Chapter 13: Picnic

The sun had risen once again and a new day had arrived. I stretched my arms and greeted the new day with a lengthy sigh. Though it's still early in the morning, the crowd was already busy.

Aghh... A lot sure happened yesterday. We travelled to a faraway village, defeated a horde of orcs, caused some ruckus in the guild, I made Yuna cry then patched things up, and... yeah, I don't wanna remember what happened next.

Come to think of it, I haven't had the chance to cook curry for Yuna yesterday, since we were too embarrassed to talk to each other. Now... how should I make it up to her?

... Ah! Maybe "that" will do.

It might take a little bit of work but it will be worth it if it makes Yuna happy. The real problem is how to execute it. I won't be able to do it if Yuna's around.

What to do... What to do... Ah! I could use that!

I headed downstairs and had breakfast while waiting for Yuna to wake up. As usual, the breakfast I had was delicious. I'm especially fond of their soup. I heard that the broth was based on a Golden-Spotted Boar.

Just as I was enjoying my meal, footsteps of someone descending the stairs came ringing inside my ears.

「Gwood Moaing, Gwe～y, Hewen-sa～n」Yuna

「Good Morning,」Grey

「Morning!」Helen

Shortly after Yuna went downstairs, she ordered breakfast and joined me with my meal. She was still sleepy but her hand was feeding food to her mouth perfectly fine.

Now, to execute the plan.

「Um, Yuna.」Grey

「Hm?」Yuna

「Could you check the adventurer's guild if they're done with the assessment of the items, and while you're there, kindly select some quests for us.」Grey

「Hm? I'm going alone?」Yuna

「Yeah, it would serve as good training to better your negotiation skills. Also, you could ask Helen-san a few tips about negotiations.」Grey

「That's true... Alright. I'll go as soon as I finish eating.」Yuna

「Thanks.」Grey

Great! The first step is a success. Now all I have to do is wait.

After we finished our breakfast, Yuna immediately left to start her "training". Usually, Yuna would notice if I have something on my mind or if I'm thinking of something strange because of how observant she is. But that didn't seem to be the case this time. Was it because she was too sleepy to notice?

Oh well, now that Yuna is gone, it's time to execute the next step of the plan!

「Hey, Helen-san, can I use the kitchen?」 Grey

「Haah... I knew it. I thought it was weird that you let Yuna-san go by herself. So, what are you planning?」Helen

「That's none of your business.」Grey

「Then, I'm afraid you won't be able to use the kitchen.」Helen

「Ugh!」Grey

You vile witch! If only I didn't need your favor! And what's with that smug face!?

After being blackmailed by Helen-san, I was forced to tell everything down the smallest detail. It was like she was investigating a criminal, and it was very tiresome.

Agh... I shouldn't have followed Dale-san's suggestion into coming here, this place is a demoness' den.

「Cheer up, Grey, it's not the end of the world yet. Don't you still have a plan to cheer Yuna-san. So cheer up!」Helen

Helen-san, you vile witch, I hate you! And when did we become so familiar with each other?!

Ughh, forget it, as long as I can use the kitchen. With that, I'll be able to cook multiple dishes that would suit Yuna's taste.

「Oh, right. Grey you should buy fruits as well. It wouldn't be a picnic without some fresh fruits and berries.」Helen

「I'll keep that in mind.」Grey

Although she's a demoness, she's still helping me one way or another. Though, I already have those things in my 『Storage』, so buying more would just be wasteful if anything.

With everything at hand, I started preparing everything I needed to have a successful picnic with Yuna. I made sandwiches, tonkatsu, tamagoyaki, hamburg steak, onigiri, potato chips, some beverages, and other dishes. Of course, I also made her favorite food, curry. I also prepared some rice to eat it with and sauces for the other dishes.

Well, this might have been over the top, but this is not even enough to make it up to Yuna. If I didn't have some pre-made ingredients in the storage, I wouldn't have been able to pull this off.

Just as I finished cooking, Helen-san approached me and handed me a dress for Yuna to wear. I was wondering what the strange noises I heard when I was cooking were, but it turned out it was just Helen-san searching through her closet for a dress Yuna can wear.

In normal situations, I would be happy that someone is helping me out with my plan, but knowing Helen-san's personality, she's probably up to something.

Now that I think of it, other than clothes for adventuring, training, and casual use. Yuna doesn't have any other clothes in her wardrobe, especially those for going out. We should probably have a day dedicated for shopping every once in a while.

Hmm... Strange... Yuna should have gotten back long ago. What's taking her so long?

... Wait! Did those bunch of scumbags do anything to her!? This is bad... I need to find her quickー

「Am ba～ck.」Yuna

I was about to dash out and search for Yuna, but when I exited the kitchen, I heard her voice as she entered the inn.

