https://ncode.syosetu.com/n5562hc/47/
Banquet
Walking the streets all alone at night. The sound of my heels clicking against the stone road echoed around me.
The closer I got to the dorms, the fewer people I ran into, but inversely, the buildings kept getting bigger while the road got wider.
In the royal capital, 80 percent of the population lives on just 20 percent of land while the other 20 percent of people live on the remaining 80 percent. The first group are the commoners while the latter are the nobles. It feels like my senses are going all out of order since I keep crossing the line between the two groups.
I wonder how many more days I can maintain who I am without someone thinking I’m some criminal loitering around a place I don’t belong. My own melancholy thoughts made the walk back to the dorms go by quickly.
The sun went down a long time ago, so the dining room is probably already closed. I’m hungry. I couldn’t take my time and eat today since I was so busy babysitting.
I saw a crowd forming in front of the dormitory’s gate. Did something happen? I picked up my pace, but as I got closer, I realized I recognized the people there.
“You’re finally back. Lily kept asking ‘Where is she?’ over and over again.”
Ran laughed and elbowed Lily in the side. There were exactly seven people standing in front of the gate. Lily’s team of five, Melia, and Dahlia.
“What are you all doing here?”
“The cafeteria was already closed, so we were discussing where we should eat. The market is already closed, and we were wondering where you were.”
“That is why I was saying we could visit my parents’ house. They have several servants, so it would not take much time for them to prepare things either.”
The commoners among the group were clearly uncomfortable with the idea of visiting Olive’s family home. I really would rather not go either. It’s still the day of, and if I were to see a family portrait of Elm, I’d remember some things that would make it hard to swallow my food.
But the chaos earlier showed we won’t be able to go anywhere that a lot of people gather such as the market. We need some kind of store that is open late into the night. Also, the food needs to taste good. There is only one store I know of that checks those three boxes.
“Hey…. um…. I know a good place we can head to….”
“Great! Let’s go there!”
“Yeah yeah, let’s run!”
Peony and Melia reacted with their appetites. They’d also be the ones who would want to go to Olive’s house the least. It seems like the kind of place that would be really strict on manners and involve more talking than eating.
“Then we can leave my house for another time. I will cast magic on each of us, so please come near me.”
“Magic?”
“Yes. I am famished as well. And if we are going to run, I might as well make it so we do not tire ourselves out right?”
It’s probably a spell to increase leg strength then. When we all lined up in a row, Olive cast a spell on each of us in order. Nerine is supposed to be a mage as well, but for some reason she is standing in line right with us and having the spell cast on her. I’m curious, but since nobody on her own team is questioning it, I’m guessing it’s just a type of magic she isn’t good with.
After Olive finished casting her magic, I lead them to the slums. It’s late out, so everything looks sketchy out here, but since nobody else looks worried, I’m not either. Rather, if someone out there can compete with Lily and Nerine, I would like to see it.
Besides, with the spell Olive cast, we can keep running without needing to slow down. My body isn’t screaming at me no matter how many meters I skip.
Walking down a dim alley, we gradually came upon a lone shining building standing alone in the darkness. No matter what direction you were to look at it from, you would be able to tell it’s Rose’s shop from all the decorations they’ve put up.
Our group of eight entered the store with cool faces that would make anyone not believe we had just run all the way from the dorms. The building was full of people who had been drinking the night away until now.
The shop fell silent for a moment, probably because a large group of young women had just walked in. However as soon as the customers noticed Lily’s face, they seemed to realize we were all a group of hero candidates and a low murmur spread among them.
“Oh my…. welcome. Here, that table there is now reserved. This way.”
When Rose recognized us, she cleared a large table for us that had a couple people already sitting there.
“I will bring some suitable food and alcohol. Likes and dislikes are non-non.”
Without even bothering to hear our replies, Rose retreated to the kitchen with only a wink left behind.
“Um…. that person is…. a man….?”
Peony asked on behalf of everyone who was stunned by Rose’s intimidating presence.
“That’s right, but they said they’re a woman on the inside. They’re my dance teacher.”
“They seem kind despite their appearance.”
When the owner is someone like Rose, it creates a place where people feel like they can just be themselves. It is true that their thick eyebrows and heavy makeup do not go well with their muscular body, but Lily didn’t seem particularly concerned about it and just described them as kind.
When Rose came back to the table, they were carrying a tray of alcohol and light snacks.
“C-….Cute! Did you make these too? They’re so colorful and cute!”
Melia was enchanted by the appearance of the food brought out to us. The sauce that accompanied the thinly sliced meat was a pale blue color that resembled the sea.
Whenever we’d celebrated before, Rose had brought out a large meal for us to chow down on, so I’ve never seen her bring out a product she’d put so much effort into.
“I would not say something blue is very appetizing.”
Lily’s face cramped a little while looking at it.
