It’s been a while since we went out together.
You’re right, it really has.
So, where are we going?
Hmm, I haven’t really decided on anything specific, but where should we go?
Rachel had taken Kent out without deciding on a destination.
Honestly, there was something I wanted to talk about. Since we’re out, let’s just wander around town. You’re not busy, are you?
Well, that’s fine.
Kent found her pushy nature nostalgic.
Let’s start with the shops around here.
With that, Kent and Rachel headed towards a street lined with food stalls.
It feels like there are more shops with attached dining spaces now.
Kent noticed that the atmosphere of the shops had changed since his last visit.
As expected, Older Brother, you noticed! Before, there were only shops where you bought something and that was it. Now, many shops have simple chairs and tables. Well, it’s made the street a bit narrower because of it.
The chairs and tables placed in front of the shops naturally occupied the road, making it narrower. It seemed manageable when it wasn’t crowded, but it looked like there would be problems with the width of the passage when it got busy.
I’m not trying to criticize other people’s businesses, but this setup doesn’t feel quite right.
I don’t feel that way at all. Maybe it’s because of you, Older Brother?
What do you mean?
It seems like people think that creating dining space increases customers, because your shop with Marie-san became such a great success.
Is that so? But I think the conditions vary from shop to shop.
I think that’s why the current situation has come about, because they don’t think that way.
As Rachel said, the dining spaces created in front of the shops were being used by many people and were bustling. From this alone, it seemed like all the shops were doing good business. However, Kent thought that because customers were staying for food and drink, the turnover rate for the street stalls might be decreasing, leading to lower profits.
Well, there’s nothing I can do if I worry about it.
Older Brother, since we’re out, shall we grab something to eat?
Uh, didn’t we eat something before leaving?
That was then, this is now!
They had eaten pudding together before leaving, but Rachel didn’t seem to mind and was already looking for their next snack.
Hey, Older Brother. They’re selling baked sweet potatoes over there. I’m really curious.
Rachel had found a stall selling baked sweet potatoes. Kent thought that baked sweet potatoes were something you ate in the cold season; it was still early September, so it was still hot outside, and he wondered if it was out of season, but there was a long line at the stall.
Older Brother, let’s line up. Is it the kind of baked sweet potato I know?
Who knows? It’s another world, so it might be different from what you imagine.
The stall selling baked sweet potatoes was crowded, and it was impossible to tell what they were selling. However, Rachel seemed intrigued by the characters “baked sweet potato” and unhesitatingly joined the line.
Excuse me. Two baked sweet potatoes, please.
Sure thing. I’ll get them ready for you, so please wait a moment. Here you go. Two baked sweet potatoes.
Thank you. Here’s the money.
Thank you for your patronage.
Rachel received two… baked sweet potatoes?
Hot! Older Brother, be careful, it’s hot.
Thank you. Let’s see?
Rachel handed him something wrapped in what looked like dried leaves. Inside, it appeared to be a baked sweet potato.
Older Brother, is this a sweet potato?
It certainly looks like one, but how does it taste?
Kent took a bite.
It’s exactly like a baked sweet potato.
It is! Sweet potatoes exist in this world, huh?
Rachel followed Kent and took a bite.
I wonder. Sweet potatoes have started being grown in Caro-san’s territory, so it might be something produced there.
With this many customers lining up, it might be a bother to ask the shopkeeper. For now, let’s just enjoy the taste.
Though he was a little curious about the origin, Rachel didn’t seem very interested and quickly put more baked sweet potato into her mouth. After that, they wandered through the town, looking at other stalls and peeking into shops selling clothes and accessories.
Is there anywhere we can go to be alone together?
Rachel suddenly said.
What do you plan to do if we’re alone together?
Oh! Older Brother, what are you thinking? I wasn’t planning on doing anything lewd!
Rachel said, her face turning red as she considered what Kent might have meant.
In that case, how about this place?
Kent pointed to a sign that had caught his eye. The sign indicated that in addition to lodging, short-term stays for relaxation were also available.
This should be fine, right?
