Chapter 449: They Looked Exactly Alike (2/2)

When I sent her generous words of praise, Isis-san gave me a beaming smile.

Seeing her pure, adorable smile, I suddenly felt embarrassed and hurriedly turned my gaze away.

[……Ah, Isis-san. There's an ice cream stand over there! How about we take a break for the moment and have some ice cream?]

[……Unnn.]

[W- Well then, I'll go get us some. What flavor do you want, Isis-san?]

[……Then…… I will have chocolate.]

[Alright. Please wait for a bit, okay!?]

Even though I had somehow forced the conversation, I headed for an ice cream stall a short distance away.

The food stall I arrived at seemed to have reasonably excellent options, and they had the chocolate flavor that Isis-san had requested.

Personally, I thought matcha was the best ice cream flavor but…… Unfortunately, they didn't seem to be selling matcha flavor, so I decided to buy strawberry ice cream instead. (T/N: Matcha flavor is the green tea flavor you could find in boba tea shops.)

However, after I gave my order and was about to pay the bill…… I realized a very important fact.

Ah, sh*t. While we were looking around before coming here, I had used up all the silver coins I had, along with the coins of lesser value. All I had now were gold coins and white gold coins.

I didn't really think it was a good idea to pay with a gold coin just for two ice creams that cost 1R each…… That's already on the level of harassment.

However, Isis-san also didn't have any coins smaller than white gold coins. That means…… I guess it can't be helped. It's my fault for not keeping some change in stock, I'll just pay with a gold coin and say that she can keep the change.

I think it's a waste of money but…… To be honest, I've always wanted to try saying it……

[Yes, you've paid the exact amount. Thank you for your patronage.]

[……Eh? Arehh?]

As if to interrupt my thoughts of paying with a gold coin, I heard the shopkeeper's voice. When I turned to her…… I saw the shopkeeper with her head tilted, handing me two scoops of ice cream.

[……U- Ummm, I haven't…… paid you yet, remember?]

[Eh? But ”it was paid for by your companion over there” though?]

[……Eh? Companion—— Wha!?]

I didn't think that Isis-san had a 1R coin, but when she said ”companion”, I reflexively moved my gaze…… and my thoughts completely stopped.

In the direction where I looked, she was there, standing next to me before I knew it…… was a petite woman with light brown semi-long hair. She looked at me for a moment, gave me a quick wink, and turned away without saying a single word.

From the moment I saw her, I was so shaken that I couldn't feel my voice coming out of my throat. My mind went blank, my heart was beating frighteningly fast, and I could feel sweat dripping all over my body…… As if I was petrified, my body didn't move an inch.

That's impossible…… It can't be…… after all…… Eh? No, why……

[……Mom?]

When I could finally feel my voice coming out of my mouth…… The woman had already disappeared into the crowd.

Dear Mom, Dad———— I knew that who I met was another person. I've heard from someone that there are at least three people in the world who look like me. But even though I knew this, I couldn't help but feel shaken…… for the woman I just saw———— looked exactly like my mother.

Serious-senpai MK-II: [What!?]

T/N: 29/270