「Grey, I don't wanna do it ever again.」Yuna

Huh? Why does she sound so tired? Did something really happen?

「Because I was all alone, Tilda-san teased me every time she got the chance. And when I tried to escape, she found a way to make me stay longer.」Yuna

Ahh... So that's what happened... Somehow, I'm thankful Tilda-san held Yuna there. I was able to prepare everything because of that.

「Uuu... I wanna cry.」Yuna

Never mind, I'm not thankful at all. Tilda-san, just what did you do to Yuna?

But well, it's not like I can do something to an event that already happened. All I can do now is cheer her up with everything I've prepared.

「Well, now that you've returned, kindly change into this.」Grey

I quickly opened the storage and gave Yuna the clothes Helen-san handed to me. It was a simple blue dress which matched with the color of Yuna's eyes, embedded with intricate floral designs and designed with a little bit of ribbons.

「Ok... Wait! Why?! Are we going somewhere?」Yuna

「A picnic.」Grey

「Ehh!? Why all of the sudden?」Yuna

「Well, I haven't cooked you curry yesterday, so this is something I prepared to make it up to you.」Grey

「N-No, you don't have to, I meaー」Yuna

「Hush! I don't want to hear another word from you. If you insist any more, I will really get mad at you.」Grey

Having no other way to rebut, Yuna silently went up to her room to change. I feel bad for using that card against Yuna, but if I didn't say that, I doubt that there will be an end to that conversation.

As for myself, I'm wearing one of the sets of clothes that God sent me. This clothing set in particular was made for going out. I'm really thankful that God sent me multiple sets of clothes.

After a few minutes, Yuna went downstairs, fully dressed in the set of clothing Helen-san let her borrow. And when I saw her, it was as if an angel had descended upon this corrupted world.

「H... How is it...?」Yuna

Yuna asked bashfully, obviously embarrassed in wearing that dress. But even then, I was too much at a loss for words that I can't answer her right away. Yuna herself was already beautiful, but with her hair done carefully, along with the dress she's wearing, she was even more stunning.

I'm so happy to be alive! God, thank you for reincarnating me!

「Umm... Grey, you're staring too much...」Yuna

「Ah, sorry, you were just too beautiful that I couldn't help it.」Grey

「Th... Thank... you...」Yuna

Aww... She's getting more and more bashful. Yuna usually acts calm and mature, so seeing her act like this really is a nice change of pace.

「Mmm～.」Helen

Other than me, a certain demoness was also observing Yuna's expressions. It would have been great if she would just stay quiet and not try to stir up more trouble for the two of us.

「Yuna-san～ you look so cute! I wanna keep you for myself!」Helen

「Helen-san please don't. Even if you helped me prepare everything for today, I still won't let you do whatever you want with Yuna.」Grey

「Ohh～ I'm so scared. Hahaha, don't worry Grey, it was just a joke.」Helen

「I have a strong feeling you were serious.」Grey

「Well, maybe a little.」Helen

Haah... Seriously, how could people stand living under the same roof with Helen-san. My first impression of her as being someone mature and responsible is now completely shattered.

Well, since I've already stored everything we need in the storage, I guess the only thing left to do is to head out and have picnic.

「Helen-san, we'll be going now.」 Grey

「Okay～. Good luck with your picnic date!」Helen

「Y... Yeah...」Grey

We then went out of the Rabbit's Den and headed to the direction of the Eastern Gate where a small serene and beautiful forest lay ahead.

The city of Galderia has a total of 4 gates, one in each of the four cardinal directions. When we entered the city for the first time, we went through the Southern Gate and when adventuring, we often used the western gate.

But while we were heading there, somehow... I felt like the whole crowd's gaze was upon us. The men's intense gazes in particular are piercing through my skin.

Is this what I get from walking besides a beautiful maiden?

Well, Yuna's got it tougher, since not just men, but women also gaze at her intensely. She's been looking embarrassed all this time and hasn't uttered a single word.

Ah... But that side of her was also cute.

「Oh, Grey, Yuna.」Dale

「Hello, Dale-san.」Grey

「Good morning.」Yuna

When we arrived at the Eastern Gate, Dale-san greeted us as soon as he noticed us approaching. Looks like Dale-san is positioned in the Eastern Gate today.

When we arrived at the gate, Yuna loosened up from the tension of the gazes from before. It must have been very uncomfortable for her being the center of attention.

