“So, here we are.”
We stood in front of Grete’s house, behind the Perching Branch pub.
“And this cute girl must be Laura?”
Grete said, making Laura’s ears twitch.
It was clear that Grete was the perfect choice.
Today, she wasn’t wearing her usual fancy pub clothes but something stylish and hard to describe—
a dress with white lace, very chic. Even if it was just loungewear, it looked elegant.
Laura’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Grete, who seemed to notice and graciously accepted the admiration.
Grete exuded the aura of a sophisticated woman.
Despite being our age, she seemed so different. Maybe it’s because she grew up in the city while we explored the labyrinth daily.
“And so, you were chosen, cowgirl. Lead us through the festival.”
Heidemarie said pompously, but it felt more like an issue of her character.
“…Well, I was heading to the festival’s eve anyway, so this works out—”
Grete sighed lightly, rolled up her sleeves, and spoke with resolve.
“Su-chan.”
“Hm? What is it?”
“I’m happy. The fact that you, Su-chan, want to dress up.”
“Me? No, it’s Laura who—”
“What! You suggested it yourself!”
“No, I didn’t.”
“The Su-chan who always wore such drab clothes!”
“Did you say that?”
“The Su-chan who couldn’t tell the difference between lotion and soap!”
“Can we drop that?”
“Prepare yourself! Today you’ll be my dress-up doll!”
“…I might have made a mistake.”
Grete half-forced Heidemarie into a hug, raising her fist to the sky with a cheer.
“And you too, Laura! I love cute girls!”
“Yes! Please!”
“Alright, I’m excited! I’ll pick out outfits for you both! Just wait a moment; I’ll get ready.”
And so, under Grete’s guidance, we decided to join the festival.
The Villeborn Festival is a traditional celebration with cultural significance, expressing gratitude to the labyrinth. Villeborn thrives because of the labyrinth. To its residents, the labyrinth is as essential as the sea to sea folk or mountains to mountain folk.
The central city was bustling from midday, filled with the fresh energy of the upcoming festivities.
On both sides of the street, stalls were being set up, some just frames at this point. Flags were being strung between high buildings, and the aroma of spices wafted from food stalls preparing their dishes.
Grete led us confidently, swiftly selecting fabrics and making purchases as we navigated the festival’s eve.
“Oh, Grete! Business is good, I see!”
A middle-aged shopkeeper called out to her at one of the stalls.
“Thanks to you! The master was thrilled yesterday!”
She replied, glancing at us.
Heidemarie and I didn’t understand, but Laura’s ears perked up, as if she did.
Something was starting.
“Buying all that, are you sure it’s okay?”
The shopkeeper asked first.
“And you, aren’t you worried about your wife being angry with all that drinking and eating?”
Grete responded smoothly.
“Strangely, we have extra money.”
“Oh, what a coincidence! Where did that money come from?!”
Cueing the response, both the shopkeeper and Laura joined in chorus.
“Labyrinth blessings!”
I’ve heard this before.
It’s a famous chant for the Festival of Passage.
Heidemarie murmured in admiration.
“Adventurers can be so narrow-minded.”
“…True.”
I agreed.
Venturing into the labyrinth is just one aspect of our lives. This city is like the labyrinth’s zeroth floor. Those who grew up here must understand the labyrinth better than us.
I’m glad we called Grete. Following her through a few more alleys, we arrived at a cluster of colorful stalls.
The clientele seemed different. Seasoned shopkeepers and customers haggled earnestly. This seemed like a more serious part of the market.
“Grete, what’s that hat?”
Laura pointed to a hat on a shelf.
“That’s a bobble hat. It’s a bit trendy in Villeborn now, part of the southern traditional attire. Unmarried women wear red, and married women wear black bobbles.”
” Oh! “
” So, if you’re wearing a red , it means you’re waiting to be picked up! “
” Ohhh! “
Laura had completely taken to Grete.
She was delighted to have an older woman she could rely on and talk to casually, like a big sister.
Come to think of it, most of the people around Laura recently were either doctors, nurses, or members of [Night Dragonfly], all with somewhat tense jobs. It must have been an unfamiliar, nerve-wracking atmosphere for a child.
” Tch, a dog that measures age only by the size of one’s chest. “
” That’s the problem, don’t you think…? “
Heidemarie watched Laura, mumbling this the whole time.
She feels slighted when someone she doesn’t try to get close to takes to someone else. Quite troublesome.
By the way, comparing demi-humans to animals can be considered quite discriminatory, depending on the context. Calling them [Beastfolk] is similarly problematic.
However, in her defense, Heidemarie doesn’t really hate these people. It’s a form of intentional rudeness, an act of vulnerability, and by using such overtly exaggerated language as an “act,” it actually conveys a sense of familiarity…or so I believe.
Is that true?
Let’s say it is. She probably wants to get along a bit better. Although it does seem incredibly clumsy…is it just clumsiness? Or maybe it’s just a personality flaw?
