Chapter 38 – Sieglinde is feeling uneasy

Kaya’s mind is now full of pancakes, so she’s following me without paying attention to anything else around her. She wants to get her hands on those pancakes that cost more than she makes in a month as soon as possible.

We keep walking through the commercial street until we reach that cafe.

This place is always busy, but luckily, we just happen to get here right in that time between the lunch and dinner periods, so we have no trouble getting in. Even the angel bear is allowed in thanks to its cuteness, and we sit at a table for four.

The angel bear curls up on a chair.

We wait for a bit, and our pancakes arrive.

The sleepy angel bear gets its pancakes in a box. From what I remember, angel bears are herbivores, but still…

“It’s fine. If it doesn’t eat it, I will.”

Says Kaya.

Does she actually know as much about angel bears as she says?

The thick, steaming hot pancakes in front of Kaya are making her tremble.

She grabs a knife and fork with her shaking hands, and nervously takes them to the pancakes. She lets out a sound of wonder as she cuts the pancakes that are soft as cotton, and slowly takes a bite.

And in a second, Kaya breaks.

“…!? What is this!? It’s a soft fluffy heaven!”

“Fluffy fluffy.”

And from that point on, she speeds up.

She’s going so fast that it makes me wonder if she can even taste them. She rips the pancakes to pieces as she eats them, and in less than a minute everything ends up in her stomach.

Ririi hasn’t even taken her second bite. What incredible speed.

After finishing her pancakes, Kaya looks entranced. It’s like her eyes are focused not here, but on a bright shining future somewhere far away.

“…Weiss, I’ve made a decision. I’m going to flourish here in the capital and eat pancakes every day.”

“I see. Good luck.”

“Yes, thanks.”

That sounds serious, but what is she planning to do here? I’m sure there are people worried about her in her village too.”

“Kaya, shouldn’t you say something to people in your village? Don’t you have a family?”

“Don’t worry about that. If I don’t come back, people will just assume I was eaten by angel bears. Our lives have a large worldview… Ah, sorry! More pancakes please!”

“Aren’t angel bears herbivores?”

Does she actually know anything about angel bears?

I can’t help but be worried.

◆

“…Weiss… Can you guess what I want to say?”

“More or less, yes.”

It’s night.

We’re back home, and Sieglinde made me sit on the floor.

Actually, me and Kaya.

“What is the meaning of this!? What happened!?”

Her eyes are squarely on me.

Ririi is on the other side of the room playing with the angel bear.

It’s like half the room is filled with a heavy mood, and the other is all soft and fluffy. I wish I could run to that side.

“…What was it I asked you to do this morning?”

She says with her hand on her chin.

She’s speechless, and not even trying to hide it.

“I did what you wanted. It’s in my bag.”

I know very well that’s no excuse, but all I can do is try to emphasize that I did complete that quest.

Kaya fearfully looks at Sieglinde, and immediately faces down again after being glared.

Stop it. No one can go against her now.

“Of course. I know there’s nothing you can’t get.”

Sieglinde then looks at the other side of the room, and then back at Kaya.

“My point is, how did a quest to go gather materials turn into you bringing a person and a beast with you?”

I’d love to know that too.

“I’d love to know that too.”

I just say exactly what I’m thinking.

“Weiss!”

“…Sorry.”

I lower my head. This one’s entirely my fault.

Sieglinde’s sharp eyes move to Kaya, and she points.

“I can sort of understand by the size of the angel bear why you brought it with you. By why did you bring this strange girl? Who even is she?”

“I’m Kaya.”

“I didn’t ask you.”

“Eek…!”

Their confrontation is over before it starts.

I can’t imagine anyone beating Sieglinde in an unfavorable situation like this.

“…Wait, hold on Weiss… Who is this demon?”

Kaya asks quietly. Sieglinde’s intensity is making her look to me for help.

I’m sure we’re close enough to Sieglinde that she can hear us, but I respond anyway. The most important thing right now is getting out of this predicament.

“…She’s about the fifth biggest person in the capital. Going against her means getting thrown out of this city.”

“…!? No way… Do something Weiss.”

“I wish I could…”

From Sieglinde’s point of view there’s no reason to look after some stranger like Kaya. It’s a miracle she even made it past the gate, so no one would complain if she got thrown out.

…Actually, I don’t even know Kaya at all. Now that I think about it, there really is no reason for me to look after her.

I’m thinking the most peaceful solution here would be for me to hand Kaya over to Sieglinde so she can arrange for her to be sent back to her village.

“Please Weiss… Being in the capital is a dream for me…”

She says while looking at me with teary eyes.

“…Ahh…”

If we send Kaya away now, she’s probably never going to eat that place’s pancakes ever again.

For some reason, I get hung up on that small thing.

I raise my head, and look straight at Sieglinde.

“Sieglinde, she’s the leading person when it comes to angel bears. She knows all about their ecology and how to work their materials properly, right?”

Kaya picks up on what I’m doing, and rushes to raise her head.

“Y-yes! Exactly! I’ve been with angel bears ever since I was born! You can ask me anything you want about them!”

Sieglinde looks down at this little farce we’re putting on with chilly eyes. I get the feeling she’s already seen through this, but it’s too late to stop.

“Kaya heard about what’s going on with us, and offered to come along. Can’t the ministry of magic look after her?”

I don’t need to rely on Sieglinde to just support her, but I don’t have the sense of duty to do that.

It’s best if the ministry of magic helps her adapt to life in the capital. They can find her a place to live and a job.

“Please! I want to stay in the capital!”

This time Kaya doesn’t run away, she faces Sieglinde’s cold eyes head on.

…I don’t know if it’s because of that, but Sieglinde sighs and drops her shoulders.

“…Fine. I’ll have the ministry of magic look after her. By the way Weiss, is she really an expert on angel bears?”

“To the point where she thinks they’re carnivores.”

“Ahh… That’s what I figured. Can you not bring so much trouble with you? Even in my position, I’m not a miracle worker.”

“I’m really sorry. I owe you one.”

At the rate I’m creating debts between us, I’m seeing a future where I’m never going to be able to say no to Sieglinde for the rest of my life.