Chapter 477: Shes a Mad Scientist (1/2)

The person I met by chance was Fors-san, the Sage of the Forest, one of the legendary party members who once traveled with Neun-san.

No, I'm really surprised. What's going on with my encounter rate…… No, I guess I shouldn't be surprised with all the people I've already encountered. Seriously, why the heck is this happening?

[……Errr, I'll ask this just in case…… But are you the same Fors-san who traveled with Neun-san?]

[Yes, the same one. Well~~ Even so, how nostalgic. I haven't seen Neun for a while. Meanwhile, stupid Laguna often comes and drag me out of my home. What do you think? Should I be happy that I had a good friend who cares about me, or sad that I was being dragged around just because she wants to run away from a troublesome meeting…… Friendship is quite a difficult thing to understand, isn't it? Especially for the ”shy and quiet” me. Being forcibly dragged around is troublesome……]

[Eh?]

[Unnn?]

I think I heard something impossible just now. Who did she say was shy and quiet again? …….Ah, I guess I was just hearing things huh.

[No, it's nothing. M- More importantly, aren't you supposed to be meeting up with Laguna-san?]

[Speaking of which, I really am supposed to do that. However, I'm sorry to say, but I'm lost. No, I didn't really know this place right from the start, so I guess it was inevitable that I would get lost. I certainly may be blamed because I didn't think of the possibility that I might get lost beforehand, but I don't think I'm going to make it to the Central Plaza at this rate.]

[……………….]

The Central Plaza, like its name suggests, is in the middle of the city…… and it's a place one can easily reach if they just walk towards the Central Tower……

[What time are you going to meet up with Laguna-san?]

[Time? I'm supposed to meet up with her at 9:00 am. Well, given my current situation, it's unclear to me how the time would have any significance of some sort.]

[……Errr, I'm just on my way to the Central Plaza, so if you want, do you want to come with me?]

[Are you a saint!? I've heard that the number of young people who have the compassion to reach out to those in need has been declining, but I guess not everyone has lost heart huh. No, please excuse my rudeness. I guess it's not a good idea to use statistical information to measure someone. Forget what I said.]

[Y- Yes…… Anyway, we can just continue talking as we move……]

If I just let Fors-san keep talking like a machine-gun, we'll end up late for our meet up, so I thought that we should start walking already.

However, there's a difference in stride length between Fors-san and I, so I made sure that I don't walk too fast, keeping my pace the same as hers.

[Good gracious, I'm sorry for always troubling you. I'm trying to be polite. I'll also make sure that this debt of gratitude is returned. In the meantime, what do you think about ”eyeballs”? I know a good place that serves very good eyeballs, so how about I bring you there next time……]

[Just the thought is enough for me.]

[Mhmm, I wonder if young people these days don't like eyeball cuisines? Sorry about that, I'm not very sensitive to trends. Well then, how about I bring you to a restaurant that offers a wide variety of ”insect cuisines”……]

[……No thanks. I- It's not like I helped you because I wanted to repay your gratitude, so just a simple thank you would be enough.]

That's not expressing gratitude anymore, that feels more like you want me to receive punishment, you know!? Eyeball cuisines and insect cuisines…… They're things I don't want to eat from the bottom of my heart.

I mean, does Fors-san usually eat such things? N- No, well, they say that everyone has differing tastes…… But unfortunately, the day when I will be able to relate to her tastes will never come.

With this in mind, I tried to gently tell her that there was no need to thank me, to which Fors-san's expression changed to one of admiration.

[What a humble young man, you are. This may just sound like common compliments to your ears, but you're really splendid. Even so, hmmm. My pride will not allow me to just let things go without even being able to thank you. That said, I can't immediately think of a way to express my gratitude that could satisfy you though. I'm sorry, I'm going to need a bit more time for that. I'll think of something really special to express my thanks.]

[I- I understand.]

[Ahh, that reminds me, I once did some research on magic related to cooking……]

Until we reached the Central Plaza, Fors-san's machine-gun talk went on and on.

When I reached the wide Central Plaza, I moved around my gaze, but I couldn't find Laguna-san. I did easily spot Neun-san and Dr. Vier though.

Fors-san was also acquainted with Neun-san, and since she mentioned before about how she hadn't seen her in a while, she approached Neun-san and Dr. Vier first before worrying about Laguna-san's absence.

[I'm sorry, Neun-san, Dr. Vier. I've made you wait……]

[No, it's just that we arrived too early. So these are Miyama-kun's pets huh~~ They're quite cute, aren't you?]

[Good morning, Kaito-san…… Oya? Who's the lady with you?]