” Miss Grete, Miss Grete! Why do you call Heidemarie Miss Sue? “
” Ah, Laura dear, that’s because she always– “
” A wonderful Sue! Hahaha! Laura! You should call her that too! “
TLNOTE: Sue = Su from Sutakaa (Stalker)
Oh, Heidemarie finally rushed over to join them. Looks like she did want to get along with Laura. Good.
The ladies, well, everyone except me, were trying on clothes, hats, and accessories, looking like they were having a lot of fun.
Although it feels awkward to say, Miss Grete also seemed delighted.
Miss Grete chose one store, saying “Wait here,” and took Laura to a fitting room in the back.
Heidemarie and I were left alone, listening to the cheerful voices from the fitting room for a long while.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
” They’re taking a while. “
Heidemarie tapped her folded arms with her fingers.
” …Do you think they’re having trouble? “
” Hmm, I’ll go check after a bit. “
” Yeah, please do. “
Just as Heidemarie was about to go, Laura came running out.
She looked adorable.
A blue dress, sort of like a young lady’s outfit without an apron?
I lack the vocabulary.
It had short sleeves, and the skirt just covered her knees, which anyone could tell.
” How do I look…? “
” Uh… “
Laura asked for my opinion.
” Come on, Vim, your opinion. “
Grete urged me as I struggled to find words.
” Ah, it’s blue…? Ah, I think it looks beautiful… “
Ah, this isn’t good. Grete’s eyes are cold.
” Alright, round two! “
The two disappeared into the back of the store again. After a while, Laura came running out again in a different outfit.
It seemed like an upgraded version of the last outfit. Maybe with added belts, making it look more boyish. She looked like a fairy tale protagonist.
” Okay, your opinion! “
” I think it’s very cute! “
This time, I managed to respond quickly and appropriately.
” Yay! “
” We did it! “
They high-fived.
” Come on, Sue, your turn now. “
Next, Grete took Heidemarie by the hand.
” Uh, but I don’t– “
” You’re coming! Come on! “
This time, the three of them went into the fitting room. After a while, different sounds than before came out.
” My limbs can’t move freely! What’s this strange feeling on my scalp!? “
” Fashion is about endurance! “
” Beauty that’s not an extension of functional beauty… “
” Close your legs! “
It sounded like Heidemarie was yelling.
After waiting longer than before, Grete came out proudly, dragging a woman with dead eyes behind her.
” My masterpiece. “
” …Ugh. “
” H-Heidemarie? “
” Who else would it be… “
Seeing my bewildered reaction, Grete sighed.
She looked so different from the usual Heidemarie that I thought she might be a shop clerk or someone else.
Her usual twin ponytails were undone, her hair neatly styled and flowing down her back. She wore a sleeveless, collared shirt—was it a blouse since it was for women?—and a neatly cinched brown skirt flared out beautifully.
She looked incredibly slender. And, although she was small, her legs looked long.
I thought to myself.
Who is this?
The usual overbearing demeanor was gone, replaced by a graceful, almost noble princess-like appearance. She looked like a doll.
” You could just say it doesn’t suit me. “
Heidemarie muttered with no confidence.
” No, I think it suits you. “
” …Really? “
Her hair and clothes weren’t the only things different; even her behavior was the opposite of usual.
Blushing, she glanced up at me shyly, making what you’d call an “upward glance”–
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continue
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” Uh, I’ll just, go buy something! “
I turned away and hurried to the main street to buy something.
That something turned out to be a drink.
When I returned, a smug Grete, a sulking Laura, and a pouting Heidemarie back in her usual clothes were waiting.
I watched the three of them disappear into the back of the store again and sighed.
“…Phew.”
Honestly, it was exhausting. I kind of wanted to go home.
But everyone seemed to be having fun. Especially seeing Laura smile made me happy.
It felt like they were using me as a judge for their outfits, so I didn’t feel any particular pressure.
Maybe this was okay. Not being at the center of the fun but watching it from the sidelines.
After finishing the shopping, and being made a plaything myself, it was already evening.
We were all exhausted.
After parting with Grete and Heidemarie, we just glanced at the festival. Eating and dancing would wait until tomorrow, and we headed home.
“…Um, Laura? Isn’t it time to go back to the hospital?”
” Ah, um! The nurse said she’d come pick me up at home! “
Laura looked reluctant. Since that was the case, I decided to muster up a bit more energy to stay with her.
I opened the door to the house.
I noticed something almost falling from the door as I opened it. I caught it before it hit the ground.
It looked like an ordinary flyer.
But I immediately noticed something strange.
There were two of them. Two identical flyers stacked together.
It was obvious what that meant. A quick comparison revealed a slight difference, and a simple adjustment of the text revealed a message.
I had a hunch who it was from and what they wanted.
” Sorry, Laura. I can’t do tomorrow. “
I was abruptly pulled back to reality.
It felt like I’d just been escaping all day.
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Unless it’s a twist, it must be from Twilight Owls. Sophia is the only other option and it doesn’t seem likely.