Side Story: A Day Off with Students
Spending time eating and drinking with Eliza and Strauss at restaurants outside the academy has somehow become a routine on my days off. We usually go to their favorite places, but occasionally we venture to new establishments or famous spots we’ve heard about.
However, since both Eliza and Strauss have their own magical research to focus on, we typically only meet for dinner. As for me, although I do set aside some time for research, I have more free time during weekdays, so I rarely dedicate my days off to magical studies.
In other words, I often find myself with plenty of free time during the day on my days off.
My recent routine during these free hours has been exploring the town and searching for cozy cafes.
For someone like me who has never traveled abroad, simply walking around and observing the townscape is a refreshing change of pace. Plus, the cafes with atmospheres unlike anything I’ve seen in Japan are quite interesting.
While they may not be particularly sophisticated, there are cafes with colorful fabrics draped on the walls, some with a rugged pub-like ambiance, others shaped like hollowed-out giant trees, and even some that look like igloos made of stone.
Perhaps this unique environment is due to the academy town’s special nature, attracting merchants from various countries.
“Well, today I’ll check out the cafes on the east side…”
Just as I was about to mutter to myself after stepping outside the academy with anticipation, I noticed several figures in my peripheral vision.
“Um… “
“Aoi-sensei…”
Hearing a familiar voice, I turned to see Shenley, Court, Aile, Liz, and Belle. Shenley was wearing a pure white dress, while Court was dressed in subdued black attire. Aile, Liz, and Belle were each wearing skirts and shirts with intricate embroidery. All of them seemed to be in casual clothes suitable for going out.
It’s an unusual combination, but perhaps they’re going out to play together. If Shenley is going out with friends, that would be wonderful.
Thinking this, I turned to face them all.
“Hello. Are you all going out as well?”
As I asked this, I smiled wryly at Shenley, who was looking down shyly. Aile took the lead and spoke up.
“We heard that Aoi-sensei goes out to town on days off!”
As Aile declared this with high spirits, Court offered an explanation with a wry smile.
“We overheard Shenley saying she wanted to go out with Aoi-sensei, and my sister seems to have gotten some unnecessary ideas… Of course, if we’re bothering you, please feel free to decline.”
Hearing Court say this with an apologetic smile, I furrowed my brow and tilted my head.
“…With me? I don’t have any particular plans other than visiting cafes…”
Upon saying this, Aile turned to Liz and Belle with an open palm.
“Leave it to us! I’m quite knowledgeable about cafes, and so are Liz and Belle! We’ll guide you to hidden gems that Aoi-sensei doesn’t know about!”
“Ah, haha… I’ll do my best.”
“Aile… you’re being meddlesome again…”
While the others had complex expressions, only Shenley was looking at me with pleading eyes.
I suppose it can’t be helped.
It might be interesting to go out with a large group once in a while.
“…Alright. I’m not sure if you’ll all enjoy it, but let’s go together.”
When I answered, Aile jumped up with joy. Shenley also showed a radiant smile. Seeing them so happy makes me happy too.
“I was thinking of exploring cafes on the east side of town. Do you know any good places?”
When I asked this, Aile raised a hand and looked at Belle and Liz.
“Emergency meeting!”
“Okay~”
“Alright, alright.”
Smiling wryly at Aile’s words, the two moved to the side, and the three of them huddled together for a meeting.
After about ten seconds, Aile turned back to us, puffing out her chest.
“How about ‘The Sleeping Cat’s Bed’? It’s at the edge of the eastern part of town, so it doesn’t have many customers, but it’s spacious and beautiful!”
“Ah, I’ve been there before. It’s a nice place indeed.”
Hearing my response, Aile visibly deflated, her shoulders drooping in disappointment. However, she quickly raised her head and hand again.
“Emergency meeting!”
“Haha.”
“Alright, alright.”
And so, another meeting began. Watching this, Court let out a dry laugh and smiled wryly. For a noble from another country, this scene might be giving him a headache.
Amidst all this, Shenley timidly raised her hand.
“Um… would it be okay if… if we went to a beast-folk shop…?”
Hearing the question asked in an almost inaudible voice, I tilted my head.
“Huh? If anything, I’d love to visit a beast-folk shop.”
Upon hearing this, Shenley’s face lit up like a blooming flower, and she nodded.
“R-Really!? Then, how about ‘The Sleeping Tiger’s Inn’…?”
As Shenley hurriedly mentioned the shop’s name, everyone’s eyes focused on her.
“…Inn?”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
The eastern part of town has fewer shops compared to other areas, and instead has more affordable inns.
Given that many nobles from various countries stay in this town, a natural division has occurred. And naturally, in areas where those with less financial means gather, the number of beast-folk increases.
In the Kingdom of Verted, while there isn’t strong discrimination or persecution, it’s still difficult for beast-folk and other demi-humans to secure high-ranking positions. Consequently, their families and newly arrived demi-humans in town mainly work in lower-level jobs.
In this situation, the owner of The Sleeping Tiger’s Inn started his business hoping to help improve the lives of demi-humans.
The inn looks like a log cabin made of round logs. It’s surprisingly large, being a two-story building. The exterior is surrounded by a fence, and inside the fence, there’s an open-air terrace where beast-folk customers are enjoying food and drinks.
It’s an interesting sight. As we observe this and enter the store, we find ourselves in a high-ceilinged hall. Instead of walls, trees with few leaves are lined up inside the room, and most of the chairs are two-seater sofas. This is probably a consideration for beast-folk with larger bodies. The spacious atmosphere is comfortable, and customers who appear to be demi-humans are relaxing on the sofas.
At the back, there’s a counter, behind which stands a muscular beast-folk man with his arms crossed, watching us. Undaunted by his appearance, Shenley takes the lead and approaches him.
“Master. Today, I’ve brought a teacher from the academy, my senior, and… and friends.”
Hearing these words spoken with slight hesitation, the man called Master widened his eyes, maintaining his stern expression.
“A teacher from the academy, a senior… and friends, huh.”
His voice is low and gravelly. But the ears on top of his head are round and cute. As the Master mumbled while looking our way, I gave a slight bow, to which he responded with a low growl of “Hmm.” Perhaps he’s sizing us up out of concern for Shenley.
Visit the request page If there’s a Japanese Light Novel (LN) or Web Novel (WN) you’d like me to translate
When the donation goal progress bar above hit 100% one novel will be chosen for translation
| Table of Contents | Next* |
Support the Author by Buying the Original Books!
