Is That My Alter Ego - Chapter 122
Chapter 122 – The Dining District
“Um… could you let me down, please?”
After the magic show concluded, I spoke to Kali, who still held me aloft, pondering our next destination despite the performance being over.
Please…! It’s so embarrassing! It feels like everyone passing by is staring and laughing at me!
I caught sight of a few onlookers chuckling and pointing at me, perched atop Kali’s shoulders.
“Not a chance.”
“Eh…?”
Yet, Kali refused to set me down. She tossed aside the usual polite speech, gripping my legs tightly as if she would never let go.
“I’m afraid if I let you go… you might slip away from me.”
“………”
Kali’s hands, clutching my legs, began to tremble.
“…Ugh.”
“….Kuh.”
Soon, even Seris and Ariel wore somber expressions, their gazes fixed upon me.
Kali, Seris, Ariel. They had all suffered deep wounds because of me.
Though everything had seemingly settled now, they appeared anxious even in these ordinary moments.
The scars that lingered in their hearts had grown far too vast for me to even begin to comprehend.
Pat pat—
“…………!”
I stroked Kali’s head with a bitter smile. Then, I turned to Ariel and Ceris, whose eyes flickered with unease, and offered them a smile as well.
“I… I won’t leave your side from now on. So… please, don’t be too anxious.”
The reason their hearts bore scars was because of me. Therefore, it was I who must mend those wounds.
Sometimes, they seemed like beings transcending humanity, which was wondrous, and at times, their fierce gazes could be terrifying…
“And… when I find myself in danger, you will save me, right?”
I trust them. Because of that trust, I could speak boldly.
“Ugh… Master…”
“Ugh… M-Master…”
“…K-Ker… Venice…”
And as soon as my words trailed off, the atmosphere, once buoyant, grew heavy and damp.
The grip of Kali’s hand, which had held me tightly, slackened, allowing me to descend with great effort.
Tightly—
I embraced the three women, stronger than anyone in this world, yet simultaneously so tender.
And they, while weeping sorrowfully, returned my embrace.
“So… please, no more tears. We have far too much time left together!”
The time that lies ahead of us is abundant, far surpassing the moments of pain, despair, and frustration we have walked through until now.
I know that the joyful days we will experience as we move forward will be countless, beyond comparison.
Then, through their tears, they looked at me and smiled. Tears flowing from boundless happiness and joy.
“…Yes. Our time… is still plentiful.”
“Sniff… Yes. No matter what happens, Master. I will protect you.”
“Our future… together. Yes. Just imagining it makes me happy…”
Thus, we blessed each other’s futures with tears of joy, devoid of any negative emotions.
“My love. You haven’t forgotten me, have you?”
“Ah… Ah! Of course not…!”
By the way, as I quietly observed our scene, Royu puffed up her cheeks in a pout, prompting me to hastily ease her discontent.
Grrr.
“Ah…”
The atmosphere had warmed with tears of joy, but my loud stomach growl shattered that warmth entirely.
I was hungry, but… did it have to come out now? Embarrassed, I covered my face with both hands.
“Hehe… Venice. You’re hungry, aren’t you? Let’s go eat. I know a great place.”
“Many fine restaurants surround us, my dear.”
“…..So cute.”
“Hehe…”
I found myself unable to resist the gentle tug of their hands leading me onward…
*
“Wow… is all of this a restaurant?”
“Yes. You could say they are the finest in the Empire. If you see something you like, just point it out. I’ll make sure you get to taste it all.”
Ariel laughed as she watched me, mouth agape in awe at the extravagant displays of the eateries.
The delicious scents wafting through the air seemed to gather in my mouth, making my saliva flow unbidden.
Yet… am I leaning on them too much? Do they think I’m just a burden, a glutton consuming their resources…?
“Absolutely not, my dear!”
“Impossible! You can say anything you desire, Master!”
“…I’ve said it before, haven’t I? If you’re happy, that’s enough for me.”
“Don’t worry too much; you can lean on us.”
…I hadn’t spoken a word, merely gazed up at them, yet they hurried to respond as if they could see straight through my heart.
With them being so eager to speak… would it not be rude to refuse?
“Then… I’ll just look around a bit…!”
With a fluttering heart, I began to wander through the restaurant district at the Empire’s heart.
‘What’s that…? Is it chicken?’
The oily aroma tickled my nose. A scent I could never tire of.
Of course, I adored chicken to the point of obsession… but right now, it didn’t quite tempt me. Pass!
‘What’s that…? Jjamppong? Not in the mood for that either!’
I wore a serious expression as I began to meticulously select our meal options.
Yet, as I roamed the restaurant district with such scrutiny, I soon faced a significant dilemma.
“I… I can’t choose…”
The problem was that every dish from every restaurant looked utterly delectable.
I had always struggled with indecision, taking twice as long as others to make a choice.
Given such splendid options, I was utterly paralyzed…!
“Uh… Ariel…?”
“Yes? Have you made your choice?”
“Ah… no, it’s not that… it’s just…”
“Oh dear, still can’t decide? Seems like indecision is a common plight here too.”
“Yes…”
Just as I was about to timidly approach Ariel to speak, Royu barged in.
