The next morning, Shizune shows up in the dining room, rubbing her eyes.
Elsa woke her up and she’s pulling her by the hand. She’s also talking to her, but Shizune is still half asleep, so she doesn’t really respond.
“…Shizune… Here…”
Says Alto while bringing her a hand towel.
She wipes her face, but she still looks like she isn’t fully awake.
“Thanks.”
But she stops when she gives Alto the towel back and looks at him.
Alto looks at her with a puzzled expression, because she just suddenly froze, but takes the towel and goes to put it away.
Shizune watches Alto leave, turns her head when he’s out of sight, and her eyes lock on mine.
“W-what is this? What was that? That was Alto, right?”
She says very fast.
I get what she’s saying.
“Calm down. Yes, that was Alto.”
“I-I see… Alto. But why was he dressed like that?”
That’s a hard one to answer. She’s staring at me, so does she think I made him dress that way?
“H-hum, Talia got those clothes… And said to wear them when doing housework.”
Elsa steps in because she feels I need help.
Yes, I don’t think Shizune would listen if I was the one saying that.
“Talia?”
“Ah, yes. She taught us how to do housework. She still drops by to see how we’re doing, and teaches us lots of things.”
Shizune hears Elsa, and finally accepts.
Then we all have breakfast, including Siphon’s party, and go outside with Shizune.
We mostly take her around town, and check the disposable items we need to go to the dungeon.
We have enough potions, but I heard about the forty-fifth floor from Siphon last night, so I want a bit more wood.
I already have some firewood in the Item Box, but just in case.
Then I start thinking about looking for materials to use with the Creation skill. I want to try making what was called a heat pad in my old world.
After we’re done shopping, we have lunch before going back home. Not in a restaurant or anything like that, at stalls.
She said this in Nahal too, but Shizune says that buying and eating things at stalls really is nice and simple. Also, stalls tend to make things in their own ways that are influenced by the towns they’re in, so the flavor tends to be slightly different.
“Ah, Talia!”
When we get home, we see Talia dressed in her maid outfit. She wears it perfectly as always, like there isn’t a blot to her.
Elsa and Alto walk over to her when they see her, and speak to her with a bright tone about their trip.
Talia’s expression doesn’t break, but there’s affection in her eyes.
“Ah, that’s right. We brought something for you.”
Says Elsa, and she takes off running with Alto following her.
“They have gotten better at housework, but it seems they still lack in composure.”
Talia says with a sigh.
“Are you the Talia I heard about so much?”
Asks Shizune.
So much? I think, but I don’t get an answer.
When I look at her face from the side, it looks serious, and a little scary.
I can’t hear them from here, but it looks like Shizune is saying a lot to Talia, who responds to everything in a brief way.
In the end, they shake hands and nod.
Yes, I don’t know what happened there, but Shizune’s expression is now so soft, that there isn’t a single trace of the serious expression she had just now.
Then Elsa and Alto come back, and they look puzzled when they see them. I think that’s a reasonable reaction.
“Hum, we brought this. It’s for everyone in the mansion.”
“…I see. I will deliver it directly. Sora, may I borrow the two, or rather, the three of them tomorrow?”
“Are you including me?”
“Yes, Elsa just told me you want to learn how to do housework here. You need a maid outfit.”
“That’s not gonna suit me. I can’t wear frilly things.”
She opposes it while her face turns red.
But she does seem a little interested, because she keeps glancing at Talia and the others’ outfits.
In the end, a phrase from Talia is enough to convince her. She says it quietly, but I can just barely hear it.
“You will match Alto.”
Is all it takes.
Well, I think looking the part is a good way to start
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Thanks for the treat.