「You two going somewhere?」Dale

「Yeah, we're going on a picnic.」Grey

「A picnic, you say? Well the weather certainly is beautiful... Are you perhaps heading to the Emerald Leaf Forest?」Dale

「Yeah, is there a problem?」Grey

「Nah, there's no such thing. But since you're going there, I suggest heading a little bit deeper into the forest. With the season right now, the flowers in that forest should be in full bloom!」Dale

「Oh! That's a great tip!」Grey

「Un! I would love to see those flowers!」Yuna

Looks like Yuna's looking forward to it. I should be thankfー Hm? This scene feels a little familiar. Haven't Dale-san given a suggestion before? But just after 5 days, I've already regretted going with what he suggested.

Following the Rabbit Den suggestion was really a huge mistake on my part. Well, he was right on the service and food part, but he didn't tell me that the receptionist was a demoness. I'm not so sure now if I should follow Dale-san's suggestion once again.

「I gotta say, you two really look good together. I'm pretty sure that you garnered a lot of stares on your way here.」Dale

「Haah... Tell me about it...」Grey

「Un... It was pretty uncomfortable...」Yuna

Their gazes were pretty intense, especially the men. I could imagine some of them killing me in the back of their minds.

「Well, we should get going now.」Grey

「Alright, just be sure to return before the clock strikes nine.」Dale

「I'll keep that in mind.」Grey

「See you later, Dale-san!」Yuna

「Yeah.」Dale

After we said our goodbyes, we then headed to the Emerald Leaf Forest. And when we arrived, we were greeted by a beautiful array of flowers at full bloom. Some were even blooming right before our eyes.

From left to right, all you could see were flowers that could rival precious jewels in both gleam and beauty. It was truly a wonderful spectacle. I'm surprised that not many people view them together, something like Hanami back in japan.

「What pretty flowers. It's like they're jewels gleaming under the sun.」Yuna

While Yuna was admiring the flowers, I started preparing everything to start our picnic. From laying down the cloth, arranging various foods, and cleaning up the vicinity.

Well, that should be enough.

「Yuna, I'm done preparing. Why don't we eat for now and leave the flower viewing for later?」Grey

「Oh, you're already done? Sorry I wasn't able to help.」Yuna

「Don't worry about it, I already told you, didn't I? I prepared this picnic so that I can make up to you. So you don't have to do anything, just enjoy yourself.」Grey

「But, it just doesn't feel right not doing anything.」Yuna

「If you feel like that, why don't you join me with lunch, I cooked your favorite.」Grey

「Then... I'll take you up on your offer,」Yuna

Pfft... She really is weak against food.

After Yuna sat down, we then started eating our meal. We ate, laughed, told stories of our past, we did all sorts of things. It was the liveliest meal I've had for years.

「That was delicious.」Yuna

「I'm glad you liked it.」Grey

Seeing her smile like that makes it all worth it being tormented by that demoness. I would have cried if she didn't like it.

「Grey! Let's go flower viewing!」Yuna

With excitement blooming brightly on her face, Yuna grabbed my hand and headed over to where the flowers can be viewed clearly.

Yeah, it was really worth it...

「Alright, where should we go?」Grey

「Let's go there first.」Yuna

For the whole afternoon, we have been going here and there viewing different kinds of flowers, but each of them were just as beautiful. And with the perfect amount of sunlight, it became like a scene that could only be read in fairytales.

I'm sure I'll never forget this experience. Not because the flowers, but because of the silver-haired elf merrily watching each one of them. Elves really do go well with nature.

After the sunset, we lighted up the surroundings with light crystals and had dinner. Our dinner was just about the same as our lunch, minus the curry, since Yuna finished it all. Nevertheless, we still had a wonderful time eating together.

And now that dinner is done, it's time to execute the final step of the plan.

「Hey, Yuna, close your eyes.」Grey

「Why?」Yuna

「It's a surprise.」Grey

「Alright... But don't do anything weird okay!?」Yuna

「Yeah, I promise.」Grey

When Yuna closed her eyes, I put out the light crystals around us and darkness quickly swallowed our surroundings.

「Now, open your eyes.」Grey

「Hmー Woah...」Yuna

Before our eyes, the Emerald Leaf Forest was glowing brightly like the sky above us filled with a cascade of stars. With the flowers gleaming in different colors and the light from the fireflies glowing and fading alternately, the once green forest seemed like the ever expanding universe.

I got this idea when I learnt that the flowers in the Emerald Leaf Forest reflects and refracts light. When we had dinner, I purposely brightened up the light crystals so that Yuna wouldn't notice what was taking place. I'm thankful it all went according to plan.

「It's beautiful...」Yuna

Yuna commented as she stood there motionless, looking at the beautiful orchestra of lights before her.

Haah... looks like we'll be here for a while.

CHAPTER 13 E