The Guy Who Doesn't Want to Be Found vs. The Girls Who Want to Know Who He Is - Chapter 24: The Journey to the Quest

Chapter 24: The Journey to the Quest

“…”

As the carriage rocked for hours, nothing much happened and it was peaceful, so I just stared up at the sky from inside the carriage, lost in thought.

“Glenn.”

“Hmm? What’s up?”

I was zoning out when Liz called out to me. I turned around and was a bit surprised by how close she was.

“What are we going to do for the quest at Fuuro Coast?”

“Didn’t I tell you?”

“…No, you didn’t.”

“Oh, right? Well, it’s something about monsters making it impossible for the fishermen to fish, so we need to handle it.”

“I see.”

“And hey, I have a question too. Why did you decide to come along?”

“???…Is it wrong to want to follow a friend?”

Liz tilted her head and asked. Wait, we’re friends? Really?

“We’re friends?”

“Yes, we’ve walked around the city and eaten together. That makes us friends.”

I see, so we are friends. Well, everyone has their own idea of what friends are, so it can be tricky.

“…Was I mistaken?”

Please don’t look so sad. It makes me feel like I’ve done something wrong without actually doing anything.

“Yeah, we’re friends.”

“…Good.”

Liz looked relieved and let out a sigh. She really does seem like a small animal sometimes. I thought to myself.

“Hey.”

“Ah, yes. What is it?”

“Why do you treat Liz and us differently?”

That’s because if I mess up with you guys, it could be a social death sentence… but I can’t really say that.

“Um, it’s because Liz is a friend.”

“Then could you stop using formal language with me too? I feel a bit lonely with the distance it creates.”

Why do you have to look so sad? I haven’t done anything wrong, but it still makes me feel guilty.

“Okay…”

“…”

“…Alright, how about this? Is it better?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Liz is pretty insistent, but you are quite something too. I thought to myself.

“Then you don’t need to use formal language with me either.”

“And me too.”

Following that, Carla and Stella also said there’s no need for formalities. Well, it doesn’t make much difference if it’s two or three people.

“Got it, I’ll drop the formalities.”

“Thanks.”

“Thank you.”

I’m thanked by the two, but I’m not really sure what for. I decide to look away and gaze at the sky.

I suddenly realize.

“By the way, it’s almost noon.”

“That’s true.”

“I’m hungry.”

“I’m getting hungry too.”

“Then, how about we stop here for lunch?”

We asked the driver to stop the carriage, got out, and had our lunch. Today’s lunch is…

“Alright, let’s go with this.”

I sat on the ground and pulled out something like a teriyaki burger from my magic bag. The sauce is a bit sweet.

“…”

“…Liz, why are you staring so intently?”

As I was about to eat, Liz was sitting next to me, very close, but her eyes were on the burger.

“It looks delicious.”

“Don’t you have your own?”

“Is it tasty?”

“Listen, well, I am quite proud of it.”

I really worked hard on this sauce, experimenting over and over. It couldn’t possibly taste bad.

“…Can I have a bite?”

“Really? Well, just one bite then.”

“…Thank you, Glenn is always so kind.”

“Is that so?”

Liz stuffed a big bite of the burger into her mouth. She kind of reminds me of a squirrel, even her name sounds similar.

“!!…It’s really delicious.”

“Right? I specifically found meat that goes well with this bun, and I was really particular about the sauce… hey, listen.”

Instead of a squirrel, Liz was gobbling down my special burger energetically. I was surprised to see it nearly gone by the time I finished explaining.

“…Sorry, I ate it all.”

“It’s fine. There’s more.”

With that, I pulled another teriyaki-like burger from my magic bag. This time I’ll eat it for sure.

“Um, Glenn…”

“No.”

“I haven’t even said anything yet.”

“You were going to ask for another bite, weren’t you?”

“Mmm, stingy.”

“That’s fine by me.”

“Really, no more?”

She looked up at me with big eyes, seemingly having really liked it. She’s really hopeless.

“Really just one bite, okay?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Liz happily took a bite of the burger I handed her. She really loves eating.

“That’s enough, right?”

“Yes… oh, wait.”

“Huh? Sorry, I’ve already started eating.”

“Oh… never mind.”

“Was something wrong?”

“No, no… don’t worry about it, just eat.”

“Really?”

I continued eating as she said. Liz seemed to blush a bit. Was there something in this whole situation to worry about?

…Hmm, I don’t know.

Since she said not to worry, I decided to let it go.