Chapter 15

Chapter 15: Sightseeing in the City Center

Leaving the bank, Marcel-san and I walked while looking at the shops in the city center.

"First, shall we have lunch? Leon, what do you feel like eating?"

"Well, what kind of restaurants are there?"

"Well, there are high-class restaurants, stylish cafes, and ordinary diners for common folks."

"So, there are diners for common folks here too."

"That's right. Most of the employees in these shops are common folks, and there are many commoners working at noble residences as well. But the prices here are higher than around where your house is."

So, the city center is more expensive after all. Actually, if it's this multiple-choice, there's only one option for me.

"A diner for common folks."

"Alright, how about a stylish cafe?"

"Marcel-san, I didn't say that!"

"Well, it's fine because I want to go. I actually preferred a restaurant, but there's a dress code, you know. You can't enter wearing what you're wearing, Leon. But maybe we should buy some clothes before going?"

Buy clothes first!? That's just not right.

"I want to go to a cafe, I want to try a cafe!"

"Alright then, let's go to a cafe."

I feel like I've been manipulated...

Well, since I want to go to a cafe, I'll graciously let him treat me.

After walking for a while, we arrived at the cafe we were aiming for.

The exterior looked like an ordinary beautiful house, but there was a stylish sign hanging outside.

Inside, unlike the plain and unadorned wooden tables and chairs you would find in a commoner's house, there were chic tables and chairs with white paint and intricately carved edges.

"Welcome. Will that table over there be alright for you?"

"Leon, is that okay?"

"Yes, um... that's fine."

I didn't expect to be suddenly asked a question, so I panicked.

Upon entering the store, a young woman guided us to our seats.

I think everyone working here is a commoner, but when they have the opportunity to interact with nobles, they must be taught how to use proper language and behave properly.

They speak in honorifics and are different from the people around me.

"Here is the menu. Please let me know when you have decided on your order."

Saying that, the server left.

"Leon, what do you want?"

"Wa-wait a moment, please."

Marcel-san had already looked at the menu, so I hurriedly glanced at the menu too.

Being a café, the menu displayed fancy names. There were familiar items like French toast, sandwiches, and jam toast, but there were also some dishes I had never heard of.

This is just my speculation, but I think my translation function translates things similar to Japan into Japanese names and converts things that don't exist in Japan into katakana with the same pronunciation as their original names.

And I suppose the words I speak are also being translated into the language of this world. It's incredibly convenient, but it's a strange ability, isn't it?

Well, it's convenient, so it's fine. It's lunchtime now!

Which one should I choose... Alright, I'll go with a sandwich and French toast.

"Marcel-san, I'll have a sandwich and French toast."

"What about the drink?"

Right, there are drinks on the menu too. In the commoner's diners, it's always fruit water, so it's the first time I'm choosing a drink since coming to this world.

Let's see... there's black tea, green tea, and fruit juice. Oh, there's green tea too!

This world is indeed Japanese-like. I wonder why...

But both black tea and green tea are made from the same tea leaves, so maybe it's normal to have both?

"I'll have black tea, please."

"Understood. I'll order it."

Marcel-san called the waiter and placed the order. It seems Marcel-san ordered jam toast and black tea.

I thought the food culture in this world hadn't developed, but maybe it has developed among the nobility and their surroundings.

Is it still a recent development and hasn't spread to the commoners yet?

"Marcel-san, is the food for the nobles much more developed than that of the commoners?"

"Not really. It has developed rapidly since the war ended over a decade ago. Until then, nobles simply had larger portions and ate better cuts of meat. But recently, cooking techniques have diversified. Moreover, sugar has become available for import, so there's been an increase in sweetness."

There was a war... I'm glad the war is over.

Will the commoners' meals become more abundant from now on?

"Well, eventually the commoners' meals will become more abundant, but it's a story that will take decades. It might spread relatively quickly among the affluent class, but the poor have little connection with the city center."

"Oh, really... Another noble, huh? I want to become a noble too! It's so enviable. For that, I guess I'll have to start with the Royal Academy."

As I renewed my determination to enter the Royal Academy, the food was brought in.

"We apologize for the wait."

First, drinks were served, followed by the meal.

The French toast and sandwiches looked incredibly delicious. My stomach couldn't help but growl.

H-How embarrassing... Let's eat quickly.

"Well then, let's eat. Bon appétit."