Rachel said, and without waiting for Kent’s reply, she entered the establishment. Kent hurried after her.
Excuse me, there are two of us. Do you have a room available?
Yep, we do. Are you looking for a rest stop or overnight lodging?
Um, for a rest, please.
Alright. That will be three silver coins for the two of you until evening.
Here you go.
Thank you. Please enjoy your stay.
Rachel completed the check-in and received the key. Then, Kent and Rachel went upstairs to their room.
Older Brother, this place is…
A love hotel.
The room contained only a large bed. Kent had suspected as much from the moment they entered, but since Rachel had gone ahead, he had simply followed. From the next room, they could hear the excited voices of a couple and the creaking sounds.
I’ll just get a cup…
Rachel held a provided cup to the wall, trying to eavesdrop on the excited voices next door.
Um, what are you doing?
I’m trying to hear what’s going on…
…
In a way, Kent thought his sister was quite something.
Here, have a drink. Well, even though it’s like this, what was it you wanted to talk about?
Thank you, Older Brother.
There were no drinks provided in the room, so Kent took out a bottle of tea from his terminal and handed it to Rachel.
Actually, I think you already know this, Older Brother, but it’s about the event that happens in winter.
That’s the one in the Gordon Route, right?
As expected, Older Brother, you understand what I want to say.
Rachel began to speak with a serious expression. She was referring to an event in the story “Tale of school in another world” that occurs when one enters the route to “capture” the Prince of this country, Gordon. While other routes have a two-year capture period, allowing for more relaxed pacing in the first year, Gordon’s route is only one year, making it quite fast-paced. Important events occur relentlessly in the first year.
Just to confirm, when entering the Gordon Route, parameters need to be raised to a certain level by the summer break, and then events occur sequentially, advancing the relationship between the two characters, right?
Yes. But did you do anything besides your part-time job during the summer break?
Oh, I worked a lot. Even though it was to make things easier later on, I worked without any days off during the summer break.
Rachel was talking about the event, but Kent thought that since they hadn’t even met, there was no way they could have entered that route.
If that’s the case, I don’t think that event will occur.
I think so too, but if it does happen, Josette-san…
That’s right… If it happens… it will be like that.
Kent understood what Rachel was getting at. At the school festival, the relationship with Gordon would progress, leading to a “mufufu” relationship. However, that relationship would not last long, and Gordon would fall ill. (It is unclear how this situation unfolds in other routes, as Gordon no longer appears). The illness was troublesome; it was a special disease said to only affect royalty, and a super-rare item called “Fairy’s Tear” was required for its treatment. The protagonist would then embark on a journey to retrieve this item, but the journey was fraught with dangers like monsters and demons. If the required parameters were insufficient, it would result in an immediate bad ending – a truly unforgiving system. In the case of a bad ending, Gordon and Josette would somehow become engaged and marry. However, if the protagonist managed to retrieve the item and return safely, Gordon’s illness would be cured, and he would be recognized for his courage and actions, leading to a happy ending.
However, at the same time, if a happy ending was achieved, Josette would be tricked by a dishonest merchant into using a fake medicine, which would worsen Gordon’s condition. Consequently, she would be taken into custody and removed from the game’s stage.
Older Brother, it would be a problem if Josette-san ended up like that, wouldn’t it? That’s why I thought we should start thinking about countermeasures now.
Indeed, it would be a problem. So, what should we do?
In case the event does occur, it might be best to secure the “Fairy’s Tear” in advance.
That’s what I figured… We’ll have to tell Josette-san to just behave if the event happens.
Well, seeing as you’re so close with Older Brother, I don’t think Josette-san would do anything out of the ordinary now.
Rachel took a sip of her tea and continued.
But that item, the “Fairy’s Tear,” is the tricky part.
Indeed… In the story, there’s no clear indication of where it is. It’s only described as being found after searching through forests and mountains, so it sounds like it would be difficult to find.
Right? …But we have a few fairies among our acquaintances, so maybe someone knows?
At this point, that’s all we can rely on.
Kent and Rachel reconfirmed their future plans.