I felt a pang of guilt for the meaningless time spent by them, unable to make a choice for so long, so I tried to phrase my thoughts delicately…
“Really? Then shall I choose for you? I know most of the restaurants here.”
“Y-yes… please.”
“Puh. You should have said so earlier. Then follow me.”
With a chuckle, Ariel began to lead the way, and we trailed after her like eager shadows.
“It’s alright, Captain…! That look of yours, pondering for the best choice! Truly admirable!”
“Mmhm. That can happen.”
“Ugh… that’s not it… ugh…”
“Hehe…”
…In the midst of it all, it seemed they had formed some sort of mistaken impression, and I followed Ariel in silence, merely observing…
“Here. This is the place I recommend. Isn’t it something?”
“Wow…”
“Hmm… the Banquet Palace. A fine choice indeed.”
“….The entire building is a restaurant? Why is it so huge?”
“Oh… well, the food here is quite good.”
As I trailed after Ariel, we came to a halt at a spot. The absurdity of a three-story building entirely dedicated to dining was almost overwhelming.
And the endless line stretching to enter this restaurant was enough to make my head spin.
This… it feels like we’d be waiting hours just to stand in line.
“Hey. But waiting here could take all day, right? Let’s just go somewhere else.”
It seemed Kalia had the same thought, stepping forward to ask Ariel.
“What do you mean? Why are we waiting for this?”
“…Why are we waiting for this?”
Yet, Seris and Ariel responded as if they truly didn’t understand.
Their genuine confusion left Kalia and me with blank expressions.
“Hehe… Venice? People like Ariel and Seris should be able to handle a line like this.”
…What? Is that even possible? This is outright… an abuse of power, isn’t it?!
“Th…that! It can’t be bad..! If you use power for something like cutting in line…!”
I shouted aloud. No matter who they were, using power for such things—!
“Pfft…”
“Ugh…cough…”
“Phuhuh…”
“Eh…?”
“What is it? No, seriously, what is it??”
Yet, they only looked at me with amused expressions, laughing softly.
In the end, only Kali, just as clueless as I was, wore a bewildered expression.
“….Ah, ahem. Venice? This isn’t about cutting in line… it’s about receiving VIP-exclusive service.”
“For a restaurant of this scale, it’s only natural to offer VIP services. And… we hold that VIP qualification.”
“Oh, is that what it was? Damn, what impressive women…”
Ah.
So, I… trivialized the rights they could enjoy as something as petty as cutting in line? Was it all my misunderstanding??
My head felt hot. I was so embarrassed…! I should have just stayed out of it!
“Phuhuh… now you understand, Venice? This isn’t cutting in line—”
“Ah…ah! I can’t hear you…!”
Dodging the meaningful smile of Royu as she whispered in my ear, I covered my ears with both hands.
Really…! She definitely wasn’t this playful before; it seems Royu’s personality has changed a lot…
“…If you are not a VIP member, please go to the back of this line—”
“That’s me.”
“Hu…huh! Lady Ariel Frost….! I will prepare a table for you immediately! Please, come inside!”
“Yeah. Thanks for your hard work.”
“Can I go in too?”
“….Se…Se…Seris?! Of course!”
The attendant guarding the entrance of the restaurant jumped in surprise, bowing at a 90-degree angle as soon as he saw Seris and Ariel, ushering them in.
I… should be fine, right? I followed Seris as she stepped into the restaurant.
“I…I also…”
“Huh? Hey, this is the VIP entrance. Go stand in that line over there.”
—Hey, hey! That’s not an entrance for someone like you!
—
– What’s that kid? Did they think they could come in too?
– They look like they don’t even have money… to be here?
– …But they’re kind of cute, aren’t they? Should I say something?
Yet, I was met with rejection. Even the long line of citizens waiting scoffed at me.
“Th-That’s…”
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“Ahem… it’s not allowed, even if you look that way.”
“Here, this person is precious to me. Please let them in?”
“What are you doing? They’re my precious one. Hurry, let them in.”
And just as I stood at the entrance, my feet restless, Seris and Ariel spoke in unison.
“Is… is that so?! I’m so sorry…! I didn’t recognize your worth…”
“Ah… no, it’s fine. Thank you…”
– …Ariel Frost and Vice-Captain Seris call them precious?
– Hah… truly, life is full of strange sights.
– Tsk… what a pity. They were my type.
With sharp gazes, Seris and Ariel simultaneously grabbed my hand and led me inside, and I expressed my gratitude to them.
“…Hey! We are!!”
“Excuse me~?”
And from the entrance I passed through, I could see Kali bouncing around energetically and Royu, looking utterly bewildered.
“What are you… just handle it yourself.”
“There’s no reason for me to let you in, is there?”
Then Seris and Ariel exchanged looks that seemed to say ‘What do you expect?’ and began to guide me deeper into the restaurant.
“This… this is insane! This isn’t right, you crazy girls! I’ll smash everything!!”
“…If you’re going to act like that, I might have to resort to drastic measures.”
As I clumsily followed their lead, I suddenly caught sight of Royu, who had a serious expression and was licking her lips, and I found myself compelled to plead with them to let me in.
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