as she studied the green-clad bard before her. She needed to understand his current standing in this modern setting. "Venti, what exactly do you do in this world? Um... do you actually have a job?"
"Me?" Venti blinked, pressing a hand to his chest in mock surprise before flashing a bright, carefree grin. "Well... I suppose you could call me a 'three-nothings' freelancer."
"Huh?" Natsume raised an eyebrow, completely lost. "What in the world is a 'three-nothings' freelancer?"
"To be perfectly specific, it means having no job, no savings, and absolutely no housing... Hehe." After delivering this shameless explanation, Venti tilted his head, offering Natsume an innocent, beaming smile.
A visible twitch developed at the corner of Natsume's right eye. She stared at him in deadpan silence, feeling a phantom headache pulsing at her temples.
Didn't that just mean he was a homeless vagabond wandering the streets?
Floating nearby, Paimon crossed her tiny arms and stomped her foot in mid-air. "As expected! The Tone-deaf bard is a Tone-deaf bard no matter what world he goes to!"
Natsume rubbed her forehead, letting out a long, exasperated sigh. Any fleeting illusion she had harbored about pulling Venti being a stroke of incredible luck instantly evaporated.
"Forget it," Natsume muttered, waving a hand dismissively. "I'll contact Diluc in a little while. I'll have him settle you in at his place for the time being."
"Master Diluc, huh." Venti stroked his chin with his right hand, his teal eyes lighting up as he undoubtedly pictured the vast cellars of the Dawn Winery. He nodded eagerly. "Traveler, that is a splendid arrangement. I am very satisfied with this outcome."
A few days later, the bustling atmosphere of Wanmin Restaurant was in full swing.
Standing behind the front counter, Noelle gently placed the telephone receiver back onto its cradle. She smoothed down the front of her pristine uniform and walked over to the kitchen window, where the rhythmic sound of a chopping knife echoed.
"Xiangling," Noelle called out over the sizzling woks. "Ran just called from the Mouri Detective Agency to order lunch. They requested Matsutake Meat Rolls, Jade Parcels, Crystal Shrimp, and a serving of Lotus Head Crisp."
"Got it! I'll have it all ready right away!"
Upon receiving the order, Xiangling's eyes practically sparked with culinary passion. She spun around, skillfully tossing ingredients into the iron wok. Flames flared upward, catching the rich aromas of seasoned meat and fresh seafood. In a matter of minutes, the complex, mouth-watering dishes were perfectly plated and ready to go.
Noelle carefully packed the steaming containers into a large, sturdy delivery bag. Glancing around the dining area and seeing that the midday rush hadn't quite peaked yet, she decided to handle the delivery personally.
"Oh, right, Noelle!" Just as the dutiful maid reached for the door handle, Xiangling leaned over the counter, wiping her hands on a towel. She winked mischievously, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "I heard from the Traveler that Toru Amuro has officially become an apprentice to Detective Mouri. You might run into him when you drop off the lunch today."
"It couldn't possibly be that coincidental," Noelle replied, shaking her head gently. A polite, unbothered smile graced her lips. "Besides, it doesn't really matter if I do run into him. I am simply delivering their lunch; he shouldn't have any reason to notice me."
"That's hard to say. I heard he's incredibly sharp," Xiangling mused, tapping her chin. Then, her expression relaxed into a casual, confident grin. "But it doesn't matter anyway. He doesn't know much of anything about the Teyvat Organization. And even if he somehow discovers a clue, we still have the Traveler's brother backing us up."
Not long after stepping out into the bustling streets of Beika City, Noelle arrived at the familiar building housing the Mouri Detective Agency. As Xiangling's warning flashed through her mind, she paused on the pavement, her gaze subconsciously drifting toward the large glass windows of Café Poirot on the first floor.
The café was quiet. It was a pity she didn't spot Toru Amuro inside. She wondered if it was his day off, or if Xiangling's prediction was entirely accurate and he was currently sitting upstairs in the agency.
Without dwelling on it further, Noelle adjusted her grip on the heavy delivery bag, walked up the narrow metal staircase, and knocked politely on the glass door.
"Come in!"
Opening the door, Noelle stepped inside, offering a warm nod to Ran. Her silver eyes immediately landed on a blonde man standing near the center of the room. It was indeed Toru Amuro. He was balancing a large platter of freshly made sandwiches on one hand, engaged in a lively conversation with Kogoro Mouri.
"Eh? Am I late with the delivery?" Noelle blinked, looking at the towering plate of sandwiches in Amuro's hands. A look of genuine self-reproach crossed her delicate features. "Ran, did you have to order a second lunch?"
"Ah! No, not at all!" Toru Amuro quickly shook his head, turning his attention to the silver-haired girl. He raised the platter slightly, offering a charming, disarming smile. "This is just my personal treat. Teacher Mouri often takes such good care of me, so I specially prepared these sandwiches as a midday snack for everyone."
As he spoke, Amuro's sharp, analytical gaze swept over Noelle. At first glance, he had assumed she was just a simple, unassuming restaurant server. Yet, upon closer inspection, his instincts flared. There was something highly unusual about her composed demeanor, and she clearly shared a very comfortable, close relationship with the Mouri family.
"That's a relief. I thought I had been too slow," Noelle breathed a soft sigh, her tense shoulders relaxing.
With practiced ease, she stepped forward and placed the massive, bulging takeout bag onto the coffee table.
Amuro quickly set his sandwich platter aside and stepped forward, offering his assistance. "Here, let me help you with that."
When Amuro reached out to take the remaining stacked takeout boxes Noelle handed over, his eyes couldn't help but narrow slightly. As the weight transferred to his hands, his arm muscles instantly tensed to keep the boxes from dropping.
He was genuinely startled to find that the takeout was incredibly heavy—packed tight with dense, ceramic-like containers and rich, hearty food. He glanced back up at Noelle. The seemingly fragile, thin youth had carried this massive weight up a flight of stairs without showing a single sign of strain, her breathing perfectly even. Amuro marveled inwardly; he truly hadn't expected someone with such a delicate frame to possess such terrifying physical strength.
Unaware of the blonde detective's internal shock, Noelle simply offered a polite bow. After ensuring the food was securely placed, she bid the group a respectful goodbye and turned toward the door.
Watching Noelle's retreating figure, Amuro's eyes narrowed a fraction more. His keen vision caught the faint glimmer of an complex, golden-winged ornament resting against Noelle's waist, housing a glowing amber gemstone.
Was he just being overly sensitive? Why did he feel like he had seen a bead ornament exactly like that somewhere before?
Pushing the suspicion down, Amuro smoothly pasted his friendly waiter smile back onto his face. He turned to look at Kogoro Mouri, casually wiping his hands on his apron. "Teacher Mouri, who was that just now?" he asked, perfectly feigning idle curiosity.
"You mean Noelle?" Kogoro Mouri didn't pay the inquiry any mind, already reaching eagerly for a Matsutake Meat Roll. "She's just a server over at the nearby Wanmin Restaurant. Let me tell you, the food at that place is truly superb! Especially their signature dishes; the flavors are absolutely unforgettable. Amuro, you should really go try it out when you get some free time."
The more Kogoro spoke, the more excited he became, smacking his lips in anticipation as he unpacked the Jade Parcels. He didn't hesitate to enthusiastically recommend his new apprentice go taste the culinary masterpieces in person.
"Wanmin Restaurant, is it?" Amuro murmured, committing the name to memory. His smile deepened, concealing the sharp glint of a seasoned intelligence operative. "I understand, Teacher Mouri. If I have the chance, I will definitely go try it myself."
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