It took me several days in this unfamiliar environment, but I thought I had adjusted to it well enough. The people still stared at me intensely whenever I went down the streets, teenage boys and girls alike would get flustered if I talked to them, and nearby students who saw me for the first time would immediately assume I was some sort of noble, despite most of them being nobles themselves.
It seemed that even in the glamorous Pelagion, appearance remained the determining factor in how people judged one another.
Nonetheless, I was spending my days here quite peacefully. Unlike when I was at our church in Avernalis, I didn't have to handle much work at all. I only needed to cook for myself and Matt, plus the maintenance for this tiny church was drastically effortless. Above all, this city, and by extension, this academy, was dominated by the other churches, so I only had to welcome visitors occasionally.
Even then, I felt like they came not for The Writer... but for me. Older folks treated me as though I were their prized daughter, while the younger ones transparently held impure intentions. Some girls even came for Matt, which was honestly understandable. Though I suppose it was all for a good outcome—that was, we received more donations, of course.
''This is nice...''
I couldn't help but smile as a sea breeze brushed past me. I was sitting on the balcony, enjoying the autumn's coolness with a cup of tea and a book. As expected, the libraries in the capital had so many intriguing titles I had never seen before.
I wasn't quite worried about the story at this point. As far as I knew, nothing had particularly happened, and even if they did, I had no way of knowing it. The voice from the other day hadn't bothered me since, so I assumed that was the case. It wasn't like I could poke around willy-nilly and get arrested for acting suspicious. Security was quite tight in this town.
Even if there was an imminent threat hanging by a thread of noodle above my head... well, it didn't mean I had to be on edge constantly, did it? Better enjoy things while I can.
But on that note, it was already quite a bit into the afternoon. I should prepare dinner soon.
Since I had more time now, I could leisurely shop for ingredients and cook more complex dishes. It was a hobby I never really had the time to explore in this world, after all. Matt seemed to be liking the new menus, too, so I had even more incentive to be thorough.
Once again, I went down the shopping street amidst the busy hour. Lately, there had been an increasing number of students in the academy. As the new school year approached, they began to move in from outside. One could almost feel the place's prestige oozing, judging by the fact that these youngsters all wore the pure white uniform voluntarily.
Seeing their palpable excitement for the upcoming semester, I was affected somewhat. A desire to follow the crowd, perhaps, even though I wasn't a student. Either way, it wouldn't hurt to plan ahead a bit.
The first thing I should get done was meeting the empire's only archmage, Theodore Virtus Magianova. Eugene said he was acquainted with this person, although I could hardly believe it. The old man wrote a letter and told me to deliver it to Theodore. I naturally assumed he had put in some words for us.
Theodore was assigned to stay and guard the academy by the empress herself. It made sense since this place nurtured the country's best talents, and in many ways, it was a symbol of her prowess. From what I had heard, the archmage would return when the opening ceremony started. Perhaps I would get a chance to greet him by then.
''Hm?''
While I was lost in my thoughts on the way back, a sizzling, crisp fragrance reached my nose. It was from an unfamiliar stall set on the side of the road. Despite its legally questionable location, there was a swarm of people around it—mostly young folks. I couldn't contain my curiosity and got closer.
''Fried snacks...?'' I muttered.
Skewed sausages, fish cakes, orkas, cheese sticks, and even tofu—all deep fried and served hot on the spot. While I had read about this 'dish' on Earth, I had no idea that this world also featured it. Intrigued, I stood in a daze, staring at the kind-looking elderly gentleman who was busy with his skewers.
There was something magical, watching schoolers gather in groups and hang out in the tender afternoons like this. Rather, the skewers on their hands looked and smelled so good that I instinctively found myself standing closer and closer to the stall.
''Welcome, little miss!'' The owner enthusiastically greeted. ''Would you like some skewers?''
''Ah, I...''
I hesitated for half a beat, but... it wouldn't harm to try them at least once, I thought. I should get some for Matt, too. So, I nodded at the owner.
''You're lucky, miss. Yours are the final batch for the day!'' The old gentleman grinned widely, his wrinkled forehead glinting with sweat.
It was clear that his mood was great, perhaps from selling out all the stocks. Since he was friendly, I decided to make some small talk while waiting for my order.
''I didn't see your stall before, mister. Did you have something else to do?'' I casually asked.
The owner's hands were still busy as he replied, ''Our miss must be new here, yes? My stall travels around the academy, one street at a time, and I only open in the afternoons, so of course, you didn't catch me.''
''I see...''