"Bon appétit!"

I decided to start with the sandwich. Since there were a knife and fork placed, it would be better to eat with them.

It was my first time using silverware in a different world. As expected, nobles must have specific table manners and such.

When I glanced at Marcel-san, it seemed like the way he used the silverware was not much different from how it's used in Japan, so I decided to eat normally as well.

I was surprised when I put the knife into the sandwich held by the fork. This bread isn't hard!

The bread that poor commoners eat is like a rock-hard French bread, but this is more like regular bread... It seems that even bread has evolved.

I decided to take a bite and try it first.

Chomp... Delicious! It's incredibly delicious!

There's lettuce, chicken, and something like a herb tomato sauce. Even if I ate this in Japan, it would still be considered a high-quality sandwich.

I quickly finished eating it.

Next is the French toast. It looks like French bread, but it's very soft.

Chomp... It's too delicious. Sweet.

There's definitely sugar used in this... It's not much different from Japanese French toast. Moreover, it tastes even better because I wanted something sweet.

It's so delicious that tears are about to come out. Indeed, meals are important.

Finally, I drink the tea. It's fruitier than the tea I used to drink in Japan. It might be even more delicious than the Japanese one...

I'm extremely satisfied. I want to come here again. While thinking such things and taking a breath with a smile on my face, Marcel-san approached me.

"Did you enjoy it?"

At that moment, I finally realized that I had been eating the meal silently, completely absorbed in it.

"I-I'm sorry. I got carried away and ate without saying anything..."

"It's fine. It's good to see you enjoying the food, right?"

Marcel-san said with a slightly teasing tone.

H-How embarrassing... I'll be more careful next time.

"Um... It was incredibly delicious. Thank you for the meal."

I became embarrassed and unintentionally spoke in a low voice.

Marcel-san chuckled at me and then spoke.

"Well, that's a relief. So, shall we go shopping next?"

Saying that, Marcel-san got up from his seat and took care of the bill, so I followed him and left the store.

"Alright then, let's go to a leather goods store. Besides the bank card, I want something that can hold a little money too, like something to hang around your neck."

Leather goods are definitely expensive... but it won't change no matter what I say, so I'll gratefully let him buy it for me.

"Thank you very much."

After walking for a while, we arrived in front of a considerably large store. It seems to be the main store of a trading company that mainly deals with leather goods for nobles and the wealthy.

"Welcome. What are you looking for today?"

"I'm looking for something to hold my bank card and a little money, a type that can be worn around the neck."

"Understood. Then, I recommend this item here."

Saying that, the shop assistant showed me a product that was like a pass case worn around the neck in Japan.

"Leon, which one do you like?"

Even if asked which one I like, they all seem pretty similar. If I had to say, it would be about the darkness or lightness of the color...

"Um, I think a darker color would be better."

"Here you go. In that case, this product is recommended as it uses durable leather."

The shop assistant kindly recommended a product from the darker ones.

"Then, I'll take that one, please."

"Understood. Will five silver coins be alright?"

"That's fine."

"Please make the payment here."

Five silver coins!? That means it's fifty thousand yen. It's so expensive. But Marcel-san is already paying for it...

My gratitude towards Marcel-san keeps piling up. I have to repay his kindness someday...

Marcel-san came over carrying the things he bought. It seems the payment is finished.

"Leon, put your bank card in there. It would be troublesome if you lost it, right?"

"Yes, thank you very much."

"It's fine, don't worry about it. I didn't have anyone to spend the money on, so it's just extra."

Marcel-san said that with a smile. I'm truly grateful. I will definitely repay this kindness.

While thinking so, I put my bank card into the wallet I had received as a gift. When I actually held it in my hand, it was considerably larger than a pass case and could be worn around the neck, so I decided to call it a wallet.

With this, I can always keep it on me under my clothes, even when I'm sleeping. That's the best for security.

Besides, if I have such an elegant wallet, it's like saying I have money, so I'll make sure not to show it outside my clothes except in the city center.

"Did it go in properly?"

"Yes, perfectly. Thank you very much."

"That's good. I'm planning to make some money with Leon from now on."

"Yes. I'll do my best to come up with magical tools!"

"Well, there's no need to rush. Well then, shall we head back soon?"

"Yes, you're right. It will take some time, so let's go back soon."

Saying that, we started walking towards the square where we first got off the shared carriage.