Cecilia found Arisugawa, who had left.
After that, Sharin returned. She seemed happy for a moment when she saw my face, but immediately looked away awkwardly.
“We can’t help Veronica anymore. Let’s decide on our own. Honestly, I want to go back to how I was, so I’m going to meet the sage. I think it’s best to ambush them in front of Blackwind Forest.”
“Yes, but it’s also possible that both sides have already clashed.”
As Cecilia said, if that happened, we wouldn’t have time for leisurely things like casting reverse magic.
“At worst, you might have to live in your current form. Will you still continue your journey?”
“…Yeah, I will. Even if I become a woman, everyone will still be my companion, right?”
“Yes, of course!”
Lauren nodded, leaning forward. It was good that she said that; it made me feel more stable.
“A-and it’s not all bad. We can go to the spa together, do makeup, dress up, and eat sweets.”
“Hahaha, Lauren, do you like those kinds of things too?”
“N-no, but, ah…”
Lauren glanced at Nina and closed her mouth. The fog that had just started to clear became dense again.
“Hmph, hahahaha, it’s fine. About me…”
Or so I thought, but Nina suddenly started laughing. Then she took out a magazine.
“I want to go back to how I was too. But if it’s impossible, then it’s impossible, right? So, here.”
What she was holding was a fashion magazine for men. The cover had a picture of a cool guy, and the headline read, “The Grooming Makeup of Today’s Boys.”
“I thought this might be helpful. After all, even if I become a man, I still want to be beautiful, right? There’s no need to be a woman to become beautiful, and no need to be a man to be strong. I want to always like myself.”
It seemed she had found a new path for herself. That’s right, I won’t give up on my adventure either. Let’s think about what I can do now, rather than what I can’t.
“I have also caused trouble for everyone. As Nina said, I was always chasing after my brother’s back. Even though I decided to forge my own path.”
“Philiana, that can’t be helped. For her, her brother is both a mentor and an object of admiration.”
“I used to say I was glad to be born a woman, but I was just deceiving myself.”
“No, I think what you said before was Philiana’s true feelings. But emotions can’t be easily suppressed.”
Humans are weak. Even if we convince ourselves that everything is fine, that thread can snap at any moment. I’m sure Philiana thought she had let go. But her brother’s presence was always in her heart, though that’s not a bad thing. The bond between siblings is wonderful, no matter how far apart they are.
“That’s right, I’ve obtained new information. This is amazing.”
Now that everyone was gathered, I had to convey the information I got from the Treasure Beastman. I flipped through the notebook to read the memo.
Just then, I heard the sound of a door opening behind me. All eyes focused there. Veronica had entered. We were all speechless, as we never expected her to return.
“…Hmph, so you came back.”
Karubene, who was drinking sake in the back of the room, spoke first. Veronica responded by blowing smoke.
“I thought for sure you wouldn’t be back.”
“The sun has risen.”
The two who were once very close were now glaring at each other. Even Nina and Philiana, who had been talking animatedly just moments before, fell silent. Cecilia, who was next to me, nudged my side.
“It’s the fight between the drunkard and the smoker.”
“Where did you learn such words?”
Karubene looked up at the taller Veronica.
“Because the sun has risen? Shouldn’t you have just gone to someone convenient? This place has too many people and it’s uncomfortable.”
“Is that so? Then I will.”
She had only just returned, and now she was going to leave again. I hurried to stop her.
“Wait, wait, let’s put that problem aside for now.”
“Y-yes, let’s hear the information Hiro-san has brought.”
Nice one, Philiana. We need to change the subject and move forward.
“Put it aside? Where? Here? On this shelf?”
“Karubene, you’ve had too much to drink.”
“Shut up, hey, are you running away, you motherfucker!!”
Ah… this has become a serious problem. If the inn gets more damaged, we’ll be sued. After I was gone, Cecilia seemed to have apologized and compensated the inn.
Turning around, I saw Veronica chewing on a cigarette.
“Ahaha, no, let’s calm down, okay?”