''The academy had lots of places to explore, Miss. Don't hole up in one place! Oh, and here's your order.''
I handed the owner his money, took the piping hot paper bag, and politely thanked him. A rich, almost intense scent of fried food assaulted my nose, making saliva pool in my mouth. Yet, when I turned away to leave, something blocked my vision.
''Hah... hah...''
A soft-looking, pure white... fox?
It was a person. Wearing the academy uniform, she was a remarkably beautiful girl with a gentle impression. Even more remarkable was her dreamy white hair, like cotton, her light pink eyes, like cherry blossoms, and the pair of twitching fox ears atop her head. Strangely enough, she didn't have tails—none that I could see.
The girl was heaving, clearly having rushed here.
''Ah...''
She peeked at the empty wok in disbelief, her mouth slightly hung, just like the old-school wallet clutched in her hand. A look of genuine pain fell on her otherwise elegant face. Her trembling eyes turned to the owner, who looked a bit guilty as he cleaned up the utensils.
''Bad luck, Soo-yeon. I just sold the last batch.'' He said.
''...!''
Almost instantly, the girl's attention was on me. She stared at me intently, then at the bag in my hand, her fox ears drooping. We stood there for a long, long time. I thought Leila seemed desperate for food the other day, but this strange girl was twice as bad. Did she not eat for a week or something?
The reason I hesitated to reach out was simple—the beastkins, among other races, especially loathed people from the four major churches. And I? A nun of The Writer church. My attire was obvious enough. Still, she didn't come off as such a person... not yet.
So, I decided to take a risk.
''...Would you like to share it with me?'' I extended the bag forward, attracting the pink eyes like a magnet.
''C-Can I do that...?! No, I'll pay you!'' The girl gulped.
''No, that's a bit... it's not particularly expensive or anything.''
''I'll pay you! Please let me have the tofu!''
...Tofu?
I was confused. Still, standing like this the entire time was exhausting. I even have bags of groceries on my arms, too. In the end, we found a quiet place nearby to sit, and I safely set down the heavy bags.
Next up were the snacks.
I didn't really pay attention before, but almost half of the skewers were fried tofu. Maybe it just happened to be like that, though... wasn't this person too obsessed with them? She looked ready to pounce.
''Here...'' I handed her one skewer.
''Thank you!'' The girl's whole body perked up as she wolfed down the food in seconds.
I was taken aback. Still, I had to admit that her reactions were entertaining. As she finished it, her eyes were in a trance, unfocused. When she licked the oil on her lips, it looked particularly suspicious.
''...You can have the rest.'' I sighed.
''Ah!''
Just then, she snapped out. Although her hands honestly took the treats, her expression was apologetic. She bowed to me with respect and began to apologize, ''I'm extremely sorry for my unsightly behavior. This isn't what a lady should do.''
''I don't mind, but you...''
''I forgot to tell you my name, didn't I? I'm Chang Soo-yeon, a gumiho. Once again, I deeply apologize.''
''...It's fine. My name is Yukina Lancaster. As you can see, I am a nun.''
I thought Soo-yeon's looks were unique, but I didn't expect her to be a nine-tailed fox. These foxes were exceedingly rare, perhaps even mythical. The only known family of nine-tailed foxes was the royal family of the beastkins, which meant that this girl was probably a princess.
Facing someone of that caliber, I couldn't help but feel burdened. Though Soo-yeon treated me as politely as she could.
''I had to finalize some contracts regarding my admission today. That was why I couldn't come to Uncle Charles's stall in time.'' She explained. ''Thank you so much for sharing tofu with me.''
''No problem. I didn't know you liked it so much.'' I replied.
''It's a dish us foxes cherish. Ah, but Uncle Charles's is special among the other fried tofu. The seasonings he put in these are heavenly...''
''Is that so? It's fortunate you managed to catch me before I leave, then.''
''I'm embarrassed...''
Unexpectedly, the mood between us loosened quite a bit as we talked. Soo-yeon ate the tofu deliciously while I tried the other skewers. Once again, she seemed like a good person.
She also radiated the protagonist energy, too, although not as vividly as that of Leila. Was I destined to meet every candidate for the protagonist's spot? Were we all competing for it secretly?
''Hm...''
In the end, Soo-yeon excused herself after finishing half of the skewers. She insisted on paying and repeatedly thanked me as she left. I lingered at the spot for a bit.
''...I should return now.''
I sighed at the sunset sky and stood up.
For some reason, I thought I saw a cherry blossom petal falling by.