The Reincarnated Boy’s Growth Log ~The Harder I Work The Stronger I Can Become!?~ 254 (Patreon)

After Story. The Story Of A Certain Youngster Arc: Jewel In The Forest

"Let's go then, shall we, Mei"

After having fun playing with Allen-sama and the others, Ferris-nee was considerate of us and allowed Mei to wrap up earlier than usual. We gave our thanks to Ferris-nee's goodwill, and the two of us went out of the Royal Palace.

"So, where are we going, Roy"

"Aah, let's fill our stomachs somewhere first. We'll look around the town after that, and I want to go outside the Royal Capital for a bit around dusk. Is that okay?"

Mei nods at my words. Alright, we'll fill our stomachs first. We go to the dining hall we always frequent......not, but a slightly stylish store.

This place is a store I heard about from the maids working in the Royal Palace. I hear it seems to be a popular store amongst the ladies, and it seems to be a rival store of the Light Dragon Tavern. I feel bad for the Light Dragon Tavern we frequent, but I shall have them let me use this place for today.

A female shop attendant shows up when we go inside with the two of us, and we have her guide us to our seats. Geh, looking at it closely, perhaps it's because it's break time for the Royal Palace's maids, there's a few of them who have come, isn't there. I'll pretend I don't know anything here.

After that, we order our dishes. I'd decided on a set meal with a lot of meat, and Mei had decided on a 'salad set'. Mei, too, because there are a lot of beautiful people around her, is unexpectedly bothered about such things.

But, unfortunately, Mei is not the pretty type, but the cute type. I have a feeling she's different from the beautiful Nee-sans around.

"This store, I had been thinking about coming, but I just end up going to the closer Light Dragon Tavern no matter what"

"Aah, I know that feeling. Besides, Priscilla-neechan is the manager over there after all"

It's because that store, Hilde-san imports rare ingredients from all over the entire continent. There are apparently also ingredients you can only eat at this Royal Capital's or Nanor's store after all.

Those ingredients, occasionally come out as a set meal, and everybody eats them without realising.

The reason the price isn't different from ordinary set meals, is that Hilde-san isn't very obsessed with money. Because she thinks it's fine if she can just pay the employees' wages. Well, even so, her sales are in the black though.

After that, when I'm having my meal while talking to Mei, the acquainted maids glance over here. Wai-, don't look over here. It's embarrassing, isn't it.

Perhaps Mei also noticed those maids' gazes, she's making an awkward smile. I know that feeling awfully well.

"Those over there, are the maids who work in the Royal Palace, right? We're being looked at awfully much"

"They're probably curious. That Mei and I are on a date"

"......uu! Da-ー......!"

......this Mei, she didn't realise it until now. Perhaps she's finally self-aware because of what I said, she's bloody blushing. I'm happy that I can see her beet-red-in-embarrassment face, but I'm sad about the fact that she wasn't self-aware until now.

Nevertheless, Mei not saying that she's going home, probably means she acknowledges it as well. Alright, let's carry on like this.

Having finished our lunch, Mei and I stroll the town. This town sure became really lively as well in these 3 years huh.

"Why are you fidgetily looking around?"

As I'm scanning the surroundings in such a manner, Mei looks up at me peeringly. How adorable.

"No, I was just thinking, 'this town sure has gotten quite big as well huh'"

When I spell my honest thoughts, Mei starts giggling......there's nothing funny about it, is there.

"Fufufu, good grief, Roy sure is saying some grandpa-like things huh. We're still 14 years old, aren't we"

"That may be the case. But we know this town back after the war with Regalia ended after all"

"Well. It's not like I don't get how you feel either though. Even so, stop saying such grandpa-reeking things, alright. We still have work to do from here on out after all"

While giggling, Mei walks in front. I want to walk with you in our long life ahead though. I nearly say something like that, but I clench and bear with it.

Those aren't words to say here and now after all. I have to endure until the night.

After that, I look around various stores with Mei. Mei doesn't really have much of a materialistic desire after all. Even when I ask her if there's anything she wants, I'm told there's nothing in particular.

That 'just looking around in such a manner is fun'. Well, I, who thinks as such, have also never really felt like I wanted anything though.

We were having fun looking around, and it had become dusk before we knew it. It's the perfect time period.

"Mei, I'm thinking it's about time to go outside, is that okay?"

"Nn? Un, sure"

Alright. We carry on to go all the way to the gate, and I borrow the horse I'd requested. I became capable of riding a horse to some extent as well in these 3 years after all. If we ride together on this horse, we'll probably arrive in about an hour.

"Mei, wrap your hands around my waist and make sure you don't fall off"

"Un, got it"

I lend Mei my hand and sit her behind me. Mei, who sat behind me, wraps her hands around my waist and squeezes me tightly. Uu, things that are still developing but are soft hit my back.

"The-, then, we're gonna take off"

"Un!"

Alright, off we go!

◇◇◇

An hour and a half later

"Is there something here?"

"Aah, deep in this forest"

We finally arrived after riding the horse from the Royal Capital for a bit over an hour. The sun is gonna set completely soon. I alight from the horse and hold a lantern Magic Tool.

Perhaps Mei is slightly afraid, she's squeezing my shirt's hem and sticking beside me. I've already confirmed that there are no strong monsters here. Even if there are monsters, they're probably goblins and orcs. In which case, I can keep them away if I use the miniature barrier device Magic Tool.

And then, Mei and I make our way inside the forest. The footing is slightly bad, but since it's illuminated by the moonlight shining in from the trees' gaps, it's not like we can't see at all. There's a lantern as well after all.

We walk inside the forest for 30 minutes. The trees are finally gone, and we come out to an open place. Over there

"Uwaa〜, beautiful!"

Mei gets excited and starts running. I suppose that's inevitable as well. It's because the place I brought her to was a place enchanting like a jewel with flowers of various colours blossoming and 'Luminous Flies', an insect that illuminates their body, flying around them.