“Really? Everything’s the same once you put it in your mouth.”
“Ran-san, cooking is something you are supposed to experience with all five of your senses.”
“Then let me rub it in your ear. Really savor it with your senses.”
The argument between Ran and Olive had a nice joking feeling going between them. Olive never once used the word ‘commoner’ like she would’ve done before.
Nerine and Peony were also laughing and taking verbal jabs at each other. The relationship between Lily’s teammates had deepened somewhere I hadn’t seen.
It happened without me noticing, but Dahlia was sitting next to me while Melia sat in front of me. Despite everything we were sitting as a team. Meanwhile Lily was sitting on the other side of the table, the furthest position away from me.
Somehow, something like loneliness or jealousy sprouted in my heart. I’m usually the one next to Lily.
“Lily-chan, you’re making an unimaginable face. Did something happen?”
“Ah….no. I was just thinking they get along well together.”
“We’re good friends too though! Right, Dahlia-san!”
“Oh, you’re going to include me in that too?”
“Of course!”
Before I knew it, Melia and Dahlia were getting close to each other too. It almost feels like I’m getting left behind. Now everyone’s making me feel jealous, and I’m looking at Lily again. She’s smiling at her teammates with an expression I’ve never seen before.
“Jealous because your girlfriend’s getting stolen away?”
Dahlia’s voice whispered into my ear.
“I-I don’t have a girlfriend!”
“Those are the eyes of a girl in love.”
I used the beer in front of me as an excuse to not answer Dahlia. It’s nicely chilled, and I could drink as much as I want if it’s something like this.
“Don’t just drink. Talk with me~”
Dahlia forcefully wrapped her arms around my shoulders. She’s already drunk. No matter how many times I tried shaking her off, she just kept getting herself tangled with me. Then when I finally gave up and stopped resisting, she started touching me all over.
“I’ve been thinking this for a long time, but Liffy has a nice body. Is dancing really good for you?”
Dahlia was being kind of obnoxious as she rubbed my abdominal muscles and calves. It’s partially embarrassing, partially annoying having someone I’m not interested in touch me.
Still, I feel like this kind of physical contact is fun when alcohol is involved. I laughed and tried brushing her hand away, but Dahlia deftly dodged me. Soon we were having fun with her playfully poking me and me playfully slapping her hands away.
While I was reluctantly flirting with Dahlia, I felt a strong gaze from afar. Lily is watching us.
If she were staring at us, the others would notice, so she is only stealing glances while she drinks. But I recognize what she’s doing.
When our eyes met, I gave her a wink, but she just turned her head away from me. I don’t know what she’s unhappy about, but it looks like something put her in a bad mood.
When I tilted my head, Rose came up from behind me.
“Liffy, the stage is ready. Dance”
“Eh? Me?”
“Yes. Who else is there besides you?”
The bar isn’t packed, but there are enough people to fill up the tables. As far as an audience goes, I have no complaints. But the people gathered here are probably looking forward to seeing Rose dance. Perhaps sensing my thoughts, Rose laughed and slapped my shoulder.
“If you feel like you’ll pass the first screening with votes to spare, then it’s fine. I’ll leave the choice up to you.”
Obviously, I’m grasping at straws in the competition. If there is even one opportunity to sell my face somewhere, I should be taking it.
“I-I’ll do it! Is there anyone who can play an instrument?”
“We’ll outsource. Hey! Any of you young ladies know how to play the fiddle?”
Rose turned to the others at my table. Nobody raised their hand, but Olive was grinning and nudging Lily’s side. I couldn’t tell if Lily’s expression was one of embarrassment or hatred for Olive.
“The pretty-haired girl there. Can you play the fiddle?”
“Sort of…. I have played the violin since I was young….”
Lily clearly didn’t want to be picked, so she answered while averting her eyes.
“Oh, a well-bred young noble lady. Well we won’t need anything classy for this.”
Rose pulled a fiddle off the shelf and handed it to over. Lily reluctantly accepted it, frowning as she checked the timbre. Unfortunately we aren’t going to find such a famous instrument in a bar buried in the middle of the slums like this.
“Well, it’s not a fantastic substitute. But come, off with you two!”
Lily was still reluctant, but Rose pushed on her back and forced her up on the stage with me. The stage isn’t that high up from the floor, so it’s just a single step up.
“Liffy…. what song should I play? I have no sheet music.”
Wow, I’ve never seen Lily look so uneasy before.
“It’s okay. I’ll hum you a tune. When I give you the signal, gradually increase the tempo. That’s all.”
“That’s all…. okay. Give it to me.”
When I hummed a song that I often dance to, Lily quickly mastered the rhythm.
“Well then, shall we begin?”
The usually uneasy me is now leading the usually confident Lily. This is my specialty, and I began my dance with a mix of happiness and anxiety as our roles were reversed for the first time.
Experimental Translations 